This is a pre-Revolutionary case tall clock made by Isaac Doolittle of New Haven Connecticut. It is signed by the Clockmaker and dated on the dial 1768. Pre-Revolutionary clocks made in this country are quite rare. The majority of clocks that would have been available during this time period of our Country’s history, would have been from English sources. This rare clock is typical of the early form.

Isaac Doolittle was born the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Holt) Doolittle on the 13th of August 1721 in the town of Wallingford, Connecticut. Isaac dies in New Haven in 1800. It is thought that he learned the art of clockmaking as an apprentice to Macock Ward of Wallingford. In 1742, Isaac moves to New Haven and opens his first shop on Chapel Street. Shortly thereafter, he married Sarah Todd in 1743. By many accounts, Isaac was a talented person an able mechanic. He advertised on numerous occasions that he sold and repaired imported watches, and surveyors compasses. He cast several large bells and sold quantities of bar iron. During the Revolutionary War, he manufactured powder. He served as Warden of the Trinity Church in 1765 through 1785. He was active in the public affairs. He held the title as Armourer of the Fourth Regiment of Connecticut and Proprietors of the Township of Ludlow, in he Province of New Hampshire.

Other clocks by this maker still exist. One example is in the collection at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. That clock is dated on the dial 1745 and stands 7 feet 6.5 inches tall.

This example is a diminutive size. It measures a mere 6 feet 10.5 inches. It stands on an applied bracket base. It is nicely scrolled at the bottom giving the clock some relief from the floor. The waist section is long and narrow. It is fitted with a tombstone shaped door. The outside edge incorporates a molded edge. This door fills the waist or middle section of the case. The corners of the waist are simply grooved. The bonnet features a variant of a caddy top. Please notice the fret design which is applied to the center section. This is a nice detail that is not often seen. Two large flame turned finials are mounted on plinths. The flame carving has been gilded. The bonnet door is arched in form and opens to a composite brass dial that is signed and dated by the maker. This style of dial predates the painted dial. It is composed of a brass base sheet that is decorated with applied spandrels, name boss and time or chapter rings. The name boss reads, “Isaac Doolittle New Haven Fecit 1768.” This is written in script. The spandrels are gilded. The chapter ring has been silvered. The middle section has been painted gold. This was most likely done to aide in one ability to located the hands while reading the dial. A brass dial will tarnish making it somewhat difficult to read in a room lit by candles. The steel hands are wonderfully made. Behind the dial, is a brass weight driven movement. It is designed to run eight days on a full wind. It will also strike each hour on a cast iron bell. The movement is supported by a seaboard. The pendulum features a wooden rod and a brass faced lead bob. This a fine example was made by a well known New Haven Clockmaker circa 1768.