John Bailey II of Hanover, Massachusetts. A Quaker clockmaker. An exceptional mechanic and an inventor.

 

John Bailey II was born in Hanover, Massachusetts, the son of Colonel John (A shipbuilder) and Ruth Randall Bailey on May 6, 1751. He died there 72 years later, on January 23, 1823. It is thought that he learned clockmaking at a very young age and may have been self-taught. John is responsible for training numerous apprentices, including his younger brothers Calvin and Lebbeus, his son John III, Joseph Gooding, Ezra Kelley, and Hingham's Joshua Wilder. Many of these trained apprentices moved to other towns in southeastern Massachusetts and became well known in their local communities. John was the most prolific maker of the six Baileys in the clock business. In addition, he was a Quaker preacher, an ingenious mechanic, and an instrument maker. Other examples of his work include a surveyor's compass in the Hanover Historical Society's collection. He was also an inventor and received a patent for a steam-operated roasting jack. This device was designed to turn the meat over a fire to cook it more evenly.

John's clocks are roughly divided into two categories. The first is a home-developed style. These examples often have sheet brass dials engraved and silver-washed. Several examples of movements constructed in wood are known to us. Others are built in brass, and the plates are fully skeletonized. Some of these later clocks incorporate wooden winding drums. It is interesting to note that he made both types of strike trains. We have seen examples he signed that feature a count wheel setup and the more popular rack-and-snail setup. Very few clockmakers used both setups. The cases are typically constructed from indigenous woods, including maple and cherry. These examples have pleasing country proportions and lack the sophistication of the Roxbury school. The 'Roxbury/Boston influence' refers to the design and craftsmanship styles that were popular in these areas at the time. Sometime around 1790, this influence must have played a significant role in John's production. The movements in these examples are more apt to incorporate fully plated movements. In addition, the cases resemble those being turned out by the Willard School to the North. These feature mahogany cases, often decorated with inlays. This second generation of output is much more formal in appearance.

Our collection over the years has included a diverse range of clocks crafted by John Bailey II. From tall case clocks to dwarf clocks, banjo or wall timepieces, and the unique Massachusetts shelf clock form, his versatility as a clockmaker is truly intriguing.

 

Clocks From This Maker

An important Elisha Cushing Chippendale cherry tall case clock, featuring a skeletonised movement attributed to John Bailey II, made around 1795.
An important Elisha Cushing Chippendale cherry tall case clock, featuring a skeletonised movement attributed to John Bailey II. XXSL-57.
This distinctive cherry tall-case clock shows many characteristics of furniture from the New London, Connecticut, area. However, recent discoveries and scholarship have reassigned this piece and similar furniture to Hingham, Massachusetts,… read more
An Important polychrome paint decorated Tall Case Clock with a skeletonized movement attributed to John Bailey II, Hanover, MA, Circa 1810. XXSL-89.
An Important polychrome paint decorated Tall Case Clock with a skeletonized movement attributed to John Bailey II, Hanover, MA, Circa 1810. XXSL-89.
This is a dramatic example with flourishes grained in various shades of brownish reds. The unique design, with its vibrant colors and distinctive patterns, lends a sense of exclusivity and personality to the piece, making it an exceptional addition… read more
An inlaid mahogany Tall Case Clock with a painted dial signed John Bailey, Hanover. This fine example features an automated rocking ship dial. EEE-10.
An inlaid mahogany Tall Case Clock with a painted dial signed John Bailey, Hanover. This fine example features an automated rocking ship dial. EEE-10.
  The Quaker clockmaker John Bailey [1751-1823] produced this attractive Federal-style tall-case clock. Bailey was a prolific maker in the Southeastern Massachusetts town of Hanover from the last quarter of the 18th Century through the first… read more
John Bailey II of Hanover, Massachusetts. A pine-cased Massachusetts Shelf Clock. 218014.
John Bailey II of Hanover, Massachusetts. A pine-cased Massachusetts Shelf Clock. 218014.
This is a very unusual shelf clock made by the Hanover, Massachusetts, Quaker clockmaker John Bailey II. John Bailey II was born the son of John and Ruth Randall Bailey on May 6th, 1751. He learned clockmaking at a very young age and is responsible… read more
John Bailey Jr. of Hanover, Mass. A colorful mahogany case tall clock. NN-3.
John Bailey Jr. of Hanover, Massachusetts. A colorful mahogany case tall clock. NN-3.
  This high-style cross-banded and mahogany veneered tall case clock, signed on the dial by John Bailey Jr., of Hanover, Massachusetts, is not just a timepiece, but a piece of history that connects us to the craftsmanship of the past. This formal… read more