"William Ewin is listed in the Baltimore directory in 1833 as a mathematical instrument maker at 3 Commerce Street.  Baltimore directories from 1833-1836 list William Ewin in partnership with Isaac T. Heartte (life 1785-1836) in the firm of Ewin & Heartte; philosophical, optical and mathematical instrument makers at 53 South Street.  October 1836, William Ewin (of the late firm of Ewin & Heartte) 53 South Street.  1840-41, William Ewin mathematical instrument maker 53 South Street."

Reference:  Smart, Charles E.   The Makers Of Surveying Instruments In America Since 1700  Troy, New York:  Regal Art Press.  1962 _______________________________________________________________________________________________

"Born in County Leitrim, Ireland, October 8, 1808, William Ewin emigrated to New York City circa 1822.  Worked in Baltimore from 1833 to 1840 when he moved to Western Ford, Randolph County, Virginia, which today is St. George, Tucker County, West Virginia.  Studied law and lobbied the Virginia Assembly for the formation of the new county in 1856.  Served as Postmaster and County Circuit Clerk until barred from public service in 1861 for supporting Secession.  Used surveying and legal skills to obtain and sell land grants of many thousand acres.  After the amnesty of 1868, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, then to the West Virginia Senate from 1879 to 1883.  Died November 25, 1886, and is buried in the family graveyard overlooking the Cheat River at St. George."

--Submitted by William Ewin's great-great-grandson, Gerald A. Baughman

Some of William Ewin's personal papers are stored at the West Virginia University Library.  Included in those papers are a number of letters from customers about his mathematical instruments.