Maps of the American Revolution

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Claude Joseph Sauthier. "A Topographical Map of the Northn. Part of New York Island..." London: William Faden, March 1, 1777. First state. 18 1/2 x 10 1/4. Engraving. Original hand color. Very good condition. Nebenzahl: 116.

One of William Faden's rare and important series of Revolutionary War battle maps. During the Revolution, the British public, government and military had a great desire for accurate maps of the events from across the Atlantic. The most important publisher of such maps was William Faden, who had access to many of the original drawings sent by soldiers and surveyors from the Americas. These provided then, and provide now, the most accurate and contemporary look at the battles, events and locations of War. This map shows the events that took place on Manhattan Island in November 1776. It is one of the few maps of the period that show the important events related to the British capture of New York. After leaving Boston, the British headed for New York City, defending by George Washington and the main Continental Army. In August 1776, the British landed and captured Long Island, soon chasing the American army from the southern part of Manhattan. General Howe marched north, chasing Washington, and fought him at the battle of White Plains in October. Washington had left a detachment of troops at Fort Washington, at the northern end of Manhattan, which Howe turned his attention to in November. The British forced the Americans to surrender, capturing almost three thousand men. The Americans also lost precious supplies and weapons, putting the American army in grave peril.

The map shows the events of the British attack, with Sauthier indicating the various stages with a lettered key. The map shows from "Haerlem" in the south to the tip of Manhattan, giving excellent information on the rivers and topography. Also shown are the various positions of the British and Americans, as well as forts in northern Manhattan and on the west bank of the Hudson River. This map would have been read with great interest by officials, officers, and the public in London, raising their spirits in hopes that the conflict in American would soon be over after such a devastating loss by the rebels. However, Washington's great asset of being an unexcelled leader of men held the Colonial army together despite this disaster, continuing his fight until the Americans finally won nearly five years later in Yorktown. $6,800

William Faden after "an Officer on the Spot." "British Camp at Trudruffrin from the 18th to the 21st of September 1777. with the Attack made by Major General Grey against the Rebels near White Horse Tavern. on the 20th of September." London: W. Faden, July 1, 1778. 10 x 16. Engraving. Fine condition. Framed with archival materials.

Another important Faden Revolution map, this showing events in eastern Pennsylvania in 1777. After winning the Battle of Brandywine, General Howe started his march north towards Philadelphia. Washington followed Howe at some distance, planning a surprise attack on the British troops. "Mad" Anthony Wayne took a division of 1,500 men and four cannon to a position for ambush in Tredyferin, south of the Lancaster-Philadelphia road. Unfortunately for the Americans, Cornwallis learned of Wayne's plan, and he sent Major General Grey on a night raid against the American forces. Grey's bayonet attack was successful, and Wayne's troops made a disorderly retreat. This detailed map shows the placement of the "Rebel Brigade" and the movement of Grey's troops in their attack. The key explains the symbols, which include dotted lines to indicate "The Rebels flying in Disorder." Also shown is the main British encampment to the east. $5,400

De Sartine. "Carte Réduite Des Côtes Orientales De L'Amérique Septentrionale Contenant Partie du Nouveau Jersey, la Pensylvanie, le Mary-land, la Virginie, la Caroline Septentrionale, la Caroline Méridionale et la Georgie." Paris: Depot de la Marine, 1778. Engraving. 23 x 34 (full sheet). Full margins. Two small repairs in top margin touching into top neatline. Else fine condition.

This map was issued at the time of the American Revolution, into which the French were then entangled. It was prepared for the very rare French atlas Neptune America-Septentrional and was issued both in that atlas and as a separate map for "Prix Trois Livres." The map would have been in use by the French navy and merchant marine and it would have been used with great effect by the combatants. The map extends from the Delaware Bay to the St. John River in Florida, a main area of concern for the French navy, as the British military action late in the war was focused on this area. Detail of the coast is very precise and detailed, with soundings, islands, bays, towns, and so forth all indicated. Somewhat surprising for a sea chart, the map has superb detail inland as far as the Appalachian Range. Roads, plantations, chapels, forts, fords, topography, rivers, and much else is shown with exquisite exactness. This was probably because the charts were intended to be useable not just by the naval forces, but also by French troops who might be landed in the conflict.

Of note is the indication of "York" on the York River, also known as Yorktown, which soon after this map was issued was the scene of the French naval blockade which was the immediate cause of the surrender of Cornwallis and the end of the Revolution. It was not unlikely on another copy of this chart that the French Admiral De Grasse consulted as he planned his operations against the British fleet in North America. To examine and hold such a historical document, one which gives us a privileged, contemporary view of the American Revolution is a thrill indeed. $3,200

Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres. "A Chart of Delaware River from Bombay Hook to Ridley Creek, with soundings &c. taken by Lt. Knight of the Navy . . ." with a second panel entitled "A Plan of Delawar [sic] River from Chester to Philadelphia. Shewing the Situation of His Majesty's Ships &c on the 15th. Novr. 1777 surveyed and sounded by Lieutenant John Hunter of the Navy." Prepared for The Atlantic Neptune. London: Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, 1 June 1779. Etching. 30 1/4 x 21 7/8. Former folds reinforced and fill in on 4 1/2" at bottom, center. Nebenzahl, 136. After the French & Indian War, the job of surveying and mapping the American coastline fell upon J.F.W. DesBarres, who had commanded the mapping of the coasts of present-day eastern Canada. The resulting atlas, The Atlantic Neptune, was called by A.P. Loring, "the first great marine atlas of the eastern seaboard." Loring quotes Obadiah Rich who called it, "the most splendid collection of charts, plans and views ever published." This is an excellent example of the maps from this important atlas.

It is a chart of the Delaware River to as far as Philadelphia in two panels. As stated on the chart, it was "Composed and Published for the use of Pilotage by J.F. W. DesBarres Esqr," so the focus of detail is on the nature of the river itself. The coastline, mouths of creeks, shoals and sand bars, and soundings are shown with careful precision, and rhumb lines are used to help with navigation of a ship up this relatively narrow river. Inland information is sparse because it is limited to that which was visible sight from navigable waters. An occasional higher elevation is shown and a basic town plans for New Castle, Chester, and Philadelphia are present. Conventional symbols for swamps and waterways are shown for as much as a few miles inland in places. In the inset map showing from Chester to Philadelphia shows the situation of the British ships off Philadelphia in mid-November, 1777. $4,250

"Plan of the Battle Fought near Camden, August 16th. 1780." From Charles Stedman's History of the Origin, Progress, and Termination of the American War. London: J. Murray & al., 1794. Engraving. 8 1/4 x 71/4. Ref.: Nebenzahl, 90.

Generally there are two broad categories of contemporary maps of the American Revolution, those that were issued within about six months of the events depicted, and those issued later but before the end of the century. (J.B. Harley et al., Mapping the American Revolutionary War, p. 93ff.) The former type played a role as news maps of the happenings in America, but the latter were issued after the events illustrated were well known to their intended audience. These maps, some of which are the only contemporary published maps of the events shown, played a role in the analysis and commentary on the war subsequent to its finish. These maps were issued in magazines, as separate publications and as part of histories of the war. One such history was Stedman's. He was a loyalist from Philadelphia who issued his work in London in 1794. This is considered to be amongst the best contemporary accounts of the Revolution. "For years, the British author Charles Stedman's History ... provided the most useful military text and maps of that war." (Ibid, p.112). In this map of the Battle of Camden, the terrain is shown in sufficient detail to help interpret the action. The British line of march northward to the first order of battle is shown, as is the deployment of both armies by unit. The "references" name the British regiments, and the "flight of the Americans" and British pursuit are indicated. $600

"Sketch of Fayette's Position at Barren Hill." From Stedman's The History of the Origin, Progress, and Termination of the American War. London: J. Murray & al., 1794. Engraving. 8 1/2 x 6 5/8. Slight mat browning. Else fine. Ref.: Stevens & Tree 21b, Nebenzahl 139, and Sabin 91057.

Another map from Stedman's History. This is the only appearance of this scarce map of a suburb of Philadelphia, an area which would have been familiar to Stedman. $450

"A Plan of the Town and Chart of the Harbour of Boston Exhibiting a View of the Islands Castle Forts and Entrances into the said Harbour." From Gentleman's Magazine. London: David Henry & Francis Newberry, January, 1775. Engraving. 10 1/2 x 13. Professionally conserved and lined. Very good condition.

With events in Boston like the Tea Party and the Massacre, this region of particular interest to the reading public in England, not to mention the magazine's American readers. This map shows the town and city at the beginning of the turbulent year 1775, shortly before the battles of Lexington, Concord and Bunker's Hill. The town is shown with a basic street plan and surrounding communities are indicated. The focus of the map, however, is the harbor with its many islands and channels through them. A wonderful snapshot of Boston and environs during the time when it was the center of the bubbling turmoil in the colonies. $475

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"An accurate Map of the present Seat of War, between Great-Britain and her Colonies in North America.." From Universal Magazine. London, October, 1776. 14 1/4 x 11 1/4. Engraving. Very good condition.

An excellent map from October 1776, showing the regions surrounding the Great Lakes and extending into New England, what the pubisher considered the "Seat of War" early in the American Revolution. The map extends to the east to show New England, from which Boston was driven early in the year, and as far to the south as Philadelphia, thus showing New York City which the British captured just a few months before this map was issued. The map includes good detail of rivers and settlements, and the colonies are colored with contrasting shades. A lovely title cartouche graces the top left corner. $650

T. Kitchin, Sr. "The Southern Part of the Province of New York: with Part of the adjoining Colonies." From London Magazine. London: March 1778. 9 1/2 x 7 1/4. Engraving. Two old tape maps showing through from verso. Otherwise, very good condition.

This map shows the area from New York City north to Albany, through which Burgoyne would have marched a few short months before this map was issued. Settlements and roads are shown throughout the region, as is the topography of this important region during the War of Independence. $375

Spencer Bonsall. “Map Illustrating the Battle of Germantown, October 4, 1777. Drawn by Spencer Bonsall, Sept. 1877.” 6 1/4 x 8. Lithograph. Very good condition.

Spencer Bonsall was the son of Edward H. Bonsall (1794-1879), a Quaker, who was born in Chester County, married in Philadelphia, and lived at least from 1819 to 1835 in Germantown, where he is buried, although he lived in downtown Philadelphia at his death. He may have been the Edward Bonsall who operated a pharmacy at Germantown and Mt. Pleasant Avenues in 1824, but certainly was the first treasurer and second president of the “Philadelphia & Germantown” railroad in the 1830s, the precursor of today’s R7 Chestnut Hill East line.

Spencer Bonsall (1816-1888) was educated at Westtown School, after which he learned the drug and chemical business, went to Calcutta in 1837, returned in 1839, and, in 1840, again went to British India. He lived in the Province of Assam, north of Burma, and was engaged in the service of the Assam Company, in the cultivation and manufacture of tea. He returned to the United States in 1848, was an assistant in the office of city surveyor 1850-1853 and principal surveyor 1853-1855. He wrote an article on "Tea, Its Culture and Manufacture," which was published in the Agricultural Report of the United States Patent Office, 1860. In 1861 he joined the Eighty-first Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers as hospital steward, afterwards appointed acting assistant surgeon, served through nearly all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, until the battle of Gettysburg, where he was wounded. In 1869 he was appointed assistant librarian of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He lived at 1430 Pine Street at his death and he is buried in Woodlands Cemetery. His Civil War journal was published in 2007 by Southern Illinois University Press with the title Well Satisfied with My Position: The Civil War Journal of Spencer Bonsall.

This map shows the positions of topographical features, waterways, roads, churches, mills, houses and other structures, as well as the position of the British army previous to the battle. It was likely drawn in preparation for the centennial of the battle. A version of this map accompanied “Battle of Germantown: An Address Delivered at Germantown Upon the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Engagement, October 4, 1877, by Alfred C. Lambdin, M.D.” in The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 1, Number 4, 1877. $175

Reference Available:

• Kenneth Nebenzahl and Don Higginbotham. Rand McNally Atlas of the American Revolution. New York, 1974. Cloth. Out of print. A fine history using excellent illustrations of maps of the period. $125.00

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