Isaac Brokaw
Encyclopedia
Isaac Brokaw was a clockmaker
from New Jersey
. Brokaw was born in Raritan
in Somerset County
, but would leave for Elizabethtown
where he would work as an apprentice under Aaron Miller, a renowned clock maker. He would later marry Miller's daughter, Elizabeth Miller. In 1770, Brokaw was living in Bridgewater
when a local judge ordered that his property be sold off in order to pay off his outstanding debts. However, he was allowed to keep 30 lbs. of lead
in order to continue his trade. Shortly thereafter he would again leave for Elizabeth where he would produce some of his first significant works. Aaron Miller died in 1778, and left part of his clockmaking tools to him as his son-in-law. in 1790 Isaac and Elizabeth relocated to Bridge Town (today known as Rahway
). The style practiced by Miller and Brokaw is of a decidedly Dutch tradition, as Central Jersey
, particularly around Somerset County, was known as an early Dutch settlement.
They had three sons, Aaron, Cornelius, and John. Aaron, the eldest of them, took up the trade of clockmaking having been taught by his father.
Clockmaker
A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches...
from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Brokaw was born in Raritan
Raritan, New Jersey
Raritan is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 6,881.-Geography:Raritan is located at ....
in Somerset County
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
, but would leave for Elizabethtown
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
where he would work as an apprentice under Aaron Miller, a renowned clock maker. He would later marry Miller's daughter, Elizabeth Miller. In 1770, Brokaw was living in Bridgewater
Bridgewater Township, New Jersey
Bridgewater Township is a township in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. , the township population was 44,464.Bridgewater Township was originally created by Royal Charter on April 4, 1749, from portions of the Northern precinct, and was incorporated as one of New Jersey's initial group of...
when a local judge ordered that his property be sold off in order to pay off his outstanding debts. However, he was allowed to keep 30 lbs. of lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
in order to continue his trade. Shortly thereafter he would again leave for Elizabeth where he would produce some of his first significant works. Aaron Miller died in 1778, and left part of his clockmaking tools to him as his son-in-law. in 1790 Isaac and Elizabeth relocated to Bridge Town (today known as Rahway
Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles southwest of Manhattan and five miles west of Staten Island...
). The style practiced by Miller and Brokaw is of a decidedly Dutch tradition, as Central Jersey
Central Jersey
Central Jersey is a common designation for a region of the state of New Jersey in the United States of America. Trenton is considered the boundary between designated "North Jersey" and "South Jersey"...
, particularly around Somerset County, was known as an early Dutch settlement.
They had three sons, Aaron, Cornelius, and John. Aaron, the eldest of them, took up the trade of clockmaking having been taught by his father.