James Collins Goffstown

Sheraton mahogany tall case clock by James Collins, Goffstown, New Hampshire, circa 1830. Pierced fret, brass finials and turned columns flank a painted iron dial signed “James Collins, Goffstown”. 8-Day brass time and strike movement with wooden pendulum rod. Brass faced bob and 2 original tin can weights. In very good overall, working order. Dimensions: 90″H x 21.25″W x 10.75″D. Note: Few clocks are known by Collins, but his career of a watchmaker, clockmaker, and jeweler are well documented in Charles S. Parsons, New Hampshire Clocks and Clockmakers, pp. 306-7. This interesting and well made case stands as a testament to the wide variety of cases found on New Hampshire clocks. The family history and provenance of the clock is documented in a handwritten note inside the case. Finally, as with many New Hampshire and Maine clocks, this example incorporates an American painted iron dial from the Boston school of artists: Nolen, Curtis, Willard, et. al. As a personal note, I actually have visited the James Collins homestead in Goffstown and was an overnight guest of Mr. Charles S. Parsons who was a good friend. The passion that Mr. Parsons developed for New Hampshire clocks came about after he bought a home in Goffstown only to discover that it had been the home of James Collins, Clock Maker !

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