MASTERS, SYBILLA

inventor (- 1720)

Her husband Sir Thomas Masters received British patent #401 (possibly the first awarded to a colonist) for an invention by his wife Sybilla for a method for the curing of Indian corn. It used hammers instead of gears to grind the corn. They lived in Philadelphia. Thomas built the device, made a lot of money and became mayor of Philadelphia. George I issued the patent

"Letters patent to Thomas Masters, of Pennsylvania, Planter, his Execrs., Amrs. and Assignees, of the sole Vse and Benefit of A new Invention found out by Sybilla, his wife, for cleaning and curing the Indian Corn, growing in the several Colonies of America, within England, Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and the Colonies of America."

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