Shelf Clock Used in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois Home, 1830

THF59998 / Shelf Clock Used in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois Home, 1830

THF59997 / Shelf Clock Used in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois Home, 1830

THF60000 / Shelf Clock Used in Abraham Lincoln's Springfield, Illinois Home, 1830

Artifact Overview

This clock is part of a group of furniture used by the Lincoln family in Springfield, Illinois. The clock was made no later than 1830 - the Lincolns likely purchased it second-hand, presumably after their 1842 marriage. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860, this clock and other furnishings were sold to a neighbor, whose family retained them until 1930, when they came to the Museum.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Shelf clock

Date Made

1830

Creators

Birge, John, 1785-1862

Place of Creation

United States, Connecticut, Bristol

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

30.878.13

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Brass (Alloy)
Iron (Metal)
Mahogany
Steel (Alloy)
Wood (Plant material)

Technique

Gilding (Technique)

Dimensions

Height: 36.25 in
Width: 16.75 in (at top)
Length: 5.25 in (at top)

Inscriptions

Printed on label inside bottom portion of clock: PATENT BRASS / EIGHT-DAY / CLOCKS / MANUFACTURED BY / JOHN BIRGE / BRISTOL, Conn. / AND SOLD / Wholesale and retail. / Warranted & Well Used. / The pendulum [illegible] must be raised to make the clock go faster and / to produce the [illegible] often.

Keywords	United States, Illinois, Springfield Shelf clocks Clocks United States presidents Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882 Wilton, Harry, b. 1794 Lincoln Home National Historic Site (Springfield, Ill.) Timekeeping

Related Content

Lithograph, "Mr. Lincoln, Residence and Horse as They Appeared on His Return from the Campaign with Senator Douglas," 1858

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The Lincolns in Springfield

14 Artifacts

Abraham and Mary Lincoln purchased a small home in Springfield, Illinois in 1844, shortly after their marriage. In 1856, with a growing family and income, they enlarged the house, seen here. After the 1860 election, they sold most of their furnishings and rented the house. This print, published in 1865 is likely a memorial - it shows a bearded Lincoln, though he did not have one in 1858.

Lithograph, "Mr. Lincoln, Residence and Horse As They Appeared On His Return from the Campaign with Senator Douglas"

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At Home with the Lincolns

The Henry Ford owns a number of furnishings from Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s home in Springfield, Illinois, where they lived before Lincoln was elected president. Learn what these choices say about the Lincolns on our blog.