Ezra Batchelder of Danvers, Massachusetts. A quintessential New England tall-case clock. 222107.
This is a fine butternut case tall clock with a painted dial signed “ Ezra Batchelder / DANVERS.”
Ezra Batchelder was born in Andover, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1769. He had a brother, Andrew, who was also listed as a clockmaker and blacksmith. They are listed as working together in Danvers sometime after 1801. It is thought that they were trained by their brother-in-law, Nathan Adams. Ezra dies in Danvers on October 10. 1858. In his book, Willard’s Patent Time Pieces, Paul Foley lists that Ezra’s account book is known. This book records 36 clocks being sold between 1803 and 1830. The prices for these clocks range from $35 to $65. Over the last forty-plus years of being in the business of selling clocks, We have seen at least 14 tall clocks signed by this Maker.
The case is constructed in butternut and has been recently refinished. The modern shellac finish heightens the natural color variations of the grain patterns, enhancing the warm tones. The clock case stands on cutout bracket feet with spur returns. The waist section centers a rectangular-shaped door trimmed with a molded edge. One can access the two drive weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob through this door. The waist corners are fitted with fluted quarter columns. These columns terminate in brass quarter capitals. The hood features a simple molded arch molding. On top of this is a New England-style pierced and open fretwork pattern. Three fluted plinths, serving double duty as support for the frets and mounting positions for the brass ball-and-spike finials, are incorporated in the design. Fluted columns visually support the molded arch. These are mounted in brass capitals. The bonnet door is arched in form and fitted with glass. Behind it is the painted iron dial.
This dial is wonderfully paint-decorated. The artwork is distinctive and was painted by one of the firms with which Spencer Nolen was involved. The style of the decoration is indicative of the dials he is known to have painted. The colors are vibrant and include red, green, and gold. This dial can be seen from across the room. The time ring is formatted with Arabic five-minute markers separated from Arabic hour numerals by a dotted minute ring. This dial displays the seconds and calendar day in the traditional locations. The steel hands are nicely designed and display the time. These hands are hand-filed into a lovely pattern. This dial is signed by the Clockmaker below the calendar. The signature reads, “Ezra Batchelder / DANVERS.” This iron dial is mounted directly to the movement without a false plate.
The brass-constructed movement 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 weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The movement 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 on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement on a bell stand. It is interesting to note the unusual and distinctive shaping of the strike work. This design feature is also found on other clocks known by this North Shore clockmaker.
This clock stands 7 feet 77 inches (91 inches) tall to the top of the center finial. The hood molding is 21 inches wide and 10.5 inches deep. This clock was made circa 1810.
Inventory number 222107.
Ezra Batchelder was born in Andover, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1769. His father, also named Ezra, was a blacksmith who was baptized on May 31, 1741, and died in 1809. His mother was Mary (Woodbury) Ober from Beverly. The couple married on March 15, 1763, and raised five children on Maple Street. Over time, they became some of the largest landowners in Danvers.
Ezra’s brother Andrew, born in 1772, was also a clockmaker and blacksmith. The two worked together in Danvers after 1801, and it is believed they learned their trade from their brother-in-law, Nathan Adams. An account book from their business covers the years 1803 to 1830. During this time, they sold 36 clocks, with prices ranging from $35 to $65 depending on whether the clock included a case. The account book also lists the names of the original buyers. Both brothers were skilled cabinetmakers and likely made their own clock cases and other wooden items. The following are entries from their account book.
In 1803, five clocks were sold. Nathaniel Lang bought two for $50 each, Edmund Johnson bought two for $35 each, and Charles Foster bought one for $35. The clocks sold to Foster and Johnson had a 12-inch face and no case, while the ones sold to Lang were likely cased. This was Ezra’s most productive year for clock sales.
1804-1805. No clock sales are listed.
1806. Peter Woodbury of Beverly purchased a clock with a "Moon face" for $40, and Solomon Dodge bought one at $37.50. "Tucker" from the town of Andover bought one at $38.
1807. Elias Endicott bought a cased clock for $52.50.
1808. Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth paid $50 for a clock that was to be delivered to Rev. Mr. "Bawlch" of Salisbury. Capt. Samuel Trow of Beverly bought a "moon face" for $45. William Dodge of Beverly bought a "moon Face" for $45. This clock was sold without a case. Mr. Lemon of Beverly bought a "12-inch moon face" for $43.
1809. No clock sales are listed.
1810. Amos Gould of Ipswich purchased a clock for $50.
1811. Jacob Towne of Topsfield purchased a "clock compleat" for $47.50.
1812. Capt. Thomas Raymond of Beverly bought a clock "without case" for $40. John H. Leonard of Salem bought a "compleat clock" for $55.
1813. Capt. Thomas Cheever of Danvers bought a clock for $65. (Capt. Cheever commanded the ship, Augustus.) This clock is listed as having a "mehogeny case." David Perkins of Topsfield bought a clock for $50.
1814. No clock sales are listed.
1815. Elezer Pope, a yeoman who resided in Salem, bought a clock for $50.
1816. Elezer Lake of Topsfield bought a "clock and case compleat and case varnished" for $52. John Averill of Topsfield is listed as buying a clock. The price is not recorded. Major Solomon Wilkins of Middleton paid $50. This is later sold to the Newhall family.
1817. No entries.
1818. No entries.
1819. Ebenezer Goldthwaite purchased a "clock and case compleat, and case varnished" for $53. "Esq" Elezer Putnam paid $53 for a clock.
1820. Alen Porter bought a "compleat," clock for $53.
1821. Stephen Whipple of Salem bought a "compleat," clock for $53. Daniel Porter of Topsfield purchased a "clock and case" for $50.
In 1822, Capt. Asa Tapley of Danvers paid $53 for a clock. He was a Revolutionary War soldier and served as a lieutenant during the War of 1812, guarding Fort Lee. In 1833, he received a Revolutionary War pension. Tapley was a successful businessman and one of Danvers’ early brick manufacturers. He also served the town as a constable, a highway surveyor, a member of the board of health, and a school committee member. Records show he was involved in many land transactions and was listed as a yeoman.
1823. Levi Preston of Danvers paid $55.
1824. Mr. Killam, probably of Boxford, paid $40.
1825. No entries.
1826. Mark How paid $53.
1827. Mr. Hardy bought a clock "without case" for $32.50.
In 1828, Perley Tapley of Danvers bought a clock for $53. He was well known for moving buildings and also worked as a highway surveyor.
In 1829, Hicks Richards of Danvers bought a clock without a case for $38. Col. Nathan Tapley purchased a case for $15.75. Nathan, Asa’s brother, led a military company in Danvers and nearby areas, earning the title of Colonel. He was also a successful businessman.
1830. Joseph Porter purchased "one eight-day clock with weights without the case," for $38. (This is Ella J. Porter's clock. She lived on Cherry Street.)
Ezra married Anna Brown on December 17, 1795. She was born in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1772 and died on June 4, 1856. They had 11 children together. Ezra also worked as a farmer and is said to have been the first expressman in Danvers, transporting goods to and from Boston in a road wagon. From 1825 to 1830, he made about three trips a week, using either two or four horses, depending on the load. He later sold this route to Joseph Porter. Ezra died in Danvers on October 10, 1858, from lung fever. He lived nearly 90 years and worked until the end of his life.
One clock sold to Mrs. Porter in Danvers is inscribed inside the case, "sixty dollars or a pair of Oxen.
Over the last forty-plus years of being in the business of selling clocks, we have seen at least 12 tall clocks signed by this Maker.
