HISTORICAL SURVEYOR'S COMPASS BY WM. DAVENPORT, PHILADELPHIA
Early brass surveyor's compass by William Davenport (1778-1829) in original oak dovetailed case.Accompanying this lot is a letter stating that this compass was used by General Nathanial Massie in surveying the town of Manchester, Ohio, in 1797.Mr. Massie was a friend of William Ellison.Nathanial Massie was the founder of Manchester, Ohio, the first settlement of the Virginia Military District and surveyed land with three Ellison brothers.This instrument was most likely used to survey land in the founding days of Manchester, the fourth oldest settlement in Ohio.Original retailers label and three Ellison names stenciled inside lid.Detachable sight veins and brass cap present.One bubble level broken.Needle does not move freely.Original stand accompanies this lot.Case 15" x 10".Dial 6: dia. EST. $500. - $1000.
