Aaron Willard. Massachusetts Dish Dial Time & Alarm Shelf Clock. Boston, Massachusetts. BBB-25.
This Massachusetts Dish Dial Shelf Clock was made by Aaron Willard in Boston, Massachusetts, and is equipped with an unusual alarm feature.
The case is a traditional Boston form, constructed in mahogany, and retains an older finish. The case is elevated up off the shelf by four brass ball feet. These are applied or secured to the bottom of the case and are original to this example. The lower section of the base section features a pillow-shaped molding. The half-round mahogany frame above this molding is fitted with a period mercurial mirror. The mirror has some losses to its reflective backing, which are more noticeable under photo strobes. However, these losses do not significantly affect the mirror's appearance in normal light. The bonnet or hood of this clock is removable. It slides forward. This hood is surmounted with a nicely shaped fret pattern that centers a fluted finial plinth and decorative brass eagle and ball finial. The bonnet door is framed in a half-rounded molding. This framing supports a reverse-painted glass tablet. This glass tablet is original to the clock and is in excellent original condition. The colors found here are excellent, and the detailed work is outstanding. The spandrel areas are decorated with musical harps. The Maker's name and working location are signed in the red oval below the dial. It reads, "Aaron Willard / BOSTON." This oval is surrounded by floral decorations. This door opens to access the dial, hands, and winding arbors. A red-painted dial mat frames the circular dial.
The iron dial is a convex form. It is paint decorated. The slashed minute ring supports the Roman-style hour numerals. These details are painted over an ivory-colored background. The hour and minute open moon-style minute hands are skillfully filed. The third hand is in the form of an arrow and is used to set the alarm.
The time-only movement is constructed in brass and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. A cast iron weight powers it. The rectangular-shaped brass plates support hardened steel shafts and brass gearing. The escapement is a recoil. The works are supported on a wooden seatboard. To the left of the works is the stand-alone alarm mechanism.
The alarm is a separate set of works. It is also weight-driven. Its design is uncommon. It features two hammers that strike the side of the hood. This clock never had an alarm bell. When actuated, the hammers rap the side of the case. The sound produced is surely to attract one's attention.
This clock was made circa 1820 and stands approximately 34.75 inches tall to the top of the finial. It is 13.25 inches wide and 5.75 inches deep.
Inventory number BBB-25.
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.
