An oak longcase clock with alarm, John Whitehurst, Congleton, circa 1740, movement and case associated

12-inch dial with mask and leaf spandrels signed Jno. Whithurst, Congleton, the foliate engraved cenre with seconds dial, calendar aperture and concentric alarm disc, bell striking movement with inside count wheel, the alarm mounted to the side, the associated  case with flat top moulded cornice, rectangular trunk door and plain plinth

For information on the Whitehurst family and further examples of clocks signed Whithurst see Maxwell Craven John Whitehurst of Derby Mayfield Books 1996

John Whitehurst (senior) was born at Biddulph in 1687 and moved to Congleton where he set up business as a clockmaker. A number of his clocks are known signed Whithurst, without the `e', as on this clock. The eldest son, also John, born in 1713 moved from Congleton to Derby in 1736 and set up his own business as a clock and barometer maker. The second son, James, remained in Congleton and worked as a clockmaker with his father.