Erastus Hodges, Torrington, Connecticut. A rare, Narrow Pillar & Scroll clock with a Torrington “East-West” 30-hour movement, designed and made by Norris North. DDD-26.
This is a 30-hour wooden works, time-and-strike weight-driven movement, Pillar & Scroll shelf clock with a pasted label by Erastus Hodges of Torrington, Connecticut.
This is a very colorful and decorative example. The mahogany case retains an older finish that has been cleaned and polished. The decorative wooden elements, the feet, returns, arches, and finials are original to this example. The door is fitted with glass. The lower tablet is original to the clock. The paintwork is decorated from the back. The scene features a large house, yard, trees, and a pond. The sky is shaded from salmon red to blue.
The wooden dial is outstanding. The four spandrel areas are decorated with multiple flowers framed in gilt. The time ring features dotted minutes; each five-minute position is indicated with a gilt dot and Arabic-style hour numerals. Open-moon hands display the time. Please note the unusual position of the winding arbors.
The movement was made by Norris North and is categorized as an “East / West” movement. It is constructed from wood, has wooden gearing, and is designed to run for 30 hours on a full wind. It is a two-train design. Two cast iron weights drive the mechanism. It will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted below the works. The striking system is a count-wheel design.
This clock measures approximately inches tall to the top of the center finial, 27.75 inches tall to the top of the horns, 16 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. The movement has been fully serviced.
Pasted on the backboard is the clockmaker’s label. It includes the clock’s setup and operation directions. The label also states “PATENT / IMPROVED / CLOCK. / MADE AND SOLD BY / ERASTUS HODGES, / TORRINGTON, Conn. / AND WARRANTED, / IF WWLL USED.” P. B. Goodsell, Printer, Hartford.
This fine example was made circa 1825.
Inventory number DDD-26.
The case dimensions are 27 inches high to the top of the scrolls, 13.5 inches wide, and 4.25 inches deep.
Erastus Hodges was born in Torrington, Connecticut, on March 9, 1781. His parents were Elkana and Rebecca (Whiting) Hodges. Elkana was a medical doctor and side-lighted as a merchant in Torrington, CT—his store produced cheese, cider, and potash. Erastus inherited the store in 1807. He expanded the business by relocating it and established numerous trade routes for his cheese as far away as Savanah, GA. By 1823, Erastus began peddling clocks on these routes. He became quite successful and was a prominent member of his community. Erastus died on June 13, 1847, and is buried in the West Torrington Cemetary.
