David Wood of Newburyport, Massachusetts. The Parkhurst family clock featuring dog-style frets. II-163.
Inside this case is a handwritten note that reads, "Presented / to / ???uel Parkhurst / by his affectionate / uncle / ???? Parkhurst." The Parkhurst family must have been dog lovers. Have a look at the fret pattern on this clock.
This country example exhibits good proportions and is constructed in birch, which retains an older mahoganized finish. As a result, the case color is a medium light brown. The case proportions are good. This case stands on four simply formed bracket feet that are applied to the lower section of the base. The base molding is somewhat compressed. The waist of this clock is long and features a rectangular-shaped waist door that is trimmed with a molded edge. Smoothly turned quarter columns flank the sides of the case. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features a fretwork form that is supported by three fluted chimneys or finial plinths. These are surmounted with brass ball and spiked finials. Please note the unusual fretwork pattern exhibited here. Both sides are cut in mirror form. If you look closely, you can see the shape of a dog with its tail raised in the design. One can imagine a dog lover ordering this pattern for their own clock. The bonnet columns are turned smooth and are mounted in brass capitals. These columns flank the arched glazed door. This door opens to access the painted dial.
This painted dial is signed "DAVID WOOD" below the calendar aperture in large block letters. The four spandrel areas and the arch of the dial are colorfully decorated with flowers. The time ring is displayed with Roman hour numerals, and each of the five-minute markers is displayed in Arabic numerals. This clock also displays seconds on a subsidiary dial.
The time and strike movement is of good quality. It is constructed in brass gearing and hardened steel pinions. It is weight driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind and to strike each hour on a bell.
This clock was made circa 1810 and measures 7 feet 6.5 inches tall.
Inventory number II-163.
David Wood was born the son of John Wood (1727-1805) and Eunice (Fellows) Wood (1737-1801) in Newburyport, Massachusetts, on July 5, 1766. It is thought that he may have been apprenticed to either Daniel Balch Senior or to one of the members Mulliken family. All of whom were prominent Clockmakers in this region. David advertised in the Essex Journal and New Hampshire Packet on June 13, 1792, that he had set up a shop in Market Square, near Reverend Andrews Meeting House. Three short years later, he married Elizabeth Bird (1769-1846) of Newbury in 1795. It has become evident that David Wood was also a Retailer. In 1806 he advertised that he had for sale "Willard's best Patent Timepieces, for as low as can be purchased in Roxbury." In 1818, he and Abel Moulton, a local silversmith, moved into the shop formerly occupied by Thomas H. Balch. In 1824 he advertised that he had moved on the westerly side of Market Square opposite the Market House. After his wife's death in 1846, he moved to Lexington to live near his son David, who was a merchant in that town.
It has become quite obvious to us that David Wood was a very successful Clockmaker and Retailer of Clocks. Over the last 35 years of being in the business of selling clocks, we have sold many examples of wall, shelf, and tall case clocks bearing this Maker's signature on the dial.
