Early Times in Thomaston, Seth Thomas Clocks Origin
Thomaston, unlike other towns in the Northwest corner, was part of the 1684 Farmington Proprietor’s purchase, known as the Mattatuck Plantation. In 1739, the area known as Plymouth Hollow split off to form its own Northbury Parish. After 40 years it joined Westbury Parish in creating Watertown, but split from Watertown after just 15 years, in 1795, then, to be recognized as Plymouth.
In 1797, a new turnpike was opened to ease travel between the courthouses in Litchfield and New Haven. Plymouth Hollow, situated along the Naugatuck River, was a convenient waystation, as accommodating taverns had sprung up in the 1780s when it was little more than a bridlepath. Homes, farms and factories followed, harnessing the flow of the Naugatuck. In 1802 a small cloth mill was established, followed by Herman Clark’s Clock Factory.
As a young man married only one year, in 1809 Seth Thomas of Wolcott, an expert carpenter and woodworker, joined with, Eli Terry and Silas Hoadly, in opening a clock factory at Hancock Station. Eli Terry, the younger apprentice sold his share of the business and set out on his own. He moved to Plymouth Hollow where he opened his own business manufacturing ‘Grandfather’ clocks. In 1813 Seth Thomas sold his interest and followed Eli Terry to Plymouth Hollow, purchasing the Herman Clark Clock Factory. At this time the ‘Hollow’ was inhabited by some 20 farm families, many came to work for him during the slow winter months, building and assembling his clocks. Thomas purchased Eli Terry’s patent for shelf clocks that same year for $1,000. Shelf clocks grew in popularity as they were smaller, mobile, and affordable. Eli Terry continued producing clocks, selling his factory to his son, Henry in 1828, who continued the business through 1840.
In 1838, during a recession and panic, Seth Thomas saw his business floundering. He learned that Bristol clockmaker, Chauncey Jerome had introduced an ‘all brass’ clock. These clocks were more cost efficient: Their parts were light weight, and could be stamped out. Unlike wooden parts, they would not warp. They could be produced more quickly, and parts were interchangeable, thus more easily repaired. By 1840, Seth Thomas had converted entirely to brass mechanisms, not only saving his business, but leading the industry.
In 1849 Seth Thomas was instrumental in routing the Naugatuck line of the Hartford-New York steam train through Plymouth Hollow. This allowed him to cheaply purchase brass from the mills in Waterbury, and to ship clocks more widely . With the advent of the Civil War, much of the brass was diverted. Thomas opened his own brass mill, manufacturing bullets and cartridges. His ingenuity provided income and enabled the little community of Plymouth Hollow to grow and prosper.
After a fire in 1853, the Seth Thomas Clock Company was reorganized as a joint stock corporation, rebuilt and opened within 3 years. Seth Thomas passed away in 1859. His son Aaron became president and expanded the product line to over 175 different models, stamping each clock, “Thomas Town” in honor of his father. The name caught on, and the village of Plymouth Hollow was renamed Thomaston by the Connecticut Legislature in 1875.
