Message from the Mayor- 1777 Dod-Cary Grandfather Clock Donated to Mendham Borough During America's 250th Anniversary

As Mayor, I would like to extend a very special thank you to the McLean family for their extraordinarily generous donation of the historic Dod–Cary grandfather clock (circa 1777) to the Borough. The clock was delivered on June 8th to the Phoenix House and represents a remarkable piece of both our local and our national history.

The clock was crafted in 1777 by Lebbeus Dod (1739–1816), one of Mendham's most distinguished Revolutionary-era residents. A master clockmaker, gunsmith, and Captain in the Morris County Militia, Dod was entrusted by General George Washington to operate a secret armory on his property, where muskets were repaired and manufactured for Continental troops. Beyond his military service, Dod earned national recognition as a craftsman, producing exceptional tall-case clocks and mathematical instruments. Several examples of his work are now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His historic home, built around 1750, still stands today at 67 West Main Street.

The clock also reflects the enduring legacy of the Cary family, whose Mendham roots date to 1745, when Jonathan Cary moved to construct the original First Presbyterian Church—today's Hilltop Church. He settled in Mendham, established a mill, and began a family whose contributions to the community would span generations. During the Revolutionary War, the Cary family played an important role in supporting the Continental Army, providing food, clothing, and other supplies.

The Cary family's legacy remains visible today. John Cary, known as "Old Miller Cary," operated the family's mill, and later generations farmed the surrounding land. His grandson, Stephen Cary, cultivated a 59-acre farm on Mountainside Road. The historic Cary Farm barn, now owned and currently being restored by the Borough of Mendham, continues to stand as a lasting reminder of the family's contributions to our community.

It is especially meaningful that this extraordinary gift has been entrusted to the Borough as our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence. This remarkable clock not only preserves the craftsmanship of one of Mendham's most celebrated artisans but also honors the generations of residents whose service, sacrifice, and stewardship helped shape our community and our country.

I would also like to thank the Mayor’s Historic Committee for recognizing this opportunity, and our Borough Administrator for working with the family to secure the donation. Finally, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to the McLean family for ensuring that this irreplaceable piece of Mendham's history remains here—where its story began.

Mayor James “Jim” Kelly