Grandfather Clock
Dublin Core
Identifier
2022.53
Title
Grandfather Clock
Subject
Irish Grandfather clock with Goodship Mountjoy on clock face
Description
What makes this rare Irish Grandfather clock unique is the ship in the arch at the top of the face and the word Mountjoy. The ship is the supply ship, Goodship Mountjoy, that broke the British blockade of Northern Ireland.
The early settlers to Mount Joy came from Londonderry County in Ireland. In 1689 it was besieged by armies of King James II for nearly five months. The siege brought extreme hardship, pestilence and famine to the citizens of Londonderry. It ended with the arrival of two provisional ships – The Mountjoy of Londonderry and the Dartmouth of Coleraine.
When the descendants settled in America, they named the township, and later, the town after the ship, Mountjoy, that came to the aid of their forefathers.
The clock is in exceptional working condition. The case is in great shape and is finely made with inlay top and bottom. Rod’s research indicates it was made around 1820 – give or take 10 years. This is based on factors such as the movement, or clockworks, the style of the face, hands and case. Rod is researching the identity of the maker.
The early settlers to Mount Joy came from Londonderry County in Ireland. In 1689 it was besieged by armies of King James II for nearly five months. The siege brought extreme hardship, pestilence and famine to the citizens of Londonderry. It ended with the arrival of two provisional ships – The Mountjoy of Londonderry and the Dartmouth of Coleraine.
When the descendants settled in America, they named the township, and later, the town after the ship, Mountjoy, that came to the aid of their forefathers.
The clock is in exceptional working condition. The case is in great shape and is finely made with inlay top and bottom. Rod’s research indicates it was made around 1820 – give or take 10 years. This is based on factors such as the movement, or clockworks, the style of the face, hands and case. Rod is researching the identity of the maker.
Date
Roughly 1820 (give or take 10 years)
Files
Contributor
This rare Irish Grandfather clock was purchased at an estate auction by Rod Wilbert from Time after Time Clocks in Mount Joy. The clock was donated to the Mount Joy Historical Society in January 2022.
Citation
“Grandfather Clock,” MJAHS Online Inventory, accessed October 14, 2025, https://www.mountjoyhistory.com/inventory/items/show/12296.