Simon Willard of Grafton and Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Simon Willard was born in Grafton, Massachusetts, on April 3, 1753. He was the seventh of twelve children born to Benjamin Willard (1716-1775) and Sarah (Brooks) Willard (1717-1775) of Grafton. While living in Grafton, Simon answered the Lexington alarm on April 19, 1775, along with his brothers. It is thought that by 1782 he moved from Grafton and took up residence in Roxbury as a Clockmaker. Simon became a Master Clockmaker as well as an inventor. He is well known for receiving patents for his roasting jack in 1782, his "Improved Timepiece" or Banjo clock in 1802, and an alarm clock patent. In addition, he trained many men to make clocks who became well-known Clockmakers once their apprenticeships were served. Some of them include the brothers Levi and Able Hutchins, Elnathan Taber, William Cummens, Ezekiel Jones and Daniel Munroe. Some of the more notable public clocks Simon built include the clock in the United States Capitol building's Statuary Hall. He also built a clock for the House of Representatives and the U. S. Senate. Simon died on August 30, 1848, at the age of 95.

Clocks From This Maker

Simon Willard. A labeled (Joseph Russell label) tall case clock was made in Roxbury, Massachusetts. DDD-47.

The tall-case clock, which has a mahogany case inlaid with decoration, was made by Simon Willard in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and still has the original setup label printed by Joseph Russell. This attractive and tall clock is a typical example of… read more

Simon Willard. A Hepplewhite mahogany tall clock with original J. & Jos. N. Russell printed set-up label. The dial is inscribed “Warranted for Mr. David Wood.” 226019.

Simon Willard. Hepplewhite mahogany tall clock with original J. & Jos. N. Russell printed set-up label. The dial is inscribed “Warranted for Mr. David Wood.” 226019.

This inlaid mahogany tall clock stands as a significant artifact of early American horology, crafted by the renowned Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts, for Mr. David Wood. Its creation reflects both the technical and artistic advancements of… read more

A Simon Willard Inlaid mahogany-cased tall clock featuring a lunar dial. VV-25.

Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts. An Inlaid mahogany-cased tall clock featuring a lunar dial. VV-25.

This federal inlaid mahogany tall case clock was made by Simon Willard in Boston, circa 1795. This beautiful clock is a superb example of a “Roxbury” case produced in Boston circa 1795. The case exhibits many of the qualities associated with… read more

A Classic Simon Willard Timepiece.

Simon Willard Timepiece. A classic.

Simon Willard inlaid mahogany case tall clock. YY-1.

Simon Willard. An inlaid mahogany case tall clock made in Roxbury, Massachusetts, circa 1790, a significant piece of American history that connects us to the craftsmanship of the past. YY-1.

This inlaid mahogany-cased tall case clock, an example of colonial era craftsmanship, was made by America's most famous clockmaker, Simon Willard of Roxbury, Massachusetts. This handsome, tall clock epitomizes the formal "Roxbury" style cases that… read more