Estate Bettys Hope

Bettys Hope is estate 53 in St. Croix’s Prince’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1750s. The windmill was blocked to store water after decommissioning. The windmill tower is in good condition.

Sugar cultivation appears relatively early on Danish maps in the area of Bettys Hope. An animal mill in the combined estates 53 & 54 with appears on both the 1750 map and first printing of the Beck map. The second printing of the Beck map adds sails to the animal mill to depict a windmill.

The 1799 Oxholm map shows a windmill at the same relative location on the west side of estate 53, adding a double row of trees from the road to the structures. The 1856 Parsons map provides a similar configuration.

The 1920 topographic sheet shows Betty’s Hope Mill at elevation 42 feet and the USGS topographic maps show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Bettys Hope.

Many annotated Beck maps attribute ownership to Robert Stewart. The 1770 annotated Beck map attributes ownership to T. Thomsen, and the 1790 & 1791 manuscript copies by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to S. Thompson.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.35) notes Betty’s Hope as extensive and flourishing.

Historic Maps of Bettys Hope

Snippets of the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Bettys Hope.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
The 1920 USCGS topographic sheet shows ruins identifiable as a Betty’s Hope Mill at elevation 42 feet at Betty’s Hope. Other structures are to the west and south.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Bettys Hope.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill at the end of the road coming from the north with structures to the west and a square to the south at Betty’s Hope.
Snippets of the Oxholm map of 1799 and the copy by Lang of 1820 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
Oxholm’s 1799 map and the 1820 revision show a windmill with other structures to the west and a tree-lined drive ending at this cluster from the north at Bettys Hope.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill with other structures to the west and a tree-lined drive ending at this cluster from the north at Bettys Hope.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to S. Thompson.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a sugar mill and attributes ownership to Steward in the area of Bettys Hope.
Snippet of 1770 manscript copy of Beck map featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Betty's Hope.
The unsigned manuscript copy of Beck includes an animal mill south of the road, attributing ownership to Aleoe Copper.
Snippet of 1770 annotated Beck map featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Betty's Hope.
The unsigned manuscript copy of Beck includes an animal mill south of the road, attributing ownership to Aleoe Copper.
Snippets of 4 annotated Beck maps plus the Zöllner manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
The 1767, c.1767, and c.1770 annotated Beck maps retain the windmill from the 2nd printing while the 1766 annotated Beck map adds sails to the animal mill from the 1st printing. The Zöllner manuscript copy also includes a windmill. All these maps attribute ownership to Robert Stewart, with some spelling variation.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
The first Beck printing shows an animal mill and the second Beck printing converts that to a windmill on the western side of estate 53.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 53, currently named Bettys Hope.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates sugar cultivation and structures including an animal mill in estates 53 & 54. Ownership attributed to Avard.