John Birge was a carriage manufacturer who invested capital into the clock industry in a series of partnerships over twenty-five years. He retired in 1855 and died 1868. Thomas Fuller was his partner from 1844 to his death in 1847. Joseph Ives, 1782-1862, was one of America’s greatest horological innovators and the designer of the ‘strap’ frame and roller pinions.

Because of the difficulties of making coiled springs in America, Joseph Ives attempted another alternative to weights. A leaf or wagon spring is bolted to the base of the case and the ends are connected to the movement via levers and chains. The ends of the spring are drawn upwards when wound and their returning force drives the clock. The movement is housed in a two deck sharp gothic case. The upper glass tablet is etched with the American eagle.

The Connecticut shelf clock was developed as a more convenient design than the Tall clock. As the United States rapidly expanded westwards and brass replaced wood for movements, the standard product of the Connecticut industry became a small compact, reliable spring driven clock able to withstand long journeys over rough terrain and repairable by inexperienced hands.

An 8 day weight driven Connecticut shelf clock with brass ‘strap’ movement and recoil escapement, the mahogany case with later painted tablet, c.1845. Made by Birge and Fuller, 1844-47.

Although signed Birge and Fuller, the movement was designed by Joseph Ives. His strap frame consists of strips of rolled brass riveted together in wide enough sections to contain large wheels and the lantern pinions and pivoted at each end in an attempt to reduce friction. The wheels have been stamped with a flange to increase their strength, an invention of Elisha Brewster.

The mahogany veneered case is supported on both sides by half columns which conceal the space behind containing the weights. Although the majority of Connecticut manufacturers were striving to make compact and portable spring driven clocks, other types like this were also made. Their size and weight, including two 10lb cast iron weights, made them inconvenient for pioneering families to transport to the new territories.

An American Tall clock with a thirty hour wooden movement, painted wooden dial and replica pewter hands. The hardwood case is veneered in mahogany. Made by Luman Watson, Cincinnati, c.1825.

Watson, 1790-1841, grew up in Connecticut but moved to Ohio around 1810, forming a partnership with Ezra, Abner and Amasa Read. Ephraim Downs later joined them to help in the production of wooden clocks. By the 1820s eighteen workmen were employed producing first wooden and, after 1830, brass shelf clocks. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 however also opened the door to great numbers of cheaper Connecticut made clocks which by the time of Watson’s death had put an end to Ohio clockmaking.

Because of the severe shortage of brass, American manufacturers used hardwood for making clock movements. This proved to be an adequate substitute for short duration clocks. Wheels had to have large teeth for strength so a running time of more than 24 hours was not possible. Scarce brass was used only for the escape and date wheels and steel wires for pivots and lifting pieces.

The heavy case made of black walnut veneered in mahogany is in the English longcase style as is the dial. The latter is however made of wood rather than iron with corner and arch paintings of flowers surrounded by raised gesso work. The hands (replicas of the originals) are made of pewter which makes them too soft to turn in the normal way. The winding squares on the dial are false, but give the impression that it is a more expensive 8 day clock.

American clockmakers made wooden movements out of necessity, but because such clocks are easily damaged, they could not be exported or sent over long distances on the primitive roads of the time. They were therefore local clocks for local communities.