Simon Willard (1753-1848) 30-hour Timepiece with Passing Strike and Manual Almanac, Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1781

Mahogany, white pine, brass and steel.

ht. 29 in.

Loaned by the Dedham Historical Society and Museum where it has been since 1887. It is on a one year loan for study, photography, conservation assessment, and the fabrication of a proper display case specially constructed by museum conservator David Gow. One of two known examples, this one is cited as a “glorious relic” by previous scholars.

One of only two known examples with printed tables and dials sold to Willard by the patriot, Paul Revere (1735-1818) as noted in numerous transactions in Revere’s daybook in 1781. The paper mounted on pine backing attempts to display, day of the week, day of the month, rise and set of the sun and moon, high and low tides, the equation of time, local time in Boston, London, Jerusalem and China, and the Dominical Letter. On this example, it is printed in “vermillion” which was at an added cost