Timothy Chandler of Concord, New Hampshire. An inlaid cherry case tall clock. 218109.
The very traditional-looking form is constructed of woods found locally in the Concord, New Hampshire, region. The primary wood is cherry, and the secondary is New England white pine. The line inlays are most likely holly, and the oval in the base is a fine selection of figured birch. This case has been appropriately refinished in the last 50 years. The pleasing color and the warm tones are excellent.
This fine example stands up on an applied bracket base. The four feet are nicely formed and retain excellent height. The base panel is framed with a line inlay pattern. The center of the panel features an inlaid oval of figured birch. The waist section features a rectangular-shaped waist door trimmed with applied molding. Through this door, one can gain access to the interior of the case and the components, including the two drive weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob. The waist door is inlaid with a string pattern that frames the panel. Additional inlay patterns are displayed in the blocks that support the quarter columns. The inlay pattern used here is more complex. The inset quarter columns are fluted. The bonnet or hood is surmounted with a pierced-and-open fretwork pattern. Three inlaid finial plinths support the frets and the brass ball-and-spike finials. The plinths are inlaid with the same pattern used under the quarter columns in the waist section. Each plinth supports a brass ball-and-spike finial. The molded arch is supported by smoothly turned and fluted bonnet columns. These are free-standing and mounted in brass capitals. They flank the arched bonnet door, which is fitted with glass. Rectangular-shaped side lights are located on both sides of the hood.
The painted iron dial is an English product. On the back is a signed Osbourne false plate. This dial features a nautical theme. An aquatic plant is painted in the four spandrel areas. The arch of the dial is decorated with a small grouping of sea shells. They include a Broad-Ribbed Cardita on the left, a Scotch Bonnet in the center, and a Bleeding Tooth. This is an unusual lunette scene. I find it interesting. The Traditional time ring used small Arabic-style numerals at the five-minute positions. A dotted minute ring separates them from the Roman-style hour numerals. A subsidiary seconds dial is located just below the hour XII. The calendar is positioned below the center arbor. The steel hour and minute hands are a traditional design.
The clockworks are constructed in brass and are of good quality. Four turned brass pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions, brass gearing, and recoil escapement. The winding drums are grooved. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a two-train or a time-and-strike design, having a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. The works are mounted on a seat-board that is die-stamped by the Clockmaker. The stamp reads, “T. CHANDLER.”
This attractive clock was made circa 1805. It stands approximately 91 inches or 7 feet 7 inches tall to the top of the center finial. When measured at the upper hood molding, this case is 21.25 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep.
Inventory number 218109.
Major Timothy Chandler was born on April 25th, 1762, in Rumford, Maine, and died on July 22nd, 1848, in Concord, NH. He is the son of Timothy and Elizabeth (Copp) Chandler and was one of five children. His father died when he was eight years old, and it has been suggested that Timothy traveled to Pomfret, Connecticut, in 1770-1783 to serve an apprenticeship to Jonathan Hale, who was a wool card maker. It is not known who specifically taught him the art of clockmaking. It is speculated that Chandler may have also trained as a clockmaker with Peregrine White, who was at work in nearby Woodstock. (Timothy named one of his sons Peregrine White Chandler.) Timothy moved back to Concord in 1791 and advertised tall clocks for sale. He was also appointed Sealer of Weights and Measures in Concord, NH. It is reported that in November of 1787, Timothy married Sarah Abbott of Concord. This suggests that he must have traveled back and forth to Concord from Pomfret before he settled there. Together they had twelve children.
In Concord, Timothy became a prolific clockmaker until his retirement in 1829. His main competition was Levi and his brother Abel Hutchins. Timothy was responsible for training several clockmakers, including his sons, Timothy Jay, John Bradley, and Abel. It has been suggested that he trained Joseph Chadwick in about 1801, who was from Boscawen. He also apprenticed Deacon Cyrus Eastman of Amherst, NH. Eastman served a seven-year apprenticeship which ended about 1814.
In 1797, Timothy enlisted with the Minute Men and received the commission of Major in 1799. He also served as vice president and then the president of the Merrimack Agricultural Society in the early 1800s. In 1808, he was appointed the Surveyor of Highways in Concord. On the evening of August 17th, 1809, he suffered a fire that originated from his air furnace or forge in his clock manufactory. The manufactory, with all its contents, the house, the barn full of hay, and two other hay barns were lost at a value of $5,000. Interestingly, the citizens of Concord raised $1,200 in order to help offset his losses and to rebuild. Chandler would rebuild and continue his career as a clockmaker.
In 1814, when Governor Gilman ordered the creation of local companies to defend the town in the event of an attack, Chandler, now in his 50s, again volunteered to serve in the militia. In 1819, he served as Chairman of the first "Lancastrian School." In 1820, he and his son Timothy Jay formed a partnership as T. Chandler & Son. This partnership lasted four years until T. Chandler & Co was formed in 1824 and lasted until 1828. This second company also included Timothy Jay.
In 1825, Timothy Chandler was one of the nine officers of the newly formed New Hampshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, one of New Hampshire's earliest fire insurance providers. In 1827, he served as Chairman of the group that organized the Unitarian Society. From 1829 through 1830, he joined his son Abel under the firm name of A. Chandler & Co. After 1830, he worked alone, served as President of Concord's first Temperance Society, was Vice President of Concord Mechanics Association, and was one of 17 original trustees of the N.H. Savings Bank. In 1834, he named three of Concord's streets.
We have owned numerous examples of his work. These include tall clocks, timepieces, mirror clocks, and shelf clocks. A fair number of silver items are also known.
