Compass, Surveyor's

Object Name:

Compass, Surveyor's

Object ID:

1953.002

Creator:

Poole, J. & H. M. -- Manufacturer

Place of Origin:

Easton, MA

Date:

1828-1841

Description:

Surveyor's compass, in wooden box. Plain brass with silvered dial. Face of dial marked 0-90, with 0s lined up with the sights, and 90s at right angles to sight line. "J. & H. M. Pool Easton, Mass." on face in center. Sights are L-shaped brackets with slot down the center. Slots beveled on one side, with three small and three large circular holes, alternating in position between sights. Parts in bottom of box include extra strap and screws for securing the compass, and a ball and socket mount. Each sight, mount, and body of compass have small paper label "6/1/53 / F. A. Walker".

Material:

Metal
Brass

Dimensions:

H-6.9 W-6.2 L-14.1 inches

Provenance:

Owned and used by Samuel Holmes Walker (1796-1869), New Hampshire timber baron. Donated by his great-grandson, Frank A. Walker. Came with handwritten label, "Compass carried many years by the father of A. L. Walker." Arthur Livermore Walker was the donor's grandfather.

Samuel H. Walker used this compass for surveying timber lands in the Thornton-Woodstock area of the White Mountains. He represented Fiske and Norcross of Lowell, MA, as their lumber agent; logs were floated down the Merrimack River to Lowell. He eventually controlled much of the land in Franconia Notch.

Credit Line:

Gift of Frank A. Walker

People:

Walker, Samuel H. (1796-1869), Walker, Frank A. (1902-1986)

Subjects:

Compasses, Surveying, Logging, Lumber, Lumber industry, Surveying instruments