RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Crane & Co Paper Makers
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Sheet
sheet (paper)
Sheet; Engraving
Date made: 1801
maker: Crane and Company
place made: United States: Massachusetts, Dalton
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 13.5 cm x 32 cm; 5 5/16 in x 12 19/32 in
Topics: Art
Communications
Immune Columbia
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coin
Date made: 1785
place made: United States
place of issue: United States
Physical Description: copper (overall metal)
0 (overall die axis)
0 (overall die axis measurement)
struck (overall production method)
Measurements: overall: 27.4 mm; x 1 1/16 in
Credit line: Harvey G. and Lawrence R. Stack
Description (Brief): One (1) Immune Columbia coin
United States, 1785
Obverse Image: Seated figure with scales and capped spear.
Obverse Text: IMMUNE COLUMBIA / 1785
Reverse Image: All-seeing eye of God surrounded by rays and stars.
Reverse Text: NOVA CONSTELLATIO
medal
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Medal
Date made: 1789
place made: United States
place of issue: United States
Physical Description: struck (overall production method)
pewter (overall metal)
Measurements: overall: 35.7 mm; x 1 3/8 in
Credit line: Stack, Harvey & Lawrence
1790 Manly medal
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Medal
Date made: 1790
place made: United States
place of issue: United States
Physical Description: struck (overall production method)
bronze (overall metal)
Measurements: overall: 47.4 mm; x 1 7/8 in
Credit line: Stack, Harvey & Lawrence
Wheeler's North American Calendar or an Almanack, 1794
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pamphlet
Pamphlet
Date made: 1794
publisher: Wheeler, Bennett
Measurements: overall:;
Spherometer
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: spherometer
date made: ca 1800s
Physical Description: metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 17 cm x 11.5 cm x 10.7 cm; 6 11/16 in x 4 17/32 in x 4 7/32 in
overall: 6 11/16 in x 4 1/2 in x 4 in; 16.98625 cm x 11.43 cm x 10.16 cm
Credit line: Gift of Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bowdoin College
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Spherometers
Description: A spherometer is used primarily to measure the curvature of objects such as lenses and curved mirrors. This rather large example belonged to Bowdoin College. It has no markings but most likely was purchased from an educational instrument maker in the 19th century. It is accompanied by an optical flat used to zero the device. It has both a vertical scale and horizontal scale on the disc. To improve accuracy, a magnifying lever is mounted on the top of the micrometer disc. The two small arms would have pointed to a secondary scale that arched over the top of the device but is now missing.
Dicas Hydrometer
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: hydrometer
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Measurements: overall: 5.1 cm x 24.8 cm x 15.3 cm; 2 in x 9 3/4 in x 6 1/32 in
overall in case: 2 1/8 in x 9 7/8 in x 6 in; 5.3975 cm x 25.0825 cm x 15.24 cm
Description: John Dicas was an instrument maker in Liverpool who, in 1780, received British patent #1,259 for “constructing hydrometers with sliding-rules to ascertain spirit strength.” The new form was soon well known in the United States. To pay off the Revolutionary War debt and fund the new American government, the U.S. Congress established a tariff in 1790. The new law described six classes of spirits, ranging from 10% under proof to more than 40% above proof, where proof was understood to mean equal parts alcohol and water. Determination was to be made with a Dicas hydrometer. Similar regulations pertained to the various Congressionally mandated excise taxes.
An ivory tag on the in wooden box of this example is marked “DICAS’S / HYDROMETER / BY JOSH LONG / LITTLE TOWER STREET / LONDON.” The hydrometer is brass, and equipped with 36 brass weights that can screw onto the spindle on top. The ivory sliding rule is marked "J. LONG – LONDON.” The wood sliding rule is unsigned. The thermometer on ivory backing marked “DEBALLIO & ZOON / ROTTERDAM” is obviously a replacement. Joseph Long began in business at 20 Little Tower Street, London, in 1820, and was still there in the 1880s.
Optical Flat for a Spherometer
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: optical flat
date made: ca 1800s
Physical Description: glass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 1.3 cm x 10.8 cm x 10.8 cm; 1/2 in x 4 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in
overall: 1/2 in x 4 1/4 in; 1.27 cm x 10.795 cm
Credit line: Gift of Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bowdoin College
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Spherometers
Description: An optical flat is a disc of heavy glass made perfectly flat that is used to zero out a spherometer before use in order to assure the device produces an accurate reading. A spherometer is a small device used primarily for measuring the curvature of objects such as lenses and curved mirrors. For further information about spherometers, see object MA.315739. This flat accompanies spherometer 2001.0217.07.
Telescope
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: telescope
refracting telescope
maker: W. & S. Jones
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Measurements: overall: 30 in x 60 in x 15 1/2 in; 76.2 cm x 152.4 cm x 39.37 cm
Credit line: Andrew E. Douglass
Topics: Science
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Mathematics
Astronomy
Description: This brass telescope sits on a pillar-and-tripod stand. The achromatic objective is 2.75 inches aperture and 57-inch focus. The “W. & S. Jones” inscription is that of William and Samuel Jones, brothers who, beginning in 1791, sold a range of scientific and mathematical instruments from their shops on Holborn Hill in London.
The telescope was owned and used by Andrew Ellicott (1754-1820), an American surveyor and geodesist who determined longitudes by observing eclipses of the moons of Jupiter.
Ref: Andrew Ellicott, “Astronomical, and Thermometrical Observations, made on the Boundary between the United States and His Catholic Majesty,” <i>Transactions of the American Philosophical Society</i> 5 (1802): 203-311; also Ellicott, “Astronomical observations made at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, chiefly with a view to ascertain the longitude of that borough, and as a test of the accuracy with which the longitude made by found by lunar observation,” pp. 61-69.
Gloria Clifton, <i>Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851</i> (London, 1995), p. 155.
<i>Astronomy</i>
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
date made: 1798
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 27 5/16 in x 22 in; 69.342 cm x 55.88 cm
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Prints from the Physical Sciences Collection
Astronomy
Description: This is Plate LXXVI from the first American edition of the <i>Encyclopaedia</i> (Philadephia, 1798). Fig. 158 shows the twelve signs of the zodiac. Fig. 159 shows the phases of Saturn from 1782 to 1796. Fig. 160 shows a cross section of the Milky Way system according to William Herschel. Fig. 161 shows the universe filled with solar systems.
Backstaff
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: backstaff
date made: ca 1773
maker: Hagger, William G.
place made: United States: Rhode Island, Rhode Island, Newport
Measurements: overall: 17.5 cm x 68 cm x 39 cm; 6 7/8 in x 26 25/32 in x 15 11/32 in
overall in box: 7 in x 15 5/16 in x 26 3/4 in; 17.78 cm x 38.89375 cm x 67.945 cm
Topics: Navigation
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Description: The frame of this instrument is rosewood, while the arcs, brace, and vanes are boxwood. The frame is inscribed "Wm. G. Hagger Newpt R. Island For M–" and "364." The "364" inscribed on the back of the larger arc is probably a serial number, indicating that this instrument dates from around 1773.
William Guyse Hagger (1748-1832) was an instrument maker in Newport, Rhode Island, until the Revolution, when British troops occupied that city.
Ref: Deborah J. Warner, "Davis Quadrants in America,"<i>Rittenhouse</i> 3 (1988): 23-40, on 32-33.
Camera Lucida
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Camera Lucida
Maker: Troughton & Simms
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
leather (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9 1/4 in x 2 5/32 in x 1 1/4 in; 23.495 cm x 5.461 cm x 3.175 cm
overall: 1 1/4 in x 9 1/4 in x 2 1/8 in; 3.175 cm x 23.495 cm x 5.3975 cm
Topics: Scientific apparatus and instruments
Science
Description: This Wollaston-type camera lucida came from the University of Vermont. The “Troughton & Simms, London” inscription refers to an important instrument firm that began trading as such in 1824.
The Massachusetts Spy, July 17, 1776
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Newspaper
Print
Newspaper
relief
Print; Letterpress
Date made: July 17, 1776
place made: United States: Massachusetts, Worcester
[None None None None None]
The Continental Almanac, 1780
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pamphlet
Print
relief
Print; Letterpress
Date made: 1780
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
The Continental Almanac, 1781
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pamphlet
Print
relief
Print; Letterpress
Date made: 1781
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Poulson's Town & Country Almanac
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pamphlet
Print
relief
Print; Letterpress
Date made: 1790
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Father Tammany's Almanac
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pamphlet
Print
relief
Print; Letterpress
Date made: 1786
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Beer's Almanc & Ephemeris
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Pamphlet
relief
Date made: 1791
place made: United States: Connecticut, Hartford
The American Spelling Book ... Noah Webster
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Book
Print
relief
Print; Letterpress
Date made: 1803
originator (author or composer, etc.): Webster, Noah
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 17.3 cm x 10.8 cm; 6 13/16 in x 4 1/4 in
kettle
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Kettle
kettle
Date made: 1770 - 1800
maker: Bailey, William
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, York
United States: Pennsylvania, Lancaster
United States: Maryland, Baltimore
Physical Description: copper (overall material)
brass (overall material)
iron (overall material)
tin (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 28.3 cm x 28.7 cm x 10.4 cm; 11 1/8 in x 11 5/16 in x 4 1/8 in
Credit line: John Paul Remensnyder
Orrery
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Orrery
Orrery / Tellurian
date made: 1790s
maker: W. & S. Jones
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Measurements: overall: 7 in x 13 in; 17.78 cm x 33.02 cm
overall: 6 3/4 in x 12 5/8 in; 17.145 cm x 32.0675 cm
Credit line: William S. Disbrow
Topics: Globes
Astronomy
Description: This crank-operated 0rrery shows the orbital motions of Mercury, Venus, and the Earth around the Sun, and the Moon around Earth. The circular wooded base rests on three short feet, and is covered with an ornately engraved paper plate. One cherub on this plate holds a sign that reads “Designed for the / NEW PORTABLE / ORRERIES / by W. Jones.” Another cherub holds a sign that reads “and made and sold by / W. & S. JONES / 135 Holborn / London.” There is also “A TABLE of the principal AFFECTIONS of the / PLANETS / Jan’y 1st 1794 / Published as the Act directs by / W. & S. Jones”
William S. Disbrow, a physician in Newark, N.J., who attained fame as a collector of art, books and scientific specimens, gave this instrument to the Smithsonian in 1902.
William Jones (1763-1831) and his brother Samuel (d. 1859) made and sold mathematical, optical and philosophical instruments. They began in business at 135 Holborn in 1792, and moved to 30 Holborn in 1800.
Ref: William Jones, <i>The Description and Use of a New Portable Orrery on a Simple Construction</i> (London, 1784).
Henry C. King and John R. Millburn, <i>Geared to the Stars. The Evolution of Planetariums, Orreries, and Astronomical Clocks</i> (Toronto, 1978), pp. 207-210.
Spoon
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: spoon
date made: 1790 - 1800
place made: United States: United States, Eastern
Physical Description: silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 5 1/4 in x 1 in; 13.335 cm x 2.54 cm
overall: 1/2 in x 5 3/8 in x 1 1/8 in; 1.27 cm x 13.6525 cm x 2.8575 cm
Credit line: Estate of Arthur Michael
Topics: Furnishings
Spoon
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: spoon
date made: 1790 - 1800
place made: United States: United States, Eastern
Physical Description: silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 1/2 in x 5 3/8 in x 1 in; 1.27 cm x 13.6525 cm x 2.54 cm
Credit line: Estate of Arthur Michael
Topics: Furnishings
Spoon
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: spoon
date made: 1790 - 1800
place made: United States: United States, Eastern
Physical Description: silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 1/2 in x 5 3/8 in x 1 1/8 in; 1.27 cm x 13.6525 cm x 2.8575 cm
Credit line: Estate of Arthur Michael
Topics: Furnishings
Octant
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: octant
date made: ca 1800
maker: Newell, Andrew
place made: United States: Massachusetts, Boston
Measurements: overall: 7.94 cm x 38.7 cm x 33 cm; 3 1/8 in x 15 1/4 in x 13 in
Topics: Time and Navigation
Description: Octant with a rosewood frame, flat brass index arm, 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. The "Andw Newell Maker Boston" inscription refers to Andrew Newell (1751-1798), a mathematical instrument maker in Boston. Inside the box is the trade card of David Baker, proprietor of a nautical instrument shop in New Bedford during the second quarter of the nineteenth century.
Orrery
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Orrery / Tellurian
date made: 1784-1792
maker: Jones, William
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Measurements: overall: 11.2 cm x 22.3 cm x 22.3 cm; 4 13/32 in x 8 25/32 in x 8 25/32 in
overall in box: 4 3/8 in x 8 3/4 in x 8 3/4 in; 11.1125 cm x 22.225 cm x 22.225 cm
overall; part (mechanism with two planets): 3 in x 6 3/4 in x 2 5/8 in; 7.62 cm x 17.145 cm x 6.6675 cm
Topics: Globes
Astronomy
Description: William Jones was a young instrument maker in London when he designed an orrery “for the better introduction of young Gentlemen and Ladies to the most pleasing, sublime and useful of all sciences, Astronomy.” This instrument was to be simple and inexpensive, and thus widely available. In use, the planets would be pushed by hand around the sun. Jones introduced this instrument in his <i>Description & Use of a New Portable Orrery</i> (London, 1782). In the second edition of this text (1784) he included a lengthy discussion of the Georgium Sidus, the planet now known as Uranus that William Herschel had discovered in 1781. Jones also noted that his orreries were now provided with a newly engraved paper plate that showed the Georgium Sidus and a comet.
In the Museum’s example, the engraved paper plate covering the circular wooden base is marked “A NEW PORTABLE ORRERY / Invented and Made by W. JONES / and Sold by him in Holborn, / LONDON.” The plate also shows the proportional diameters of the planets out to and including the Georgium Sidus as well as a figure of a comet. There is no mention of the sixth and seventh moons of Saturn which Herschel found in 1789.
This orrery has two interchangeable mechanisms. One (the Tellurian) represents the Sun (brass), Earth (ivory) and Moon. The other (the Planetarium) represents the Sun (brass) and five planets (ivory): Mercury, Venus Earth & Moon, Mars, Jupiter and 4 moons (one is missing), and Saturn with ring and 4 moons.
Ref: Henry C. King and John R. Millburn, <i>Geared to the Stars. The Evolution of Planetariums, Orreries, and Astronomical Clocks</i> (Toronto, 1978), pp. 207-210.
Orrery
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: orrery
date made: ca 1800
maker: James Giles
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 62.2 cm x 44.7 cm; 24 1/2 in x 17 19/32 in
overall: 23 5/8 in x 16 in x 16 in; 60.0075 cm x 40.64 cm x 40.64 cm
Topics: Globes
Astronomy
Description: This clockwork mechanism shows Mercury, Venus, Earth and Moon orbiting the Sun. There is a dial for the Moon’s Age and another for Solar Time. The “JAMES GILES, Master of GRAVESEND / FREE-SCHOOL, Invt et Fecit.” inscription probably refers to the James Giles Jr. who built a curious sundial at Milton Church, and wrote a text on English grammar.
Ref: Henry C. King and John R. Millburn, <i>Geared to the Stars. The Evolution of Planetariums, Orreries, and Astronomical Clocks</i> (Toronto, 1978), pp. 166-167.
Robert Pockock, <i>The History of the Incorporated Town and Parishes of Gravesend and Milton</i> (Gravesend, 1797), p. 117.
Octant
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: octant
date made: ca 1800
maker: Spencer Browning & Rust
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: ebony (overall material)
brass (overall material)
ivory (overall material)
Measurements: box: 12 cm x 43.2 cm x 37.5 cm; 4 23/32 in x 17 in x 14 3/4 in
octant radius: 13 3/4 in; 34.925 cm
overall in box: 4 3/4 in x 14 1/2 in x 16 5/8 in; 12.065 cm x 36.83 cm x 42.2275 cm
Credit line: Mount St. Mary's College
Topics: Navigation
Description: Octant with an ebony frame and flat brass index arm. The ivory scale is graduated every 20 minutes from -2° to +99° 40' and read by vernier with tangent screw to single minutes of arc. There is also a back sight and a back horizon glass that can be used to measure angles greater than 90°. The "Spencer Browning & Rust London" and "SBR" inscriptions refer to a firm that was in business from 1784 to 1840.
Spur, Single
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Spur
Date made: ca. 1775-1800
Mid-19th century
place made: Mexico
Physical Description: metal, iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 18.5 cm x 9.2 cm x 8.5 cm; 7 5/16 in x 3 5/8 in x 3 3/8 in
Credit line: Gift of Richard Ahlborn
A . . . History of England
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Book
Date made: c.1790
Measurements: overall: 15 1/4 in x 9 3/4 in x 2 3/8 in; 38.735 cm x 24.765 cm x 6.0325 cm
Typographical Antiquities of Great Britain
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Book
Date made: 1810
maker: Savage, William
Measurements: overall: 11 1/2 in x 9 1/4 in x 2 1/4 in; 29.21 cm x 23.495 cm x 5.715 cm
window
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Window
window, stained glass
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
glass (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 25 1/2 in x 53 1/2 in x 12 in; 64.77 cm x 135.89 cm x 30.48 cm
Credit line: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
window
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Window
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
glass (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Credit line: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
Dower Chest
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Chest
Date made: 1776
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Lancaster
Measurements: overall: 23 1/4 in x 46 in x 24 1/2 in; 59.055 cm x 116.84 cm x 62.23 cm
Credit line: Gift of Gertrude D. Webster
Bridal Chest
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Chest
Date made: 1783
Measurements: overall: 29 1/2 in x 54 5/16 in x 26 3/4 in; 74.93 cm x 137.99998 cm x 68.00012 cm
Earthquake in Messina after noon, Feburary 5, 1783...
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Date made: 1770-1790
place made: Germany: Bavaria, Augsburg
Measurements: overall: 31 cm x 47.5 cm; 12 3/16 in x 18 11/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Arthur Gardner
Topics: Disasters
Earthquakes
Peepshows - History
Ecology
Burning ship in Messina harbor
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Date made: 1770-1790
place made: Germany: Bavaria, Augsburg
Measurements: overall: 30.5 cm x 47.5 cm; 12 in x 18 11/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Arthur Gardner
Topics: Disasters
Peepshows - History
Fire Fighting
Sadness of Autumn
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Print
Date made: 1770-1790
place made: Germany: Bavaria, Augsburg
Measurements: overall: 36.5 cm x 46.5 cm; 14 3/8 in x 18 5/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Arthur Gardner
Topics: Peepshows - History
coquillage
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coquillage
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 31.5 cm x 45.7 cm x 33 cm; 12 3/8 in x 18 in x 13 in
Credit line: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
Cabinet
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Cabinet
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 88.5 cm x 99.7 cm x 45 cm; 34 13/16 in x 39 1/4 in x 17 11/16 in
Credit line: Bristol-Meyers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
Cabinet
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Cabinet
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 89 cm x 288 cm x 45 cm; 35 1/16 in x 113 3/8 in x 17 11/16 in
Credit line: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
Cabinet
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Cabinet
counter with drawers, ancient pharmacy
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 87.5 cm x 284 cm x 44.5 cm; 34 7/16 in x 111 13/16 in x 17 1/2 in
Credit line: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
Cabinet
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Cabinet
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 87.5 cm x 328.3 cm x 45 cm; 34 7/16 in x 129 1/4 in x 17 11/16 in
Credit line: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
shelf
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Shelf
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 139.5 cm x 189.5 cm x 28.7 cm; 54 15/16 in x 74 5/8 in x 11 5/16 in
Credit line: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
shelf
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Shelf
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 138.7 cm x 286.3 cm x 30 cm; 54 5/8 in x 112 11/16 in x 11 13/16 in
Credit line: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy
shelf
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Shelf
Date made: 18th Century
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 183 cm x 166.8 cm x 46 cm; 72 1/16 in x 65 11/16 in x 18 1/8 in
Credit line: Gift of American Pharmaceutical Association and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Topics: Art
Pharmacy