John Churchman
John Churchman was the oldest of 10 children of George and Hannah (Mordecai) Churchman. George b. 8-28-1730, d. 11-18-1814. Married Hannah 5-28-1752 who was born 1-11-1728 and died 10-16-1789. George was the only son of John Churchman # 76067832
John's siblings were Mordecai, Edward, Micajah, Margaret, Gainer, George, Joseph, Hannah, and Hannah II.
History of Chester County, Pennsylvania: With Genealogical and Biographical; By John Smith Futhey, Gilbert Cope 1881. Page 497-498
=================================================
Several members of the family were surveyors, but the most ingenious in this line was John, the son of George, born in East Nottingham, 5, 29, 1753.
About the year 1778 he executed a map of the peninsula between the bays of Delaware and Chesapeake, including the State of Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia.
16 th of February 1787 he presented a paper to the American Philosophical Society giving a new theory of the magnetic needle and proposing a method of finding the longitude at sea by observing the variation. The committee appointed by the Society took the position that his theories were inconsistent with known principles and recorded observations.
On August 8, 1787 for example, Thomas Jefferson wrote:
“… two difficulties occur; 1st, a ready and accurate method of finding the variation of the place; 2d, an instrument, so perfect as that (though the degree on it shall represent 160 miles) it shall give the parts of the degree, so minutely as to answer the purposes of the navigator.”
Jefferson went on in a conciliatory tone, perhaps exhibiting his habitual aversion to conflict:
“I make no doubt but you have provided against the doubts entertained here; and I shall be happy that our country may have the honour of furnishing the old world, what it has so long sought in vain.” (Jefferson to Churchman, reprinted in The Magnetic Atlas, p. 66)
About the year 1790 he constructed and published a variation Chart or Magnetic Atlas, and Stereographic Projection of the Spheres, on a Plane of the First Magnetic Meridian, on a new plan, with a book of explanation, on which account he met with violent opposition from some characters of eminence in the learned world (as appears by publications yet extant), who could not relish that an obscure and self-taught genius should acquire ideas that had so long escaped the penetration of men who had long been familiar with the illuminations of science.
But whilst he was thus persecuted in the land of his nativity, he maintained an encouraging correspondence with Sir Joseph Banks, Esq., Bart., President of the Royal Society of London, H. Parker, Secretary of the Commission of Longitude; also with the commissioners and secretaries of several learned societies and academies at Hamburg, Prussia, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Cambridge, Paris, etc., and with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other liberal-minded men in America, who were pleased to say they highly approved of his laudable design of improving magnetic observations; that they acknowledged the originality and usefulness of his ideas and schemes; that the subject would derive no small increase form his ingenious works; that it was a work of great merit, and might be of use in navigation; that they advise d him to pursue with diligence a subject wherein his progress authorized a reasonable hope that science would derive real increase, etc.
In 1792 he embarked on a voyage to England and France, in order to pursue his researches, as also with a view to apply his scheme to find the longitude at sea. He returned about the year 1796.
Having received invitation from a learned society in Russia, he visited Copenhagen, and thence to St. Petersburg, where he met with great attention, was elected member of the Imperial Academy of Arts and Sciences, and received a golden medal with the diplomatic honors thereof.
He arrived in London in the year ----, still pursuing his studies with undeviating diligence. He received a silver medal form a society as an acknowledgement of some ingenious topographical discoveries.
Sitting up late one night at his accustomed labors, he was found fallen in a paralytic affection, from which, after a few months, he so far recovered as to embark for home in the shop "William Murdoch," Captain Horn.
1805, while in London on what seems to have been a mission to gain recognition from the Board of Longitude, Churchman suffered a debilitating stroke. He recovered somewhat, but died during a return voyage to Philadelphia on July 24 of that year.
He never arrived, but died at sea, in the ship, 24th of the 7th month, 1805, aged about fifty years."
....
...
..
.
Bio;
By
Jonathan Robert De Mallie, Garden State Historian
John Churchman was the oldest of 10 children of George and Hannah (Mordecai) Churchman. George b. 8-28-1730, d. 11-18-1814. Married Hannah 5-28-1752 who was born 1-11-1728 and died 10-16-1789. George was the only son of John Churchman # 76067832
John's siblings were Mordecai, Edward, Micajah, Margaret, Gainer, George, Joseph, Hannah, and Hannah II.
History of Chester County, Pennsylvania: With Genealogical and Biographical; By John Smith Futhey, Gilbert Cope 1881. Page 497-498
=================================================
Several members of the family were surveyors, but the most ingenious in this line was John, the son of George, born in East Nottingham, 5, 29, 1753.
About the year 1778 he executed a map of the peninsula between the bays of Delaware and Chesapeake, including the State of Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia.
16 th of February 1787 he presented a paper to the American Philosophical Society giving a new theory of the magnetic needle and proposing a method of finding the longitude at sea by observing the variation. The committee appointed by the Society took the position that his theories were inconsistent with known principles and recorded observations.
On August 8, 1787 for example, Thomas Jefferson wrote:
“… two difficulties occur; 1st, a ready and accurate method of finding the variation of the place; 2d, an instrument, so perfect as that (though the degree on it shall represent 160 miles) it shall give the parts of the degree, so minutely as to answer the purposes of the navigator.”
Jefferson went on in a conciliatory tone, perhaps exhibiting his habitual aversion to conflict:
“I make no doubt but you have provided against the doubts entertained here; and I shall be happy that our country may have the honour of furnishing the old world, what it has so long sought in vain.” (Jefferson to Churchman, reprinted in The Magnetic Atlas, p. 66)
About the year 1790 he constructed and published a variation Chart or Magnetic Atlas, and Stereographic Projection of the Spheres, on a Plane of the First Magnetic Meridian, on a new plan, with a book of explanation, on which account he met with violent opposition from some characters of eminence in the learned world (as appears by publications yet extant), who could not relish that an obscure and self-taught genius should acquire ideas that had so long escaped the penetration of men who had long been familiar with the illuminations of science.
But whilst he was thus persecuted in the land of his nativity, he maintained an encouraging correspondence with Sir Joseph Banks, Esq., Bart., President of the Royal Society of London, H. Parker, Secretary of the Commission of Longitude; also with the commissioners and secretaries of several learned societies and academies at Hamburg, Prussia, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Cambridge, Paris, etc., and with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other liberal-minded men in America, who were pleased to say they highly approved of his laudable design of improving magnetic observations; that they acknowledged the originality and usefulness of his ideas and schemes; that the subject would derive no small increase form his ingenious works; that it was a work of great merit, and might be of use in navigation; that they advise d him to pursue with diligence a subject wherein his progress authorized a reasonable hope that science would derive real increase, etc.
In 1792 he embarked on a voyage to England and France, in order to pursue his researches, as also with a view to apply his scheme to find the longitude at sea. He returned about the year 1796.
Having received invitation from a learned society in Russia, he visited Copenhagen, and thence to St. Petersburg, where he met with great attention, was elected member of the Imperial Academy of Arts and Sciences, and received a golden medal with the diplomatic honors thereof.
He arrived in London in the year ----, still pursuing his studies with undeviating diligence. He received a silver medal form a society as an acknowledgement of some ingenious topographical discoveries.
Sitting up late one night at his accustomed labors, he was found fallen in a paralytic affection, from which, after a few months, he so far recovered as to embark for home in the shop "William Murdoch," Captain Horn.
1805, while in London on what seems to have been a mission to gain recognition from the Board of Longitude, Churchman suffered a debilitating stroke. He recovered somewhat, but died during a return voyage to Philadelphia on July 24 of that year.
He never arrived, but died at sea, in the ship, 24th of the 7th month, 1805, aged about fifty years."
....
...
..
.
Bio;
By
Jonathan Robert De Mallie, Garden State Historian
John Churchman
John Churchman was the oldest of 10 children of George and Hannah (Mordecai) Churchman. George b. 8-28-1730, d. 11-18-1814. Married Hannah 5-28-1752 who was born 1-11-1728 and died 10-16-1789. George was the only son of John Churchman # 76067832
John's siblings were Mordecai, Edward, Micajah, Margaret, Gainer, George, Joseph, Hannah, and Hannah II.
History of Chester County, Pennsylvania: With Genealogical and Biographical; By John Smith Futhey, Gilbert Cope 1881. Page 497-498
=================================================
Several members of the family were surveyors, but the most ingenious in this line was John, the son of George, born in East Nottingham, 5, 29, 1753.
About the year 1778 he executed a map of the peninsula between the bays of Delaware and Chesapeake, including the State of Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia.
16 th of February 1787 he presented a paper to the American Philosophical Society giving a new theory of the magnetic needle and proposing a method of finding the longitude at sea by observing the variation. The committee appointed by the Society took the position that his theories were inconsistent with known principles and recorded observations.
On August 8, 1787 for example, Thomas Jefferson wrote:
“… two difficulties occur; 1st, a ready and accurate method of finding the variation of the place; 2d, an instrument, so perfect as that (though the degree on it shall represent 160 miles) it shall give the parts of the degree, so minutely as to answer the purposes of the navigator.”
Jefferson went on in a conciliatory tone, perhaps exhibiting his habitual aversion to conflict:
“I make no doubt but you have provided against the doubts entertained here; and I shall be happy that our country may have the honour of furnishing the old world, what it has so long sought in vain.” (Jefferson to Churchman, reprinted in The Magnetic Atlas, p. 66)
About the year 1790 he constructed and published a variation Chart or Magnetic Atlas, and Stereographic Projection of the Spheres, on a Plane of the First Magnetic Meridian, on a new plan, with a book of explanation, on which account he met with violent opposition from some characters of eminence in the learned world (as appears by publications yet extant), who could not relish that an obscure and self-taught genius should acquire ideas that had so long escaped the penetration of men who had long been familiar with the illuminations of science.
But whilst he was thus persecuted in the land of his nativity, he maintained an encouraging correspondence with Sir Joseph Banks, Esq., Bart., President of the Royal Society of London, H. Parker, Secretary of the Commission of Longitude; also with the commissioners and secretaries of several learned societies and academies at Hamburg, Prussia, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Cambridge, Paris, etc., and with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other liberal-minded men in America, who were pleased to say they highly approved of his laudable design of improving magnetic observations; that they acknowledged the originality and usefulness of his ideas and schemes; that the subject would derive no small increase form his ingenious works; that it was a work of great merit, and might be of use in navigation; that they advise d him to pursue with diligence a subject wherein his progress authorized a reasonable hope that science would derive real increase, etc.
In 1792 he embarked on a voyage to England and France, in order to pursue his researches, as also with a view to apply his scheme to find the longitude at sea. He returned about the year 1796.
Having received invitation from a learned society in Russia, he visited Copenhagen, and thence to St. Petersburg, where he met with great attention, was elected member of the Imperial Academy of Arts and Sciences, and received a golden medal with the diplomatic honors thereof.
He arrived in London in the year ----, still pursuing his studies with undeviating diligence. He received a silver medal form a society as an acknowledgement of some ingenious topographical discoveries.
Sitting up late one night at his accustomed labors, he was found fallen in a paralytic affection, from which, after a few months, he so far recovered as to embark for home in the shop "William Murdoch," Captain Horn.
1805, while in London on what seems to have been a mission to gain recognition from the Board of Longitude, Churchman suffered a debilitating stroke. He recovered somewhat, but died during a return voyage to Philadelphia on July 24 of that year.
He never arrived, but died at sea, in the ship, 24th of the 7th month, 1805, aged about fifty years."
....
...
..
.
Bio;
By
Jonathan Robert De Mallie, Garden State Historian
John Churchman was the oldest of 10 children of George and Hannah (Mordecai) Churchman. George b. 8-28-1730, d. 11-18-1814. Married Hannah 5-28-1752 who was born 1-11-1728 and died 10-16-1789. George was the only son of John Churchman # 76067832
John's siblings were Mordecai, Edward, Micajah, Margaret, Gainer, George, Joseph, Hannah, and Hannah II.
History of Chester County, Pennsylvania: With Genealogical and Biographical; By John Smith Futhey, Gilbert Cope 1881. Page 497-498
=================================================
Several members of the family were surveyors, but the most ingenious in this line was John, the son of George, born in East Nottingham, 5, 29, 1753.
About the year 1778 he executed a map of the peninsula between the bays of Delaware and Chesapeake, including the State of Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia.
16 th of February 1787 he presented a paper to the American Philosophical Society giving a new theory of the magnetic needle and proposing a method of finding the longitude at sea by observing the variation. The committee appointed by the Society took the position that his theories were inconsistent with known principles and recorded observations.
On August 8, 1787 for example, Thomas Jefferson wrote:
“… two difficulties occur; 1st, a ready and accurate method of finding the variation of the place; 2d, an instrument, so perfect as that (though the degree on it shall represent 160 miles) it shall give the parts of the degree, so minutely as to answer the purposes of the navigator.”
Jefferson went on in a conciliatory tone, perhaps exhibiting his habitual aversion to conflict:
“I make no doubt but you have provided against the doubts entertained here; and I shall be happy that our country may have the honour of furnishing the old world, what it has so long sought in vain.” (Jefferson to Churchman, reprinted in The Magnetic Atlas, p. 66)
About the year 1790 he constructed and published a variation Chart or Magnetic Atlas, and Stereographic Projection of the Spheres, on a Plane of the First Magnetic Meridian, on a new plan, with a book of explanation, on which account he met with violent opposition from some characters of eminence in the learned world (as appears by publications yet extant), who could not relish that an obscure and self-taught genius should acquire ideas that had so long escaped the penetration of men who had long been familiar with the illuminations of science.
But whilst he was thus persecuted in the land of his nativity, he maintained an encouraging correspondence with Sir Joseph Banks, Esq., Bart., President of the Royal Society of London, H. Parker, Secretary of the Commission of Longitude; also with the commissioners and secretaries of several learned societies and academies at Hamburg, Prussia, St. Petersburg, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Cambridge, Paris, etc., and with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other liberal-minded men in America, who were pleased to say they highly approved of his laudable design of improving magnetic observations; that they acknowledged the originality and usefulness of his ideas and schemes; that the subject would derive no small increase form his ingenious works; that it was a work of great merit, and might be of use in navigation; that they advise d him to pursue with diligence a subject wherein his progress authorized a reasonable hope that science would derive real increase, etc.
In 1792 he embarked on a voyage to England and France, in order to pursue his researches, as also with a view to apply his scheme to find the longitude at sea. He returned about the year 1796.
Having received invitation from a learned society in Russia, he visited Copenhagen, and thence to St. Petersburg, where he met with great attention, was elected member of the Imperial Academy of Arts and Sciences, and received a golden medal with the diplomatic honors thereof.
He arrived in London in the year ----, still pursuing his studies with undeviating diligence. He received a silver medal form a society as an acknowledgement of some ingenious topographical discoveries.
Sitting up late one night at his accustomed labors, he was found fallen in a paralytic affection, from which, after a few months, he so far recovered as to embark for home in the shop "William Murdoch," Captain Horn.
1805, while in London on what seems to have been a mission to gain recognition from the Board of Longitude, Churchman suffered a debilitating stroke. He recovered somewhat, but died during a return voyage to Philadelphia on July 24 of that year.
He never arrived, but died at sea, in the ship, 24th of the 7th month, 1805, aged about fifty years."
....
...
..
.
Bio;
By
Jonathan Robert De Mallie, Garden State Historian
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