Rare Map of Grenada by Paterson, 1780: St. George's, Estates, Rivers, Bedford Point, Plantations

Immerse yourself in the intricate beauty and historical gravitas of Daniel Paterson’s “A New Plan of the Island of Grenada, From The Original French Survey of Monsieur Pinel; Taken in 1763 by Order of the Government, and now Published with the Addition of English Names, Alterations of Property and other Improvements to the Present Year 1780.” This exceptional cartographic achievement captures the island of Grenada at a pivotal moment in its colonial history, when the British administration sought to document and manage its newest Caribbean possession with unparalleled precision. The map’s detailed rendering of Grenada’s topography, property divisions, and economic enterprises offers a fascinating window into the late eighteenth-century world of sugar, coffee, and cocoa plantations, each tract meticulously numbered and symbolized.

Daniel Paterson, the esteemed British Army officer and mapmaker, was renowned for his rigorous attention to detail and his dedication to the art of military and administrative cartography. Paterson’s career, which included service as assistant to the Quartermaster-General and later as Lieutenant Governor of Quebec, endowed him with a unique perspective on the strategic and economic imperatives of the British Empire. His maps, prized for their accuracy and clarity, were essential tools for both governance and commerce, and this plan of Grenada stands as a testament to his skill and vision.

The map is not only a record of land ownership but also a showcase of Grenada’s vibrant landscape. From the bustling capital of St. George’s, to the fertile valleys and shaded relief of the island’s mountainous interior, every feature is rendered with care. Rivers and streams meander through the terrain, while the coastline is punctuated by fortifications such as the notable Bedford Point battery, a reminder of the island’s strategic significance in the Caribbean. The boundaries of each estate are crisply delineated, echoing the social and economic hierarchies of the era.

A remarkable feature of Paterson’s work is the comprehensive key, which guides the viewer through the economic life of the island. Symbols distinguish between sugar mills powered by water or cattle, extensive and modest coffee or cocoa plantations, and even pottery or tile kilns. This attention to the diversity of Grenada’s industries provides an unparalleled snapshot of colonial enterprise and ambition, illuminating the ways in which natural resources and human ingenuity shaped the island’s fortunes.

Dedicated to Lieutenant General Robert Melvill, then Governor of Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Vincent, and Tobago, this map is imbued with the authority and aspirations of the British colonial project. Its rarity—known in only three states and seldom encountered on the market—further enhances its allure for collectors and historians alike. As both a work of art and a document of empire, Paterson’s map of Grenada offers a rich, multidimensional portrait of an island at the crossroads of history, commerce, and cartographic excellence.

Cities and towns on this map

• St. George's (largest city, modern-day capital)
• Grenville
• Gouyave
• Victoria
• Sauteurs
• Calivigny
• Charlotte Town (historical settlement, smaller population today)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Fortifications at Bedford Point (noted with 6 guns)
• Battery located just east of St. Patrick
• Caribbean Sea (surrounding the island)
• Clearly marked rivers and streams throughout the island
• Shaded relief indicating mountainous terrain and elevations
• Clearly delineated and numbered property boundaries, corresponding to individual landholdings
• Symbols indicating sugar mills (powered by water or cattle)
• Symbols indicating large and small coffee or cocoa plantations
• Symbols indicating pottery or tile kilns

Historical and design context

• Created in 1780 by Daniel Paterson, a British Army Officer and renowned mapmaker
• Published by William Faden, a leading London-based cartographer
• Based on the original French survey by Monsieur Pinel, taken in 1763
• Dedicated to Lieut. General Robert Melvill, Governor of Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Vincent & Tobago
• Produced during the British colonial period, shortly after Grenada became a British possession
• Highly detailed, with numbered tracts corresponding to individual landholdings
• Includes a comprehensive key to economic features and land use
• Known in three rare states: 1780, 1796, and 1825 editions

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.