S. G. Jones Pocket Watch

Samuel G. Jones is primarily known for his partnership with Abraham Patton from 1798 to 1813 that conducted business under the firm Patton & Jones with interests in Philadelphia and Baltimore. Patton retired shortly after their last advertisement, dated January 8th, 1813, and Samuel Jones continued the business from Baltimore under his own name from 1815 to 1829. An advertisement the following year in 1816 is especially interesting due to the unusual phrase “particularly made”, that perhaps references movements like the one found in his watch number 1210, shown below.

Samuel G. Jones, 93, Market Street. Has imported in the ship General Hand, Patent Lever and Detached Gold & Silver Watches, particularly made; also, Common Watches, ornamental Mantle & Eight Day clocks, Clock Movements, Clock Dials and a choice assortment of all the materials and tools, used by Clock and Watch Makers. Federal Republican, 8 August 1816. (Whisker, 49)

S. G. Jones Movement

Fusee movement with a Massey Type 3 escapement and three-arm uncut steel balance. Movement is signed S. G. Jones, serial number 1210 without a city name (as is typical for this firm that operated in both Philadelphia and Baltimore), and has a stop feature and dust cap. Enamel dial with unusual 15 seconds dial and gold hands. Wonderful American eagle balance table with Massey initials and number "2150" punched on the back. The silver pair cases have Birmingham assay date letter for 1818-19. Case maker's mark "S.P" for Samuel Packwood, Coventry. Dust cap with maker's initials.

Massey Bearing (Balance Table Removed)

Edward Massey Patent "EM P 2150"

Dust Cap Maker's Initials

Similar S. G. Jones-signed watches are known, dated 1816 to 1818. All have Massey escapements and adjustable lever bearings (like a rack lever); however, are not conversions. Massey apparently installed his escapements in frames that were originally meant for rack lever movements. The evidence is Massey's EMP stamp on the underside of the balance table foot that indicates that Edward Massey himself fitted the escapement. More information on Jones and his affiliation with Edward Massey was published in British Horology Times and in the W&C Bulletin.

S. G. Jones watch paper shown for reference: Samuel G Jones, No. 93 Market Street, Baltimore. Imports & Sells Wholesale & Retail Clocks & Watches of every description and all kinds of Watch Makers Tools & Materials

Abraham Patton watch paper shown for reference. It reads: No 44 Market Street 5 doors below Second, PHILADELPHIA. Imports & sells Wholesale & Retail CLOCKS & WATCHES of every description & all kinds of Watch Makers Tools and Materials. Read about American Watch Papers.

Additional References and recommended reading:

Carter J. Harris, The Clock and Watch makers American Advertiser, Antiquarian Horological Society, Great Britain. 2003, p. 335
Richard Newman, Allen Richardson, Richard Watkins, Samuel G. Jones of Baltimore, Edward Massey, and the Market for English Watches Abroad, NAWCC Watch & Clock Bulletin, No. 428 (July/August, 2017), pp. 326-332
James Whisker, Daniel Hartzler and Steven Petrucelli, Maryland Clockmakers, Adams Brown Co., Cranbury, NJ. 1996, p. 49

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