{"id":2979,"date":"2013-02-27T16:59:18","date_gmt":"2013-02-27T16:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=2979"},"modified":"2017-10-20T11:08:14","modified_gmt":"2017-10-20T15:08:14","slug":"in-search-of-our-early-american-ancestors-patents-on-inventions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/in-search-of-our-early-american-ancestors-patents-on-inventions.html","title":{"rendered":"In Search of Our Early American Ancestors\u2019 Patents on Inventions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0 In this article, Mary\u00a0Harrell-Sesniak explains that some of your ancestors may have patented inventions \u2013 and finding the government records or newspaper descriptions of these inventions may fill in some gaps in your family history. Mary is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

When we think of patented inventions (not to be confused with land patents), the more famous inventors\u2014such as Thomas Edison (inventor of the phonograph and 1000+ other inventions)\u2014overshadow lesser-known American inventors.<\/p>\n

But take a moment to reflect on life before the Industrial Revolution, when our early American ancestors were left to their own ingenuity. The family stories may have become lost over the years, but perhaps some of your ancestors invented unique tools or machines\u2014and finding information about their patented inventions may fill in some gaps in your family history.<\/p>\n

Necessity was the driving force behind many of these historical inventions, creating devices to deal with problems that don\u2019t concern us today.<\/p>\n

Peter Zacharie\u2019s Mud-Moving Machine<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, mud was a large problem in the late 18th century. When you cleared a swamp, it was a back-breaking, labor-intensive chore, and undoubtedly the inspiration for Peter Zacharie\u2019s (of Baltimore) mud-moving device, which is described in this 1792 newspaper article.<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/a>
Spooner\u2019s Vermont Journal (Windsor, Vermont), 14 February 1792, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His device allowed a person to walk in a hollow wheel and raise, with what must have been a large spoon, a ton of mud. As the first one went up, a corresponding spoon simultaneously went down to get another load, thereby allowing a single man to empty it in a minute. What a fantastic labor-saving invention!<\/p>\n

Although no drawing has been located of Zacharie\u2019s machine, List of Patents for Inventions and Designs Issued by the United States from 1790 to 1847<\/em> (Edmund Burke, Commissioner of Patents, 1847) on Google Books, described it as an \u201cExcavator, mud machine.\u201d I imagine it more as an early elliptical machine\u2014as this would undoubtedly have kept the farmer in shape!<\/p>\n

Obadiah Herbert\u2019s Spinning Wheel <\/strong><\/p>\n

That same 1792 newspaper reported that Obadiah Herbert (of Mount Pleasant) had created a spinning wheel that could eliminate the need for a second person. As noted, \u201cthe advantages of such a machine were evident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Obadiah<\/a>
Spooner\u2019s Vermont Journal (Windsor, Vermont), 14 February 1792, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Miss E. A. Judkins Lace Loom<\/strong><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find descriptions of other lesser-known American inventions in early newspapers, such as this one by Miss E. A. Judkins (of Portland), who invented a loom to weave lace, fringes, etc., eliminating the need for tatting and crocheting.<\/p>\n

\"E.<\/a>
National Gazette (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 2 July 1839, page 1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Patent Protection in Early America<\/strong><\/p>\n

These early inventions received patent protection under the \u201cAct to Promote the Progress of Useful Arts\u201d of 10 April 1790. Protection under this act was granted:<\/p>\n

\u201cto such persons or petitioners, his, her or their heirs, administrators or assigns for any term not exceeding fourteen years, the sole and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using and vending to others to be used, the said invention or discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"1790<\/a>
Daily Advertiser (New York, New York), 13 April 1790, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There were various other stipulations, and the act included a statement that the issued patent \u201cwould be prima facia evidence that the said patentee or patentees, was or were the first and true inventor or inventors, discover or discovers of the thing so specified.\u201d Filing fees were specified, which totaled $3.85:<\/p>\n