Silas Hoadley Miniature Time & Alarm Clock. Mantel clock. SS-166.
This is a rare miniature time and alarm shelf clock made by Silas Hoadley of Plymouth, Connecticut. This clock is in fine condition. The case is mahogany and measures 26" tall. It is elevated on feet. The front feet are nicely carved in the form of animal paws. The two back feet are turned. Fully turned columns flank the sides of the case. They are gilt decorated, as is the splat at the top of the case. The decoration is in excellent original condition. The mirror in the lower section of the door appears to be period. It may be an old replacement. This door opens the length of the case to allow access to the movement dial and pendulum. The wooden dial is colorfully painted, featuring florals in the spandrel or corner areas. The "Upside down" wooden works movement is a thirty-hour time and alarm design. The weight-driven alarm is set by moving the third hand to the desired hour. The Maker's label is pasted onto the backboard and is in excellent condition.
This clock was made circa 1830.
Inventory number SS-166.
Silas Hoadley was born in Bethany, Connecticut, on January 31, 1786. He was the son of Ammi Hoadley and Amy (Thompson) Hoadley. He first apprenticed as a joiner to his uncle Calvin Hoadley. Along with Seth Thomas, he was hired in about 1808 by Eli Terry at the age of 21 to set up and work at Terry's Ireland factory. Shortly after Terry's Porter Contract was satisfied, he and Seth Thomas bought the factory from Terry. Thomas & Hoadley continued to make tall clock movements until 1813, when he purchased Thomas's business shares. He transitioned to shelf clocks, manufacturing movements of his own design. The "Upside down" style is one of the more unique examples. In the late 1830s, he transitioned to manufacturing brass movements. He retired in 1849 as a wealthy man. Silas Hoadly died on December 28, 1870, in Plymouth, Conn.
