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John Moore & Sons

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Turret clock of 1875 by John Moore and Sons (Museum of Timekeeping, Upton Hall, Nottinghamshire).

John Moore & Sons of Clerkenwell was a London-based clockmaker. For most of its history the firm's factory and main office was at 38-39 Clerkenwell Close, described in the 1850s as being 'situated in the very heart of the London watch and clock trade'.[1]

History

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Benjamin Handley was born around 1770 but his parental origins are unclear. From 1796, Benjamin, former apprentice to John Thwaite, was trading as a clockmaker from 16,18 and then 20 Clerkenwell Close; by 1802 he had entered into a partnership there with John Moore, another former Thwaite apprentice.[2] The firm then traded as Handley & Moore, producing their own clocks but also movements for other clockmakers such as John Grant senior, until 1820, when John Moore became sole proprietor after Benjamin died in 1819; by then, the business had moved to 38 Clerkenwell Close and in 1824 he expanded it into the adjacent building, No. 39. By 1829 the firm was known as John Moore & Sons (continuing as such until at least 1887).[3] The sons, Benjamin and Josiah, had taken over the running of the firm by the 1850s,[1] and subsequently the firm's clocks were sometimes (but not invariably) inscribed with 'B. R. & J. Moore'.[3]

Through the 19th century the firm manufactured both house clocks and turret clocks, as well as wind dials, weathercocks and 'all kinds of wheel-machinery'.[1] A publicity pamphlet of 1877 claimed that the number of house clocks made by the firm to January of that year was 15,180.[3] It also lists numerous turret clocks, installed over the years in cathedrals, churches and other public buildings across the U.K. and overseas. Specialised clock movements were also produced, such as those designed to power the revolving lights or lenses of lighthouses and lightships.[3] The firm also had a maintenance and repair department.

Around the year 1900, Moores moved from Clerkenwell Close to Spencer Street, where they went on to trade for a further twenty years or so as watchmakers.[2]

Examples

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Caledonian Park Clock Tower (formerly the Metropolitan Cattle Market) retains its hand-wound Moore & Sons chiming clock of 1854.

Public clocks manufactured by John Moore and Sons included those installed in:[3]

This is a small representation, omitting numerous other clocks installed in parish churches, stately homes and public buildings across five continents.[3]

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  • Bridport Town Hall
    Bridport Town Hall
  • Truman's Brewery
    Truman's Brewery
  • Old (Dulwich) College
    Old (Dulwich) College
  • Hexham Abbey
    Hexham Abbey
  • Apothecaries' Hall
    Apothecaries' Hall
  • Althorp Park (stable block)
    Althorp Park (stable block)
  • The former Licensed Victuallers' Asylum
    The former Licensed Victuallers' Asylum
  • Herne Bay Clock Tower
    Herne Bay Clock Tower
  • Oakwood Hospital (formerly Kent County Asylum)
    Oakwood Hospital (formerly Kent County Asylum)
  • Halifax Town Hall
    Halifax Town Hall
  • Magdalene College, Cambridge
    Magdalene College, Cambridge
  • Royal Herbert Hospital
    Royal Herbert Hospital
  • Liverpool Municipal Buildings
    Liverpool Municipal Buildings
  • Maughan Library (ex-Public Record Office)
    Maughan Library (ex-Public Record Office)
  • Northampton Guildhall
    Northampton Guildhall
  • Eastney Barracks
    Eastney Barracks

References

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  1. ^ a b c "A Visit to the Clock Factory of Messrs. John Moore and Sons, Clerkenwell-Close, London". The Illustrated Exhibitor, and Magazine of Art. II (27): 246–252. July 1852.
  2. ^ a b Temple, Philip (2008). "Clerkenwell Close area: John Moore & Sons' clock factory (demolished)". Survey of London: Volume 46, South and East Clerkenwell (British History Online ed.). New Haven & London: Yale University Press. pp. 28–39. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Pickford, Chris, ed. (1995). Turret Clocks: Lists of Clocks from Makers' Catalogues and Publicity Materials (2nd ed.). Wadhurst, E. Sussex: Antiquarian Horological Society. pp. 23–39.
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