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DONNINGTON PRIORY
125
Harrison (John, horologist, bap. 1693, d. 1776)
PETITION AND PROOFS [&] TO THE HONBLE THE COMMONS OF GREAT BRITAIN IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED, MANUSCRIPT NOTES in a secretary’s
hand, WITH A CORRECTION BY WILLIAM HARRISON WITH HIS AUTOGRAPH in left hand of document, [AND WITH FIGURES COMPILED BY JAMES
SHORT], Pro Patria watermark, laid down, tears along folds, slight smudge of blue ink reminiscent of that used by Commander Gould,
slight traces of damp in corners, browned, upper and left hand margins slightly creased, 382 x 310mm., [c. 1763]; and 5 autograph
manuscript notes by Humphrey Quill, v.s., n.d. (6).
*** HARRISON’S NOTES FOR A PETITION TO PARLIAMENT.
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Seemingly three separate notes on one page with accompanying notes by Quill.
(1). Notes in right hand “appears to be the draft of a petition from J. Harrison to Parliament & was written prior to 1765 [actually
1763], because the Petition states that J.H. ‘will disclose’ the mechanism of his No. 4 watch.”
“That this Instrument has proved its sufficiency by a Trial made of it in a late Voyage to Jamaica of which your Petitioner is ready to give
full evidence to this Honble House... Mr Harrison according to ye instructions given by the B[oard].” - John Harrison, Petition notes.
(2). Notes in upper left hand corner “seems to be notes on proofs & witnesses to prove the veracity of J.H.s statements in the
petition. It is suggested that these notes were compiled after the test of No 4 to Jamaica in 1761 [1762], because there is mention of
‘Green’ [James Green; astronomer] who was detailed as an observer on this voyage.”
“Call Dr Bevis - saw it first in 1735 at Mr Grahams who assurd him he tried it by boat …” - Proof notes.
(3). Note in lower left hand corner “appears to be calculations re the position of Jamaica the destination selected for the first test of
No 4 & which was completed in Jan 1762.”
“Whole Error of the Watch in the going out & return & into Portsmouth - 1m 54/2s wh is equal 28.37 of Longitude or equal to 18
geographical miles... .” - Proof notes.
£6,000-8,000
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