Adams, Nathan of Danvers and Andover, Mass and also in Hallowell, Wiscasett and Edgecomb, Maine. He also worked as a silversmith in Boston, Massachusetts.

Nathan Adams of Danvers and Andover, Massachusetts, and also in Hallowell, Wiscasset, and Edgecomb, Maine. He also worked as a silversmith in Boston, Mass.

Nathan Adams was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, on May 1, 1755. His parents were Henry and Sarah (Emery) Adams. His father was a joiner working in that town. In 1775, Nathan enlisted in the Continental Army as a drummer. He was discharged on December 18, 1780. Nathan is listed as a "Joiner" working in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1783 and Andover, Massachusetts, in 1784. On December 1, 1785, he married Elizabeth (Bette) Poor of Frye Village. By 1786, Adams returned to Danvers as an apprentice to clockmaker Ezra Batchelder. Deeds show that he maintained an association with both the towns of Andover and Danvers, owning property in both locations. The Danvers property was sold in 1794. In 1795, Nathan Adams moved to Hallowell, Maine. Here he is listed as a clockmaker and as a yeoman. In 1796, he purchased a large tract of land across the river in Pittston. Over a number of years, he sold the land for a profit. In 1796, he moved on to Wiscasset, where he built a shop. It is recorded that Pitt Dillingham of Hallowell was selling clocks for him at this time. Nathan remained in Wiscasset until he sold his property to Daniel Noyes, a silversmith. Nathan lost his first wife and married Joanna Batchelder of the Danvers, Massachusetts clockmaking family sometime around 1800. In 1803, Daniel N. Dole is listed as working in his shop and may have taken it over at this time when Nathan moved to the town of Edgecomb. By 1812, he lost the land and building due to indebtedness. After 1812, he returned to Danvers and then worked in Boston as a silversmith, where he died in 1825.

The Andover Historical Society has a very nice example of a tall clock that he made. This clock is dated on the dial 1792 and features automation in the arch. A face is painted on the arch, and its eyes move side to side with the motion of the pendulum. The case form is very similar to a clock we have owned. We know of a clock that he made while living in Wiscasett in 1808. It has a fancy inlaid mahogany case which was made for and sold to Moses Davis Esq., of Davis Island.

It is unusual for a clockmaker to have made his own cases. It appears that Adams had the talent to do this.

Tall case clocks with both engraved brass and painted iron dials and the Massachusetts Shelf clock forms are known.