Clockmaker, born in Grafton, Massachusetts, USA. Establishing his clock factory in Roxbury, MA (c.1778), he had produced over 5000 timepieces by his retirement (1839). He patented the Willard patent timepiece (1802), still familiar as the banjo wall clock, and an alarm clock (1819). His clocks were widely used and admired in public places.
Simon Willard (April 3, 1753, Grafton, Massachusetts, – August 30, 1848, Roxbury, Massachusetts) was a celebrated U.S. clockmaker whose business was located in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Among his many innovations and timekeeping improvements, Simon Willard is perhaps best known for inventing the eight-day banjo timepiece.
Willard family
In America, Willard’s family history started in 1634, with Simon Willard, who arrived from his original Kent, United Kingdom, with both his wife Mary Sharpe and his baby Mary.
Later in the 1700s, Benjamin Willard, who belonged to the fourth generation, married Sarah Brooks. Simon Willard was born on April 3, 1753.
Simon's brothers
See corresponding article: Willard BrothersAt their family farm in Grafton, all Willard brothers apprenticed in horology.
Grafton farmhouse
The Grafton's farm had been built by Joseph Willard, who was of the Willards' third generation, in 1718. However, when Simon Willard was born, the house still had only one room.
After his sons were born, Benjamin Willard senior learned horology.
Thus, at only 11 years of age, Simon Willard began to learn the business and soon showed an inherent ability. Nonetheless, the 13-year-old Simon Willard built his first grandfather clock.
Like other contemporaneous horologists, the family divided its life seasonally, between farming and the clock workshop.
After the farm, at some point Simon became independent while still living in the Grafton region. Some surviving clocks have dials reading "Simon Willard, Grafton." On February 22, 1771, the Boston Gazette advertised Simon's own Grafton workshop: "Musical clocks playing different tunes, a new tune every day in the week, and on Sunday a Palm tune.
While in Grafton, Simon developed his first banjo timepiece, which was patented much later in 1802. This small wall clock was preceded by the Grafton wall clock, which also was weight driven and had an eight-day brass movement with no striking mechanism.
The clocks
Initially, Simon Willard’s main economical support stemmed from longcase clock production, but he didn't produce these after 1802 except to fill special requests.
In 1802, Simon Willard patented his banjo timepiece, which had a brass, weight-driven movement that ran for eight days.
In addition to producing his banjo design, Simon Willard also continued to make more elaborate and sumptuous clocks that today have historical significance. These included the turret, gallery, church, or hall clocks and timepieces that bear Simon's name.
See corresponding articles:
Simon Willard's Tall Clocks Simon Willard's Banjo Clocks Simon Willard's Shelf ClocksRoxbury's pioneer American industry
See main article: Boston Early Clock Industry (Willard Brothers)After 1770, Benjamin Willard moved to Roxbury, near Boston. In 1792, Aaron Willard also established a workshop nearby, 400 meters from Simon's business.
Initially, Simon Willard built tall-case clocks and his workshop did general clock repairing.
Like Aaron, Simon Willard blended the 18th-century knowledge with modern industrial principles. Simon Willard's clocks were the most famous in United States. Simon Willard was known for his sumptuous clocks, but he determined to make clocks that people could use to furnish their homes inexpensively. Thus, Simon's workshop production was much less than Aaron's, although Simon's clocks are sold for much higher amounts in today's auctions.
Simon Willard interviewed his clients personally, evaluating their needs and many final details. With each clock sold, he included brochures bearing the clock's instructions, guarantee, and ownership certificate.
Simon Willard advertised using labels that were affixed inside his clocks.
Simon Willard stayed in Roxbury for approximately 60 years.
Simon Willard's personality
Although Simon Willard is historically regarded as both energetically productive and honest, he is also depicted as a not quite good businessman. However, Simon Willard never filed any legal claims or lawsuits over these infringements.
Renowned work
Senate (1801)
At Washington's Capitol, the US Senate requested Simon Willard to build a large gallery clock.
Eventually, this trip had particularly importance because Simon Willard became acquainted with President Thomas Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson (1801-1802)
Among their first correspondence, in 1801 Thomas Jefferson alerted Simon Willard that his banjo timepiece hadn't yet been patented.
In subsequent years, Simon Willard visited Thomas Jefferson at his home, which was located in Monticello, Virginia. It was given a silver mount that read: "Thomas Jefferson to Simon Willard, Monticello."
Harvard
For 50 years, Simon Willard was responsible for the periodic maintenance of all clocks at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Mass. In addition, Simon Willard built two clocks for Harvard. Eventually, they called Simon Willard.
University of Virginia (1826)
In 1826, Thomas Jefferson ordered Simon Willard to build a clock for the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. In 1895, though, a blaze destroyed both University's building and Willard's clock.
Former President James Madison (1827)
At his home which was at Ash Lawn, Virginia, former President Madison received Simon Willard. It mounting was silvered and it read "Presented by James Madison, Ex-President of the United States, to Simon Willard, May 29, 1827."
Capitol Building (1837)
After an official request, in 1837 the last two of Simon Willard's important works were again destined for the Washington's Capitol Building. Although Willard was already 84 years old, nonetheless he went personally to install both.
Inventions
See corresponding article: Simon Willard's InventionsSimon Willard patented three clock models:
Banjo clock Roasting Jack Patent Alarm TimepieceThe first one was his celebrated Banjo Clock which revolutionized the wee American clock industry with both its cozy compact design and its affordable price.
However, also Simon Willard patented two curious models which had variable success.
Later, Simon Willard's Patent Alarm Timepiece was a clock whose bare mechanism was decoratively under a huge glass cupola.
Marriages
Hannah Willard
Simon Willard married Hannah Willard on November 29, 1776.
Mary Bird
In 1787, Simon Willard married again, to Mary Bird.
Last Years
In 1839, Simon Willard retired.
In August 30, 1848, Simon Willard passed away in Boston. However, simultaneously all other competing clock manufacturers had benefitted from producing the Banjo Clock massively, although the corresponding royalties were never claimed by Willard.
Trivia
Nowadays, Simon Willard's clocks are recognized as American masterpieces. In perfect condition, a Simon Willard's clock is usually sold from $50,000 up to $250,000. Simon Willard was particularly proud about the two canes which were given to him by American Presidents. Nowadays, both canes are displayed at Grafton's Willard House and Clock Museum. Simon Willard Junior (1795-1874) apprenticed in horology at Simon Willard's shop, beginning in 1828. The Willard brothers revolutionized clock manufacturing by both division of labor and by using multiple previously molded parts.Current exhibitions
Willard House and Clock Museum
Nowadays, the Grafton farm which held the original Willard family's workshop has become a museum, the Willard House and Clock Museum, which exhibits about 70 original clocks and many Willards' heirlooms too.
Willard House and Clock MuseumOld Sturbridge Village
The J.
Simon Willard's Stamp
In January 24, 2003, with its American Design Series, the US Postal Service issued a commemorative 10 cent stamp which remembered Simon Willard.
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