Silas Hoadley's Franklin Shelf Clock with the "Time is Money" label. W-100.
This 30-hour wooden geared shelf clock was made by Silas Hoadley in Plymouth, Connecticut. This shelf clock is an unusual size. Its dimensions —35.5 inches in height, 15.25 inches in width, and 4.25 inches in depth — present a tall, narrow proportion. Clocks like this one were designed to be displayed on fireplace mantels or on top of a piece of furniture. The case design includes a mirror in the center. As a result, it is a natural choice for the mantel.
The case is veneered in mahogany and retains its original shellac finish. This is one of several Franklin Clock models Silas Hoadley created. This version is not only tall and narrow, but it also sits flat on a shelf since it never had feet. (The base molding is missing two small sections of veneer. We will repair these losses when the clock is sold.) The front corners of the case are fitted with shaped quarter columns. These are painted black and wonderfully decorated with bronze stencils. These designs remain in excellent original condition. The access door is divided into three parts. The lower section is fitted with a period mirror. The center of this mirror features three painted scenes. The two outside scenes are colorful pastoral views. The one on the left features a large house. The center panel features a stencil design that frames an oval opening, allowing one to view the brass-faced pendulum bob inside the case. The middle section of the door features a mercurial mirror, which is in very good condition. The upper section of the door is fitted with clear glass. The top of the case features a gallery that includes two capped plinths and a shaped splat decorated with a stenciled design. This version never had finials.
The door opens to allow access to the dial, weights, and pendulum. The wooden dial is nicely formatted—a gilt minute ring frames Roman-style hour numerals. The spandrel areas are decorated with gilt paint over some curvy lines of applied gesso that raise the design off the surface of the dial.
Behind the dial is Hoadley's "Upside down" wooden geared movement. The term' upside down' refers to the winding arbors being positioned above the center arbor, and the escape wheel is located at the bottom of the works between the plates. Hoadley created this design to avoid conflict or infringement with one of Terry's numerous patents. This movement is a thirty-hour time and strike design. It is weight-driven. The strike train is actuated by a count wheel mounted on the front plate, and the clock strikes each hour on a cast-iron bell, which is mounted inside the case above the works. These movements were often bushed with ivory, as noted on the maker's label, which is pasted inside the case onto the backboard.
This "FRANKLIN CLOCK" label is in excellent original condition. This label reads, "TIME IS MONEY / FRANKLIN CLOCKS / With the improvement of bushing the / pivots with Ivory. / ARRANGED AND MANUFACTURED BY / Silas Hoadley, / PLYMOUTH, (CONN.) / WARRANTED TO KEEP GOOD TIME IF WELL USED." The "Time is Money" slogan was popularized and attributed to Benjamin Franklin. (Please read Franklin's 1748 essay "Advice to a Young Tradesman." Also included on this label are the directions "To set the clock running" and "To keep the clock in order."
This clock was made circa 1830.
Inventory number W-100.
Silas Hoadley was born in Bethany, Connecticut, on January 31, 1786. He was the son of Ammi Hoadley and Amy (Thompson) Hoadley. He first apprenticed as a joiner to his uncle Calvin Hoadley. Along with Seth Thomas, he was hired in about 1808, at the age of 21, by Eli Terry to set up and work at Terry's Ireland factory in order to fulfill the Porter contract. Shortly after Terry's Porter Contract was satisfied, he and Seth Thomas bought the Ireland factory from Terry. Thomas & Hoadley continued to manufacture wooden geared tall clock movements until 1813, when Silas purchased Seth Thomas's business shares. Hoadley soon transitioned to shelf clocks, manufacturing movements of his own design. The "Upside down" style is one of the more unique examples. This movement placed the great wheels at the top of the movement. Its escapewheel was mounted at the bottom of the works between the plates. He is also thought to have introduced the use of ivory bushings in movement design. In the late 1830s, Silas transitioned to manufacturing brass movements. He retired in 1849 as a wealthy man, a testament to his hard work and dedication. Silas Hoadley died on December 28, 1870, in Plymouth, Conn.
