Figure 82.—Brass field glass in case of russet leather, stated to have been used by General George Washington at Valley Forge. USNM 92424, 92425.
The maker, Benjamin Cole (1725-1813), was the third generation of instrument makers of the same name. Other instruments by this maker are in the National Maritime Museum and the Whipple Museum, Cambridge.
Figure 83.—Telescope, 62 in. long, made of wood wrapped with twine. It was made by Benjamin Cole of London and was owned and used by Gen. George Washington at Mount Vernon. USNM 92423.
This telescope, used by General Washington at Mount Vernon, "was kept behind the hall door and his favorite amusement was to look out over the river with it." According to Mrs. Lewis, the General used it to observe life on the river and especially to discover guests approaching Mount Vernon, as many of their visitors arrived by boat. Benjamin Latrobe, the architect, on a visit to Mount Vernon made an amusing sketch of his host looking anxiously up the stream for some belated dinner guests.
Part of the collection purchased from the Lewis heirs in 1878 by the U.S. Government and transferred to the U.S. National Museum in 1883. USNM 92423. Figure 83.
Survey of Land, drawn and documented by George Washington on April 2, 1751 for Thomas Loftan of Frederick County, Va. Paper, 12 in. wide by 7-3/4 in. high.
This survey was made by Washington when he was 19 years of age, and it is believed to be the only such document relating to his earliest period as a surveyor. Washington was licensed as a surveyor by the President and Masters of William and Mary College in 1749. On July 20th of the same year he was appointed surveyor in Culpepper County, Va., by Governor Dinwiddie.
Acquired in 1961. USNM 238367. Figure 84.