A lovely inlaid cherry case tall clock with a painted dial signed T & S Abbot / New London, NH. This is currently the only known clock signed by this partnership. 225022.
The case is a testament to the local craftsmanship of the central New Hampshire region, as it is constructed using wood found in the area. The primary wood, cherry, is known for its rich color and fine grain, while the secondary wood, New England white pine, provides a sturdy base. The line inlays, most likely made of maple and holly, add a touch of elegance to the case. This case has been appropriately refinished in shellac, enhancing the clarity of the wood grain and inlays.
This fine example stands up on a cutout bracket base. This design includes four feet retaining excellent height, a subtle return, and a drop apron. A complex banding of inlay visually separates this section from the base panel. The inlay pattern consists of small blocks of light and dark wood positioned in an alternating pattern. This line crosses the front panel. An additional simple line pattern frames the base panel. The corners are relieved in a quarter-round, ovolo, adding complexity to the design. The waist section features a rectangular-shaped waist door. This door is trimmed with applied molding and inlaid with the same line pattern exhibited in the base. A fancy brass escutcheon decorates the lock access. One can access the case's interior through this door, where the two tin can drive weights, and the brass-faced pendulum bob can be found. The blocks that support the quarter columns are inlaid. This pattern is familiar to us. We have seen it in a tall clock case housing a wooden geared movement and dial by Whitter Perkins. Perkins worked in the neighboring town of Wendell, now Sunapee, New Hampshire. The pattern consists of two parallel lines that run vertically. Each line comprises a long dark block separated from the next by a double line of lightwood inlay. Both lines run out of the ends of the supporting blocks. Boldly reeded quarter columns are mounted in the corners of the waist and terminate at each end in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet or hood features a pierced and open fretwork pattern. This decorative cascading pattern has been seenon other Central New Hampshire-made cases. Three reeded finial plinths support it. Each plinth is fitted with a brass ball and spike finial. The molded arch is visually supported by smoothly turned bonnet columns decorated with ring turnings. These are free-standing and mounted in brass capitals. They flank the arched bonnet door, which is fitted with glass. Rectangular-shaped side lights are located on both sides of the hood.
The painted iron dial is a locally made product, a testament to the skilled artisans of the time. It was painted by the renowned Boston ornamental artist Spencer Nolen. Nolen dominated dial production after 1805 in America. The front of the dial is signed, "T & S Abbot / New London." The location of the signature is positioned just below the month calendar. Above this is the independent seconds display. Small Arabic-style numerals demark the five-minute positions. A dotted minute ring separates these from the larger Arabic hour numerals. The use of Arabic over Arabic numerals is not commonly found. A gilt band frames the perimeter of this time ring. The four spandrel areas are decorated with colorful floral patterns. A gilt ring frames the outer edge of the time ring. The four spandrel decorations are very unusual. Gilt acorns, oak, and holly leaves are painted over a dark field of color. These vignettes are framed with a simple red border. Depicted in the lunette is a drapery or swag with tassels in red and gold.
The clockworks are constructed in brass and are of good quality. Four turned brass pillars support the two brass plates. The plates feature three distinctive arch-shaped cutouts, a design that not only conserves the amount of brass used but also showcases the ingenuity of the craftsmen. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions, grooved winding drums, brass gearing, and recoil escapement, all of which contribute to the clock's precision and reliability. The weight-driven movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind, making it a practical and functional piece for any collector. It is a two-train or a time-and-strike design with 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.
This beautiful country clock, a product of its time, was made circa 1810. Standing approximately 7 feet 3 inches or 87 inches tall to the top of the center finial. The case is 20 inches wide and 10.25 inches deep. It is not just a testament to the evolution of American craftsmanship, but also a direct link to the rich history of New Hampshire's clockmaking tradition.
Inventory number 225022.
Very little is currently known of the T&S Abbot partnership. It is assumed that it comprised Theodore and his well-known clockmaking brother, Samuel Abbot. This partnership is briefly referenced in Charlie Parsons' book, New Hampshire Clocks and Clockmakers.
Theodore Abbot, Samuel's older brother, was born on February 23, 1784, in Concord, New Hampshire. He was the son of Stephen Abbot (10/27/1746 - d. /12/1811) and Mary Giles (3/24/1754 - d 1823). Theodore was one of seven children. Theodore married Polly Burpee (b.1791-d.1878) of New London on June 25, 1809. They had eleven children. The first child, Amasa, was born on April 21, 1810. This is important to know since it puts the Family in that town in that year. The following nine children were born in the same town. The eleventh child, Lydia Jane, was born in 1834 in Wendell. Theodore is listed in the published town histories as a farmer and lived in New London and Wendell, now Sunapee, NH. The town name of Wendell no longer exists. Its name was changed in 1850 to Sunapee, named after the lake and the mountain. The town that became Sunapee was first established in 1768 as Saville. The name Saville was changed to Wendell in 1781, and then in 1850, it was changed to Sunapee, which remains today. Sunapee is an Algonquin word meaning "Goose Lake." (Whittier Perkins (1765-1813), a wooden geared clockmaker who moved to Wendell in 1790.) The earliest settlers of this area were farmers drawn to the region because of the fertile valleys. The Herseys built a grist mill to take advantage of the water power harnessed from Otter Brook in 1798. Soon after, the George family purchased the grist mill and later built a sawmill further downstream. This area became known as George's Mills. Theodore died at George's Mills (Sunapee), New Hampshire, on May 8, 1855.
Samuel Abbot, Theodore's clockmaking brother, was born May 14, 1791, in Concord, NH. He was the son of Stephen Abbot and Mary Giles. Samuel began his career as a clockmaker, watchmaker, silversmith, and jeweler in Dover, NH, in 1812. On March 5, 1813, Samuel married Jane Day of Concord, New Hampshire. Together, they had two sons. Their son, John Sullivan Abbott, worked in Montpelier, Vermont, in similar trades. The Abbott family moved from Dover to Boston, Massachusetts, in about 1827. Samuel is listed in the Boston Directories as a clockmaker from 1827 through 1830. He is listed at several addresses: first at 11 Pitt Street, then 64 Hanover Street, and lastly, at 33 Merrimack. In 1830, Samuel left Boston and moved North to Montpelier, Vermont. He first advertised himself as a clock and watchmaker there in January 1830. Samuel also sold silverware, watches, and musical instruments. In 1831-32, he partnered with Mr. Freeman as Abbott & Freeman. While in Montpelier, Samuel trained J. G. Hall as a clockmaker. Abbott was again listed in the New England Business Directories as a watchmaker and jeweler at Montpelier in 1849 and 1860. Samuel lived there until his death on May 4, 1861, at 70, and is buried in the Green Mountain Cemetery in Montpelier, VT.
Examples of tall clocks, shelf clocks, New Hampshire mirror clocks, lyre wall clocks, and patent timepieces have been found. Samuel is noted for his distinctive three-pillar, "grand piano" shaped timepiece movements. Many of these clocks are found with a teardrop-shaped pendulum keystone. A watchpaper also survives. It is in the collection of the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, MA.
