Daniel Munroe Junior of Concord, Massachusetts. An inlaid mahogany-cased tall clock. AAA-2.
Daniel Munroe Jr. of Concord, Massachusetts, made this beautiful tall case clock.
This inlaid mahogany-cased example features superb Concord proportions. The wood and figured veneers selected for this case exhibit long sweeping grain patterns. The case is distinguished by its golden brown patina. The case is supported by four ogee bracket feet applied to the bottom of the double-stepped molding at the bottom of this base. The base panel and rectangular-shaped waist door are decorated with a single-line inlay. Both inlay patterns feature ovolo corners. The waist door, with an applied molded edge, opens to access the interior of the case. Inside, one will find the two tin can drive weights and the pendulum. The front corners of this waist are fitted with brass stop-fluted quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features traditional New England-style fretwork, including three fluted plinths and three ball-and-spike brass finials. The fully turned and fluted bonnet columns are stopped with brass rods. These columns are mounted in brass capitals and positioned on either side of the arch door. The two shaped quarter columns are placed at the back of the bonnet and are neatly fitted into the rear corners. The sides of the hood are fitted with glazed tombstone-shaped sidelights. The arched and glazed bonnet door is veneered. This is also decorated with line inlay. The door opens to allow one access to the skillfully painted iron dial.
This large iron dial measured 12 inches across and was manufactured and painted in Boston. The artwork is well-executed, and this dial is signed “Daniel Munroe.” The spandrels, or four corner areas, are decorated with floral patterns framed with raised gesso. This gesso decoration is over-painted with gilt paint. The time track is formatted with Arabic five-minute markers. A dotted minute ring separates them from the Roman-style hour figures. The subsidiary seconds dial and month calendar are located in their traditional locations. In the lunette is a lunar calendar display. This is a visual display of the phases of the moon. The painted hemispheres remain in excellent original condition.
The works or 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, brass gearing, and recoil escapement. The winding drums are grooved. 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 with a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
Daniel Munroe created this fine example circa 1808, a significant period in American history, adding a sense of historical connection to this beautiful piece.
The case stands 7 feet 10.5 inches (94.5) tall to the top of the center finial. The hood molding is approximately 19 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
Inventory number AAA-2.
Daniel Munroe Jr., Clockmaker and silversmith, was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, on July 13, 1775. Daniel Munroe senior and his wife Abigail Parker had five sons that they raised in Roxbury. The Munroe family is well connected to American History and the clock trade. Daniel senior's father, Jedediah Munroe, died in the Battle of Lexington. Daniel's mother, Abigail Parker of Roxbury, was the eldest daughter of Jonathan Parker. Jonathan, a farmer living in Roxbury, was one of the 13 Patriots who participated in the Boston Tea Party. This act of defiance against British rule and their taxation policies took place on Griffin's Wharf on December 16, 1773.
Daniel Jr. was trained in the art of clockmaking by America's most famous Clockmaker, Simon Willard, in Roxbury. Daniel served the traditional seven-year apprenticeship. Simon wrote in a letter dated July 13, 1796, that described Daniel as "... one of the best workman in America." After serving his apprenticeship, Daniel worked for a short time as a journeyman clockmaker in Willards Roxbury clock shop before moving to Concord, Massachusetts, sometime before 1798. Here he kept a shop opposite the Clothing Mill and worked as a clockmaker and silversmith. There are a small number of clocks known that are signed by Daniel that are thought to have been made during this brief period of working alone in Concord. From 1798 through 1804, the three Munroe brothers formed a partnership. Nathaniel was also a clockmaker. William was a skilled cabinetmaker. The business was called Daniel Munroe & Co. and operated as such until William left the partnership in 1804.
A fair number of clocks exist today that bear this partnership's label. This label is located inside the case. It is pasted to the inside of the waist door of their tall case clocks. William was a cabinetmaker and left the partnership in 1804. On November 29, 1804, William married Sarah Dakin (1781-1856) in Concord. The clockmaker partnership between Daniel and Nathaniel lasts another three years. In 1805, Nathaniel went to Norfolk, VA, to promote their business. The labels on their tall clocks often reflect this. They mention that their clocks could be shipped. In 1807, Daniel moved back to Boston and opened a shop located at 51 Newbury Street. While in Boston, he advertises at several different Boston addresses, including No. 51 Ann Street, in 1809. In 1811 he was located at No. 35 1/2 Cornhill Street, and from 1813 through 1814, Daniel formed a partnership with Ezekiel Jones as Munroe & Jones. By 1816, Daniel was working at No. 47 Cornhill Street, then in 1823, he moved to No. 38 Congress Street. Interestingly, very few tall clocks are known that are thought to have been made during his return to Boston. In 1839, he moved to New York City. He then moved back to Boston from 1841 through 1856. Daniel died in Boston on October 21, 1859.
