Samuel “Mullikin” Mulliken (1720-1756) of Bradford, Massachusetts. A pre-revolutionary American tall case clock, diminutive in stature, representing a significant period in American clockmaking history. XXSL-42.
This early American cherry case tall clock was made by Samuel “Mullikin” of Bradford, Massachusetts. The last name Mulliken was obviously spelled phonetically on the dial.
Eight-day clocks were expensive. Thirty-hour clocks were the economy offering. When this thirty-hour clock was initially constructed and sold, it was most likely offered as a unit comprising the mechanism, dial, weight, and pendulum. This unit would be hung on the wall. If the patron could afford to have a case made, it was usually provided by his local cabinetmaker at a later date.
This dial style predates the painted dial form. It is composed of a brass sheet measuring approximately 14.5 inches tall by 10.5 inches wide. The dial is decorated with six matching applied pewter spandrels, a fitted name boss in the arch, an engraved time or chapter ring, an engraved seconds register, a matted or textured center, and an aperture for the calendar-day display. The name is engraved on the boss in flowing script, along with his working location. Here, the Mulliken name is spelled phonetically “Samuel / Mullikin / Bradford.” We have owned other Mulliken clocks with the Mulliken name spelled creatively. Most recently, we had an example that was spelled “Mullickin.” To provide color contrast, the name, boss, time ring, and calendar display are finished in a silver wash. The time ring displays the hours with Roman-style numerals. The minute indicators are located on the interior edge of this ring. A single hand reaches this interior ring to display the time. Interior minute rings are a very early design feature that fell out of fashion by the 1750s. You should also note the presence of the simplified fleurs-de-lis between the Roman numerals.
The post-and-frame movement is constructed of iron and brass and is driven by a single weight. It is designed to run for 30 hours on a full wind and strike each hour on a cast-iron bell mounted above the movement. The striking system incorporates a count wheel mounted between the plates.
The case is constructed of cherry and retains an old finish. The color is excellent. It is an early form. Heavy applied bracket feet support the case and are attached to the base. The feet exhibit excellent height. This base section is compressed in relation to the long waist section and the hood. This was the tradition of many early American tall clock cases. The waist section is long and narrow. Inset into the front corners of the waist are fully turned and reeded columns. They flank the tombstone waist door. This door was never hinged and is held in place by a small iron bracket mounted to the back of the door. Four shaped hood columns visually support the arched bonnet at the four corners of the hood. Tombstone-shaped windows are cut into the side of the bonnet. These openings are fitted with glass and provide visual access to the movement. The bonnet door is arched and fitted with glass. It opens to access the composite brass dial.
This exceptionally rare clock, crafted circa 1745, stands a mere 78 & 3/4 inches tall (6 feet 6.75 inches) to the top of the case. The bonnet is 18.75 inches wide and 11.25 inches deep.
Inventory number XXSL-42.
The small village of Bradford, Massachusetts, is considered one of America’s earliest clockmaking centers. What is interesting is that Bradford is not a coastal town, nor did it have a sizable population. This small village is located some 18 miles up the Merrimack River across from the town of Haverhill, Massachusetts. As early as 1720, this region had a healthy shipbuilding trade on both sides of the river. As a result, numerous blacksmiths settled in this region. The three families, consisting of the Mullikens, the Balches, and the Carletons, all had native born sons who were responsible for producing clocks.
Samuel Mulliken was born in 1720 in Bradford, Massachusetts, the son of John Mulliken (1690-1737) and Mary Poore Mulliken. Samuel also had a younger brother who was a clockmaker. His name was Nathaniel (1722-1767), and he moved to Lexington sometime about 1751. Together, they are among the earliest members of a very important and extensive family of American Clockmakers. It is thought that they were both trained by their uncle Jonathan Mulliken (born about 1701) of Newburyport. Samuel worked in Bradford until 1750, when he moved to Newburyport. He died six years later on June 4th, 1756, at the young age of 36. His estate inventory survives and includes clockmaking tools, parts, and clocks. Today, a small number of 30-hour and eight-day tall clocks are known.
