30/1/2011
Two map series of Jamaica have been scanned from copies of ones held by the PRO in Kew, England. They were published in 1755 and 1804.
There has been some loss of quality during the rejoining process on the 1804 maps.
Links to copies of these maps are
given below with a Gazetteer for both 1755 & 1804 maps. 1100 names are
recorded on the 1755 map and about 4400 on the 1804 version.
The map is at a large scale (1:300,000 approx) and shows geographical features and properties, usually with the owners name. Different symbols are used to differentiate between the different types of property. In comparison with later charts, the coast is reasonably accurate, but inland features are not as accurately shown.
It is in 2 parts, split east/west.
Also shown is a map of Port Royal.
The Title is as follows (although rather more ornate!):
A
New Map
of
Jamaica
In which the several Towns Forts and Settlements are accurately laid down as well as y situations and depts of y most noted Harbours & Anchoring Places wi the limits and boundarys of the different Parishes and they have been regulated by the law or settled by custom; the greatest part Drawn or Corrected from actual surveys made by Mr Sheffield and others from the year 1730 to the year 1740.
Inscribed to the Gentlemen of the Island
By their humble servant
Patk Browne
Printed for and sold by John Bowles in Cornhill and Carrington Bowles in St Paul's Church Yard, London Price 5 shillings
Neatly fitted up on cloth Eight shillings and sixpence
Also shown:
A
Scale of Miles
69 to a degree
Below lower border:
Footnote: I Bayly Sculp.
Footnote: published according to Act of Parliament 1755.
The original 2 sheets, East & West, were scanned in sections (4 east west and 3 north south) and then the 12 original images stitched together.
The 1804 survey of Jamaica by
James Robertson was the basis of later maps. It seems to have been reasonably
accurate. Sugar estates are usually shown by estate name, with symbols
indicating mill type (water, cattle or wind), other properties (generically
listed as pens) are usually shown by owners' name; around Kingston in
particular, many of these are fairly obviously residences, and I have indicated
as such on the copies.
It is drawn at a scale of 1" = 1 statute mile.
The map were published in three parts, one for each County, each "inscribed" to a different Royal Duke. Each part was copied in 6 sheets (each about 22" x 30"): these 6 sheets were scanned in 2 rows of 4 images and then stitched together.
A typical Title is transcribed below:
To
His Royal Highness
THE PRINCE OF WALES
This Map of
THE COUNTY of CORNWALL
in the
ISLAND of JAMAICA
Constructed from Actual Surveys under the Authority of
THE HON HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
By whom it hath been
Examined and universally Approved
Is, with permission
Most humbly inscribed
By
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS'S
Most faithful and devoted servant
James Robertson, A.M.
1804.
Published November 1st 1804 by James Robertson, A.M., late of Jamaica
Engraved by SJ Neele, 352, Strand, London.
The three counties are inscribed to three of the Royal Dukes:
Cornwall: inscribed to the Prince of Wales
Middlsex: inscribed to the Duke of York
Surrey: inscribed to the Duke of Clarence.
The originals show each county on one sheet.
Each of these sheets had been photocopied in 6 sheets; each of these was scanned in 9 A4 sections.
These sections were then recombined into 2 images for each county, split north & south. This was the limit of the Corel software and gives manageable file sizes for download.
The maps have beed saved in suitable sections of the Island, in line with the original hard copies used. A grid has been placed on each map and a Gazetteer made. There is some overlap on the copies, so there may be multiple entries for the same property: it should be self evident where this has happened.
The Exel sheet of the gazetteer are not locked so the user can sort the lists as required. If the file is corrupted, just download another copy!
The entries have the name from the map with a description derived from the symbol on the map. Sugar plantations in 1804 have a column showing the type of mill.
The names on the 1804 maps are easily readable on the original copy file befoe joining, and where necessary, these originals have been used for the exact spelling on the Gazetteer.
The names on the 1755 maps are sometimes difficult to read but are mostly recognisable. Question marks indicate doubtful entries.
Downloads: these are big files, about 4-5 Mb and need to be opened in a picture viewer with zoom.
I suggest you right click and “save as”.
If used where the public may see them, you might like to acknowledge some hours work by me, Antony Maitland!
1804
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Jamaica-Map-Gazetteers-1755&1804.xls
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Cornwall-North1804.jpg
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Cornwall-South1804.jpg
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Middlesex-North1804.jpg
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Middlesex-South1804.jpg
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Surrey-North1804.jpg
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Surrey-South1804.jpg
1755
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/1755E.tif
http://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/1755W.tif
