surveyor's compass
Date1822-1831
Inventory Number5180
ClassificationSurveyor's Compass
Subject
Maker
Samuel Thaxter & Son
fl. 1822 - 1843
Seller
Charles Gedney King
1808 - 1858
User
Andrew Nichols
1837 - 1921
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Place of Use
Dimensionscase: 9.5 × 39 × 19.6 cm (3 3/4 × 15 3/8 × 7 11/16 in.)
without sights: 7.2 × 37.4 × 15.3 cm (2 13/16 × 14 3/4 × 6 in.)
without sights: 7.2 × 37.4 × 15.3 cm (2 13/16 × 14 3/4 × 6 in.)
Material
Accessoriesprotective cushioned cloth; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
DescriptionAll brass instrument with two removable sighting vanes. Both have a narrow slit and circular apertures. There are two bubble levels, on one arm, positioned at a right angle and forming a "T", to level in both axes of the horizontal plane.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees, marked every ten. The needle is suspended by a steel point. The brass lifter arm is operated from underneath the instrument. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and staff (missing).
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany box with hooks, lock and leather strap that buckles over lid. It also has a glued label inside from another firm, Charles Gedney King, covered over that of Samuel Thaxter & Son. Perhaps the former was the seller or repairer of this instrument.
The silvered dial's face has eight cardinal points, with a fleur-de-lys for identifying North. Degrees are engraved on the raised scale (0-90°-0-90°), divided in half degrees, marked every ten. The needle is suspended by a steel point. The brass lifter arm is operated from underneath the instrument. The instrument is supported by a ball-and-socket joint and staff (missing).
When not in use, the instrument is stored in a mahogany box with hooks, lock and leather strap that buckles over lid. It also has a glued label inside from another firm, Charles Gedney King, covered over that of Samuel Thaxter & Son. Perhaps the former was the seller or repairer of this instrument.
Signedon dial, engraved: S. Thaxter & Son
on label, inside case: C. G. King, No. 7 Broad St., Boston
FunctionThe surveyor's compass is an instrument used in surveying (or in navigation in rare cases) to measure horizontal angles, what is called bearing or azimuth.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
For a nice discussion of this intrument, see the following website.
ProvenanceAndrew Nichols (Danvers, Massachusetts); given to seven of his grandchildren to own equally; David Wheatland (Topsfield, Massachusetts) purchased from Nathan P. Nichols (Hathorne, Massachusetts) January 16, 1975; donated to CHSI 1975.
Historical AttributesUsed by Andrew Nichols, a surveyor in Danvers and a descendant of the Holyoke family.
Chamberlain & Ritchie
Date: 1850-1854
Accessories: carrying case; tripod (5129b)
Object number: 5129a
William J. Young
Date: 1820-1840
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint; carrying case
Object number: 5189
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: 1844-1857
Accessories: handwritten tables and charts; carrying case; ball-and-socket joint
Object number: 5187
Charles Pool
Date: 1820-1835
Accessories: carrying case; ball-and-socket joint; extra needle; plumb bob; glass vial; brass plates
Object number: 5194
H. M. Pool & Brothers
Date: 1853-1858
Accessories: belt grip; dial cover plate; lifter arm; carrying case
Object number: 5188
William J. Young
Date: 1840-1855
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5190
Samuel Thaxter & Son
Date: 1822-1843
Accessories: solar eyepiece, case
Object number: 1989-4-0010
J. Pool & Company
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: carrying case
Object number: 5200
Buff & Buff Manufacturing Company
Date: circa 1905
Accessories: wood case; leather case; right-angle prism; plumb bob; oil flask; tripod (5174b)
Object number: 5174a
E. & G. W. Blunt
Date: circa 1850
Accessories: ball-and-socket joint (5203b); tripod (5203c)
Object number: 5203a