The chronometer records of Royal Greenwich Observatory show that Parkinson & Frodsham one-day marine chronometer No.108 was purchased in August 1843. In his letter dated 15th July 1843 the Hydrographer of the Navy, Rear Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, wrote that three privately owned chronometers were held at the Observatory - Parkinson & Frodsham No.108, Arnold & Dent No.965 and Molyneux No.2275, belonging to Captains Sir E.Parry, Packer and Allen, they having been deposited there by their owners. He commented that he considered it not fair that these officers had been obliged to provide themselves privately with chronometers; he proposed that, subject to the price being agreed, they should be purchased for the naval service.
In his next letter dated 16th August 1843 addressed to the Astronomer Royal, G.B.Airy, the Hydrographer advised him that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty had concurred with his suggestion, the chronometers had now been purchased, and asked that they now be placed on the books of the Royal Observatory. It was the practise that marine chronometers purchased as a result of their performance at the Annual Greenwich Chronometer Trials had the Government Mark engraved on them; however this does not appear to have been engraved on No.108: it is assumed that this is becuase No.108 was purchased privately without having been entered for the Annual Trial.

The records show that by 1856 No.108 was no longer performing to the requisite standard for it to be retained in the naval service. Subsequently Parkinson & Frodhsam were asked if they would be prepared to take No.108 in exchange against another chronometer. In their letter dated 21st February 1856 they declined to do so. However Frederick Dent the chronometer maker agreed subsequently to make an allowance of ¨2: this was accepted and on 13th August 1857 No.108 was taken off the books of the Royal Observatory.

Photostat copies of the relevant Royal Greenwich Observatory records are included with this lot.