The Simon Newcomb Family Fine Federal Inlaid and Figured Mahogany Tall Case Clock, Works by Simon Willard, Roxbury, Massachusetts circa 1795

dial inscribed Warranted for Mr. S. Newcomb. Back of false plate stamped WILSON. Retains its original Isaiah Thomas, Jr. paper label. Lacks feet.

Simon Newcomb (1735-1808), Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts;
Simon Newcomb (1778-1848), Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts;
Capt. Elish Cole Newcomb (1802-1853), Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts, son;
Benjamin Franklin Newcomb (1829-1911), Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts, son;
Annie True [Newcomb] (1850-1923), Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts and Woodfords, Maine, daughter-in-law;
Annie True, niece [she was thirteen when she received it. Her then father sold it to];
Bertha O. True;
Louise E. True, sister;
Margaret True Racette, daughter;
to the current consignor

Secondary wood is white pine. Minor repair to fretwork; lacks feet and base molding; 1 in. by 3/4 in. chip to veneer on base of case. Wear to proper left and right front corners of case base. Loss of string inlay on base. Four holes drilled in bottom board of case likly for the attachement of later feet.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This clock is a rare example of a warrented Simon Willard tall case clock retaining its original Isaiah Thomas, Jr. paper label. The dial is imported from the Birmingham, England company Wilson.  Another warrented clock with its false plate stamped Wilson is in the collections of Old Strubridge Village, acc. no. 57.1.64 (see Philip Zea and Robert C. Cheney, Clock Making in New England 1725-1825, (Strurbridge, MA: Old Sturbridge Village, 1992), pp. 37, 161, fig. 2-19).  Another Simon Willard clock in the collection of Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum  while not warrented has a closely related dial and overall ornament (see Charles F. Montgomery, American Furniture: The Federal Period, (New York: Viking Press, 1966), pp. 196-7, no. 148).

Simon Newcomb, according to the Muster Roll, fought in the French and Indian war 1758-9. He was also a constable and yeoman in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.