The Fromanteel family

The Fromanteel family was a large family of clockmakers of Dutch extraction. Ahasuerus Fromanteel worked at East Smithfield in 1630 and was a member of the Blacksmiths Company. He joined the Clockmakers Company on its foundation, but was at ‘constant disapproval’ with the Wardens and Master.

A second Ahasuerus Fromanteel was elected in 1655 and a third in 1663. A John was admitted in 1663 and an Abraham in 1680.

In 1657 John went to Holland to learn the art of pendulum clocks recently invented by Huygens and made by Coster. It was thus that the family were the first to make pendulum clocks in England, a matter ‘examined and proved before His Highness the Lord Protector’. Evelyn in his diary of November 1660 writes that ‘In His Majesty’s cabinet of rarities was a clock by our famous Fromanteel.’ They made their clocks at the sign of the Mermaid, in Lothbury, near Bartholomew Lane End.

Image copyright Wikipedia

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I bought a long case clock from the Clock Work Shop three years ago. That was a very enjoyable experience. Simon and his team were extremely helpful and knowledgeable in helping me making my selection and then delivering and setting up the clock. More recently I had a problem with the clock ( (self-induced after trying to move it) and Richard from the Kings Worthy outpost did a brilliant job of making repairs and putting things right (gratis and for nothing). Highly recommended.

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