Manross, Prichard & Co. (Bristol, CT) 30-hour brass clock.
For all my electronic photo, music and geek gear, one of my daily rituals is to wind this shelf clock. Magnify for detail!
“Elisha Manross was born in Bristol on May 11, 1792. He worked for Chauncey Boardman making wooden clocks. In 1840, Manross formed a partnership with Albert Wilcox called Manross and Wilcox. In 1845, now known as Manross and Pritchard, Manross bought out his partners, built a factory, and manufactured eight-day brass clocks. He was one of the businessmen from Bristol who formed the Bristol Brass Company. Manross died on September 27, 1856, at the age of 64” (Lynda J. Russell. Bristol Business and Industry. Arcadia Publishing, 2010. ISBN 9780738573373). Manross served as a sergeant-major in the War of 1812. He is buried in Forestville, CT.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42601238
http://image1.findagrave.com/photos/2009/274/42601238_125448541012.jpg
Eben Pritchard was with Elisha Manross in “Manross, Wilcox & Co.,” 1841, and “Manross, Pritchard & Co.,” 1841-1843. (Note the difference in spelling of Pritchard on the label inside the clock!) Alas, poor Mr. Pritchard filed for bankruptcy in March, 1845.
The case of our clock is lovely; here is a similar case:
http://www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com/pages/clock0527.php
Ours was restored (although perhaps not in an “antiquing” sense) by Clare’s uncle, Frank Rohr.
For the “name-added” element of this post, I had to use a more formal name, capitalize my names and use a period-appropriate font from the creativity of Brian Willson at Three Islands Press:
http://www.oldfonts.com/castine.html
Thanks, Brian!
And Happy Birthday, Jenny!!
A year ago (“Harbaugh’s Café”):
http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-01-22
@digitalrn Thank you, Rick! It was fun researching the piece and the men who were clockmakers at that time!
@michelleyoung It was fun doing the research! I'm sure you have felt the same about researching many of the historical places you've posted. :)
@netkonnexion Thanks! Clocks unto themselves are interesting and fascinating! Well, in my mind anyway!