Origins & Early Clockmaking Roots (1831–1867)

Clarence Burnham Terry (commonly known as Silas B. Terry) was born in 1807 and learned clockmaking from his father, the renowned Eli Terry, who had helped pioneer mass production of clocks in America. In 1831, Silas opened his own workshop in Terryville, Connecticut, producing weight-driven shelf and wall clocks under his own name. Despite his clock-making skill, he faced financial difficulties in the 1840s, leading to reorganizations and changing business ventures. Between 1852 and 1854, he partnered to form S. B. Terry & Company and then the Terryville Manufacturing Company to produce torsion-escapement clocks, though these ventures were short-lived and ended in bankruptcy by 1859. After this setback, Silas worked as a manager in movement departments at other Connecticut firms before returning to entrepreneurial clock-making.

Formation & Operation of the Terry Clock Company (1867–1880)

In 1867, Silas B. Terry and his four sons established the Terry Clock Company in Waterbury, Connecticut, renting factory space from the American Flask & Cap Company. Due to prior financial concerns, the business was formally incorporated in 1868. During its early years, the company produced a variety of clocks, particularly models with cast iron cases — often painted black and hand-decorated — that distinguished them in the market. Silas and his sons also patented movement escapements and even began manufacturing fishing reels in the 1870s alongside their clocks. Although the company showed moderate success, it consistently struggled with limited operating capital, often borrowing to stay in business. After Silas’s death from heart disease in 1876, his sons continued running the company, but ongoing financial instability led to bankruptcy in May 1880.

Move to Pittsfield & Transition (1880–1888)

Following the 1880 bankruptcy, a group of Pittsfield, Massachusetts investors purchased the business and moved operations there. A steam-powered mill was installed on the second floor of a new three-story factory built on the Housatonic River in 1883, still operating under the Terry Clock Company name. Three Terry family members relocated to manage the company in Pittsfield, and the business produced a range of clocks during this period. Despite these efforts, the company again struggled financially, and in 1888 it failed. Creditors then took control, ultimately transitioning the business into the Russell & Jones Clock Company, which continued independently for a few more years.

Legacy & Collectibility

Though the Terry Clock Company’s existence was relatively brief compared to other historic American clock-makers, the firm represents an important chapter in the evolution of clock-making in the 19th century. As the son of one of America’s pioneering horologists, Silas B. Terry brought skill, innovation, and ambition to his own enterprise, even amidst the financial challenges of the era. Today, Terry clocks — particularly cast-iron-cased models from the Waterbury and Pittsfield periods — are appreciated by collectors for their historical significance and unique designs, capturing the spirit of early American industry and innovation.

Preserving Terry Clocks for Future Generations

Whether you inherited a Terry clock or found one as a collector’s piece, proper care and restoration can help it continue running for years to come. If your Terry clock isn’t working correctly, needs cleaning, or requires professional repair, Clock Repair Studio can help with expert diagnosis and service tailored to these heritage timepieces.

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