Subseries - Upper Canada

47 maps

The “Upper Canada” sub-series consists primarily of manuscript maps, the majority of which were prepared for or acquired by John graves Simcoe during his tenure as Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. The sub-series includes the work of prominent colonial surveyors and officials such as Alexander Aitken, Joseph Bouchette, William Chewett, Augustus Jones, Patrick McNiff, and D.W. Smith. In addition, a number of plans have been attributed to Elizabeth Simcoe.
The maps reflect Simcoe’s interest in colonial planning and are closely linked to his administration’s pre-occupation with settlement and defence against invasion from the United States. They document his travels throughout Upper Canada and his efforts to create strategic communications and defensive infrastructure through the construction of roads and the establishment of settlements and fortifications throughout the colony. These maps have been arranged chronologically.