Aaron Miller Elizabethtown New Jersey Queen Anne Cherry Tall Case Clock

The following Newspaper Advertisement appeared in the New York Gazette on November 16, 1747

On Page 386 of the History of Elizabeth by Edwin Francis Hatfield

On Page 400 of the History of Elizabeth by Edwin Francis Hatfield,

Circa 1750 Early Queen Anne New Jersey Tall Case clock with overall dimensions of 83 X 20 1/2 X 11 inches made by Aaron Miller of Elizabeth Town. This important clock was formerly owned by Kels Swan of Bound Brook NJ and documented in Clocks & Watches of New Jersey by William Drost published in 1966. I knew Mr. Swan personally, as he frequented my home and shop on a number of occasions as we shared a common interest in Early New Jersey Crafts and Craftsmen. There is a typed note attached to the backboard of the clock that was written by Kels Swan that documents the clock as well as the history of ownership. Last winter I was contacted by the former owner of this important clock notifying me that they were considering selling the piece and would I be interested in it. This clock not only represented a chance to acquire one of Aaron Miller's earliest clocks, but a unique opportunity to own an item from the personal collection of one of New Jersey's most prominent historians. As you may imagine, this was not a difficult decision for us to go ahead and acquire the clock.

For many years, H. Kels Swan presided personally over his collection at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, New Jersey. It's here where General Washington and his ragtag band of heroes turned the tide of a mighty struggle and took the offensive against an awesome force. And it's the location of the Swan Historical Foundation's NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

The flat top cherry case with bold crown molding, arched bonnet door flanked by two attached block and turned columns opening to a early brass dial with applied spandrels, chapter ring, seconds bit, date register, and engraved name boss in the arch signed Aaron Miller. The glass in the bonnet door is original. The works behind the dial are very identifiable to Aaron Miller with wood winding drums, steel pillars, count wheel strike train, and oversized resonant bell. This is clearly one of Miller's earliest movements and predates the Revolutionary War having full rectangular plates as compared with later examples configures with large circular cutouts in the lower sections. The waist section with tombstone shaped door and cast brass strap hinges are consistent with the period of the case. The base with two tiered step moldings all rests on a flat bottom board as this style case never had feet. The clock retains it's original weights, pendulum, and winding crank.

The clock is available for sale and may be viewed in Cranbury NJ.