Abel Stowel Sr. of Worcester, Massachusetts. A tall case clock.
This is a very interesting case. We have owned several clocks by this Maker in the last fifty years of business. This wonderful country example is representative of the form most often associated with him as a tall case clock maker. It is nicely proportioned and features a number of decorative construction details. The case is constructed in cherry and currently retains an old surface that has been rubbed down. The coloring is warm and inviting. This case stands on four lovely applied ogee bracket feet. They are constructed on a smaller scale and fitted the personality of the case well. The waist section is long. It is fitted with a large tombstone shaped waist door that is trimmed with a simple molded edge. This large door opens to allow one access to the weights and pendulum. The sides of the waist feature long fluted quarter columns. Both of these terminate in turned wooden quarter capitals. The bonnet is a swan's neck form. The arches are well formed and are decorated with finely made molding. Three brass ball and spike finials sit on delicate wooden plinths. Fully turned and fluted free standing bonnet columns ending in turned brass capitals flank the bonnet door. This arched door is fitted with glass and opens to access the painted dial.
The painted dial is colorfully decorated with florals. These are found in the spandrel areas as well as in the arch. In the center of this arch is a painted country view. This is charming. The view is for a colonial home that sits along the shores of a large body of water. The mountains are in the background. The colors are exceptional and the theme reenforces the country feel of this clock. The time ring is displayed in both Arabic numerals used for the five minute markers and Roman Numerals are used to mark each hour. A subsidiary seconds dial is located with in the time track. This clock is signed on the dial by the clockmaker. In script lettering it reads, \Abel Stowel.\" It is worth noting that this dial and it's decoration are of local origin.
The movement is brass and of good quality. It is designed to run eight days on a full wind. It is constructed in the traditional format in that it will strike each hour on a cast iron bell.
This clock was made circa 1795 and stands 7 feet 7 inches tall. It is inventory number 210011.
"Abel Stowel was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on June 12, 1752. His parents were Cornelius Stowell (1724-1804), a prosperous clothier, and Zurvillar (Goulding) Stowell (1730-1812). He lived 66 years before he died on August 3, 1818. On November 22, 1871, Abel married Relief Jennison in Worcester. They had at least five children. Three sons, Cornelius (1784-1836), Abel (1789-1860), and John J. (1793-1834), worked in the clockmaking, watchmaking, and jewelry trades. Even his daughter Faith married the clockmaker James Ridgeway Jr. in January 1802. Both James Ridgeway and Stephen Hasham worked as Abel's apprentices.
Abel was an ingenious individual and is listed as a clockmaker, watchmaker, screw maker, and inventor. Over his lifetime, he applied for and was granted several patents for various types of machinery. Many of these patents involved cutting the head of a screw. He served Worcester civic duties, including constable in 1785, 1792, and 1793. He was appointed fence viewer in 1811. Abel is best known for his tower clocks. He is recognized as having introduced the first widely copied wooden beam flatbed tower clock design. It featured pinwheel deadbeat escapement. This design originated in France and was thought to have been invented after 1740. It became so popular that it was widely copied by American clockmakers and became the standard design for 100-plus years. He built on speculation the tower clock he installed in the Old South Church in 1800. This clock featured a Revere Bell that was installed in 1802. The clock was moved in 1887 to City Hall and then ten years later to the tower of a Worcester factory on Coes Square. The factory and clock were lost to a fire in 1842. He also built a similar example that was installed in 1807, the First Parish Church in Hubbardston. This clock is still there and operates daily.
Able was in business with his son Able Jr as Stowell, A. & Son. This business was located next to the Worcester Town Green and offered for sale "stoves, small machinery of brass and iron and tower clocks made to order" The business operated from 1815-1860. Abel senior, of course, died in 1818. The business served the printing and wool-carding industry that was so crucial to the development of Worcester's economy.
Along with his son Cornelius, Abel was a founding shareholder in the Worcester, MA, Cotton Manufactory Company.
Abel died on August 3, 1818. He is buried in the Worcester Common Burial Ground in Worcester.
We have owned several clocks by this Maker in the last fifty years of business. In addition, a watch paper signed by him is in the AAS collection.
