An Unsigned New Hampshire Mirror Clock with a unique Wheel Barrel movement, a feature attributed to the renowned Benjamin Morrill of Boscawen, New Hampshire. HH-227.
Although the dial of this New Hampshire Mirror clock is unsigned, we have a good idea of its Maker. This clock has a distinctively shaped set of works that we now categorize as a “Wheel barrel movement,” A term that refers to the unusual layout of the brass gearing. The brass gearing is laid out from left to right on a horizontal plane. On the left is the largest of the wheels, the main wheel. This wheel gathers the weight cord as one winds the clock. On the far right side is the escape wheel. Please note the anchor portion of the escapement is mounted on the right side of the escape wheel. As a result, the pendulum attaches to the movement from this off-center position. We have owned numerous examples of mirror clocks that incorporate this unusual setup. Many have featured dials signed by the Boscawen, New Hampshire, Clockmaker Benjamin Morrill.
New Hampshire mirror clocks exist in many shapes and sizes and have varying degrees of complexity. This case is constructed in white pine and is veneered in mahogany. These veneers were selected for their vibrant grain patterns and are strategically positioned on the door frame for a decorative effect. This door is designed with inward canted framing and mitered corners. The surface retains an older finish. This door is divided into two sections. The lower, larger section features a period mercurial mirror. It has been remounted with modern glue blocking. The upper of the door is fitted with a reverse hand-painted tablet. This is in excellent original condition. It is decorated with a yellow background. The four spandrel areas and the border around the dial opening in the design are decorated with gilt designs. The center of this glass is left undecorated so one can view the painted dial behind it.
The painted iron dial is supported on two wooden blocks. These are glued to the backboard inside the case. This dial has had some minor restoration/maintenance to a couple of the hour numerals. The clock hands are nicely shaped and a traditional form for the region. The minute hand is an appropriate replacement and matches the style of the hour hand.
The movement is secured to the backboard with screws. The plates are nontraditionally formed but are designed to accommodate the three brass posts and steel shafts. The main wheel is positioned in the upper left of this design. As a result, the lead drive weight descends to the left of the case center. Because of the location of the escape wheel, the pendulum hangs from the extreme right side of the works. The escapement is a recoil.
This clock is nicely proportioned, measuring 30 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 3.75 inches deep.
This clock was made circa 1835.
Inventory number HH-227.
Benjamin Morrill was born in Boscawen on January 16, 1794, and died on April 21, 1857. His parents were Samuel Morrill and Sarah (Atkinson) Morrill. He was their fifth child. The small village of Boscawen is located just to the northwest of Concord, NH. He lived in the house his grandfather, Reverend Robie Morrill, built-in 1769. It is located on King Street. It was the first framed house in that town. Robie was a graduate of Harvard College in 1755. It is summarized that Benjamin was a practical and educated man. His work demonstrates creative skills in mechanical matters. It is not presently known who trained Benjamin as a clockmaker. He was first recorded as setting up a shop in 1816. Benjamin’s oldest sister Judith married Joseph Chadwick. He was also a clockmaker from the same town and was seven years older than Benjamin. On November 22, 1818, Benjamin married his first of two wives, Mehetable Eastman. She was the daughter of Simeon and Anna (Kimball), Eastman of Landiff, New Hampshire. They had two children before she died on July 6, 1828. Benjamin remarried six months later to Mary Choate of Derry, New Hampshire. Together, they also had two children. Benjamin died on April 21, 1857. As a clockmaker, signed examples of tall cases, banjos, shelves, mirrors, and tower clocks are known. As production clocks made their way into his region, he was also known to manufacture scales and musical instruments that included melodeons and seraphines.
A tower clock made by him was set up in Dover, NH, at the cost of $300. It was installed in the 1st Parish Meeting House. The whereabouts of this clock are not known. A second clock was installed in Henniker, NH. The Henniker clock is now at the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol, Connecticut. It was given to them by the late Frederick Mudge Selchow. A third tower clock had been originally installed (date unknown) in the 1839 Advent Church in Sugar Hill, now part of Lisbon, NH.
A fine example of a mirror clock is in the New Hampshire Historical Society collection.
