Simon Willard-U.S. Clockmaker

Simon Willard was a celebrated U.S. clockmaker. Simon Willard clocks were famous in America but were expensive for common people. Simon built most clocks by hand and they were very precise. In 1718 the Willards lived on a farm in North Grafton, MA which is outside of Boston.  The oldest of the boys learned horology and it is presumed that the other boys were also taught. That is how Simon got his start in clockmaking.

Simon Willard was commissioned to make a clock for the Old South Meeting House in Boston, the site of the planning for the Boston Tea Party. He built a carved and gilded gallery clock with a spread eagle on the top. The clock was delivered in 1805 and hung there until 1872 when it was moved to Old South Church in Boston's Back Bay.

                                                                       

For 50 years Simon Willard was responsible for maintenance of all clocks at Harvard College in Cambridge, MA. Simon also presented two clocks to Harvard.

Thomas Jefferson requested that Mr. Willard build a clock for the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. The clock was installed in 1827 but was destroyed by fire in 1895.

Simon Willard has one clock and one clock mechanism in the U.S. Capitol that are still operating. Mr. Willard patents were signed by many famous people at the time, namely John Hancock, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Levi Lincoln.

Simon Willard clocks are American masterpieces and have sold for $50,000-$250,000.