Surveyor's Compass

Description:

Peregrine White (1747–1834), a namesake and direct descendant of the first European child born in Cape Cod Harbor in 1620, was a clockmaker in Woodstock, Connecticut. This surveyor's compass probably dates from around 1800. Like the Lamb compass in the collection, the vertical sights fold down when not in use. Like the Harland compass, this one has no direction letters and so can be read either clockwise or counterclockwise. There is a level vial on each arm. The face is inscribed "PEREGRINE WHITE Woodstock."

Ref: Silvio A. Bedini, Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers (Washington, D.C., 1964), pp. 47–48.

Maker: White, Peregrine

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Connecticut, Woodstock

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences, Surveying and Geodesy, Measuring & Mapping

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Publication: Bedini, Silvio A.. Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers

Credit Line: Dr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Greenwood

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: PH.388993aCatalog Number: 388993aAccession Number: 182022

Object Name: Surveyor's Compasssurveyor's compass

Measurements: overall length: 12 3/8 in; 31.4325 cmneedle: 4 1/2 in; 11.43 cmoverall: 6 7/8 in x 12 3/8 in x 5 7/8 in; 17.4625 cm x 31.4325 cm x 14.9225 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-69a1-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_747333

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