Jonathan Clark Brown of Forestville, Connecticut

Jonathan Clark Brown was born in Coventry, Connecticut, on October 8, 1807, the son of Jonathan Clark and Sophia (Bingham) Brown. He came to Bristol in 1832. Brown was a case maker or joiner and, over his lifetime, was involved in many firms, including The Forestville Manufacturing Co. and the Bristol Clock Co. He was an instrumental and very influential figure and developing the Connecticut clock industry. An innovator, he was responsible for the case design of the very collectible "Acorn" clock and the octagon case with rounded corners and other interesting case designs. As a clockmaker, he experienced many financial setbacks in Bristol. He left Bristol broke in 1858 and moved to Nyack, New York. He died there in 1872.

For a more in-depth overview of his life, please read Kenneth D. Roberts and Snowden Taylor's book, Jonathan Clark Brown and the Forestville Manufacturing Company.

Clocks From This Maker

J. C. Brown Ripple Cased Steeple Clock. 8-day time, strike. 226037.

This is a fine ripple molding case steeple clock. Good, clean ripple steeple examples are difficult to find. The Steeple form is less common than the Beehive form. This one is in excellent original condition. The case is veneered in rosewood and… read more

J. C. Brown Ripple Case Beehive Mantel Clock made in Forestville, Connecticut. This clock features an eight-day time and strike movement, as well as an alarm. 224059.

This Beehive mantel clock is a special example of a popular form. The case is decorated with a series of ripple-shaped moldings. The name "ripple" is derived from the shaping of the applied moldings, and this particular example showcases five… read more

J.C. Brown of Forestville, CT. Acorn shelf clock. This is the smaller of the shelf model forms. 223117.

At least three different forms share the "Acorn" model name. All of these have variations in case designs. Two forms are categorized as shelf clocks; the third is a wall clock example. This model is the smallest of the two shelf versions, with at… read more

J.C. Brown of Forestville, CT. Acorn shelf clock. This is the smaller of the shelf model forms. TT-150.

There are at least three different forms that share the "Acorn" model name. All of these have variations in case designs. Two of these forms are categorized as shelf clocks, and the third is a wall clock example. This model is the smallest of the… read more

J. C. Brown Ripple Case Beehive Mantel Clock. Forestville, Conn. VV-44.

Ripple pattern beehive clocks have always been collectible. There are a number of variations to the ripple patterns. When these moldings are applied to the front surfaces of the case, they are categorized as ripple-cased clocks. This example… read more