Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)

Name:

Parsons, Charles S. (1904-1988)

Title:

Vice President, New Hampshire Historical Society

Born:

09/24/1904

Birthplace:

Milton, MA

Died:

09/02/1988

Residence:

Massachusetts
Dunbarton, NH
Goffstown, NH -- owner of the James Collins (clockmaker, 1801-1882) House

Nationality:

American

Occupation:

Textile business
Author: 1976, New Hampshire Clocks and Clockmakers, Exeter, N.H.: Adams Brown Co.; 1986, New Hampshire Clocks at the New Hampshire Historical Society

Father:

Parsons, William D.

Mother:

Brackett, Vina

Spouse:

Welles, Alice

Children:

Frederic W. (b. 1934)
Martha Ann (b. 1938)

Notes:

Re. Clock Collection: From Press Reslease, announcing the donation of Charles Parsons' clock collection (1972.089) -- Charles Parsons "began collecting clocks shortly after World War II, when he moved to New Hampshire and discovered that the old house he and his wife had purchased had once been the home and workshop of a clockmaker. As he learned more about the man who had lived and worked in his house, Parsons sought to find a clock made by him. By haunting antique shops, canvassing the few clock dealers then in existence, and by attending auctions, he found not only the clock he sought but many others made in his adopted state. As the collection grew, Parsons realized that he had to learn how to repair and restore clocks himself -- a task for which his background in textile technology proved helpful. In the absence of reference works on American clockmaking and clockmakers, Parsons realized that he would also have to master the techniques of historical research, if he was to satisfy his curiosity about the men whose names adorned the dials and labels of the clocks in his growning collection. He began to frequent libraries, historical societies and town clerk's offices throughout the state in search of his quarry. Bit by bit, he began to piece together much of the story of what had been a major industry in 19th-century New Hampshire.
"What had started out to be a hobby eventually became such a consuming passion that Parsons decided to take early retirement from his position as an executive of a Manchester textile concern, to devote substantially all his time to research and writing on clockmakers and other craftsmen. Since clockmakers seldom made cases for their creations, he delved into the subject of New Hampshire cabinetmakers in an effort to learn more about the suppliers of clock cases. As he sought out account books and other records of New Hampshire craftsmen, he happened upon the extensive records left by members of the Dunlap family of cabinetmakers who worked in Bedford and Salisbury in the late 18th century. He set about transcribing and photographing the records, and located much of the surviving furniture, including a clock case or two. The end result ... was an exhibition of Dunlap furniture at the Currier Gallery of Art, whit a catalogue prepared by him.
"Parsons decided to give his collection to the Society's Museum 'when it became too much of a case,' and because he wanted to be assured that it was placed where it would be available to those interested in studying New Hampshire craftsmanship."
(Note: the above Press Release was published in several newspapers, March 1973. See accession file for clippings.)
Re. Charles S. Parsons Fund -- established to further the study of New Hampshire decorative arts and antiques.