David Young labeled tall case clock. Hopkinton, New Hampshire. 25211.
This is a very good example of a popular case form made in the Concord region of New Hampshire. This fine maple case retains the Joiner's label. It reads, "Made by David Young, Joiner, Hopkinton, New Hampshire." This label is pasted to the backboard and is located inside the case. Printed labels by New Hampshire artisans of this period are difficult to find. It is easy to speculate that a percentage of these types of applied labels have been lost due to neglect, the quality of the adhesive used, or even, in some instances, wear. This label has been found on clocks with dials signed by Levi & Able Hutchins and Timothy Chandler. Young's name appears in Edmund Currier's account books as having provided him with at least 10 cases.
David Young was born on July 13, 1746 in Kingston, New Hampshire. In 1773, David married Sarah (Sally) Eastman (1755-1836) in Concord. Together they had twelve children. He may have been in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, as soon as 1776. By 1800, he was taxed for stock and trade in that town. In 1801, he is listed as a "cabinetmaker." and is also described as a joiner in numerous transactions. The Hopkinton Baptist Church records his death on December 10, 1836, in Lebanon, NH. David Young Labels have been found in clocks made by Levi and Able Hutchins of Concord, Timothy Chandler of Concord, and Edmund Currier of Hopkinton. It is interesting to note that the Town of Hopkinton, in the early 1800's, was visited daily by a stage. It was located in a direct line of travel between Boston and Montreal. The town steadily grew until the 1830s.
This fine example is formatted in the traditional woods and proportions that one would expect from the Concord, New Hampshire, region circa 1795. This case stands proudly on applied bracket feet. They are applied to the bottom of the case as part of a double-step molding. The waist section is long and is fitted with a large rectangular-shaped waist door. Through this, one can access the original tin can weights and pendulum. The bonnet can be easily described as a swan's neck form. This example is better shaped than most. The moldings are less heavily formed, and the arches have more vertical height than most Concord case styles. The rosettes are finely carved in a pinwheel pattern. The finial plinths support the three brass finials. The bonnet columns are turned smooth and mounted into brass capitals. The bonnet door is an arched form and is fitted with glass.
The iron dial is painted. It is not signed. The time ring is formatted in Roman numeral hour markers. Arabic numerals are used as the five-minute markers. This dial also displays the date of the month calendar and the seconds on subsidiary dials.
The movement is constructed in brass. The teeth in the gear trains are deeply cut. It is weight-driven and designed to run for eight days fully wound. This clock strikes the hours on a cast iron bell. It is good quality.
This clock case stands a modest 7 feet 4 inches tall and was made circa 1795.
Inventory number 25211.
David Young was a cabinetmaker who worked in Hopkinton, New Hampshire. He is known to have made clock cases for several clockmakers, including Levi & Able Hutchins, Timothy Chandler, and Edmund Currier. Some of these cases can be positively identified. Young often pasted a label inside the cases he made.
Knowing who made the cases for the 18th-century clockmaker is very unusual. This fine birch example retains the Joiner’s label. It reads, “MADE / BY / David Young, / JOINER, / Hopkinton, New Hamp- / shire.” This printed paper label is pasted to the backboard and is located inside the case. Printed labels by New Hampshire artisans of this period are difficult to find. It is easy to speculate that a percentage of these types of applied labels have been lost due to neglect, poor adhesive quality, or, in some instances, wear. David Young’s labels have been found on a small percentage of clock cases with dials signed by Levi & Able Hutchins and Timothy Chandler. Young’s name also appears in Edmund Currier’s account books as having provided him with at least 10 cases and hardware between 1816 and 1822.
David Young was born on July 13, 1746, in Kingston, New Hampshire. On January 13, 1773, David married Sarah (Sally) Eastman (1755-1836) in Concord. NH Governor John Wentworth signed the marriage certificate. The Youngs had twelve children. One son, David, also became a joiner. The father may have worked independently in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, as early as 1776. By 1800, he was taxed for stock and trade in that town. In 1801, he was listed as a “cabinetmaker” and was also described as a joiner in numerous transactions. The Hopkinton Baptist Church records his death on December 10, 1836, in Lebanon, NH. David Young Labels have been found in clocks made by Levi and Able Hutchins of Concord, Timothy Chandler of Concord, and Edmund Currier of Hopkinton. It is interesting to note that the Town of Hopkinton, in the early 1800’s, was visited daily by a stage. It was located on a direct route between Boston and Montreal. The town steadily grew until the 1830s.
