John Hall, West Chester Pennsylvania. Clock and Watchmaker. The figured mahogany case was made by Thomas Ogden of the same town. XXSL-95.
This clock retains a handwritten label that reads, “This clock was purchased by John Forsythe of John Hall clock and watchmaker on East Gay Street West Chester in the year 1825- the case was made by Thomas Ogden cabinetmaker on West Gay Street, the whole cost $60.”
This fancily veneered mahogany case tall clock features excellent woods, typical Pennsylvania proportions, and a colorfully painted moon phase dial.
This very colorful example features excellent mahogany veneers that exhibit vibrant grain selections. This case has been recently refinished, and as a result, the coloring accentuates the fanciful patterns exhibited in the grain of the wood. The case stands on four ring-turned feet that are applied to the bottom of the case. The base panel is framed with a cross-banded figured mahogany border. The corners of the base are canted. The waist section is fitted with a shaped waist door. This door is also cross-banded in mahogany. Through this door, one can access the two drive weights and pendulum. The front corners of the waist section are also canted. The bonnet is a swan’s neck design and is nicely formed. The arches terminate or are finished with applied wooden turned rosettes. The arches center a central finial plinth surmounted with a brass ball and spike finial. Two additional finials are fitted to the outside corners of the hood. Fully turned and shaped bonnet columns flank the arched glazed door. These columns feature a twisted design. The arched hood door is fitted with glass and opens to a colorfully painted iron dial.
Numerous dials like this have been found with the Artist’s labels applied to the back. This dial was most likely painted by the Patton & Jones firm located in Philadelphia. This dial incorporates a moon phase design that tracks the lunar calendar. This calendar is constant at 29.5 days. This dial also displays the hours, minutes, seconds, and the day of the month calendar. The four spandrel areas are decorated with bright floral themes.
The movement is brass and designed to run for eight days and strike the hour on the hour. It is good quality.
This clock was made circa 1825 and stands approximately 98 inches tall to the top of the center finial.
Inventory number XXSL-95.
Very little is currently known about John Hall. He is a listed clockmaker. He was born in 1793 and died in 1867. He worked in West Chester, PA, from 1810 through 1815. (We now know that he worked until 1825 due to the information written on the label placed inside the case.) His shop was located on Gay Street. A watch paper and a tall clock are known. He trained or served his apprenticeship under his uncle, George Cochran. George died in 1807, and his wife inherited his tools. Another listing states that George willed his tools to young John in 1806. It is evident that more research needs to be done. John is listed as working on his own by 1810. It is recorded that John maintained the West Chester town clock for many years.
Thomas Ogden is listed as working in West Chester, PA, from 1824 to 1830 as a casemaker. He made tall clock cases for George Baldwin of Chester County and David Weatherly of Philadelphia.
