The following information is given to briefly note each item on the coverlet, starting in the upper left-hand section, and continuing to the right clockwise until ending where it starts

Four Willards, Benjamin, Simon, Aaron and Ephraim have the distinction of making these clocks that are now known to be the best of their time (c. 1760 to early 1800's), and still operate today. It all started in Grafton, Massachusetts and production also progressed to Boston and Roxbury. Simon is the most well known for his clocks. Many of their apprentices eventually started their own businesses in the clock industry.

Originally known as the City Hotel in Washington, D.C., Henry Augustus Willard leased and ran the hotel starting in October 1847. Henry was an excellent businessman and the little hotel flourished. The name changed to The Willard Hotel. Henry's brother joined him in the hotel venture, and it became "the" hotel in D.C. Many notables made the hotel the place to go and stay. Politicians used its elaborate lobby to hold "court" and discuss situations of the times.

The church in Horsmonden, Kent. England in which our ancestor, Simon Willard, was baptized in 1605. This church is still active and recently replaced 500-year old beams holding the huge bell peel. One of the bells was cracked and has been recast as "The Willard Bell." One of the stained glass windows celebrates Simon Willard and several of the pews have cushions with the Willard Crest on them.

Located in Boston, Massachusetts and is no longer active as a church. It is a National Historic Landmark on the Freedom Trail and operates as a museum and historical facility with a variety of programs and interpretive events. Rev. Samuel Willard, son of Simon, became its pastor in October, 1678, and at the same time assumed the presidency of Harvard College. Samuel was well-educated and wrote many theological works. He was involved in anti-witch trials and wrote and advised judges of the trials. Rev. Willard baptized Benjamin Franklin in 1702.

A grand monument was built as a memorial to The Revolutionary War. It was designed and engineered by Solomon Willard. He supervised the cutting of granite from a Quincy, Mass. quarry and the rail run built especially to the barge dock to transport the stone to Charlestown. Solomon spent from 1824-1841 completing the monument and never took compensation. Many notables, including the Marquis de Lafayette, attended the laying of the cornerstone.

This painting by Archibald M. Willard of Cleveland, Ohio became one of the most well known works in the country. He painted may more of the same subject creating more originals. "The Spirit of '76" has become a symbol of the spirit of the United States. Archibald also painted many other subjects through the years. But alas, most of these painting have been lost.

Winter camp site in Oregon for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Our Alexander H. Willard, a blacksmith from New Hampshire, was a member of Sgt. Ordway's squad. He took a 50% pay cut when he transfered from the Artillery Corps to join the Corps of Discovery. He repaired pots and pans at Ft. Mandan, maintained weapons, towed boats, hunted, worked at the Salt Camp and did the numerous other duties as an enlisted soldier.

This clock produced by Simon Willard (1802) became a well known time piece and acquired the name "banjo" due to its shape. A signed piece today brings high bids at auctions.

This house and museum is located in Grafton, Massachusetts. The first of the Willard clocks were produced here and many clocks have been provided to the museum all in working order, most with chimes. It is the only Willard clock museum in the U.S., and very aptly operated by a local organization who offer tours for children and adults, as well as numerous activities during the year.

The school founded by Emma Willard in the early 1800's known as "Mrs. Willard's Seminary" was located in downtown Troy, New York. Only young ladies attended the grades 9 to 12 to learn what young men of the time were learning in the all-boy's schools. Emma wrote her own instructional books and produced map booklets of the world. She was instrumental in providing the young ladies with the best education they could have. She became known as one of the foremost educators here and abroad. The current school on the hill consisting of several acres is indeed a memorial to the genius of Emma Willard.

Located in Charlestown, New Hamlpshire, the colonial outpost became a town with Lieutenant Moses Willard as one of the principal founders and town officers. His daughters Susanna Johnson with her three children and her sister Miriam were taken prisoners by hostile Indians on August 20, 1754. Susanna had two other children in captivity neither of which survived, in addition to Miriam. After some time, Susanna and children returned to Charlestown via England.

Located in Auburn, New York, this chapel is the only known all-Tiffany-built buildings in the world -- everything including stained-glass windows, altar, altar rail, pews, walls, chandeliers, decorations, and other construction. This chapel was given in memory of Dr. Sylvester and Jane F. (Case) Willard by their daughters Georgiana and Caroline who paid $50,000 to Louis Comfort Tiffany for this memorial.

Charles Forester Willard started exhibiting the art of flying in 1909 and onward. He was the fourth U.S. licensed pilot and was the first to fly an airplane over the City of Los Angeles. He later was the chief engineer for the Glenn Martin Aircraft Company. During World War I, he was part of the design team for the Navy creating the first aircraft carrier and sea planes.

The Willard Family Coat-of-Arms from the time of Edward III, England (1327) the family seat was Eastbourne, Sussex, England. The family originally came from Caen, Normandy, France.