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

 

John Bailey II was born on May 6, 1751, in Hanover, Massachusetts, the son of Colonel John Bailey, a shipbuilder, and Ruth Randall Bailey. He died there 72 years later, in 1823. It is believed he learned clockmaking at a young age and may have been self-taught. John t on January 23, rained numerous apprentices, including his younger brothers Calvin and Lebbeus, his son John III, Joseph Gooding, Ezra Kelley, and Joshua Wilder from Hingham. Many of his apprentices moved to other towns in southeastern Massachusetts and became well-known in their communities. John was the most prolific clockmaker among the six Baileys involved in the craft.

John's clocks can be categorized into two main types. The first is a home-developed style, which often features sheet brass dials that are engraved and treated with a silver wash. Several examples we know of have movements constructed from wood, while others are made of brass with fully skeletonized plates. Some later models incorporate wooden winding drums. Notably, he produced both types of strike trains; we have seen signed examples that feature a count wheel setup and the more common rack and snail configuration. Very few clockmakers used both setups. The cases are usually made from indigenous woods like maple and cherry, showcasing pleasing country proportions without 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. Around 1790, this influence likely played a significant role in John's production. The movements in these examples more commonly feature fully plated mechanisms. Additionally, the cases resemble those produced by the Willard School to the north, which often showcase mahogany cases decorated with inlays. This second generation of output appears much more formal.

Over the years, our collection 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 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 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 quarter of the… 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
John Bailey II of Hanover, Massachusetts. A maple case tall clock. 211067.
This country maple case tall clock was made by John Bailey II of Hanover of Massachusetts. 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 is responsible for training… read more
John Bailey II of Hanover, Massachusetts. An important tall case clock. Elisha Cushing Jr. of Hingham possibly made the case. 219052.
John Bailey II of Hanover, Massachusetts. An important tall case clock. Elisha Cushing Jr. of Hingham possibly made the case. 219052.
This early brass dial tall clock, a unique creation of Quaker clockmaker John Bailey of Hanover, Massachusetts, stands out for its exceptional features. Born on May 6th, 1751, John Bailey II, the son of John and Ruth Randall Bailey, was a prodigy… read more