Figure 49. — Detail of wooden Davis quadrant inscribed "Made by William 

 Williams in King Street Boston" for "Malachi Allen 1768." In collection of 

 East India Marine Hall, Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts. 



assortment of instruments, as well as time glasses which measured 

 from one quarter minute to two hours. 



The name of Williams appears also in the Day Books of Paul 

 Revere. Under date of April 16, 1792, there is the following entry: 



Mr. William Williams Dr 



To Engravg plate for hatt bills 0-18-0 



To 2 hund prints 0-6-0. 



From June 24, 1792, to January 28, 1797, Revere entered 12 

 charges against Williams for 8,500 hat bills for the total amount 

 of£ 14/15/0.'°'' 



Samuel Thaxter 



Closely associated with the name of William Williams is that 

 of another instrument maker of Boston, Samuel Thaxter (1769- 

 1842). Thaxter was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, on De- 

 cember 13, 1769, the son of Samuel and Bathsheba (Lincoln) 

 Thaxter. His father, who had been born in Hingham in 1744, 

 was married on December 27, 1768, and he became the father of six 



^'^ Brigham, op. cit. (footnote 32), p. 121. 



97 



