This Federal Massachusetts wall Timepiece or "Banjo clock" was made by the partnership of Simon Willard & Son in Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1825. This example is signed and numbered on the dial, "No. 4658." 224026.
This timepiece case is constructed in mahogany and retains a historic finish. A carved wooden eagle finial is mounted to the top of the case on a plinth. The eagle is expertly carved and retains its original gilding. This decorative treatment is in excellent condition.
The dial bezel is brass and fitted with glass. It is hinged and opens to the painted iron dial, which is formatted with a closed minute ring and Roman-style hour numerals. The dial is signed and numbered by the Clockmakers. It reads "Simon Willard & Son / No. 4658." The signature is in excellent original condition. The two finely crafted open-moon-style steel hands display the time. Behind the dial is the movement.
Brass rectangular-shaped plates support the hardened steel arbors and brass gearing. It is a time-only design with a recoil escapement. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days. The movement is secured to the backboard with its original steel through bolts. The pendulum hangs from a bridge on the front plate of the works. The metal rod supports a brass-faced bob.
The half-round mahogany frames are both fitted with fully reverse-painted glass panels. The geometric patterns feature an attractive color combination of white, red, gold, and blue. A sunburst is featured in the lower tablet. The sides of this case were never fitted with brass sidearms.
Inventory number 224026.
On January 13, 1795, Simon Jr. was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. He served his first clock apprenticeship to his father, Simon. Sometime during 1810-1812, he went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to train in the art of watchmaking under the stewardship of John Pond. In 1813, Simon Jr entered West Point Military Academy and graduated two years later in March. He was commissioned in the Ordnance Corps and sent to the Pittsburgh Arsenal on the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania. In May of 1816, he resigned at the rank of Lieutenant and returned to Roxbury in 1817. At that time, he started a glassware and Crockery business. On December 6, 1821, he Married Eliza Adams. Together they had seven children. As early as 1823, Simon Jr. was in business with his father as Simon Willard & Son. In 1826-27, Junior moved and lived in New York City to train as a chronometer maker under the stewardship of Dominick Eggert. When he returned from his apprenticeship in chronometer making, he set up his own shop on No. 9 Congress Street in Boston. Here he became very successful as a merchant and a chronometer repairman. He became well-known among sea captains and sailors as a weather prophet. Simon Jr. was a talented person and financially successful.
