Kelley & Shepherd New Bedford, Massachusetts. Wall timepiece. XXSL-16.
This fine case is constructed in mahogany. The half-rounded frames are fitted with nicely figured mahogany veneered panels. The grain exhibits long sweeping lines. The side arms and bezel are cast in brass. The bezel is fitted with glass and is hinged on the right. It opens to access the painted iron dial and the fine hand-filed steel hour and minute hands. The time ring is marked out in Roman-style hour numerals. This dial is signed in script lettering by the Maker, "Kelley & Shepherd / New Bedford," in script format. Behind it is a brass weight-driven movement. It is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. The teeth in the gear train are deeply cut. The pendulum features a brass-faced bob. A brass eagle is perched above a ball finial. This surmounts the case. This clock measures approximately 33 inches long and was made circa 1830.
For a more detailed discussion regarding wall timepieces, please read Paul Foley's book, Willard's Patent Timepieces.
Inventory number XXSL-16.
Ezra Kelly & Nathaniel Shepherd both worked in both Dartmouth and New Bedford, Massachusetts. They worked together from 1820 through 1823 and then again from 1833 through 1835. They sign this example on the dial.
Ezra Kelley, clockmaker, watchmaker, and goldsmith, was born a Quaker in Dennis, Massachusetts, on September 26, 1798, and died a Methodist in New Bedford on December 14, 1895. He was expelled from the Society of Friends when he married his wife Nancy Simmons of Hingham in 1823. She was a Methodist. It appears he apprenticed to both his cousin Allen Kelley of South Yarmouth and to John Bailey Jr of Hanover, Massachusetts. Ezra and fellow Bailey apprentice Nathaniel Shepherd were business partners who worked together from 1820 through 1823 and then again from 1833 through 1835. In 1830, Kelley moved to Venezuela for a few years and set up a shop there until here returned in 1833. From 1839 through 1841, he was in business with Stephen Howland as Kelley & Howland, dry goods merchants. In 1850, Ezra worked with his son George, a watchmaker as E. Kelley & Son. Soon after, he established a business to refine whale oil for watches, clocks, and light machinery in New Bedford. This became a successful enterprise. Tall clocks, shelf clocks, and timepieces are known. He is listed as a clockmaker, watchmaker, and goldsmith.
Nathaniel Shepherd, clockmaker, watchmaker, and goldsmith working in Dartmouth, Westport, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, was born in Dartmouth on February 21, 1795, and died in New Bedford on October 28, 1882. He was trained by John Bailey II in Hanover, Massachusetts. He is projected to have started working on his own in 1816 and formed a partnership with Ezra Kelley. They worked together from 1820 through 1823 and then again together from 1833 through 1835.
Several tall clocks are known. One signed example is known, with the place location listed as Westport. A similar Shepherd clock can be found in the Yale University Art Gallery collection, inventory no. 1964.54.2
