Eleazer Cary (Carey). Clockmaker, Goldsmith, and Musician working in Norwich and Windham, Connecticut.

Eleazer Cary was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, on December 14, 1769, and died in Windham on November 20, 1820. The late 18th and early 19th centuries were a period of significant growth and innovation in American clockmaking, and Cary’s life and work were deeply embedded in this historical context. He was the son of Nathaniel and Zervia (Storrs) Cary. While it is not currently known who trained Eleazer as a clockmaker, it is possible that he apprenticed under Jacob Sargeant, as records indicate he worked there. The inclusion of a clock engine in his probate inventory at the time of his death confirms that Cary was actively involved in the craft. His business connections with well-known cabinetmakers, such as Amos Dennison Allen of Windham and David Goodell of Pomfret, reflect the collaborative nature of early American clockmaking, where clockmakers and cabinetmakers often worked together to produce complete timepieces. Cary's movements are identifiable by a uniquely designed movement post—two tapered cones supporting a compressed ball at the center, adorned with ring turnings—demonstrating both technical skill and stylistic individuality. One surviving example of his work is an engraved brass dial clock signed by Eleazer Cary, featuring this distinctive post design. Beyond his craft, Eleazer married Matilda Parish on November 23, 1791, and was renowned locally as "Eleazer the Fiddler," a highly skilled musician. He began his musical pursuits while living in Mansfield, moved to Norwich around 1790, and soon after settled in Windham, contributing to the cultural and artisanal landscape of Connecticut during this formative era.