Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts. An outstanding mahogany case tall case clock. NN-72.
This is an outstanding example. This mahogany case exhibits the finest proportions and an older, if not original, finish. The case stands on four ogee bracket feet that are applied to the base as part of the double-step molding. The mahogany found in the base panel is formatted in a horizontal position. The waist is long, narrow, and fitted with a large tombstone-shaped waist door. This door is trimmed with applied molding. Brass-stopped fluted quarter columns flank the sides of the case. These end in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features an open fretwork design that is surmounted by three brass ball-and-spiked finials. Fully turned and brass stop fluted bonnet columns or colonnettes visually support the upper bonnet molding. They are mounted in brass capitals and are free-standing. Nicely turned quarter columns are set into the back of the bonnet. These are smoothly shaped and terminate in ring-turned wooden capitals. The sides of the hood feature tombstone-shaped side lights, and they are fitted with glass. The arched bonnet door is also fitted with glass and opens to access the dial.
The painted iron dial is signed by the Maker, "Sim Willard," in block lettering. The location of this signature is positioned just below the calendar aperture. In the arch of this dial, one will find a moon phase mechanism or lunar calendar.
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 format is designed as a recoil. The movement is weight driven and 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. This is done on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement.
This clock was made circa 1790 and stands approximately 7 feet 11 inches or 95 inches tall to the top of the center finial. This clock is 20.5 inches wide and 10.25 inches deep when measured at the upper bonnet molding.
Inventory number NN-72.
Simon Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, on April 3, 1753. He was the seventh of twelve children born to Benjamin Willard (1716-1775) and Sarah (Brooks) Willard (1717-1775) of Grafton. While living in Grafton, Simon answered the Lexington alarm on April 19, 1775, along with his brothers. It is thought that by 1782 he moved from Grafton and took up residence in Roxbury as a Clockmaker. Simon became a Master Clockmaker as well as an inventor. He is well known for receiving patents for his roasting jack in 1782, his "Improved Timepiece" or Banjo clock in 1802, and an alarm clock patent. In addition, he trained many men to make clocks who became well-known Clockmakers once their apprenticeships were served. Some of them include the brothers Levi and Able Hutchins, Elnathan Taber, William Cummens, Ezekiel Jones and Daniel Munroe. Some of the more notable public clocks Simon built include the clock in the United States Capitol building's Statuary Hall. He also built a clock for the House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate. Simon died on August 30, 1848, at the age of 95.
