JAMAICA MAPS

23/03/2019

Introduction


Many maps of Jamaica were published during the period 1670-1888 (and later): there were only about 3 generic types. The very early ones such as that by Ogilby in 1671 had an outline of the Island, which, while similar to the correct one, was different in some of the larger details. The next series, such as Sloane and others of the early 18thC have a reasonable representation of the island’s outline. The next series, such as Bowen and Browne were more accurate, but still lacking accurate internal detail. The first accurate map was that by Robertson, published in 1804 (although Craskell’s 1763 map was a lot better than his predecessors), shows many roads which are still recognisable. Liddell in 1888 was the survey which the early 20thC maps derived, only replaced by those drawn from WW2 air survey images.

I have composed a gazetteer of the following maps. I derived a lat/long grid from satellite images and used Negril point south in the west and Morant point in the East as fixed points and scaled and rotated the map images to fit: early maps were all drawn to magnetic north. The gazetteer has the positions of places with grid squares of 6 minutes of lat of long (roughly 6 mile square). The exceptions are the Browne & Robertson maps which were done using a nominal grid, oriented to the map north; the gazetteer has these coordinates and a number and letter, and a (later) approximate lat/long reference.


The maps in the Gazetteer are:

1671 Ogilby                   1683 Harper
1684 Bochard & Knollis        1700 Lee
1707 Sloane                   1715 Senex
1717 Moll                     1747 Bowen
1755 Browne                   1763 Craskel
1771 Bowles                   1804 Robertson
1842 Arrow                    1888 Liddel

MAP IMAGES:

There are the images of 2 maps on my website, the Browne 1755 & Robertson 1804. The remainder are too big to store, but can be found from on-line sources (many are from the Library of Congress). Robertson is online at the National Library of Scotland.

These two maps 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.

1755 MAP

 

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.

 

 

 

Copy & File Layout

 

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.

 

 

1804 MAP

 

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.

1804 Copy & File Layout

 

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.

 

 

 

Gazetteer & Copies for Download.

 

The maps have been 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

 

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!

 

fhttp://www.antonymaitland.com/Jamaica-Maps/Jamaica Map Summary.zip

 

1804


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

 

Changes:
23/3/2019: introductory paragraph, gazetteer reference.
edited as table with frame