Posted 13 years ago
awiegle
(1 item)
This lovely walnut Chester county PA clock was bought by my GGGGgrandfather Daniel Broomall in about 1810 or so. It is attributed to Caleb Hibberd Jr., a Willistown Twp clockmaker. Although his name is not on it, by the style it is unmistakeable Caleb Hibberds. Caleb Hibberd was born in 1790 and moved to Ohio in 1815. My ancestor Daniel died in 1812 and it is mentioned in his inventory. I love the style of this clock! Hibberd kept the same proportions of his clocks, but kept refining the style. This one has French feet ( earlier ones had bracket feet) and the corners of the case are beveled and inlaid with fine strips of light wood. Earlier clocks, such as the one in the Chester Co. Historical Society had quarter reeded colums. They all had the same bonnet, exactly the same proportions with lattice. Our clock has had the original flame finial replaced at some time with a shorter one. The works are English, and it kept excellent time until about 20 years ago. It was passed down to the eldest son for 6 generations; then my father did not have any sons, so I got it.
for information on the original owner, see <www.springhillfarm.com/broomhall>. for infor ation on Caleb Hibberd Jr. see the book "Chester County Clockmakers."
Anne Broomall Wiegle