Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-12-09
AN OLD CLOCK.

fact that Chas. A. Thomas, of this city,
had received an old clock of curious
construction. which is on exhibition at
the jewelry store of j P Foss. Since
than we have learned additional facts
in relation to this clock, and we will
give short history of it in this issue.
The clock was received from his
grandmother, Mrs. c. w Thomas, who
lives in Miffiinburg, Pa, and who has
had it in her procession for many years.
The clock is nearly 200 years old and
has been an heirloom in the family since
the date of the death of its maker.
The works were constructed in England
in the early part of the eighteenth cen
tury by man named Murphy. This
was during the period when that coun-
try was in a very unsettled state, and
about the time when Queen Anne was
succeeded on the throne by King
George | In those days the laws of
England compelled every able bodied
young man to serve seven years in the
army, for which he received no remun
Grafton. 1t was about this tirne y Ken the
romantic period of Murphy life began
He fell in love with a young lady and
they were married, but unfortunately
their dreams of married bliss were soon
doomed, for young Murphy was con-
scripted and drafted into the English
service Not having laid away suffi-
cient funds to support his wife until he
should be mustered out, he determined
to abandon the life of a soldier, of his own
accord. Watching his opportunity he
deserted one dark night in 1T25, while
on sentinel duty, and, Fastening to his
wife, informed her of his action, aud
after a hurried preparation they secured
a passage on a boat and set sail for
America. Among their store of goods
they brought to this country was the
works of this clock The eastern part
of hat is now the United States was
then a British possession, and con
tanned many English soldiers and loyal
subjects, and therefore for self protec-
tion, Murphy changed his name to that
of Day, that his identity might not be
detected and he be sent back to Eng
land to suffer the penalty for desertion,
which in those days was double SER
vice or an additional seven years in the
army. After getting settled he set to
work and made case or frame for the
clock of native woods, and from that
day to the present time the clock has
kept excellent time, with occasional
mendiugs All through the colonial
period and the dark days of the Amer
lean Revolution this time-piece stood
near the fire place in the homes of Muir
ply and his descendants, and could it
but speak il would undoubtedly unfold
many a tale of early history of which it
has been witness. 1t has outlived
many family and isstill useful today.
The brass plates, from which the
work of this time pfeeeAre constructed,
were hammered out on an anvil and
are not as smooth and handsome as
they might be- The frame stands
about seven feet high, and the weight
of the whole is considerable. The con-
struction took place before the ordinary
clock spring was invented and so heavy
weights furnish the power for moving
the works of this piece. There are two
dials, one of which has painted figures
on it, and revolyes a certain distance
each day aud registers the different
changes and quarters of the moon with
human accuracy. In the days of its
the old flint and steel
were still in vogue and matches were
of That one might approx
mately tell the hour at night without
having light an attachment was
placed on this clock for this purpose.
BY pulling string a gong sounds the
hour last struck, unless it be near the
time for the striking of another hour,
when the next one Will be sounded.
Taken altogether this time piece is a
novelty and curiosity, and one of price
less value in historical way to the
Thomas family.