Estate Blessing

Blessing is estate 30 in St. Croix’s King’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the late 18th century. The windmill was likely demolished to make room for construction of the oil refinery. Field reconnaissance failed to locate ruins identifiable as a windmill.

Sugar cultivation was an early blessing for estate 30. An animal mill on the 1750 map also appears on both Beck map printings. None of the annotated Beck maps or manuscript copies of Beck change the animal mill.

The 1799 Oxholm map notes a windmill in the southeast corner of estate 30 at the Blessing. The 1856 Parsons map identifies Blessing with no windmill or tower on the hill at 105 feet elevation, consistent with later topographic maps.

The 1921 topographic sheet indicates an old mill tower at Blessing and the 1958 topographic map indicates ruins identifiable as a windmill at the same location. The 1982 photorevision does not indicate the same ruins but does show where storage tanks were built near the location at the oil refinery.

The 1750 map and all the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies of Beck attribute ownership of estates 30 and 31 to Martin Meyer. By 1790, ownership transitioned to John Meyer.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.36) notes Blessing was owned by E.B. Tinling in 1851 along with estates Anguilla, Spanish Town, and Annaberg.

Historic Maps of Blessing

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
The 1958 indicates a ruin identifiable as a windmill at Blessing but the 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show no ruins at Blessing.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
The 1921 USGS topographic map shows ruins including an old mill tower at Blessing.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
The 1907 map indicates a windmill at Blessing.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts no structures at Blessing.
Snippets of the Oxholm map of 1799 and the copy by Lang of 1820 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
Oxholm’s 1799 map and the 1820 revision show a windmill at the Blessing.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill at the Blessing.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to John Meyer.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement with a sugar mill near Blessing with an ownership attribution to Meyer.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
All the annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies of Beck have the animal mill in estate 30 from the printed map. All the maps attribute ownership to Martin Meyer, with some spelling variation.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
Both Beck printings depict an animal mill in estate 30.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
The 1750 map indicates sugar cultivation, including an animal mill and other structures, in estate 30. Ownership attributed to Martin Meyer.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring King's Quarter estate # 30, currently named Blessing.
During the French period, a settlement named Hedou is indicated near Blessing.