Estate Oxford

Oxford is estate 5-6 in St. Croix’s Northside A Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the late 18th century. The windmill has been reduced to a foundation.

Like many estates in the highlands of Northside A quarter, Oxford was not likely settled until the 1760s. An animal mill appears on the three maps dated in 1766, although not on the maps also based on the Beck maps.

Both the 1799 Oxholm map and 1856 Parsons map indicate a windmill at Oxford. However, the only mention of sugar manufacturing structures on the 20th-century topographic maps is on the 1290 sheet showing an Old Mill Round, which may indicate an animal mill rather than a windmill. McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.142) indicates sugar cane growing on north side of road in 1920s.

Ownership attributions to William Low’s widow transitioned to William Lows in 1790, bringing into question if this represented a father to son ownership transition.

Historic Maps of Oxford

Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1982 featuring Northside A quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
The 1982 USGS topographic map shows no ruins identifiable as a windmill at Oxford.
Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1958 featuring Northside A quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
The 1958 USGS topographic map shows no ruins identifiable as a windmill at Oxford.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
The 1920 USCGS topographic map shows an Old Mill Round at Oxford. This may refer to an animal mill rather than a windmill.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
The 1907 map indicates a windmill at Oxford.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill and other structures to the south and west at Oxford.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 and the copy by Lang of 1820 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
Oxholm’s 1799 map and its 1820 revision show a windmill at Oxford. The vertical line on the 1799 snippet reflects a paper fold on the map original.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Northside A quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill at Oxford. The vertical line on the 1799 snippet reflects a paper fold on the map original.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen, respectively, attribute ownership to William Lows.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement in the area of Oxford.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
Only the 1766 annotated and the 1766 manuscript copies of the Beck map show an animal mill in estate 4, while the later maps all indicate no sugar machinery. All attribute ownership to William Lows or his widow.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
+Neither of the Beck printings depict any sugar machinery.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
The 1750 map indicates no cultivation and attributes no ownership.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Northside A Quarter estates # 5-6, currently named Oxford.
During the French period, no settlement is indicated near Oxford.