This offers a clue as to the significance of Nantucket during the Revolutionary War. A 'Pest House' was a hospital or hostel used for persons afflicted with communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, or smallpox. It would have been used for forcible quarantine, and was generally sited close to a cemetery or a waste pond for disposal of the dead.  The cartography also includes details such as rope walks (a long straight narrow lane, or a covered pathway, where long strands of material were laid before being twisted into rope), churches, roads and settlement lots on Martha's Vineyard. 

The chart was originally published as 2 separate sheets - an eastern sheet showing Nantucket Island, and a western sheet showing part of Martha's Vineyard and the western tip of Nantucket.  The Heritage Charts reproduction combines both sheets into one stunning chart.  The nautical soundings and remarks were made by Lieut. John Knight, who includes sailing directions as required by the seaman of the time. The land survey was completed by George Sproule (Sprowle).