The Steeple Clock – function combines with design

A steeple clock is a type of clock designed to resemble a miniature church steeple or spire. This style of clock is often characterized by its tall and narrow structure.

These clocks gained popularity in the mid-19th century and were often produced in various styles. The design was influenced by the Gothic Revival architecture that was prevalent during that period.

Steeple clocks are relatively common in North America as thousands were produced in America particularly but rare in other parts of the world.

New haven Gothic Steeple clock — _{New Haven Gothic Steeple clock}

In my collection, I own three steeple clocks – the first, crafted by the American manufacturer Elisha Manross, the second by the Hamilton Clock Company of Hamilton, Ontario, and the third by The New Haven Clock Company of America, made for export and sold by Thomas Spike Jewelers in Halifax, Nova Scotia in the 1880s.

All three share a commonality with their time and strike 30-hour spring-driven movements.

The Elisha Manross steeple clock stands out with its distinctive use of tempered brass mainsprings, marking a period between 1836 and 1847 when this material was the motive force for spring-driven clocks. It represents a technological glimpse into an important era in American clockmaking.

However, it is the steeple clock from the Hamilton Clock Company that holds a special place in my collection. Being a Canadian collector, the clock not only adds historical charm to my collection but also carries significance because it is Canadian-made.

Crafted in Hamilton, Ontario, it embodies a piece of Canadian horological heritage, making it more than just a clock but a connection to the craftsmanship and legacy of clockmaking in Canada.

_{Hamilton Clock Co Gothic steeple clock}

The Hamilton Gothic steeple clock stands out because of a religious inscription, “Cling to the Cross,” delicately etched onto the lower glass tablet. It is a rare clock from the Hamilton Clock Co., which manufactured a variety of clocks of every style over a very short period.

The historical weight of this 30-hour steeple clock is underscored in Jim Connell’s description in a video he produced several years ago. Connell, a figure renowned in Canadian clock circles, whose acknowledgment of the clock’s rarity adds an extra layer of importance to this find. Fun fact, Jim Connell invented salt and vinegar potato chips.

This clock carries whispers of a bygone era, a testament to the Hamilton Clock Co. which, between 1876 and 1880, made a valiant though short-lived attempt to compete with the growing number of common clocks coming from the USA.

Steeple clock discussion

The term “Gothic steeple clock” specifically refers to clocks that incorporate Gothic design elements, such as pointed arches, into their structure.

An unusual "ribbed" style steeple clock — _{An unusual “ribbed” style steeple clock}

Steeple clocks can vary in features, including different types of movements.

_{A trio of steeple clocks with an 8-day fusee clock in the middle}

The vast majority were relatively simple designs that were spring-driven but there are some very rare examples of steeple clocks that are weight-driven and ones that incorporate fusee movements.

R. Blakeslee, Jr. in or around 1850 made a 30-hour weight-driven clock with a lyre movement (not pictured). His clock also featured a compound pulley configuration on the time side, the time side weight being heavier than the strike side.

Even more unusual are double-steeple clocks, a noteworthy example being a Birge and Fuller 8-day fusee-powered brass movement clock (not pictured) made in the mid-1840s.

During the same period, Elisha Manross made a double steeple shelf clock that had an 8-day time and strike strap brass fusee movement with a 12″ pendulum (not pictured). It features the original stenciled and painted tablets by William B. Fenn of Plymouth. William Fenn was one of the more prolific tablet makers of the mid-19th century.

By comparison to a conventional steeple clock that stands at about 20 inches, double steeples are over 6 inches taller.

Jerome & Co. New Haven, Conn, 1850 steeple with portrait of Andrew Jackson — _{Jerome & Co. New Haven, Conn, 1850 steeple with the portrait of Andrew Jackson}

Jerome & Co. of Chauncey Jerome fame also produced a double steeple in 1850. The one pictured above features a portrait of the seventh President of the USA, Andrew Jackson.

_{Gallery-style gothic clock, a variation of a steeple theme}

Steeple clocks are appreciated by collectors for their historical charm and unique aesthetic, reflecting the craftsmanship and design of the era in which they were produced. They also stand as tangible expressions of the artistry and cultural influences of their respective historical periods.

February 23, 2024

A 1847 Elisha Manross steeple clock with rare brass mainsprings

Among American clocks, the name Elisha Manross does not immediately come to mind unlike well-known clockmakers such as Seth Thomas, New Haven or Waterbury. However, Elisha Manross (1792-1856) was an important pioneer of the Connecticut clock.

Brass mainsprings are very rare. It is possible for a clockmaker to go through their entire career without seeing brass mainsprings. Why? Because brass was used for a very short period as a mainspring in clocks. From 1836 to 1850 brass mainsprings were used because steel was considered very expensive. It was not until 1847 that the tempered steel mainspring developed for everyday clocks was introduced and with it, the brass mainspring faded into clock history.

Tempered brass mainspring, American Clock and Watch Museum, Bristol Connecticut, June 2019

Quite often 30-hour time and strike Gothic Steeple clocks such as this one by Elisha Manross (Ca. 1847) have steel mainsprings because the original brass mainsprings broke and were replaced. That the mainsprings in this clock are original and still in excellent condition tells me that this clock did not have a particularly hard life.

Elisha Manross 30 hour movement, as found

My plan is to preserve the brass mainsprings. Some might be tempted to replace them with steel ones. My interest is in preserving the brass mainsprings in this clock because they represents a very important part of the history of American clocks and should be back in the movement where they belong.

Continue reading “A 1847 Elisha Manross steeple clock with rare brass mainsprings” →

June 27, 2020

Dating an antique Gothic Steeple Manross clock

Hi readers, in light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19

Dating a clock can be a challenge and often an estimate within a range of dates is the best that can be accomplished. Dating some clocks can be relatively easy as in the case of this Sessions Beveled Number 2 tambour style time and strike. Inside the back access door, it is stamped Sept 1927, the date of manufacture.

Further research about the clockmaker, the movement design and the label will reveal a date within a narrow range

Inside access door of Sessions tambour clock

This Gilbert time and strike movement has a die-stamped year but the month of manufacture is unknown. Other markings in the case might narrow it down.

Toothpicks reminding of the location of the bell lever — Gilbert movement made in 1906

Research concerning the maker, the clock design, the model name or number and the label may reveal the exact date or something within a narrow range of years. Books on the identification of American clocks such as those by Tran Duy Ly can be very helpful.

Let’s look at this Elisha Manross Gothic Steeple clock.

Elisha Manross (1792-1856) was an important pioneer of the Connecticut clock and made a variety of clock styles, one of which is the gothic steeple pictured below.

Elisha Manross Gothic Steeple clock. Hands are incorrect; it would have had spade hour and spear minute hands

Although Elisha Manross had been active in Bristol clock-making since 1812 and earlier he shows in the Bristol tax records as making clocks from 1842-1851. His business was dissolved in 1854 and the factory was purchased in 1855 by E.N. Welch.

Manross made two steeple clocks. One is 20″ high and 10″ wide, the other is 19 1/2 inches high by 9 1/2 inches wide. The larger case would have made for other labels but the smaller size such as this one was manufactured in the Manross factory.

This 30-hour clock by Elisha Manross has some distinctive features that help in its dating. Let’s narrow down the date by looking at the design of the movement and case. Three features make this clock interesting. One, it has very rare brass mainsprings; two, the count-wheel is located in the middle on the backplate and three, the veneer on the front columns and door is in a vertical orientation.

Brass mainsprings

Brass mainsprings were invented, patented and first used in 1836 by Joseph Shaylor Ives. Brass was cheaper and more accessible than steel in the mid-1830s and 1840s. Silas B. Terry developed steel springs for clock use in the Bristol area circa 1847, and as steel improved and became cheaper, brass springs quickly disappeared.

In the history of the American clockmaking, brass mainsprings had a very short life, between 1836 and 1850. The brass mainsprings on this movement have survived for a very long time and most clocks of this age have had replacement steel mainsprings.

Count-wheel

Many American time and strike movements have the count wheel located on the left side of the front plate just above the mainspring (or winding arbour for a weight-driven clock). Placing the count wheel in the rear of this movement adds complexity to the lever arrangement. Also absent is a strike-side cam wheel typically found on later American time and strike movements.

Veneer and vertical orientation

Exotic woods were used to cover the pine case. Elisha Manross clocks were either clad in Rosewood veneer or Mahogany. Manross clocks were produced with the Mahogany veneer in a vertical orientation, such as this clock, and Rosewood veneer in a horizontal orientation. American clockmakers did not normally orient the veneer in this manner.

Dating this clock – let’s see what the data tells us

Records also show that steeple cases were made by Manross between 1847 and 1853. The label on the clock is in remarkable condition for a 168-year-old clock and is extremely helpful in dating this clock. On the back of the door, the left side of the upper tablet is the inscription 8/43, not once but twice. Is this the date the case was made? The door is clearly original to the case since it has the same vertical orientation as the veneer.

Records also show the sale of 705 cases (unknown as to type) to “E. Manross” during the months July-November, 1843. It is very possible the case was constructed in 1843, stored until later when the movements were placed in the case and readied for sale.

The date of August 1843 is inconsistent with the label, located on the inside backboard, which was printed by Elihu Geer at his shop on 10 State Street, Hartford Conn on or about 1850. The label was likely added to the case just prior to the sale of the clock.

We can conclude that the clock was made no earlier than 1843 and no later than 1850 and we can safely date this clock within a 5-7 year period.

Dating aside, it is truly remarkable that a mechanical device that is 173 years old is still operating to this day.

NOTE: The principal source of this blog article is the October 1993 NAWCC bulletin.

April 2, 2020

New Haven Sharp Gothic (Steeple) clock – Part I – history unearthed

This is Part I entitled History Unearthed. It is the first part of a two part series. Part II concerns servicing the movement.

My recently acquired New Haven Gothic Steeple 30-hour clock is an online auction win.

The case is in very good condition apart from minor veneer issues on the base and the columns. The clock is missing the tip of the right finial although it might be hard to tell from the photo. It measures 20 1/2 inches tall with a 5-inch dial. The movement appears to be original to the case.

Continue reading “New Haven Sharp Gothic (Steeple) clock – Part I – history unearthed” →

August 14, 2019

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Hi readers, in light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19

Further research about the clockmaker, the movement design and the label will reveal a date within a narrow range

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