Evening star., 1934-01-28
CAPITAL OWES MUCH TO ELLICOTT SKILL
BY HENRY B. DOUGLAS.

- AAAAVANA Ds AOOOAAos
OMEwHERE in the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition one may see collection Of
battered old astronomical and survey
ing instruments. They rest In glass
u case and are variously labeled as hav-
ing been used for this or that pur-
by one Andrew Ellicott.
lnied by the patina Of over q century there
tile about this exhibit to attract the eye.
the scientist It is chiefly Of interest as
esenting q transition stage in the evolu-
of instruments of precision; but to the
al visitor it is but another batch Of old
professional tools-a lot Of junk Of no
rest whatever Yet these old instruments
We more than q passing glance, for IN the
S of a skillful engineer and astronomer
served well . nation still In its swaddling
hes.
Bing on my study table as I write Is an
lent compass. It is handmade, and came
being at q time when something Of the
tsman's soul entered into his handiwork.
one arm of the base-plate is engraved the
be, A. Ellicott; on the other, B. Rittenh0use.
his journal. published In Philadelphia in
!, Andrew Ellicott lists the various instru-
It's used by him, as commissioner, in run
the boundary between the United States
the Spanish Province of Florida. In this
"9thly. A surveying compass made by
Mr.. Benjamen Rittenhouse upon the
newest, and most approved plan"
would seem, therefore, that this venerable
rument made its debut in the year 1896.
the near future, as Is fitting, it will journey
Washington to join its fellows in the
(thSonian Institution.
NDREW ELLICOTT came of Quaker
stock His reat-grandfather and grand
her left their Devonshire England, home in
and settled in Bucks County Pa. In this
nty Andrew was born January "a, 1754
father Joseph Ellicott, aside from
ntif1c bent and extraordinary skill in me-
nical handicraft was q man Of public
irs serving as high sheriff Of Bucks
nty, Pa, and later as q member of the
vincial Assembly.
he young Andrew received his training in
township schools, and afterward in Phila-
bhia under that Robert Patterson who later
b the chair of mathematics in the Uni
Bity Of Pennsylvania. In ITO, when he was
years Of age, his father purchased q large
tt Of land on the Patapsco River, and es-
Dlished a colony at what is now Ellicott
h, Md.
Puring the five following years the boy de-
pped q decided flair for mathematics in its
Rlication to astronomy, land surveying and
thanics. In l775. at the age Of 81, he mar
Sarah Brown, a Quaker lass Of Newtown,
fks County, Pa. and set up housekeeping
the banks Of the Patapsco It was q most
ppy union and proved an important factor
his distinguished career, which, after all,
Rs it should be.
The fact that he was q member of the So
jy Of Friends did not deter Andrew Ellicott
3n displaying his patriotism in 1778, when
accepted from the Governor of Maryland
|captain's commission in the Elk Ridge
itia. Subsequently he attained majority in
u same military organization. From the
|e Of his commission as captain almost the
ire life of Andrew Eilicott was devoted to
service OF his country. Let us glance
efly at some of his more important work.
What is known as the Mason and Dixon line
line to become famous in after years-was
in 1887 to settle the boundary dispute
|ween Pennsylvania and Maryland 1t takes
name from the two English astronomers
b performed the work. This line finished,
was decided to prolong it in order to
eblish the boundary between Pennsylvania
Virginia Before this could be accom-
6hed, however, an Indian outbreak on the
Fder caused its abandonment, and it was not
til 1784 that work was resumed, when An
Ew Ellicott was chosen by Virginia as one
four commissioners to represent her in
ests. The other commissioners were DR..
mes Madison president of William and Mary
llege; John Page, later Governor Of the
id Dominion State, and Robert Andrews.
e field work was begun in September, 1874,
b on the 10th Of November, following, An
wv Ellicott established for all time the
|thwest corner of Pennsylvania. He was
" 80 years of age.
F'he season being advanced, work was sus-
hded until the following year. The month
May 1785. finds him again in the field,
ming the line from the southwest corner of
hnsylvania due north to the Ohio River.
is point was reached August %. 1885, and
drew Ellicott's connection with the Virginia
nmission ended. Later william and Mary
llege, recognizing his genius in bringing this
hcult work to successful conclusion, con-
red upon him the honorary degree Of
ster of arts. In the meantime, he had