Like many other stories from our convict past, Abbott’s is one of despair followed by redemption. Abbott was accused of ‘obtaining two watches under false pretences’ in 1844 and despite his pleas of innocence was sentenced to seven years transportation to Van Diemen’s Land. He arrived in Hobart in June 1845 and, as part of his sentence, served one year on a chain gang at Oyster Cove before being reassigned as a servant. Fortune began to shine when he was released early and he lost no time in establishing his own business in Hobart, where his family came out to join him in 1850.
His business flourished. As well as producing clocks and watches for private clients, he also erected many public clocks, including one at Government House in 1859. His work as a meteorologist and astronomer won him even greater repute and he was inducted into the Royal Society of Tasmania and the Royal Astronomic Society in London – further cementing his place as one of Hobart’s most respected citizens.
Clocks made entirely by Abbott rarely come onto the market and it is not known how many are still in existence. However the importance of his legacy is highlighted by the auction of his leather bound diary, with detailed drawings and explanations for making and repairing watches, clocks and other horological equipment, which was sold for a large sum to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in 2010.
What makes this particular clock exceptional is the movement – which is believed to have been made entirely by Abbott himself, in Van Diemen’s Land, rather than imported from Europe as he more commonly did. Philip Gowans, of Gowans Auctions, believes this may be the first time such an example has come onto the market. With an estimate of around $50,000, this clock will attract the attention of serious clock collectors and an institution or two – but let’s hope it stays in Tasmania where it was crafted.
The clock will be among a large collection of colonial and convict-related items for sale at Gowans Auctions on Saturday 18 June.