Thomas Jefferson's Chinese Gong

In December 11, 1795, Thomas Jefferson made notations in his Memorandum Books concerning the purchase of 2 pairs of gongs. It appears that the earlier of the 2 was related to a gong proured through Henry Remsen, Jr., in New York.  Jefferson stated, "The Chinese have a thing made of a kind of bell metal, which they call a Gong, and is used as a bell at the gates of large houses, &c.  It is in fact precisely of the shape and size of a camp oven, and 20. I. diameter and 5. I. deep... I wish for one to serve as the bell to a clock, which might be heard all over my farm..."  After consulting with the owner of a ship engaged in the China trade, Ramsen informed Jefferson that provisions had been made to meet his request. In due time, 2 gongs arrived at Monticello.

There is no information available from Jefferson's records and notes about the original design of the gong housing on the northeast portico roof.  It appears in all early illustrations from 1827 on.  The wooden  housing was replaced during the 1955 roof restoration with a new housing fabricated of sheet metal with an enamel finish.

One of the gongs appears to have been installed as part of the apparatus of the "Great Clock" being used to sound each half and hourly time.  This gong is of hammered brass-like metal.

(Notes taken from: www.monticello.org/site/house-and-gardens/gongs)

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