John Rogers of Newton, MA. A mahogany cased tall clock. This example is nicely proportioned. 214117.
This fine mahogany case clock exhibits classic early New England proportions and form. This case stands up on an applied double-step bracket base. The lower molding rests flat on the floor. The wood in the base panel is set in a vertical position. The grain pattern features long lines. The waist section is fitted with a large tombstone-shaped waist door trimmed with applied molding. Through this door, one can access the interior of the case, the weights, and the pendulum. The bonnet features a New England-style fret. This is a traditional Boston style or pattern. Three capped plinths support the three large brass ball-and-spike finials. It is interesting to note that the two side chimneys are designed to help support the frets. The hood door is fitted with glass. This door is flanked by fully turned and shaped bonnet columns. These terminate in brass capitals. Two additional columns are fitted at the back. The sides of the hood are fitted with tombstone shape sidelights. The bonnet door opens to an engraved brass dial signed by the Maker.
This dial is composed of a thin brass sheet that is skillfully engraved and then treated with a silver wash. In the arch of the dial is the Maker’s name and working location, John Rogers / Newton. Other decorative engravings include a bird in the arch, a compass star in the seconds dial, rococo scrolling, and cornucopias. The large chapter or time ring displays the hours in Roman figures. The five-minute markers are formatted in Arabic format. The steel hands are wonderfully made. This dial also features the subsidiary seconds dial and the calendar date. The date of the month is displayed in the traditional location and can be viewed through the access square.
Behind the dial is a brass weight-driven movement. It is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It will also strike each hour on a cast iron bell. The plates are joined with four turned posts and are supported by a seat or a saddle board. These plates are interesting because they retain the Maker’s set-up notes in terms of the scribe lines left on the front surface. One will also notice the higher-than-normal copper content in the front plate, as the copper coloring shows. The pendulum features a wooden rod and a brass-faced lead bob.
This fine clock was made circa 1785. The overall height is 94 inches tall, 20.25 inches wide, and 10 inches deep.
Inventory number 214117.
John Rogers was born on May 9, 1724, in Boston. He was the son of Gamaliel Rogers and Mercy (Emms) Rogers. John is recorded as having married twice. His first wife was Hannah Williamson of Newton, and they married on December 11, 1745. Hanna was born October 9, 1723, and died June 8, 1779. Together, they had at least eleven children. John married a second time to Mary (Craft) Towbridge on October 1, 1780. She was born on April 11, 1731. John is listed as a blacksmith and as a clockmaker. He trained as a blacksmith under the guidance of Joseph Ward. John maintained two shops. One was located in Newton, and the other was in the town of Waltham. John is described as an ingenious man who made machines. He also held various town offices, including the position of selectman. In 1780, he served as a committee member to recruit soldiers. It is recorded that he was involved in a number of business dealings with the clockmaker Benjamin Willard. Rogers filed a lawsuit against Willard, which he won. In about 1761, John made and gifted the gallery clock to the Congregational Church in Newton, which is now in the Museum of Fine Arts collection in Boston. We have owned and sold a small number of tall clocks made by this maker over the last 55 years. Several of these have featured unusual calendar displays, and the works were fitted with maintaining power.
Examples of brass composite dials, engraved brass dials, and painted dial clocks are known.
