1844 Bowden Map of North American Indian Nations East of the Mississippi

American Indian Nations.

A fascinating 1844 map of the United States east of the Mississippi illustrates the territories of the great American Indian Nations. This map was made for the Society of Friends (Quakers) Aborigines' Committee of the Meetings of Sufferings, an annual meeting focused on the wrongs done to indigenous peoples.

A Closer Look

Coverage embraces those parts of the United States East of the Mississippi and south of Lake Superior, including Florida throughout, color-coding illustrations of various American Indian nations, mostly distinguish them by language group

1. Algonquin (light green)
2. Dahcota (brown)
3. Huron-Iroquois (pink)
4. Catawba (orange)
5. Cherokee (blue)
6. Uchee (red)
7. Natchez (purple)
8. Mobilian (yellow)

Within each larger group, further subgroups are identified, for example, the Iroquoians: Huron, Erie, Andaste, Seneca, Cayuga, Onodonga, Oneidas, and Mohawk.

Publication History and Census

This map was issued in London to accompany Edward Marsh's Some Account of the Conduct of the Religious Society of Friends Towards the Indian Tribes in the Settlement of the Colonies of East and West Jersey and Pennsylvania. It was drawn by James Bowden and engraved by Henry Clark. We note a variant edition issued by Morse and Tuttle, it is not clear which has primacy. Today, this map is uncommon on the market and often under-appreciated.

Cartographers

James Bowden (1811 – March 1887) was a British historian and author connected to the Society of Friends, or Quakers. Bowden was born in Liskeard, Cornwall, England and died in Stroud, Gloucestershire, England. Most of his work is associated with the Quakers, including a History of the Society of Friends in America.   Further Details...

Henry Clark (May 1817 - March 1893) was an English lithographer active in London during the middle part of the 19th century. Clark was born in Holborn, the son of goldsmith William Clark (Hatton Green). It is not clear where he learnt lithography, but he was active at a shop at 10 Bucklersbury, City of London, in 1844, a location previous associated with John James Davis. Later in 1844 he formed a partnership with James Contencin (1814 - 1879) at 9 Pancras Lane, London. That partnership was dissolved in 1847. Later he relocated to Rotterdam. He may have been associated with the Quakers or the Society of Friends. He died at his home in Rotherham, Yorkshire West Riding, England.   Further Details...

Source

Marsh, Edward, Some Account of the Conduct of the Religious Society of Friends Towards the Indian Tribes in the Settlement of the Colonies of East and West Jersey and Pennsylvania, (London) 1844.    

Condition

Very good. Light foxing.

References

Cornell University, PJ Mode Collection of Persuasive Cartography, 2429.01. National Museums NI, OMAFP.2015.68.