John Rogers of Newton, Massachusetts.

John Rogers was born on May 9, 1724, in Boston. He was the son of Gamaliel Rogers and Mercy (Emms) Rogers. John is recorded as having married twice. His first wife was Hannah Williamson of Newton, and they married on December 11, 1745. Hanna was born October 9, 1723, and died June 8, 1779. Together, they had at least eleven children. John married a second time to Mary (Craft) Towbridge on October 1, 1780. She was born on April 11, 1731. John is listed as a blacksmith and as a clockmaker. He trained as a blacksmith under the guidance of Joseph Ward. John maintained two shops. One was located in Newton, and the other was in the town of Waltham. John is described as an ingenious man who made machines. He also held various town offices, including the position of selectman. In 1780, he served as a committee member to recruit soldiers. It is recorded that he was involved in a number of business dealings with the clockmaker Benjamin Willard. Rogers filed a lawsuit against Willard, which he won. In about 1761, John made and gifted the gallery clock to the Congregational Church in Newton, which is now in the Museum of Fine Arts collection in Boston. We have owned and sold a small number of tall clocks made by this maker over the last 55 years. Several of these have featured unusual calendar displays, and the works were fitted with maintaining power.

Examples of brass composite dials, engraved brass dials, and painted dial clocks are known.

Clocks From This Maker

John Rogers of Newton, Massachusetts. Tall case clock. SS-125.

This fine cherry case clock exhibits classic early New England proportions. This case stands up on the applied bracket base that incorporates four feet in the design. A simple drop hangs from the center of the bracket molding. The waist section… read more

John Rogers of Newton, MA. A mahogany cased tall clock. 214117. Delaney Antique Clocks.

John Rogers of Newton, MA. A mahogany cased tall clock. This example is nicely proportioned. 214117.

This fine mahogany case clock exhibits classic early New England proportions and form. This case stands up on an applied double-step bracket base. The lower molding rests flat on the floor. The wood in the base panel is set in a vertical position.… read more

John Rogers of Newton, MA. Tall clock. UU-105. Delaney Antique Clocks.

John Rogers of Newton, Massachusetts. A fine mahogany cased tall clock. UU-105.

This is a fine mahogany-cased clock that exhibits classic early New England proportions. This case stands up on four applied ogee bracket feet. These feet are nicely designed and raise the cabinet off the floor. The base features an applied mahogany… read more

John Rogers grandfather clock. TT59. Delaney Antique Clocks.

John Rogers of Newton, Massachusetts. A fine mahogany cased tall clock with a very unusual dial display and retaining power. TT-59.

This sheet brass tall clock dial measures 13 inches across and is considered oversized compared to the more common 12-inch examples. The brass is engraved and treated with a silver wash applied to the front surface. The engravings are skillfully… read more

John Rogers of Newton, Massachusetts. A cherry cased tall clock in old surface. YY-79.

This is a fine cherry case clock that exhibits classic New England proportions. The dry old-world finish remains over the cherry wood construction. This case proudly stands on applied bracket feet. A double-stepped molding transitions the feet to… read more