Aaron Willard tall clock made in Boston, Massachusetts. Signed John Minot dial number 220. 213097.
Aaron Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, on October 13th, 1757. Little is known of his early life in Grafton. It is Grafton that he first learned the skills of clock making from his older brothers Benjamin and Simon. It is recorded that he marched with them in response to the Lexington Alarm on April 19, 1775. In 1780, Aaron moved from Grafton to 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 relocated about a quarter mile from Simon’s shop across the Boston line about 1792. Aaron is listed in the 1798 Boston directory as a clock maker “on the Neck,” and his large shop employed up to 30 people, while 21 other clock makers, cabinetmakers, dial and ornamental painters, and gilders worked within a quarter-mile radius by 1807. 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 in the form of banjo clocks and numerous Massachusetts shelf clock forms.
This is an outstanding example. This mahogany case exhibits the finest proportions and an older, if not original, finish that has been recently waxed and rubbed out. The case stands on four ogee bracket feet applied to the base as part of double-step molding. The mahogany used in constructing the base panel is formatted horizontally. The grain features long sweeping lines. The waist is long, narrow, and fitted with a large tombstone-shaped waist door. This door is trimmed with applied molding. Brass-stopped fluted quarter columns flank the sides of the case. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features an open fretwork design surmounted with three brass ball-and-spiked finials. Fully turned and brass stop fluted bonnet columns or colonnettes visually support the upper bonnet molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. Nicely turned quarter columns are set into the back of the bonnet. These are smoothly shaped and terminate in ring-turned wooden capitals. The sides of the hood are fitted with tombstone-shaped side lights, and they are fitted with glass. The arched bonnet door is also fitted with glass and opens to access the dial.
John Minot, a well-known Boston ornamental artist, painted and decorated this iron dial. It is signed in script on the back, “J. Minott. 220.” John Minot is listed in Paul Foley’s book, Willard’s Patent Time Pieces, working from 1793 through 1826. The four spandrel areas are decorated with interesting floral themes that are nicely colored. A lunar calendar or moon phase mechanism is located in the arch of this dial. This dial also displays the traditional format's hours, minutes, seconds, and calendar dates. This dial is boldly signed “Aaron Willard.” This signature is below the calendar date and the Roman hour numeral six.
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. It 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. The strike hammer is returned to the ready position via a coil spring.
This fine example is nicely proportioned and stands approximately 7 feet 2.5 inches or 86.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial. Measured at the feet. This clock is 19.75 inches wide and 10.25 inches deep.
Condition: Retaining its original feet, fretwork, and two of the three brass finials, this elegant tall case has no significant condition issues. A shrinkage crack is in the front waist frame below the door. The movement has been fully serviced and is in excellent working order.
Inventory number 213097.
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.
