RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
1 Fugio Cent
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coin
date made: 1787
place made: United States
Physical Description: copper (overall material)
Credit line: James J. Brooks
Description (Brief): One (1) cent coin, copy
United States, 1787
Obverse Image: Sundial below sun.
Obverse Text: FUGIO / 1787 / MIND YOUR BUSINESS
Reverse Image: 13 interlocking rings.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES / WE ARE ONE
1 Fugio Cent
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coin
date made: 1787
place made: United States
Physical Description: copper (overall material)
Credit line: James J. Brooks
Description (Brief): One (1) cent coin, copy
United States, 1787
Obverse Image: Sundial below sun.
Obverse Text: FUGIO / 1787 / MIND YOUR BUSINESS
Reverse Image: 13 interlocking rings.
Reverse Text: AMERICAN CONGRESS / WE ARE ONE
Way to Wealth or Poor Richard Improved
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: book
date made: 1795
Measurements: overall: 7 1/2 in x 4 3/4 in; 19.05 cm x 12.065 cm
A Proclamation
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: broadside
date made: 1782
landscape
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Landscape
print
Aquatint
Etching
date made: January 20, 1802
original artist: Lorrain, Claude
graphic artist: Earlom, Richard
place made: United Kingdom: England, London, City of London
United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 28 cm x 42 cm; 11 1/32 in x 16 17/32 in
Topics: Landscapes
letter
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: letter
date made: 1799
Credit line: E.L. Morse
Washboard
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: washboard
date made: 1800-1900
place made: United States
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
Credit line: Leslie M. Acree
Topics: Women
Household Tools and Equipment
Labor unions
In Pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness
Cleaning
Furnishings
Description: Rectangular washboard with wooden central, horizontally grooved scrubbing surface. Two wooden supports attached to either side. No soap shelf. No marks.
Before indoor plumbing, household chores such as laundering, cooking, and dishwashing were based around the basic need for water and required the women laboring in the home to haul fresh water into the house and dirty water out of the house. In rural areas, water was obtained from nearby streams and creeks and by the end of the nineteenth century street hydrants provided water for growing urban areas. Municipalities installed water and sewage pipes by the beginning of the twentieth century before becoming heavily populated.
The work of laundering for a household was largely performed by women. Well-to-do and middle-class individuals of the nineteenth century also had the option of arranging for someone else to do their laundry, either in their own home or the home of the laundress. Basic tools for this labor included objects such as a clothing iron for pressing or fluting fabrics and washtubs, wash sticks, and washboards for cleaning household textiles. The work of washing clothing and linens provided a financial opportunity for some women within the domestic sphere.
[None None]
claw, prosthetic
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: arm, artificial
prosthesis
date made: ca 1800s
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 26 1/4 in x 4 in; 66.675 cm x 10.16 cm
overall, as stored in housing: 4 1/4 in x 28 1/2 in x 6 3/4 in; 10.795 cm x 72.39 cm x 17.145 cm
overall, arm: 3 in x 26 3/4 in x 4 1/2 in; 7.62 cm x 67.945 cm x 11.43 cm
Topics: Prosthesis
People with disabilities
Health & Medicine
Goulding & Co. 8-Keyed Bassoon
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: bassoon
date made: 1775-1800
maker: Goulding & Co.
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Physical Description: maple (overall material)
brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 120 cm x 8 cm x 6 cm; 47 1/4 in x 3 1/8 in x 2 3/8 in
bell: 12 3/8 in x 2 1/4 in; 31.4325 cm x 5.715 cm
crook: 6 3/4 in x 5/8 in x 7 in; 17.145 cm x 1.5875 cm x 17.78 cm
long joint: 21 1/4 in x 1 7/8 in x 2 1/4 in; 53.975 cm x 4.7625 cm x 5.715 cm
wing joint: 19 3/8 in x 1 5/8 in x 1 7/8 in; 49.2125 cm x 4.1275 cm x 4.7625 cm
boot: 16 7/8 in x 3 in x 2 1/2 in; 42.8625 cm x 7.62 cm x 6.35 cm
Topics: Musical instruments
Music
Description: <p>This bassoon was made by Goulding & Co. in London, England, around 1775-1800. It is an 8-keyed bassoon made of syained maple with a brass bocal, ferrules and keys. A low C lever was added later. The bassoon is stamped:</p>
<p>GOULDING & CO.<br>LONDON</p>
Albany weaver; overshot coverlet; 1795; New York
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coverlet
coverlet, overshot
coverlet
coverlets
Date made: 1795
maker: unknown
place made: United States: New York, Albany
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
blue (overall color)
white (overall color)
linen (overall material)
wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 93 in x 66 in; 236.22 cm x 167.64 cm
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This blue and white overshot coverlet is dated 1795 in the weave along with the initials “E.B.” The overshot patterning was created using a supplementary wool weft which shoots over a plain weave foundation. The top and bottom edges are hemmed about 3/8 of an inch, and the center seam is joined with an overcast stitch in which the 2 selvages just meet. Coverlets with seams were woven as single lengths, cut, and joined to create wider textiles suitable for bed coverings. Seams and hems appear to have been redone, which is standard with use and washing. Pattern name is unknown but is the same as coverlet 1979.0723.01, with stars clustered in alternating groups of four or five with tables at their corners. The pattern is similar to Tennessee Trouble and Sun, Moon, and Stars, but as with quilt patterns, names change over time and place. It has a border on all four sides. The border pattern is a fractional reduction of the centerfield pattern. The name of the weaver of this coverlet remains unknown. What is known is that this weaver operated in Albany, New York from approximately 1770-1830 and wove a great number of overshot coverlets with pick-up-woven dates and initials in the lower border. The oldest dated coverlet known to exist was woven by this weaver. It is dated 1771 and currently resides at the National Museum of the American Coverlet in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The National Museum of American History has three coverlets from this weaver. The initials differ on each coverlet, and the initials almost certainly reflect the client’s name rather than the weaver.
Fragment of a geometric double woven coverlet, 1800-1850
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet fragment, geometric
coverlets
date made: 1800--1850
d
Physical Description: geometric (overall style)
double weave (overall production method/technique)
wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 14 1/2 in x 14 in; 36.83 cm x 35.56 cm
Topics: Furnishings
Description: Fragment of a geometric double-cloth coverlet. Blue and burnt orange wool, geometric, double-woven or double-cloth, all wool, coverlet fragment. This cloth has two layers, and the layers are connected by threads which go through to the other side to form the design on that side. The designs therefore are exactly the same only reversed in color. The design is geometric. The middle consists of a cross. Around the outside of the cross are eight squarish crosses. There are 4 small squares at each corner. The space between these shapes is the square cross. There are 9 of these designs evenly spaced out over the entire piece. The repeat measures 4 5/8 " x 5". The coverlet is made with 2 ply s twist wool. The yarn count is 17 x17. The repeat of the design measures 4 5/8 " x 5".
Elizabeth Deuel (Devel); coverlet; overshot; 1790; New York
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
coverlets
date made: late 18th century
1790
weaver or owner: Deuel, Elizabeth
maker or owner of coverlet: Deuel, Elizabeth
place woven: United States: New York
Physical Description: linen (overall material)
overshot (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 101 3/4 in x 80 1/4 in; 258.445 cm x 203.835 cm
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: According to the donor, Elizabeth Deuel is said to have made this blue and white, overshot, all-linen coverlet in 1790, in the Saratoga region of New York. Her name and the date are cross-stitched into the lower edge of the coverlet just above the fringe. A search of the 1790 census of the area produced no one with the surname Deuel. More research is needed to determine where Deuel lived, and if she was the weaver or the owner of this coverlet. In the 18th century, it was common for household textiles to be marked with the initials or name of the owner and the date. The average colonial home did not have a great number of household textiles, and they were considered important possessions. This coverlet was woven in two sections that were then sewn together. The coverlet is woven in a “Chariot Wheel” pattern and measures 104.75 inches by 80.25 inches.
Coverlet, overshot, "Double Chariot Wheel;" 1790-1825
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coverlet, overshot
Rose of Sharon
coverlets
date made: 1790-1810
late 18th century
early 19th century
maker: unknown
Physical Description: overshot (overall production method/technique)
wool (overall material)
orange, blue (overall color)
Measurements: overall: 94 1/2 in x 76 1/2 in; 240.03 cm x 194.31 cm
Topics: Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This orange/rust and blue, all-wool, overshot coverlet was woven in a “Double Chariot Wheel” pattern. The coverlet has fringe along two edges, suggesting that this coverlet may originally have been three panels rather than two. The lower fringe is a self-fringe. The fringe on the side is applied. The coverlet is composed of two panels, (possibly three initially), woven as one length and seamed up the center to create the finished coverlet width. The warp yarns are a golden rust, 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool. The ground weft is golden rust, 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool. The supplementary pattern weft is blue 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool yarn. The yarn count was 20 warp ends by 9 weft ends per inch.s per inch.
Protractor and Shadow Square
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: protractor and geometric square
date made: 18th century
place made: Italy
Italy
Physical Description: brass (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 34.8 cm x 13.4 cm x .8 cm; 13 11/16 in x 5 1/4 in x 5/16 in
Credit line: Gift of New York University
Topics: Science
Mathematics
Surveying
Protractors
Description: This brass semicircular protractor is divided by single degrees and marked by fives from 5° to 180°. The letter X is at the 90-degree mark. The upper right side of the protractor contains a shadow square. This is divided on both sides into sets of four units, each approximately 3/8" long and numbered from 1 to 12, for a total of 48 units on each side. The vertical side is marked: OMBRA VERSA. The horizontal side is marked (upside down): OMBRA RETTA.
The scale on the "ombra versa" side measured tangents from 0 to 45°. The scale on the "ombra retta" (or "recta") side measured tangents from 45° to 90°. The lines for degrees and on the shadow square appear to be made by hand, perhaps by placing the instrument next to a pattern. The instrument is decorated with floral and solar motifs. The protractor rests in a brass base that unfolds to form a limb, which is chipped. There are two holes in the limb; the numbers 2 and 1 are scratched next to the holes. There are four holes in the base; the numbers 3 and 1 are scratched next to the outermost holes, which align with the holes on the limb. This instrument is Italian in origin and was likely made before 1800. New York University donated the object in 1963.
Reference: J. A. Bennett, <I>The Divided Circle</I> (Oxford, 1987), 42–43.
Geometric double-cloth coverlet; Single Snowball , Pine Tree, 1800-1850
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Coverlet
coverlet, geometric
coverlets
Pine Tree
Snowballs
double weave
date made: 1800-1850
place made: United States
Physical Description: geometric (overall production method/technique)
double weave (overall production method/technique)
single snowball (overall pattern)
pine tree (border pattern)
red (overall color)
green (overall color)
blue (overall color)
wool (overall material)
Topics: Furnishings
Description: Coverlet; All wool plain geometric patterned double weave, red, green and navy pattern is variation of single snowball; pine tree border on all 4 sides.
chair
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Side Chair
Sheraton
side chairs
furnishings
Date made: 1797
associated person: Aiken, John
Washington, George
maker: Aiken, John
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: sheraton (overall style)
George Washington
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Painting, Portrait
portraits
paintings
Date made: circa 1793
depicted: Washington, George
maker: Trumbull, John
Physical Description: wood, mahogany (frame material)
oil paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9.2 cm x 8.2 cm; 3 5/8 in x 3 1/4 in
Topics: Government
Social reformers
Portraits
Politics
Presidents
Description: Around 1793 John Trumbull painted this cabinet portrait of George Washington. Probably presented as a gift from the artist, the Washingtons hung the portrait in their bedroom at Mount Vernon.
[None None None]
Portrait of Martha Washington by John Trumbull
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: painting, portrait
paintings
Date made: circa 1793
depicted: Washington, Martha
maker: Trumbull, John
Physical Description: wood, mahogany (frame material)
oil, paint (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9.5 cm x 7.5 cm; 3 3/4 in x 2 15/16 in
Topics: Government
Social reformers
Portraits
Politics
Presidents' spouses
First ladies
Description: Around 1793 John Trumbull painted this cabinet portraits of Martha Washington. Probably presented as a gift from the artist, the Washingtons hung the portrait in their bedroom at Mount Vernon.
[None None None]
Balance
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: balance with weights
Weights
Balances
date made: eighteenth century
maker: Pourin
place made: France: Île-de-France, Département de Ville-de-Paris
Measurements: apex: 7/16 in; 1.11125 cm
cross arm: 5 5/8 in; 14.2875 cm
base: 7/8 in; x 2.2225 cm
pan: 1 7/8 in; x 4.7625 cm
case: 3/4 in x 2 3/8 in x 7 1/8 in; 1.905 cm x 6.0325 cm x 18.0975 cm
overall in case: 3/4 in x 7 1/8 in x 2 5/16 in; 1.905 cm x 18.0975 cm x 5.87375 cm
Topics: Weights and measures
Description: Hand balance with a 5.5 inch iron beam, iron index, brass pans, five nested brass weights, and three flat brass weights. The oval case is made of wood. A paper label in the lid is marked: “AU P. COURONNE / Rue St. Denis No 38, entre la Rue Trousevache et / celle des Lombards, à Paris. / . . . OURIN, / . . . Méchanicien & Ajusteur, / Fabrique toutes sortes de Balances & Poids.”
Each balance maker in France had, as a personal mark, a letter of the alphabet with a crown above. This practice began in the pre-revolutionary period, and continued into the nineteenth century. Pourin’s shop and work was identified by a crowned P.
Bruno Kisch purchased this balance in Paris in 1960, for the new National Museum of History and Technology.
Ref: Bruno Kisch, <i>Scales and Weights. A Historical Outline</i> (New Haven and London, 1965), pp. 196-199.
Scientific Weights
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Scientific Weight
scientific weights
Weights
Date made: ca. 1800
ca. 1800
Measurements: weight 4:;
weight 5:;
weight 1:;
weight 3:;
weight 2:;
box: 17 mm x 83 mm x 58 mm; 11/16 in x 3 1/4 in x 2 5/16 in
overall in box: 11/16 in x 3 1/4 in x 2 3/16 in; 1.74625 cm x 8.255 cm x 5.55625 cm
Credit line: Gift of Dr. Bruno Kisch
Description: Wooden box containing weights, some brass and some aluminum, with forceps.
Revenue Measures
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Revenue Measures Set
Date made: ca. 1800
maker: Dring & Fage
place made: United Kingdom: England, London
Measurements: each staff: 10 in; 25.4 cm
case: 1 1/2 in x 11 in x 3 1/2 in; 3.81 cm x 27.94 cm x 8.89 cm
overall (adding each staff): 50 in; 127 cm
slide rule: 10 in; 25.4 cm
overall in case: 2 1/2 in x 11 1/4 in x 3 7/8 in; 6.35 cm x 28.575 cm x 9.8425 cm
Description: This gauging set consists of a rod and slide rule. The rod is cylindrical and composed of five 10-inch pieces that screw together. One piece is brass, and the others are varnished wood with brass ferrules. The rods are marked in inches. One is also marked “DRING & FAGE MAKERS TOOLEY ST. LONDON” and “IM” with crown insignia. The slide rule is 10 inches long, is made of wood with brass ferrules, and equipped with two slide bars. The inscription reads “DRING & FAGE MAKERS TOOLEY ST. LONDON.” The leather case holding these items is marked “INLAND REVENUE” and “DRING & FAGE / MAKERS / LONDON.” John Dring and William Fage began in business in 1792, making and selling rules of various sorts.
Pharmaceutical Measure
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pharmaceutical measure
Date made: ca. 1800
Measurements: overall: 2 1/4 in x 1 1/4 in; 5.715 cm x 3.175 cm
overall: 2 1/4 in x 1 1/2 in; 5.715 cm x 3.81 cm
Description: Small glazed ceramic cup that may be a pharmaceutical measure, made or used in Cologne, ca. 1800.
Weight
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Weight
Weights
Date made: ca. 1800
place made: Japan
Measurements: overall: 3/8 in x 13/16 in x 5/8 in; .9525 cm x 2.06375 cm x 1.5875 cm
Weight
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Weight
Weights
Date made: ca. 1800
place made: Japan
Measurements: overall: 1/8 in x 1/2 in x 1/4 in; .3175 cm x 1.27 cm x .635 cm
Weight
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Weight
Weights
Date made: ca. 1800
place made: Japan
Measurements: overall: 1/8 in x 1/2 in x 3/16 in; .3175 cm x 1.27 cm x .47625 cm
Chemistry Set
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: chemistry set, portable
Date made: ca. 1800
Measurements: chest: 21.5 cm x 25 cm x 30.5 cm; 8 7/16 in x 9 13/16 in x 12 in
overall: 8 3/8 in x 11 7/8 in x 9 1/2 in; 21.2725 cm x 30.1625 cm x 24.13 cm
Description: Portable chemistry set in a wooden chest with two large drawers and one small one. There are 30 glass jars (two are missing) with paper labels according to Lavoisier's nomenclature; a balance, small flasks, a blow pipe, a thermometer marked "Thermometre selon Mr. DeLuc fais par J.J. Renard à Strasburg" and a hydrometer marked: "arometre pour le selle par Baserque."
Ref: J. F. A. Gőttling, “Description of a Portable Chest of Chemistry,” The Monthly Review or Literary Journal, Enlarged 8 (1792): 173-174.
Balance
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: balance set with weights
Weights
Balances
Date made: ca. 1796
place made: United Kingdom: England
Measurements: each pan: 2.5 cm x 18 cm; in x 7 1/16 in
beam 2: 28 cm; 11 in
chain: 47 cm; 18 1/2 in
smallest weight: 1/4 in x 9/16 in; .635 cm x 1.42875 cm
beam 1: 45.7 cm; 18 in
largest weight: 4.6 cm x 6.7 cm; 1 13/16 in x 2 5/8 in
Topics: Weights and measures
Description: Two balances and eight nested bronze weights in a rectangular wooden box. One balance has an 18-inch iron beam, brass chains, and two 7-inch pans marked “*HUNDRED*WEST*DERBY*1796.” The other has an 11-inch iron beam, brass chain, and two 4-inch brass pans marked “*HUNDRED*WEST*DERBY*1796.” Two weights are marked “AVOIRDUPOISE.”
Cast Iron Shoes
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: shoes
Date made: 18th century
Physical Description: iron (overall material)
leather (overall material)
Measurements: shoe 2: 7.7 cm x 28.6 cm x 10.8 cm; 3 1/16 in x 11 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in
shoe 1: 7.7 cm x 28.6 cm x 10.8 cm; 3 1/16 in x 11 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in
overall; left: 3 in x 4 1/2 in x 11 7/16 in; 7.62 cm x 11.43 cm x 29.05125 cm
overall; right: 3 in x 4 1/4 in x 11 3/8 in; 7.62 cm x 10.795 cm x 28.8925 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mr. Edward M. Nagel
Topics: Clothing and dress
Dress accessories
Description: These cast iron shoes were probably worn by a chemist, and probably date from the 18th century. The donor believed they once belonged to the famous French chemist, Antoine Lavoisier. But, as there is no way to verify this claim, we value these shoes for what they can tell us about early French scientific and cultural history.
Each shoe weighs over 1-1/2 lbs! There are rivets all around the top of the heels, sides, and insteps. On one shoe, some remnants of leather remain under the rivets. Whether this leather was strictly decorative or served some practical purpose is unknown.
Balance
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Hand Balance
Balances
Date made: ca. 1794
date made: late eighteenth century
Measurements: box: 3 cm x 9.6 cm x 20.5 cm; 1 3/16 in x 3 3/4 in x 8 1/16 in
each pan: 55 mm; x 2 3/16 in
balance weight:;
overall in case: 1 1/4 in x 8 in x 3 3/4 in; 3.175 cm x 20.32 cm x 9.525 cm
Credit line: Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Henry C. J. Evans
Topics: Weights and measures
American Revolution (1775-1783)
Description: Hand balance with a 6.5-inch steel beam, index, two shallow brass pans, four square brass weights, and a rectangular wooden case. A paper inside the lid is marked: “Money SCALES and WEIGHTS, of all KINDS, sold by WILLIAM POYNTELL, IN PHILADELPHIA” and “All GOLD of equal fineness, with the Coins here mentioned, is taken at the Bank of North-America, at 6/8 of a Penny Weight.” This paper also has a conversion chart for various European coins (English Guineas, French ditto, Moidores, Johannes’s, Half ditto, French milled Pistoles, Spanish ditto, Doubloons, English Crowns, French ditto, Spanish Dollars, and English Six pence) giving the value of each in pounds, shillings and pence in England, in Philadelphia, and in New York; it also gives the true weight of each.
William Poyntell (1756-1811) was an English merchant who settled in Philadelphia at an early age. He established a printing office in 1803, for the purpose of printing Greek and Roman classics. And he was a director of several public institutions.
This balance apparently belonged to Joseph McClellan (1747-1834), an Army officer who served in the American Revolutionary War.
Coffeepot
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: coffeepot
date made: ca 1785
silversmith: Revere, Paul
place made: United States: Massachusetts, Boston
Physical Description: silver (body; lid material)
wood (handle material)
Measurements: overall: 13 3/4 in x 8 3/4 in x 4 1/4 in; 34.925 cm x 22.225 cm x 10.795 cm
Credit line: Estate of Arthur Michael
Topics: Furnishings
Description: Raised, double-bellied, baluster- or pear-shaped teapot with a domed and flared, hinged lid topped by a cast urn knop on a tall, flared pedestal base with circular foot; one side of body has an empty, wheelwork engraved, pointed-oval reserve with scrolls above and bowknot below. Applied beading at rim of lid and outside edge of foot, and graduated beads on sides of cast, S-curve spout. Spurred, S-curve handle is pinned into a curved, cylindrical upper socket and scroll-ended lower socket with a diamond- or lozenge-shaped plate. Hole in body at spout. Outside of foot is struck twice "REVERE" in raised serif letters in a rectangle, both partial. Centerpunch on bottom underside.
The attribution of this teapot to Paul Revere, Jr. (1702/3-1758) is questionable.