Freeman Hoyt Mirror Clock. Burlington, Vermont. A 'Flywheel striker,' a unique feature that sets this clock apart from others of its time. An example of Yankee ingenuity. 224074.
Freeman Hoyt of Burlington, Vermont, crafted this exceptionally rare and alluring Mirror Clock, a true gem for antique enthusiasts.
Mirror clocks serve two beneficial purposes in one's home. Like all clocks, the primary use is to display the time. A timepiece in one's home was a luxury often taken for granted today. Imagine living in a house where the time is displayed in a single location. You would have to visit the clock displayed in often the fanciest room of your home in order to read the time. This is one reason clocks are usually positioned in a place of prominence and convenience. The second function this specific form provides is doubling as a wall mirror. The large mirror in the lower section of the door reflects the image of whatever is in front of it. While checking the time, you would also have the opportunity to review your reflection. Large mirrors like this one were still not commonplace. Due to their expense, mirrors were considered a luxury. The mirror also reflects light, brightening the space and creating the illusion of additional space in the room.
It is easy to see where this case form gets its name. The similarity of its form compared to that of a wall-hanging split column mirror is unmistakable. The split-column mirror became very popular in America in the 1820s. Even today, we see large numbers of them for sale in antique shops across New England. The opposite phenomenon is true of mirror clocks. They can be challenging to find. Most of the examples we see were made in New Hampshire. Occasionally, we see examples originating in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. This is an unusual Vermont-made example.
This attractive clock features a case constructed of white pine. The supporting back structure is finished in black. This open area provides space for the mechanical components and a mounting point for the gilded door that fronts the entire clock case. This pine frame retains much of its original decoration. All of the finished surfaces are in very good original condition. The four corners of the door are fitted with square blocks decorated with circular-shaped brass rosettes. These are held in place with pins. Running between the blocks are gold-painted linear runs. Positioned on top of these are decoratively shaped split turnings. The molded areas are finished in gilt, and the longer, smoothly turned sections are painted black. This door is divided into two sections. The lower section features a period mercurial mirror. The upper smaller area is fitted with a colorfully painted tablet.
This egliomse' tablet is in excellent condition and features one of several traditional designs. The spandrel areas here are decorated with conch shells. The colorful design is painted and decorated from the back in multiple colors. The decoration forms a frame for the presentation of the clock dial, which is positioned behind the glass. To access the case's interior, one must open the door hinged on the right.
This painted iron dial is secured inside the case to wooden blocks, and applied wooden boards are also designed to guide the two drive weights down the sides of the case. This dial is formatted with a closed minute ring and large Roman-style hour numerals and is signed by the Maker. The signature reads, "Made & Warranted / by Freeman Hoyt." Both hands are hand-filed from steel. These are three-dimensionally formed.
The time and strike weight-driven movement is secured to the backboard with wooden tabs. The works are designed to run for eight days once fully wound. The rectangular-shaped plates, having half-moon cutouts at the bottom, support the steel shafts, brass gearing, and recoil escapement. This strike train is distinctive and unique to the clockmaker. He designed it with a flywheel, a feature that sets this clock apart. The traditional governing fan is replaced with a lead flywheel, a unique design feature found on another clock made by Hoyt. The steel pendulum rod supports a brass-faced bob and hangs from the bridge secured to the front plate.
This clock is nicely proportioned, measuring approximately 31.75 long, 15.25 inches wide, and 4.5 inches deep.
Freeman Hoyt made this clock when he was living in Burlington, Vermont, circa 1820.
Inventory number 224074.
Very little is currently known of Freeman Hoyt's younger days. In his book New Hampshire Clockmakers, Charlie Parsons perpetuates the verbal heritage that Freeman was born in Weare. The American Silversmiths website claims he was born on August 4, 1805, in Hopkinton, NH. His parents were William (1783-1813) and Sarah (Hoyt) (1778-). A record of who trained him has yet to be found. We do know that on October 3, 1828, Freeman advertised in the Burlington Free Press that he kept for sale new and improved timepieces that he manufactured and warranted superior to any other kind of eight-day clocks offered in this part of the country. Of brass and steel construction, with a balance wheel instead of a fly wheel. These clocks were in the Amos Pangborn's shop located on Church Street. He also advertised that he also had some of Willard's patent timepieces for sale.
Hoyt moved to Sumpter, SC, in 1832 and worked as a silversmith, jeweler, watch and clockmaker. In an ad, he also mentioned working in New York City. What he did there and for how long is unclear. In 1838, he married Margret Brown. In 1850, he partnered with Charles T. Mason as F. Hoyt & Co. This partnership lasted one year. Freeman Hoyt died on January 11, 1869.
Very few clocks are known. At least one of his New Hampshire mirror clocks featured a very unusual movement. It is described as a "Fly Wheel Striker." The governing fan is replaced with a lead flywheel. Parsons discusses this clock on pages 232 and 233 of his book.