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Ship's Clock by Seth Thomas

ship's clock

CLOCKS, WATCHES & TIMEPIECES
Thomas, Seth
USA, CT, Thomaston
1813-1859
metal; wood; glass
Overall: 11 1/2 x 6 3/4 x 3 1/4 in.

Brass ship's bell clock made by Seth Thomas, and used by Captain Frederick Howland Smith aboard the bark OHIO. This is a one-day lever clock. Paper label attached to back reads: "ONE DAY/ LEVER,/ SETH THOMAS/ THOMASTON, CONN., U.S.A./ MANUFACTURER OF EVERY VARIETY OF/ One and Eight Day Weight and Spring Mantel Clocks/ OFFICE REGULATORS AND CALENDARS,/ TOWER CLOCKS,/ Of Every Size to Suit the Trade./ Fine Bronze, Marble, and Gilt Mantel Clocks/ FINE CHRONOMETER LEVERS/ FOR LOCOMOTIVES & C.".

The maker, Seth Thomas, was born in Wolcott, CT in 1785. He began making clocks with two men, Terry and Hoadley, in 1807. They did very well and following this successful venture, in 1810 Terry sold his interest to Thomas and Hoadley, who continued to work together until Thomas sold his interest to Hoadley in 1813. Thomas then purchased a shop in Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, and proceeded to manufacture wooden clocks on his own. In 1865 the residents of Plymouth Hollow renamed their locality in honor of Thomas; Thomaston, Connecticut, was formally incorporated in 1875.

The former owner of this clock, Frederick Howland Smith (1840-1924), went to sea as cabin boy of a whaleship at age 14. After rising through the ranks and serving in the army during the Civil War he commanded his first ship at age 29. He went on to become captain of the bark OHIO, and his wife joined him at sea after his first voyage. Sallie kept a journal of their voyages as Frederick spent his days working and making scrimshaw.

The bark OHIO was built in Rochester, Massachusetts in 1833. She was lost in the Arctic Ocean in 1889.


1941.375