Origins: From Terry Clock Company to Russell & Jones (1880–1889)

After the failure of the Terry Clock Company in 1888, a group of local merchants in Pittsfield, Massachusetts stepped in to continue the business. Brothers Hezekiah S. Russell and Solomon N. Russell, along with Edward D. G. Jones and other investors who had helped purchase the bankrupt Terry firm in 1880, moved the operation from Waterbury, Connecticut to Pittsfield that same year. In 1883, a new factory was constructed to support expanded production, and the enterprise continued producing Terry-style clocks in its early years. 

In January 1889, the company was formally renamed the Russell & Jones Clock Company, and a trade catalog was issued that first year with little change from the Terry line. The brand maintained continuity with its predecessor while beginning to carve out its own identity in the market. 

Development: Innovation & New Models (1890)

By 1890, Russell & Jones published a new catalog featuring a significant number of novel and unusual clock designs that expanded beyond the old Terry offerings. These models reflected both the creative ambitions of the new company and an effort to distinguish its clocks in a competitive American clockmaking landscape. 

Challenges & Closure (1893)

Despite the refreshed catalog and new designs, the company’s operations were short-lived. Records indicate that the Russell & Jones Clock Company ceased manufacturing and was dissolved in or around 1893, making its total run only about five years. Few detailed business records survive from this period, and the reasons for its closure remain largely undocumented, though it did not continue as a major clock manufacturer beyond the early 1890s. 

Legacy & Collectibility

Although Russell & Jones clocks were produced for only a brief period, they are historically significant for bridging the legacy of the Terry Clock Company with later American clock-making efforts. Collectors value these clocks today for their rarity, unique design features from the 1890 catalog, and the story they tell about the industrial shifts in U.S. clock-making at the close of the 19th century.

Whether you own a Russell & Jones shelf clock, parlor clock, or mantle timepiece, preserving and maintaining these rare clocks helps keep a unique piece of American horological history alive. If your Russell & Jones clock needs diagnosis, maintenance, or repair, Clock Repair Studio can assist with expert care and restoration tailored to antique American movements.

Call (267) 544-0439 or use the button below to schedule an appointment to bring your clock into our studio.