Aaron Willard of Boston, Massachusetts. A inlaid mahogany case tall clock. 27141.
This is a fine mahogany Roxbury case tall clock, a timeless creation by Aaron Willard of Boston, Massachusetts. It stands as a classic New England example, showcasing the best Boston school proportions. The case, with its narrow frame, measures approximately 7 feet 11 inches tall to the top of the center finial.
This inlaid mahogany case stands on four pad feet that support a double-stepped bracket base. These moldings are applied to the base panel. The lower molding is decoratively formed and incorporates a sweeping apron that drops to the floor in several locations. The base panel is decorated with an inlaid line border that frames the front panel. The corners of this line design feature ovolo corners. The waist section of this case is long and unusually narrow. It centers on a rectangular-shaped waist door with applied molding. The mahogany veneer used on this door features a gentle cascading grain pattern. This is also a line inlaid with the same pattern used in the base panel. The front corners of the waist section feature brass stop-fluted quarter columns. These terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet is a fretwork style surmounted with three ball and spike finials. They are mounted on fluted and capped finial plinths. The bonnet columns are also brass stop-fluted and end in brass capitals. The bonnet door is an arched form and is lined inlaid. It opens to access the nicely painted dial.
This dial is colorfully painted. The four spandrel areas and the area located in the arch of this dial are decorated with floral designs. These are framed with a delicate gilt border. This clock face displays the hours, minutes, seconds, and calendar day. This dial is also signed by the Maker "Aaron Willard / BOSTON."
This movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a time-and-strike design with a rack-and-snail striking system that will strike each hour on a cast-iron bell mounted above the movement.
This beautiful clock was made circa 1795.
The case, including the top of the center finial, is approximately 7 feet 11 inches tall.
Inventory number 27141.
Aaron Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1757. Little is currently known of Aaron's early life in Grafton. His parents, Benjamin Willard (1716-1775) and Sarah (Brooks) Willard (1717-1775) of Grafton had eleven children. Aaron was one of four brothers that trained as a clockmaker. In Grafton, he first learned the skills of clock-making from his older brothers Benjamin and Simon. It is recorded that Aaron marched with them in response to the Lexington Alarm on April 19, 1775, as a private under Captain Aaron Kimball's Company of Colonel Artemus Ward's Regiment. Aaron re-enlisted on April 26 and was soon sent by General George Washington as a spy to Nova Scotia in November. By this time, he had reached the grade of Captain. He soon returned to Grafton to train as a clockmaker. In 1780, Aaron moved from Grafton to Washington Street in Roxbury along with his brother Simon. Here the two Willards establish a reputation for themselves as fine clock manufacturers. They were both responsible for training a large number of apprentices. Many of these became famous clockmakers in their own right. The Willards dominated the clock-making industry in the Boston area during the first half of the nineteenth century. Aaron worked in a separate location in Roxbury from his brother and, in 1792, relocated about a quarter-mile away from Simon's shop across the Boston line. Aaron is listed in the 1798 Boston directory as a clockmaker "on the Neck," His large shop employed up to 30 people, while 21 other clockmakers, cabinetmakers, dial and ornamental painters, and gilders worked within a quarter-mile radius by 1807.
Some important dates for Aaron Willard include...
1783, Aaron married Catherine Gates. They have two children. The first is Aaron Willard Jr who becomes a very accomplished clockmaker. Catherine Gates dies in 1785.
1789, Aaron marries Polly Patridge. Polly has two sisters that also marry clockmakers Abel Hutchins and Elnathan Taber. Aaron and Polly have nine children. Two work-in-the-clock trades. George Willard 1817-1821 becomes a journeyman clockmaker. Henry Willard (1822-1887) trained as a cabinetmaker and made cases for the Willard operation when he came of age.
1792, Aaron builds a large home at 143 Washington Street in Boston. He lives in this house until he dies. This house is also the location of his workshop. A barn is converted into an area to finish wood. Other spaces in the carriage shop are rented to related artisans.
1802-1804, Aaron is in a business partnership with cabinetmaker James Blake as Willard & Blake. Aaron's position is financial.
1804, Aaron he transforms the carriage house and barn into a workshop space for artists, clockmakers, woodworkers, etc. It is now known as Willard's Compound.
1805-1806, Aaron is a financial backer in the partnership of Willard & Nolen. Spencer Nolen (1784-1849) is an ornamental artist who begins painting clock dials. In 1808, Spencer Nolen married Aaron Willard's daughter.
1823, Aaron Willard retires. He is 66 years old.
1844, Aaron died on May 20 and is buried in the Eustis Cemetery in Roxbury.
We have owned a large number of tall case clocks made by this important Maker. In addition, we have also owned a good number of wall timepieces, some in the form of banjo clocks, gallery clocks, as well as numerous Massachusetts shelf clock forms.
