Greensboro in Greene County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Josiah Davis

(1802-1860)

— Davis & Barber Greensborough Clocks —

Josiah Davis Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024

1. Josiah Davis Marker

Inscription.

Josiah Davis. During the prosperous years before the War Between the States, many “Georgia” clocks were sold around the state. These clocks fell into two categories. In the first category were standardized clocks purchased directly from Connecticut manufacturers by itinerant merchants who attached their own labels to the clocks. The second category included clocks made by clockmakers who came from Connecticut to Georgia, settled in a particular community, and produced quality clocks in that community. Although there is evidence that clocks of this type were probably made in Augusta and Savannah, more is known of the history of the Greensborough clock. , Greensborough clocks were first made by Josiah Davis and his wife's nephew, Orville Barber, in Greensboro, Georgia, around 1836. Davis and Barber had sold their clock factory is Bristol, Connecticut in 1835 and taken payment in clock parts. After coming to Greensboro, they established a business and began making clocks. The clock parts they used had been made in Connecticut by either Seth Thomas or Birge and Mallory and sent south by train. They were assembled by slaves in a factory, actually a two room house, in Greensboro. , The clock pictured above is a Davis and Barber eight-day, triple-decker, Greensborough Clock. The case is mahogany veneer with a pilaster on each side and has one painted scene below the face. The brass works are operated by weights, with one weight operating the time train and the other operating the striking train. Some Greensborough clocks have simple cases, and some have wooden instead of brass works. It is interesting to note that no two Greensborough clocks are exactly alike. , It is unclear when the clock factory was closed. Some speculate it was in 1844 when the Davis and Barber partnership was terminated. The clocks that survived are very limited and extremely hard to find. Greensborough clocks are antiques whose value will continue to increase not only because of their quality and beauty but also because of their historical value.

During the prosperous years before the War Between the States, many “Georgia” clocks were sold around the state. These clocks fell into two categories. In the first category were standardized clocks purchased directly from Connecticut manufacturers by itinerant merchants who attached their own labels to the clocks. The second category included clocks made by clockmakers who came from Connecticut to Georgia, settled in a particular community, and produced quality clocks in that community. Although there is evidence that clocks of this type were probably made in Augusta and Savannah, more is known of the history of the Greensborough clock.

Greensborough clocks were first made by Josiah Davis and his wife's nephew, Orville Barber, in Greensboro, Georgia, around 1836. Davis and Barber had sold their clock factory is Bristol, Connecticut in 1835 and taken payment in clock parts. After coming to Greensboro, they established a business and began making clocks. The clock parts they used had been made in Connecticut by either Seth Thomas or Birge and Mallory and sent south by train. They were assembled by slaves in

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a factory, actually a two room house, in Greensboro.

The clock pictured above is a Davis and Barber eight-day, triple-decker, Greensborough Clock. The case is mahogany veneer with a pilaster on each side and has one painted scene below the face. The brass works are operated by weights, with one weight operating the time train and the other operating the striking train. Some Greensborough clocks have simple cases, and some have wooden instead of brass works. It is interesting to note that no two Greensborough clocks are exactly alike.

It is unclear when the clock factory was closed. Some speculate it was in 1844 when the Davis and Barber partnership was terminated. The clocks that survived are very limited and extremely hard to find. Greensborough clocks are antiques whose value will continue to increase not only because of their quality and beauty but also because of their historical value.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 33° 34.907′ N, 83° 10.877′ W. Marker is in Greensboro, Georgia,

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024

2. Josiah Davis Marker

in Greene County. It can be reached from Memorial Drive 0.1 miles west of North East Street, on the left when traveling west. It is in Greensboro City Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Richland Ave, Greensboro GA 30642, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Antebellum Trail

and in the Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Thaddeus Brockett Rice (a few steps from this marker); Governor Peter Early (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Early (within shouting distance of this marker); Greene County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Gwyn Allison (within shouting distance

A Davis & Barber Clock image. Click for full size.

Ahlers & Ogletree(Public Domain), 2019

3. A Davis & Barber Clock

of this marker); The Mounger Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Unknown Confederate Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Irving (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensboro.

Also see . . .
1. History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886. "Yankees" poured into Georgia with the view of outsmarting the yokels. Clocks, Jim Crow carders and other Yankee gew-gaws were scarce and the "fields were ripe unto the harvest. Josiah Davis heard of this "promised land" and, like the forty-niners during the gold rush to California, he headed for Greensboro, Georgia. (Thaddeus B. Rice, 1961; via Internet Archive) (Submitted on March 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Davis & Barber Greensboro GA Clock. Short video showcasing one of the rare clocks. (Towerclock1843-Dee's Clockworks LLC, uploaded Jun. 21, 2013) (Submitted on March 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.