State Maps of the Southeast to 1833

State Maps of the Southeast to 1833 Walter W. Ristow Library of Congress Pre-Revolution maps, most of which were compiled and published in Europe, were inadequate for the cartographic needs of the newly-established United States. They were on small or medium scales, generally portrayed only the more prominent physical and cultural features, and few of them were based on original field surveys. Although the urgent need for good maps was recognized, neither Federal nor state treasuries could spare funds for surveying and mapping. In the years immediately following establishment of the Republic, the initiative for preparing state maps was taken by enterprising and public-spirited individuals. The map makers received encouragement but only limited financial aid from state legislatures. Not until the second or third decade of the nineteenth century were most of the states able to support official mapping programs. Some 30 separate state maps were published, in one or more editions, prior to 1840, and all the former colonies were mapped at least once. Maps were also published for Vermont and Maine, which formed part of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, respectively, in the colonial period. The earliest state maps were of the New England and Middle Atlantic states. At least 10 such maps were available by 1807, when the first map of a southeastern state was published. Within the next 25 years, however, maps were published for all of the southeastern states. Virginia and North Carolina were each mapped twice during this period. These state maps are among the earliest examples of truly American cartography. They were generally based on field surveys made by Americans , and the maps were compiled, engraved, printed, and published in the United States. They were, moreover, specifically designed to meet the cartographic requirements of the several states. Above all, in the methods, techniques, and procedures employed to produce state maps, American ingenuity and resourcefulness were abundantly demonstrated. Commercial map publishing, which attained a high degree of excellence and productivity during the nineteenth century, was largely built upon the foundations laid by the state maps and their makers. "From an actual survey," or some variant phrase, is included in the title inscriptions of most early state maps. Crude though they were, the survey represented a distinct improvement over cartographic practices of the colonial period. Surveying was a basic and honored profession in early America. Virtually every town had its official surveyor, who located and established limits and areas of real property. The manuscript plots or maps, on which this data was recorded, were retained in county, district, town, or city archives. They were a prime source of data for the earliest compilers of state maps. State laws made it mandatory for county or district officials to supply up-to-date maps of their jurisdictions. However, such surveys had no common geodetic or geographic net or grid, and map makers frequently had difficulty in matching roads and property lines along county and town borders. 34The Southeastern Geographer Associated with each state map is a distinctive and unique story. In the production of all of them, however, there were common and related circumstances and conditions. All were prepared in response to the peculiar needs of the time, and with the human and technical resources then available. The development and evolution of state maps is an interesting and significant chapter in the history of American cartography. The early maps of the southeastern states contributed significantly to that chapter. Virginia's first state map, published in 1807, was prepared under the direction of Bishop James Madison, a first cousin of President Madison. Bishop Madison, educated for the ministry, became president of William and Mary College in 1777, and held that position for 35 years. Examining and licensingsurveyors was one of the responsibilities of the College during Madison's tenure. The Bishop accordingly became acquainted with a number of local surveyors. From them he learned of the need for a good map of Virginia. Unsuccessful in his efforts to secure official sponsorship, Madison personally took on the job of producing the map. Surveying and map making were not personal accomplishments of the Bishop, and most of the data collecting, compiling, and drafting was done by associates. From...