Elnathan Taber of Roxbury, Massachusetts. An inlaid mahogany tall case clock. XXSL-25.
This inlaid mahogany case exhibits classic Roxbury form and proportions. They are outstanding. The case measures approximately 7 feet 10 inches or 94 inches tall to the top of the center finial. This clock is approximately 20 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep at the upper hood or bonnet molding.
This line inlaid mahogany case stands on four delicately formed ogee bracket feet. These are very well formed and are mounted below a double-stepped base molding. These moldings are applied to the bottom of the base panel. The base panel features a selection of mahogany wood that is laid out vertically. This panel is also decorated with a thin line inlaid pattern. Located in each corner is an inlaid quarter fan comprised of five petals of alternating light and dark wood. These are interesting because they are also capped at the larger ends with additional light and dark inlay. This detail is repeated in the formatting of the long rectangular-shaped waist door. This door is trimmed with an applied molding. The mahogany veneer selected for this prominent location features long, subtle sweeping lines. The sides of this case are fitted with fluted quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals and are stopped with brass rods. The bonnet features a traditional New England-style fretwork pattern being supported by fluted and capped plinths. Each plinth supports a brass ball and spike finial. The bonnet columns are also brass, stop-fluted, and terminate in brass capitals. Tombstone-shaped side lights are fitted into the sides of the hood. The bonnet door is an arched form and is lined inlaid. This door opens to access the wonderfully painted iron dial.
This dial is colorfully painted and is of Boston origin. The artwork is attributable to Spencer Nolen, an ornamental artist known to have painted dials. The four spandrel areas are decorated with colorful medallions. Attractive gilt designs frame this painted feature. A country scene is painted in the lunette. It is a scene that depicts commerce in that two sailboats are tied to the dock while an individual is in the process of unloading or loading one of them. Build sits on the rise. It may be a tavern since three additional individuals and also depicted. On minds, a horse while sitting on a barrel. The hours, minutes, seconds, and calendar days are all displayed within the time ring. This dial is signed by the Maker, "E.* TABER," in script lettering.
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 in a recoil format. The movement 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 beautiful clock was made circa 1795.
Inventory number XXSL-25.
Elnathan Taber was born in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, on February 14, 1768, and may have died there on February 27, 1854, at the age of 86. His family roots trace back to the early colonial period in New England, a time when craftsmanship and trade were integral to the growing American identity. His grave was moved from Dartmouth to Forest Hills Cemetery in Jamaica Plain on October 29, 1870, reflecting the lasting reverence for his legacy. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Swift) Taber, were part of a community that valued skilled trades and the transmission of knowledge through apprenticeship. Elnathan was the older brother of Stephen Taber, whose fortune later contributed to the founding of Taber Academy in Marion, MA, further tying the family to regional educational and social advancement.
Both brothers ventured to Roxbury, a hub for clockmaking in the late eighteenth century, where they were trained by the renowned Willard family. Elnathan began his apprenticeship at just 16, immersing himself in an era when American clockmaking was coming into its own, moving from reliance on imported English clocks to the production of distinctively American timepieces. After completing his apprenticeship, Elnathan remained in Roxbury, establishing his own shop on Union Street—later renamed Taber Street in his honor in April 1868, a testament to his influence on the community. He was the first resident of that street, which soon became a center of horological innovation. William Cummens, another accomplished clockmaker, later joined him on the block, setting up shop at the corner of Winslow. This short street, nestled between Warren Street and Winslow Street, became symbolic of the burgeoning American clockmaking tradition.
Elnathan maintained a close working relationship with his mentor, Simon Willard, a leading figure in American horology, and became one of his most celebrated apprentices. Simon authorized Elnathan to manufacture his patented timepieces during the crucial patent period, thereby making Elnathan a key figure in the spread of American-made clocks. In addition to crafting clocks, Elnathan was also a prolific repairman, and his name can be found engraved on numerous Boston-area clocks as a record of his service. His marriage to Catherine Partridge in January 1797 further connected him to the clockmaking community, as Catherine and her sisters married into several prominent clockmaking families—Elizabeth to Abel Hutchins, Mary (Polly) to Aaron Willard, and a third sister to Samuel Curtis—creating a network of artisans and innovators. Over the years, many tall case clocks, wall timepieces, including banjo and coffin clocks, and several Massachusetts-style shelf clocks crafted by Elnathan Taber have been owned and sold, each representing a piece of early American history and craftsmanship.
