RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Perspective Glass (Zograscope)
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Viewer
glass, perspective
Date made: ca 1800
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: mahogany (frame; stand material)
glass (lens material)
brass (hinges material)
iron (quadrant arm; turnkey material)
Measurements: overall: 28 1/2 in x 9 in; 72.39 cm x 22.86 cm
overall: 28 1/4 in x 9 1/2 in; 71.755 cm x 24.13 cm
lens: 3 in; 7.62 cm
mirror: 6 1/2 in x 5 in; 16.51 cm x 12.7 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. A. Philip Stockvis
Topics: Amusements
Peepshows - History
Optics
Furnishings
spoon
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Spoon
Date made: late 1700's
Physical Description: pewter (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 8 in; 20.32 cm
Topics: Slavery
Octant
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: octant
date made: 1795
place made: United Kingdom: England, Liverpool
Physical Description: wood, ebony (overall material)
ivory (overall material)
metal, brass (overall material)
Measurements: radius: 14 in; 35.56 cm
overall: 16 1/8 in x 12 7/8 in x 2 7/8 in; 40.9575 cm x 32.7025 cm x 7.3025 cm
overall: 3 in x 12 7/8 in x 15 1/4 in; 7.62 cm x 32.7025 cm x 38.735 cm
Credit line: Albert R. Crittenden
Octant
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: octant
date made: ca 1800
maker: J. Quincy
place made: United States: New York, New York City
Measurements: radius: 18 in; 45.72 cm
overall in case: 4 13/16 in x 18 5/8 in x 21 1/4 in; 12.22375 cm x 47.3075 cm x 53.975 cm
Topics: Navigation
Description: Octant with mahogany frame, flat brass index arm with ornate floral pattern, and ivory name plate. The ivory scale is graduated every 20 minutes from -5° to +95° and read by vernier to single minutes of arc. There is also a back sight and a back horizon glass that could be used to measure angles greater than 90°. The "QUINCY, MAKER, N. YORK" inscription refers to J. Quincy, a mathematical instrument maker in New York City in the 1780s. In the stepped wooden box is a trade card of William Hooker, who operated a nautical shop in New York around 1820.
Ref: Deborah J. Warner, "American Octants and Sextants: The Early Years," <i>Rittenhouse</i> 3 (1989): 86-112, on 107.
Backstaff
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: backstaff
date made: 18th century
Measurements: overall: 25 1/4 in; 64.135 cm
Credit line: Arthur R. Crittenden
Topics: Navigation
Description: Backstaff (aka Davis quadrant) that probably dates from the eighteenth century. The frame is ebony; the arcs, vanes, and inlay are boxwood.
Azimuth Circle
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: azimuth circle
date made: late 18th century
18th century
maker: Henry Gregory
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Measurements: overall: 11 1/4 in; 28.575 cm
overall: 1 5/8 in x 11 1/8 in; 4.1275 cm x 28.2575 cm
Topics: Navigation
Description: The "GREGORY, No. 148 near the India House, LONDON" inscription on this azimuth circle refers to Henry Gregory (fl. 1744-1782), a mathematical instrument maker who worked at "The Azimuth Compass, near East India House, Leadenhall St., London."
Ref: Gloria Clifton, <i>Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851</i> (London, 1995), p. 119.
Waistcoat worn by General George Washington
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Waistcoat
Date made: 1775-1797
circa 1780
associated person: Washington, George
transfer: U.S. Patent Office
Measurements: overall: 22 1/2 in x 20 in; 57.15 cm x 50.8 cm
Topics: American Revolution (1775-1783)
Presidents
Military
Description: Collarless, buff wool waistcoat with a single row of fourteen metal buttons down the front, worn by General George Washington. Waistcoat is lined with linen, and has two front flap pockets, each with four buttons beneath flap. Although presented through the years as a uniform consisting of coat, waistcoat and breeches, the waistcoat and breeches are actually from an earlier uniform dating from the end of the Revolutionary War. The coat is slightly newer, dating from 1789
[None None]
Breeches worn by General George Washington
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: breeches
Date made: 1775-1797
circa 1780
associated person: Washington, George
transfer: U.S. Patent Office
Measurements: overall: 28 in x 37 in; 71.12 cm x 93.98 cm
Topics: American Revolution (1775-1783)
Presidents
Military
Description: Buff wool breeches worn by George Washington. Breeches have a two-button closure at waist and a waistband which is lined with linen. The front flap has a one-button closure on either side. There are two front pockets, with a watch pocket on the proper right side of the waistband. The legs have a five-button closure, with a separate tab and button on leg openings. Although presented through the years as a uniform consisting of coat, waistcoat and breeches, the waistcoat and breeches are actually from an earlier uniform dating from the end of the Revolutionary War. The coat is slightly newer, dating from 1789.
[None None None None None None None]
1 Dollar, United States, 1799
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Silver $1 Coin, 1799
coin
date made: 1799
maker: United States Mint
place made: United States
Physical Description: silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 4 cm; 1 9/16 in
Credit line: President Dwight D. Eisenhower
1/2 Cent, United States, 1804
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coin
date made: 1804
maker: United States Mint
designer: Scot, Robert
place made: United States
Physical Description: copper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .15 cm x 2.35 cm; 1/16 in x 15/16 in
Credit line: President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Description (Brief): One (1) 1/2 cent coin
United States, 1804
Obverse Image: Right-facing Liberty, draped bust.
Obverse Text: LIBERTY / 1804
Reverse Image: Wreath.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / HALF CENT / 1/200
field telescope and case
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Field Telescope And Case
associated person: Washington, George
Measurements: overall: 10 3/4 in; 27.305 cm
30 Dollars, Bank of the United States, Pennsylvania, United States, 1791
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: paper money
obsolete bank note
note
Date made: 1791
date made: 1791-03-12
maker: Bank of the United States
place of issue: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Credit line: Chase Manhattan Bank
Publisher: Doty, Richard. Pictures from a Distant Country
Description (Brief): One (1) 30 dollar note
Pennsylvania, United States, 1791
Obverse Image: Eagle with shield, arrows, and branch at left.
Obverse Text: THIRTY / 30 / N. 140 / THE PRESIDENT, DIRECTORS, & COMPANY OF THE BANK OF THE UNITED STATES, PROMISE TO PAY TO R KEEN OR BEARER ON DEMAND, THIRTY DOLLARS. / PHILADELPHIA, THE 30 DAY OF DECR 1791
Reverse Image: N/A
Reverse Text: N/A
Whitney U.S. Contract 1798 Percussion Conversion Musket
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Musket
musket, percussion conversion
date made: ca 1801
maker: Whitney, Eli
place made: United States
Measurements: overall, musket: 57 in x 2 3/8 in; 144.78 cm x 6.0325 cm
Topics: Firearms
Military
1 Dollar, Warren Bank, Rhode Island, United States, 1804
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date made: 1804
place of issue: United States: Rhode Island, Warren
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.7 cm x 16.2 cm x .01 cm; 2 5/8 in x 6 3/8 in x in
Publisher: Doty, Richard. Pictures from a Distant Country
Description (Brief): One (1) dollar note, counterfeit
Rhode Island, United States, 1804
Obverse Image: Eagle perched on an anchor.
Obverse Text: 1 / ONE DOLLAR / NO. 1270 / THE PRESIDENT DIRECTORS & CO. OF THE WARREN BANK PROMISE TO PAY [name] OR BEARER ON DEMAND ONE DOLLAR / WARREN, AUGUST 4, 1804
25 Dollars
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: paper money
currency sheet
Date made: 1800
maker: A. Doolittle
place of issue: United States: Rhode Island, Westerly
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Credit line: Morton Stack
Eli Terry Tall Case Clock
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: tall case clock
date made: ca 1795
maker: Terry, Eli
place made: United States: Connecticut, Plymouth
Physical Description: cherry (movement, wheels material)
oak (movement, plates material)
wood (movement, pins material)
silver-plated brass (dial plate material)
wood (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 84 1/4 in x 18 in x 12 1/4 in; 213.995 cm x 45.72 cm x 31.115 cm
weight: 7 in x 2 1/4 in; 17.78 cm x 5.715 cm
weight: 7 3/4 in x 2 in; 19.685 cm x 5.08 cm
pendulum bob: 5 1/2 in x 3 1/4 in x 1/2 in; 13.97 cm x 8.255 cm x 1.27 cm
pendulum rod: 36 3/4 in x 1/2 in x 3/16 in; 93.345 cm x 1.27 cm x .508 cm
weight, donut: 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in; 1.27 cm x 4.445 cm
weight, donut: 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in; 1.27 cm x 4.445 cm
seat board screw: 1 1/2 in x 3/16 in; 3.81 cm x .508 cm
movement dand dial: 16 1/2 in x 12 in x 7 1/2 in; 41.91 cm x 30.48 cm x 19.05 cm
hood: 23 in x 18 1/4 in x 11 1/4 in; 58.42 cm x 46.355 cm x 28.575 cm
small bag of sand from weight: 7 in x 4 in; 17.78 cm x 10.16 cm
Credit line: James Arthur Collection, New York University
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Furnishings
Description: Between roughly 1790 and 1820, American clockmaking changed from a handicraft to an industry. The principal setting for this transformation was western Connecticut, the principal product was the wooden clock movement, and the main character was Eli Terry (1772-1852).
Terry began his clockworking career traditionally enough. He acquired the metalworking skills to make brass movements during an apprenticeship with Daniel Burnap of East Windsor, who in turn had been apprenticed to the British immigrant clockmaker Thomas Harland. Terry's teachers for wooden movements were probably Timothy or Benjamin Cheney, clockmaking brothers from East Hartford.
Once on his own, Terry specialized in thirty-hour wooden movements for tall case clocks, although he accepted commissions for brass movements as well. Over a period of years, he experimented with many variations of thirty-hour movements, one of which is in this clock. The town of Plymouth, Connecticut, named on the dial, was incorporated in 1795; Terry made this clock some time between 1795 and 1807. After 1807 Terry's wooden movements had different characteristics. In that year he introduced large-scale factory methods and water-powered machinery into the manufacture of wooden tall case-clock movements. His pioneering application of mass-production technology to the clock industry and his highly successful mass-produced shelf-clock won Terry a prominent place in American history.
1/2 Dollar, Continental Congress, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: note
date on object: 1776-02-17
date made: 1776
maker: Continental Congress
Hall & Sellers
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Associated Place: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 8 cm x 6.3 cm x .01 cm; 3 5/32 in x 2 15/32 in x in
Credit line: Verna Rudd Kenvin and Joan W. Smith
Topics: NNC Colonial Currency
NNC Continental Currency
almanac
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Almanac
Date made: 1801
Measurements: overall: 7 in x 5 in x 1/8 in; 17.78 cm x 12.7 cm x .3175 cm
Priscilla Dutch's Sampler
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: sampler
Date made: 1808
maker: Dutch, Priscilla
Place Made: United States: Massachusetts, Ipswich
Physical Description: linen (ground fabric material)
silk (embroidery thread material)
Measurements: overall: 21 in x 23 1/2 in; 53.34 cm x 59.69 cm
Topics: Embroidery
Alphabets
Textiles
Description: Script upper-case alphabet, & at end; second line completed with geometric vine; block upper-case alphabet; lower-case alphabet, & at end. Fourth row completed with geometric vine. Fifth row, numbers to 14, completed on each side with geometric vine. Alphabets and numbers separated by simple crossbands; simple crossbands separate above from Family Record and inscription. Geometric vine separates inscription and verse. Floral motif on each side of verse. All above enclosed in simple geometric border. Outer border of flowering vine that emanates from Grecian-style urn at bottom center and bows at top center, at lower left, and at lower right. Inked pattern for outer border visible. Silk embroidery thread on linen ground. STITCHES: satin, encroaching satin, queen, chain, outline, cross. THREAD COUNT: warp 32, weft 28/in.<br>
<B>Inscriptions:</B><br>
"Family Record<br>Daniel Dutch born <i>f</i>[s]eptember 3 1765 Sarah Dodge born June 12 1766<br>were married september 17 1786 Nathaniel Dodge Dutch born<br> september 10 1787 Daniel Dutch born march 7 1790 died may 12 1791<br>Sarah Dutch born march 20 1792 Daniel Dutch born december 28<br>1794 Priscilla Dutch born september 9 1797 Mary Dutch born<br> november 12 1800 Isaac Dodge Dutch born december 21 1803<br>Mrs Sarah Dutch died February 7 1808 in the 42 year of her age<br>Priscilla Dutch wrought this sampler in the 11th year of her age 1808<br>As this fair sampler shall continue still<br>The guide and model of my future skill<br>May Christ the great exemplar of mankind<br>Direct my ways and regulate my mind"<br>
<B>Background:</B><br>
Priscilla was born on September 9, 1797, to Daniel and Sarah Dodge Dutch, near Ipswich, Massachusetts. She married Ebenezer Putnam, a widower, on May 7, 1844. They did not have any children, but Priscilla was a mother to the thirteen children of Ebenezer and his first wife, Betsey Webb Putnam. Priscilla died on April 18, 1856, in Massachusetts.
French Calendar Medal for 1777
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: calendar medal
date made: ca 1776
place made: France
Physical Description: copper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .2 cm x 3.6 cm x 3.6 cm; 3/32 in x 1 13/32 in x 1 13/32 in
Topics: Calendars
Mathematics
Description: Inscribed on one side of this metal disc is a table listing the dates on which Sundays fall for the year 1777. For example, the first column is labeled Juin (June) and the dates given in it are 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. An inscription above the table reads: ALMANACH (/) Pour l’An 1777. The table is entitled: Dimanches de l”Ann. The dates of various religious festivals are listed around the edge.
The other side has a table listing for each month, the number of days in it, the date (or dates) of new moon, and the date of full moon. The top lists the birthday of Louis XVI, king of France, and the bottom the birthday of Marie Antoinette, his queen. The right side indicates the solar cycle is 22 and the golden number 11. The left side gives a dominical letter of E and a Roman indiction of 10.
The object came to the Smithsonian from the collection of Henry Russell Wray.
Reference:
Compare both medals that are part of MA.316918 to calendar medals with the numbers and 1901,1115.3 (Ackermann number 41) and 1958,1006.3062 (Ackermann number 42) in the British Museum. These are particularly similar to MA.316918.2. Full descriptions of the medals in the British Museum, and much related information, appear in Silke Ackermann, “Maths and Memory: Calendar Medals in the British Museum Part I,” <I>The Medal</I>, Autumn, 2004, vol. 45, esp. pp. 30-31.
French-Style Sector
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: sector
date made: 18th century
place made: France
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .3 cm x 17.5 cm x 3 cm; 1/8 in x 6 7/8 in x 1 3/16 in
Credit line: Gift of J. G. Sparkes
Topics: Rule, Calculating
Sectors
Science
Mathematics
Description: The arms of this brass instrument have straight edges, but the hinge is decorated with a straight and squiggly lines. One side has a double scale of chords that runs from 10 to 130; a double scale for "Les Solides" that runs from 1 to 60; and a double scale for the specific weights of four metals, marked with their symbols. Two holes are drilled on either side of the 80 mark on the scales of chords on the lower arm. The outer edge of the lower arm has a scale that runs from 4 to 24 and is labeled "pd des boulets" (for the weight of iron shot).
On the other side, the outer edge has a scale that runs from 4 to 24 and is labeled "Cbres des Pieces" (for the size of iron shot, given the diameter of the barrel and the weight of the shot). There are double scales of equal parts, running from 10 to 200; for architectural drawings, running from 10 to 60; and for inscribed regular polygons, from 12 sides to three sides. Compare to MA.321676 and 1985.0580.04.
According to the accession file, the donor collected this instrument in Mobile, Ala., around 1898 and sent it to the Smithsonian in 1936.
Italian-Style Sector
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: sector
date made: 18th century
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .6 cm x 33.5 cm x 6.3 cm; 1/4 in x 13 3/16 in x 2 15/32 in
Topics: Rule, Calculating
Sectors
Science
Mathematics
Description: This brass instrument has two hinged arms, each with three curves at the end. Six double scales (i.e., the scales on one arm are identical to those on the other arm) are on one side. The outermost runs from 1 to 12 and is labeled "Forti" on one arm. The second scale is labeled "Lin : Metali :" on the other arm and marked with the letters: I, T, C, S, L, Q, G. These correspond to the specific weights of different metals. The third scale runs from 30 to 3 and is labeled "Div Cir" on the first arm. The fourth scale runs from 10 to 180 and is not labeled. The fifth scale runs from 5 to 100. The sixth scale is located where the two arms meet and is marked with engravings of various polyhedra. Two short single scales are on the lower arm near the hinge; one is marked L and the other is marked I.
The reverse side also has six double scales. The outermost is marked with polyhedra. The second runs from 3 to 30 and is labeled sub poli on one arm. The third is a scale of equal parts that runs from 10 to 200. The fourth runs from 15 to 3 and is labeled Tetrag : on one arm. This is a scale of tetragonic lines, for squaring regular areas and the circle. The fifth runs from 10 to 100 and is labeled Qua on one arm. The innermost scale is marked 1/6 of the distance from the hinge with a 6, 1/5 of the way with a 5, and so on to halfway down the instrument with a 2. The scale is labeled "Divid :" on the lower arm.
Galileo outlined this arrangement of scales in 1606, which is why this example is considered to be in the Italian style. The previous owner believed it was made in the 18th century. The inside edge of one arm is marked with the letters I S, but nothing else is known about the maker.
Reference: Galileo Galilei, <i>Operations of the Geometric and Military Compass</i>, trans. and intro. Stillman Drake (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1978).
French-Style Sector
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: sector
date made: 18th century
place made: France: Île-de-France, Paris
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: .3 cm x 17.5 cm x 3.2 cm; 1/8 in x 6 7/8 in x 1 1/4 in
Topics: Rule, Calculating
Sectors
Science
Mathematics
Description: The arms of this brass instrument have straight edges, but the hinge is decorated with a sunburst. One side has double scales of chords, running from 10 to 180; of architectural drawings, running from 5 to 60; and for the specific weights of four metals, marked with their symbols. The outer edge has a scale that runs from 1/4 to 64 and is labeled Calibres des Pieces. There is no maker's mark.
The other side has double scales for equal parts, running from 0 to 200; for solids, running from 5 to 60; and for the lengths of the sides of inscribed regular polygons, from 12 sides to three sides. The outer edge has a scale running from 1/4 to 64 and labeled Poids des Boulets. The outside face of the instrument has scales for English feet and French feet, each running from 1 to 6. This instrument was found in Smithsonian storage in 1956.
Pocket Case of Drawing Instruments
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: drawing instruments, set of
date made: 18th century
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
steel (overall material)
paper (overall material)
wood (overall material)
leather (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 17.5 cm x 7.2 cm x 3.7 cm; 6 7/8 in x 2 27/32 in x 1 15/32 in
Credit line: Gift of James McKenna
Topics: Drafting, Engineering
Science
Mathematics
Surveying
Drawing Instruments
Description: This 18th-century pocket-sized wooden case is covered with black shagreen, leather made from the skin of a shark or rayfish. A previous owner signed paper lining the lid: James Ross bought (/) of John E. Hornor [?] (/) Rice & 1710 N[illegible] (/) #181[illegible]. Inside the lid is also handwritten: J. E. Hornor [?] (/) $15.50<sup><u>24</u></sup> (/) [illegible].
Six instruments are currently inside the case: 1) a brass and steel pair of 6" dividers with one removable point; 2) a 1-1/8" round brass handle that does not fit anything in the case; 3) a brass and steel pen point for the dividers; 4) a 6-1/4" brass and steel drawing pen; 5) a brass crayon holder for the dividers; and 6) a 6" ebony parallel rule with scalloped brass hinges.
When mathematician James McKenna gave this set of drawing instruments to the Smithsonian in 1934, he reported that an ancestor used it at Bedford, Pa., before 1800. A tool that was then in the case was scratched with the name John A. Stuart, suggesting that this surveyor in Bedford County who gave his name to a line laid out on Wills Mountain also owned the case at some point.
References: Maya Hambly, <i>Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980</i> (London: Sotheby's, 1988), 185–190; Peggy A. Kidwell, "American Parallel Rules: Invention on the Fringes of Industry," <i>Rittenhouse </i> 10, no. 39 (1996): 90–96.
Plotting Scale Master, Signed John Shearson
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: scale rule
scale, plotting
date made: 18th century
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 41.6 cm x 3.6 cm x .2 cm; 16 3/8 in x 1 13/32 in x 3/32 in
Topics: Drafting, Engineering
Scale Rules
Science
Mathematics
Description: This brass rule has three plotting scales, one with diagonal scales at both ends (graduated to 1/10" and 1/20") and two with diagonal scales at their right ends (graduated to 1/40" and 1/30"). The first plotting scale is 5" long and divided to 1/2", the second is 2-3/4" long and divided to 1/4", and the third is 3" long and divided to 1/3". A 12" scale of inches runs sequentially across the top of all three scales.
A decorative pattern is engraved along the top and bottom edges of the instrument. Flat projecting pieces at the left and right ends may have been used to hold rules to be divided on the pattern of this rule. The back of the rule is marked: John Shearson. Since Shearson is not listed in the Webster Signature Database, it is uncertain whether he was the maker or previous owner of this rule. The rule may have been made in England in the 18th century. The Smithsonian acquired it in 1961.
Reference: Adler Planetarium, <i>Webster Signature Database</i>, http://historydb.adlerplanetarium.org/signatures/; Gloria Clifton, <i>Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550–1851</i> (London: National Maritime Museum, 1995).