The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-05
Obituary.
DEATH OF THE FIRST YANKEE CL0CKMAKER.

DEATH OF THE FIRST YANKEE CLOCKMAKER.
We have already announced tho death, at Plymouth
Hollow, Conn.,, on the 2sth ult. Of SETH THOMAS, Of
the hIst, not the rst 10 the manufacture OF
clocks in Connecticut.
Excepting the mention Of this bare fact the credit which
is due Mr. Thomas for his ingenuity and perseverance,
but meagery set forth the notices which going the
rounds OF the papers At the time when Mr. Thomas first
turned his attention to cockmakng TO have clock
luxury. Now, the poorest need have no excuse for
takng mo note Of time but from its loss for Yankee
clock can be purchased at any price, from q dollar up
wards, and at wholesale at fabulousy less prces The
article has become staple commodity in Connecticut
Yankee clocks form large item in EXPORTS and
noted the world over Surely if I" time Is money" Mr.
Thomas deserves lasting credit for initiating the process Of
making clocks q universal desdcratum
The ingenuity of Mr. Thomas analogous 10 that Of the
ingenious apprentice boy who was the means of intro
ducing watch making into Switzerland It is related tha
in the seventeenth century young backsmiths appren
tce named Jean David Richard chanced To see for the
first time, watch in the hands Of Engishman whose
horse was being shod. Being allowed examine the Gu
rosity, and learning that needed repair the young
mechanic undertook the job agreeing return article
within three days. The promise was faithfully kept and
It's owner departed little thinking that he had uncon
sciously sown the seed Of large branch of industry
himself master Of its principles and reserved els and
drawings Of every part At this day the countrymen
the Engshman have envabe reputation for the quality
Of their Watches which really manufactured 10 Swift
Zerand by the countr ymen OF the backsmhs appren.
tice, who had availed himself Of his casual know
ledge 70 to make watch himself, and lay the
foundation Of the largest watch manufacturing country
the world But later years have the beauty aud per-
ectness of Swiss watches likely TO be superseded by those
of American manufacture with the parts all made by ma
chnery.
In precisely the way the pioneer movement Of
Seth Thomas extended the clock manufacture in Connect
cut, and in fact, all New England and throughout the
world whoever takes note OF flying time may notice
the dial Of his faithful tmepece the name of the subject
Of this SKETCH OF those stimulated the manufacture
by his efforts. For long time the painting Of the
das and pictures on the glass Of clocks onerous
tax upon the manufacturers, and drawback upon the
cheapness Of the article but this difficulty has within
few years been overcome by ingenious gentleman Of
New Haven, Mr. Henry A. Munson, who invented
machinery, so that the price of clock is now
made almost as insignificant as tho cost Of a
rat trap by the introduction of labor saving machinery
In New York have COrtlandt street. which might
appropriately be termed Clock street. for the multiplicity
OF clock stores remarkable and cart loads Of mepeces
may be daily piled up the stores being transport
ed through the street. All this has resulted from as hum
should insure the pioneer the enterprise lasting
fame.
When consider the lessons of industry and careful
which metbodicaly nculcated by the ever faith
full hand Of the clock indicates the eetng hours aud
warns US that time Is flying, cannot lightly estimate
every man this inesmable boon. I" Whoever erects a
clock is public beneiactOr, and he who places with
the reach of every is undoubtedly entitled to our
grateful remembrance