Item 120 - Letter from Joel Harvey of Connecticut about a model of a machine for threshing corn

Minutes of the Committee of Mechanics 21 March 1765

‘Took into consideration a Model of a Threshing mill erected in the Colony of Connecticut Referred to the Committee March 13.
Mr Ingersall’s Letter was read, And also Mr Joell Harveys Letter to Mr Ingersall describing the Machine
Mr Ingersall who had seen the Mill Work in Connecticut explained the manner of its working.
Postponed the further consideration to the next meeting of the Committee.’

Minutes of the Committee of Mechanics 28 March 1765

‘Resumed the Consideration of a Threshing Mill used in Connecticut postponed at the last Meeting.
It appears by the model that the Machine Consists of a Cone of Wood fourteen feet long and Four Feet and a half Diameter with Ribs in it Lengthways to Answer the End of Flails, and which is turned Round an Axis upon the Corn machine in the same Manner with a Bank Mill.
Resolved that the above Machine appears to be a simple and ingenious Contrivance and likely to answer the intended purpose as it may be moved by a Moderate Power.
Resolved that the Contriver of this Machine is not deserving a Bounty.
Resolved it is the Opinion of this Committee that it be recommended to the Society to return Mr Harvey Thanks for Communicating the Model of his ingenious Threshing Machine.’

Minutes of the Society, 20 May 1765

‘A Report from the Committee of Mechanics, on a Threshing Mill in Connecticut, being read; a Motion was made That in the Second Resolution of the Report the Word not be left out, and that at the End of the said Resolution the Words a Bounty of Fifteen Pounds be added; Also that the Third Resolution relating to Thanks be omitted.
Agreed to: and the Question being put on the whole Report so amended it passed in the Affirmative.

Open to researchers at discretion of the archivist, or subject to preservation checks and requirements

Creator Victoria 28/07/1998