Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1832-08-09
ELI WHITNEY.

WHICH has furnished large patt ~ Ihe popusauO"
the Southern States, from childhood to age, with ln
craiive employment; by which their debts have beer
paid Off their capital incrcasedi and their lands ire
bIed in value. g, .gs..s .3.s tug.S . ~,
Eli Whitney was born in Westborough
Mass. Dec. 8, 1865. His parents belong
ed to the middle class in society, from
which having risen most Of those who, in
New England, having attained TO high en-
inence and usefulness. No other situation
in society is so favorable 10 the early for
nation Of those habits of economy both Of
time and money, which, when carried for
ward into the study of the scholar, or the
field of active enterprise, afford the sirest
pledge Of success. Whitney early display
ed the germs of those qualities for which
he afterwards became so distinguished
prudence, energy, and mechanical ingenu-
ity. AS soon as he could handle tools, he
was at work in his fathers shop, and was
soon able to perform the little jobs of the
neighborhood, which were too nice for the
ordinary mechanics. His fathers watch,
being the greatest piece of mechanism that
had yet presented itself to his observation,
he was extremely DESTROYS ofcxamining its
interior construction, but was not permit
ted to do so. On Sunday morning, OBJ
serving that his father was going to meet
ing, and would leave at home the wonder
full little machine, he Immediately feigned
illness as an apology for not going to
church. AS soon as the fanliIywere out
Of sight, he flew to the room where the
watch hung, aud taking it down, lie was so
delighted with its motions, that he took it
all in pieces. before he thought Of the con-
sequences ofhis rash deed. He however,
put the work SO neatly together, that his
father never discovered his audacity until
he himselftold him, many years afterwards.
During the revolutionary war, nails were
scarce and in great demand. Whitney,
then about fifteen or sixteen years old, in
duced his father to set up the manufacture.
He continued this labor with great indus
try and probably for his father, till the
close Of the war, when it ceased to be prof
table. But as fashion began to prevail
at that time among the ladies, of fastening
on their bonnets with long pins, he con-
trived to make those with so mucl, skill
and dexterity, that he nearly monopolizcd
the business.
Whitney early manifested fondncss for
figures, and at the age of fourteen had ac-
qnired so much general information as to
be considered on this account, as we'll as
for his mechanical skill, remarkable boy.
From the age of 10 he had conceived the
idea of obtaining liberal education, but
being warmly opposed by his step mother,
was unable to obtain the consent of his ia
Their until he had reached the age of twen-
ty-,hree years, when he entered the Fresh
man class of Yale College. His propen-
sity to mechanical inventions and occupa-
lions, was frequently manifested during his
residence in College. A carpenter being
at work upon ono Of the buildings belong
ing to the gentleman with whom Whitney
boarded, the latter begged permission TO
use his tools during the intervals of study !;
but the mechanic, being man of careful
habits, was unwilling to trust them with
the student, and it was only after his friend
had become responsible for all damages,
that he would grant the permission. But
Whitney had no sooner commenced his OPP
erations, than the carpenter was surprised
at his dexterity, and exclaimed,-" There
was one good mechanic spoiled when you
was sent to college," ..
Soon after Whitney took his degree, in
1892, he repaired to Georgia, to fulfil an
engagement he had entered into with Mr..
B. to reside in his family as a private teach
Ell. He had scarcely set his foot in Geor-
gia, when he was met by disappointment
which was an earnest of that long series of
adverse events, which, with scarcely an ex-
ception, attended all his future nego.ia-
tons in that State. On his arrival he was
informed that Mr.. b. had employed an
other teacher, leaving Whitney entirely
without resources or friends. He was so
fortunate, however, as to attract the fiotice
and sympathy Of Mrs. Greene, the widow
of General Greene, who invited him to
make her house his home, and he accord
ingly commenced the study of the law un-
der her hospitabie roof 1t was here and
by Mrs. Greene, that his attention was first
directed to the invention Of a machine for
cleaning cotton from its seed. At that
time, separating one pound Of the clean
staple from the seed was days work for
a woman. Whitney procured some cotton
in the seed, and Immediately set himself
to work withuspch rude materials and in
struments as 4 scorgia planter afforded
With these resources he made tools better
adapted to his purpose, and drew his owl
wire, of which the teeth of the earliest gin.
were made. Near the close ofthe winter