Compass

compass

Name/Title

Compass

Entry/Object ID

1889.1

Description

Pocket compass set into a small wooden oval with a round metal cover. The cover is engraved with the inscription, "Reuben Nash/Benson, Vt./1786", and the top of a fleur-de-lis. The first E in Reuben is floating above the the rest of the word. It opens by folding down on simple hinges formed by two wire loops. The compass itself consists of a small metal rod attached to a brass post at the center. Beneath the rod is a printed engraving of a compass rose with Prince of Wales feathers (or a small fleur-de-lis) marking the North point. The other three directions (East, South, and West) are unmarked, but the quarters are marked with initials (NE, SE, SW, NW). A printed sticker is attached to the back that reads, "Pocket Compass used by Reuben Nash, in 1786 [illegible--covered by another sticker] Presented by his gran[illeg--covered by another sticker] Henry Howard Nash, Chicago, Illinois, To the Vermont Historical Society. 1889."

Context

Owned by Reuben Nash, one of the earliest settlers of Benson, Vermont

Acquisition

Accession

1889.1

Source or Donor

Nash, Henry Howard

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Date made

1786

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Compass

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Navigational Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Surveying & Navigational T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 05: Tools & Equipment for Science & Technology

Material

Wood, Metal, Paper

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Nash, Reuben (1768-1846)

Related Places

Place

Town

Benson

County

Rutland County

State/Province

Vermont

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America