Black History

Crafting Freedom and Time: The Life and Legacy of Clockmaker Peter Hill

Peter Hill, a skilled clockmaker, was born on July 19, 1767, in Burlington Township, New Jersey. Peter’s journey unfolded against the backdrop of both challenge and triumph.

Published

1 year ago

September 28, 2023

Oakland Post

One of clockmaker Peter Hill’s works is on display at the National Museum of History and Technology at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. File photo.

By Tamara Shiloh

Peter Hill, a skilled clockmaker, was born on July 19, 1767, in Burlington Township, New Jersey. Peter’s journey unfolded against the backdrop of both challenge and triumph.

Hill’s lineage is thought to trace back to enslaved parents, owned by Joseph Hollinshead Jr., a clockmaker. A twist of fate had Peter growing up within the Hollinshead household, where he absorbed the intricate art and craft of clockmaking. As he matured, the hands of destiny guided him towards assisting Hollinshead in his clock store, honing his skills with each passing tick.

In 1794, at the age of 27, Hollinshead emancipated Hill from the chains of enslavement, and the subsequent year witnessed the official affirmation of his freedom through a court document. A momentous turning point, this marked the beginning of Hill’s journey as a free man.

A love story of significance unfolded when Peter Hill and Tina Lewis exchanged vows on Sept. 9, 1795. Tina, celebrated for her adept writing and her efforts in offering education to African Americans within the community through the Society of Friends (Quakers), brought her own radiant light to their shared path.

After marrying, he embarked on a new endeavor in 1795, crafting clocks and watches within his Burlington, New Jersey home. As his craftsmanship flourished, so did his success, prompting him to expand his horizons. Alongside timepieces, Peter’s legacy extended to the ownership of cattle, horses, and expansive plots of land.

By 1814, Peter relocated his clockmaking business to Mount Holly. There, he thrived within the Quaker farming community where his creations would succeed. It was amidst the hum of paper mills and iron works that Peter’s clocks found their place.

The passage of time bore witness to the endurance of Peter’s craft. Not one, but two of his timepieces survived the era. The first, created for neighbor Rowland Jones in 1812, found a new home at Westtown School in Westtown, Pennsylvania.

The second, a stately tall case clock, graced the halls of the National Museum of History and Technology at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., a testimony to Hill’s enduring legacy.

On a notable date, Feb. 20, 1820, Peter Hill’s story took another turn as he acquired a brick dwelling house and land in Mount Holly. That same year, he passed away, leaving behind a legacy woven into every tick of time. Even after his passing, his influence, his craftsmanship, and the spirit of his journey continue to echo through the pages of history.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 5 – 11, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 5 – 11, 2025

Published

1 week ago

March 7, 2025

Oakland Post

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Arts and Culture

Beverly Lorraine Greene: A Pioneering Architect and Symbol of Possibility and Progress

Greene graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1936 with a degree in Architecture — a remarkable accomplishment for an African American woman at the time. She was never discouraged by the racial and gender discrimination that saturated her field.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 3, 2025

Oakland Post

Beverly Lorraine Greene. Public domain photo.

By Tamara Shiloh

In the mid-20th century, Beverly Lorraine Greene was recognized as the first African American woman licensed to practice architecture in the United States.

Greene was born on Oct. 4, 1915, in Chicago during an era when opportunities for African Americans, particularly women, were severely limited.

Her parents, James and Vera Greene, were deeply invested in her education, instilling in her a belief in the power of intellect and perseverance. She grew up during the Great Migration that transformed Chicago starting in 1900.

Greene continued her education, earning a master’s degree in City Planning and Housing in 1937, also from the University of Illinois. Her ambition was not merely to design structures but to shape spaces that fostered equity and community. In 1942, she became the first African American woman licensed as an architect in the United States, obtaining her credentials in Illinois. This groundbreaking achievement, however, did not translate immediately into job opportunities.

Early in her career, she faced significant discrimination from firms unwilling to hire a Black woman. However, her determination never wavered. In 1945, Beverly moved to New York City, a place she believed could offer broader professional opportunities.

She joined the architectural department of the New York City Housing Authority, focusing on affordable housing projects. Her work during this time reflected her commitment to using architecture as a tool for social justice, ensuring that marginalized communities had access to well-designed, dignified living spaces.

Greene’s talents soon drew the attention of prominent firms. She was hired by Isadore Rosenfield, a respected architect known for designing hospitals. She contributed to the design of healthcare facilities, including the modernization of Harlem Hospital. Her portfolio expanded in collaboration with architectural personalities such as Marcel Breuer and Edward Durell Stone.

Notably, she worked on the prestigious UNESCO headquarters in Paris — a landmark project that brought her skills to an international stage. Her involvement underscored her ability to navigate the intricacies of large-scale, global projects, proving that her talents transcended the limitations society sought to impose.

Greene’s career was tragically cut short when she passed away unexpectedly in 1957 at the age of 41. Though her life was brief, her impact was profound. She shattered entrenched barriers, paving the way for future generations of Black architects and women in the field.