Beautiful Masonic Grandfather Clocks
by Silas Hoadley of Plymouth Conn.
Here is a beautiful Masonic Grandfather Clock made by Silas Hoadley of Plymouth Conn.
The third member of the pioneer company of Terry, Thomas et Hoadley was Silas
Hoadley. S. Hoadley was born in 1786 at Bethany, Conn., and, like his
associates, his educational advantages were few. In fact the years of
apprenticeship were so long that boys were taken from school very early, so
that they might become journeymen by the time they were of age. Hoadley
was unusually young when he was bound apprentice to his uncle Calvin Hoadley
to learn the trade of a carpenter. In 1809 his apprenticeship was
completed and he formed the partnership with Terry and Thomas, and commenced
to make clocks at Grey stone, a portion of Plymouth. One after another the
partners withdrew, Terry in 1810, Thomas in 1814, leaving Silas Hoadley
alone. He continued to make clocks till 1849, when he rented his shops
and closed up his business. The Roxsbury style case is in near mint condition.
The above pictured case stands
84" tall. The center brass finial was removed to allow the clock to
fit into the room. All three brass finials are with the clock. The
top door has an inlayed band of light wood that highlights the hood. The
center door repeats the light wood banding. The bottom of the case has a
cross banded mahogany trim. The front feet are unbroken and have
wonderful shape. The case has side windows in the hood to allow for viewing
the movement. The wooden time and strike movement has been restored within the
last few years. The clocks strikes on a big bell. The pendulum
stick looks correct. The time weight is a standard 30 hour type
weight. The dial has some paint loss. The dial has a seconds bit
and calendar. The area above the VII (12) has a Masonic scene containing: the Holy Royal Arch with the Pillars of Boaz and Jachin,
the Sun, Moon and Stars, the black and white checkered floor
representing good and evil, the beehive (an emblem of industry), sword
pointing to a naked heart (an emblem of justice), the Square and Compasses,
Jacob's Ladder, and Crossed Keys (a symbol of the Treasurer's office), etc. This wonderful clock is circa 1810-1820.
The below
pictured Hoadley Grandfather Clock is in
The
Heritage Masonic Lodge No 730 at Black Creek Pioneer Village
The above
pictures were submitted by Bro. Scott Ayco-Carthew from University Lodge 496
Toronto ON.
