Tallcase Clock, c1770
Augustine Neisser
Germantown, Pennsylvania
Augustine Neisser (1717-1780) was born in Schlen, Moravia. As members of the Moravian faith became persecuted, he fled with others and immigrated to Georgia in 1736. Three years later he settled in Germantown, PA. Having established himself as a reputable clockmaker, he was hired to make a tower clock for the Great Moravian Church in Bethlehem.
This particular example of his work has a thirty-hour brass movement with an endless chain. It uses hoop spring ratcheting, rack and snail striking.
Neisser often employed the Moravian star design on his dials as seen here. A note within the clock states that the clock was purchased at "a sale of Rembrant (sic) Peale the artist on Vine Street between 15th and 16th streets in Philadelphia."
Donated by James W. Gibbs FNAWCC #75