The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Benjamin Middleton, Esquire (fl. 1668 - 1712)

Son of Thomas Middleton of the parish of St Olave, Hart Street, London. Matriculated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1668, proceeding MA (Lit Reg) in 1671, admitted to Gray's Inn in 1670. A letter written to him in 1685 (copy in the Royal Society archives), names a Dr Middleton as the principal of King's College (Royal Society Record NA1634). Probably the "Ralph Middleton, Esq." who donated "a large Cylindrical piece of a Petrified Tree" to the Royal Society's repository (46). Mentioned by John Woodward as donating objects originating in Barbados, where Middleton owned a plantation. Other biography: https://catalogues.royalsociety.org/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Persons&id=NA1634 Relevant locations: Educated at St John's College (Cambridge), Cambridge University
Educated at Gray's Inn, London
Lived at or near London, England
Lived at or near Barbados, West Indies
Visited Antigua, Leeward Islands
Relationships: Benjamin Middleton was a member of Royal Society (-)

References in Documents:
British Curiosities in Nature and Art (1713)

The Scull of a Sea Horse; The Horns of a Spanish Ram 3 yards long, and 1 between the TipsThe Tail of an Indian Cow, whose Hair is about a yard and quarter long: (This Creature is worshipped by the People, near the Ganges.) A Camelions Skin (which Creature is said to live by the Air.) A Skeleton of a Crocodile near 5 yards long; And a Salamander. The Rib of a Triton (or Merman;) One joint of the Back-bone of a Whale 30 l. in weight; the Horn of a Sea Unicorn; the Head of a Manati (or Sea Cow.) Several kinds of curious Shells, particularly one of a Muscle, 3 quarters of a Foot in length. The Webb of a Bermudas Spider, so strong as to snare a Bird: part of a Stinking Tree, smelling like Humane Dung: a Palmeto Leaf, 1 yard and a half long; a Bulchafer, (the biggest of Insects) this is about 5 inches long, and 2 and a quarter broad. A Coco Nut in length 1 Foot, and in Compass 1 and 3 quarters: it is a most useful Tree, for of it the Indians make these uses: of the husk they make Ropes; of the Shell, Ladles, &c. The cover next the Kernel, is a pleasant Meat; the Liquor, Drink; the Blossom, Vinegar; the Kernel, a Milk to eat with their Rice, also Oyl to eat and burn; of the Leaves of the Tree, they make Sails; covers for Houses, and Huts; and of the Wood they make Ships. A Cane of the Cedar of Mount Lebanon (some on this Mount are said to be 12 or 14 Fathom circumference.) Part of the upper Jaw, and 8 very great double Teeth, and the Fragments of other Bones; all petrified and found near Canterbury, 17 Foot under Ground. A petrified Crab, hard as a Pebble, dissolvable with Acids: a great double Tooth, 5 inches long and 2 broad Petrified; a Sherks Tooth, that to which this belonged must be 36 Foot long. A piece of Chrystal 39 pound weight: a Load-stone 60 l. weight; it moves a needle at 9 Foot distance, and was dug out of the Ground in Devonshire; an Instrument whereby the quantity of Rain that falls at any time, on any piece of Ground is measured. The Model of a Geometrical Floor, composed only of 4 pieces of Timber: another of the Hull of a double bottomed Ship: a Wind Gun, contrived by Bishop Wilkins: a Gun that discharges, 7 times one after another, presently; a Machine for Plowing, Sowing, and Harrowing, all at once. A Box of Cups (turned work) being 100 one within another, the Bowl of the outmost is but 2 Inches and a half Diameter: a Prism, and the Head of a Princess, with her Hair both turned Work; a Roman urn of Glass, above 1500 Years old: Mosaick work found under Ground, in Holbourn and near the Bath. A Roman Money-pot, with several Roman Coins in it, (they are particularly mentioned by Dr. Grew,) found in 1651, in Weekfield, in the Parish of Hedington, in the County of Wilts. A Burning Glass, contrived and given by Sir Isaac Newton; it melts any kind of Metal, held in the Focus, and even vitrifieth Brick and Tile. A swiming Stone, about a Foot and a half solid. A Cane 26 Foot long; a Chusan chair, a wonderful curiosity; being of natural growth and shape, with Rails, Pillars, Seat, Back, Elbows, &c. It was given by my Lord Somers in 1702, and was brought from China. The Model of the Temple of Jerusalem; a large Cylindrical piece of a Petrified Tree, 14 Inches diameter: and about the like depth, brought from Antegoa in 1695, by Benjamin Middleton Esq; The Horns of a Red Deer, 7 Foot 1 Inch between the Tips, found in Ireland, 14 Foot deep in a bog, given by an Irish Bishop. A Cinnamon Staff about 7 Foot long, and 1 and a quarter in the Diameter.