Much of the fun that is to be found in local historical societies lies in the odd collection of artifacts that accumulate over the course of a century or more. The more obviously significant items tend to be well documented, but the more obscure items are a veritable treasure trove for the curious researcher.

This rather large wall clock has hung on the wall in the basement of the Sawin Museum since the early 1960’s. The dial bears the name A. C. Rice and the date 1857. All that was known of its history is that it was given to the Society by George Ryder, longtime supervisor of the town landfill, and was said to have been made by his Grandfather.

The somewhat ungainly configuration of the clock suggests that A. C. Rice was not a professional clockmaker, and yet the overall complexity of its design (3 separate dials showing the date, the hour, and the day) clearly required the skills of a competent machinist.

Armed with these few clues I set out to see what else could be discovered about the clock and its maker. The donor, George Maxon Ryder, was born October 22, 1884 in Coventry, RI to Walter W. and Hattie (Matteson) Ryder, and died on July 28, 1972 here in Dover. Walter W. Ryder was born on October 31, 1854 to George W. Rider (the spelling appears to have changed from one generation to the next) and Lois Ann Rice of Coventry, RI. Inasmuch as neither of George Ryder’s grandfathers bore the name Rice it seemed unlikely that either was the maker of the clock, however his paternal Grandmother’s last name suggested that the connection might lie in that direction.

George W. Rider was born in 1824, probably in Coventry. On January 9, 1846 he and Lois Ann Rice were married at the Newman Congregational Church in Seekonk, MA. He died on October 22, 1907. Both are buried with a son, Everett Rider, in Hopkins Hollow Cemetery in Coventry. Inasmuch as she was married in 1846 it seems likely that Lois Rice would have been born between 1820 and 1830. While married in Seekonk, MA I could find no record of her birth in that town. There was, however, a Thomas Rice who married Lucinda Lane on October 6, 1845, also at the Newman Congregational Church.

At this point I decided to focus upon death records. As noted, George W. and Lois (Rice) Rider are buried in Hopkins Hollow Cemetery, in Coventry RI, along with a son Everett, who apparently died as a child in 1840. Three more of their sons are buried with spouses elsewhere in the cemetery. Given the concentration of Rider family members buried at Hopkins Hollow Cemtery, I looked for members of the Rice family as well and found a total of 28 individuals including Thomas Rice (1780-1863) and his wife Lowis [sic] Nichols (1787-1823). Also buried there is Amos C. Rice (1819-1880).

The 1850 Federal Census lists Amos C. Rice residing in Hopkinton, Washington County, RI in the home of James & Sarah Baker. His age is given as 31 and his occupation is only partially legible but may read “overseer weaver”. The 1860 Federal Census lists him residing in the same household and gives his occupation as “master spinner”.

A listing of local deaths published on the website of the Hopkinton, RI Historical Society lists “Amos Clarke Rice, died 10 May 1880, age 61 years. Male, white, single, mechanic. Born in Coventry, RI s/o Thomas and Lois Rice. COD heart disease.”

I have not yet found evidence proving that Lois Rice Rider was a daughter of Thomas and Lois Rice, however the similarity of names and the fact that all of the parties involved are buried in the same cemetery make the connection highly probable.

Based upon the evidence assembled to date, it appears that the clock was made by Amos Clarke Rice, an unmarried brother of Lois A. Rice and thus a Great Uncle to the donor. While born in Coventry, Amos spent most of his life in Hopkinton where he was in all probability employed by one of the several textile mills in that community. At the time that the clock was made he would have been 38 years old.

Michael Poisson, (see photo) the horologist presently restoring the clock, observed that it appears to have been made entirely by Mr. Rice using parts copied from other timepieces, and that he would necessarily have had access to a machine shop.

Was the clock built in the tool room of a textile mill? We may never know the full circumstances of its creation, but Amos Rice’s handiwork will now be placed on the first floor of the Sawin Building where it can receive the attention and appreciation that it deserves.

By Elisha Lee