Ephraim Downs
Encyclopedia
Ephraim Downs was an early America
wooden movement clockmaker. In business from 1810 through 1842, he worked with Eli Terry
, Silas Hoadley
, and Seth Thomas
in the early Connecticut
clock trade.
During the 1830s, Ephraim supplied nearly seven thousand wood-movement clocks to the wholesale
trade. Eighty percent of his clocks were of the thirty-hour looking glass
variety. Wholesale prices for these clocks was $9.00 in 1830, but by 1839 the price was reduced by one half due to competitive price cutting and reduced manufacturing costs.
Downs sold some brass movement clocks but it is not believed that he manufactured any of this type. After 1842, he did not participate to any great extent in clock-manufacturing, though he did continue to produce and sell a few wood movements. He continued to work and ran his gristmill
until 1850. He died in Bristol
, Connecticut
on December 8, 1860. His old clock shop burned down around 1865. It was located on the south side of the river as was the mill, but on the east side of the road now called Downs Street, whereas the mill was on the west side. The Downs mill was taken down in 1921 and a stone monument with a water fountain was erected in its place.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
wooden movement clockmaker. In business from 1810 through 1842, he worked with Eli Terry
Eli Terry
Eli Terry Sr. was an inventor and clockmaker in Connecticut. He received a United States patent for a shelf clock mechanism. He introduced mass production to the art of clockmaking, which made clocks affordable for the average American citizen...
, Silas Hoadley
Silas Hoadley
Silas Hoadley was an American clockmaker.Hoadley was born in Bethany, Connecticut. Hoadley was a cousin of the architect and builder David Hoadley. He received little formal education before becoming apprentice carpenter to his uncle Calvin Hoadley...
, and Seth Thomas
Seth Thomas (clockmaker)
Seth Thomas was an American clock maker and a pioneer of mass production at his Seth Thomas Clock Company.-Biography:Thomas was born in Wolcott, Connecticut, in 1785. He started in the clock business in 1807, working for clockmaker Eli Terry...
in the early Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
clock trade.
During the 1830s, Ephraim supplied nearly seven thousand wood-movement clocks to the wholesale
Wholesale
Wholesaling, jobbing, or distributing is defined as the sale of goods or merchandise to retailers, to industrial, commercial, institutional, or other professional business users, or to other wholesalers and related subordinated services...
trade. Eighty percent of his clocks were of the thirty-hour looking glass
Mirror
A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality prior to its contact with the mirror. Some mirrors also filter out some wavelengths, while preserving other wavelengths in the reflection...
variety. Wholesale prices for these clocks was $9.00 in 1830, but by 1839 the price was reduced by one half due to competitive price cutting and reduced manufacturing costs.
Downs sold some brass movement clocks but it is not believed that he manufactured any of this type. After 1842, he did not participate to any great extent in clock-manufacturing, though he did continue to produce and sell a few wood movements. He continued to work and ran his gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
until 1850. He died in Bristol
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
on December 8, 1860. His old clock shop burned down around 1865. It was located on the south side of the river as was the mill, but on the east side of the road now called Downs Street, whereas the mill was on the west side. The Downs mill was taken down in 1921 and a stone monument with a water fountain was erected in its place.