A QUEEN ANNE EBONISED THIRTY-HOUR LONGCASE CLOCK WITH ALARMWILLIAM BROCK, AXBRIDGE, CIRCA 1715The substantial posted countwheel bell striking single-handed movement with rectangular section steel uprights and anchor escapement regulated by seconds pendulum, the alarm mechanism positioned to the lower right hand side of the movement and sounding on the hour bell via verge crownwheel and vertically pivoted hammer, the 10 inch square brass dial with genero rose engraved alarm disc to the matted centre within applied Roman numeral chapter ring with cruciform half-hour markers and signed W'm Brock, Axbridge to lower margin, with scroll-pierced iron hand and gilt twin-cherub-and-crown cast spandrels to angles, in an ebonised pine case with box tand to the domed caddy superstructure and genero ogee moulded cornice over hinged glazed dial aperture applied with parcel gilt three-quarter columns to angles, the sides with rectangular glazed windows and conforming quarter columns set at the rear, the trunk with concave throat moulding over 43 inch rectangular door centred with a brass-edged circular lenticle, on plinth base with moulded skirt.222.5cm (82ins) high, 49.5cm (19.5ins) wide, 29cm (11.5cm) deep.William Brock is recorded in Moore, A.J. THE CLOCKMAKERS OF SOMERSET 1650-1900 as living in Cheddar but working from Axbridge from 1707 until around 1730. From Moore's notes he appeared to principally work as a turret clock maker and repairer; however entries in Dr. Claver Morris's diary indicate that he was a verypetent maker as these relate to the 'mending of my repeater' (watch) and the making of 'a very fine Month Clock with a Pendulum of 5 feet long'.