Fromanteel advertises in the Commonwealth Mercury In 1658, Ahasuerus Fromanteel set up his workshop in Mosses Alley, Southwark, apparently a large establishment. It was from here that he began manufacturing the first pendulum clocks in England. In the famous advertisement of 25 November 1658 in the Commonwealth Mercury (Mercurius Politicus), he described his horological innovations and stated that his clocks had been ‘examined and proved ... before ... the Lord Protector [Oliver Cromwell]’. Here is the text of the advert: There is lately a way found out for making Clocks that go exact and keep equaller time then any now made without this Regulater (examined and proved before his Highness the Lord Protector by such Doctors whose knowledge and learning is without exception) and are not subject to alter by change of weather, as others are, and may be made to go a week, or a moneth, or a year, with once winding up, as well as those that are wound up every day, and keep time as well; and is very excellent for all House Clocks that go either with Springs or Waights: And also Steeple Clocks that are most subject to differ by change of weather. Made by Ahasuerus Fromanteel, who made the first that were in England. You may have them at his House, on the Bank-side in Mosses-Alley, Southwark and at the sign of the Maremaid in Lothbury, near Bartholomew-Lane end, London.[1] End Note [1] Text taken from Ullyet 2011. Reference Ullyett, K. 2011. British Clocks and Clockmakers. London: British Library. Image Credit The Commonwealth Mercury © Keith Roberts Collection
