Abel Stowell working in Worcester, Massachusetts. A cross-banded cherry cased tall clock. GG-200.
This is a well-proportioned country case that features a number of decorative construction details.
The case is constructed in cherry and currently retains an older surface that has been rubbed down. The wood selected has an active grain pattern. Cherry is typically a straight-grain wood. Here it is figured with swirls and flowing lines. The coloring is warm and inviting. This case stands on four lovely applied ogee bracket feet. They are constructed on a smaller scale and are applied to the bottom of the case. A double-stepped molding aids the transition to the base. The front panel of which is cross-banded in mahogany. The waist section is long. It is fitted with a large tombstone-shaped waist door trimmed with a simple molded edge. This door is also cross-banded with a narrow mahogany border. It allows one access to the tin can weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob. The bob is supported by a wooden rod. The sides of the waist are fitted with long fluted quarter columns. Both of these terminate in turned wooden quarter capitals. The bonnet features a molded arch that supports a New England-style pierced and open fretwork pattern. Three fluted chimneys or finial plinths support the three brass finials. Fully turned and fluted free-standing bonnet columns terminating in turned brass capitals flank the bonnet door. This arched door is fitted with glass and opens to access the painted dial.
The painted dial is decorated with raised gesso patterns highlighted with gilt paint. These decorations are found in the spandrel areas and the arch. In the center of this arch is a large painted rose. The colors are exceptional, and this theme reinforces the country feel of this clock. The time ring features Arabic five-minute markers and Roman-style hour numerals. A subsidiary seconds dial is located within the time track. This clock is signed on the dial by the clockmaker. In large block lettering, it reads, “Abel Stowel.” It is worth noting that the origin of this dial and its decoration are local. This is not an imported product.
The movement is brass and of good quality. It is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is constructed in the traditional format, striking each hour on a cast iron bell. This clock was made circa 1795 and stands 7 feet 7 inches tall.
Inventory number GG-200.
Abel Stowel was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1752. His parents were Cornelius Stowell (1724-1804), a prosperous clothier, and Zurvillar (Goulding) Stowell (1730-1812). He lived 66 years before he died on August 3, 1818. On November 22, 1871, Abel married Relief Jennison in Worcester. They had at least five children. Three sons, Cornelius (1784-1836), Abel (1789-1860), and John J. (1793-1834), worked in the clockmaking, watchmaking, and jewelry trades. Even his daughter Faith married the clockmaker James Ridgeway Jr. in January 1802. Both James Ridgeway and Stephen Hasham worked as Abel's apprentices.
Abel was an ingenious individual and is listed as a clockmaker, watchmaker, screw maker, and inventor. Over his lifetime, he applied for and was granted several patents for various types of machinery. Many of these patents involved cutting the head of a screw. He served Worcester civic duties, including constable in 1785, 1792, and 1793. He was appointed fence viewer in 1811. Abel is best known for his tower clocks. He is recognized as having introduced the first widely copied wooden beam flatbed tower clock design. It featured pinwheel deadbeat escapement. This design originated in France and was thought to have been invented after 1740. It became so popular that it was widely copied by American clockmakers and became the standard design for 100-plus years. He built on speculation the tower clock he installed in the Old South Church in 1800. This clock featured a Revere Bell that was installed in 1802. The clock was moved in 1887 to City Hall and then ten years later to the tower of a Worcester factory on Coes Square. The factory and clock were lost to a fire in 1842. He also built a similar example that was installed in 1807, the First Parish Church in Hubbardston. This clock is still there and operates daily.
Able was in business with his son Able Jr as Stowell, A. & Son. This business was located next to the Worcester Town Green and offered for sale "stoves, small machinery of brass and iron and tower clocks made to order" The business operated from 1815-1860. Abel senior, of course, died in 1818. The business served the printing and wool-carding industry that was so crucial to the development of Worcester's economy.
Along with his son Cornelius, Abel was a founding shareholder in the Worcester, MA, Cotton Manufactory Company.
Abel died on August 3, 1818. He is buried in the Worcester Common Burial Ground in Worcester.
We have owned several clocks by this Maker in the last fifty years of business. In addition, a watch paper signed by him is in the AAS collection.
