Daniel Balch of Newbury, Massachusetts. A pre-revolutionary American tall case clock, diminutive in stature. 220029.
This important painted pine case tall clock was made by Daniel Balch of Newbury, Massachusetts.
The small village of Bradford, Massachusetts, is considered one of America's earliest clockmaking centers. It is interesting that Bradford is not a coastal town, nor does it have a sizable population. Instead, this small village is located some 18 miles up the Merrimack river across from the city of Haverhill, Massachusetts. As early as 1720, this region had a healthy shipbuilding trade on both sides of the river. Indeed, numerous blacksmiths would be required for this type of industry to survive. The three families, the Mullikens, the Balches, and the Carletons, all had native-born sons responsible for producing clocks.
This case is constructed in pine and painted an interesting blue-green shade. Interestingly, several other Balch tall clocks are cased in pine and painted. Painted finishes vary from the sophisticated format of faux graining of mahogany to single colors like this example. Blach is one of the few clockmakers who used painted pine cases for his brass works. This case is visually supported on applied bracket feet. The base is constructed in a manner that rests flat on the floor. The bracket feet and the molding are applied to the base section at floor level. This provides the illusion that the feet are supporting the case. The base section is somewhat compressed. This common design detail is found with some regularity in clock case construction manufactured in the Colonies during this early pre-revolutionary period. The waist section is long and centers a large tombstone-shaped waist door. This door is trimmed along its perimeter with a molded edge. It is hinged and opens to allow one access to the case's interior. This is where one will find the two brass-covered drive weights and the brass-faced pendulum bob. The molded arch bonnet is a simple design. The molding is well-formed. The cove section is nice and deep. This arch is visually supported by turned and shaped colonettes or hood columns. These are smoothly turned and terminated in wooden capitals. They are also attached to the hood door. This is also an early construction detail. Two additional columns are fitted into the back corners of the case. These are quarter columns. The sides of the hood are fitted with rectangular-shaped side lights. The arched bonnet door opening is fitted with glass. The bonnet door opens to access the composite brass dial.
This style of dial predates the painted dial form. It is composed of a brass sheet and is decorated with a number of decorative elements. Four cast rococo-formed corner spandrels frame the applied time ring. There are two additional spandrels in the arch. These center a circular-shaped boss engraved with an eagle's powerful image. It is also engraved with the Latin phrase "TEMPUS FUGIT." This translates to "time flies." The silvered time or chapter ring features Arabic-style five-minute markers, a closed minute ring, and large Roman-style hour numerals. Inside this ring, the dial surface has been textured. Here one will also find a display for the calendar day and a subsidiary seconds dial. A large plaque is engraved with the Maker's name. This engraved nameplate reads." Dan'l Balch / Newbury. "The hands are wonderfully hand-filed. The skill exhibited here is very high.
The two-train movement is brass, eight-day duration, and of good quality. Five turned pillars or posts support the two large brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed as a recoil format. The movement is weight driven and designed to run for eight days on a full wind. It is a two-train or a time-and-strike design having a rack and snail striking system. As a result, it will strike each hour on the hour. This is done on a cast iron bell which is mounted above the movement.
This rare clock was made circa 1755. The case stands a mere 82 inches tall (6 feet 10 inches) to the top of the case. The bonnet is 20.5 inches wide and 11.25 inches deep.
Inventory number 220029.
Daniel Balch Sr. was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, on March 1, 1734, the son of Reverend William Balch of the East Parish in Bradford and Rebecca (Stone) Balch. It is believed that Daniel apprenticed under Samuel Mulliken (1720-1756), where he acquired clockmaking skills. He produced clocks in Bradford until relocating to Newbury in 1756, the same year he married Hannah Clements (1735-1783). His first shop was situated on Fish Street, now known as State Street. In 1765, Newburyport became a separate entity, dividing the two villages. Records indicate that he maintained the town clock of Newburyport from 1781 to 1783. In 1784, Daniel married Judith Thurston (1739-1825) of Newbury. He had two sons from his first marriage, Daniel Jr. (1761-1835) and Thomas Hutchinson Balch (1771-1817), both of whom he trained as clockmakers. After Daniel Sr.'s death on November 30, 1790, his sons continued the business. He is buried at the Old Hill Burying Ground in Newburyport. Notably, Jonathan Kettell, a cabinetmaker originally from Charlestown, Massachusetts, who moved to Newburyport after the British burned the town in 1775, recorded in his account books that Daniel Balch purchased as many as twenty-two tall and shelf clock cases between 1781 and 1792. Daniel may have also trained David Wood as a clockmaker.
Several examples of tall clocks, including some musical and shelf clocks, have been identified. A notable brass dial shelf clock is held in the collection of the Historical Society of Old Newbury. Another example is exhibited at the Cushing House Museum and Garden in Newburyport.
