Edward Moulton of Saco, Maine. A cherry case tall clock featuring a rocking ship automated dial. CCC-64.
The case is made primarily of cherry and has a clean, modern finish that enhances the wood's natural color. This Saco, Maine case stands on flared French feet. A drop apron hangs below the base's center. The base features an inset panel, a design favored by Saco cabinetmaker Abraham Forsskol. The framing is broad, with a beaded molding on the interior edge. The waist section is long, with a centered rectangular waist door trimmed with applied molding that provides access to the interior. Finely reeded quarter columns are inset into the front waist corners and end in brass quarter capitals. The hood has a pierced, open fret design that follows its arch. Three finial plinths support this pattern, each holding a brass ball-and-spike finial. Finely reeded turned hood columns support the molded arch at the hood's front corners. These free-standing columns are mounted in brass capitals and bases, with Corinthian upper capitals. Oval sidelights adorn the hood. The arched hood door is fitted with glass and opens to access the dial.
This iron dial is of Boston origin and was painted by one of the Nolen dial painting partnerships. It is colorfully painted as tradition dictates. Apples appear in the four spandrel areas, framed with raised gesso scrolling and gilt highlights. A gilt circle frames the time ring. Quarter hours are marked with Arabic numerals, separated from the Roman-style hours by a segmented minute ring. A subsidiary seconds dial and a day-of-the-month calendar occupy traditional positions. The clock is signed “E. S. Moulton / SACO” below the calendar. The steel hands are finely formed and display the time. The automated rocking ship feature is in the dial's arch or lunette. The painted ship flies an American flag and rocks gently side to side with the pendulum's motion. Behind the ship, a painted scene includes a tower on a peninsula. This nautical theme is painted on a slightly convex metal surface, adding visual depth.
The movement is constructed in brass. The cast brass plates are supported by four ring-turned brass posts. The gearing is also brass, and the pinions are hardened steel. The movement is weight-driven and runs for eight days on a full wind. This mechanism strikes a bell mounted above the plates every hour. The strike train is a rack-and-snail design. The winding barrels are grooved. A seaboard supports the movement. The pendulum features a metal rod and a brass-faced lead bob.
This beautiful clock measures approximately 7 feet 6 inches tall (90 inches) to the top of the center finial.
Edward Moulton made this clock circa 1815.
Inventory number CCC-64.
Edward Sherburne Moulton was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on October 15, 1778, the son of Joseph (1743-1808) and Linda (Bickford) (1743-1818) Moulton. He is listed in Paul Foley’s book, Willard’s Patent Time Pieces, as a clockmaker and silversmith. In 1801, Moulton started his career as a clockmaker in Rochester, New Hampshire. His shop also provided his clientele with jewelry and silver flatware. He married Mary Leighton on May 15, 1803. In 1807, James C. Cole began his apprenticeship under Moulton. Around 1813, Moulton sold his business to Cole and moved to Saco, Maine, where he continued his trade in all branches. He became a leading citizen of the town. In 1829, he served as the town’s Fire Warden. From 1830-1855, he was the director of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. Moulton is primarily known for making tall case clocks. Many of the Saco examples are housed in cases thought to have been constructed by Abraham Forsskol of that town. Additional tall-case clocks, timepieces, pocket watches, and watch papers are known. A tall clock signed with the location of Alfred, Maine, is also known. Edward Moulton died in Saco on August 16, 1855. He is buried in the Laurel Hill Cemetery.
