Benjamin Willard

For the protagonist of the film Apocalypse Now, see Benjamin L. Willard.

Benjamin Willard, Jr. (19 March 1743 Grafton, Massachusetts – 18 September 1803 Baltimore, Maryland), was an American clockmaker.^[1]

Biography

Benjamin Willard the third eldest of twelve born to the marriage of Benjamin Willard (1716–1775) and Sarah Brooks (1717–1775).^[2] He was the first of the Willard family to enter the business of clockmaking, a craft which he began around 1765. He operated a workshop at his family home in Grafton, but by December 1771, lived in Roxbury, Massachusetts.

Benjamin Willard, Jr., died in Baltimore, Maryland, September 18, 1803.^[1]

Legacy

Although not as famous as his younger brother, Simon,^[3][4] Benjamin nonetheless was a prominent and well-known clockmaker in his day. A number of Benjamin Willard clocks survive today and are considered collectible. The Willard home and workshop in Grafton are preserved and operate as a museum.

Family

Benjamin Willard, Jr. – the eldest of four clockmaker brothers – flourished in central Massachusetts during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The other clockmaker brothers were:

• Simon (1753–1823)^[5]
• Ephraim (1755–1832)^[6]
• Aaron(1757–1844)^[7]

Benjamin Willard was a 2nd great-grandson (5th generation descendant) of Simon Willard (1605–1676), a Massachusetts colonist.

Main article: Descendants of Simon Willard

Main article: Willard Brothers

Main article: Willard House and Clock Museum