This well-known plan as published in the 1781 edition of the Atlantic Neptune is the only town plan included by Des Barres in the entire folio. That in itself is a mark of the importance of Newport to the British throughout the Revolutionary war.
Des Barres originally published this plan on the 24th April 1776. The edition presented here is from 1781 but the details are identical.
It has an off-set border is drawn around the key to the Wharfs, Buildings and Streets of the town. Land relief depicted through the use of hatching. Other features depicted include rope walks (a long straight narrow lane, or a covered pathway, where long strands of material were laid before being twisted into rope) and organised gardens. Significantly, the number of Churches including 3 Baptist Chapels reflective of the time when approximately 58% of the Narragansett and Rhode Island church-going population was Baptist whilst the town was generally acknowledged as being religiously tollerent. Note also the number of Windmills which services the town.
This Plan is clearly based upon the survey of Newport and Rhode Island made by Charles Blaskowitz (see Heritage Charts A108) around 1764. That survey famously included the names of the principle farmers and land owners, seven of who's names are included here as wharf owners (Lopez, Overing, Rome, Redwood, Banister, Malbone & Pease). Blaskowitz's original listing of every street in the town along with specific buildings certainly gives the impression that it was his intention to promote the town and its population. Something Des Barre's faithful copy only enhances.
Des Barres has been criticized by some for lavishing too much attention on artistic detail, and this plan may well be a case in point. There are very few soundings and it is certainly unusual for the time for such attention to be paid to a town on its own.
J.F.W. Des Barres & Charles Blaskowitz
A103a
This well-known plan as published in the 1781 edition of the Atlantic Neptune is the only town plan included by Des Barres in the entire folio. That in itself is a mark of the importance of Newport to the British throughout the Revolutionary war.
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