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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 and alarm. 221070.
  This is a nice example of a steeple clock featuring ripple moldings on the case. Good clean ripple steeple clocks are difficult to find. They are less common than the Beehive form. This one is in excellent original condition. The case is veneered… read more
E. N Welch / Late J. C. Brown. A Ripple-Cased Beehive Mantel Clock. Forestville, Connecticut. 221083.
  This is a very clean example of a ripple pattern beehive mantel clock. The rosewood case measures approximately 19 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. The case is veneered in rosewood and retains an older finish. An interesting… read more