Aaron Willard of Boston, Massachusetts. An inland mahogany tall case clock that is fitted with an alarm. 214012.
This inlaid mahogany tall case clock features a dial signed by the Boston, Massachusetts, Clockmaker Aaron Willard.
This inlaid mahogany case exhibits the highest level of woodworking skills and may be a product of Stephen Badlam's cabinet shop in Dorchester, MA. This fine example stands on four nicely formed ogee bracket feet. These are applied to the bottom of double-step molding, which is mounted to the base. The mahogany selected for the base panel features good vertically positioned graining. This panel is also inlaid with a delicate line border designed with light and darker wood shades in an alternating pattern. In each of the four corners of the base is a quarter fan composed of four individual petals. This inlaid design element is repeated in the rectangular-shaped waist door, except that the line is now solid. The waist door is fitted with applied molding that frames the outside edge. One would open this door to access the inside of the case where the brass-faced pendulum and weights are located. The front corners of the case are fitted with the traditionally formatted brass stop-fluted quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. This detail is framed with a cock-beaded molding. The bonnet is surmounted with a pierced and open fretwork design incorporating three finial plinths and three brass ball-and-spike finials. Fully turned and brass stop fluted bonnet columns visually support the upper bonnet molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass and opens to access the painted iron dial.
This dial is signed by the Clockmaker below the calendar aperture. It reads, "Aaron Willard." The spandrel areas and the arch of this dial are decorated with traditional floral themes. This dial displays the hours, minutes, seconds, and calendar dates in their traditional locations.
This movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a time-and-strike design with 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. This movement is also fitted with an alarm, the mechanism for which it is mounted to the right side of the works. It is wound independently of the main mechanics of the clock. One winds this alarm by pulling a cord inside the case, raising the drive weight. The alarm is set by moving the brass alarm hand, seen on the dial, to the desired time. When set up, it will strike multiple times on the hourbell until the alarm weight is exhausted. This very unusual feature is not often found on American tall case clocks. One starts to see Aaron Willard incorporate it into a small number of banjo clocks. The first version is set up just like this example. The later improved versions are designed to be between the movement plates.
This clock was made circa 1805 and is approximately 90 inches tall or 7 feet 6 inches to the top of the center finial.
It is inventory number 214012.
Aaron Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1757. Little is currently known of Aaron's early life in Grafton. His parents, Benjamin Willard (1716-1775) and Sarah (Brooks) Willard (1717-1775) of Grafton had eleven children. Aaron was one of four brothers that trained as a clockmaker. In Grafton, he first learned the skills of clock-making from his older brothers Benjamin and Simon. It is recorded that Aaron marched with them in response to the Lexington Alarm on April 19, 1775, as a private under Captain Aaron Kimball's Company of Colonel Artemus Ward's Regiment. Aaron re-enlisted on April 26 and was soon sent by General George Washington as a spy to Nova Scotia in November. By this time, he had reached the grade of Captain. He soon returned to Grafton to train as a clockmaker. In 1780, Aaron moved from Grafton to Washington Street in Roxbury along with his brother Simon. Here the two Willards establish a reputation for themselves as fine clock manufacturers. They were both responsible for training a large number of apprentices. Many of these became famous clockmakers in their own right. The Willards dominated the clock-making industry in the Boston area during the first half of the nineteenth century. Aaron worked in a separate location in Roxbury from his brother and, in 1792, relocated about a quarter-mile away from Simon's shop across the Boston line. Aaron is listed in the 1798 Boston directory as a clockmaker "on the Neck," His large shop employed up to 30 people, while 21 other clockmakers, cabinetmakers, dial and ornamental painters, and gilders worked within a quarter-mile radius by 1807.
Some important dates for Aaron Willard include...
1783, Aaron married Catherine Gates. They have two children. The first is Aaron Willard Jr who becomes a very accomplished clockmaker. Catherine Gates dies in 1785.
1789, Aaron marries Polly Patridge. Polly has two sisters that also marry clockmakers Abel Hutchins and Elnathan Taber. Aaron and Polly have nine children. Two work-in-the-clock trades. George Willard 1817-1821 becomes a journeyman clockmaker. Henry Willard (1822-1887) trained as a cabinetmaker and made cases for the Willard operation when he came of age.
1792, Aaron builds a large home at 143 Washington Street in Boston. He lives in this house until he dies. This house is also the location of his workshop. A barn is converted into an area to finish wood. Other spaces in the carriage shop are rented to related artisans.
1802-1804, Aaron is in a business partnership with cabinetmaker James Blake as Willard & Blake. Aaron's position is financial.
1804, Aaron he transforms the carriage house and barn into a workshop space for artists, clockmakers, woodworkers, etc. It is now known as Willard's Compound.
1805-1806, Aaron is a financial backer in the partnership of Willard & Nolen. Spencer Nolen (1784-1849) is an ornamental artist who begins painting clock dials. In 1808, Spencer Nolen married Aaron Willard's daughter.
1823, Aaron Willard retires. He is 66 years old.
1844, Aaron died on May 20 and is buried in the Eustis Cemetery in Roxbury.
We have owned a large number of tall case clocks made by this important Maker. In addition, we have also owned a good number of wall timepieces, some in the form of banjo clocks, gallery clocks, as well as numerous Massachusetts shelf clock forms.
