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Dear Mike- This is really neat. I'll assume the Jerome is the Sr. but Jr was also involved in the business. As you may know from family history, he was born in 1793 and died in 1868. He was one of the major figures in American clock-making and had a big hand (no pun) in changing it from an expensive handmade work of art to a mass produced item that was both functional and decorative and within most people's price range. In the bad times resulting from the Panic of 1837 I believe he cranked out over 500,000 clocks in one year and sold them all at about $1.00 each. Having your own clock had many implications we don't even think about, like not having to rely on town or church bells for paying farm or shop hands, fixing time at night or in bad weather, accurately using tide charts, etc. Most were sold by clock peddlers who practically invented the 'Try it and buy it' sales scheme and would set up a clock and get it running at a prospect's home and then return in a few weeks to either collect the clock or the price-sometimes in barter for chickens, pelts, etc. if they were headed back home. You can imagine how hard it would be to give back the clock. Chauncey was described as colorful, a great salesman, sometimes not a great businessman, dynamic, etc. At one time he was associated in some business with P.T.Barnum-his one really dumb idea, and eventually lost everything with Phineas ducking any blame. And I think Chauncey ended up working for someone as a plant supervisor in Illinois and eventually retired to New Haven, where he had been Mayor some time before. One funny story- (Ronnie-you'll love this one) He was a major exporter of clocks to England (circa 1840) and then the Customs Officers had the right to elect to seize cargo at the stated value plus 10%-to avoid understating the value as there was about a 20% Duty.- Chauncey sends over a shipload of clocks valued, I think, at about $1.50 each and the Brits seized them all, and paid cash. He then promptly sent over another shipload, same deal. It wasn't until the 3rd load that they finally realized that their former colony had figured out both the art of mass production and the oft discussed topic here of a big cash sale today at a profit vs lots of smaller sales for more money in 6 months.
In any case, if I were in your position, I'd want to find one of his earlier wooden works clocks, if possible. Where he made both the works and the case. In this, depending on how the family feels about him, it would be like a Henry Ford (close to same position in their respective industries) descendant preferring something far before the Model T that the old boy 'might' have actually touched to, say, a Falcon. He started making clocks for Eli Terry in his early 20's and most of his work was in the area within 10 miles of Bristol, CT which is also the home of The American Clock and Watch Museum, which has over 3,000 clocks and watches. AC 203-583-6070. I'd start there, especially since it's a family issue-However, the Museum may have short hours in the winter. They should be able to suggest a few reputable dealers who would have an authentic piece and probably would enjoy helping out a descendent. The former (?) curator there was Chris Bailey, who authored a biography of Chauncey in the 1980's ( used cost about $25.00-I can probably find it if it isn't
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