Thomas Richards, clockmaker? - Collectors' Notes - clock seller, possible clockmaker - Biography

Magazine Antiques, Oct, 2002 by Eleanor H. Gustafson

Peter Spellane, a reader and clock collector, has contributed the following fascinating investigation of Thomas Richards of New York City, best known as an agent for the famous Massachuseas clockmaker Simon Willard. He writes:

To sell his "newly invented ALARUM TIMEPIECE," Simon Willard authorized only "Mr. THO'S RICHARDS, New-York, and Mr. J. B. JONES, of Boston" as agents. Willard's advertisement, dated August 10,1822, includes a drawing of the elegant lighthouse clock and is followed by a passionate warning against knockoffs of his other time-pieces. Clearly troubled by earlier infringements of his patents, Willard presumably took great care in selecting sales agents for his new dock.

Willard's advertisement alone has earned Thomas Richards mention in histories of American clockmaking, and Steven Petrucelli and Kenneth A. Sposato illustrate a Boston banjo clock inscribed "Warranted and Made for Thomas Richards, New York" in American Banjo Clocks (Adams Brown, Cranbury, New Jersey 1995, p.96). There is other evidence that Richards sold clocks and watches, but illustrated here is a tall clock that not only has his name painted on the dial but also stamped on the front plate of the brass works. It was not unusual for a retailer to place his name on a clock dial, but the stamp on the works is convincing evidence that Richards actually made clocks, for it is unlikely that an established clockmaker would have marked works made by another.

Early New York City court records document portions of Richards's career and offer a view of the community and economics of clockmaking in Federal New York. The 1796 directory lists Richards and Wolhaupter, clock- and watchmakers at 10 Liberty Street, but whether this refers to our Thomas Richards is unclear. Thomas Richards "watchmaker" first appears in the directory in 1800, presumably a year after his father's death, for his name is accompanied by "widow Ann," listed at the same address. Thereafter, "Richards Thomas watch-maker" appears at 240 Pearl Street, sometimes in partnership with others, in every directory until that of 1831-1832. In the latter, one finds "Richards widow of Thomas," for Thomas had died in October 1830, according to his obituary in the New-York Evening Post on October 18, 1830. His son-in-law William M. Morrell carried on the business at the same address until 1836.

A notice in the New York Mercantile Advertiser of November 23, 1803, records Richards in partnership with John Sayre and documents not only that they sold watches but also that they had all the tools, parts, and know-how to make clocks and watches:

Watches, Plate and Jewellery Sayre & Richards, No 240 Pearl-street, comer of Burling slip, have for sale, wholesale and retail, a large assortment of English watches, direct from the manufactures; also Watch and Clock makers tools, watch and clock materials, viz, best English main spring clock and watch dials, clock and watch pinions, plyers and cutting nippers, bench and pin vises, with a collection of the best Lancashire files from 2 to 12 inches long suitable for silver smiths and jewellers use. They manufacture silver tea setts of the newest and most approved patterns, and silverware in general; also, gold chains, seals, keys, and a variety of other jewellery. N. B. Clocks and watches of every description, repaired with care and punctuality.

Records from the city's mayor's court, also known as the court of common pleas after 1821, and from the Supreme Court of the State of New York give further evidence that Thomas Richards made watches and/or clocks. On January 1, 1810, John Banker Jr signed a promissory note to Richards; on September 15, 1810, Richard Symon, a merchant signed another one to him; and on January 5, 1819, Charles C. Cogswell, a mustard manufacturer, signed a third. All three identify Richards as a watchmaker. In 1813 John Sayre and Thomas Richards brought suit against Henry Griffen for payment of $150 owed them "for divers silver watches by the said plaintiffs.., delivered to the said defendant" This relatively modest lawsuit provides the most information on the business practice documented by the promissory notes: Richards, alone or in partnership, appears to have delivered watches to merchants in exchange for a note promising payment.

One probate court record that gives unusual details of Richards's relationships with other New York watchmakers indicates a remarkable fraternity among these craftsmen. It is a petition, dated June 19, 1828, that the court appoint Richards guardian to "Asa Whitney an infant under the age of twenty one years son of Asa Whitney late of said city watchmaker deceased." Richards was joined "Jointly and severally" in this obligation by the watchmakers Benjamin De Milt and William M. Morrell, and the document was signed by, perhaps as witnesses, the watchmakers S. De Milt and Thomas Crouchley as well as by the young Asa Whitney. Thus five members of New York's watch-making community signed a legal document that gave aid to the child of one of their colleagues.