A219a - The British 'Headquarters Map' (adjusted shape)
An historical and important topographical plan of the Island of Manhattan and part of Brooklyn made in 1782. It is laid-out here as it exists today in a straight line, to save on space. The plan is colloquially known as 'The British Headquarters' Map' and is drawn at a scale of 800ft to an inch.
- c1782
- Unknown
- h41.5" x w126"
- L
This large, colorful, map is most revered for its topographic accuracy and detail providing us today with a near complete view of the relief of Manhattan Island in its entirety in the 1782.
The layout of the map as presented here is the same as the original with the piece of paper lower Manhattan is drawn-on, being glued to the upper section so that the island appears to be in a straight line. The reason for this is undoubtedly so as to conserve space. To see the whole map with the lower section aligned correctly please see Heritage Charts A219b.
The map presented here depicts relief with shading and water-color. In addition to a very precise depiction of the streets, buildings and water-fronts of lower Manhattan, all of the Roads, settlements, houses, farms, rivers, beaches, drainage canals, fields, woods, hills &c are included. In addition, military fortifications, redoubts and other defences (including some American) are listed in the References and also carefully drawn on the map itself. Troop units and positions are not.
Much of the credit for highlighting the topographic importance of this plan, and indeed the value of old maps such as this must go to the ecologist Dr. Eric Sanderson of the Wildlife Conservation Society. The story of the subsequent investigation into history of the Island, as was, is told by Sanderson in his book 'A Natural History of New York City' (2009) [1].
The original map itself is still in remarkably good condition, with vibrant colours and little wear & tear. The bottom left corner of the Map, containing the References for Long Island and Paulus Hook, has long-since been torn away and lost. The References for New York Island to the north, however, remain intact. The lost reference text to Long Island and Paulus Hook may be found by looking at B.F. Steven's Facsimile of the 'Unpublished British Headquarters Coloured Manuscript Map of New York and Environs 1782' which may be found in the library of Congress Geography and Map division [2].
It has been suggested that the map is a conglomerate of the survey work of many surveyors woking for the British throughout the latter part of the occupation of the region and was displayed in the British military headquarters in the Old City Hall upon completion. However he map's history is perhaps a little more complicated than that.
First of all, that the map was made-up of several different surveys made by a number of men is likely, but the the finished work is the work of just a very few, with a different purpose in mind to that which is assumed. What is important to know is that the plan presented here is just one of two near identical maps clearly made about the same time. This edition has a particular, topographic, focus on land relief and Military defence positions. The other edition held in the National Archives UK [3] shows the same topography and lines of defence but it also includes all troop positions on the Island of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Paulus Hook. It also labels property.
The surveyors or authors of the plan presented here as well as the military version of the map held by the National Archives UK are unattributed. That they were both made for the new Commander in New York, Sir Guy Carleton, between 1781 and 1782 is not in doubt. As such, it is more than likely that Charles Balskowitz under the directions of Henry Morse, Carelton's Chief Engineer was the surveyor. On that basis it is equally likely that Henry Castleman was the draughtsman. For a comparison of styles please see a 'Plan of the Peninsula upon which the town of Halifax in 1783 [4.] which was made at the behest of Sir Guy Carleton in 1784.
Blaskowitz was the author of several important surveys in New York at various stages of the war. He would also have worked closely with Henry Morse. Blaskowitz was also responible for a detailed survey of Brooklyn marches which matches almost exactly the detail of the same region on this map. Heritage Charts A218.
[1]. A video presentation by Sanderson is available to watch here: https://www.thirteen.org/dutchny/video/video-british-headqarters-map-of-1782/
[2]. Library of Congress: G.3804.N4 1782. S71900
[3]. MP 1/590 New York: New York (now in the United States of America). Fragment of a sketch map of Manhattan island and the surrounding mainland, showing relief. Compass indicator. A pencilled addition gives the scale: 1 inch to 800 feet. Mounted on a larger sheet.
[4]. CO 700/NovaScotia49B. Plan of the Peninsula upon which the town of Halifax is situated showing the Harbour, the Naval Yard and the several works constructed for their defence. Surveyed in the year 1784 by Captain Charles Blaskowitz under the direction of Lieut. Col. Morse, Chief Engineer in America. Charles Blaskowitz and Henry Castleman. M.S. 400 ft. to 1 inch.
- The British 'Headquarters Map' (adjusted shape)
