Map

Title:

Carrigain Map of New Hampshire

Object Name:

Map

Creator:

Carrigain, Philip

Date:

1816

Material:

Ink, Watercolor, Paper

Dimensions:

H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches
Dimensions are overall and reflect the mounting system currently in use.

Description:

Map of New Hampshire. Made from ink and colored washes on two strips of paper glued together lengthwise. Currently encased in mylar and hung from a strip of molding at the top and weighted by a wooden rod with acorn and ring finials at the bottom. The map is a detailed drawing of New Hampshire including towns, counties, and geographical features with the adjoining states of Vermont and Maine in less detail. An inset map depicts New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Lower Canada while another inset map includes the US as far west as Missouri as well as the Great Lakes and Upper and Lower Canada. Scenic vignettes from around the state include a view of Great Boars Head and Hampton Beach, view of the White Mountains from Shelburne, and the Cap of the White Mountains. At the upper right is a vignette surmounted by an eagle and including various elements symbolic of the state and its industry from the sea to the forests. Below is the legend: "NEW/ HAMPSHIRE/ BY RECENT SURVEY/ made under the/ SUPREME AUTHORITY/ AND PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO LAW/ by/ PHILIP CARRIGAIN/ CounSellor at Law/ And Late Secretary of the/ STATE." Below the legend in a curve: "To his Excellency John Taylor Gilman, Esq./ AND TO THE HONOURABLE THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE./ This map commenced under their Auspices and matured by their Patronage/ is most respectfully inscribed by their Obliged Servant/
Concord 1816 Philip Carrigain"

Provenance:

Found in Collection.
This is one of the first, largest, and most specific maps of the State of New Hampshire ever printed. In 1803 Philip Carrigain (1772-1842), a lawyer and secretary of state, was assigned by Gov. John Taylor Gilman to make a new, complete map of New Hampshire as the previous, partial maps were inaccurate. Carrigain had no previous cartographic experience, so he hired Pinehas Merril (1767-1815) who was a professional serveyor and together they began remapping New Hampshire.
He had originally promised the state 500 maps, but the project took much longer than any expected. He had to reapply for funding and by 1810 he asked for an extension to which he was given until 1811 to produce 250 maps. Yet it took until 1816 for Carrigain to officially issue his map. He recieved much awe and acclaim for accuracy and beauty; his map not only detailed lakes, land formations, and geologic features, but included town boundaries, roads, schools, and businesses.
Carrigain never recovered financially as he had to fund the publishing of his maps himself, but his namesake has been given to these maps he painstakingly produced. There are believed to be 200 of these maps known to exist today.

Subjects:

Map, Carrigain Map, New Hampshire

People:

Gilman, John Taylor, Carrigain, Philip

Place of Origin:

Concord, New Hampshire

Collection Name:

Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire

Item Number:

1991.003

Accession Number:

1991.003

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum

Credit Line:

American Independence Museum

Participating Organization:

American Independence Museum