The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-08-05
THE VOICE.
BRANDON:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, lS47.

and scientific departments Of the world, so in the
mechanical, in regard to self-denals and lack OF
bounhfu supply of this worlds goods, to the real
pioneer. Although the ono who breaks new ground
in the science of mechanism may occasionally sue
ceed so that during his life time he may receive hon
Or or praise, and small pccuniary compensation for
his invaluable services to community yet as arule
he is met with of fortune and the cold SYM
pathies Of those able to render him assistance in his
time of need and this, because those who have the
means, have not the scientific penetration of faith
oming the principle of the invention, and must wait
until they see tho thing demonstrated to certainty
Of succeeding.
The particular case of long life devoted to me-
chanical inventions come Of which every man OF
common information in the United States, who has
lived fifty years. knos to have been of great utility,
and to which we now allude, is that Of BENJAMIN
REED, now Of M'rslyfeN, Mass.
Being in Troy, NY. last winter, and hearing sono
anecdotes respecting the bringing to maturity the
present plan of cutting and heading building nails,
and respecting the main inventor, we wore induced
to ascertain his residence, and to request OF him
statement as to his difficulties in maturing some OF
his inventions; his chief business through life, thus
far, and his present pecuniary circumstances. We
accordingly wrote MIR. Reed on the subjects named,
and received in substance the following: The faith
er Of BENJAMIN Reed was clock-naker by trade,
and at the time of Bcniamin's birth, Q77S) resided
in North Brdgewater, Mass. 1T nine years OF age
Benjamin went to live with Dr.Dcan, Of Eason, ara
remained there about three years, during which
time he manifested his mechanical taste by con-
structinr trip-hammer, which was put in operation
by wheel and cam shaft, and these propelled by
water. At twelve, Benjamin returned to his father,
and soon constructed the main part Of wooden
clock. At or about fifteen years Of age ne was ap-
prcnticed to shop joiner in Randolph, Mass, where
he served regular apprenticeship at that business
While there, Benjamin tried his skill on perpetual
motion, by constructing machine which he thought
would tell the story; and to use his own words, he
managed as follows: ~ worked two days and three
nights without sleep. Tho last night, little before
day light, got it ready to put in operation; and to
avoid notice. went into little pine grove, with a
. friend, to put it together and set it in motion
found that as soon as it put together, it would
90 MS well one way as tho ohor, and that it would
not 20 either way without help. I was then fully
convinced that it was out Of the power Of man tc
put machinery together so as to produce perpetual
motion, and that nothing short Of the power to create
could do 1t. To this belief have ever since ad
Q hcrcd."
Mr.. Reed remarks that his opportunities for &c
curing an education very limited, havng,w
rs lived with his father two miles to go to school
AMI turing his apprenticeship, only sir ,ceets allow
! cd for that purpose At p years Of age, Mr.. Reed
u married the woman with whom he now lives, and by
u whom he has had eleven children, four Of which
II only. arc now living A. the time, or soon after the
, marriage of 3r. Reed, he located in Randolph, anc
|, pursued the trade of shopIoiner, but soon got &c
g far from this particular business as to invent anc
construct a rotary pump, which worked we'll bu
y which, fearing its liability to get out reparho ai'
ot aside. His mind was next drawn to improvement
i in the manner of manufacturing bulding-nails AM
~ the first plan he hit upon was TO make from rodt
and about the year 1902 Mr.. Reed secured letter
patent on this invention. But the difficulty OF pro
,e curing means to put the business in operation pre-
at sented itself and to obvatc this difficulty he sol
le onethird of his nterestn the patented right to KEY
Or Jonathan Strong, Of Randolph and another third
y Thomas Odione OF Boston they to have two-third
IL of al improvements Nj. Reed should make in th
business. Means being furnished, the experiment {
70 manufacturing from rods was tried, but proved
~ failure Gs the profits did not balance the ougoes.-
no The next plan was to roll tho iron to suitable hcl
H. ness then slit it into pieces of the right size for II
hodv of the nail, and latten the point. This pla
e- also proved failure. The third step in the improve
he ment was to construct machine for cutting an
in heading at one operation. On this Mr.. Rsed oil
On tanned patent, but by come means, the plan ar
'ih machinery were not sufficiently perfected to woi
Vs. advantageously, and for the time being, this IN
- chine was laid aside, Mr. Reed next made hea
rs ing machine into which, after the nails were Gu
No. they were fed by hand. This mode of operatil
cir worked too tardily, and was placed alohgsae u
- precious inventions, or improvements The partne
IN Of Mr. Reed now left him, and he located in Nor
,re Underwater. built small house by waterfall L
nd ing tho lower part of the building as machine sho
While there he built two or three nail machines,
g different kinds but while struggling to perfect the
~ for ooeratirp he was arrested debt for casting
he and Obliged to give up his housc and what otherro
,ch estate he had. Taking his wife and goods 10
500 house of her father, Mr. Reed was next found
90 Boston aboring at his first trade, and WAS soon
ton ter employed in constructing the first Jock o"'i'
the canal running through Midway ;-'le''o
went to Providence, r. !. While there ne maoc
NJ model of q nail machine, which was subsequent
APP .IS1,,.. :. 0,y;,rnc Toon Mr.. Reed left Pro
dcnce and moved his family and effects to the hou
,ad Of his brother N West Brdgewater, Moss,and WI