Nathaniel Jocelyn (January 31, 1796 – January 13, 1881) was an American abolitionist, painter, engraver, and businessman based in New Haven Connecticut, New York, and Savannah. He was the older brother of abolitionist Simeon Smith Jocelyn. Jocelyn was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to clockmaker and engraver Simeon Jocelin and Luceanah Smith. He studied horology with his father and alter took up drawing, engraving, and oil painting under the tutelage of Geroge Munger. The two published a joint print under the imprint of Jocelin and Munger in 1813. In 1817, Nathaniel moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where helped set up the Hartford Graphic and Bank Note Engraving Company. In 1820, he relocated to Savannah Georgia where he pursued his passion for portraiture. He remained in Georgia until 1822, at which point he returned to New Haven to work with his brother, Simeon Smith Jocelyn (November 21, 1799 – August 17, 1879). The brothers founded the N. and S. S. Jocelyn Publishing Company. Initially the brothers focused on engraving and printing Nathaniel's drawings, but later they became involved in larger scale commercial printing. In 1823, they published, along with family friend Jedediah Morse, an Atlas of the United States. The firm remained active until the 1830s. In 1843, he moved to New York where he ran a portrait studio until 1847. He then engraved for a time at the firm of Toppan, Carpenter and Co. before founding the National Bank Note Engraving Company which he managed until the end of the Civil War. Following the war, he once again turned his attentions to painting and art, working as the Italian Art curator at the newly established Yale Art School. He died in New Haven. More by this mapmaker...

Simeon Smith Jocelyn (November 21, 1799 - August 17, 1879) was an American abolitionist, reverend, engraver, businessman, and publisher active in New Haven Connecticut. He is the younger brother of the well-known painter Nathaniel Jocelyn. Simeon studied theology at Yale and there became involved in the abolitionist movement. He was part of an effort to charter a 'Negro College' in New Haven, a plan that was ultimately rejected by the city council. He also worked as the reverend of a New Haven African American congregation. In 1822, his brother Nathaniel Jocelyn, returned to New Haven and together they founded the N. and S. S. Jocelyn Publishing Company. Initially the brothers focused on engraving and printing Nathaniel's drawings, but later they became involved in larger scale commercial printing. In 1823, they published, along with family friend Jedediah Morse, an Atlas of the United States. The firm remained active until the 1830s. In 1839, Simeon was active in the support of the African slaves who in 1839 revolted aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad. He convinced Nathaniel to paint a now famous 1840 portrait of Joseph Cinqué (Sengbe Pieh), leader of the Amistad revolt. Although there is no clear record, Simeon have moved to New York later in life, where he died and was interred at Brooklyn's Evergreens Cemetery. Learn More...

Sherman Converse (April 17, 1790 – December 10, 1873) was an American printer, publisher, and bookseller active in New Haven, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. Converse was born in Thompson, Connecticut. He studied at Monson Academy and was the first from that school to attend Yale College, from which he graduated in 1813. On March 4 of 1817 he acquired the Connecticut Journal, which he published until 1826. He also published the American Journal of Science and Arts (1820 – 1826), the Christian Spectator (1821 – 1825), Swift's Digest of Connecticut Laws, (1822 – 1823), and the first edition of Noah Webster's Dictionary (1828). He was additionally the official printer for Yale College from 1819 – 1825. His cartographic work is limited, but he did partner with fellow Yale graduate Jedidiah Morse (1761 – 1826) and his brother Richard Morse (1795 – 1868) to publish the 1823 New Universal Gazetteer. He also published an important anti-piracy broadside and map with N and S.S. Jocelyn in 1825. He sold the interest in most of his Connecticut enterprises in 1826 and relocated to New York City, establishing there a book and publishing company. From 1838 to 1844 lived in Quebec to be closer to his son, George Sherman Converse (1828 - 1895), who was studying there. In 1850, he acquired a severe rheumatic disorder which left him an invalid for the remainder of this days. He lived with his son in Boston Highlands, Massachusetts from 1863 until his death in 1873. Learn More...