Estate Bethlehem Old Works

Bethlehem Old Works includes estates 15 & 16 in St. Croix’s King’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1760s in estate 15. This estate was part of the larger Estate Bethlehem.

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 Old Works became a substantial settlement in the northern portion of estate 16 in King’s Quarter.

The 1750 map does not indicate sugar cultivation or structures at estates 15 & 16. Both Beck printings include an animal mill on the west side of estate 15 and no sugar manufacturing icon in estate 16. The 1766 and 1770 annotated Beck maps include the animal mill with no added sails. All the other annotated Beck maps and the manuscript copies include a windmill.

The 1779 plan of the Bethlehem plantation includes a windmill at Old Works. The 1799 Oxholm map included a windmill in the northeast corner of estate 16 with the name Bethlehem old Worck. The 1856 Parsons map depicts numerous structures but no windmill at Bethlehem old work.

None of the 20th century topographic maps includes ruins identifiable as a windmill.

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. The large sugar mill in the northern portion does not clarify the reference to a stone mill or the central factory built in this area.

Historic Maps of Bethlehem Old Works

Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1982 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
The 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map shows no ruins at Bethlehem Old Work.
Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1958 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
The 1958 USGS topographic map shows no ruins at Bethlehem Old Work.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
The 1921 USGS topographic map shows the Bethlehem sugar factory additionally specifying the Bethlehem Chimney in the area of Bethlehem Old Works.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
The 1907 map indicates a windmill at Bethlehem Sukker fabrik.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts several structures but no windmill or tower at Bethlehem old work.
Snippets of the Oxholm map of 1799 and the copy by Lang of 1820 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
Oxholm’s 1799 map and the 1820 revision show a windmill at Bethlehem old Worck, locating it in the northwest corner of estate 16.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill at Bethlehem old Worck, locating it in the northwest corner of estate 16.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old 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 # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement with a sugar mill near Bethlehem Old Works with an ownership attribution to Nevo John de Windt.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
“The annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies of Beck converted the animal mill in estate 15 from the printed map into a windmill, except the 1770 annotated map that only added landowner names and the 1766 annotated map that added a windmill to estate 26 instead. However, rather than be associated with Bethlehem Old Works, the windmill added in estate 26 most likely referenced the windmill at Bethlehem Old Works or, less likely, at Fair Plane. 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 # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
Both Beck printings depict an animal mill on the west side of estate 15 and no sugar machinery icon in estate 16.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring King's Quarter estates # 15-16, currently named Bethlehem Old Works.
The 1750 map indicates no cultivation at estates 15 & 16. Ownership of estate 25 attributed to Bertram Samuel Schuster. Estate 16 included as one of several estates with ownership attributed to Parcel reserved for and worked by His Majesty.