Nichols Goddard of Rutland, Vermont. An inlaid mahogany cased tall clock No. 125. LL-184.
This case form is typical of what one would expect, having a painted dial signed by “Nichols Goddard / Rutland / No. 125.” The style is very similar in form to the high-style New York and New Jersey cases of the same period. This case is constructed in cherry and features decorative inlay patterns and mahogany highlights.
This fine case stands on nicely shaped applied French feet. The base panel features a mahogany panel that is highlighted with line inlays. A line inlaid box frames the base panel. Two large ovals decorate this section. This is a pattern seen on other clocks that this clockmaker has signed. The waist section is long. The center is fitted with a rectangular door. An applied molding gives the door some depth. In addition, a line inlay frames the interior outside edge. In the center section is an inlaid oval that has been stretched. This oval is constructed with mahogany and framed with a lighter string inlay. A panel above the door is formatted similarly. Boldly reeded quarter columns flank the sides of the waist. They terminate before the moldings in brass quarter capitals. A checkered rope inlay pattern trims the rest of this outside edge. This is a nice subtle detail that is difficult to pick up in the photographs. The bonnet or hood features a swan’s neck pediment. The horn a delicately formed and terminate in inlaid pinwheels. In the front facade, one will find a fifth inlaid oval. Three brass ball and spiked finials surmount this case. The two located on the outside of the case are mounted on reeded plinths. The inlaid rope pattern featured in the waist section is reestablished here. Fluted bonnet columns flank the arched bonnet door. This door is also lined inlaid.
The painted dial appears to be an American product. It is mounted directly to the movement without using a false plate. The spandrel areas are decorated with fanciful gesso patterns that help highlight the gilt florals painted over red medallions. This dial is boldly signed by the clockmaker. The time track is formatted in the traditional Roman numerals marking the hours, and Arabic numerals are used for each five-minute marker. A calendar and seconds bit are in the traditional locations. A moon phase mechanism or lunar calendar is located in the arch.
The movement is brass. It is weight powered and designed to run eight days on a full wind. It will also strike each hour on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement. It is good quality.
This clock stands 93 inches (7 feet 9 inches) tall. It was made circa 1806.
Inventory number LL-184.
Nichols Goddard was born the son of Nathan and Martha (Nichols) Goddard in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, on October 4, 1773. It is thought that he learned clockmaking from his second cousin Luther Goddard who was also in Shrewsbury. Luther was trained as a clockmaker by his cousin Simon Willard of Grafton in 1778. Willard is our country's most famous clockmaker. It is also worth noting that Luther is often credited with making the first watch in America. Nicholas wrote in his diary that on February 2, 1795, he finished an 8-day clock movement for Luther. Two days later, he had finished three additional movements he had been working on. Nichols left Shrewsbury on February 5 and went to Westborough to work for Gardner Parker. The agreement was Parker was to pay him 7 dollars a movement. Nichols wrote in April that he was busy looking for additional work. He listed cleaning and repairing the Parkman's and Bingham's clocks in Westborough for cash.
In May of 1794, Nichols worked in Northampton, Massachusetts, through 1797. A diary entry from 1795 states that as a journeyman, Nichols made movements for his father Luther Goddard, Gardner Parker of Westborough, Isaac Gere of Northampton, MA, and for a man identified as "Ingalls," who is also in Northampton.
In June of 1797, Goddard moved north to Rutland, Vermont. At this time, the period of 1770 through about 1825, the state of Vermont enjoyed unprecedented population growth. In Rutland, Goddard partnered with a silversmith originally from Norwich, Connecticut, and, more recently, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. His name was Benjamin Lord. The partnership of Lord & Goddard was first advertised in July 1797. Their shop was located a few rods north of the Rutland Court House just opposite Messrs. Pomeroy & Hooker's store. At this location, they advertised the manufacture of musical clocks and most kinds of gold and silverware. (Rutland Herald 7-3-1797.) In 1800, the business was moved to the shop formerly occupied by Storer & Wilmont, located approximately 15 rods northwest of the Court House. Lord & Goddard's partnership lasted approximately eight years and was dissolved in 1805 on April 26. A notice was placed in the Rutland Herald on this date. It appears they stayed close friends as their families remained involved with one another.
In September of 1798, Nichols returned to Northampton to marry Charity White. She was the daughter of Job White (Clockmaker) and Charity Chapin. They returned to Rutland and had seven children together. After their partnership ended, Nichols continued to make clocks under his name until he died in 1823.
Nichols involves himself in public affairs. In 1800 he was appointed Town Clerk of Rutland. He also serves as Town Treasurer from 1805 - 1807. He received the commission of Captain in the militia. He was also very active in the Masonic lodge. In 1802 he was elected Grand Junior Deacon of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Vermont, and from 1804 through 1810, he served as Grand Senior Warden.
Nichols died in Rutland on September 23, 1823.
Nichols Goddard signed a dozen or so known clocks. We also know of about the same number signed by the partnership of Lord & Goddard. A high percentage of the signed clocks are numbered. The tall case clocks found signed by Lord & Goddard have the following numbers recorded.... 72, 75, 87, 95, 97, 98, 106, 111, 112, and 113. Tall clocks signed by Nichols only include 118, 124, 125, 134, 138, 144, and 150.
An example that is signed Lord & Goddard No. 124 is located in the Sheldon Museum. A musical example that Nichols Goddard signs is in the collection of The Bennington Museum. The Rutland Historical Society was given a Nichols Goddard tall clock, number 150, in 1996. They also own number 106, which has a repainted dial.
