The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-04-07
DELAWARE CLOCK MAKERS.
Al interesting Paper Presented Before
The Historical Society of Delaware
BY II. G. Conrad. Esq.
THOMAS CROW.

Thomas Crow, who seems to have been
the oldest son OF George. succeeded his
father in the clock and watch business, and
presumably he learned the trade with his
| father.
Like his father he seemed to be in favor
| OF the public, for l find that he was elected
town clerk in I'LL one Of the assistant bur-
gssses In l773, l779, and 1850, and borough
| assessor In 1884 and 1855 Notwithstanding
his willingness to serve the public in these
various modest capacities he was most
Industrious clock kmaker, as 1t is evidenced
by the lnany clocks which bear his name.
The number of his clocks now in existence
indicate that he carried on o large business
While know OF but half dozen George.
Grow clocks, l have knowledge OF not less
than twenty or twenty five clocks made by
Thomas Crow and they are scattered from
Caroline County on the Eastern Shore TO
the Mannheim Club at Germantown.
Thomas Crow owned In lSl4a property
on the south side OF Second street. ust east
Of Market and here think he piled his
trade, although Betsy Montgomery says
that Thomas Crow. a Matchmaker, and
a worthy man, wal on Second Street on
the north side Of the market.hou5e." At
the time of hts death he owned q small
place on the Philadelphia Turnpike In
Brandywine Hundred, near tho present
residence Of William G. Lodge and this
was oOiu MS ututu W pay HIS utpUS,
which seem to have been largely in excess
of his assets; as the records reclte that he
had no personal estate, but that he owed
the Bank of Delaware about seven thou.
sand three hundred dollars. and this
small farm, which brought only eight
hundred dollars when sold by his ad min.
istrator, seems to have been all the estate
which he left.
He had two daughters, Elizabeth Ogd en-
nd Aun xxyifa ~ Wnltap, al
death occurred about 1924, and be survived
his wife, whose Christian uane was Isa-
bella.
His place of burial have not been able
to locate. He seems to have been nom.
ber Of the First Presbyterian Church. and
his mortal remains may be repoaing in the
graveyard adjoining tho venerable build
ing now occupied by the Historical Society
JOHN CROW.
In copy Of the Delaware and Eastern
Shore Advertiser Of September 7, 1897,
newspaper printed by Samuel and John
Adams at the corner of King and High
Streets, on Mondays and Thursdays" l
find an advertisement OF "John Crow.
clock and watch maker" who announces
great variety Of jowelled cap'd link
wheel and plain watches for sale at whole.
sale or retail at tha corner Of Market and
Second Streets Wilmington 1t winds up
with the announcement that at Is pro.
sunled that Thomas Crows shop Is so
noted that it may be found Without further
caution"
Who this John Grow was do not
know, lean find NO trace Of son OF
either George or Thomas OF that namo. Ii
JONAS ALEICHS.
The Alrichs family Is une of the oldest
in the county. The original settler was
Peter Airchs, to whom land in this c0un-
ty was patented in 1868. Peter mad four
sons, the Oldest being Potter Sisfridus,
who married Susanna Stiiham, and had
twelve children, among whom Was Jonas
Alrichs, who was born March q, 115)
Jonas Alrlchs was the first clock maGor
by the name Of Alrichs. He probably
learned, his trade with Thomas Crow, and
Second Street store, l find an announce
ment Of his retirement from business in
the following advertisement clipped from
the columns of he Delaware Gazttte:
''Notico. 4 take this method Of return
ing my sincere thanks to the public for
the encouragement | have received in thu |
Clock and Watch making business. AS
have this day resigned the same, [ re-
quest all those who have any demands
against me to present thsin for settles
ment and those who are indebted to dis.
charge the same.
"JoNAs ALRlcHs.
wilmington, April 6, l797."
Jonas Alrichs died in 1902, leaving five
children, one of whom, Thomas q, AL
richs. was for many years useful and In |
huential Citizen Of Wilmington.
JACOB ALRICHs.
Jacob Alriehs a nephew Of Jonas, was |
the son Of Sigfridus Alrichs and Rachel |
Coesberry. He was born September 8,
1775 presumably In Wilmington. Ho !
learned the trade of clock aud watch
ing with his uncle Jonas, with whom for |
q short while he was associated in bust |
ness under the style of Jonas and Jacob l
AIrichs; but In 1897, as shown by tho
following advertisements taken from the |
Delaware Gazette, he started business
alone
Jacob Alricbs, Clock and Watch maker
North side of the lower market, three |
doors from Market Street, In the shop for
merly occupied by Jonas Alrichs
and lately by Jonas and Jacob Al
rich-) has received in addition to The
stock alroady on band. eight-day clucks
of the first quality; silver watches from
Liverpool and Dublin, such as
can he warranted, watch main springs
glasses. dials, gilt and steel chains, keys,
seals, &c, sc. Those who continue 10 IA
vor him with their custom, he ilatters
himself will receive satisfaction. An
arpl sntco wanted to tho above business.
A t,ril 10, i79T.'