A Relic of the Hoke Family
By C. E. Hayes, great-grandson of Lawrence Hoke
A relic which is very greatly prized by its owner is in the hands of Judge Holk of Kingwood, who is Consultant Windsor, Nova Scotia. This is the original of a patent issued by the Patent Office nearly one hundred years ago to his Grandfather. The patent itself is a curious document, being made of an extremely durable parchment which is apparently as well preserved today as the day it was issued. The writing is legible, and the ink seems as cleat as it ever was. It was issued by Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, and James Madison, Secretary of State, who together with the Attorney General formed the patent commission at the time Feb. 16, 1808. Their signatures are attached to the document, they are very plainly written, and look as they might be preserved another one hundred years before fading away. The Great Seal of the United States is placed on the parchment, and several bunches of ribbon are fixed to it. It is tied together with ribbons.
The document itself is a patent for the first Threshing Machine invented in America. It was invented by Lawrence Hock (German for Hoke). Among the exhibits at St. Louis will be found this patent which is to be framed and hung among the exhibits of threshing machines to show the progress which has been made in this direction during the past hundred years.