Spencer Nolen of Roxbury and Boston, Massachusetts and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Spencer Nolen was born in Roxbury in 1784. In his book, “Willard’s Patent Time Pieces,” Paul Foley suggests that Nolen may have been trained by or worked with the Boston artist John Ritto Penniman. John Doggett’s account books list Doggett buying nine tablets from him throughout 1804-05. In 1805, Nolen partnered with Aaron Willard as Willard and Nolen. Aaron was most likely a financial backer for this firm. This lasted until 1806 when Samuel Curtis and Spencer Nolen formed the first of two partnerships as Nolen & Curtis until 1810. Nolen married Aaron Willard’s daughter, Nancy, in 1808. In 1811 through 1813, Spencer Nolen went under “Nolen’s Manufactory.” A number of tall clock dials are known with this signed on the back. In 1814, Nolen and Samuel Curtis both served in the same company as privates in the War of 1812. The second Nolen and Curtis partnership began in 1814 and lasted through 1822. Spencer moved to Philadelphia in 1815 and began to supply the clock trade there. He is listed at numerous addresses there over a period of time. Samuel Curtis stayed in Boston. The two men painted clock dials, clock-tablets, mirrors, paintings, and gilding. They were very successful. Spencer Nolen died in Philadelphia on June 17, 1849.