JANUARY 2010

Part I

The New England Pillar & Scroll Clock

This past fall, I was invited by the New England Antiques Journal to prepare an article on clocks--or in this instance, a particular clock of my choosing. I selected one of my favorites, the early 19th century, purely American, Pillar & Scroll shelf clock. In addition, I was asked to present three examples, highlight their physical and quality differences, and put them in three categories-- "good," "better," and "best."

The information I assembled, along with photos of the clocks, were professionally edited and made into a concise and informative article by Randall Decoteau, a contributing writer for the Journal, and it appeared in the January 2010 issue.

My intention is not to repeat the article here, but for those of you who are interested, I suggest you get a copy. Moreover, if you are interested in antiques, history of a wide range of antiques, conservation care, market trends and opinions, as well as show schedules and antique shop listings, I recommend that you subscribe to the Journal.

In this "Ramblings" I will focus on the beginning and early 19th century development of this unique clock by Eli Terry. A follow-up "Ramblings" will identify other noteworthy Pillar & Scroll clockmakers.

Form, Ingenuity, Beauty: Anatomy of the Pillar & Scroll

The standard P & S clock (dimensions vary slightly by maker) stands 31" high, 17" wide, and 5"deep. The cases are hardwood with applied veneer, usually mahogany. Occasionally, maple or light-toned wood and veneer accents were added.

The top of the case, or crest, consists of two scrolled or "swan's neck" panels fitted between three capped plinths or chimneys--left, center, right--on which sit brass or turned wood finials; brass predominates, however.

The clock door has clear glass framing, a paint-decorated wood dial with a veneered horizontal strip separating a lower reverse painted tablet, approximately 7" by 11". The door is flanked by turned, graduated, slender wood pillars about 21" high, finished with top and bottom square blocks. The base has a scrolled skirt and four tapered feet, 3-4" high.

The case houses a thirty-hour, time and strike, two weight wood movement. Movement parts were of "hard" wood and probably depended on what was available locally. Mahogany, maple, cherry, or oak in some combination were used for plates, pillars, arbors, and gears. Of necessity, a limited amount of metal was used for the escapement wheel, verge, strut, and arbor pins. Clock hands and locks were steel, while weights and bells were cast iron.

Smaller proportioned cases or "miniature" P & S clocks were also being produced on a limited scale.

As an aside, those not familiar with the history of American clock making might assume that because of the "primitive" nature of wood movements, they came before brass works. The opposite is true. Brass works for clocks were being handcrafted during the 18th century and before.

Since these clocks are now at least 175 years old, those that survive today have generally been repaired and/or restored to some degree or another. To find an "untouched," all-original clock would be a rarity and worth a fortune-a real treasure!

Eli Terry

The Pillar & Scroll clock was invented by Eli Terry in 1816 in Plymouth, Ct. It should come as no surprise then that the New England P & S is commonly referred to as the "Terry" Pillar & Scroll. Terry was born in Windsor, Ct. in 1772. In 1786, at age fourteen, he began his apprenticeship with Daniel Burnap, a skilled engraver, metal smith, and cabinet and clockmaker. It is also probable that he spent some time training with the Cheney family, manufacturers of wood clock movements in East Hartford, Ct., as his early movements and dials show similarity to Cheney's.

Inventive Genius

Terry's first clock patent was in 1798, at age twenty-six. Thereafter, he had a succession of nine patents through 1845, all of which perfected wood and brass movements. The 1816 P & S patent, for a 30-hour, weight-driven, wood movement was granted by President James Monroe.

There is no doubt that Terry was a gifted mechanic with an inventive mind. Additionally, he maintained a high standard and strict work ethic for production of quality products. All of these factors enabled him to develop manufacturing methods that transformed clock making from handcrafting to mass production by standardizing movement parts. That parts were interchangeable for a given movement model made the process more efficient and financially more economical. This was certainly true in comparison with brass works of the period, many of which required imported parts to be hand finished and assembled in America. Thus, wooden movements had a competitive edge, at least until 1840.

Recognition

Terry was very successful during his forty-plus-year career, amassing substantial wealth and the reputation of foremost clock maker in America. I have yet to find authenticated information on how many clocks were made in his shop, but I imagine they number in the thousands—some have guessed at 100,000 or more. During his lifetime, Terry's business was enhanced by partnerships with his sons and grandsons, through 1836. By 1833-34, he was semi-retired, working selectively on "special and unique" clocks, including wooden movement church tower clocks. I understand that one is still in operation in Plymouth, Ct. Terry died in Plymouth, Ct. in 1852 at the ripe old age of 80.

The original Terry Pillar & Scroll clock labeled "Patented Clocks/Made by Eli Terry/Inventor and Patentee/ Plymouth Connecticut" has been, and remains to this day, one of the most sought after and valuable American clocks. Those labeled "Terry and Son" or "Terry and Sons" are still very desirable, but more numerous than the original. Considering the small number of Terry P & S clocks produced overall, there are relatively few, in good condition, that are still available.

I always welcome comments and additional information from collectors and dealers who have an ongoing interest in the Terry clocks.

Reference Sources

Connecticut Clockmakers of the Eighteenth Century
by Penrose R. Hoopes

Two Hundred Years of American Clocks & Watches
by Chris Bailey

The Romance of Time
by Brooks Palmer

National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) Bulletins

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