Meet the Ancestors: Abraham Claude

Annapolis Regulator Clock designed by Abraham Claude

Mary Dierdorff, a descendant of Abraham, stands next to the clock.

Abraham Claude (c.1747-1800) 

Abraham (or Abram) Claude was a native of Neuchatel, Switzerland. He was accompanied by M. Nyol de L’Allie in passage to America about 1763. He was about 16 years old when he arrived in Annapolis. M. Nyol de L’Allie, apparently his guardian and relative, then “went west”. Abram Claude became a clockmaker. He is known for making the clock known as the Annapolis Regulator. In the book, Dixie Clockmakers by James W. Gibbs, it states, “The four inch brass disc on the door bears this inscription: ‘This clock stood in the West Street shop of Abm. Claude (1747-1800), a Swiss who came here about 1763 and worked as a silversmith, clock, and watchmaker. Local timepieces were adjusted to it.’ The mollusk motif spandrels, entirely in keeping with the Chesapeake Bay area, are intriguing, as they may be the prototype copied by various clockmakers scattered throughout the eastern seaboard…” 

Abraham Claude is described as a patriot in The Ancient City by Elihu S. Riley (published in 1887). He participated in a successful “rally for American liberty” at the city dock to resist the landing of Zachariah Hood, a stamp collector. 

Abram Claude married Nancy Stevens on May 19, 1775. They had four sons:  Dennis Claude, who died in infancy, John Claude, Dennis Claude, who became a surgeon and was member of the legislature as Delegate and Senator, twice Mayor of Annapolis, Comptroller, and Treasurer of Maryland.  Their fourth son was Abram Claude who died in the Battle of Bladensburg on 8/24/1814. He had been a lawyer. 

After the death of Nancy Stevens Claude, Abram married Elizabeth Quynn, daughter of Allen Quynn, then Mayor of Annapolis. Abram died on August 15, 1800. He was about 53 years old.