Isaac Randall & Co. of St. Albans, Vermont. Wall Time Piece or Banjo clock. 221019.
This fine mahogany cased timepiece was made by Isaac Randall & Co. of St. Albans, Vermont. Very few Vermont-made clocks come to the marketplace. This is a lovely, better-than-average example.
This case is constructed of mahogany and New England white pine. The structure for the head is composed of a pine substructure that is finished with an exterior surface of mahogany veneer. Several other Makers of Vermont origin also used this construction technique. This case features an old-world finish mellowed into a beautiful aged patina. The mahogany veneer selected for the throat and the lower panel is richly figured and applied to pine. The panels are set in flat mahogany frames. The corner blocks are slightly proud of the linear runs. In the center of the lower panel is an oval aperture fitted with glass. This allows one to view the brass-faced pendulum bob. This is a helpful aid in determining if the clock is running. It also serves double duty by attracting one’s attention to the clock as the bob reflects the light in the room with its warm glow. The presentation bracket is a later addition to this; otherwise, all original examples. The construction and the color match the case extremely well. At the bottom of the bracket is an acorn-shaped drop finial. Three carved flutes decorate the bracket. Eight turned mahogany balls are fitted to the upper section of this feature. At the top of the case is a turned wooden finial treated with a gilt finish. A simple mahogany finial plinth supports this. The decorative sidearms and bezel are cast in brass and well-formed. The dial bezel is fitted with glass and is hinged to access the dial.
The painted iron dial is somewhat soiled. The earthly shade compliments the color of the mahogany wood. The dial is formatted with a closed minute ring and large Roman-style hour numerals. The Maker’s name is signed in script lettering, “I. Randall & Co. / St. Albans.” This signature is in good original condition. Two open moon-style steel hands indicated the time.
The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind and is a time-only design. It is powered by a lead weight that travels down the center of the case. The works are secured to the back of the case with a single screw from the back. The pendulum is mounted on the front of the movement. The keystone is notched in the lower right corner. The steel rod supports a brass-faced pendulum bob.
This very pretty clock measures approximately 42.5 inches long overall. It was made circa 1830.
Inventory number 221019.
Isaac Randall was born in Easton, Massachusetts, on April 1, 1795. In February of 1816, he married Jerusha Blodgett. She is listed on the various websites as born in Greenwich, MA, and St. Albans, VT. If she was born in St. Albans, then we know one of the reasons why Issac moved there. Issac is recorded in St. Albans, Vermont, by 1817. Paul Foley, in his book, “Willard’s Patent Time Pieces,” lists that Isaac’s first son was born in this year. Today, most of what we know of Isaac Randall and his clockmaking career is taken from advertisements he placed in local Vermont newspapers. In December of 1827, he purchased the business of Curtis Wilkinson. In 1829, Isaac Randall & Co. was across from the courthouse at 5 Exchange Row in St. Albans, VT. Here, he advertised as a clock and watchmaker, jeweler, and silversmith. There is also a mention that this firm kept in inventory eight-day brass clocks and timepieces of their manufacture, as well as numerous household goods such as spoons, jewelry, spectacles, flutes, hair combs, etc. On October 30, 1834, Isaac Randall began to advertise alone. He is then referred to as working in Lower Canada and later in Newark, NJ. His name appears on the 1850 census of Newark, where he is listed as a watchmaker. Isaac died in Newark on June 4, 1863. Several timepieces or banjo clocks, as well as the New Hampshire mirror clock form, have been found signed by this maker. A watchpaper advertising Randall & Co. St Albans, VT is in the collection of the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, MA.
Isaac must have been attracted to North Western VT due to the positive and vibrant economic climate. In fact, from 1770 through about 1825, Vermont enjoyed an unprecedented population growth. The town of St. Albans, a farming community, is located in Franklin County. Franklin County is bordered to the West by Lake Champlain and to the North by Lower Canada. Due to its proximity to the lake, brisk commerce developed with New York and Canada. This area of Vermont was rich in vast stands of timber and potash. As a result, roads were built from the South, and in 1808, a stage route was established between Boston, Massachusetts, and Burlington, Vermont. This journey took just three and one-half days to complete, and I traveled as often as twice a week. Between 1791 and 1810, the population of Franklin County grew fifteen hundred percent.
