1886 Lester and Williams Map of Woodstock, Connecticut

This 1886 John Lester and George Clinton Williams map of Woodstock, Connecticut combines historical content with contemporary homesteads and businesses. Situated in northeastern Connecticut, Woodstock was settled in 1686 and officially named in 1690.

A Closer Look

Lester's black text identifying contemporary sites juxtaposed with Williams' red text labeling topographic features and historic locations creates an intriguing dichotomy. Lester marks individual residences throughout, along with meadows, ponds, and hills. He also divides the town into precincts and notes fairgrounds, churches, cemeteries, and at least two Indian burial grounds. Williams' additions label old cemeteries, specific hills (which Lester does sparingly even if he illustrates them all), meadows, old tanneries, and old cemeteries.

Publication History and Census

This map was created by John S. Lester and originally published in 1883. In 1886 George Clinton Williams annotated the map, adding topographical and historical names (all in red overprinting) and printed by the Heliotype Printing Company. This map is well represented in institutional collections.