RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
10 Dollars, Virginia, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1776
date on object: 1776-10-07
issuing authority: Virginia
place made: United States: Virginia, Williamsburg
city and province: United States: Virginia, Williamsburg
province: United States: Virginia
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.3 cm x 9.3 cm x .01 cm; 2 15/32 in x 3 21/32 in x in
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
2/3 Dollar, Maryland, 1775
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date on object: 1775-07-26
date made: 1775
issuing authority: Maryland
place made: United States: Maryland
city: United States: Maryland, Annapolis
city and province: United States: Maryland, Annapolis
province: United States: Maryland
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.3 cm x 12.4 cm x .01 cm; 2 15/32 in x 4 7/8 in x in
Credit line: Library of Congress
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
Description (Brief): One (1) 2/3 dollar note
Maryland, 1775
Obverse Image: Patriotic scene depicts King George III setting fire to the city of Baltimore.
Obverse Text: (NO. 5253) / TWO THIRDS OF A DOLLAR / THIS BILL OF TWO THIRDS OF A DOLLAR, SHALL ENTITLE THE BEARER HEREOF TO RECIEVE GOLD AND SILVER, AT THE RATE FOUR SHILLINGS AND SIX-PENCE STERLING PER DOLLAR, FOR THE SAID BILL ACCORDING TO A RESOLVE OF THE PROVINCIAL CONVENTION OF MAYLAND, HELD AT THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS, ON THE 26TH OF JULY, M.DCC.LXXV
Reverse Image: Patriotic scene on back depicts an allegory of peace between Great Britain and America.
Reverse Text: TWO THIRDS OF A DOLLAR / PAX / TRIUMPHIS / POTICR / LIBERTY
6 Pence, Connecticut, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: paper money
note
date on object: 1776-06-19
date made: 1776
issuing authority: Connecticut
maker: Green, Timothy II
place made: United States: Connecticut, Hartford
city: United States: Connecticut, Hartford
city and province: United States: Connecticut, Hartford
province: United States: Connecticut
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 8.7 cm x 7.1 cm x .01 cm; 3 7/16 in x 2 25/32 in x in
Credit line: B. M. Douglas
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
2 Shillings and 8 Pence, New York, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: paper money
bank note
note
date made: 1776
date on object: 1776-03-05
maker: Loudon, Samuel
place made: United States: New York, New York City
city: United States: New York
province: United States: New York
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.9 cm x 10.8 cm x .01 cm; 2 23/32 in x 4 1/4 in x in
Credit line: Chase Manhattan
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
5 Dollars
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Paper Money
date made: 1800-08-19
city: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
political area: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Credit line: Stack, Joseph
Voltaic pile
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Battery
voltaic pile
date made: ca 1808
Measurements: overall: 34 in x 10 in x 10 in; 86.36 cm x 25.4 cm x 25.4 cm
Credit line: from Dickinson College
Description (Brief): A very early voltaic pile, the first type of chemical battery. Alternating discs of zinc and copper (each about 2-13/16" diameter) are separated by (now degraded) pads that would have been damped with salt-water during use. About fifty pairs of discs are stacked vertically in a mahogany frame supported by 4 turned posts, there are 5 turned balls on top, four to secure the posts, and one in the center to adjust tension on the stack of discs. The discs are kept in position by 3 vertical glass rods 1/2" diameter by 30" long.
Developed by Alessandro Volta of Italy in the late 1890s and introduced in 1800, voltaic piles generated a steady source of electrical current. This allowed researchers to conduct experiments not possible with previous static electric generating equipment, and led within a few years to the discovery of electromagnetic effects that revolutionized electrical science. Further development of Volta’s initial concept resulted in batteries that powered early telegraph systems, electroplating devices, and experimental electric lights. This particular unit dates from around 1808, less than a decade after Volta announced his discovery.
Dickinson College provided a list of scientific apparatus in their possession, dated 21 May 1814, that includes two voltaic piles. Staff of the US National Museum borrowed one of the two piles in 1956 or 1957, constructed a replica, then returned the original to the college. In 1958, the college reported that their records indicated that the pile “was given to the College by Benjamin Rush [1746-1813], ... about 1808.”
In late 1965, Museum of History and Technology staff requested the loan of one original pile for exhibition. Dickinson College sent this pile in January 1966. We do not know if it is the one previously borrowed, since the original piles are identical. After the exhibition, staff placed the pile in storage. It has been displayed several times over the decades. In 2023, Dickinson College converted the loan to a gift.
Cylinder-type Electrostatic Machine
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: cylinder-type frictional electrostatic machine
electrostatic generator component
electrostatic generator
date made: ca 1800
maker: Nairne, Edward
Physical Description: glass (overall material)
wood (overall material)
brass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
leather (overall material)
Credit line: from Frances D. Priestley
Topics: Electrostatic Machines
Science
Mathematics
Description (Brief): People from ancient times knew that rubbing certain materials and then touching something caused a spark. Studying what is called electrostatics laid the groundwork for understanding electricity and magnetism. Natural philosophers, scientists, and instrument makers created many ingenious devices to generate electrostatic charges starting in the 1600s. These machines varied in size and technique but all involved rotary motion to generate a charge, and a means of transferring the charge to a storage device for use.
This large electrostatic cylinder machine from the estate of Joseph Priestley was made around 1800 by Edward Nairne of Britain. Restored for exhibition in 1959, the machine and collector stand comprise most of the parts identified as belonging to the machine. Four additional collectors and parts of another stand are also associated with this object. During the 1750s electrical researchers refined the design of electrostatic machines by replacing earlier spherical globes with a glass cylinder, a design used for many years. This change increased the surface area of the glass in contact with the rubbing pad and improved the efficiency of the generator.
Natural philosopher and free-thinker Joseph Priestley (1733-1804), emigrated from Britain to the United States in 1794. Among other accomplishments, Priestley is remembered for chemical and electrical research. Years after his death, his daughter sent an assortment of material to the Smithsonian, most of which was in poor condition. Curators at the time were uncertain how important the equipment may have been to Priestley’s research but preserved many of the items as examples of the type of equipment available in that era.
Nicholson revolving doubler
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Revolving Doubler
influence machine
electrostatic generator
date made: ca 1810
maker: W. & S. Jones
Measurements: overall: 11 1/2 in x 7 1/4 in x 8 in; 29.21 cm x 18.415 cm x 20.32 cm
Credit line: from Columbia University, Department of Physics, thru Alvin P. Tramm
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Description (Brief): People from ancient times knew that rubbing certain materials and then touching something caused a spark. Studying what is called electrostatics laid the groundwork for understanding electricity and magnetism. Natural philosophers, scientists, and instrument makers created many ingenious devices to generate electrostatic charges starting in the 1600s. These machines varied in size and technique but all involved rotary motion to generate a charge, and a means of transferring the charge to a storage device for use.
Many early electrostatic machines generated a charge by friction. In the later 19th century several designs were introduced based on induction. Electrostatic induction occurs when one charged body (such as a glass disc) causes another body (another disc) that is close but not touching to become charged. The first glass disc is said to influence the second disc so these generators came to be called influence machines.
This small revolving doubler, developed by William Nicholson (1753-1815) in England, shows the basic principle of an influence machine. The user turns a crank that rotates a charged disc in front of the stationary discs. The rotating disc induces a charge on each stationary disc as it passes. The two stationary discs on this piece are connected briefly so both become charged. The charge is almost doubled each time the rotating disc passes a stationary disc and the effect repeats, building up a high voltage on the brass ball. This doubler was made in London by instrument makers William and Samuel Jones in the early 1800s. Since the charge is not quite doubled the term multiplier was later used for these types of devices.
Indenture and Charter Party
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Document
Date made: 1807
author: Chase, Eliphalet
place made: United States: Maryland, Baltimore
Physical Description: black; beige (overall color)
paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 7 7/8 in x 10 in; 20.0025 cm x 25.4 cm
20 Shillings, Connecticut, 1780
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1780
date on object: 1780-06-01
associated date: 1780
maker: Green, Timothy II
place made: United States: Connecticut, New London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 8.8 cm x 7 cm x .01 cm; 3 15/32 in x 2 3/4 in x in
Credit line: B. M. Douglas
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
15 Shillings, New Jersey, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1776
date on object: 1776-03-25
associated date: 1776
maker: Collins, Isaac
place made: United States: New Jersey
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.3 cm x 10.9 cm x .01 cm; 2 15/32 in x 4 9/32 in x in
Credit line: B. M. Douglas
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
3 Pounds, New Jersey, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1776
date on object: 1776-03-25
associated date: 1776
maker: Collins, Isaac
Place Made: United States: New Jersey
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.7 cm x 11.7 cm x .01 cm; 2 5/8 in x 4 19/32 in x in
Credit line: B. M. Douglas
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
3 Pounds, New York, 1771
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1771
date on object: 1771-02-16
associated date: 1771
associated person: Gaine, Hugh
maker: Gaine, Hugh
Gallaudet, Elisha
place made: United States: New York
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.5 cm x 9.7 cm x .01 cm; 2 9/16 in x 3 13/16 in x in
Credit line: Mrs. Gerald Hughes
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
1 Dollar, Maryland, 1770
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1770
date on object: 1770-03-01
associated date: 1770
maker: A. C. and W. Green
Place Made: United States: Maryland
associated place: United States: Maryland, Annapolis
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.6 cm x 11.6 cm x .01 cm; 2 19/32 in x 4 9/16 in x in
Credit line: Library of Congress
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
2/3 Dollar, Maryland, 1774
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1774
date on object: 1774-04-10
associated date: 1774
maker: A. C. and F. Green
place made: United States: Maryland
associated place: United States: Maryland, Annapolis
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.5 cm x 11.7 cm x .01 cm; 2 9/16 in x 4 19/32 in x in
Credit line: Library of Congress
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
8 Dollars, Maryland, 1770
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1770
date on object: 1770-03-01
associated date: 1770
maker: A. C. and W. Green
place made: United States: Maryland
associated place: United States: Maryland, Annapolis
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.6 cm x 12.1 cm x .01 cm; 2 19/32 in x 4 3/4 in x in
Credit line: Morton Stack
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
6 Shillings, Delaware, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1776
date on object: 1776-01-01
maker: Adams, James
place made: United States: Delaware
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 8.9 cm x 7.4 cm x .01 cm; 3 1/2 in x 2 29/32 in x in
Credit line: Library of Congress
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
3 Dollars, New York, 1775
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1775
date on object: 1775-09-02
associated date: 1775
maker: Holt, John
place made: United States: New York
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 7.1 cm x 10.8 cm x .01 cm; 2 25/32 in x 4 1/4 in x in
Credit line: B. M. Douglas
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
5 Dollars, New York, 1775
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1775
date on object: 1775-09-02
associated date: 1775
maker: Holt, John
place made: United States: New York
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 7.7 cm x 11 cm x .01 cm; 3 1/32 in x 4 11/32 in x in
Credit line: Mrs. Gerald Hughes
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
2 Shillings and 6 Pence
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date on object: 1773-10-01
date made: 1773
associated date: 1773
Printer: Hall & Sellers
maker: Hall & Sellers
place made: United States: Pennsylvania
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.8 cm x 9.1 cm x .01 cm; 2 11/16 in x 3 19/32 in x in
Credit line: Morton Stack
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
14 Shillings, Pennsylvania, 1773
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1773
date on object: 1773-03-20
associated date: 1773
maker: Hall & Sellers
place made: United States: Pennsylvania
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9.4 cm x 7.2 cm x .01 cm; 3 11/16 in x 2 27/32 in x in
Credit line: B. M. Douglas
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
2 Shillings, New York, 1775
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1775
date on object: 1775-08-02
associated date: 1775
Associated Name: Gaine, Hugh
maker: Gaine, Hugh
place made: United States: New York
associated place: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 5.7 cm x 9.3 cm x .01 cm; 2 1/4 in x 3 21/32 in x in
Credit line: Morton Stack
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
canteen
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Canteen
Date made: Revolutionary War Era
Measurements: overall: 19.304 cm x 19.304 cm x 8.128 cm; 7 5/8 in x 7 5/8 in x 3 3/16 in
Topics: American Revolution (1775-1783)
Miss America Pageant
map of Asia
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Map
date made: ca 1800
graphic artist: Doolittle, Amos
publisher: Thomas and Andrews
place made: United States: Massachusetts, Boston
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 20.2 cm x 23.5 cm; 7 15/16 in x 9 1/4 in
map of East India Isles
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Map
Date made: Dec. 21, 1801
date made: 1801-12-21
graphic artist: Cary, John
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 55 cm x 66.3 cm; 21 21/32 in x 26 3/32 in
image: 47 cm x 53 cm; 18 1/2 in x 20 7/8 in
Betsy Ross House
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Button
referenced: Ross, Betsy
Washington, George
maker: Philadelphia Badge Co.
Physical Description: metal (overall material)
red; white; blue (overall color)
Measurements: overall: 7/8 in; x 2.2225 cm
Credit line: Timothy D. W. Connelly in memory of Gordon Montgomery Connelly
Topics: American Revolution (1775-1783)
Flags
Howells, Barraud & Jamison Marine Chronometer
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: box chronometer
date made: 1802
maker: Jamison, George
Barraud, Paul Philip
Howells, William
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
glass (overall material)
wood (overall material)
jewels (overall material)
Measurements: wooden box - from catalog card: 5 3/8 in x 6 1/4 in x 6 1/4 in; 13.6525 cm x 15.875 cm x 15.875 cm
overall: 5 1/4 in x 6 3/4 in x 6 3/8 in; 13.335 cm x 17.145 cm x 16.1925 cm
Topics: Time and Navigation
Description: In the 18th century, inventing a practical way to determine time and place was so important to the security of seafaring imperial nations of Western Europe that a number of governments established lucrative prizes to inspire a solution.
John Harrison received England's prize for inventing a timepiece accurate enough for determining longitude at sea. Harrison's timekeepers were ingenious, intricate and difficult to reproduce accurately and affordably. Nevertheless, they paved the way for the work of later inventor watchmakers, all of whom would help to revolutionize the maritime world by producing the timepieces that came to be known as marine chronometers.
Thomas Mudge, one of the watchmakers following Harrison, designed this instrument. Like Harrison's timepieces, Mudge's were extremely inventive and complex. And like Harrison, Mudge won an English government prize he had a struggle to receive.
Mudge's son, Thomas Mudge Jr., engaged a number of craftsmen to make copies of his father's work for public sale. The venture was a financial failure. The copies never accomplished the superior accuracy of the senior Mudge's own work, although their performance was adequate for maritime purposes.
Of the twenty-six copies of his father's design commissioned by the younger Mudge, this one is number fourteen. It is the product of a collaboration of three craftsmen: William Howells of Kennington in southeast London, Paul Philip Barraud also of London and George Jamison of Portsea, a town adjacent to the naval base of Portsmouth on the southern English coast. Marks on the timekeeper's movement indicate they completed it in London in 1802.
A plain wood box protects the instrument, which hangs in a framework of partial gimbals to keep it level on a rolling ship.
Thomas Earnshaw Box Chronometer
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: box chronometer without case
date made: ca 1798
maker: Earnshaw, Thomas
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
glass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 7/8 in x 3 1/2 in; 7.3025 cm x 8.89 cm
Topics: Time and Navigation
Description: This instrument is a specialized timekeeper for finding longitude at sea. Thomas Earnshaw made this chronometer in England about 1798. It became part of the James Arthur Collection at New York University, and the university donated a portion of the collection, including this chronometer, to the Smithsonian in 1984.
To find longitude at sea, a chronometer was set to the time of a place of known longitude, like Greenwich, England. That time, carried to a remote location, could be compared to local time. Because one hour of difference in time equals 15 degrees difference in longitude, the difference in time between the chronometer and local time would yield local longitude. The instruments require careful handling to keep precise time. Although the original box for this instrument has not survived, most chronometers are fitted in a wooden box in a gimbal to remain level and compensate for the movement of a ship at sea.
Thomas Earnshaw (1749-1829) was a pioneer in chronometer development. He is credited with introducing to chronometer design two important features that became standard parts of the timekeeper in the 19th century—the detached detent escapement and, independently of his rival John Arnold, the bimetallic compensation balance. His simplifications permitted others to undertake batch production of chronometers, and his work received an award of £2500 from Britain’s Longitude Board in 1805.
Mechanism details:
Escapement: Earnshaw spring detent
Duration: 1 day
Power source: Spring drive with chain and fuse
Balance spring: helical, blued steel
Balance: Earnshaw, two-arm
Inscription: “Thos. Earnshaw / Inv. Et Fecit No. 451” on back plate
Barrel bridge possibly a replacement
Dial details:
Engraved and silvered brass
Indicates hours, minutes, seconds
Inscription: “Thos. Earnshaw / INVT. ET FACIT /No. 451” on dial
Blued steel lunette hands (minute hand is a replacement)
Brass bowl; screwed and milled bezel; convex and chamfered crystal
No box
No winding key
References:
1. Mercer, Tony. <i>Chronometer Makers of the World.</i> Essex: NAG Press and Tony Mercer, 1991.
2. Thompson, David. <i>Clocks.</i> London: British Museum Press, 2005.
3. Whitney, Marvin E. <i>The Ship’s Chronometer.</i> Cincinnati: American Watchmakers Institute Press, 1985.
OL LAVEND
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: bottle
bottle
date made: 18th century
place made: Germany: Rhineland Palatinate, Mainz
Physical Description: glass (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 4 1/4 in x 2 1/8 in; 10.795 cm x 5.3975 cm
overall: 10.5 cm x 5.5 cm; 4 1/8 in x 2 3/16 in
Credit line: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Publisher: Urdang, George and Ferdinand William Nitardy. The Squibb Ancient Pharmacy: A Catalogue of the Collection
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
Religion
European Apothecary
Health & Medicine
Description (Brief): This bottle with its rounded belly, long neck, and round foot was used to store Oil of Lavender. The baked enamel decoration is similar to containers 1991.0664.0223 and 224. The label within the rounded cartouche reads <i>OL LAVEND</i>, and is painted in black. The perimeter of the cartouche is embellished with a red crown at the top above a wheel and sword. Directly below is a blue medallion with the initials “CR” for the shop Casper Ritter. The small black figure to the left of the blue medallion is a Moor, the symbol of the Moor Apothecary. Stylized acanthus leaves are painted yellow and white with red and blue flowers. The Deutches Apotheken Museum in Heidelberg, Germany, also has containers from the Moor Apothecary in Mainz.
The flowers and leaves of the Lavender plant were used as an aromatic to keep clothes and linens smelling sweet and to keep insects away. It was also used for headache when combined with other herbs. (Freeman, p. 39–40)
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