Estate Barren Spot Limetree

Barren Spot Limetree is estate 20 in St. Croix’s Queen’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the late 18th century. Field reconnaissance failed to locate ruins identifiable as a windmill.

While the 1750 map shows sugar cultivation in estate 20, the first sugar mill icon appears on the c.1770 annotated Beck map with an animal mill. The 1799 Oxholm maps shows both a windmill and an animal mill at Limetree, one of the few estates where both are depicted in the same estate.

The 1856 Parsons map depicts a tower with no sails designated as an Old Mill in the area. While the 1921 topographic sheet shows old mill tower, neither of the later topographic maps show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Limetree.

The 1750 map attributes ownership to the widow Richards. The maps in the 1760s and 1770s attribute ownership of the western portion of estate 20, where the windmill was located, to Isaac Hartman and the eastern portion to George Harris and Nicolay Tuite. By 1790 ownership transitioned to Heyliger heirs.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (pp.115-116) notes the location and previous ownership of Limetree. In the 1920s, notes the estate mostly sugar plantation. The use of the name Limetree is curious, given that this estate is located relatively far from Limetree Bay.

Historic Maps of Barren Spot Limetree, Queen’s Quarter

the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
The 1958 and 1982 photorevision of the USGS topographic map show no ruins identifiable as a windmill at Limetree.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
The 1921 USCGS topographic sheet shows old mill tower on the west Barren Spot Limetree.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
The 1907 map identifies no estate at Barren Spot Limetree.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts a tower with no sails at elevation 236 feet in the center of Barren Spot Limetree.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows an animal mill and a windmill in the center of Limetree.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership of estate 20 to Heyliger heirs.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
The 1767 Küffner manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a settlement but no sugar mill and attributes no ownership in the area of Barren Spot Limetree.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
Only the c.1770 annotated map adds an animal mill in the western portion of estate 20. All the maps attribute ownership of the east side of estate 20 George Harris & Nicholay Tuite and for the west side to Isaac Hartman (together with Queen’s Quarter estate 29).
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
Neither Beck printing shows a sugar mill icon in estate 20.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates sugar cultivation and structures but no animal mill in estate 20. Ownership attributed to the widow Richards.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 20, currently named Barren Spot Limetree.
During the French period, no settlement is indicated near Barren Spot Limetree.