Published in London by Thomas Hutchins 1778 this historical and beautiful map of the Western Parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina provides an insight into the interior of America at the time of the War for Independence.
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That this large map by Thomas Hutchins is one of the most significant and important 18th century maps of the American Midwest, Ohio Valley and the Appalachian regions is not in doubt when considered in term of the amount of exploration being undertaken at the time. After all, as history has shown us, the drive for profit and personal gain rarely stops for war. The map also covers Illinois and parts of New York territory along with Lake Erie and parts of the other Great Lakes.
It is known that military commanders, including George Washington, on both sides of the conflict referenced the map and kept copies. Hutchins spent nearly two decades compiling the map from his own expeditions and the correlation of other surveys. In the end he was able to produce the largest and most detailed map of North America produced to that date.
What Hutchins lost in detail he made up for in sheer scale. Hutchins' map is unquestionably the source for much of the land speculation which occurred over the following twenty years and led directly to the opening-up of the American west.
Hutchins himself was undoubtedly one of the most talented and intriguing figures of his time. After the Revolutionary war had ended he was appointed as the first Geographer of the United States. He thereafter was instrumental in establishing a systematic division of the western lands including the development of cadastral squares (townships), amongst other things.
Captain Thomas Hutchins
Published in London by Thomas Hutchins 1778 this historical and beautiful map of the Western Parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina provides an insight into the interior of America at the time of the War for Independence.
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