Maine.

1842 Greenleaf Map of Maine

Publication Date: 1842

About this Item

Very good. Slight toning and margin foxing. Size 11.5 x 14 Inches. This is Jeremiah Greenleaf's 1842 map of Maine. The map records the results of the Aroostook War (1838 - 1839) and the settling of Maine's northern boundary by the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty. A Closer Look The map covers the state of Maine as well as adjacent parts of New Hampshire and Canada, including Quebec City. At this point, railroads penetrated Maine no further than Portland, underscoring the extent to which the state relied on its extensive river networks and roads for transport. The map includes a ghosted northern boundary demarcation that breaks the map's border - an element inherited from the 1835 Burr source map, which, when it was engraved, was an ongoing political conflict. Historical Context In 1841, Maine, which had achieved statehood just two decades prior in 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise, was rapidly developing its own identity. Its vast pine forests were the backbone of a thriving lumber industry, which in turn stimulated shipbuilding in towns like Bath and Bangor. The expansive coastline supported a robust fishing sector, making Maine a pivotal hub for maritime activities. Additionally, the state's picturesque landscapes of mountains, lakes, and coastlines began attracting artists and early tourists, hinting at the role Maine would soon play as a revered destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking its tranquil beauty. Northern Border Dispute Of great interest, the map includes a ghosted northern boundary demarcation that breaks the map's border. The dispute over Maine's northern border was part of the larger Aroostook War (1838 - 1839), a non-violent confrontation between the United States and the United Kingdom during the 1830s and early 1840s. The disagreement stemmed from ambiguities in the Treaty of Paris (1783) and the Treaty of Ghent (1814) regarding the delineation of the boundary between British North America (later Canada) and the state of Maine. The contested region, rich in timber and known as the Aroostook Valley, became a flashpoint with both American and British settlers and lumberjacks moving into the area. Tensions escalated with both sides sending troops, but the conflict never resulted in direct military clashes. The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 eventually settled the border dispute, which delineated the modern boundaries of Maine and what is now the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Publication History and Census This map is based on the David Hugh Burr / 'Illman and Pilbrow' map of 1834. The Burr map plates fell into the hands of Jeremiah Greenleaf, who revised them for publication in his own Universal Atlas . The present example is from the 1842 edition of the atlas, the second Greenleaf edition. References: Rumsey 15176.038.

Seller Inventory # Maine-greenleaf-1842

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Maine.
• Publication Date: 1842
• Seller catalogs:
  • MAINE-VERMONT-NEWHAMPSHIRE