Tall-case clock
Simon Willard
(American, 1753–1848)
about 1809
Object PlaceRoxbury, Massachusetts, United States
Medium/TechniqueMahogany, pine rosewood, scorched maple
DimensionsOverall: 276.9 x 49.5 x 24.1 cm (109 x 19 1/2 x 9 1/2 in.)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Oglesly Paul
Accession number59.556
ClassificationsFurniture
InscriptionsOn post behind face: "A Wyman / 90"ProvenanceThe family tradition was that the clock was made for Capt. John Goddard (1730-1816) of Brookline, Massachusetts, who gave it to his granddaughter, Mary Goddard (1787-1882), when she married Samuel May (1776-1870) on July 19, 1809. Actually, in the account book of Mary Goddard labeled "Articles purchased by Mary Goddard with which to set up housekeeping in the year 1809", is listed "My Grandfather a Clock", but in the account book of her husband Samuel May is an entry for July 27, 1809: "paid clock and finish'd compl't....75.0 Rec'd of J G (present to Mary 60 - 15.00" It unfortunately does not say to whom the payment was made. The clock descended in the May family for four generations to John Joseph May (1813-1903), his son John Pierpont May (1846-1936),to his daughter Josephine M. Carr ca. 1933, and finally to Mrs. Paul of Longmeadow, Massachusets, the donor; 1959. gift of M. and Mrs. Lawrence Oglesby Paul.
