Aaron Willard labeled tall case clock. Boston, Massachusetts. Paul Revere set up label. Case stamped “96” and with the initials “O.M.M,” Ozias Metcalf Morse cabinetmaker. UU-2.
This mahogany cross-banded tall case clock was made in Boston, Massachusetts, by Aaron Willard. This case retains its original setup label that is thought to have been printed by the American Patriot, Paul Revere. This label lists Willard’s working location as “Boston.”
This latter example features a case constructed by the journeyman cabinetmaker Ozias Metcalf Morse. His cabinetmaker stamp, “O.M.M.,” can be seen stamped into the backboard. Ozias Morse was born in Medway, Massachusetts, on July 26, 1794, and died in Upton, Massachusetts, on October 4, 1872. It is known that he worked in Boston as a journey cabinetmaker with William Fisk in 1816 and with Aaron Willard Senior from 1817 to 1820. In 1824, Morse is listed independently as working on Washington Street. This case is closely related to several cases thought to have been produced by Henry Willard. Henry Willard (born May 1, 1802 – died October 10, 1887) was Aaron Willard’s son. He was a very skilled cabinetmaker who trained under William Fisk and later worked in his father’s “compound.”
This fine cross-banded example is constructed in mahogany. The mahogany veneers selected for the construction of this fine example exhibit excellent grain patterns and are situated in such a manner that the wood accentuates the form. The appropriate shellac-based finish is clear. The result is that the fancy grain patterns of the wood selected are on full display. The case stands on four flared French feet. They retain their original height and elevate the case off the floor by almost three inches. They also form scrollwork or a drop apron hanging from the base’s bottom. A thinly applied molding visually separates the feet from the base. The mahogany used in constructing this base panel is vertically positioned and visually lifts the case. This crotch pattern radiates with long sweeping lines. The panel is framed with a cross-banded border along its perimeter. A dark line inlay defines the interior of this frame. This design element is repeated in formatting the long rectangularly shaped waist door. This door is trimmed with applied molding along the perimeter. The door opens to access the interior of the case. One will find the Clockmaker’s setup label on the back of this door. This is the version that is associated with being printed by Paul Revere. As a result, he would have been responsible for engraving the plate the label was printed from. Very few Willard clocks retain their labels today. This is a wonderful additional detail. This label lists the place location as “Boston,” which helps date this clock. Fully reeded quarter columns flank the sides of this case. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features a very fancy and lacy open fretwork design. This is supported by three reeded plinths. Each plinth is capped at the top and fitted with a brass finial. Fully turned and reeded bonnet columns or colonnettes visually support the upper bonnet arch molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. A large diamond pattern of drilled holes is positioned on each side of the hood. These are backed in silk. Their purpose is to allow the sound of the hour strike to more easily escape the case’s interior. This decorative and useful detail is often associated with Henry Willard’s cabinet shop. The arched bonnet door is veneered with figured mahogany wood and is also fitted with glass. It opens to access the dial.
This iron dial is 12 inches across and was paint-decorated by Spencer Nolen. Nolen was a well-known Boston ornamental artist and Aaron Willard’s son-in-law. Each of the four spandrel areas is decorated with colorful seashells depicted on top of green seaweed. A lunar calendar or moon phase mechanism is located in the arch of this dial. This dial displays their traditional locations' hours, minutes, and seconds. Please note the wonderfully shaped steel hands. This clock does not have a calendar feature. In place of this is a piece of glass painted with the Maker’s name. This is painted from the back of the glass. The signature reads, “Aaron Willard.” At least three other clocks are known to be signed in this manner. It is interesting to note that all of these examples feature automation in their dials.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four turned pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed as a recoil format. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. This clock retains its’ original red-painted tin can weights. he movement 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. This is done on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. This clock also retains its original wooden rod pendulum.
This fine example is nicely proportioned and stands approximately 7 feet 9 inches or 93 inches tall to the top of the center finial. Measured at the feet, this clock is 20.5 inches wide and 10.25 inches deep.
It was made circa 1815.
Inventory number UU-2.
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.
