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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Not recorded, United States

Forestville Manufacturing Company

Partially verified

Brass weight-driven shelf clocks and various case-style clocks

History

The Forestville Manufacturing Company was established in 1835 as the successor to Bartholemew, Brown & Co., with its factory located in Forestville, Connecticut. The company was led by Jonathon Clark Brown, a cabinetmaker who was responsible for a diverse and imaginative range of clock case styles.

Throughout its existence, the firm operated under several iterations, including J. C. Brown & Co. and the Forestville Clock Manufactory. The company became a prolific manufacturer, reaching an annual output of one hundred thousand units before encountering financial difficulties. Following a period marked by a devastating fire and changing business partnerships, the firm ultimately failed in 1855, and its assets were eventually acquired by E.N. Welch.

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Current watchmaking & later fate

Recorded as ceased: 1855. Later use of the name by another firm, if any, is not covered here.

Key models

Acorn clock
The Forestville Manufacturing Company produced these clocks between 1847 and 1850.

Major innovations

  • The company was noted for its use of 8-day weight-driven brass strap movements in its early shelf clocks.

Known markings

  • The firm utilized labels identifying the Forestville Manufacturing Company alongside the name of proprietor J.C. Brown.

Serial numbers

No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Forestville Manufacturing Company. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • Front view of the Forestville Manufacturing Company acorn shelf clock showing the dial and painted Hartford State House tablet
  • Front view of the Acorn Clock in laminated mahogany, accession number 1970.289.6.

Sources & references

  1. An Acorn Clock | National Museum of American History, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. Forestville Connecticut Clocks | Collectors Weekly, collectorsweekly.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. J.C. Brown - Forestville Mfg. Co., Antique Clocks Guy: Antique Clocks and Mechanical Musical Instruments. We bring collectors and buyers together. Always the hi, clockguy.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.