Lot Essay
John Hallifax, 1694-1750 was the son of the vicar of Springthorpe, he moved to Barnsley and set up as a clock and barometer maker soon after his father's death in 1711. On his tombstone is carved Few in these times had attained to his abilities and virtues. Very occasionally a provincial clockmaker's work really excelled and in Yorkshire Hallifax was regarded as second to none. He not only made high quality clocks but also most unusual barometers with cases in the form of miniature longcase clocks, these barometers are particularly rare and highly individual. He had seven children, being succeeded by his fifth son, Joseph (1728-62). It is interesting to note that John's uncle was chaplain to William III and his cousin's sons became respectively Bishop of St. Asaph and Gloucester and Physician to the Prince of Wales, later King George IV