Timothy Cheney of East Hartford and Manchester, Connecticut. Clockmaker, blacksmith, silversmith joiner, farmer, gristmill operator and soldier.

Timothy Cheney was born in East Hartford, CT, on May 10, 1731. His parents were Benjamin Cheney (1699 – d. about 1760) and Elizabeth (Long) Cheney (b.1769 – d.1759). He was the brother of Benjamin Cheney (1725-1815), also from East Hartford, Connecticut. They both became well-known clockmakers in East Hartford. It is currently thought they did not work together but made similar products. Their wooden geared clock movements are distinctive due to their large scale. They also made brass movement clocks. Benjamin deeded his house to Timothy in 1757. This property would have been located at 175 East Center Street near the center of what would become the town of Manchester in 1823. This house was torn down in the 1960s. Timothy was also a farmer, gristmill operator, soldier in the local militia, and a captain of the militia during the Revolutionary War. In 1768, he had the rank of lieutenant to train soldiers. Timothy led the Hartford troops during the Revolutionary War but was relieved of that duty so Timothy could manufacture gunpowder. He trained at least two apprentices to be clockmakers. John Fitch briefly trained with Benjamin, but then later, he apprenticed to Timothy in 1761-1764. Timothy also trained Daniel Griswold in 1782. In 1785, Timothy built and moved to the "Cheney Homestead" on today's Hartford Road. A brook behind the house provided water for the grist mill he operated with his son George. Timothy worked in Manchester from 1790 to 1795. He died there on September 27, 1795.