THE PELEG ARNOLD FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY AND BRASS-MOUNTED TALL-CASE CLOCK

The history of the clock is recorded on a label on the inside of the case door and indicates it was first owned by Chief Justice Peleg Arnold (1751-1820). After graduating from Rhode Island College (now Brown University), Arnold practiced law and ran a successful tavern, which still stands today on Woonsocket Hill Road in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. He represented the state during the 1787-1788 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and from 1795 to 1812 served as the Chief Justice of Rhode Island Supreme Court. Peleg’s sister, Lydia (1746-1828) married William Buffum (1741-1829) and their son, Thomas F. Buffum (1776-1852) received the clock after Peleg Arnold’s death in 1820. In 1888, the clock was owned by Thomas’ son, David Buffum (1811-1899). A first cousin of David, Maria Arnold Ide (1821-1895) recorded this history in 1888.