Journal of Andrew Ellicott's Expedition, 1789-1790
This manuscript journal of Andrew Ellicott’s expedition surveying the western borders of New York includes the first scientific measurements of Niagara Falls. The author of the journal is unknown and entries are dated from 1789 to 1790. The entry dated January 13, 1790 refers to a visit with Doctor Franklin [Benjamin Franklin] in Philadelphia. The last entry refers to a report to President Washington. Within the journal entries, six pages include readings, observations, calculations and latitude bearings related to the surveying work, as well as a two-page map sketch of an unidentified location.
Andrew Ellicott (1754-1820) was a mathematician, astronomer and surveyor from Buckingham, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In 1789, Ellicott moved to Philadelphia and was hired by the government to survey the Presqu'Isle triangle. He was also hired to determine whether the community of Presqu’Isle (present-day Erie, Pennsylvania) could be claimed by landowners who had purchased the Massachusetts preemption claim to western New York. While this work primarily focused on the Pennsylvania boundary, it also encompassed the lands around Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, the Niagara River and Western New York. During the course of this project, Ellicott saw Niagara Falls and made the first accurate measurements of the height of the Falls and Rapids, as well as the length of the Niagara River. Aside from a widely reprinted description of Niagara Falls sent by Ellicott to Benjamin Rush, there appears to be little surviving documentation of the Niagara portion of the survey, its route, the calculations taken, or a full roster of those who accompanied Ellicott on the expedition. The numbers provided in the journal are a close match to those included in Ellicott’s letter to Benjamin Rush, though the heights given by Ellicott to Rush are given in rounded figures, while the readings in the journal are more precise fractional measurements.
RG 908 Journal of Andrew Ellicott’s expedition, 1789-1790
A page from Andrew Ellicott's journal with mention of Benjamin Franklin, 1790
The writer of this journal visited Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia on January 13th, noting that "this day visited Doctor Franklin, found the old gentleman engaged in a party of chess--his mind appears active and strong, tho from age and infirmity his health and strength is much impaired. He asked a number of pertinent questions relative to the natural curiousities, as well as situation of the Northwestern Company".