Frederick Wingate of Augusta, Maine, in 1807, made this well-proportioned birch-wood case tall clock. It is his 30th clock. 223314.
This is a very early example. This case is constructed in birch and retains its original reddish tinting that was initially applied to the case to change the natural light color to a warmer tone similar to that of cherry and or mahogany. This process was common to clocks of this region. The secondary wood is New England white pine.
The case stands on cutout bracket feet that retain excellent height. They are visually separated from the base section with a simple applied molding. The waist door is rectangular-shaped and is trimmed with a molded edge. The selection of wood for this area of high visibility is excellent. The grain pattern is lively and exciting. The sides of the waist section are fitted with fluted quarter columns that terminate in brass quarter capitals. The bonnet features a New England-style pierced and open fretwork pattern of a traditional design. Three period brass finials are mounted on finial plinths. The bonnet columns are smoothly turned and nicely shaped. They are free-standing. They are mounted in brass capitals. The arched bonnet door is fitted with glass and opens to access the dial.
The clockmaker boldly signs This painted iron dial across the middle, “FREDERIC WINGATE.” Below the calendar, the dial reads, “Augusta / 9dated) 1807 / No 30.” The dial is decorated with colorful floral themes. The flowers in the spandrel areas are framed with gesso designs. The gesso is applied to the dial surface and then painted in gilt. A bouquet of flowers is present in the arch. The time track is formatted with Arabic-style hour numerals and five-minute markers. A dotted minute ring separates them. This dial also shows the seconds and the date of the month.
This fine movement is constructed in brass and is of good quality. Four-turned pillars support the two brass plates. Hardened steel shafts support the polished steel pinions and brass gearing. The winding drums are grooved. The escapement is designed in a recoil format. The weight-driven movement is 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 on a cast iron bell mounted above the movement.
Inventory number 223315.
Frederick Wingate was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on January 11, 1782, and died in Augusta, Maine, on November 16, 1864. His parents were William Wingate (1745-1821) and Mehitable (Bradley) Wingate (1747-1796). His older brother, Paine Wingate (1767-1833), worked as a clockmaker in Boston as early as 1789 and returned to Haverhill before 1795, possibly giving him the chance to train Frederick. On January 17, 1806, Frederick married Hannah Page of Haverhill, and that same year, they moved to Augusta, Maine. A label inside one of his tall clocks from 1806 says he had for sale "good warranted Brass Eight Day Clocks, well finished and as handsome as can be purchased in the metrolopus. Also – Warranted WATCHES... / CHAINS, SEALS, KEYS & etc."
In 1814, Frederick served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Soon after, he began advertising different military goods for sale.
Frederick worked as a silversmith, watchmaker, and clockmaker, and became one of Maine's most prolific clockmakers. He may have learned his trade in Massachusetts before moving to Augusta. As a clockmaker, he made many tall clocks, as well as some banjo and mirror clocks. Many of his tall clock dials are numbered, with the lowest recorded by our family being 15 and the highest 302. In 1808, Frederick taught Benjamin Swan, who was from Augusta, to make clocks. Swan's clocks are often very similar to Frederick's, sharing features like case design, contrasting woods, and Nolen & Curtis dials. Many Augusta clocks also use figured maple in the waist door and base panel, have distinctively shaped waist and hood columns, and Boston-painted dials by Spencer Nolen. Quite a few Wingate clocks still have their original setup labels, which are usually pasted inside the waist door and help date the clocks.
