By John Locke

Some years ago, I found a handwritten notebook of a clock collector. Although there is no name in the book, there were pieces of headed notepaper used as rough notes and inserted into the book.

Research assisted by the Somerset Archive and Record Office and by the Somerset Studies Library shows that the collector is most likely to have been Gerald Stuart Lysaght who lived at Chapel Cleeve, Washford, Somerset in the 1930's.

I have transcribed the notes as they are, little poems and all. The only things I have changed are the use of capital letters - in the notebook, nouns and many adjectives are capitalised. Only two clocks are photographed in the notes.

Some of the terms are of interest: e.g. the hood is always called the head; spandrels are spelt with an 'e' or an 'i' variously. I particularly like the way the clock restorer is called an 'engineer', which is, I believe, the correct term for a practising repairer or restorer. The prices too are interesting. (£1 in the 1930's is worth about £32 now)

The number before each clock is the owner's collection number and represents the order in which they were acquired.

The numbering system is inconsistent in several respects:

1. Numbers 8,10 and 22 are not used
2. Numbers 15 and 20 are used twice
3. Seven clocks are without numbers
4. The numbers do not always follow in date sequence, vide 14 and 15

It may be that the Scandrett clock was originally allocated number 20 but as its restoration would have taken a long time and the clock would have been either in the estate carpenter's or Dell's workshops. In the meantime, the Whitehurst clock was acquired and, because there was no other number 20 in the house, it was allocated that number. The Scandrett clock might have been allocated number 22 when it was finally ready, sometime after October 1934.

A similar explanation cannot be given for the duplicate number 15's. It is possible that the Dawes clock was sold and its number then allocated to the Knifton Lantern clock. This would explain why it is out of date sequence. This does not explain why the Windmills lantern clock is out of date sequence also. Could it be that there was a separate list for clocks other than longcase ones?

The unnumbered clocks may be those in buildings on the estate other than the main house: Cleeve Bay Cottage and Huntingball Lodge are mentioned.

Cromwellian, Bracket or lantern Clock circa 1650-1655

7" brass dial. Single hand. Alarm movement shown on small dial.

This clock was picked up at a jumble sale, Washford about 1917 for 5/-. Restored and made going (pendulum and weight) by J.W.Dell, engineer, Chapel Close.

Bracket and Hood made by estate carpenter Wallace Gould.

Rare specimen of this very early lantern clock.

Yew tree wheels.

Buckingham, Joseph. Minories London 1690-1700

17 Longcase clock in marquetry case - the inlay is remarkable good depicting Cornflower, Bird and Figures.

Square head with twisted pillars. Clock dial brass. Surround silvered.

Same clock described in Britten as a 'Fine marquetry case' - Height 7' 2"

Bridge, Thomas London fecit 1695

19 Celebrated maker. Longcase clock in fine marquetry case. The inlay is particularly fine.

Square head - window in door. Plain pillars in head.

Height 7' 6" - William III

Strolling along down Tottenham Court way

I happened to drop in at Maples one day.

I wandered about to have a look round

And this is the clock I eventually found.

I liked his appearance, hid head and his face

The body of which was a marquetry case

'Tis an elegant case with a porthole of glass

Through which one can see the pendulum pass.

The maker Tom Bridge made a great name

As a maker of clocks in the year of this reign.

Bohm, Marcus - Augsburg 1680

Big table clock mounted with lion. Four small windows through which a very elaborate mechanism can be seen.

Base plate shows a lot of fine ornaments, wheels, bolts, hammers etc. Fully signed

Marcus Bohm Augustu Vindi Licorum

Baden-Baden 1934 £34

Browne, Henton London

25 Longcase clock in fine figured walnut - Silvered dial and fine gilded spandrels.

Roman numerals. Finials (?) surmounted with 2 ornaments gilded.

Makers name on round idsc on top of dial.

Henton Browne, Borough London was admitted C.C in 1726, became master in 1753 and Livery 1766. Also a maker of fine watches. George I

Acquired Dunster April 29. 1935 £22-10-0

Height 8' 2"

Carter, Thomas London 1659

4 Longcase clock in marquetry case.

Steel dial, Centre brass. Square hood

Height 7' 0" period Commonwealth

C.C. 1659

For years I was put in a store

My weights removed, I ticked no more

One day I was removed and told

That I was going to be sold.

Out I came a bad disgrace

With dirty body, hands and face

Then was I put up for auction

And people bid for me with caution.

The Auctioneer with practiced voice

Said 'Here's a clock and something choice@

Now for your bids, 'What shall I say?'

For this fine example of eight day'

First of all the bids came slow

I thought that I would never go.

At last they came in leaps and bounds

And I was sold for seventy pounds.

To my new home I then was driven.

A bath of petrol at once was given.

My wheels and works were black and dusty

And all the steelwork brown and rusty.

My case was cleaned and again once more

I stood upright upon the floor.

Standing some eight feet off the ground

I see some old friends gathered round:

After the dark and dreary store

'Tis nice to find some pals once more

I was born 240 years ago

So pray forgive if I go slow

But I'll do my best, dear friends of mine

To give you all the best of time.

Dutch No date or maker's name

7 Longcase in mahogany case

Brass face showing phases of the moon with painting underneath

Head surmounted by three brass balls

Fluted pillars

Oval ormoulu brass panel in door

Chimes on eight bells

A wonderful timekeeper

1846 Victorian

Dudds, Joseph London C.C. 1732

12 Longcase clock in mahogany case

Fluted pillars - inlaid marquetry oval panels - Bracket feet

Geo II

Dawes, Thomas Northampton 1770

15 Longcase clock in Chinese lacquer case

Half round top surmounted with 2 brass balls and eagles

Height 8' 0" Geo III

Delander, Daniel 1692 - 1699

23 Formally servant to Thomas Tompion, he then became assistant.

Apprenticed to Charles Halstead in 1692. Became a member Clockmakers Company 1699

Longcase clock in fine red walnut case - Brass and silver Dial - Name of maker on upper portion.

Stands 8' high, 13 1/2" wide and 7" deep.

There is a wheel attached at the back of the works which enables the clock to be wound without stopping - one of the first I have yet seen.

Covering ports over keyholes.

Many clocks of this maker in celebrated collections.

Acquired Taunton (Webber) Dec 1934 (£34)

William and Mary - Queen Anne

Dent W. C.C. London 1674

Brass Bracket or Lantern Clock

15 inches high 7" dial

Surmounted by big gong and nicely pierced spandrel or fret of crossed

Dolphins which came in about 1640 and was a favourite pattern from

Then as long as Lantern Clocks were made.

W. Dent was the founder of the famous family of watch and clock makers.

Acquired, Webber, Taunton about 1920 (£20)

Frodsham London

26 Fine old 18^th century Grandfather Clock in beautifully decorated Red Lacquer Case.

Ormoulu spandrels, silver and brass dial by an early member of this celebrated family of Clock and Watch Makers.

Geo: III Circa 1789

Acquired April 1935 London £26

Gretton, Charles 1672

Grandfather clock in superb marquetry case - silver dial surmounted by 4 spandrels.

Square head with turned pillars.

Acquired June 1937 - Harrods £67.10.0

Bracket clock in ebonised case with finely engraved back 12" X 4½"

Geary, William 1707 London

(In Hunting Ball Lodge)

Fine old XVIII century longcase clock in walnut case, brass and ormoulu dial.

Top escutcheon, crown & lion and unicorn

Acquired 1^st Sept, 1937 (Jewell, Holborn) £33

Harrack, Joseph 1748

16 Longcase clock in oak case

Ornamental head - Silvered dial surmounted by 4 ornamental spandrels with cherub heads

Name of maker on brass dial on head of clock

Height 7' 0" Geo: II

Hodges, Nathaniel London 1681

18 Longcase clock in fine walnut case

The case owes its wonderful preservation to having been painted at one time

Square head - twisted pillars

Brass and silver dial. Goes for one month

Window in door

Jas: II

Acquired privately from a family in whose possession it had been for over 50 years

£80

Knibb, Joseph London 1685 Charles II

1 Walnut Longcase Grannie Clock

Head ornamented with turned pillars, Corinthian capitals and scroll work

Dial brass with steel outer rim

Glass panel in door.

Height 6' 5" to scroll on top

C.C 1670 - 1708

2 Longcase clock in English lacquer case

Top surmounted with 3 balls

Engraved dial Height 7' 8"

From the Weatherfield Collection

C.C 1670 -1708 Charles II

Knibb, John Oxon 1685 -1690

5 Longcase clock by brother of Joseph in marquetry case

Glass panel in door. Height 6' 10"

James II, Wm and Mary

Knifton, Thomas at ye Cross Keys, Lothebury 1640 - 1647

15 Lantern clock. Fine specimen of this celebrated maker

Acquired Bath Nov 1937 (£15.0.0)

Perigal, Francis 1741 Geo:II

21 Royal Exchange, London, First of a family of able horologists.

C.C 1741 Master 1756.

8' 3" high 8-day

Works overhauled and case restored by J.W. Dell, Engineer, Chapel Clocks

Acquired Iddesleigh N.Devon Oct 1934 (£19)

Nice walnut case, domed head surmounted by 3 pillar balls - The dial is brass and a similar one is illustrated in Britten. Fig: 686 p515 ( 5^th edition)

I am a Francis Perigal,

With noble head and very tall:

Ialso have a fine brass face

And like many of my race

My body is a walnut case.

For years I stood against a wall

In a dark and draughty hall

In a rectory home in Devon

Where my owner was - A Guide to Heaven

I was dirty and unkempt

Until my new home I was sent-

I really could not believe

That I was going to Chapel Cleeve

There was I most carefully tended

Missing parts supplied and mended.

Now I'm clean and going well

Thank you so much, Jimmy Dell.

Philip, Alex: Edinburgh circa 1815

27 Valuable old regulator clock with exceptionally fine dial and Cupid spandrels.

Fitted with Invar pendulum in mahogany case, attributed to Hepplewhite.

Very heavy glass front door

Acquired sale Taunton - Aug 22^nd 1935 - £38

Perigal, Francis

28 Bracket clock, finely engraved back - Has curious escapement a cross between the Anchor and Crown wheel. This is peculiar to Perigal.

1/4 repeater and alarm on 3 bells

Acquired London June 1937 £28.10.0

Quillet, Ch. Paris 1760

Bracket or table clock in gilt case.

Quillet was the maker of the Bastille clock for which he received the sum of £3,600

(In the Cleeve Bay Cottage)

Roper, William Oakhill circa 1800

13 Long case clock in mahogany case. Inlaid marquetry and mosiac lines

Fluted columns, brass caps

6 Long case clock with circular silver plated dial in oak case

Height 6' 6" Period Geo: II

Stumbles Totnes date 1760

11 Long case clock in oak case

Square head 12" brass dial

Scandrett, Thomas Worcester 1784

20 Long case clock.

The works, head and dial bought at Droitwich July 1934

The case made by estate carpenter, Wallace Gould, Chapel Cleeve

From oak grown on the estate Aug 1934

The head ans case restored and stained by J.W.Dell

The pages covering "T" have been removed but it is deduced that at least one Tompion was in the collection judging by the poem remaining:

T - these pages are missing, but the assumption is made that a Tompion clock was in the collection on the basis of this poem found on another page.

I am a clock by Tompion made,

The finest maker in the trade.

'Tis nigh 300 years ago

That I was started up to go.

Though all these many years have past

I'm never slow or ever fast.

I have a pretty head and face,

And my body is a walnut case;

My hands are steel and very fine

To indicate the passing time.

There's some who like and some dislike

To hear the passing hours strike

I can do either at your will

Put back my hammer and all is still.

Now once a MONTH do be so kind

Not to forget me and re-wind.

Vaughan, Charles, Pontypool

24 30-hour long case clock, oak case, all brass dial

Roman numerals. Inner portion of dial is nicely engraved and

"Charles Vaughan" in script

"Pontypool 1759"

The winding is by single weight which activates both time and strike - chain action

Acquired Ludlow, Shropshire Oct 1934 £5

Webb circa 1770

3 Long case clock in walnut case

Head ornamented with three brass balls

Scroll work. Fluted pillars

Brass dial showing phases of the moon

Height 7' 9" Period Geo:III

Worgan, Matthew Bristol 1784

9 Unusual longcase clock in mahogany case

Head containing figures of Adam and Eve.

Shows an apple tree on which a snake is coiled

Which revolves on each movement and Eve is

Handing an apple to Adam

Strikes hours and quarters, plays two

Hymn tunes every 4 hours - repeater

Geo: III

Whitehurst, John, Derby F.R.S.

20 A well known maker of turret and other clocks - Inventor of Tell-Tale clocks.

Born Congleton 1713 d. 1788

Whitehurst (the firm J.L.) was one of three invited to tender for the Westminster Clock in 1846

An 8 day in narrow oak case 6' 7" x 10"

Brass dial studded with small pins.

These pins are driven in when the clock requires re-winding and are actuated by 2 hammers on springs.

The pins are all round the dial which is 5 inches in diameter. Single hand around which the dial revolves.

Very unique and do not expect there is another similar clock in existence.

Date circa 1770 Geo: III

Acquired Taunton Oct 1934 (£15.0.0)

Windmills, Joseph of St Martins-le-Grand C.C 1671

14 Lantern clock. Celebrated maker of clocks and watches

This clock is reputed to have been in the possession of Sir Christopher Wren

Acquired Bath Nov 1937 (£22.10.0)

copyright John Locke 2001