J.T. Hobby
1813-1883

 
Jonathan T. Hobby was born in New Rochelle, New York on July 6, 1813; he died in Hempstead Long Island, New York on August 1, 1883. His earlier instruments are marked "New York", while those marked "Hempstead, L.I." were made from 1869 to 1873, when he worked on Long Island. He apparently closed his business in 1873 and died in 1883.
 
From 1865 to 1921 Gurley serviced 11 Transits, 2 Levels and 4 Compasses made by Hobby.
 
New York City Directories:
 
1840-41 Hobby, Jonathan T., math ins. 156 Water h. 258 Delancy;
From 1840 to 1854 he is a partner of Sawyer & Hobby; the partnership of Sawyer & Hobby operated at 156 Water Street in New York City. The two partners were Horace Sawyer and Jonathan T. Hobby. Horace Sawyer was born in Bolton, Massachusetts in 1811 and died in 1889.
 
1853-54 Hobby, Jonathan T., surv. inst. 156 Water h. 105 Schermerhorn, Brooklyn.
1855 Hobby, Jonathan T., mth inst. 156 Water h. 114 State, Brooklyn.
1862 the same but house Hempstead, Long Island.
 
Hobby is listed until 1869 at 146 Water Street as a supplier of instruments under one of the above descriptions. There is no record of him in 1870 in the New York City Directories.
 
Curtains Directory of Long Island, Hempstead, N. Y.;
1867-68 Hobby, Jonathan, spyglasses, h. Joraleman n. Henry. Long Island Directory,
1872-73 Hobby. Jonathan T. math. inst. mkr. Hempstead, h. Greenwich.