| | 2 | Author: | Anonymous | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | [Book on heraldry], [18th century?]
| | | | Dates: | Circa 18th century | | | | Abstract: | This volume, along with [Dictionary of Heraldry] (Mss.929.6.H41), date from the 18th century and contain a range of information on heraldry. The Dictionary of Heraldry (H41) lists family names and descriptions of their shields. The back of the volume includes designs of various shields, many of which are in color. The Book on Heraldry (B646), which carries what appears to be a forgery of Benjamin Franklin's signature on its first page, is much smaller. It too contains information on names, shields, and family origins. The back page has a map of the Delmarva Peninsula done by Mason and Dixon. Notes on longitude and latitude sit on the page next to the map.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.929.6.B646 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Surveying and Maps | | | | Subjects: | Heraldry. | Miscellaneous | |
| 3 | Author: | Anonymous | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | [Dictionary of heraldry], [n.d.]
| | | | Dates: | n.d. | | | | Abstract: | This volume, along with [Book on Heraldry] (Mss.929.6.B646), date from the 18th century and contain a range of information on heraldry. The Dictionary of Heraldry (H41) includes names and descriptions of shields. The back of the volume includes designs of various shields, many of which are in color. The Book on Heraldry (B646), which carries what appears to be a forgery of Benjamin Franklin's signature on its first page, is much smaller. It too contains information on names, shields, and family origins. The back page has a map of the Delmarva Peninsula done by Mason and Dixon. Notes on longitude and latitude sit on the page next to the map.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.929.6.H41 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Surveying and Maps | | | | Subjects: | Heraldry. | Miscellaneous | |
| 11 | Author: | Alexander, William, 1726-1783 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Variation of the compass, 1773
| | | | Dates: | 1773 | | | | Abstract: | This slender volume is an essay by William Alexander, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics and business. Alexander wrote this essay with the hope that it would spur the American Philosophical Society to support the study of variations in compasses. Alexander's interest in this subject likely had to do with his background as a merchant. He realized compass variations created inefficiencies and risks for captains and the merchants that relied on them. Alexander appeals specifically to the APS's mission by stating that such a study would be "useful to mankind." Alexander's essays shows that he is conversant in many of the current theories about variations. He also proposed a plan for the APS to facilitate a systematic study of compass variations that he believed would produce a clear general law for variations in compasses.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.522.76.Al2 | | | | Extent: | 1 item(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | Surveying and Maps | Trade | | | | Genre: | Scientific Correspondence | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Astronomy -- 18th century | Compass. | Learned institutions and societies. | |
| 13 | Author: | Dixon, Jeremiah | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Minutes and papers of the Mason and Dixon survey, 1760-1768
| | | | Dates: | 1760-1768 | | | | Abstract: | The Mason and Dixon Survey Collection consists of two volumes relating to their work drawing a border between Pennsylvania and Maryland and a box of correspondence. This entry describes the two volumes. One contains the Penn family's costs, which goes into specific details about items purchased and used for the venture. The second volume is a manuscript copy of the commissioners' minutes from 1760-1768. The commissioners were representatives of both Baltimore and Penn, and gave directions to Mason and Dixon. The minutes contain negotiations between the commissioners, which provide insight into surveying methods and the various disagreements between the two sides about boundaries, particularly as they relate to the Delmarva Peninsula. There are a few mentions of Indians and diplomacy, especially around 1767 when Mason and Dixon were extending the line into the Ohio Country.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.974.8.P383 | | | | Extent: | 2 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Colonial Politics | Government Affairs | Native America | Pennsylvania History | Surveying and Maps | | | | Genre: | Maps and Surveys | Official Government Documents and Records | | | | Subjects: | Surveys. | |
| 20 | Author: | Byrd, William, 1674-1744 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The history of the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina, 1728
| | | | Dates: | 1728 | | | | Abstract: | The collection of William Byrd's writings consists of two leather bound, handwritten copies of Byrd's History of the Dividing Line Run in the Year 1728 (Mss.975.5.B99h) and A Secret History of the Dividing Line (Mss.975.5.B99s). The former was likely written for public audiences and contains the details of drawing the lines, interactions with Indians, observations of the flora and fauna of the area, the health and culture of settlers, and the official actions of the commissioners. Byrd regularly wrote Peter Collinson, an English scientist, about his journal and his hope that it would be of interest and benefit to a wide audience. The Secret History, on the other hand, contains a wealth of the more personal, private, and often humorous anecdotes of the trip. Neither manuscript was published in Byrd's lifetime, although both were eventually published.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.975.5.B99h | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Colony and State Specific History | Exploration. | Native America | Natural history | Surveying and Maps | | | | Genre: | Manuscript Essays | Travel Narratives and Journals | | | | Subjects: | Boundaries, State. | |
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