RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: 1778
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (overall material)
gilded (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 2 1/4 in x 1 7/8 in x 3/8 in; 5.715 cm x 4.7625 cm x .9525 cm
Credit line: George W. Spier
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1795
maker: Breguet et Fils
place made: France
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (overall material)
Measurements: overall- movement: 1/2 in x 2 1/8 in; x 1.27 cm x 5.3975 cm
overall - wire: 2 3/4 in x 2 in; 6.985 cm x 5.08 cm
Credit line: Professor Calvin Rae Smith
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1790
place made: France
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in x 1/2 in; 6.35 cm x 4.445 cm x 1.27 cm
Credit line: Professor Calvin Rae Smith
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1810
maker: Tobias and Lewis
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (dust cap material)
metal, "brass" (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in x 3/8 in; 6.35 cm x 4.445 cm x .9525 cm
Credit line: Dr. Thomas Featherstonhaugh
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: 1777
place made: United Kingdom
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
metal, silver (?? material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 2 3/4 in x 2 1/8 in x 1 in; 6.985 cm x 5.3975 cm x 2.54 cm
Credit line: Dr. Thomas Featherstonhaugh
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1770
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (overall material)
gilded (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 2 1/2 in x 1 3/4 in x 3/4 in; 6.35 cm x 4.445 cm x 1.905 cm
Credit line: Professor Calvin Rae Smith
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1810
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (?? material)
gilded (?? production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 2 11/16 in x 1 3/4 in x 3/4 in; 6.7945 cm x 4.445 cm x 1.905 cm
Credit line: Professor Calvin Rae Smith
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: 1785
place made: France
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (overall material)
gilded (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 1/2 in x 2 in; x 1.27 cm x 5.08 cm
Credit line: Professor Calvin Rae Smith
Pocket Watch, English
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
Date made: c. 1800(?)
maker: Davis, J.
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 2 3/4 in x 2 in x 1 in; 6.985 cm x 5.08 cm x 2.54 cm
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
date made: 1798-1800
place made: Switzerland
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (dust cap material)
metal, "brass" (watch case material)
metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
gilded (watch case production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 3 in x 2 1/8 in x 1/2 in; 7.62 cm x 5.3975 cm x 1.27 cm
Credit line: Thomas W. Sweeney
pocket chronometer movement & dial
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: chronometer
Pocket chronometer movement & dial; chronometer; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; English chronometer movement
Date made: 1786-1800
date made: 1798-1813
1786 - 1800
maker: Barraud, Jamison
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (overall material)
gilded (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 3/4 in x 2 5/8 in; x 1.905 cm x 6.6675 cm
Credit line: Thomas Featherstonhaugh
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1808
maker: Tobias, Morris
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (dust cap material)
metal, "brass" (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 1/2 in x 1 7/8 in; x 1.27 cm x 4.7625 cm
Credit line: Thomas Featherstonhaugh
watch movement
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch Movement
Watch Movement; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: 18th century
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (dust cap material)
metal, "brass" (overall material)
Measurements: overall - movement: 5/8 in x 1 7/8 in; x 1.5875 cm x 4.7625 cm
Credit line: Thomas Featherstonhaugh
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: 1800
maker: Tobias, Morris
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal (watch case material)
metal (watch case material)
metal, "brass" (dust cap material)
metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 3 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in x 3/4 in; 8.89 cm x 6.35 cm x 1.905 cm
Credit line: Gift of Nathaniel D. Rand
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1800
place made: United Kingdom
United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: overall - watch: 3 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in x 1 1/4 in; 8.255 cm x 6.35 cm x 3.175 cm
overall - circular key: 1 3/4 in x 11/16 in x 1/4 in; 4.445 cm x 1.7145 cm x .635 cm
overall - square key: 1 1/4 in x 3/4 in x 1/2 in; 3.1496 cm x 1.905 cm x 1.27 cm
Credit line: Dr. and Mrs. M. L. Turner
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pendant Watch
date made: 1774
place made: United Kingdom
Physical Description: enamel (watch case material)
metal (watch case material)
metal, nickel (watch movement material)
gilded (watch case production method/technique)
Measurements: overall - watch: 2 3/4 in x 2 1/4 in x 1 3/8 in; 6.985 cm x 5.715 cm x 3.4925 cm
overall - chain: 3/4 in x 8 in; x 1.905 cm x 20.32 cm
chain - catalog card: 19 cm; 7 15/32 in
dial - catalog card: 3.9 cm; x 1 17/32 in
Credit line: Estate of W. Carl Wyatt
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: 1780
place made: United Kingdom
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 3 1/8 in x 2 3/8 in x 3/4 in; 7.9375 cm x 6.0325 cm x 1.905 cm
Credit line: George W. Spier
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
Date made: ca 1794
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 3 1/8 in x 2 3/8 in x 1 in; 7.9375 cm x 6.0325 cm x 2.54 cm
stem: 1/2 in; 1.27 cm
ring base: 3/4 in; x 1.905 cm
Credit line: Mrs. Gertrude O.S. Cleveland
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1796
place made: United Kingdom
Switzerland
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: watch: 1 3/4 in; x 4.445 cm
case: 3 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in x 1 in x 2 in; 8.255 cm x 6.35 cm x 2.54 cm x 5.08 cm
Credit line: Mary K. Curtin
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: ca 1790
place made: United Kingdom: Scotland, Glasgow City
Physical Description: metal, silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 1/2 in x 2 in x 7/8 in x 1 1/2 in; 6.35 cm x 5.08 cm x 2.2225 cm x 3.81 cm
Credit line: Charles Shafer
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Mechanical, Spring-Driven; Pocket Watch
date made: 1792
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: enamel (watch case material)
metal, "brass" (watch movement material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
metal, silver (watch case material)
gilded (watch movement production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 3 in x 2 11/32 in x 1 in; 7.62 cm x 5.969 cm x 2.54 cm
Credit line: Charles Shafer
sundial
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Sundial
date made: 18th century
place made: France
Physical Description: metal, silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 5/8 in x 2 1/8 in x 7/8 in; 6.6421 cm x 5.3975 cm x 2.2225 cm
compass - from catalog card: 7/8 in; x 2.2225 cm
overall - from catalog card: 2 1/16 in x 2 11/16 in; x 5.23875 cm x 6.82625 cm
Credit line: Rodman A. Heeren
sundial
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Sundial
date made: 18th century
place made: France
Physical Description: metal, silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 5/16 in x 1 3/4 in x 1 1/8 in; 5.9055 cm x 4.445 cm x 2.8575 cm
compass - from catalog card: 13/16 in; x 2.06375 cm
overall - from catalog card: 1 3/4 in x 2 5/16 in; x 4.445 cm x 5.87375 cm
Credit line: Rodman A. Heeren
Horizontal Sundial
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: sundial
date made: after 1773
maker: Colles, Christopher
place made: United States: New York, New York City
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
copper (overall material)
wood (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 14 3/8 in x 11 1/2 in x 11 1/2 in; 36.5125 cm x 29.21 cm x 29.21 cm
overall: 14 3/8 in x 11 3/8 in; 36.5125 cm x 28.8925 cm
Description: This sundial was made by Christopher Colles (1738?-1816), an Irish immigrant surveyor and inventor. Colles has received credit for the first American steam engine, publication in 1789 of the first American road atlas, the country’s first semaphore telegraph system in 1813 and his visionary proposals for canals and waterways. Colles established a scientific instrument business in New York in the mid-1780s, and this sundial was one of his products.
This dial, mounted horizontally, shows the hours at a fixed location, in contrast to a portable pocket dial a traveler might carry from place to place. The copper octagonal plate is pierced by eight holes for fastening it to a base and four more holes for attaching the gnomon (not original), the slanted part of the dial that casts the shadow. The plate is engraved, from the center to the edges, as follows: “C. Colles/fecit/42 Pearl”; a central compass rose; indications of latitude, longitude, noon and midnight: “Lat 40o, 40’”, “Lon 74o W of London” and “N is Noon”/“M is Midnight”; a table showing the equation of time for setting mechanical clocks; the corresponding time at major world cities at noon or midnight in New York; Chapter ring with Arabic hour numerals and marks for half hours and minutes; and a Latin inscription, sometimes found on other sundials, that reads “Me ortum vides forsan non occasum” (“You see me [the sun] rise, but perhaps you shall not see me set”).
Other sundials by Colles survive in museum collections at the New-York Historical Society and Van Cortlandt Manor, Historic Hudson Valley. An oil portrait of Colles by James Frothingham is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
See also: Bathe, Greville. <i>An Engineer’s Miscellany.</i> Philadelphia: Patterson and White, 1938.
Colles, Christopher. <i>A Survey of the Roads of the United States of America, 1789.</i> Edited by Walter W. Ristow. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap of Harvard University Press, 1961.
Koeppel, Gerard. <i>Water for Gotham: A History.</i> Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000.
Popper, Deborah Epstein. “Poor Christopher Colles: An Innovator’s Obstacles in Early America.” <i>The Journal of American Culture,</i> 28(June 2005): 178-190.
safe
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Safe
Date made: 1800
purchasing agent/middleman: Gremmo, Felix
maker: Corliss Safe & Vault Door Company
location of prior holder: United States: Connecticut
United States: Massachusetts, Manchester
Measurements: safe:;
overall: 61 1/2 in x 43 in x 34 in; 156.21 cm x 109.22 cm x 86.36 cm
watch
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Watch
Watch; Pocket Watch
date made: ca. 1800
location of prior holder: United States: Pennsylvania
Measurements: watch: 2 7/8 in x 2 in x 3/4 in; 7.3025 cm x 5.08 cm x 1.905 cm
Credit line: Mabel R. Farson
Peter Hill Tall Case Clock
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: clock
clock, tall case
clock; Mechanical, Weight-Driven; Tall Case Clock
Date made: ca 1800
maker: Hill, Peter
Place Made: United States: New Jersey, Burlington
Physical Description: "brass" (movement material)
wood (case material)
Measurements: overall: 91 in x 22 in x 11 in; 231.14 cm x 55.88 cm x 27.94 cm
hood: 30 1/4 in x 21 1/2 in x 10 3/4 in; 76.835 cm x 54.61 cm x 27.305 cm
case: 83 in x 19 1/2 in x 10 in; 210.82 cm x 49.53 cm x 25.4 cm
movement: 18 1/2 in x 14 3/4 in x 6 3/4 in; 46.99 cm x 37.465 cm x 17.145 cm
weight #1: 8 1/2 in x 3 in; 21.59 cm x 7.62 cm
weight #2: 8 in x 3 in; 20.32 cm x 7.62 cm
case key #1: 1 1/2 in x 3/4 in x 5/32 in; 3.81 cm x 1.905 cm x .381 cm
case key #2: 2 1/2 in x 13/16 in x 3/16 in; 6.35 cm x 2.032 cm x .508 cm
pendulum: 43 in x 4 1/2 in x 1/2 in; 109.22 cm x 11.43 cm x 1.27 cm
winding crank: 4 1/4 in x 4 in x 1 1/4 in; 10.795 cm x 10.16 cm x 3.175 cm
Topics: Furnishings
Description: Peter Hill (1767-1820) is one of the few African American professional clockmakers known to have worked in antebellum America. A freed slave, he had a shop first in Burlington Township and then in Mount Holly, New Jersey--two small, predominantly Quaker communities near Philadelphia.
Undoubtedly the Quaker commitment to educating and freeing slaves benefited Hill. While still a slave, he served a traditional apprenticeship with his master, Joseph Hollingshead, Jr., a clockmaker whose brother John and father Joseph, Sr., practiced the trade as well. Hill gained his freedom in 1795. He married, set up a workshop of his own, and purchased land in Burlington. He also may have continued to work for either or both of the Hollingshead brothers for a time. Hill never became rich, but his status as a skilled freedman in a Quaker community permitted him to live comfortably and work independently.
Only a few clocks by Hill are known to survive. The movement of the Smithsonian example, which dates from about 1800, closely resembles English clocks of the period. The painted dial, marked "No. 30/ Peter Hill/ Burlington," is an English import. The clock's walnut case is attributed to the cabinetmaker George Deacon, whose shop was only a few doors from Hill's own home and workshop in Burlington.
clock, mantel
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Clock
clock, mantel
Clock; Mechanical, Spring-Driven
date made: 18th century
Physical Description: metal, "brass" (case material)
metal, "brass" (movement material)
Measurements: overall: 14 in x 6 in x 5 in; 35.56 cm x 15.24 cm x 12.7 cm
overall: 14 in x 6 in x 5 in; 35.56 cm x 15.24 cm x 12.7 cm
plow, carey
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Plow, Carey
basket, winnowing
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Basket, Winnowing
Date made: 1799
Physical Description: plastic (display case material)
Measurements: overall: 9 in x 40 in x 32 in; 22.86 cm x 101.6 cm x 81.28 cm
Credit line: Gift of Frank A. Brown
Topics: Farms
flag, revolutionary war
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Flag, Revolutionary War
Bone Dice
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: dice, ivory
dice, ivory (pair)
date made: 1800s
Physical Description: bone (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 1/2 in x 1/2 in x 1/2 in; 1.27 cm x 1.27 cm x 1.27 cm
Publisher: National Museum of American History. On the Water exhibition website, http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Amusements
Industrialization
Art
Transportation
Ecology
On the Water exhibit
Sports
Description: Gambling usually was banned aboard whaling ships, on the grounds that it could cause too much strife among the crew. But “bones” or dice were easily concealed from a ship’s officers, and crews found out-of-the-way places to spend their free time wagering their earnings, tobacco, or other assets.
flail
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Flail
Wooden-handled Harpoon
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Harpoon
date made: 1800s
Physical Description: wood (handle material)
iron (harpoon material)
Measurements: iron: 18 1/2 in; 46.99 cm
overall: 87 1/8 in; 221.2975 cm
Credit line: Frederick Allen
Topics: Whaling
Ocean
Ecology
Salting ladle
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: ladle, salting
date made: probably 1800s
place made: United States: Maryland, Baltimore
Physical Description: iron; wood (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 66 in x 5 in x 1 1/2 in; 167.64 cm x 12.7 cm x 3.81 cm
overall: 2 1/2 in x 67 in x 10 3/4 in; 6.35 cm x 170.18 cm x 27.305 cm
Credit line: Walter A. Weldon
Bone Fid
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fid, ivory
date made: 1800s
Associated Place: United States: Connecticut, Middletown
Physical Description: bone (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 13 1/2 in x 1/2 in; 34.29 cm x 1.27 cm
Credit line: A.R. Crittenden
Publisher: National Museum of American History. On the Water exhibition website, http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Transportation
Ecology
On the Water exhibit
Description: Made of hard wood, bone, or ivory and tapering to a point, fids were used mostly for ropework, such as splicing. On deck, they were also used for breaking knots that might be frozen from overtightening, wet weather, or other conditions. In a pinch, one could also serve as a temporary belaying pin to tie off a line, or even as a weapon.
Scrimshaw Whale Bone Food Chopper
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: scraper, ivory
date made: 1800s
purchased: 1876-11-30
Physical Description: sperm-whale's jaw (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 7 1/4 in x 5 5/8 in x 1 in; 18.415 cm x 14.2875 cm x 2.54 cm
Publisher: National Museum of American History. On the Water exhibition website, http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Civil War and Reconstruction
Transportation
Ecology
Fishing
Development of the Industrial United States
Food
Description: Simply carved and without any engraving, this food chopper, or mincer, was made in two pieces from a sperm whale’s jawbone. Its blunted, curved blade was used to chop soft foods such as bread dough, fruits, sausage, and animal fats. This example was donated by former Secretary of the Institution Spencer F. Baird (1823–1887) to the Smithsonian, where it became one of the earliest objects in the maritime collections.
Whalebone Thimble Eye
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: thimble eye
date made: 1800s
Physical Description: rope (overall material)
whalebone (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 5 in x 3 in; 12.7 cm x 7.62 cm
Credit line: E.H. Cook
Publisher: National Museum of American History. On the Water exhibition website, http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Civil War and Reconstruction
Transportation
Ecology
Fishing
Development of the Industrial United States
Description: This rope-strapped thimble carved from whalebone would have had a light rope through the eye for rigging, perhaps on a whaleboat.
These miniature items also served as children’s toys or curiosities back home. Toys in the form of miniature working ship parts were easy and quick for sailors to carve, and they did not require much skill to make. They also served as potent reminders of where and what the men were doing during their long absences from their friends and families.
Salting Tub
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Trough
Date made: 1800-1899
place made: United States
Measurements: overall: 65 1/2 in x 18 1/2 in x 10 in; 166.37 cm x 46.99 cm x 25.4 cm
Topics: Farms
harrow
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Harrow
Date made: 1800-1899
place made: United States
Measurements: overall: 78 in x 72 in; 198.12 cm x 182.88 cm
Topics: Farms
Leech Jar
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Leech Jar
jar, leech, apothecary
Leech Jar; Materia Medica; Containers
date made: ca 1800s
Physical Description: polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic (overall material)
steeple (lid shape)
Measurements: overall: 28 5/8 in x 12 7/8 in x 12 7/8 in; 72.7075 cm x 32.7025 cm x 32.7025 cm
Leech Jar
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Leech Jar
jar, leech, apothecary
Leech Jar; Materia Medica; Containers
date made: ca 1800s
Physical Description: polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic (overall material)
steeple (lid shape)
Measurements: overall: 29 5/8 in x 12 3/4 in x 12 3/4 in; 75.2475 cm x 32.385 cm x 32.385 cm
French Model 1763 Musket
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Musket
musket, flintlock
date made: ca 1770
maker: Maubeuge Armory
place made: France
Measurements: overall: 6 in x 61 in x 3 in; 15.24 cm x 154.94 cm x 7.62 cm
overall, musket: 60 1/2 in x 2 5/8 in; 153.67 cm x 6.6675 cm
Credit line: Charles Bremner Hogg Jackson
American Naval Cutlass
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: cutlass
Cutlass
Cutlass; Edged Weapons; Navy
Date made: c. 1775-1780
Physical Description: bone (grips material)
metal, iron (hilt material)
Measurements: overall, cutlass: 2 7/8 in x 3 3/4 in x 35 1/4 in; 7.3025 cm x 9.525 cm x 89.535 cm
Credit line: Charles Bremner Hogg Jackson
suit, 2-piece
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Suit, 2-piece
Date made: 1790-1800
Credit line: Gift of Heidi Fieldston
Ballot box, late 19th century
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Ballot Box
Date made: 1800s
Physical Description: mahogany (overall color)
wood, meta1 (not defined material)
Measurements: overall: 16 in x 12 in x 9 in; 40.64 cm x 30.48 cm x 22.86 cm
Topics: Government
Social reformers
Politics
Description: Political manipulation and election fraud was often compared to a well-oiled machine. Reformers determined to fight political machines with ballot reform and voting machines. The addition of an internal cylinder “roller” to this late nineteenth century ballot box ensured that once a ballot was rolled into the box it could not be tampered with nor seen, two security features missing from previous open-slotted boxes. This box was probably used in New England.