PREV ARTICLE
NEXT ARTICLE
FULL ISSUE
The E-Sylum: Volume 12, Number 1, January 4, 2009, Article 19QUERY: JOSEPH CLOUD OF THE PHILADELPHIA MINT In the course of looking up other things I came across a reference to a book described as follows: Conversations on Chemistry, in which the Elements of that Science are familiarly explained and illustrated by Experiments and Plates, From the last London Edition: The Second American Edition: Enlarged by an Appendix Consisting of a Description, with a Plate, and the Manner of Using of the New Hydro-Pneumatic Blow-Pipe, invented by Mr. Joseph Cloud of the Mint of the United States. I'm continually impressed by what I learn of the skills and accomplishments of the gentlemen who manned the early Philadelphia Mint. From Director Rittenhouse on down, this was a very talented assemblage of individuals. Below is one reference to Cloud found on the Internet. Is anyone aware of other information on Joseph Cloud and his work at the Mint? -Editor He was head of the melting and refining dept. of the US Mint, at Philadelphia from Jan 1798 until Jan 14 1836, when he resigned on account of poor eyesight. - Cloud Family Journal Vol. XIV, No. 4, p. 91 Aug. 12, 1845 Death Notice At his residence in Delaware county, on the 31st ult., Joseph Cloud, Esq., aged 75 years. The deceased was appointed an officer in the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, by General Washington, and held the situation till removed by Gen. Jackson. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and regarded as a man of fine scientific attainments. Joseph CLOUD was "Refiner and Melter" of the United States Mint (Philadelphia) from 1797-1836. He was elected to America's oldest scholarly organization the American Philosophical Society (founded by Benjamin Franklin), in 1806. He served as Secretary (1812) and Curator (1814-22) under Thomas Jefferson who was President of the Society from 1797 to 1814. By training, Joseph Cloud was a chemist. Following are excerpts from Chemistry in Philadelphia, by Edgar F. Smith (1919), pp. 86-90: "He had an honorable share in finally establishing the individuality of palladium . . . Cloud's papers are thoughtful and give evidence of wide knowledge in chemistry and skill in experiment. . . (http://mykindred.com/cloud/TX/getperson.php?personID=I52734) Wayne Homren, EditorContent presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society. The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at http://www.coinbooks.org/ There is a membership application available on the web site. To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Visit the Membership page. Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: E-Sylum Editor Copyright © 1998 - 2024 The Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS) |
