Silas Parsons cherry case tall clock. Swanzey, New Hampshire. 23216.
We have owned several tall case clocks that were made by Silas Parsons of Swanzey, New Hampshire. All of these have shared a number of construction characteristics exhibited in this clock case design and presentation. Some of these features are listed as follows.
Silas Parsons favored a case constructed in cherry wood and New England white pine as the secondary wood. The vast majority of the cases are built on a smaller scale. Most of which measure less than 7 feet 6 inches tall to the top of the finial. In addition, the proportions are unique. The cases are often shallow from the front plain of the waist to the wall. This example measures a mere 6.5 inches deep. The cases are often raised on delicate feet. This example stands on four very delicate ogee bracket feet that are applied to the bottom of the case. The waist sections are typically long and narrow. The sides of this waist section are traditionally fitted with inset quarter columns. They are boldly fluted and terminate in brass quarter capitals. The center of the waist section is fitted with a long tombstone-shaped door. This door adds to the overall good look of this clock. The bonnet is surmounted with a distinctive fretwork pattern which we have seen on other clocks that are signed by this Maker. The three boldly fluted chimney plinths support the three brass ball and spiked finials. The molded arch, which has a very deep profile, is supported by two bonnet columns that are also boldly fluted. These columns also flank the arched glazed door.
The dial is painted on iron. The decoration is distinctive and must have been painted by a local artisan. The decoration style is less structured and more reserved than the decoration found on higher production dials. The colors are often muted, and the presentation is quite nice. Also, note that the spandrel designs do not incorporate a border or framing. This clock is signed on the dial by the Clockmaker. The dial is mounted directly to the movement without a false plate.
This movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. It is weight driven and designed to run for eight days once fully wound. It is 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.
This clock stands 7 feet 6 inches tall to the top of the center finial. It was made circa 1805.
Inventory number 23216.
Silas Parsons (1773-1859) of Swanzey, New Hampshire. Silas is the son of Aaron Parsons and Damaris (Whitcomb) Parsons. He was born in Swanzey on May 29, 1773, and died there on March 15, 1859. Silas married Patience Haskins (Hoskins), the daughter of Silas Haskins of New Salem, Massachusetts, on March 25, 1806. She died on February 1, 1865. Together, they had four children. Silas jr. was born in 1809, Damaris was born in 1812 and died in 1815 at the age of three, a second Damaris was born in 1817, and Patience was born in 1820. It appears that Silas prospered financially. He is credited with donating approximately $20,000 to home and foreign missionaries.
Silas is a celebrated clockmaker. A small number of New England case styles have been found and documented. They include tall case clocks, Massachusetts shelf clocks, and a dwarf clock. A Massachusetts Shelf clock is now in possession of the Henry Ford museum. It is reported that he made three musical tall clocks as wedding gifts for his three daughters. These played waits on weekdays and hymns on Sunday. One of these clocks is signed on the inside of the case by the cabinetmaker. This inscription reads, "Made by Samuel (?) Sweeny 1811." So far, all of the tall clock cases I have seen are very similar in design and form. It is logical to assume that Sweeny was Parsons's go-to cabinetmaker.
The town of Swanzey is composed of a group of hamlets just South of Keene: Swanzey Center, North Swanzey, West Swanzey, and East Swanzey. Parsons lived in West Swanzey. His home still stands. The date of 1775 is cut into the chimney. Unfortunately, his workshop is now gone.
