The Important Asa Stebbins Federal Inlaid and Figured Mahogany Tall Case Clock, works by Aaron Willard (1757-1844), painted dial probably by John Minot (w. 1793-1826), case attributed to Stephen Badlam Sr. (1751-1815), Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1800

Retains its original flanking ornate cast brass finials.

Owned by Colonel Asa Stebbins, Deerfield, Massachusetts, and passed down by descent to the present family owner. Probable line of descent:

Colonel Asa Stebbins (1767–1844), Deerfield, Massachusetts;
Mary Ann Stebbins (1804–1887), daughter, Deerfield, Massachusetts;
John Wright, Deerfield, Massachusetts;
Francis John Wright (1908–1978), son, Deerfield, Massachusetts.

Proper left rear foot facing with bottom 1 1/2 inch replaced. Central brass finial replaced. Proper left side of interior case side at junction of clockworks saddle board partially replaced. Later interior brace added to back board at location of bonnet. Minute hand replaced.
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This remarkable tall case clock was made for Colonel Asa Stebbins (1767-1844), one of Deerfield, Massachusetts’ wealthiest and most highly respected citizens. An oxen farmer and owner of Meadow Mills, Asa in his later years became involved in local government and served at various times as a justice of the peace, assessor, selectman and state representative.  His brick home, built in 1799, was a testament to refinement and fashion, boasting a free-standing circular staircase and a plaster work ceiling in the south parlor.  During Asa’s lifetime his home “was considered one of the show places of the villiage.”¹  The house still stands today and is in the collection of Historic Deerfield.²

As a representative to the Massachusetts legislature, Asa often traveled to Boston and would have been acquainted with the latest styles of architecture and furnishings.  Aaron Willard (1757-1844) along with his brother Simon were the preeminent Boston clockmakers at the conclusion of the 18^th century.  The Asa Stebbins clock is one of the most ambitious clocks Aaron Willard made.  The outstanding highly figured mahogany case, with its alternating light and dark veneered reserves and light and dark quarter-fan and half-chevron inlays joined by string inlay embellishing the door with concave corners fitted around the fan inlays, attributes the case to Stephen Badlam (1751-1815).  The blind fretwork and oversize cast brass finials were added costs.  The dial was likely painted by the ornamental Boston painter John Minott (w.1793-1826).

Three closely related Aaron Willard tall case clocks are known. One is in the collection of Historic New England (acc. no. 1969.775 and illustrated in Penny J. Sander, Elegant Embellishments: Furnishings from New England Homes, 1660-1860, (Boston: Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, 1982), no. 52, p. 54).  Another comparable clock, stamped S. Badlam for Stephen Badlam, is illustrated in Roger W. Robinson and Herschel B. Burt, The Willard House and Clock Museum and the Willard Family Clockmakers, (Columbia, PA: National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, 1996), 24, pp. 88-9. The third with its dial signed by Minot sold at Landry Auctions, Essex, Massachusetts, December 4, 2003 for $253,000.

¹ Samuel Chamberlain, Historic Deerfield: Houses And Interiors, (New York: Hastings House, 1979), p. 88.
² For additional information on the Asa Stebbins house and its interior see Elizabeth Stillinger, Historic Deerfield: A Portrait of Early America, (New York: Dutton Studio Books, 1992), pp. 91-9.