Jonathan Barker of Ashby, Massachusetts. Wooden geared tall case clock. 213129.
Jonathan Barker married Rebecca Edwards, the daughter of the Ashby Clockmaker Abraham Edwards, on November 3rd, 1803. This clock, signed "Ashby" as the place location, puts Jonathan in that town. It also suggests that he received some clock training from Abraham since the creation of this clock movement and dial reflects the "Ashby school" of clockmaking. We also know that Jonathan identified himself in the Massachusetts Spy in December as a clockmaker located a short distance from the Worcester courthouse in 1802. So he must have moved from Ashby to Worcester. Jonathan Barker and Samuel Taylor formed a partnership as Barker & Taylor sometime before 1805 in Worcester. Little is currently known of these two individuals, and their clocks are considered rare. Based on the number of clocks that have survived, they were not prolific clockmakers. It is recorded that Barker died in 1807. Samuel Taylor was born in 1780 and died in 1864. He is listed as a clockmaker in 1807 through 1856. So it is reasonable to assume that he carried on the business after Barker died.
Jonathan Barker and Samuel Taylor formed a partnership as Barker & Taylor sometime before 1807. Little is currently known of these two individuals, and their clocks are considered rare. Based on the number of clocks that have survived, they were not prolific clockmakers. This is only the second we have seen, signed by this partnership in the 55 years of collecting clocks. It is interesting to note that we currently own a clock signed, “J. Barker, Ashby.” It features a wooden geared movement that shares the same construction characteristics and format as the Ashby Clockmaking school. In addition, the painted dial is from there as well. As a result, it is logical to assume that Barker received his training there and later moved to Worcester and joined Taylor in the Barker & Taylor venture. It is recorded that Barker died in 1807. Samuel Taylor was born in 1780 and died in 1864. He is listed as a clockmaker in 1807 through 1856. So it is reasonable to assume that he carried on the business after Barker died.
