David Wood of Newburyport, Massachusetts. A fine tall case clock. 222057
This tall clock case is constructed in cherry and retains an older mellow surface. The case stands on four boldly formed ogee bracket feet. They are tall, shapely, and include a deep return or spur in their design. The feet and the base molding are shaped from the same piece of wood. They are applied to the bottom of the base. The waist section of this case is fitted with finely reeded quarter columns which terminate in brass quarter capitals. The waist door is rectangular-shaped and trimmed with a simple molded edge. This door features a nice selection of wood that is grained better than most. The bonnet features a New England-style pierced fretwork pattern. The design is somewhat unusual. Three reeded plinths support the brass ball and spike finials. The bonnet columns are also reeded and flank the arched bonnet door. These columns terminate in brass capitals. The hood door is arched and fitted with glass. It opens to access a painted dial.
This colorfully painted iron dial is of local origin and was most likely painted by the Boston artists Spencer Nolen & Samuel Curtis. Similar dials have been found with this artist's signature signed on the back of the dial. This example is signed by the clockmaker, "David Wood," in script lettering below the center arbor. His working location, "NEWBURYPORT," is written in block lettering and is positioned below the signature. The lunette of this dial is decorated with florals. Geometric-shaped fans are positioned in the four spandrel regions. The time ring features Arabic-style five-minute markers. A dotted minute ring separates them from the large Roman-style hour numerals. A subsidiary seconds dial is displayed in the traditional location. This dial is fitted directly to the movement without the use of a flaseplate.
This fine weight-driven 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. It is weight driven and 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 which is mounted above the movement.
This clock was made circa 1815 and stands approximately 89.5 inches tall to the top of the center finial.
Inventory number 222057.
David Wood was born the son of John Wood (1727-1805) and Eunice (Fellows) Wood (1737-1801) in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on July 5, 1766. It is thought that he may have been apprenticed to either Daniel Balch Senior or to one of the members Mulliken family. All of whom were prominent Clockmakers in this region. David advertised in the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet on June 13, 1792, that he had set up a shop in Market Square, near Reverend Andrews Meeting House. Three short years later, he married Elizabeth Bird (1769-1846) of Newbury in 1795. It has become evident that David Wood was also a Retailer. In 1806 he advertised that he had for sale "Willard's best Patent Timepieces, for as low as can be purchased in Roxbury." In 1818, he and Abel Moulton, a local silversmith, moved into the shop formerly occupied by Thomas H. Balch. In 1824 he advertised that he had moved on the westerly side of Market Square opposite the Market House. After his wife's death in 1846, he moved to Lexington to live near his son David, who was a merchant in that town.
It has become quite obvious to us that David Wood was a very successful Clockmaker and Retailer of Clocks. Over the last 35 years of being in the business of selling clocks, we have sold many examples of wall, shelf, and tall case clocks bearing this Maker's signature on the dial.
