Surveyor's vernier compass with stand, tools and manuscripts of...

Surveyor's vernier compass with stand, tools and manuscripts of Joel Evans (1796-1865) of Springfield, Delaware County

Benjamin Stancliffe (1782-1834), Philadelphia, PA, early 19th century

Compass engraved, "Stancliffe Maker-Philada Warranted," with a fitted wooden box, plumb bob, one brass tool engraved, "H. Gregory London," and a shagreen case fitted with tools; together with an account book of Joel Evans from 1817, several surveyor's maps, and correspondence concerning surveying.

H: 4 7/8 in. W: 13 in. D: 8 7/8 in. (box)

PROVENANCE:

By descent in the Evans Family to the present owner

Joel Evans, a noted Quaker surveyor, owned a farm in Springfield, Delaware County on land granted to the Evans Family by William Penn. He served as Delaware County auditor in 1840 and 1852, as Director of the Poor in 1848, and the Office of Prothonotary, Recorder of Deeds, Register of Wills in 1849. He was named as an incorporator of the Delaware Mutual Insurance Company by the Act of May 1, 1852. Evans was a member and elder in Springfield Particular Meeting, and clerk of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.