Lord & Goddard Rutland, Vermont. No. 98. A tall case clock. SS-7.
This is a wonderful inlaid cherry case tall clock with a painted dial signed by the Rutland, Vermont partnership of Lord & Goddard. The case form is typical of what one would expect, having a formality in case design that is very similar in form to the high-style New York and New Jersey cases of the same period. This case is constructed in cherry and features decorative holly inlay patterns and mahogany highlights.
This fine case stands on nicely shaped applied French feet. These are an excellent form applied to a molding applied to the bottom of the case. The base panel features a large inlaid mahogany oval panel framed with thin line inlays. A line inlaid box also frames this base panel. The waist section is long. The center is fitted with a rectangular door. An applied molding gives the door some depth. In addition, a line inlay frames the interior outside edge. In the center section is an inlaid oval that has been stretched. This is a mahogany veneer that exhibits a good grain pattern. Fully turned and fluted columns are inset into the corners of the waist. These are mounted in turned wooden capitals that have been gilded. A checkered rope or a barber pole inlay pattern trims the rest of this outside edge. This is an excellent subtle detail that is difficult to pick up in the photographs. The bonnet or hood features a swan’s neck pediment. The horns are delicately formed and terminate in inlaid pinwheels. In the front facade, one will find a stylized urn inlaid in the center of this section. Three brass ball-and-spiked finials surmount this case. The two located outside the case are mounted on reeded plinths. The inlaid rope pattern featured in the waist section is reestablished here. Fluted bonnet columns flank the arched bonnet door. This door is also lined inlaid.
The painted dial is mounted to the movement with a false plate. The spandrel areas are decorated with fanciful gesso patterns that help highlight the gilt florals painted over green medallions. This dial is boldly signed by the clockmaker. The time track is formatted in the traditional Roman-style numerals, marking the hours, and Arabic numerals are used for each five-minute marker. A calendar and seconds bit are in the conventional locations. A moon phase mechanism or lunar calendar is located in the arch.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four turned pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed as a recoil format. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a two-train or a time-and-strike design, having a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. The hammer is returned to its ready position via a coil spring. This movement is of good quality.
This clock was made circa 1806.
A number of tall case clocks have been found signed by the Lord & Goddard partnership. The numbers recorded include 72, 75, 87, 95, 97, 98, 111 and 113.
This clock stands approximately 96 inches (8 feet ) tall.
Inventory number SS-7.
The partnership of Lord & Goddard was first advertised in the Rutland Herald on July 7, 1997. Their shop was located a few rods north of the Rutland Court House just opposite Messrs Pomeroy & Hooker’s store. At this location, they advertised the manufacture of musical clocks and most kinds of gold and silverware. In 1800, they moved approximately 15 rods northwest of the Court House into the shop formerly occupied by Storer & Wilmont. The Lord & Goddard’s partnership lasted approximately eight years and was dissolved on April 26, 1805. A notice was placed in the Rutland Herald on this date. They stayed close friends as their families remained involved in each other’s lives.
Benjamin Lord was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on October 10, 1770, the son of Ebenezer and Temperance (Edgerton). He was first listed as a silversmith in 1793 when he advertised in the Western Star in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, opposite the meeting house on the road to Lanesborough in 1796. Silver spoons are known with his stamp. It is recorded that in 1797, Benjamin moved into Rutland, Vermont, and was there before Goddard moved to town. He began working as a silversmith and watchmaker and, within a few short months, formed a partnership with the newly arrived Nichols Goddard. Benjamin married Fanny Buell in Coventry, Connecticut, on January 28, 1799. Together, they had at least six children while putting roots down in this Rutland. Benjamin became involved with public affairs and served as town clerk in 1803 - 1813 and again in 1815 - 1826. He was a Captain in the local militia. In 1808, he is thought to have trained his nephew John Bliss as a clockmaker. Bliss became a well-documented chronometer maker in New York. Benjamin died on April 23, 1843, in Athens, Georgia.
Nichols Goddard was born the son of Nathan and Martha (Nichols) Goddard in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, on October 4, 1773. It is thought that he learned clockmaking from his second cousin, Luther Goddard, who was also in Shrewsbury. Luther was trained by his cousin, our country’s most famous clockmaker, Simon Willard of Grafton, in 1778. Luther is often credited with making the first watch in America. Nichols moved away and is listed as working in Northampton, Massachusetts, from 1794 through 1797. A diary entry from 1795 states that as a journeyman, Nichols made movements for his father Luther Goddard, Gardner Parker of Westborough, Isaac Gere of Northampton, Massachusetts, and for a man identified as “Ingalls,” who is also in Northampton. In June of 1797, Goddard moved north to Rutland, Vermont. At this time, the period of 1770 through about 1825, the state of Vermont enjoyed unprecedented population growth. In Rutland, Goddard formed a partnership with a silversmith who was originally from Norwich, Connecticut, and more recently Pittsfield, Massachusetts. His name was Benjamin Lord. In September of 1798, Nichols returned to Northampton to marry Charity White. She was the daughter of Job White (Clockmaker) and Charity Chapin. They returned to Rutland and had seven children together. When the Lord and Goddard partnership ended, Nichols continued making clocks under his name until he died in 1823.
Nichols also involved himself in public affairs. In 1800, he was appointed Town Clerk of Rutland. He also served as Town Treasurer from 1805 - 1807. He received the commission of Captain in the militia. He was also very active in the Masonic lodge. In 1802, he was elected Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Vermont, and from 1804 through 1810, he served as Grand Senior Warden.
Nichols died in Rutland on September 23, 1823.
The craftsmanship of Lord & Goddard's clocks, a testament to their skill and dedication, is a source of admiration. There are about a dozen clocks signed by Nichols Goddard or signed Lord & Goddard. A fine example signed Lord & Goddard No. 124, is located in the Sheldon Museum. A musical example, signed Nichols Goddard, is in the collection of The Bennington Museum. The Rutland Historical Society was given Nichols Goddard Number 150 in 1996. They also own number 106, which has a repainted dial. Each of these clocks, a unique blend of functionality and beauty, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Lord & Goddard's craftsmanship.
The tall case clocks signed by Lord & Goddard that have been found to date have the following numbers recorded: 72, 75, 87, 95, 97, 98, 106, 111, 112, and 113. Tall clocks signed by Nichols only include 118, 124, 125, 144, and 150.
