Pictures

Terry and Andrews "Steeple Clock", circa 1845-1850

This is 1-day brass movement steeple clock with alarm. The lyre shaped movement is asymmetrical – the winding arbors are not at the same distance from the center and has what I believe are the original brass springs. The alarm also has a brass spring. After cleaning the movement and installing a number of bushing in worn pivot holes the old springs will still power the clock for 24 hours. The veneer is missing from the front columns and someone has stained and shellacked the base wood. There are a couple of "filler pieces" visible that would have been covered by veneer. I believe the zinc dial is original, along with the hour hand, and pendulum. The label inside the clock is nearly complete.

The print in the door is unexplained. The image is of Major General Nathanael Greene of American Revolution fame. On the back of the image are several names and dates with the oldest readable date being 1865. The name C. H. Kemp, and the initials C H K and visible next to dates of 1902 and 1893. Charles H. Kemp was well known in local Trappe history and is listed in historical references as a jeweler (among other things). He likely was one of the individuals who serviced the clock and signed the back of the print. Based on the date of manufacture and the earliest date written on the print, one would assume that the original tablet must have been replaced when the clock was only about 20 years old. Was the original glass accidentally broken? Was the original owner a descendant of General Greene or one of his admirers? The clock has been in the same family for several generations but the print remains a mystery.




Not for sale
(returned to owner after service)

The information on this page is believed to the writer to be correct at the date of posting but is presented with no guarantee expressed or implied. Pictures were a true representation of this clock at the time of posting but may not be current. Please contact me if you believe that any of the above information is incorrect, or if you wish to share additional information, or discuss this clock.

Unless otherwise credited, the pictures and information on this page are the property of Robert H Croswell & Greenfield Clock shop, 4180 Main Street, Trappe, MD 21673 and may not be sold or used for commercial purposes without permission. © 2016

email:  bobby@greenfieldclockshop.com