Early Clocks
George Newton
At Seend
"An ingenious man"
Four hundred years ago, in the year 1625 George Newton of Seend who was born between around 1600 -1605 became the Village Blacksmith. His father Richard Newton had just died leaving George his Forge. However, Richard also bequeathed his son a clock and research suggests that George Newton could have copied his father’s gifted clock to become a self-taught clockmaker, making his first lantern clocks in Seend from the mid-1630s and performed all his own engraving to the wonderfully charming dials and frets of his earliest examples. History suggests that George Newton was more than capable. The famous diarist John Aubrey the compiler of ‘Brief Lives’, wrote about his visit to Seend in 1666: - “I went to the smythe, George Newton, an ingeniose man, who from a blacksmith turned clockmaker to fiddlemaker “ and he assured me that he has melted of this oare in his forge, which the oare of the Forest of Deane &c. will not doe”. The fabulous pre-civil war lantern clock illustrated here was made by George Newton at Seend between around 1636-1638. It is about this very rare early Seend clock and its makers fascinating historical background story, which can be linked to James I, Charles I, The Great Plague and The Fire of London that is the subject of my article which is all revealed below and shown alongside stunning historic images.
Above. A wonderfully interesting pre-civil war lantern clock, made by George Newton of Seend between around 1636-1638. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
The clock retains George Newton's original long arrowhead iron hand and stands just over an impressive 17 inches in overall height which is larger than a standard size lantern clock of 15.5 inches. It has a wonderfully charming dial and fret design with engraved heraldic symbols and flowers, that represent countries including the Tudor Rose (England), Thistle (Scotland), Shamrock (Ireland) and Fleur-de-lis (France). George Newton has made the brass and iron movement of massive proportions with heavy-duty brass movement castings including the pillars, plates and crucifix bars which are incredibly over 6 mm thick in some areas.
Above. Showing an angled view of the clock, which is an impressive 17 inches tall and is larger than a standard size lantern clock of 15.5 inches. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
Above. Showing a close-up of the wonderfully charming dial centre. The long arrowhead iron hand is original. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
Below. Showing the fret design with engraved heraldic symbols and flowers. Signed ‘GEORGE NEWNTEN AT SEENE ‘ Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
Below. Showing a side view of the George Newton heavily-built brass and iron lantern movement with rounded pillars. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
Below. A close-up of George Newtons movement showing the massive brass plates and crucifix bars which are incredibly over 6 mm thick in some areas. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
Below. Showing a close-up view of from the other side of the massive brass and iron lantern movement Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
The clock retains its original late17th century conversion from balance-wheel control to Anchor Escapement and during the conversion the alarm was removed. However, these ancient alterations are customary and normal for a clock of this age and is all part of its natural history through the passage of time. Interestingly, The upper cock which once carried the top pivot of the vertical verge arbour (for the original balance-wheel escapement) was not thrown away but was used in the conversion to anchor. It was cut at the top of its upward crank, the split backcock piece for the long-pendulum suspension was rivetted to it, and it was replanted at the centre back of the top plate. This is visible in the top view, and the cock can be removed from its present, and replanted in its original position, where the same screw and steady-pins fit precise. This clock, which until recent years appears to have remained in the same family for generations, is miraculously, after almost 400 years, virtually as it was when George Newton made it, apart from the customary conversion from balance to long pendulum.
Above. A view of the top plate. The upper cock which once carried the top pivot of the vertical verge arbour (for the original balance-wheel escapement) was not thrown away but was used in the conversion to anchor. It was cut at the top of its upward crank, the split backcock piece for the long-pendulum suspension was rivetted to it, and it was replanted at the centre back of the top plate. This is visible in the above image, and the cock can be removed from its present, and replanted in its original position, where the same screw and steady-pins fit precise. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
Below. Showing a rear view of the massive George Newton movement with the side doors removed. Note the iron count-wheel. Miraculously, after almost 400 years, this clock is virtually as it was when George Newton made it, apart from the customary conversion from balance to long pendulum. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
When John Aubrey visited George Newton at his Forge in 1666 and then went on to describe him as “an ingenious man”, this must have caused quite a stir in the Village of Seend because John Aubrey would have been famous during this visit after previously discovering the megalithic remains at Avebury in 1649 and having shown Avebury to Charles II at the Kings request in 1663. Aubrey had many friends in high places including the King of England. However, what I find even more interesting is the fact that Aubrey, in his account of his visit, quotes what George Newton said to him: “and he assured me that he has melted of this oare in his forge, which the oare of the Forest of Deane &c. will not doe”. I find this fascinating because it is not only exceptionally rare to find an actual quote from a 17th century clockmaker, but the year of George Newton's quote being 1666 - just happens to be the same year as when the Fire of London started in Pudding Lane and caused so much heart ache and destruction, but which also helped bring to an end the Great Plague of London which had started in 1665 and caused much suffering and thousands of deaths.
Above. Great Fire of London 1666. Alamy.com The Great Fire destroyed 13,200 buildings and left an estimated 100,000 people homeless.
Below. PLAGUE OF LONDON, 1665 to 1666. Alamy.com. Officially, the city recorded 68,596 deaths from the Great Plague, and the true death toll may have exceeded 100,000.
Below. The location of George Newton's premises as it appears today. The small building to the front left is believed to have housed George Newton's forge where John Aubrey visited in 1666. The large house is thought to have been built by Newton's son. Image courtesy of the Antiquarian Horology Society (AHS).
John Aubrey was born 12th March 1626 and was educated at Trinity College, Oxford. He is perhaps best known as the author of the Brief Lives, his collection of short biographical pieces. He was a pioneer archaeologist, who recorded (often for the first time) numerous megalithic, and other field monuments in southern England, and who is particularly noted for his systematic examination of the Avebury henge monument. The Aubrey holes at Stonehenge are named after him. His close friends included Robert Hooke and Christopher Wren, and he rubbed shoulders with Robert Boyle, Edmond Halley, John Locke, and Isaac Newton. He showed King Charles II around the megalithic remains at Avebury in 1663. He died 7th June 1697. (Wikipedia)
Above. John Aubrey (b1626 – d1697). The famous diarist John Aubrey the compiler of ‘Brief Lives’, wrote about his visit to Seend in 1666: - “I went to the smythe, George Newton, an ingeniose man, who from a blacksmith turned clockmaker to fiddlemaker “ and he assured me that he has melted of this oare in his forge, which the oare of the Forest of Deane &c. will not doe”. Alamy.com
Below. Portrait of Charles II in Garter Robes (1660 -1665). In 1663, John Aubrey showed Charles II Avebury at the Kings own request. John Michael Wright, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Alamy.com
In June 2001 the Antiquarian Horology Society (AHS) published a well-researched and very interesting article about George Newton of Seend. The article was written by the then leading lantern clock expert the Late John Hooper who illustrated what is probably George Newton’s earliest known surviving lantern clock and dated it as being made around c1636 and is signed 'GEORG NEWTN MEE FESET' without place name. John Hooper's clock is closely similar to the example illustrated here in every aspect, including the wonderfully charming dial and fret design, their distinctive long arrowhead iron hands, both clocks have iron count-wheels and the massive proportions of their heavy-duty brass movement castings including the pillars, plates and crucifix bars which are incredibly thick, and the two clocks could almost be described as twins. However, Newton has engraved the example illustrated here with a more confident hand and has improved on his spelling and although still mis-spelt, it is signed GEORGE NEWNTEN AT SEENE.' and therefore it could perhaps be slightly later than John Hooper's clock and possibly dating between around c1636-c1638. However, although this example may possibly be slightly later, it is believed to be Seend's earliest known lantern clock signed at 'Seend', making it an historically important clock for the village of Seend. John, who was the co-author of the book ‘English 30 Hour Clocks’’ was a highly respected authority on lantern clocks. His article is an important reference point for early clockmaking in the village of Seend, showing that George Newton was probably making his earliest lantern clocks during the mid -1630s at least, and prior to the English Civil War of 1642-1651.
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Above. George Newton's oldest known lantern clock c1636. Signed 'GEORG NEWTN MEE FESET'. Signed without place name. A fabulous example, discovered by the late John Hooper who was the authority on the subject of early lantern clocks at the time. Private collection, Photographed by Bill Bruce
Below. George Newton's oldest known signed at 'Seend' lantern clock c1636-1638. Signed GEORGE NEWNTEN AT SEENE.' This clock is closely similar to John Hooper's example (shown above) in every aspect and could almost be described as twins. It is believed to be Seend's earliest known, signed at 'Seend' lantern clock making it an historically important clock for the village of Seend. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett
The Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of England
Used in England between 1603-1649
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Both early George Newton lantern clocks discussed above have the same wonderfully charming, heraldic symbols and flowers engraved on their dials and frets which represent countries including the Tudor Rose (England), Thistle (Scotland), Shamrock (Ireland) and Fleur-de-lis (France). Interestingly, these same Heraldic flowers are also present on the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of England from 1603 to 1649 used by King James I and Charles I and suggest to me that George Newton pre-civil war was a very proud and patriotic Englishman!
George Newton became the Seend village blacksmith and inherited his father’s clock in 1625, which interestingly was the same year as when King James I died on 24 March 1625 and was succeeded on the same day by Charles I who became King of England, Scotland and Ireland as well as claiming the title English claims to the French throne named King of France. Charles I, married Henrietta Maria, daughter of the King of France, by proxy at Notre Dame on1st May 1625 and in person at Canterbury the following month.
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Above. Portrait of King James I, who was born 19th June 1566. He was King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death in 1625. He was then succeeded to the throne by his second son, Charles I. National museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Above. Charles I - Daniel Mytens I - Charles I, was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Alamy.com
Below. King Charles I handing a laurel wreath to Henrietta Maria, by Daniël Mijtens. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. On 1st May 1625, Charles I, married Henrietta Maria, daughter of the King of France, by proxy at Notre Dame and in person at Canterbury the following month.
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Below. Showing the George Newton clock sitting on it's very interesting antique oak wall bracket with carved Tudor Rose (England), Fleur-de-lis (France) and Thistle (Scotland). And in the same theme as the clock. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Summary
The wonderfully interesting and fascinating pre-civil war lantern clock illustrated above is a very rare survivor. It is the village of Seend's oldest known lantern clock which has been signed at 'Seend' to have come to light thus far - making it an historically important surviving clock for the village of Seend.
There are five lantern clocks known to exist that were made by George Newton of Seend. Apart from the two pre-civil war clocks mentioned above there are also three dated examples in existence that are all post-civil war and are dated 1660, 1665 and 1677. George Newton is also known to have made, repaired and maintained turret Clocks. He was a Church warden of the Church of the Holy Cross at Seend from April 1664. He died in 1681.
I think that you will agree that he was an incredibly gifted individual!
Above. George Newton was a Church warden of the Church of the Holy Cross at Seend from April 1664. This superb photograph was taken of the Church of the Holy Cross, Seend by David Lovell on 1st of May, 2017. https://historicengland.org.uk
Acknoweledgements
I would like to thank the following for providing me with images and for allowing me to use any previously published material for this article.
Penny Hooper who kindly allowed me to use John's 2001 AHS article and images for this website.
Further Reading
Antiquarian Horology Society, NUMBER TWO VOLUME TWENTY-SIX JUNE 2001. An article entitled: GEORGE NEWTON OF SEEND, A Recently Discovered Clock, by John Hooper.
