A Queen Anne Walnut Tall Case Clock, works by Henry Godshalk, Northampton, Pennsylvania circa 1775

finials and finial plinths replaced, retains a dark dry historic surface; inscribed on dial Henry Godshalk / Northhampton

A label attached to the inside of the door records the history of this clock as:
Purchased by Abraham Henry on September 13, 1782;
To his daughter, Margaret Scherer, July 2, 1860;
To her grand daughter, Mrs. Walter P. Huber (Anna R. Egge) (1849-after 1900) of Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, on November 16, 1898. She married Walter Peter Huber (1825-before1900), the son of Peter and Anna (Worman) Huber in 1869;
To Lillie Butz by sister Annie, on October 11, 1938;
To Nancy Carls of Allentown;
Purchased by Phillip Bradley, December 13, 1988;
To the present owner.

It's About Time, Loan Exhibit, Philadelphia Antique Show, April 8 to April 12, 2000

Philadelphia Antique Show 2000 magazine, p. 51, fig. A.

finials and plinths replaced
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This tall-case clock is the earliest documented white-face clock in America. Its movement is signed by the Northampton, Pennsylvania clockmaker, Henry Johnson Godshalk (Gottshalk) (d. 1777), brother of famous clockmaker, Jacob Godshalk (d. 1781). Both were sons of Herman and Agnes Godshalk (b. 1698), who emigrated from Goch, Germany to America, settling in Towamencin Township (then Philadelphia County). Henry Godshalk married Elizabeth Williams Thomas (1743-after 1805), the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Williams) Thomas of Hilltown Township, in 1765 and they had a daughter, Elizabeth Thomas Godshalk. He is listed as working as a clockmaker and tavern owner in Northampton, which is located in the Lehigh Valley.

A Moravian masterpiece, the walnut case of this clock was constructed with distinctive traditions rooted in Germanic craftsmanship by an unidentified cabinetmaker from the Moravian Brethren's settlements in the Lehigh Valley. Members of the Moravian religious community came to America from Saxony to flee religious persecution and purchased a 500-acre tract of land along the Lehigh River north of Philadelphia in 1741. There they organized their communal society Bethlehem, which became the base location for all Moravian missionary activity in North America. The Moravians established 32 other mission settlements, including Nazareth, located nearby in Northampton County, which, like Bethlehem, was so-named for the Biblical land.

A label attached to the inside of the door records this clock as being purchased in 1782 by Abraham Henry, who may have been a member of the prominent Henry family of Moravian gunsmiths of Northampton County and perhaps the son of the pioneer of the family William Henry (1729-1786) and his wife Ann Wood (1734-1799), who had two sons by that name. This clock descended through multiple generations of Abraham Henry's family for approximately 200 years until it was sold out of the family in 1988.