Kent Clocks and Clockmakers

Author: Michael Pearson

320 pages, illus.

Kent has had a long and interesting horological history, starting as early as 1292 when one of the earliest mechanical clocks ever made was installed in Canterbury Cathedral. By the end of the seventeenth century, in keeping with it having become one of the richest counties in England, Kent had a rapidly growing number of clockmakers. In the eighteenth century an appreciable number of apprentices indentured to London craftsmen moved into the county to supplement the locally-trained clockmakers.

Though many Kent clocks have a style similar to those from the capital, a distinctive Kentish style developed, both for simple 'country' clocks and more particularly in the east of the county. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries numerous high quality longcases were made with a very distinctive Kentish cresting.

This book, the result of many years research, is a valuable addition to our knowledge of provincial clockmaking in Britain, and it also provides a fascinating insight into the lives of many of the county's leading makers.

Chapters include a general history of the development of the craft in Kent, as well as the many early turret clocks to be found in the county. The lives and work of some of the most influential craftsmen, such as the Greenhill, Cutbush and Baker families are highlighted.

The main part of the book is a comprehensive account of over 1,200 clockmakers and watchmakers working in the county from the earliest period until the late nineteenth century. Extracts from local newspapers of all the references to clocks, watches and their makers form a useful appendix.

Not only is this book a valuable addition to the library of every horologist, but it will be of great interest to those interested in social and local history.

There are numerous illustrations throughout.