My Chandlee Compass - The Inspiration for This Webpage

My dad never owned a Chandlee compass - as a California surveyor he preferred instruments used to survey the western public lands over colonial instrument used on the east coast. At first, I shared his preference, but have branched out significantly since restarting The Compleat Surveyor. I now consider compasses made in the colonial area to be art-like creations made by highly skilled artisans. And the Chandlee Family members, especially Goldsmith Chandlee, are likely the most artistic makers of early compasses. Hopefully this website will help collectors understand the different brand names that the Chandlee used when making their compasses. The site also pulls together the publicly available selling prices for many of these rare compasses.

The instrument-making Chandlees were:

Benjamin Chandlee ("BCN",1723 – 1794) was an exceptionally skilled American/Quaker clockmaker who lived in Nottingham PA (hence the N in BNC). BNC had 3 kids who became clockmakers as well: Goldsmith, Ellis & Isaac. Benjamin also had a grandson, Benjamin (BCB), who was a clockmaker.

Goldsmith Chandlee ("GC",1751 – 1821) was Benjamin's (BNC) son and lived in Winchester VA.

Ellis Chandlee ("EC", 1755 - 1816) was Benjamin's (BNC) son and lived in Nottingham.

Isaac Chandlee ("IC", 1760 - 1813) was Benjamin's (BNC) son and lived in Nottingham.

Benjamin Chandlee ("BCB", 1780 - 1822) was Goldsmith's son and a clockmaker as well, and lived primarily in Baltimore.

I've created separate webpages for Benjamin (BCN), Goldsmith, Isaac and Benjamin (BBCB and each of the known Chandlee instruments making partnerships. (Ellis only made instruments in partnership with Isaac).

I've also added in the compasses made by George Graves, who was working or apprenticing for Goldsmith when Goldsmith passed away in 1821. George acquired Goldsmith's tools, uncompleted inventory and dividing engine at Goldsmith's estate sale. George thereafter finished and sold Goldsmith's remaining compasses. Some of them are just dazzling - completely in keeping with Goldsmith's style.

Please contact me if you have information to add to this website. If you have something to contribute I would really appreciate hearing from you. Thanks.