Benjamin Willard

313. Benjamin WILLARD Sr. (Joseph , Benjamin , Simon , Richard , Symon , Richard , William ) was born on Nov 13 1716 in Framingham, MA. He died in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.

Benjamin married Sarah BROOKS daughter of Ebenezer BROOKS on May 17 1739.

They had the following children:

 671 F i Sarah WILLARD child was born on Jul 7 1740 in Grafton, Worcester Co, MA. She died on Nov 5 1751.  

672 M ii Joseph WILLARD Rev was born on Dec 27 1741 in Grafton, MA.
Joseph married Hannah PARKER.
673 M iii Benjamin WILLARD Jr. was born on Mar 19 1743 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.
Benjamin married Margaret MOORE.
674 M iv Solomon WILLARD was born on Jan 8 1745 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA. He died before Jun 1798.
675 M v Samuel WILLARD child was born on Aug 19 1746 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA. He died on Oct 31 1751.
676 M vi John WILLARD was born on Aug 8 1748 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA. He died after 1798.
677 M vii Joshua WILLARD was born on May 18 1751 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.
Joshua married Phebe PORTER.
678 M viii Simon WILLARD was born on Apr 3 1753 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.
Simon married (1) Hannah WILLARD daughter of Joseph WILLARD Jr. and Hannah RICE in 0001. Hannah was born on Apr 9 1756 in Grafton, MA.
Simon married (2) Mary BIRD. Mary was born after 1750.
679 M ix Ephraim WILLARD was born on Mar 18 1755 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.
Ephraim married Hephzibah BOWMAN.
680 M x Aaron WILLARD was born on Oct 13 1757 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.
Aaron married (1) Catherine GATES.
Aaron married (2) Mary PARTRIDGE in 2nd wife.
681 F xi Lucy WILLARD was born on Oct 10 1759 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.
Lucy married Nathaniel Balch DEXTER on Jul 26 1781.
682 F xii Eunice WILLARD was born on Jun 20 1766 in Grafton, Worcester Co., MA.
Eunice married (1) John CARROLL on Oct 3 1779.
Eunice married (2) Benjamin WALKER Col..

The most famous name among clockmakers of Massachusetts was Willard. Benjamin Willard was born in Framingham, Mass., in 1716. He had one of those good old-fashioned families of twelve children. Three of his sons, Benjamin, Jr., Simon, and Aaron, all became famous as expert clockmakers. Their first clocks were made about 1765 or somewhat earlier. In the Boston Evening Post of December, 1771, Benjamin, Jr., advertises his "removal from Lexington to Roxbury and that he will take care of clocks purchased of him or of his workmen at Grafton where clocks are made as well as at Roxbury. He will sell house clocks neatly cased cheaper than imported. He hopes this and other kind of mechanical performances may be encouraged as large sums of money had been sent abroad which might have been retained to the emolument of this country".

In 1774 Benjamin Willard, Jr., also advertised as follows, in the "Massachusetts Spy":

MUSICAL CLOCKS, TO BE SOLD

A number of Musical Clocks which play a different Tune each Day in the Week, on Sunday a Psalm Tune. Enquire of

BENJAMIN WILLARD,

Clock and Watch Maker in Roxhury-street, near Boston. Where all Sorts of Clocks are made in the newest form and warranted to measure Time without Variation, and to go many Years without cleaning. Also Clock-Cases made at the same place in Various Forms, and in the best Manner, and cheaper than can be purchased in London, and conveyed with Clocks to any Part of the Country. N. B. Said Willard likewise informs, that all Branches of this Business are carried on at his Shop at Grafton.

Benjamin Willard, Jr., was born at Grafton, Mass., March 19, 1743. He was the first member of this family to take up clock-making, and his clocks are marked Grafton, Lexington, or Roxbury. He died in Baltimore, Md., 1803.

Of the three brothers Simon was by far the most noted and undoubtedly the best clockmaker. He remained at Roxbury till his death in 1848, and he left a son of the same name still in the business. He advertised very little, but relied on his clock papers.

CLOCK MANUFACTORY

SlMON WlLLARD

At his Clock Dial in Roxbury street, manufactures every kind of Clock Work, such as large Clocks for Steeples, made in the best manner, and warranted, price with one dial, 500 dollars; with two dials, 600 dollars; with three dials, 700 dollars; with four dials, 900 dollars. Common eight day clocks with very elegant faces and mahogany cases, price from 50 to 60 dollars. Elegant eight day Time pieces, price 30 dollars. Time pieces which run 30 hours and warranted, price 10 dollars. Spring Clocks of all kinds, price from 50 to 60 dollars. Clocks that will run one year with once winding up, with very elegant cases price 100 dollars. Time pieces for Astronomical purposes price 70 dollars. Time pieces for meeting houses to place before the gallery, with neat enamelled dials, price 55 dollars. Chime Clocks that will play 6 tunes price 120 dollars. Perambulators are also made at said place, which can be affixed to any kind of wheel carriage, and will tell the miles and rods exact, price 15 dollars.

Gentlemen who wish to purchase any kind of clocks are invited to call at said Willard's Clock Manufactory, where they will received satisfactory evidence, that it is much cheaper to purchase new, than old and second hand clocks; He warrants all his work and as he is ambitious to give satisfaction he doubts not of receiving the public approbation and patronage.

First place the clock perpendicular, then fasten it with a screw, pull out the nails which fasten the pendulum and pulleys, then hang on the weights, the heaviest on the striking parts. You need not wind up any till the clock is run down. You may set the clock to the right hour, by moving the minute hand forwards or backwards. The Month and the Moon wheel is fixed right by moving them with your finger screw the pendulum ball up to make the clock go faster, and down to go slower.

Although the name of Willard is generally associated with that form of clock which has come to be known as "banjo" the clock paper just given shows that they made many other kinds. After moving from Grafton, about 1788, Simon Willard gave up the making of any style of clock except turret, gallery, church and hall clocks, and general repair work.

The banjo clocks, which are so much desired to-day were only a small part of their business, which not only included all kinds of house clocks but church and turret clocks as well. It may be well to state here that in the interesting book just published by John W. Willard, called "Simon Willard and His Clocks" the author says that on the top of these "patent timepieces" Simon Willard used a wooden or brass acorn, or a ball, gilded, never the spread eagle.

Aaron Willard, Jr., who made very fine long-case clocks with brass works, did not go into business till 1823, when he entered his father's shop. The distribution of the Willard clocks was wide-spread. You find them, particularly the banjo, in all parts of America, and most of them are still dependable timekeepers.

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1. ID: I26600
2. Name: Benjamin Willard 1
3. Sex: M
4. Birth: 13 NOV 1716 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA
5. Residence: Grafton, Worcester, MA
6. Note:

   One of his sons was a minister, four others distinguished clock-makers.

Aaron Willard, of Boston, clock and watch-make r; Jo se ph Wi ll ar d, of B oxborough, clerk; Benjamin Willard, of Grafto n, clo ck- make r; Jo sh ua Willar d, of Hubbardston, blacksmith; Simon a nd Ephra im W ill ar d, of Rox bury, cloc k-makers; Nathl. B. Dexter and L ucy, h is w if e, of Pat uxit, R. I ., and Benj amin Walker, Esq., and Eun ice, h is w if e, of Barr e, Vt., so ld to John Willa rd, of Grafton, a ll their i nte re st in the esta te of Ebene zer Brooks, la te of Grafto n, June 23, 1 798.
Father: Joseph Willard b: 27 MAY 1693 in Sudbury, Middlesex, MA

Mother: Martha Clarke b: 1694 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA

Marriage 1 Sarah Brooks

   * Married: 17 MAY 1739

Children

  1. Has No Children Eunice Willard

2. Has No Children Sarah Willard b: 7 JUL 1740
3. Has Children Joseph Willard b: 27 DEC 1741 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
4. Has Children Benjamin Willard b: 19 MAR 1742/43 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
5. Has No Children Solomon Willard b: 8 JAN 1744/45
6. Has No Children Samuel Willard b: 19 AUG 1746
7. Has No Children John Willard b: 8 AUG 1748
8. Has Children Joshua Willard b: 18 MAY 1751 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
9. Has Children Simon Willard b: 3 APR 1753 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
10. Has Children Ephraim Willard b: 8 MAR 1755 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
11. Has Children Aaron Willard b: 14 OCT 1757 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
12. Has No Children Lucy Willard b: 10 OCT 1759
Sources:

  1. Title: WILLARD GENEALOGY, SEQUEL TO WILLARD MEMOIR

Author: Materials gathered by Joseph Willard and Charles Wilkes Walker, Edited and completed by Charles Henry Pope
Publication: Printed for the Willard Family Assn., Boston, MA, 1915, Murray and Emery, Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA, Digital Edition 2001 by Richard Bingham, Oceanport, NJ
Repository:
Media: Electronic
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Benjamin Willard

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Birth: 1716

Death: Oct. 8, 1775

Benjamin Willard was father of the Famous American clockmakers Benjamin, Simon Willard and Aaron Willard from Grafton, Massachusetts. The most famous was Simon Willard who patented the Willard patent timepiece (1802) and the banjo wall clock. He was married to Sarah Willard.

Burial:

Old Oak Street Burial Ground

Grafton

Worcester County

Massachusetts, USA

1. ID: I26600
2. Name: Benjamin Willard 1
3. Sex: M
4. Birth: 13 NOV 1716 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA
5. Residence: Grafton, Worcester, MA
6. Note:

   One of his sons was a minister, four others distinguished clock-makers.

Aaron Willard, of Boston, clock and watch-make r; Jo se ph Wi ll ar d, of B oxborough, clerk; Benjamin Willard, of Grafto n, clo ck- make r; Jo sh ua Willar d, of Hubbardston, blacksmith; Simon a nd Ephra im W ill ar d, of Rox bury, cloc k-makers; Nathl. B. Dexter and L ucy, h is w if e, of Pat uxit, R. I ., and Benj amin Walker, Esq., and Eun ice, h is w if e, of Barr e, Vt., so ld to John Willa rd, of Grafton, a ll their i nte re st in the esta te of Ebene zer Brooks, la te of Grafto n, June 23, 1 798.
Father: Joseph Willard b: 27 MAY 1693 in Sudbury, Middlesex, MA

Mother: Martha Clarke b: 1694 in Framingham, Middlesex, MA

Marriage 1 Sarah Brooks

   * Married: 17 MAY 1739

Children

  1. Has No Children Eunice Willard

2. Has No Children Sarah Willard b: 7 JUL 1740
3. Has Children Joseph Willard b: 27 DEC 1741 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
4. Has Children Benjamin Willard b: 19 MAR 1742/43 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
5. Has No Children Solomon Willard b: 8 JAN 1744/45
6. Has No Children Samuel Willard b: 19 AUG 1746
7. Has No Children John Willard b: 8 AUG 1748
8. Has Children Joshua Willard b: 18 MAY 1751 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
9. Has Children Simon Willard b: 3 APR 1753 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
10. Has Children Ephraim Willard b: 8 MAR 1755 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
11. Has Children Aaron Willard b: 14 OCT 1757 in Grafton, Worcester, MA
12. Has No Children Lucy Willard b: 10 OCT 1759
Sources:

  1. Title: WILLARD GENEALOGY, SEQUEL TO WILLARD MEMOIR

Author: Materials gathered by Joseph Willard and Charles Wilkes Walker, Edited and completed by Charles Henry Pope
Publication: Printed for the Willard Family Assn., Boston, MA, 1915, Murray and Emery, Kendall Sq., Cambridge, MA, Digital Edition 2001 by Richard Bingham, Oceanport, NJ
Repository:
Media: Electronic
* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 7 2017, 20:05:19 UTC