Prior to 1831, Elisha Niles Welch (1809-1887) was in business with his father, George who operated an iron foundry business in Bristol. They made weights and bells for clocks. When Elisha Welch formed a partnership with Thomas Barnes Junior, the company was called Barnes & Welch. They manufactured wooden movement shelf clocks. Barnes and Welch were involved in business with Jonathon C. Brown and Chauncey Pomeroy.
From 1841-1849, E. N. Welch became a partner of J. C. Brown who used Forestville Manufacturing Company and J. C. Brown, Bristol, Connecticut, as company names. Chauncey Pomeroy was also a partner in these companies. Manufactured in these two factories were eight day clocks with brass movements. In 1853 fire destroyed J. C. Brown''s Forestville Hardware and Clock Company.
Welch bought Elisha Manross'' failing clock parts business and J. C. Browns Forestville Company after it went bankrupt. He also purchased the case making business of Fredrick S. Otis. He consolidated these purchases under one name, E. N. Welch, which became one of Bristol''s largest clock companies.
in 1868, the Welch, Spring and Company was formed. Their production emphasis was on high quality clocks, including regulators and calendars. After Elisha Welch''s death in1887, his son James became the company''s president. Fire destroyed the movement factory in1899. Later that same year, the case factory met the same fate.
Financial problems plagued the company. Mortgages were past due. Bank notes were due and unpaid. Liabilities were growing and legal suits were pending. The company had no funds. Realizing the troubles that faced the Welch Clock makers, the Sessions family, who had a clock business in forestville and were interested in expanding their business, began buying Welch company stock. After Albert L. Sessions became treasurer and W. E. Sessions assumed the presidency, they borrowed over $50,000 to revitalize the company.
At this time the Welch Company ceased to exist, and the name was changed to the Sessions Clock Company.
