Sometimes misspelled as Heisley. He was a clock maker and maker of surveyor's compasses (with items in the Smithsonian collection, the Sate Museum of Pennsylvania, and the Dauphin County Historical Society). He enlisted Capt. Joseph Howell's Company, 2nd Pa. Regiment, Colonel Stewart in command, 9 Sept 1778. Upon discharge, he was apprenticed to clock maker George Hoff in Lancaster.
In about 1783, he moved to Frederick Maryland, maintaining a shop on Market Street where he made the Frederick town clock. On Jan 25th 1786 Frederick advertised in the Maryland Chronicle that he made "musical chime clocks as well as common and plain ones, likewise large town-clocks if required, repairs in the best manner and at a most reasonable rate, he also makes surveyors compasses and other mathematical instruments, such as protractors, scales of different sorts, 2 or 4 Perch chains (i.e. 33 ft. or 66 ft.), and pocket compasses with sun dials, &c. He gives the highest price for brass."
In 1793 he moved back to Lancaster and became a partner with George Hoff (Find A Grave Memorial# 75867980) (who was his father in law since 1783), making surveyor's instruments, land compasses and projectors.
Frederick Heisely and his father in law George Hoff formed a partnership for 302 days: Lancaster Journal Jan 22 1796 Lancaster Journal: “George Hoff & Frederick Heisely Inform their friends and the general public in general that the Clock & Watch maker’s Shop, between the Courthouse and the jail (the first block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), formerly kept by George Hoff only, is now carried on by Hoff & Heisely, jointly, who now make in addition to what was usually made in said shop, all kinds of Surveyor’s Instruments, such as Land Compasses of different kinds and sizes, Chains, Scales of any dimension; Protracters, of different sizes and forms; best steel pointed Dividers; stiff and jointed Draw Pens, &c. &c.
Said Heisely has carried on the Instrument making business, in Fredericktown, in Maryland, upwards of ten years with great success. His Instruments are scattered from one extremity of the state of Maryland to the other, as well as through Virginia and Kentucky, and are universally approved of. He flatters himself to meet with equal success in that line.
Hoff and Heisely hope, by their strict attention to both branches of business, as heretofore, to merit the patronage of a generous public.”
Lancaster Journal Nov 18 1796: “The partnership of Hoff & Heisely being dissolved, the subscriber begs leave to inform his friends, and the public in general, that he has removed to the house formerly occupied by the Editor of the Lancaster Journal, and opposite to the Post and Printing Office of Mr Hamilton (the third block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), where he intends carrying on the Clockmaking business in all branches, and repairing watches in the neatest and best manner, and on the most reasonable terms. He also makes, as heretofore, all kinds of Surveyors’ Instruments. He hopes, by his strict attention to business, and constant endeavours to please, to merit the future custom of his old friends, and the public in general. He expects a few elegant Silver Watches, which he intends to sell at the most reduced prices.”
The elapsed time from 22 Jan 1796 to 18 Nov 1796 (inclusive) is 302 days (9 months and 28 days). One tall case clock signed "Hoff & Heisely Lancaster" is known to exist. It is a 30 hour clock from an estate sale in Connecticut. See photo to the right.
One Heisely surveyor's compass made in Lancaster circa 1796 to 1811 is known to exist. It is signed "F. Heisely Lancaster" It came from Pittsburg, Kansas. See photo to the right.
Original research by Thomas Raub.
In about 1811 he moved to Harrisburg where he was Treasurer of Dauphin County from 1827 to 1829.
The city of Harrisburg has erected a bronze plaque citing Frederick and George Heisely on a building at 2nd St and Chestnut St in Harrisburg.
Submitted by Tom Raub, a 4th great grandson of George Hoff.
In about 1783, he moved to Frederick Maryland, maintaining a shop on Market Street where he made the Frederick town clock. On Jan 25th 1786 Frederick advertised in the Maryland Chronicle that he made "musical chime clocks as well as common and plain ones, likewise large town-clocks if required, repairs in the best manner and at a most reasonable rate, he also makes surveyors compasses and other mathematical instruments, such as protractors, scales of different sorts, 2 or 4 Perch chains (i.e. 33 ft. or 66 ft.), and pocket compasses with sun dials, &c. He gives the highest price for brass."
In 1793 he moved back to Lancaster and became a partner with George Hoff (Find A Grave Memorial# 75867980) (who was his father in law since 1783), making surveyor's instruments, land compasses and projectors.
Frederick Heisely and his father in law George Hoff formed a partnership for 302 days: Lancaster Journal Jan 22 1796 Lancaster Journal: “George Hoff & Frederick Heisely Inform their friends and the general public in general that the Clock & Watch maker’s Shop, between the Courthouse and the jail (the first block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), formerly kept by George Hoff only, is now carried on by Hoff & Heisely, jointly, who now make in addition to what was usually made in said shop, all kinds of Surveyor’s Instruments, such as Land Compasses of different kinds and sizes, Chains, Scales of any dimension; Protracters, of different sizes and forms; best steel pointed Dividers; stiff and jointed Draw Pens, &c. &c.
Said Heisely has carried on the Instrument making business, in Fredericktown, in Maryland, upwards of ten years with great success. His Instruments are scattered from one extremity of the state of Maryland to the other, as well as through Virginia and Kentucky, and are universally approved of. He flatters himself to meet with equal success in that line.
Hoff and Heisely hope, by their strict attention to both branches of business, as heretofore, to merit the patronage of a generous public.”
Lancaster Journal Nov 18 1796: “The partnership of Hoff & Heisely being dissolved, the subscriber begs leave to inform his friends, and the public in general, that he has removed to the house formerly occupied by the Editor of the Lancaster Journal, and opposite to the Post and Printing Office of Mr Hamilton (the third block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), where he intends carrying on the Clockmaking business in all branches, and repairing watches in the neatest and best manner, and on the most reasonable terms. He also makes, as heretofore, all kinds of Surveyors’ Instruments. He hopes, by his strict attention to business, and constant endeavours to please, to merit the future custom of his old friends, and the public in general. He expects a few elegant Silver Watches, which he intends to sell at the most reduced prices.”
The elapsed time from 22 Jan 1796 to 18 Nov 1796 (inclusive) is 302 days (9 months and 28 days). One tall case clock signed "Hoff & Heisely Lancaster" is known to exist. It is a 30 hour clock from an estate sale in Connecticut. See photo to the right.
One Heisely surveyor's compass made in Lancaster circa 1796 to 1811 is known to exist. It is signed "F. Heisely Lancaster" It came from Pittsburg, Kansas. See photo to the right.
Original research by Thomas Raub.
In about 1811 he moved to Harrisburg where he was Treasurer of Dauphin County from 1827 to 1829.
The city of Harrisburg has erected a bronze plaque citing Frederick and George Heisely on a building at 2nd St and Chestnut St in Harrisburg.
Submitted by Tom Raub, a 4th great grandson of George Hoff.
Sometimes misspelled as Heisley. He was a clock maker and maker of surveyor's compasses (with items in the Smithsonian collection, the Sate Museum of Pennsylvania, and the Dauphin County Historical Society). He enlisted Capt. Joseph Howell's Company, 2nd Pa. Regiment, Colonel Stewart in command, 9 Sept 1778. Upon discharge, he was apprenticed to clock maker George Hoff in Lancaster.
In about 1783, he moved to Frederick Maryland, maintaining a shop on Market Street where he made the Frederick town clock. On Jan 25th 1786 Frederick advertised in the Maryland Chronicle that he made "musical chime clocks as well as common and plain ones, likewise large town-clocks if required, repairs in the best manner and at a most reasonable rate, he also makes surveyors compasses and other mathematical instruments, such as protractors, scales of different sorts, 2 or 4 Perch chains (i.e. 33 ft. or 66 ft.), and pocket compasses with sun dials, &c. He gives the highest price for brass."
In 1793 he moved back to Lancaster and became a partner with George Hoff (Find A Grave Memorial# 75867980) (who was his father in law since 1783), making surveyor's instruments, land compasses and projectors.
Frederick Heisely and his father in law George Hoff formed a partnership for 302 days: Lancaster Journal Jan 22 1796 Lancaster Journal: “George Hoff & Frederick Heisely Inform their friends and the general public in general that the Clock & Watch maker’s Shop, between the Courthouse and the jail (the first block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), formerly kept by George Hoff only, is now carried on by Hoff & Heisely, jointly, who now make in addition to what was usually made in said shop, all kinds of Surveyor’s Instruments, such as Land Compasses of different kinds and sizes, Chains, Scales of any dimension; Protracters, of different sizes and forms; best steel pointed Dividers; stiff and jointed Draw Pens, &c. &c.
Said Heisely has carried on the Instrument making business, in Fredericktown, in Maryland, upwards of ten years with great success. His Instruments are scattered from one extremity of the state of Maryland to the other, as well as through Virginia and Kentucky, and are universally approved of. He flatters himself to meet with equal success in that line.
Hoff and Heisely hope, by their strict attention to both branches of business, as heretofore, to merit the patronage of a generous public.”
Lancaster Journal Nov 18 1796: “The partnership of Hoff & Heisely being dissolved, the subscriber begs leave to inform his friends, and the public in general, that he has removed to the house formerly occupied by the Editor of the Lancaster Journal, and opposite to the Post and Printing Office of Mr Hamilton (the third block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), where he intends carrying on the Clockmaking business in all branches, and repairing watches in the neatest and best manner, and on the most reasonable terms. He also makes, as heretofore, all kinds of Surveyors’ Instruments. He hopes, by his strict attention to business, and constant endeavours to please, to merit the future custom of his old friends, and the public in general. He expects a few elegant Silver Watches, which he intends to sell at the most reduced prices.”
The elapsed time from 22 Jan 1796 to 18 Nov 1796 (inclusive) is 302 days (9 months and 28 days). One tall case clock signed "Hoff & Heisely Lancaster" is known to exist. It is a 30 hour clock from an estate sale in Connecticut. See photo to the right.
One Heisely surveyor's compass made in Lancaster circa 1796 to 1811 is known to exist. It is signed "F. Heisely Lancaster" It came from Pittsburg, Kansas. See photo to the right.
Original research by Thomas Raub.
In about 1811 he moved to Harrisburg where he was Treasurer of Dauphin County from 1827 to 1829.
The city of Harrisburg has erected a bronze plaque citing Frederick and George Heisely on a building at 2nd St and Chestnut St in Harrisburg.
Submitted by Tom Raub, a 4th great grandson of George Hoff.
In about 1783, he moved to Frederick Maryland, maintaining a shop on Market Street where he made the Frederick town clock. On Jan 25th 1786 Frederick advertised in the Maryland Chronicle that he made "musical chime clocks as well as common and plain ones, likewise large town-clocks if required, repairs in the best manner and at a most reasonable rate, he also makes surveyors compasses and other mathematical instruments, such as protractors, scales of different sorts, 2 or 4 Perch chains (i.e. 33 ft. or 66 ft.), and pocket compasses with sun dials, &c. He gives the highest price for brass."
In 1793 he moved back to Lancaster and became a partner with George Hoff (Find A Grave Memorial# 75867980) (who was his father in law since 1783), making surveyor's instruments, land compasses and projectors.
Frederick Heisely and his father in law George Hoff formed a partnership for 302 days: Lancaster Journal Jan 22 1796 Lancaster Journal: “George Hoff & Frederick Heisely Inform their friends and the general public in general that the Clock & Watch maker’s Shop, between the Courthouse and the jail (the first block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), formerly kept by George Hoff only, is now carried on by Hoff & Heisely, jointly, who now make in addition to what was usually made in said shop, all kinds of Surveyor’s Instruments, such as Land Compasses of different kinds and sizes, Chains, Scales of any dimension; Protracters, of different sizes and forms; best steel pointed Dividers; stiff and jointed Draw Pens, &c. &c.
Said Heisely has carried on the Instrument making business, in Fredericktown, in Maryland, upwards of ten years with great success. His Instruments are scattered from one extremity of the state of Maryland to the other, as well as through Virginia and Kentucky, and are universally approved of. He flatters himself to meet with equal success in that line.
Hoff and Heisely hope, by their strict attention to both branches of business, as heretofore, to merit the patronage of a generous public.”
Lancaster Journal Nov 18 1796: “The partnership of Hoff & Heisely being dissolved, the subscriber begs leave to inform his friends, and the public in general, that he has removed to the house formerly occupied by the Editor of the Lancaster Journal, and opposite to the Post and Printing Office of Mr Hamilton (the third block of West King St. Clockmakers of Lancaster County Wood Kramer page 22), where he intends carrying on the Clockmaking business in all branches, and repairing watches in the neatest and best manner, and on the most reasonable terms. He also makes, as heretofore, all kinds of Surveyors’ Instruments. He hopes, by his strict attention to business, and constant endeavours to please, to merit the future custom of his old friends, and the public in general. He expects a few elegant Silver Watches, which he intends to sell at the most reduced prices.”
The elapsed time from 22 Jan 1796 to 18 Nov 1796 (inclusive) is 302 days (9 months and 28 days). One tall case clock signed "Hoff & Heisely Lancaster" is known to exist. It is a 30 hour clock from an estate sale in Connecticut. See photo to the right.
One Heisely surveyor's compass made in Lancaster circa 1796 to 1811 is known to exist. It is signed "F. Heisely Lancaster" It came from Pittsburg, Kansas. See photo to the right.
Original research by Thomas Raub.
In about 1811 he moved to Harrisburg where he was Treasurer of Dauphin County from 1827 to 1829.
The city of Harrisburg has erected a bronze plaque citing Frederick and George Heisely on a building at 2nd St and Chestnut St in Harrisburg.
Submitted by Tom Raub, a 4th great grandson of George Hoff.
