Aaron Willard of Boston, Massachusetts. A labeled case with a rocking ship dial. 212006.
This important cross-banded mahogany-cased tall clock was made by Aaron Willard in Boston, Massachusetts. This example features an automated dial in the form of a rocking ship and the Clockmaker's original set-up label, printed by the American Patriot Paul Revere.
This is a classic Boston example. Constructed by the Roxbury School of Cabinetmakers, this case exhibits excellent proportions and good wood selections now in a modern finish. It measures approximately 7 feet 10.5 inches or 94.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial, 20 inches wide, and 10.5 inches deep. The dial measures the standard 12 inches across.
This mahogany case stands on four nicely formed flared French feet. The feet and drop apron are visually separated from the base section with delicate applied molding. The base panel features an excellent selection of crotch mahogany veneer framed by a cross-banded mahogany border. The rectangular waist door shares this design and construction. The outer edge is fitted with an applied molding that frames the door. One would open this door to access the inside of the case. Here, the original wooden pendulum rod, brass-faced bob, rating nut, and two red-painted tin can drive weights are located. On the back of this door is the Maker's set-up label. This version is associated with being engraved by the American Patriot Paul Revere. (There is current speculation that refutes this claim. To reference this discussion, read Richard W. Philbrick's article, Simon Willard's Astronomical Shelf Timekeeper in Herschel B. Burt's Eighteenth Century, Thirty-Hour Willard Clocks 1770-1790. Philbrick's main contention is that red or vermilion labels do not exist. This is not true.) Very few Willard clocks retain their original set-up labels. As a result, this is a wonderful and important historical feature of this clock. The sides of the waist or case are fitted with boldly reeded quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features a traditional New England variant of a pierced and open fretwork design. This woodwork is supported by three reeded and capped plinths. A brass finial is mounted on top of each plinth. Fully turned and reeded bonnet columns visually support the upper bonnet molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. The sides of the bonnet are fitted with tombstone-shaped side lights. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass and opens to access the colorfully painted iron dial.
This iron dial was paint-decorated by the Boston ornamental artists firm of Nolen & Curtis. All four spandrel areas are decorated with a striking combination of golden florals on a bright red oval background on top of a mustard yellow field. Additional gilt decorations are also located on top of the yellow. The automated feature of a rocking ship is located in the arch of this dial. The painted ship is depicted flying the American flag. The vessel moves or rocks gently from side to side with the pendulum's motion. The painted scene behind the sailing ship includes a large residence built on a peninsula to the left. This nautical theme is painted on a convex piece of metal, which adds to the visual depth of the scene. This dial displays only the hours and minutes. In the calendar aperture, the Clockmaker boldly signs this dial on glass in block lettering. The signature reads, "Aaron Willard." At least four other clocks are known to us signed in this manner.
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. This is done on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
This beautiful clock was made circa 1810. It stands approximately 7 feet 10.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial.
Inventory number 212006.
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.
