Silas Parsons of Swanzey, New Hampshire. A finely proportioned tall case clock that features an 8-day time, strike, and alarm movement. 27217.
We have owned and sold a dozen or more tall clocks with painted dials signed by this Swanzey, New Hampshire, Silas Parsons. Many of these have shared several construction characteristics that this clock exhibits in its design and presentation. These characteristics include cases constructed in cherry and feature white pine as a secondary wood. Parsons clock cases also tend to stand on very delicate ogee bracket feet applied to the bottom of the case. The waist sections are generally long and narrow. The depth dimensions of many of these cases are quite shallow. For example, this case measures only 6.75 inches deep, and, as a result, this leaves very little room for both the pendulum and two drive weights. The front corners of the waists are often fitted with inset quarter columns. These are traditionally deeply fluted and terminate in brass quarter capitals. The waist doors usually come in one of two formats. This example features a door shaped like an older-style tombstone with an arched top. The other version features a top shaped to the profile of a bird gliding towards you. The doors are generally long, and this adds to the overall narrow look of this clock. The waist moldings are deeply formed. The bonnets or hoods are often fitted with a distinctive open-style fretwork pattern. The three boldly fluted chimney plinths support the three brass finials. The bonnet columns are also boldly fluted. They flank the arched glazed door. This example is very well-proportioned. The proportions are better than most. The cherry wood retains an original finish that has darkened over the years. The evidence of use and crazing are still present on the case surface.
This is a lovely painted dial. It is very distinctive in the manner in which it is decorated. Note the geometric style spandrel designs and their lack of a border or framing. The artwork in the arch of the dial is quite light and has a country or rural non-production feel. The decoration here features an urn or, more likely, a fountain. The dial is signed on the dial by the Maker. This signature is done in script lettering and can be seen below the calendar aperture. It is very well done and reads, Silas Parsons. Nicely shaped hand-filed steel hands indicate the time. One should also notice the engraved circular disk behind the minute hand. This is used to set the alarm function incorporated in the clockwork design.
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 with a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour. This is done on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. These works are also fitted with a weight-driven alarm mechanism. This is wound and set independently as needed. The alarm is sounded by an additional hammer that strikes the inside of the cast iron bell. Very few American-made tall clocks are fitted with alarms. One can speculate that this clock was purpose-built and placed in or aside from the original owner's bedroom.
This wonderful example stands 7 feet 10 inches tall to the top of the final. It was made circa 1805.
Inventory number 27217.
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.
