The Clockmaker

Who is David Hutton?

Undated news clipping

A mystery for you.

Transcription:

On the interior of a shelf clock recently acquired by a Beverly correspondent, the following label is pasted: Improved Clocks Manufactured and Sold by David Hutton, Mt. Vernon, N. H., King's Print, New Ipswich, N. Η. The name of this maker is not to be found in the Prowler's lists of clock men, but, because New Ipswich was the home of some fine Eighteenth Century cabinet- makers, including John Gould and many others, it would not be surprising if some of our readers would have information on David Hutton. W. G. D.

David Dutton of Mt Vernon, New Hampshire. Harness maker, organ maker and clockmaker.

David Dutton was born on April 22, 1792, in Wilton, New Hampshire. His parents were Jacob and Rhoda (Dix) Dutton. David married Delinda Saunders of Brookline on December 5, 1813. They had at least three children. The Duttons moved to Mt Vernon before 1814. In his early life, David worked with leather, advertising as a shoemaker and harness maker. He placed several ads in the Amherst, NH, newspaper, The Cabinet. On February 14, 1814, an ad was placed to rent his Shoemaker's Shop in Mount Vernon. On July 10, 1824, he advertised for a journeyman with good saddle and harness-making skills. In 1825, he placed an ad in The Cabinet for someone to rent out his Sadler's Shop for a couple of years. A year later, 1826, this shop was occupied by Hiram Nichols, who performed saddle, harness & trunk making there.

From leather goods to organs, David may have rented his shop to pursue the manufacturing of church and parlor organs. This endeavor may have lasted only seven years. He placed an ad on March 29, 1833, stating that he had closed his organ business and wanted to sell his last four new and superior tuned organs at auction. Their values ranged from $100 to $600. He also mentions that he had five used organs to sell at the same sale. One Dutton organ survives and is currently in the National Music Museum in South Dakota. The front board is signed, "D. Dutton / Mt. Vernon, NH. / Patent." 

Dutton soon became New Hampshire's most productive clockmaker. He often sourced movements from Connecticut firms, including Boardman & Wells. Many of his cases were built by John Carleton. Clocks have been found with Carlton's name written inside, identifying him as the casemaker. 

Charlie Parsons recorded 13 case variations in Dutton clocks and five label variations; some of these were printed in Amherst, NH.

In 1852, David advertised from Mt Vernon that he was a Harness maker and would repair harnesses and clocks from his new shop above J.H. Richardson's store fronting Beard & Baker's new Hall.

David Dutton died in West Medford, MA, on April 22, 1882.

James Roger diary entry

27th August 1913

Thunderstorm at five a. m. David got a shock through pump handle. Fair and cooler; cloudy with thunder round about. Alice went away this afternoon. I took her to Depot. Cut some lots; Mary’s and Mother’s also.

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