Over the years I have heard a number of possible dates for the origins of square ruling. Aside from sourcing the first known published reference, I have never heard anyone source an earliest known structure or location for the origin of the square rule. Any thoughts?

This has been discussed here - but I'm thinking that the location of the first Square Ruled building, and where it was developed and by whom may well remain an enigma.

http://www.tfguild.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=12667&page=1

I looked pretty deeply into whether Hophni King may have been the innovator - The church cited in the Northfield town history (it is interesting that so many town histories claim their town as the genisis of square rule ) burned in the 1830's. An initial burst of enthusiasm from historical society folks in helping find other buildings he may have framed, ended with their just going quiet. Capt King moved to Hartland VT right around 1800, if his homeplace still exists and is square ruled it would be a clue to dig deeper back in Northfield.

This mystery needs time thrown at it, and unfortunately time is money

Thanks for the insight Will. As it happens, I am just finishing up with a restoration on an early square ruled barn in Hartland on the old kings road near the Queechee gorge. I'll have to do a little digging on Kings house while I'm down there.
thanks again
-Michael

I've heard a date of 1802-05. There is a company doing a restoration here on a Dutch house of that vintage that is alleged to be square ruled. I'll ask around.

For Connecticut the date is estimated or documented to be around 1814.
http://www.connecticutbarns.org/3923

I've seen some pretty old carpenter squares. A local timber frame historian attributes the adoption of square rule to a toolmaker (blacksmith) being in place.

Jack Sobon mentioned in a presentation last night that the oldest known example is 1801. It's about 15 minutes from me, in Hillsdale, NY. The house mentioned in my previous post was dendro dated to 1809.

Dave:
So how's the workshop going?
Remind Jack that I'll be there Wednesday just after lunch.
I have to meet a guy in Springfield around 11 am.

Jim Rogers

The workshop is great Jim. I'm having a blast and getting to meet a lot of people that have I've only known in cyber-space. We should be well along by Wednesday. I'll remind Jack. We used a shell auger today. No surprise the screw auger was so popular.

Got pictures?

I'm sure sorry not to be part of this event.

And now you're getting some better weather.

I did get a few pictures today. I keep forgetting to get the camera, don't want to miss anything. There are many people taking pics, hopefully they can also post some, when they get back to their home bases. Should probably start a Geo design thread.