Aaron Willard

Massachusetts clockmaker (1757–1844)

Aaron Willard (October 14, 1757 – May 20, 1844) was an entrepreneur, an industrialist, and a designer of clocks who worked extensively at his Roxbury, Massachusetts, factory during the early years of the United States of America. While at the family farm at Grafton, Aaron Willard developed his career conjointly with his three brothers, who became celebrated horologists too (though Aaron's and his brother Simon's creations are the most significant). Both brothers moved to Roxbury, Boston, Massachusetts, (where the peninsular town of Boston joined to the mainland) where they developed one of the first modern American industries, independently from each other. Simon and Aaron Willard's clocks were the first economically accessible timepieces of the country.

The first American ancestor of Willard's family was Simon Willard who arrived in 1634, together with his wife Mary Sharpe, stemming from Horsmonden, Kent, England. In America, Simon Willard became a military commander and dealt fiercely with the Indians. The Willards were among the founders of the town of Concord, Massachusetts. Later on, Simon had a prominent role throughout the region as politician and judge. A century later, Aaron Willard was of Simon's fifth New England generation. He was born in 1757, at a farm located in the hill region of Grafton, in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Aaron Willard's parents were Benjamin Willard and Sarah Brooks. He was the third of four sons; his brothers were Benjamin, Simon, and Ephraim.

After Senior Benjamin's first steps into horology, the four brothers became horologists as well. All developed their skills at their Grafton farm and, initially, they shared time between farming chores and the new activity. All their lives were closely connected and they had strong influence reciprocally.

At Boston, the two Willard brothers' chief enterprises—Simon's and Aaron's—were of the first American industries. Their well organized modern workshops demanded supplies—such as mahogany or previously cast pieces—which stemmed from more than 20 manufacturers within a mile zone. They dominated the clock making in the Boston region. Both brothers had successful uncompromising policies in commerce, although they were permanently pledged into improving the design of their clocks too. Due to Aaron's massive production, the clock became a domesticated product for public usage, whether in parlors, offices, or the like. Nonetheless, the Willard brothers' clocks weren't affordable yet for most common people. The Willard family became quite recognizable within American high society, particularly Simon.

Aaron Willard began manufacturing and commercializing traditional tall case clocks (referred to as longcase clocks outside of the US). These clocks, often called Grandfather clocks today, generally stood about 7 1/2 to 8 feet tall Although some other clockmakers produced wooden movement clocks, Willard made only clocks with brass movements. His tall case clocks were always of eight day duration (other than extremely rare extended running clocks).

Like Simon's, Aaron's clocks adopted a distinguishing feature early: since 1790, about their cases where, up over the dial, the case door delineated a half circle which echoed the dial. The clocks' tops were adorned with a series of wooden curly arrangements called Whales Tails. Later on, these ringlets evolved, and they finished extra stretched and artistically riddled too. Many elements of brass—which were usually imported—sprinkled all case's woodwork. Particularly, Aaron's clocks had three spherical finials on top. However, the case presented a spate of other small brassy touches around, depending on the model. The case's door was secured by means of an iron lock.

The clock dials (faces) were painted iron. They were produced with varying complexity, in accord with the price of the model. For the economical, it was relatively unadorned. For the most expensive types, the dial featured artistic paintings from recognized Bostonian artists. Aaron Willard increased the value of his clocks by adding features to the dials. Most had a revolving calendar wheel, indicating the date. Many incorporated a revolving moon disc at the top of the dial for indicating the phases of the moon. In rare instances, a "rocking ship" dial was used. These were produced in Boston and are highly desirable to collectors. They are fitted with a small depiction of a sailing ship that rocks back and forth in the arch of the dial. it is driven by the motion of the pendulum.

About 1812, the Napoleonic Wars altered the national economy, forcing a simplification of the most expensive models, due to cost problems. For example, the dial door became a conventional square, and the extra devices, which were traditionally around the dial, were simplified.

Arriving in Roxbury, MA. about 1780, and continued to produce tall case clocks, but some time later began to produce Shelf Clocks. This model was much smaller than the tall case clocks and as a result, was suitable for being placed on a mantle, shelf or a piece of furniture. Nowadays, the Shelf Clocks are nonetheless considered Aaron's foremost department. They are avidly sought by collectors.

Aaron Willard's third clock model was the Banjo clock, which eventually became the factory's mainstream. The Banjo had been invented by Simon in 1802. It comprised a compacted mechanism in a compact body which could be fastened on a wall. With a not cheap price of about $30, it was nevertheless a hit. It became the most famous clock in the early history of the United States.

At Grafton, in Worcester County, Massachusetts, the one room farm had been built in 1718 by Joseph Willard, who belonged to the third generation of the Willard family. The residence was further enlarged through the years. In 1776, Benjamin Willard began learning the horologist profession there, and he built a small workshop for commerce. Consequently, his knowledge was learnt also by his brothers. All did a seasonal tradeoff between farming chores and their new profession. By producing clocks for the region, the business eventually was profitable.

Successively, three of Willard brothers moved to Boston's Roxbury Street. Benjamin arrived in 1770. Simon arrived approximately in 1778, to the 2196 address. Aaron Willard brought his business in 1792 to the 2224 address which was a quarter of a mile from Simon's. The Boston Directory promoted Aaron's establishment as "Aaron Willard, clock maker on the Neck." The factory's workshop functioned inside an extension which was bigger than the actual residence. Inside, the number of employees was approximately 30 during the best years. Within a radius of a quarter of a mile, 21 other important manufacturers supplied the factory in different capacities.

After his two brothers had already settled in Boston, Aaron Willard met a lady who was from nearby. Catherine Gates was from the Roxbury region, which neighbored Boston to the south, in Suffolk County. They married on March 6, 1783, in Roxbury. She was 20 years old. They had two children: Aaron Willard, Junior, on June 29, 1783, and Nancy Willard, on July 14, 1785. Catherine Gates died just days after the second birth. In time, Aaron Junior would be a renowned horologist too.

In 1823, Aaron Willard went into retirement. He died on May 20, 1844, at Roxbury, Suffolk, Massachusetts. He was 87 years old.

The J. Cheney Wells Clock Gallery is located at Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts. The general collection of 122 clocks has a scope which ranges from 1725 to 1825. Some of the pieces are valuated at over 100,000 dollars. Twelve of the clocks are Aaron Willard's.