Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection

Access and use

Location of collection:: The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon

3600 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway

Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Contact for questions and access:: POC: Reference services

Email: fws@mountvernon.org

Phone: (703) 780-3600

Web: archives.mountvernon.org

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research during scheduled appointments. Researchers must complete the Washington Library's Special Collections and Archives Registration Form before access is provided. The library reserves the right to restrict access to certain items for preservation purposes.

Client reference #104; WAG #289263; IL# 2020-IL-001-083

Preferred citation:: [Name and date of item], Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection, [Folder], Special Collections, The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:: 50 Linear Feet
Creator:: Faden, William, 1749-1836, Korn, Christoph Heinrich, 1726-1783, Simcoe, John Graves, 1752-1806, Heiden, Christian Friedrich von der, and Keulen, Gerard van (1678-1726)
Language:: English , French , German .
Preferred citation:: [Name and date of item], Richard H. Brown Revolutionary War Map Collection, [Folder], Special Collections, The George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon [hereafter Washington Library], Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains approximately 300 rare printed maps, unique manuscript maps, and published texts collected by Richard H. Brown, which pertain to the American Revolutionary War era.

This map and battle plan immortalized what came to be known as the Battle of Bunker Hill. The alphabetic key identifies British regiments and ships and narrates their actions. The plan also shows earthworks held by the Colonial troops. This detailed plan was published in London only five days after news of the battle itself reached England. Given the haste with which it was prepared, its geographic vagueness in the rendering of Charlestown is less surprising than its overall accuracy and detail.

Relief shown by hachures. Indexed for points of military interest.

This large, detailed map of New England was compiled by Braddock Mead (alias John Green), and first published by Thomas Jefferys in 1755. Green was an Irish translator, geographer, and editor, as well as one of the most talented British map-makers at mid-century. The map was re-published at the outset of the American Revolution, as it remained the most accurate and detailed survey of New England. Of interest are engraved double lines found beneath certain place-names, including Boston. These lines indicate cities whose longitude had been calculated with the aid of the newly invented marine chronometer.

Page, an English military engineer who served as aide de campe to General Howe during the action, prepared this detailed plan of the Battle of Bunker Hill. It is the best known and most commonly reproduced plan of the battle. Warrens redoubt, fences, and hedgerows are shown in great detail, as well as the lines of march of attacking forces, British ships, and the Corps Hill battery with lines of fire. The position of British troops late in the action is depicted on a separate overlay which accompanies the map.

"Note: The operations of the column under the command of His Excellency Lieutenant General Knyphausen is engraved from a plan drawn on the spot by S. W. Werner, Leiutt. of Hessian Artillery." Includes "references to the column under the command of Lt. Genl. Earl Cornwallis" and "references to the column under the command of His Excellency Lieutt. Genl. Knyphausen."

Includes indexes of propietors of land in South Carolina and Georgia. Decorative title cartouche depicting vegetation, manufactured products, and workers. "To the Right Honourable George Dunk, Earl of Halifax ..."

Shows rural householders' names. "Publish'd according to Act of Parliament, May the 1st, 1770, by S. Hooper, No. 25 Ludgate Hill, London." Decorative dedication cartouche includes royal coat of arms, a native, and animals. "To His most Excellent Majesty George the IIId ... this map is most humbly dedicated by ... John Collet."

Shows the 13 states, Louisiana, and parts of Canada and Florida. Relief shown pictorially. Prime meridian: London. Decorative title cartouche.

Includes descriptive and historical notes. Translation of Thomas Hutchins' New map of the western part of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina, 1778.

Shows "Genl. Howe's track" from Elk River to Philadelphia, "Genl. Washington's track," and "Grand American Winter Camp, Jan. 1778" at Valley Forge. Shows most of New Jersey and parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. BPL

"Includes "References to the fortifications & ca." and "References to the town." An earlier state of LC Maps of North America, 1750-1789, 933 and Nebenzahl, K. Bibliography of printed battle plans, 22.

Shows operations and ship names. Inset: Plan of the fort.

Depicts a battle between the Americans and two British vessels, at the begining of the New York campaign.

The original wash drawing displayed here was executed by marine painter Pierre Ozanne in 1778. This work was produced during the French naval campaign in America by Ozanne who witnessed the action at the entrance of the Delaware River on July 8, 1778. This battle is considered as the first naval event between the French and the English fleet of that campaign on the American coast.

Wash drawing on paper. View of six ships in the Delaware River, five under the command of Comte d'Estaing. Manuscript note pasted on reads "Campagne du Vice-Admirale d'Esteing an Amerique, commandant une escadre de 12 vaisseaux et 4 frégattes, sortie de toulon le 13 Avril 1778."

Displayed here is the third state of the "Carte des Pays...de Canada," published by Jean Baptiste Fortin who had acquired the stock of the Vaugondy firm. This map is one of the first to recognize the name of the newly formed United States, "Etats Unis," as seen by the inclusion of the phrase in the title cartouche. The map is closely related to J.B. Eliot's "Carte du Theatre de la Guerre Actuel Entre les Anglais et les Treize Colonies Unies de l'Amerique Septentrionale ..." Eliot also uses the phrase "Etats Unis" in his map, referring to his title of U.S. Engineer under his name. Both Fortin and Eliot published their maps in 1778.

Covers Canada east of Lake Superior and south of James Bay; covers U.S. north of Albemarle Bay (N.C.). Relief shown pictorially. Meridians numbered eastward from unspecified prime (Montréal at E 305°). Believed to be the earliest map to use the name United States of America (in any language). Inset: Supplément pour l'Isle de Terre-Neuve.

First English edition, 3rd impression. Includes text and inset "A new map of Hudson's Bay and Labrador from the late survey of those coasts."

Shows fortifications, troop locations, and ships on the York River.

Shows information to Sept. 3, 1776. Below map: "An account of the proceedings of His Majesty's forces at the attack of the rebel works on Long Island, on the 27th of August, 1776 : taken from Gen. Howe's letter to Lord George Germaine, principal Secretary of State for the American Department." State 5 of the map, with Fort Lee or Ft. Constitution added and Younkers unlabeled.

Title from sheets 1 and 2. All sheets individually titled. Shows nautical exploration routes. Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.

Shows Carib lands, parishes, settlements, bays, anchorages, and topography.

Shows parishes, settlements, bays, anchorages, topography and shoals.

Shows divisions, settlements, bays, anchorages, topography and shoals

Shows parishes, settlements, bays, anchorages, topography and shoals.

Shows parishes, cities, settlements, roads, churches, windmills, "cattle mills," bays, anchorages, shoals and topography.

Shows harbors, settlements and topography.

Shows parishes, towns, settlements, roads, rivers, bays, anchorages, shoals and topography.

Shows harbors, towns, shoals, anchorages, and topography.

Covers Grand Turk Island, Salt Cay, and smaller islands in the vicinity. Shows topography and shoals.

Shows plantations, roads, settlements, anchorages, shoals and topography.

Shows parishes, towns, bays, anchorages, topography and shoals

Shows nautical exploration routes. Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.

Sheet three of Green's A chart of North and South America, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the nearest coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia. Shows nautical exploration routes. Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.

Sheet five of Green's A chart of North and South America, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the nearest coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia. Shows nautical exploration routes.Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.

Sheet six of Green's A chart of North and South America, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the nearest coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia. Shows nautical exploration routes. Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.

Sheet four of Green's A chart of North and South America, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with the nearest coasts of Europe, Africa and Asia. Shows nautical exploration routes. Includes text, historical and geographical notes, and tables of comparative astronomical observations.

Highlighted on this fine topographic map of Boston and vicinity are the British and American troops. The American troops are colored red -- the first corps in Cambridge, the second corps opposite Charlestown neck, and the third corps near Roxbury. Among the many strategic topographic features so excellently rendered on this map is Dorchester Heights, which appears devoid of British defensive forces. This serious tactical error was ultimately recognized by General Washington, who occupied the Heights and forced the British to withdraw from the city on March 17, 1776. A note on the map reveals that it is based on an original plan of the siege drawn by order of the British government. Interestingly, the British fortifications on Boston Neck and Castle William Island are greatly exaggerated.

Campaign headquarters map showing military features and events in the New York area from June to November 1776.

This general map of the Americas, produced in Paris in 1788, depicts the political divisions in North America just after the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. The Treaty effectively ended the American Revolutionary War. The United States is comprised of land east of the Mississippi River, while Great Britain controls Canada and Spain controls Louisiana, Mexico, Florida and western North America. Also depicted is a large inset of the Canadian Arctic, and another two insets of Caribbean islands, in addition to an elaborately illustrated cartouche.

Map of the Americas designed to show the political divisions in North America immediately following the Treaty of Paris. Relief shown pictorially. Insets: Supplement pour le Nord de L'Amerique ; Isle de la Martinique ; Isle St. Domingue. Elaborate cartouche in lower left.

Michel Capitaine du Chesnoy, the Marquis de Lafayette's map maker, drew this map following the Battle of Monmouth Court House in northeastern New Jersey. After confusion surrounding the Continental Army's orders, the soldiers prevented the British troops from advancing. The battle occurred on a hot June day and hundreds of soldiers died of heatstroke. Women, who came to be referred to collectively as "Molly Pitcher," supported the American troops by bringing water to cool the men and their guns. Although the battle ended inconclusively, it was a turning point for the professionalization of the American army as volunteer French and German military officers provided training.

This rare map was issued just months after Cornwallis' defeat in Yorktown, Va. The copy displayed here, complete with inset plan of the battle of Yorktown and an elaborate cartouche, is the second state of the map. An additional inset in the lower right depicts the colonies from Massachusetts to Delaware, and illustrates the geography upon which Washington and Rochambeau's armies marched on the way to Yorktown. This map conveys the importance of France's assistance to the Americans during the War.

German woodcut of the siege of Charleston, South Carolina in May 1780. The depiction of Charleston is imaginary. Donnhaeuser lacked a view of Charleston so he modified a pre-existing view of an unidentified German city to show the siege. Text describing the siege on verso, titled Nachricht von der belagerung und einnahme der stadt und hafens Charlestown in America.

One of the preferred routes that captains and navigators sailing from America to England learned to use was the Gulf Stream, a strong, warm current that flows north along the Atlantic coast and then east toward Europe. Initially charted by Benjamin Franklin in 1768, this discovery helped ships minimize travel time across the ocean, speeding up the transatlantic voyage for travelers, merchants, and goods. Franklin purchased this 1785 chart, a French adaptation of his original findings, when he served in Paris as a diplomat for the United States during the early years of the republic

Displayed here is the second state of J.B. Eliot's map of the newly formed republic, produced in 1778. This map closely resembles Louis Brion de la Tour's "Carte du théatre de la guerre entre les Anglais et les Américans" in appearance. Eliot's map is one of the first to recognize the name of the newly formed United States, "Etats Unis," as seen by the inclusion of the phrase in the title cartouche, referring to Eliot's title of U.S. Engineer under his name. In this regard, Eliot's map is related to another map recognizing the newly named United States, namely Vaugondy's "Carte du Canada et des Etats-Unis de l'Amérique Septentrionale." Both maps were published in 1778, and both incorporate the phrase "Etats Unis" in their title cartouches, however, it is unclear which map was actually produced first.

Bernard Ratzer, a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, prepared a survey of New Jersey in 1769 to assist the Boundary Commission in settling a long standing boundary dispute between the states of New York and New Jersey. London mapmaker William Faden published Ratzer's survey as a finished map in 1777 in his North American Atlas. Published during the American Revolution, the map depicts the area known to George Washington before the Battle of Monmouth, and shows the fortification at Valley Forge. Despite having several errors of location, the map is finely executed, and contains an elaborate cartouche of a farmhouse with landscape in the upper left corner. Displayed here is the first English edition of the map. A French derivative of this map by Georges-Louis LeRouge may be viewed online at: http://maps.bpl.org/id/rb15252.

This rare and unique map was produced by inventor and amateur mapmaker John Fitch, in an attempt to raise funds to support his newly invented steamboat. Fitch made and engraved the map himself, and printed it in Philadelphia on a cider press. Unfortunately for Fitch, the map never sold well, and the geography displayed on the map was well out-of-date by the time the Old Northwest was settled after being released from British and Native American control.

Ink and watercolor manuscript view from Boston looking southeast towards Dorchester and Castle Island. Shows British soldiers and parts of the encampment and town.

Pencil manuscript view of the Charles River.

Four views of the siege of Gibraltar. Includes "La premiere representation de les X batteries flottantes" ; "Seconde representation des batteries flottantes" ; "Se general elliot recu les vivres et munitions de l'angleterre" ; "Prospect der IV blate von Gibraltar".

The map depicts the opening of the British Southern offensive of 1778.

This rare map of New Hampshire was prepared from surveys by Samuel Holland - famed engineer who entered British service during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The map depicts New Hampshire in great detail, illustrating rivers, streams, lakes, elevations, township boundaries, roads, and structures. Two great arcs delineate the boundary of a parcel known as "Mason's Curve." The parcel, owned by John Mason (1586-1635), was originally located between the Merrimack and Kennebeck Rivers, however in 1748 was sold by one of Mason's descendants to twelve investors from Portsmouth. It is believed these investors commissioned the surveys in 1768-69 to more accurately locate the boundary of the landholding.

Subject: ships on the Saint Lawrence River with a rowboats full of troops disembarking below cliffs; battle in progress on heights above river.

Produced for the French Navy, the rare chart displayed here was the best available chart of this region for the time, and was used by all naval forces involved in combat during the American Revolutionary War. The information on this very detailed chart was based primarily on the work of American Anthony Smith, a local Chesapeake Bay pilot of St. Mary's County. The chart was consulted by Admiral de Grasse in his victory over the British off the Chesapeake Capes on September 5, 1781.

Color manuscript map by Kosciuszko showing encampments and military positions in the battles of Saratoga.

Colored manuscript map of the 1758 siege of Louisbourg showing ships, troop positions, camps and batteries. Includes references to points of interest, notes and description of the English fleet.

Colored manuscript map of the 1758 siege of Louisbourg showing ships, troop positions, and batteries. Includes references to points of interest. Oriented with north to the upper right. Colored manuscript map of Cape Breton Island showing fortifications and batteries. Includes a table listing troop distribution, references to points of interest, and notes.

Displayed here is the first state of Lattre's plan of Boston. The plan here was also separately issued. Describing Boston in the years before the American Revolutionary war, the plan includes information on shoals, soundings in the harbor, and the surrounding countryside. Lattre was the Royal Engraver to Louis XVI from 1776 to 1782, and is most famous for his "Carte des Etats-Unis ...," also in the Richard H. Brown collection.

Pencil manuscript view of the ruins of Charlestown after the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Ink and watercolor manuscript panoramic view depicting the area around Boston during the siege after the Battle of Bunker Hill, as seen from Beacon Hill.

2 sheets. Ink and watercolor manuscript map and key. Map shows fortifications and rough features of the peninsula of Boston. Key indicates the order of battle of British troops. The disposition of troops on July 17th, 1775 was possibly intended to be added to the map.

This rare map depicts Long Island, New York City, and the Connecticut coastline north to Stonington Bay. Muller took the geography on this map directly from Thomas Jeffery's 1755 map titled "A Map of the Most Inhabited Part of New England ..." The copy displayed here was most likely issued separately from its original pamphlet, and may have been bound unfolded into a folio composite atlas produced during the American Revolutionary War era.

Moses Park, a surveyor from Preston, Connecticut, executed this map in 1766 with the assistance of Asa Spaulding of Norwalk and Samuel Mott of Preston. Displayed here is the second state of the map, which differs from the first state in the collection of the Clements Library at the University of Michigan. In this state, an "e" has been added to the name of Shelburne, and "Connecticut R." is seen on the bend of the river above Hadham. Other locational changes have been made in this state as well.

Shows the boundaries established by the preliminary Treaty of Peace, signed 30 November 1782, and published prior to the signing of the formal Treaty on 3 September 1783. Includes a detailed plan of the Siege of Yorktown.

The map displayed here is an unrecorded version of a German broadside known only at the Library of Congress. This state is unique in that it was sold by a different person, and there are differences in the text portion of the broadside. It is a variant state of LC Maps of North America, 1750-1789, 142.

Shows the east coast from the Gulf of the St. Lawrence to the Carolinas, and the interior as far west as the Mississippi Valley. Displayed here is the first state of the map, lacking the inset of Fort Frederick.

The plan displayed here depicts the Siege of Charleston, S.C., conducted by the British forces in early 1780. In February 1780, British General Henry Clinton's army arrived thirty miles south of Charleston, and began their assault on the city, which was protected by an American force commanded by Gen. Benjamin Lincoln. The British took control of the sea, and effectively cut the American off from any support. This plan was produced for Tarleton's memoir "A History of the Campaigns of 1780 and 1781, in the Southern Provinces of North America." The plan was produced on very heavy laid paper, and does not present any folds or pagination. This plan may be a pre-publication proof or a presentation copy.

This general map of the Americas was produced by the firm of Vaugondy. Gilles Robert de Vaugondy was the leading French globemaker of the 18th century, and was appointed geographer to Louis XV in 1734. Like "L'Amerique divise?e en ses principaux Etats" by Lattre and Bonne from 1788, this map shows the new boundaries of North America as a result of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The newly created United States, along with Spanish lands in the south are clearly delineated. This may be the fourth state of the map, however it is not listed in Pedley's "Bel et Utile."

Shows territorial possessions in North America after the Treaty of Paris. Includes the satirical "Theodolite's letter to the Botcher's Club in Monmouth Street." The open letter appears to praise the treaty and the 3rd Earl of Bute, who worked on the treaty, while actually pointing out the weaknesses of the territory gained. Theodolite, a scientific instrument used in surveying, likely represented Bute, who collected such instruments. Botchers were menders such as tailor and cobblers, and Monmouth Street was known for its second-hand shops. The letter was thus from Bute to those with mercantile interests or low connections as Bute?s peers disapproved of him and the treaty. The true author of the letter was likely Sayer or a colleague with similar political sentiments.

De Brahm concentrated his surveying efforts on the east coast of Florida, from St. Augustine south to the Keys. This chart of the southern tip of east Florida was included in the English edition of The Atlantic Pilot, along with a chart of the Gulf Stream and a map of the ancient Florida peninsula. De Brahm's meticulous hydrographic survey work is evident in this chart, with its numerous soundings, outlines of shoals, and inclusion of anchoring places. These surveys were eventually used by Des Barres, and the information was included on the charts which make up The Atlantic Neptune.

Biographical / historical:

English manuscript map showing Mud Island Fort and artillery batteries in the surrounding area.

Custodial history:

Client reference #21; WAG #289150

Martayan Lan, 31 March 1992.

Client reference #20; WAG #289148

Richard B. Arkway, 10 February 1991.

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 7 April 1995.

Client reference #18; WAG #289146

Client reference 17; WAG 289144

Richard Arkway, 8 February 1994.

Client Reference # 13 ; WAG # 289139

Client reference #22; WAG #289151

Martayan Lan, 26 September 1991.

Client reference #26; WAG #289159

Richard Arkway, 17 December 1996.

Client reference #27; WAG #289162

McGowan Book Company, 25 July 1994.

Client reference #30; WAG #289166

Martayan Lan, 26 September 1991.

Client reference #32; WAG #289170

Martayan Lan, 8 November 1991.

Client reference #33; WAG #289171

Richard B. Arkway, 7 February 1996.

Client Reference # 15 ; WAG # 289142

Boston Rare Maps ; Martayan Lan Augustyn Inc., 2 February 1998

Client reference # 12 ; WAG# 289136

Libraire Le Bail, Paris, 5 January 2010

Client reference 38; WAG #289177

Martayan Lan Augustyn Inc., 9 December 1999.

Client reference #42; WAG #289184

Martayan Lan Augustyn Inc., 25 April 1994.

Client reference #43; WAG #289187

Richard B. Arkway, 10 September 1997.

Client reference #51; WAG #289200

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 21 December 1993.

Client reference #59; WAG #289214

Martayan Lan Augustyn Inc., 24 June 1993.

Client reference #63; WAG #289220

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 17 December 2003.

Client reference #64; WAG #289222

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 17 December 2003.

Client reference #71; WAG #289231

Richard Arkway, 16 May 1997.

Client reference #75; WAG #289235

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 27 June 1996.

Client reference #61; WAG #289217

Marayan Lan Augustyn Inc., 18 March 1993.

Client reference #82; WAG # 289242

Richard Arkway, 10 Mar 1992.

Client reference #86; WAG #289246

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 9 January 2001.

Client #88; WAG #289248

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 27 June 1996.

Client Reference # 89 ; WAG # 289249

Martayan Lan, 7 September 1995.

Client reference #90; WAG #289250

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 22 April 1992.

Client reference #91; WAG #289251

Richard Arkway, 17 December 1996.

Client reference #99; WAG #289258

Martayan Lan Augustyn Inc., 19 April 1993.

Client references #103; WAG #289262

High Ridge Books, 20 April 1995.

Client reference #108; WAG #289267

Libraire Ancienne des Trois Islets, 8 April 2011.

Client reference #110; WAG #289269

Martayan Lan Augustyn Inc., 14 June 1995.

Client reference #118; WAG #289276

Martayan Lan LLC, 12 September 1997.

Client reference #138; WAG #289288

Cohen & Taliaferro, 19 June 2007.

Client reference #141; WAG #289291

Richard B. Arkway, 17 December 1996.

Client reference #160; WAG #289300

Richard Arkway, 8 February 1994.

Client reference #198; WAG #289311

Richard Arkway, 26 September 1991.

Client reference #279; WAG #289329

Richard B. Arkway, 14 September 1994.

Client reference #281; WAG #289331

Richard B. Arkway Inc., 8 May 1992.

Client reference #282; WAG #289332

Richard B. Arkway, 20 January 1999.

Client reference #250;l WAG #289348

Purchased Sotheby's December 11, 2007.

Client reference #269; WAG #289349