Captain Jabez Fitch of Windham, Connecticut. Tall clock. NN-107.
Wooden geared clocks are traditionally formatted as a thirty-hour design. This example is constructed in wood, with large oak plates joined together with four turned and shaped wooden posts. The pendulum is hung from a wooden post centrally located at the top of the movement. The large count wheel mounted on the backplate actuates the strike train. The lifting arm is mounted on the front plate. This clock will strike each hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement on a stand. Please note the size and shaping of the robust gearing. It is fun to compare the size and shape to the standard thirty-hour wooden geared clock movements made some 60 years later in Connecticut. This version is a gearhead's dream machine. This movement is powered by two weights that hang from strings. The winding drums are divided. This clock is also fitted with a simple calendar displayed above the hour numeral VI.
The arched dial is also wonderfully constructed. A thin brass sheet is applied or tacked to a thick wooden pine board for support. The center area, the area within the time ring, is matted or textured. Here, one will also find a small square opening that displays the calendar day. The time ring, name boss, and decorative cast spandrels are applied to the brass sheet. In the center of the spandrels is a bust of an Indian wearing his headdress. The time ring is formatted with Arabic-style five-minute markers around the perimeter, a closed minute ring, and large Roman-style hour numerals. The two country-style hands display the time. A name boss is mounted in the arch of the dial. It is engraved with the Maker’s name, “Jabez Fitche,” in a script format. His working location of “WINDHAM” is written in large block lettering. “Fecit” is written in script and located in the boss's bottom half. This dial measures approximately 10 inches wide and 13.5 inches tall.
This cherry case exhibits classic Queen Anne-style moldings and excellent narrow proportions. Multiple applied moldings support this case. The lower molding rests flat on the floor. The base section is somewhat compressed by today’s standards. The waist section is fitted with a long tombstone-shaped waist door. This door is trimmed with a simple molded edge. A lenticle is positioned in this door at the height of the pendulum bob, allowing one to view the motion of the pendulum bob when the clock is operating. The bonnet features a pagoda top cornice. The moldings are excellent. The bonnet door features an arched opening fitted with glass to protect the dial.
This clock was made circa 1770.
Inventory number NN-107.
Jabez Fitch was born April 2, 1748 the son of Reverend John and Alice (Brown) Fitch in Windham, Connecticut. You might be surprised to learn that name Jabez Fitch in Windham was once a popular name. As a result, it is very difficult to discern which Jabez is which. A probate record exists that lists his inventory after his death on June 23, 1789. He was 41 years old. One listing has him recorded at the rank of Captain. This makes sense since his estate lists a white Regimental coat, jacket and breeches and a gun with a bayonet. The other items listed suggest that he may have owned a retail shop of some kind. A wooden clock and case, wooden clock making tools and parts as well as watch tools are also listed. He may have also been chosen to represent the town at the meeting of the Mercantile and Landed Interests of the Colony. He may have also served some time as a deacon in the First Society of Canterbury. Jabez married Olive Ripley in 1773. He died June 23, 1789.
Jabez Fitch was a wooden geared clockmaker. This movement in this clock is robustly made in the manner that is consistent with the Cheney's in Hartford. Very few clocks are known.
