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 c1600, 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 executed 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 it's maker's fascinating historical background story, which can be linked to King James VI and I, Charles I, The Great Plague of 1665-1666 and The Great Fire of London, of 1666 that is the subject of my article And is revealed below and shown alongside stunning historic images.
Above. Showing 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 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 precisely. This clock, which until recent years appears to have remained in the same family for generations, is miraculously - after almost 400 years - stayed 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”.
Above. Showing 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).
Not only is it exceptionally rare to find an actual quote from a 17th century clockmaker, but George Newton's quote to John Aubrey was said in an historically important year for England as 1666 was when the Great Fire of London started near Pudding Lane and caused so much heartache and destruction, but which also helped bring to an end the Great Plague of London which had started in the spring of 1665 and caused so much suffering and about 100,000 deaths.
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through central London from Sunday 2 September to Thursday 6 September 1666, gutting the medieval City of London inside the old Roman city wall, while also extending past the wall to the west. The fire started in a bakery, near Pudding Lane on the night of 2nd September, 1666. The bakery was owned by Thomas Farriner. A spark from one of his ovens probably started the fire. The Great Fire of London scorched four fifths of the city in 1666, destroying over 13,500 houses, 87 parish churches and leaving around 100,000 people homeless. The scale of the destruction means it’s been remembered ever since.
Above. The Great Fire of London, depicted by an unknown painter (1675), as it would have appeared from a boat in the vicinity of Tower Wharf on the evening of Tuesday, 4 September 1666. To the left is London Bridge; to the right, the Tower of London. Old St Paul's Cathedral is in the distance, surrounded by the tallest flames. Museum of London, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Great Plague, also known as the bubonic plague started in the spring and summer of 1665 which spread from parish to parish until thousands had died and the huge pits dug to receive the bodies were full. The outbreak in London was particularly bad. 68,596 deaths were recorded in the city, though the true figure is likely to be over 100,000, as not all of the deaths were recorded. In 1666 the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the centre of London, but also helped to kill off some of the black rats and fleas that carried the plague bacillus.
Above. PLAGUE OF LONDON, 1665 to 1666. Rita Greer, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons. In 1665, the plague returned to England. The image shows a scene of horror. After sunset carts were driven through the streets to collect the dead. They were taken to the nearest graveyard to be buried in plague pits. Fires burned to make smoke. Pipes of tobacco were smoked, posies of herbs worn and faces covered with masks. This was thought to be protection against contagion. London was overwhelmed with fear, terror and grief. Greer, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons.
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 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 and their distinctive long arrowhead iron hands. Both clocks have iron count-wheels and have massive proportioned 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 which, although still mis-spelt, is signed GEORGE NEWNTEN AT SEENE.' therefore suggesting 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 in 1625 after the death of his father Richard Newton and interestingly, this was the same year as when King James VI and I, died on 24 March 1625.
Above. Portrait of King James I, by Daniël Mijtens, 1621, National Portrait Gallery. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. James VI and I was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and 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. Interestingly, James died in the same year as when George Newton became the Seend village blacksmith after the death of his father Richard Newton in 1625.
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.
