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Ephraim Downs

1787 – 1860

American clockmaker

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About Ephraim Downs

Lived 1787 – 1860 (aged 72–73). Ephraim Downs was an American miller.

Ephraim Downs (1787–1860) was an American clockmaker who pioneered wooden-movement clocks. In business from 1810 through 1842, he worked with Eli Terry, Silas Hoadley, and Seth Thomas in the early Connecticut clock trade.

During the 1830s, Ephraim supplied nearly seven thousand wood-movement clocks to the wholesale trade. Eighty percent of his clocks were of the thirty-hour looking glass variety. Wholesale prices for these clocks was $9.00 in 1830, but by 1839 the price was reduced by one half due to competitive price cutting and reduced manufacturing costs.

Downs sold some brass movement clocks but it is not believed that he manufactured any of this type. After 1842, he did not participate to any great extent in clock-manufacturing, though he did continue to produce and sell a few wood movements. He continued to work and ran his gristmill until 1850.

He died in Bristol, Connecticut on December 8, 1860. His old clock shop burned down around 1865. It was located on the south side of the river as was the mill, but on the east side of the road now called Downs Street, whereas the mill was on the west side. The Downs mill was taken down in 1921 and a stone monument with a water fountain was erected in its place.

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Important facts

Born
1787
Birth century
Occupation
Miller
Nationality

People in Ephraim Downs's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ephraim Downs's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ephraim Downs?

American clockmaker

When was Ephraim Downs born?

Ephraim Downs was born in 1787.

When did Ephraim Downs die?

Ephraim Downs died on 8 December 1860 in Bristol.

What was Ephraim Downs's occupation?

Ephraim Downs was a miller.

What nationality was Ephraim Downs?

Ephraim Downs was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ephraim Downs

· Wikidata: Q1277501

· DBpedia: Ephraim Downs

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ephraim Downs. https://biography.guide/ephraim-downs/

MLA: "Ephraim Downs." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ephraim-downs/.

Chicago: "Ephraim Downs." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ephraim-downs/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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