Estate Negro Bay (Fox)

Negro Bay (Fox) is estate 46 in St. Croix’s Prince’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the late 18th century. The windmill tower is in good condition.

The provision cultivation depicted on the 1750 map gave way to sugar cultivation by the mid-1750s, with an animal mill depicted on the second Beck printing. The 1799 Oxholm map included a windmill, although called the area Fox. The 1856 Parsons map included a windmill at Negro Bay. All the 20th century topographic maps include ruins identifiable as a windmill.

The 1750 map attributed ownership to Thomas Leek, most likely a spelling variant of Lake. All of the 1760s and 1770s annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies attribute ownership to Thomas Lake Senior. By 1790 ownership transitioned to Fitcomb.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.135) notes the Fox Mill on eastern bench of Patience Hill.

Historic Maps of Negro Bay

Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1982 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The 1982 photorevision USGS topographic map shows ruins identifiable as a windmill at Negro Bay.
Snippet of the U.S. Geological Service topographic map of 1958 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The 1958 USGS topographic map shows ruins identifiable as a windmill at Negro Bay.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The 1920 USCGS topographic sheet shows an old mill tower at elevation 140 feet on the western side of Negro Bay.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Negro Bay.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a windmill with a square immediately to the west on the southeast slope of a hill alongside a road rising from the south in the northern portion of Negro Bay.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill on the southeast slope of a hill at the end of a road rising from the south in the northern portion of Fox.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership to Fitcomb.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
Küffner’s 1767 manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement but no sugar mill and attributes no ownership in the area of Negro Bay.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies retain the printed animal mill, except the 1766 annotated map that added an animal mill. These maps attribute ownership to Thomas Lake Senior.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The first Beck printing does not show a sugar mill icon while the second Beck printing shows an animal mill in the northeast quadrant of estate 46.
Snippet of the c1757 Beck map featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The first Beck printing does not show a sugar mill icon while the second Beck printing shows an animal mill in the northeast quadrant of estate 46.
Snippet of the 1754 Beck map featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The first Beck printing does not show a sugar mill icon while the second Beck printing shows an animal mill in the northeast quadrant of estate 46.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Prince's Quarter estate # 46, currently named Negro Bay-Fox.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates provision cultivation in the southern portion of estate 46. Ownership attributed to Thomas Leek.