1720 Neal Map of New England

This is Daniel Neal's important and scarce 1720 map of New England. It represents the best mapping of New England to date and earned Neal an honorary degree from Harvard.

A Closer Look

Centered on the colony of Massachusetts, Neal's map covers from the Hudson River and New York City east to Nova Scotia, extending north to Lake Champlain (Lake Iroquois) and south to Long Island and the Nantucket Shoals. Two inset maps in the lower right detail Boston Harbor (with depth soundings in fathoms) and Labrador as far north as Hudson Strait. Although Neal's sources are unknown, the map overall presents a sophisticated panorama of the region.

The heart of the map, the Connecticut and Massachusetts Colonies, features the densest cartography, with detailed labeling throughout. The cartographer offers a modern border configuration between Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. To the west, there is a clearly defined border with New York. Plymouth, annexed in 1691, is properly integrated. The border with Rhode Island runs to the south of Bristol County.

In other parts of the map, Lake Champlain and Lake George are distinguishable, as is Lake Winnipesaukee in modern-day New Hampshire. Long Island is well delineated, with several communities noted, including East Hampton, South Hampton, and Shelter Island. Along the Penobscot River, Maine, there is a note that reads 'Duke of York Claims Propriety from Kenebeck River to St. Crux.' Howes notes that Neal chiefly based his book on Mather's Marginalia and Oldmixon's British Empire in America. This work was so well received in the colonies, that Neal was awarded an honorary degree from Harvard in 1721. Learned notes:

[Neal's] work was superior to anything of the kind that preceded it. His attitude is that of one who wishes to remain impartial. He deals chiefly with political, religious, and military questions, but has an interesting chapter, largely condensed from Josselyn, describing the state of New England; and he has paid some attention to legislative history. His style is often sprightly and he displays a sense of humor. For some aspects of the revolution of 1688- 1689 his work is still useful.

Publication History and Census

This map was compiled and published by Daniel Neil in 1720. The present example is from the 1747 English edition of Neal's The History of New-England. Rare to the market.