Ansel Turner of Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Ansel Turner was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts on October 20, 1787 and died in Savannah, Georgia on October 3, 1814. Turner is listed in 1810 -14 Roxbury voting lists as a clockmaker. He was taxed in Roxbury in May 1809 for \"1 Poll + for Knower's shop\". This suggests that he may have been in business with Daniel Knower who is also listed as a clockmaker. (Roxbury Town Records) Turner advertised from Roxbury Street in December 1811, that he was \"compelled (by bodily indisposition) to relinquish his present line of business, and offers for sale, an elegant assortment of Clocks and Patent Timepieces, Clock Weights, Catgut, &c. Likewise - a complete set of Clock-makers Tools & Materials.\" The Savannah death records indicate Turner was a Clockmaker from Massachusetts, and died at the young age 25. (NEHGR, Vol. 125, p. 35) An early patent timepiece having crossbanded frames and a tablet marked \"S. Willard's Patent\" is known with the movement inscribed \"A. Turner, No. 27, 1809\". Three signed painted dial tall case clocks are known. All three feature Roxbury style cases.

For additional information, please read Paul Foley’s, Willard’s Patent Time Pieces.