Aaron Willard Mass shelf clock signed Washington Street in a cross-banded mahogany case. DDD-36.
Clockmaker Aaron Willard of Boston, Massachusetts, created this fine Massachusetts Kidney Dial Shelf Clock. The case, which features a blend of mahogany, New England white pine, figured mahogany veneers, holly line inlays, rosewood, and flaming birch banding, represents a traditional Boston design form.
This clock stands on four delicately formed flared French feet. They are splayed and incorporate a single drop apron below the base panel. A thin line of alternating light and dark wood inlay visually separates the feet from the base cabinet. The figured mahogany base panel is framed with a broad band of figured birch. This banding detail is light in color and contrasts with the darker mahogany wood. The glazed hood door frames the kidney-shaped dial. It also features a molded interior edge. The cornice molding is decorated with a band of rosewood. Above this is the plinth composed of the base that is trimmed with a quarter-round molding, a small step, and a capped finial plinth. A solid fretwork pattern supports the plinth and the brass urn-shaped finial. Two additional finials are positioned on the front corners of the hood.
The painted iron is a product of one of the Spencer Nolen dial manufactories in Boston. The gold-painted time ring is formatted with a closed minute ring. Roman-style hour numerals are positioned inside this ring. Below this, the dial reads, “Aaron Willard / WASHINTON STREET / BOSTON.”
The hands are steel and are wonderfully formed. The tips are fitted with arrows.
The weight-powered time-only movement is constructed in brass. Steel shafts and polished steel pinions support the gearing. The escapement is a recoil format. This movement is of good quality and designed to run for eight days.
This remarkable clock, made circa 1805, is a testament to the craftsmanship of the early 19th century. Its shelf clock case is approximately 36 inches tall, 13.25 inches wide, and 7.25 inches deep.
Inventory number DDD-36.
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.
