Delaney Antique Clocks Acquires a Benjamin Willard Tall Case Clock

The dial of the clock is constructed from a sheet of brass that gets its silver color from a wash that is applied after it has been engraved. The engravings are skillfully executed and the dial is signed and numbered by the Maker. The No. 221 can be found inside the subsidiary seconds dial. The Maker's name and working location Benja Willard Roxbury is positioned in the center section and can be plainly seen. The name is signed in a script format, while the working location is presented in large block lettering. Located in the arch of the dial is the Latin verse, Tempus Fugit.  There is also an illustration of a phoenix prominently displayed in this location. Its wings are outstretched in flight and the bird is clutching a floral twig in its powerful beak. The time ring is laid out in a traditional format. The hours are indicated in Roman numerals and the five minute markers are indicated in an Arabic form. The day of the month is also displayed through a small square opening above the Roman numeral VI. Each of the four spandrels and the interior of the time rime are engraved with long sweeping designs.
   
This clock features an eight day brass movement. Weight driven and wound with a key, it is designed to strike each hour on a cast iron bell. The movement is of good quality, and it is interesting to note the quality of this example because the Delaney family has owned and seen numerous other signed Benjamin examples where the quality is somewhat crude. 

Benjamin Willard is the oldest of four famous American clockmaking brothers. His younger brother, Simon Willard, is America's most famous Clockmaker. Other brothers that made clocks include Ephraim and Aaron. Benjamin was born in Grafton on March 19, 1743. As a New England Clockmaker, he never stayed in one location for an extended period of time. In December 1764, at the age of twenty-one, Benjamin advertised that he was in East Hartford, CT at the home of Benjamin Cheney. He also claimed that he was the last maker at this shop. It is logical to assume that he was trained to make clocks in East Hartford by Mr. Cheney who was a known Clockmaker. Only one signed wooden geared clock is known of and is currently owned by the Delaney family. This wooden geared clock is constructed in a manner that is very similar to that of the distinctive Cheney form. It appears Benjamin moved back to Grafton, MA shortly after this advertisement sometime before 1766 and he was working on his own at that time. By 1768, he had moved on to  Lexington, MA where he worked with, and then succeeded Nathaniel Mulliken. During this period, it is thought that he maintained separate shops in both towns until 1771 when he moved the Lexington shop to Roxbury. The Roxbury shop then moved to Brookline in 1775. During the period of 1777-1778 Benjamin advertised a location in Medford. Benjamin moved back to Grafton and then later to Worcester and then to Baltimore, Maryland where he died in September of 1803.

To learn more about the rich history of clockmaking and to see a virtual treasure trove of beautiful antique clocks, visit Delaney Antique Clocks at 435 Main Stree in West Townsend, MA. Visit their website at www.delaneyantiqueclocks.com.