Estate Bethlehem New Works

Bethlehem New Works was built in estates 25 & 26 in St. Croix’s King’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1760s. The windmill was reduced to a foundation and subsequently used to store water on top of the windmill foundation.

Each of the areas for sugar manufacturing in the sprawling Bethlehem plantation, which included all or part of 10 estates, receives separate examination here. Bethlehem New Works became a substantial settlement in the southern portion of estate 25 in King’s Quarter, extending south into estate 26.

The 1750 map and both Beck map printings indicate no sugar cultivation or sugar manufacturing icons in estates 25 & 26. Only two of the annotated Beck maps, 1767 and c.1767, add a hand-drawn animal mill in estate 25. The 1766 annotated Beck map adds a windmill to the center of estate 26. No sugar manufacturing icons appear on any of the other Beck map variants.

The 1779 plan of the Bethlehem plantation includes a windmill at Middle Works. The 1799 Oxholm map locates a windmill on a ridge in the southwest corner of estate 25 at Bethlehem new Worck. The 1856 Parsons map locates a windmill in a similar location with extensive other structures at Bethlehem new work. None of the 20th century topographic maps include any ruins identifiable as windmills.

The 1750 map attributes ownership of estate 25 as one of a group of estates labeled Parcel reserved for and worked by His Majesty. On this map, estate 26 attributes ownership to Pieter Claussen. The 1766 and 1770 annotated Beck maps and the 1766 Zöllner manuscript copy of Beck attribute ownership to Governor Johannes Heyliger or his heirs, with both 1766 maps remarkably noting the heirs rather than the man, suggesting the 1770 map overlooked the passing of Gov. Heyliger. Ownership attributed ty John de Windt on the 1767, c.1767, and c.1770 annotated Beck maps. This ownership renamed slightly to John Jacob De Windt by 1790.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.34) notes that the Bethlehem plantation included and estates 15, 16, 25,26, and 34 along with the western half of the neighboring estates 14, 17, 24, 27, and 33. A mill at Bethlehem New Work was located at the south end of estate 25.

Notes that Bethlehem New Work identifies the mill at the south end of estate 25 in King’s Quarter, locating it on a ridge between Jealousy and Bethlehem Bæks (or guts).

Historic Maps of Bethlehem New Works

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
The 1958 & 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show no ruins at Upper Bethlehem.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
The 1921 USGS topographic map shows the Managers House in the area where the windmill was depicted on earlier maps at Bethlehem New Works.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
The 1907 map indicates a windmill at Bethlehem.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill with a square to the west and other structures to the north, down the hill at Bethlehem new work.
Snippets of the Oxholm map of 1799 and the copy by Lang of 1820 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
Oxholm’s 1799 map and the 1820 revision show a windmill in the southwest corner of estate 25 at Bethlehem new Worck. Other structures lie to the northwest on a neighboring hilltop.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill in the southwest corner of estate 25 at Bethlehem new Worck. Other structures lie to the northwest on a neighboring hilltop.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to John Jacob de Windt.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts no settlement on the west side of the stream near Bethlehem New Works and no ownership attribution
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
“The 1767 and c.1767 annotated Beck maps both add an animal mill in the northern part estate 25. The c.1767 annotated Beck map also adds a windmill in the southeastern quadrant of estate 27, incorporating this section into the Bethlehem Plantation through colored tinting. The 1766 annotated Beck map adds a windmill in estate 26. None of the other maps add a sugar manufacturing icon in this portion of the Bethlehem plantation. Ownership attribution to John de Windt appears on the 1767, c.1767, and c. 1770 annotated Beck maps along with the unsigned manuscript copy of the Beck map. The 1766 and 1770 annotated Beck maps and the Zöllner manuscript copy attribute ownership to Governor Johannes Heyliger or his heirs.”
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
Neither of the Beck printings include any sugar manufacturing icons in estates 24-27.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring King's Quarter estates # 25-26, currently named Bethlehem New Works.
The 1750 map indicates no cultivation at estates 25 & 26. Ownership of estate 25 attributed to Pieter Claussen. Estate 26 included as one of several estates with ownership attributed to Parcel reserved for and worked by His Majesty.