S. B. Terry Sub-Miniature Steeple clock with torsion suspension. With Alarm. UU-38.
This is a rare sub-miniature steeple clock made by S. B. Terry while in Forestville, Conn., U. S. A. Terry’s label is pasted on the backboard.
This clock is unusual for two at least reasons. The first is its size. The rosewood veneered case measures a mere 13 inches tall. This is two inches shorter than his competitors’ typical standard miniature steeple. Second, this clock is fitted with a very unusual movement for which S. B. received a patent in Oct of 1852. A clue that this clock has this mechanism is found on the dial. The dial is painted on tin. Note the hole or decorative slot in the dial between 5:00 and 6:00. If you look closely while this clock is running, you will see motion through this opening. This is the torsion pendulum bob, which is shaped like a barbell. A torsion pendulum system allows this clock to run while being transported or even turned upside down. This movement is key wound, spring, and designed to run thirty hours fully wound. However, it does not have a standard pendulum and escapement. It has what is called a torsion pendulum system. The pendulum rotates on a horizontal plane suspended by a thin spring. The rotation motion back and forth translates to the escapement. This has a great advantage over a traditional pendulum clock movement if the clock is used in an area that is moving or vibrating. Examples of such locations are on board ships or trains. The front plate is die-stamped with the Maker’s patent date for this movement style. It reads, ‘PATENTED / OCT 5TH 1852.” This example also features an alarm. This is mounted inside the case. It is also spring-powered and strikes on a bell mounted to the backboard. The Clockmaker’s label can be found on the back of the case. It reads, “EIGHT DAY AND THIRTY HOUR / Marine Clocks, / WARRANTED / ...” The lower tablet is original to this clock and is in superb condition. It depicts a New England scene dominated by a meeting house.
The combination of this movement and this case style is very unusual.
This very collectible clock was made circa 1852.
Inventory number UU-38.
Silas B. Terry was born on February 1, 1807 (during Eli's involvement with the porter contract) and died of a heart attack on May 20, 1876. He was the youngest of eight children born to Eli & Eunice (Warner) Terry. Silas worked in various clockmaking enterprises. Unlike his father, he focused on the more expensive brass-geared clocks and was in the process of producing them as early as December of 1833. He was an inventive person and was constantly testing new designs. One of the most notable was the application of the balance wheel to clock movements. Silas was granted a patent for this on August 9, 1845. Silas was involved with several clockmaking firms, which included the S. B. Terry & Company (1852-1853) and Terryville MFG., Co. (1853-1854). In 1854, Terry went bankrupt and took a job as a general manager of the William L. Gilbert & Company of Winsted, Connecticut. In 1861, he took a job as superintendent of the Waterbury Clock Company. In 1867, he formed the Terry Clock Company in Waterbury with his sons. Silas' early clocks were well made and often had interesting movements. The evidence of his work supports the suggestion that he loved to tinker.
