I hope a rainy day turns up soon. I need one for map perusal. I must share with you this wonderful early North Carolina survey map found at Grand Lodge in Raleigh during our October meetup at the Grand Lodge. This beautiful map from 1808 was displayed well in their facility. I was so fascinated with this one that I grabbed the information from the card beside it so I could hopefully find a version that was viewable online.
Fortunately for us, it is also available to view at the Library of Congress.
Behold:
To David Stone and Peter Brown, Esq. : this first actual survey of the state of North Carolina taken by the subscribers is respectfully dedicated. Published in 1807
printed in 1808
It is such an interesting map because you can see our state starting to evolve from a colony of settlements to the collection of county centers of govenment that we know now. Yet, look very closely at the entirety of this map. You will see counties that do not exist today and some counties that do exist now, you will not find here. You will see blurred lines as you look west to the still unsettled borders that will become part of Tennesee. It is interesting to note the all the types of information included on this wonderful map. Therer are state and county boundaries, names of counties, towns, cities, drainage, roads, railroads, churches, mills and other points of interest. What catches your eye?
I think you will find this map a nice transition from the early colonial and Rev War era maps to another of my favorites, the Fendol Bevers Map published in 1871. I need that rainy day to compare these two side by side.
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Meanwhile, enjoy this close up of 1808 Wake County surrounded by its neighbors. Do you see anything missing?
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