Thomas Pearsall New York C. 1775
Joseph Pearsall was Born in 1740 and died in 1834 in New York. In 1771 he married Hannah Browne. He worked as a silversmith and clockmaker during the last quarter of the 18th Century in New York City. He entered into partnerships with Thomas Pearsall and Effinham Embree.
The following has been extracted from a research paper covering Pearsall & Embree and can be found at the following link:
PEARSALL AND EMBREE: A Short Business Genealogy
http://www.awco.org/early/
1770: Joseph & Thomas Pearsall, “Watch-Makers”, note move between Beekman and Burling Slips in The New-York Journal or the General Advertiser,
May 17, 1770.
1773: Joseph & Thomas Pearsall, partnership dissolved “the first of May
last.” “Joseph Pearsall, has removed to the House lately
occupied by Robert and John Murray, Merchants, between Burling’s
and Beekman’s Slip; where he carries on the business in the Watch
and Clock Way as usual”
1789: Joseph Pearsall listed in city directory, 41 Water St
1790: Joseph Pearsall, watchmaker, listed in city directory, 36 Queen
1796: Joseph Pearsall listed in city directory as a watch and clock maker at
250 Pearl Street
High Style London Mahogany Pagoda tall case clock imported and sold by Thomas Pearsall, New York. The monumental proportions (109 X 20 1/2, X 10 1/2 inches) and overall quality and wonderful proportions together with the high quality Mahogany in the case, indicate that this clock was produced for his wealthy clientele. Early brass dial New York clocks are quite rare and the composite brass dial indicates it was an early example retailed by Thomas Pearsall when he first established his shop around 1773. Pearsall worked on his own in the city for a very brief period and clocks bearing his name are exceedingly rare. Clocks signed by the partnership of Pearsall & Embree are also rare. The case features a molded pagoda top set with period turned wood finials. The hood is mounted with carved stop fluted colonnettes that bear original gilding. The brass dial has a wonderfully painted moon phase disk with moon faces and starry night skies. The dial is engraved in the arch above the lunette with the maker’s name and locale “Thomas Pearsall York”. Pearsall was a clockmaker and an importer. It is well known that he ordered some of his clocks from England. This example is one of those. The dial inscription stating “York”, rather than “New York” is an engravers interpretation of the locale. The brass eight-day movement is in fine working condition and has recently been professionally serviced.
SOLD
