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Lot Essay
According to family history, this tall-case clock was a wedding gift for John and Susan (Masson) Andrews who married at Christ Church (Old North Church), Boston on Sunday, April 12, 1816. Documenting John Andrews' ownership, the family retains an 1850 bill to Andrews from J. J. Beals & Co. of Boston "for Cleaning & Repairing 8 Day Willard Striking Clock." A label with ink inscription, C.J. Andrews, Newton Corner on the inside of the case indicates it was later owned by Charles J. Andrews who is listed in the 1860 and 1870 Federal Census as living in Newton, Massachusetts. Additional bills for its repair reveal that it was owned by Elizabeth Andrews in the late twentieth century. One of these bills, dated December 15, 1986 from Sundial Farm Antique Clocks Ltd. of Greenlawn, New York notes that the movement bears the inscription, E. Taber, 1837. This reveals that the clock was repaired by Elnathan Taber (1768-1854), a clockmaker working in
Roxbury who trained under Simon Willard (1753-1848) and after his death, purchased his shop and tools. Taber is known to have been the principal repairer of the famous clockmaker's works and it is very likely that this clock was made in Willard's shop.
Roxbury who trained under Simon Willard (1753-1848) and after his death, purchased his shop and tools. Taber is known to have been the principal repairer of the famous clockmaker's works and it is very likely that this clock was made in Willard's shop.