Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Tall Case Clock
ca. 1808
Jonathan Jessup (1771–1857)
USA: Pennsylvania, York
Wood, paint, glass, metal
overall: 97"h x 21"w x 10-1/2"d
Gift of Mrs. WIllis R. Michael
77.80.3a-f

Tall Case Clock; a: hood: light brown wood; three small finial urns; four smooth columns; windows on either side; b: movement: dial with ship painted at top; reads "Jonathan Jessup/ No. 205"; c: door key; d: pendulum; e: case: paper label on interior of door has biographical information about Jonathan Jessup, John Taylor, and John Welsh; f: winding key. g-h : pair of weights

A clockmaker’s name on the face of a clock declared the craftsman’s pride in his work, advertised him as the source of a fashionable object, and served as a warranty—the owner knew where to bring the clock if it failed to run correctly. Like some of his colleagues, Jessup numbered each of the clocks he produced. Makers may have done this to help with recordkeeping or to underscore the extent of their experience.