THE DIAL SIGNED BY RICHARD PATTEN (1792-1865), NEW YORK, CIRCA 1825

Richard Patten began his career manufacturing mathematical instruments in New York in 1813. He advertised himself as the "only Manufacturer of Sextants & Quadrants in New York" and claimed that all his instruments were "warranted, being divided on an Engine after the Plan of Ramsdens", referring to the English instrument maker, Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800). His business was located at various addresses on Water Street until 1842, when it is listed on Washington Street. A similar compass also with two spirit levels has been dated from 1820 to 1833 (Roger G. Gerry, "Richard Patten: Mathematical Instrument Maker," The Magazine Antiques (July 1959), pp. 56-58). See also Christie's, New York, 24 January 2014, lot 100. This compass is further distinguished for its recorded use in an 1835 survey of Westport, Connecticut by Alva Grey (Gray) and Henry Jones. While little is known of the latter, Alva Gray (1796-1876) was born in Westport, where he lived his whole life. A prominent member of the town, his death was lamented in a local newspaper, which also made note of his surveying skills: "He had been for many years one of the most capable County Surveyors in the State. During more than forty years' practice he had surveyed every acre of ground in Westport, and had become so familiar with the history of farms, and home lots, as to make any decision he might be called on to pronounce, final" (cited in Marcius Dennison Raymond, Gray Genealogy (Tarrytown, 1887), pp. 222-223).