John Benson, despite being un-recorded by Baillie, was a remarkably talented clockmaker about whom a considerable amount has been written. Brian Loomes produced a very interesting article on him in "Clocks" Vol. 21 No 6 1998, pages 12 – 14 where he illustrates four examples of his work and John Penfold devotes considerable space to him in "Cumbrian Clockmakers", noting that he has seen some 12 examples of his work, all longcases. The most interesting was a quarter chiming and musical clock playing 13 different tunes, which is described by Alan Lloyd in his "Chats on Old Clocks".

In his book, Penfold quotes an advertisement of John Benson’s which appeared in the Cumberland Paquet of October 22^nd 1782 and the first part is reproduced here: -

"John Benson (who makes all sorts of Plain, Repeating, Musical and Astronomical Clocks at Reasonable Prices begs leave to return his most sincere thanks to his friends……….."

From this it is clear that he made astronomical clocks but up until the discovery of this one none has been recorded.

The clockmakers of Cumbria and in particular Cockermouth and Whitehaven seem to have specialised in and evolved their own astronomical clocks as their designs all bear a marked similarity. In British Longcase Clocks by Derek Roberts pages 89 – 92 these are discussed and the work of three of them recorded. The main difference between these and our clock is that whereas they all appeared to employ a local clock case maker, this case and also the four illustrated by Loomes were almost certainly made by Gillows of Lancaster; being very similar to those contained in his pattern book and would in those days have cost £4 - £5, a relatively large sum. One further point of difference is the addition of a most attractive aperture showing the state of the tides in the lower half of the dial.

This has a relatively wide border, probably to fit Gillows clock case and suit the layout of the astronomical work, and is some 14" x 20½". Within and below the arch is a large ring 9" in diameter which intersects the chapter ring. The outside of this is engraved on the left 41 30 20 10 E 10 20 30 41 and above this S : Amplitude Ortive, ie the suns amplitude rising. At the top it is engraved Meridies (the Meridian) and on the right S : Amplitude Occa, ie the suns amplitude falling or setting, graduated 41 30 20 10 W 10 20 30 41.

The inside of the ring is engraved IIII – X11 – VIII to indicate solar time. Inside this ring a representation of the sun rotates against a painted scene with clouds. It always rises and sets at the correct time because of star-studded shutters which rise and fall throughout the year.

Attached to these are pointers which indicate on this outer ring the times of sunrise and sunset, and the suns elevation at mid-day from which can be determined the equinoxes and solstices.

The other end of the pointer, attached to the left shutter, indicates on the inner ring the time of daybreak and the suns declination north or south of the equator whilst the inner pointer on the right shutters tells you the time of twilight and the suns place or position in the zodiac.

In the centre of the arch is a disc carrying the maker’s name and town with a moon engraved on it.

The dial has rococo spandrels and a raised chapter ring with Roman numerals and attractive half-hour marks. A centre sweep hand is used to indicate the day of the month.

Extending down either side of the dial centre are two well engraved dolphins on one of which is engraved Flowin and the other Ebbin. Between these in the lower half of the dial centre is a relatively large cut-out behind which a disc rotates with the state of the tides displayed on its border and within this four attractive scenes are painted, two of the seashore and two of ships.

The mahogany case has a swan-neck pediment with an eagle in the centre resting on a block. There are fluted columns with giltwood capitals to either side of the hood and matching quarter columns to the trunk and base which is panelled and employs book-matched veneers and rests on substantial bracket feet.

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