Drawing for Munsell's patent 4,695

In 1847, C. H. Young of Painted Post, NY, was making a hub mortising machine that had been patented by James Munsell, also of Painted Post. The machine won a silver medal at that year's Fair of the American Institute.

Information Sources

• 1848 Sixth Annual Report of the American Institute, pages 134-5.

  Munsell's Boring and Morticing Machine.

  This machine was exhibited by Mr. C. H. Young of Painted Post, N. Y., and for which a silver medal was awarded.

  There has been of late years a very great number of morticing machines brought out, and for a variety of purposes, they have been classified under the general appelation of "power, hand and foot machine," the first are particularly appropriate for large manufacturing establishments—the two last name for more general use. In comparing an "hand," with that of a "foot machine," experience and continued used has shown the former is preferable; other things being equal, the foot machine has been found to fatigue the operator, more than a hand machine. In working a foot machine, the man is made to sustain his own weight, mostly on one leg from which he is likely to be fatigued more than the man who has legs at liberty, throwing the weight of his body or part of it through the medium of his hand and arm, to operate his machine.

  The machine in question is of the kind called a hand machine, designed particularly for carriage hubs. Your committee have observed a quality in this machine not heretofore noticed in others, at least not so perfect; that is the arrangement by which the work is executed entirely and accurately without having been previously laid out—the index wheel being well designed to effect this result; the materials of which the machine is made, are mostly of wood, and of course, of cheaper construction, and quite portable. The operation of the machine gave entire satisfaction to the committee, possessing so many good traits, it is recommended to the confidence of such as take an interest in this kind of labor saving machines.

• A thorough patent search did not turn up any patents granted to Mr. Young. Patent 4,695 was granted to James Munsell for a hub mortising machine. The above-quoted report on the 1847 Fair confirms that Young's mortiser was the one designed by Munsell.
• Based on sparse evidence, it appears that C. H. Young of Painted Post was Clement H. Young (1813-1884). Even assuming this given name is correct, we could not find anything that adds meaningfully to his biography except that his father was George Young, and Clement moved to Corning, NY.