Internet Horology Club 185
Meneely & Oothout
August 13, 2009, 21:21
Roger J. NolfeMeneely & Oothout
Meneely & Oothout West Troy, NY

August 13, 2009, 22:01
Eddie G. HinesGREETINGS ROGER, MENEELY WAS A MAKER OF SURVEYING INSTURMENTS, BELLS AND CLOCKS IN 1836 OOTHOUT JOINED HIM IN THE BUSINESS IN 1838 THEY PARTED COMPANY. DO YOU HAVE THE CLOCK MOVEMENT? TAKE CARE. EDDIE
August 13, 2009, 22:19
Tom BrownHere is a little more on both men;
Andrew Meneely was born at West Troy (Gibbonsville) New York in 1802 and died in 1851. On January 1, 1836 Meneely took Jonas Volkat Oothout as a partner. For a few years the business was carried on under the firm name of Meneely & Oothout. Mr. Oothout retired in 1838 and Andrew Meneely continued the business as formerly. Jonas Oothout was born in West Troy, New York in 1814 and died there in 1860.
Tom
August 13, 2009, 22:32
Tom BrownNot sure if this will be readable.
It is from "Bi-centennial History of Albany Vol. 2"
Tom
August 14, 2009, 08:54
Roger J. NolfeIt took about a year, but I now own the Meneely clock AND the Meneely bell that was with it. Meneely made very few clocks, it is believed less than 10. I know of only one other that exists.
Thanks Tom & Eddie for posting info.
Roger
August 14, 2009, 09:05
Tom BrownThat's neat Roger, after reading the info I found on him it sounded like they didn't make that many.
I found another article about how after Andrew died, a third son Clinton went into the bell business too with another man & used the name Meneely in the business name. His two older brothers took him to court to stop him from using the families name.
Tom
August 22, 2009, 08:20
Roger J. NolfeBoth the Meneely Bell and Clock from Salem, NY are now safely removed and in my possession. This first step took about a year to accomplish with negotiations and actual removal. The clock is actually in pretty good shape, notwithstanding the pictures, and with manual power on it prior to removal it ticked happily along. Restoration of the clock will begin soon.
This might be the only functioning Meneely clock in existence when restored.
It is complete with the huge wood drums that lived on either side of the clockworks. We believe there were two ropes on each side of the clock. One went from the drum on the clockworks to the large drum. Another rope on the small end of the drum went up thru a slot in the ceiling of the clockworks room, over a pulley to a weight. This would allow a separate winding for both the time and strike. There is a large gear that is moved from one side or the other to wind each side separately. The pendulum is around 9-10 feet long with an adjustable lead bob. It rocked on knife edges operating a pinwheel escapement. Impulse came directly from the pallets.
September 11, 2009, 19:06
Edward KitnerRoger, you certainly have your hands full with this one.
I'll bet Elizabeth loves this one sitting in her living room!

April 06, 2017, 15:39
Roger J. NolfeSo as not to hijack
Kevin Hoffman's thread, I'll post progress pictures here per Dave Turner's request. These parts are massive and heavy.
April 06, 2017, 15:41
Roger J. Nolfe2.
April 06, 2017, 15:42
Roger J. Nolfe3. Escape wheel showing pins.
April 06, 2017, 15:42
Roger J. Nolfe4. Pallets. Pendulum attaches to holes at left.
April 06, 2017, 15:43
Roger J. Nolfe5. Decorative acorns total 4
April 06, 2017, 15:43
Roger J. Nolfe6.
April 06, 2017, 15:44
Roger J. Nolfe7. Cast Iron about 20 inches in diameter.
April 06, 2017, 18:12
Dave TurnerLooking real good. How far into it are you? ie: when will you have it running?
Dave Turner
April 06, 2017, 21:08
Kevin HoffmanThat is what I am hoping to find , I would love to throw some elbow grease into saving one of these
April 07, 2017, 12:34
Roger J. NolfeDave,
No timeline as to completion, but I'm hoping I'll be able to dedicate more time to it in the near future. There is still a lot to be done, but at least it is all there with nothing missing.
Kevin,
With any luck you will find an E. Howard or similar which will be much newer and more compact than the Meneely I have, which dates to 1840.
May 04, 2017, 15:22
Lindell V. Riddle
What a wonderful old clock!
Hats off to Roger for taking on this formidable project.
Preservation so they can be enjoyed by generations to come is an important part of our hobby
Great work my friend,
Lindell
