Early American Clock Companies: Sessions Clock Company

Sessions Black Mantel Shelf Clock

In 1902, William E. Sessions and other family members took control of what was previously the E.N. Welch Company in Forestville, Connecticut. After the business had been failing financially after the death of its founder in the later 19th century, members of the Sessions family began buying stock from previous shareholders until they were the controlling members. In 1903, the company was renamed the Sessions Clock Company. 

Previously, Sessions's father, who owned a foundry, had produced cases for the E.N. Welch Company. The company continued to manufacture Welch clocks, but began introducing their own line of clocks producing all components including movements, cases, dials, artwork, and castings. Between 1903 and 1933, the Sessions family produced 52 models of mechanical clocks. These included regulators, wall clocks, mantle clocks, and shelf clocks. By 1920 they had started phasing out the older Welch styles of pressed-oak kitchen clocks and black mantel clocks. 

By 1930, the company had spread out to manufacturing electric clocks as wells as traditional brass movements. The electric Sessions W model was used widely by casting companies by the end of World War I. In 1936, Sessions completely discontinued manufacturing spring-driven clocks as electric clocks were more popular and the depression had caused them to be stuck with a large inventory of the spring-driven clocks.

Between 1943 and 1945 all clock production was halted as a result of World War II. During this time Sessions manufactured war materials. 

Sessions Superior Wall Clock

In the 1950s, the company would further spread its wings to producing television timers cheaper electric clocks, plastic alarm clocks, and kitchen wall clocks. The one real innovation the company had during the 50s was "The Lady," which was the first (and last) family planning clock that could keep up with a woman's menstrual cycle. Surprisingly, this never caught on with the public, but they are a collector's item in today's market.

In 1956, the company name was changed to The Sessions Company and sales were increasingly declining. In 1958, the company was sold to Consolidated Electronics Industries Corporation of New York, who was interested in their timing devices. In 1959 William K. Sessions (grandson to William E. Sessions) left the clock company and formed the New England Clock Company. 

Sessions would continue to go through ownership changes over the next decade and a half. After a nine week strike in 1968, the company was once again sold to United Metal Goods Company in Brooklyn, and they would shut the business down. 

In 1969, The North American Phillips Cooperation merged with what was left of the Sessions company with plans to manufacture electric control devices. They also once again changed the name to The Session Company, but the company never got off the ground. After the business was liquidated, the remaining buildings were sold in 1970 to Dabko Industries, a machine parts manufacturer.

Resources:  Alexander H. Phillips - Clockmaker, National Clock Repair