The Practical Surveyor's Assistant

 In Two Parts

Calculated by John Clendinin, Land Surveyor

In 1793, John Clendinin published a small book of about 100 pages consisting of two sets of calculated tables for use by surveyors.  Of special interest in this book is a section consisting of 4 pages of names of "subscribers".  Apparently these "subscribers" were willing to commit in advance to buy a copy(s) of the book.  The list is interesting in part because of the titles given to these people.  The real question is, why did some of them want the book.  The book did have a second printing which left out the list of "subscribers".

The book itself does not have any reading material and consists solely of two very tedious sets of tables.  Examples are shown below.

The Practical Surveyor's Assistant

 In Two Parts

In 1793, John Clendinin published a small book of about 100 pages consisting of two sets of calculated tables for use by surveyors.  Of special interest in this book is a section consisting of 4 pages of names of "subscribers".  Apparently these "subscribers" were willing to commit in advance to buy a copy(s) of the book.  The list is interesting in part because of the titles given to these people.  The real question is, why did some of them want the book.  The book did have a second printing which left out the list of "subscribers".

The book itself does not have any reading material and consists solely of two very tedious sets of tables.  Examples are shown below.

Below are thumbnails of the four pages of "subscribers".  Click on them to view the full page.  Can you identify any of the people named therein?   If so, please send an email to the Curator and tell us what you can.

Of additional interest is the relative scarcity of this book.  In 1981 Evald Rink identified only three libraries in the country with a copy of this printing of the book.  The images shown herein are from the only known copy still in private ownership.