Silas Hoadley of Plymouth, Connecticut. A wooden geared tall clock.
This is a good example of a wooden works tall clock made by Silas Hoadley of Plymouth, Connecticut.
The construction of the wooden geared tall clock movement is typical of the standard form that one would expect from this prolific Clockmaker. The plates used in the construction of this movement are made from oak. The movement is a standard two train design. Both of which are powered by weights. The weights are raised by pulling on cords inside the case. Because the movement is designed to run for approximately 30 hours, this should be done once a day. The strike train features a countwheel striking system. This clock will strike each hour on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement.
The arched wooden dial is nicely paint decorated. It is a standard size. The spandrels are decorated with colorful floral themes. The arch features a gilt design. The hours are marked with Arabic numerals. This dial also displays the seconds via a subsidiary seconds hands and dial.
The case is pine and retains a dark mahoganized stain. This finish is in good condition. It was applied in a manner that allows one to view the grain pattern of the pine underneath. This case stands on an applied bracket base that features a simply shaped cutout feet. The waist is long and narrow featuring a rectangular shaped waist door. The bonnet features a New England style fretwork. This pattern is often called a \Whale's tails\" design. Three wooden turned finials are supported by finial plinths of chimneys. The bonnet door is fitted with glass. This door is flanked by smoothly turned bonnet columns that are mounted in brass capitals.
This example stands approximately 86.5 or 7 feet 2.5 inches tall. At the upper bonnet molding, exhibiting the largest dimensions of the case, is 19 inches wide and 10 inches deep. At the base molding, this clock measures 17.25 wide and is 9.5 inches deep. This clock was made circa 1815.
"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.
