This attractive and well proportion mahogany cased clock was made by Walter Cornell of Newport, Rhode Island. This clock is said to have been originally owned by the Governor of Rhode Island William Jones in 1812.

Walter Cornell was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island on September 15, 1777. As a young boy, he traveled to the city of Providence and served an apprenticeship as a clockmaker. In February of 1803, Walter had advertised that he had moved to Newport and carried on the business of manufacturing “Warranted Watches & Eight-Day Clocks.” In 1806, he advertised as being located at 106 Thames Street. In 1814, Cornell then moves to Portsmouth and a George Tompkins took over the Thames Street location. Various advertisements place Cornell in this region of Rhode Island and working in numerous trades. Some of which included, silversmithing, jeweler and wool carding. Cornell’s death record has not been found. According to the Federal Census, he is listed as working in the jewelry trade as late as the early 1850’s.

This fine tall case clock is constructed in mahogany. The wood selected is quite good. It features long sweeping grain patterns that help accentuate the clock wonderful proportions. The grain patterns are also highlighted by an appropriate finish.

This example stands on nicely flared French Feet which transition to a drop below the base panel. A simple line inlay defines the feet from the base section. The waist is long and narrow. A large rectangular waist door is centered in this section. This door is trimmed with a molded edge. It opens to allow one access to the pendulum and weights. The sides of the case are fitted with long quarter columns. They are fluted and terminate in nicely detailed brass quarter capitals. The bonnet is surmounted with open frets. The frets are supported by three fluted chimneys or finial plinths. They are capped at the top and each supports a brass ball and spike finial. The bonnet columns are simply turned and end in decorative brass capitals. They flank the bonnet door which is arched and fitted with glass. It swings open in order to access the painted iron dial which is of Boston manufacture.

This Boston dial is colorfully paint decorated. The paint work is done in decorative gilt designs that are complimented by the deep red and yellow highlights. This work is skillfully executed. This dial signed by the clockmaker "Walter Cornell” in script lettering. The working location of “Newport" is done in a blocked format. All the lettering can be seen between the numerals four and eight located on the Roman numeral time track.

The time and strike movement is of good quality and is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. This clock also strikes the hour a cast iron bell.

This clock was made circa 1810 and stands a modest 7 feet 7.5 inches tall.

It is interesting to note that Federal Rhode Island made tall clocks seldom surface in today’s marketplace. This would indicate that the numbers produced, as compared to other clocks of New England origin, were not significant.