Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1892 — He. Made the Old South Clock. [ARTICLE]

He. Made the Old South Clock.

Gawen Browne was an ingenious mechanic, -and his name appears in the newspapers of his day as a clock and watchmaker in State street, formerly King street In 2777 the town clock, which had been for many years on the old brick meeting house near the head of King street, having become much out of order the town of Boston voted to send to England for a new clock. Browne offered to construct one upon a plan of his own, which he guaranteed should be equal to any that could be imported, and should cost less. He was permitted to do so. When completed it was set up in Faneuil Hall, and exhibited at the town meeting following. It gave entire satisfaction, and the town voted to pay Browne £IOO for it and gave him permission to raise as much more as he could by subscription among the inhabitants. He always complained that he had not received enough to compensate him for his work, and petitioned the town many times for further renumeration, which, after some time, was granted. When they came to set the clock up in the place assigned for it, it was found that there were insurmountaable objections to placing it in the “old brick,” and it was decided to put it in the Old South steeple, as being the more substantial structure, where it has remained to the present time. Browne lived to quite an advanced age. He was considered the most cross and ill-natured person in Boston, and died grumbling that he was never half paid for his work. He died August, 1807, aged 82.—Boston Transcript.