Marion Reade Thompson (Mrs. Frederick E. Thompson) of Madison, CT, is one of our kin and was at the Stephen Moore Reunion at West Point in 1991. She now owns the Grandfather Clock, and wrote to me on September 9, 1991 and included the above pictures. Her father, Percy Reade grew up in the Mt. Tirzah house. She says, "Daddy told me that it had been in the barn at Mt. Tirzah and that he had had it refinished. He thought that it must have been moved from West Point. The man, Kirt Crump (Madison), who replaced a wire which held one of the weights said it was the only clock he'd seen with an enamel face and that it must have been ordered especially by the man who had the clock made. He said he had seen one other clock made by the same man -- Samuel Toulmin, London (Strand) circa 1775. It has 2 brass finials, but our ceilings are only 8 ft., so they do not fit on top of clock."
(Editors note: If the clock was made circa 1775, it would be doubtful that it would have been at West Point before being at Mt. Tirzah.)
What a beautiful clock! I've never seen it before or heard the story of how it came into Marion Reade Thompson's possession. Maybe there's hope that someday, the original miniature of Stephen Moore will turn up!
ReplyDeleteHi - interested to see this one. Samuel Toulmin, Clockmaker of The Strand, London, was my great, great, great, great grandfather!!
ReplyDeleteRegards
Elizabeth Rowntree (nee Toulmin)
Just for your information look at the link of a clock we have for sale by Samuel Toulmin. The same rare enamel dial. http://www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk/product/rare-battersea-enamel-dial-london-longcase-clock
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