Estate Jerusalem & Figtree Hill

Jerusalem & Figtree Hill is estate 41 in St. Croix’s Queen’s Quarter. Based on appearances on historic maps, the windmill was likely built in the 1760s and decommissioned before 1856. The windmill was likely demolished to make room for new construction. Field reconnaissance failed to locate ruins identifiable as a windmill.

The 1750 map indicates sugar cultivation and an animal mill in estate 41. Both Beck printings show an animal mill icon in the center of estate 40, an icon depicted on the maps through the 1760s. The c.1770 map adds sails to the animal mill to depict a windmill.

The 1799 Oxholm map shows a windmill in estate 41. The 1856 Parsons map show no structures that could be mistaken for a sugar mill. The 1921 topographic sheet and 1958 topographic map both show ruins identifiable as a windmill at Jerusalem and Figtree Hill. However, the 1982 topographic map does not show any ruins, with the area indicating presence of the oil refinery.

The 1750 map attributes ownership to Robert & James Handsen. The 1766 annotated map and both manuscript copies attribute ownership to Johannes Heyliger’s heirs. The 1767, c.1767, and c.1770 annotated Beck maps attribute ownership to Peter Heyliger Johnson, while the 1770 annotated map attributes ownership to Governor Heiliger’s heirs. By 1790, ownership transitioned to John Ferrall.

McGuire geographic dictionary of the Virgin Islands (p.100) locates a milltower, top 116 feet above sea, on 82-foot knoll, 850 yards north of Limetree Bay. McGuire identifies Jerusalem but has no entry for Figtree Hill.

Historic Maps of Jerusalem & Figtree Hill

the U.S. Geological Service topographic maps of 1958 & 1982 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
The 1958 USGS topographic map shows ruins identifiable as a windmill but the 1982 photorevision does not at Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
Snippet of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey topographic map of 1920 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
The 1921 USCGS topographic sheet shows at elevation 116 feet on the east side of Jerusalem.
Snippet of the Danish Atlantic Islands Association map of 1907 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
The 1907 map identifies an estate at Jerusalem.
Snippet of the Parsons map of 1856 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
Parsons’ 1856 map depicts no windmill or tower at Jerusalem.
Snippet of the Oxholm map of 1799 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
Oxholm’s 1799 map shows a windmill on top of a hill in the east edge of Jerusalem.
Snippets of the Mühlenfels map of 1790 & the Janssen map of 1791 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
The 1790 & 1791 manuscript maps after Beck by Mühlenfels & Janssen attribute ownership of estates 41 and to John Ferrall.
Snippet of the Küffner map of 1767 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
The 1767 Küffner manuscript copy of Beck’s map depicts a sugar mill and attributes ownership to Johnson in the area of Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
Snippets of all 5 annotated Beck maps plus the 2 manuscript copies made from 1766 to 1770 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
The annotated Beck maps and manuscript copies retain the animal mill from the printed map except the c.1770 annotated map that depicts a windmill. The 1766 annotated map and both manuscript copies attribute ownership to Johannes Heyliger’s heirs. The 1767, c.1767, and c.1770 annotated Beck maps attribute ownership to Peter Heyliger Johnson, while the 1770 annotated map attributes ownership to Governor Heiliger’s heirs.
Snippets of both Beck maps printed in 1754 & circa 1757 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
Both Beck printings show an animal mill icon in the center of estate 41.
Snippet of the Cronenberg and von Jaegersberg map of 1750 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
The 1750 map by Cronenberg and von Jægersberg indicates sugar cultivation and structures including an animal mill in estate 41. Ownership attributed to Robert & James Handsen.
Snippet of the Lapointe map of 1671 featuring Queen's Quarter estate # 41, currently named Jerusalem & Figtree Hill.
During the French period, ownership in the Jerusalem & Figtree Hill area is attributed to Hedou.