In the early 1800s, during the Industrial Revolution, stand-alone clocks and watches were an
indicator of class. The high cost of brass, used to fashion the timepieces, coupled with the long
hours required to put together a finished product, meant that a clock was a relatively expensive
purchase. This changed with the work of Eli Terry, a South Windsor, CT native.
As an apprentice in the 1780s, Terry mastered the aesthetic work of engraving brass clock faces,
and the technical skills needed to program hand movements. Upon completing his
apprenticeship, Terry established his first clock shop on Niagara Brook, also the first hydro-
powered clock factory in the U.S. Soon, Terry moved to Plymouth, where he switched from
brass to wood gear clocks, a much more affordable material. Around this time, he also began
experimenting with mass- producing 200 clocks at one time. Like most individuals looking to
change the status quo, Terry had his detractors , with one saying, “[Terry] never would live long
enough to finish [the clocks].” Well, he did finish them, quickly and efficiently, using water to
power his machinery. Terry got his big break in 1807, signing a three-year contract, The Porter
Contract, with two Waterbury investors. He was enlisted to manufacture 4,000 wooden longcase
clock movements, what we know today as ‘grandfather clocks.’ Terry completed the task
successfully and, a few years later, created the first fully self-contained and compact version,
priced at $15.
By 1823, Terry had established his own shop, which he ran with his two sons, eventually
producing an unprecedented 12,000 clocks a year. Terry’s achievements made the timepiece a
largely accessible item, allowing a greater portion of the population to own what was once
considered a luxury item. His accomplishments also led to the creation of Connecticut’s famous
clock making industry.
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