This is a fine Chippendale mahogany case tall clock featuring an engraved brass dial that is finished with a silver wash. It is signed by the clockmaker "Bn. Willard, Grafton. No. 146."

Benjamin Willard is the oldest of four clockmaking brothers. His younger brother Simon, is considered 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, Connecticut 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 by Mr. Cheney who was a known Clockmaker. A signed Benjamin example which features a wooden geared movement is known. This unusual example is constructed in a manner that is very similar to that of the distinctive Cheney form. It appears Benjamin moved back to Grafton, Massachusetts shortly after this advertisement sometime before 1766 and that he was working on his own at this time. By 1768, he moved on to Lexington, Massachusetts where he worked with, and then succeeded Nathaniel Mulliken. During this period, it is thought 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 1777-78, Benjamin advertised as being located in Medford. Benjamin moved back to Grafton and then advertised in 1784 in the Worcester newspaper, that he had made 253 eight-day clocks up to this date in 1789 he advertised that he had made 359 clocks in 23 three years of business. Sometime soon after, Benjamin moves to Worcester and then later to Baltimore, Maryland where he died in September of 1803.

This nicely proportioned tall clock case is constructed in cherry and features a modern finish. The case is supported on a boldly formed double stepped molding. The lower molding has been shaped to form bracket feet. The feet retain very good height and a wonderful drop apron. The waist section is long and centers a large rectangular waist door. This door is trimmed with an applied molding and opens to access the pendulum and weights. The hood or bonnet features a pierced an open New England style fret work pattern. Three finial plinths, each of which are capped at the top, are fitted with brass wine cup finials. The front bonnet columns are smoothly turned and tapered along their length. These are mounted in brass capitals. The back columns are wonderfully shaped and neatly fitted into the corners of the case. The sides of the hood feature tombstone shaped side lights. The bonnet door is also an arched form and fitted with glass. This door opens to access the dial.

This dial is constructed from a sheet of brass. It gets it’s silver color from a wash that is applied after it has been engraved. The engravings are skillfully executed. The dial is signed and numbered by the Maker. The "No. 146" can be found inside the subsidiary seconds dial. The Maker's name and working location "Bn Willard Grafton" is positioned in the arch of the dial and can be plainly seen. The name is signed in a script format. The working location is presented in large block lettering. The time ring is laid out in a traditional format. The hours are indicated in Roman numerals. 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 "Six." The spandrels are not engraved.

This clock features an eight day brass movement. It is 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. It is interesting to note the quality of this example because we have owned and seen numerous other signed Benjamin examples where the quality is somewhat crude.

This clock stands approximately 7 feet 2 inches tall to the top of the center finial. This clock was made circa 1770