Banneker's
Life
Life
Family Roots
The Clockmaker
Astronomy & Nature
Early Washington, DC & Maryland
100
Where was Benjamin Banneker born?
Baltimore County, Maryland
100
What was Benjamin Banneker's grandfather's name?
Banna Ka
100
What famous object did Banneker build using wood?
A clock
100
What science did Benjamin Banneker teach himself by observing the stars?
Astronomy
100
What city's land was Benjamin Banneker asked to help survey?
Washington, D.C.
200
What was Maryland's main crop during the colonial period?
Tobacco
200
What was the name of Benjamin Banneker's mother?
Mary Banneky
200
What was special about Banneker's wooden clock?
It was one of the first clocks made in America, and it kept time for over 40 years
200
How did the Ellicotts support Banneker's studies?
They shared books and scientific tools with him
200
Who asked Banneker to help with the city survey?
Major Andrew Ellicott
300
What kind of work did most people do in colonial Maryland?
Farming and trade
300
What country was his grandmother from?
England
300
What inspired Banneker to build his clock?
He studied a pocket watch and used his knowledge of gears and math
300
What kind of insects did Benjamin Banneker cultivate on this land?
Bees for honey
300
A map of all of the DC boundary stone markers
400
Which Ellicott worked directly with Banneker on the D.C. survey?
Andrew Ellicott
400
What did Robert Banneky do when he purchased this land?
He put his and his son's name on the deed ensuring his family's freedom
400
What skills did Banneker use to design his clock?
Mathematics, mechanics, and observation
400
An almanac or ephemeris
400
What were the plantations in Maryland known for?
Large farms that often used enslaved labor
500
What tragic event happened on the day of his funeral?
His home caught on fire and most of his papers were destroyed
500
What made free African American families like the Bannekers rare in colonial Maryland?
They were landowners and most African Americans at the time were enslaved
500
What happened to the clock after he passed?
It was destroyed in the fire of his house or someone confiscated it
500
What did Banneker use astronomy for?
To predict eclipses and create almanacs
500
What was the major crop grown in Maryland at this time?
Tobacco