|
||
|
|
|
|
This finely detailed and hand-colored map of Somersetshire offers a comprehensive view of the county as it was in the early 19th century. The map shows the divisions of Somerset into hundreds, with boundaries clearly delineated and significant towns, villages, and physical features prominently marked.
The map highlights the county’s boundaries, with the Bristol Channel to the northwest and bordering the counties of Devon, Dorset, and Wiltshire. Towns such as Bath, Bridgwater, Taunton, Wells, and Yeovil are labeled and emphasized, reflecting their importance as centers of commerce and administration. The divisions into “hundreds” are marked, a historical administrative unit unique to England, and a corresponding reference table lists each hundred with its name and principal areas.
Rivers and waterways are depicted in intricate detail, including the River Parrett, River Tone, and River Avon, all significant features of the county's landscape and economy. The Mendip Hills and other topographical features are carefully shaded to give a sense of the region's varied terrain.
The map’s legend (lower right) explains the symbols used to denote different types of settlements, market towns, churches, and distances from London. The compass rose at the top right corner indicates orientation, and a scale of miles is provided for measurement accuracy.
During this period, Somerset was a predominantly rural county known for its agriculture, particularly sheep grazing and dairy farming. Towns such as Bath were already famous for their Roman baths and Georgian architecture, attracting visitors from across the country.
Teesdale was a London-based map publisher. He was an early Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, elected in 1830. Teesdale partnered with John Hordan and William Colling Hodson, but this arrangement dissolved in 1832. Afterward, he continued to work on his own and periodically with colleagues like John Crane Dower, Christopher Greenwood, Josiah Henshall and others. He published a variety of atlases and separately-issued maps. His business was quite successful, as he registered as a partner in the Royal Bank of Scotland in 1845.
![[Oxford and Windsor Castle] Oxonium nobile Anglie oppidum Septenrionalem . . . [with] Vindesorium celeberrimum Anglia castrum locus amoenißimus aedificia magnifica . . .](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/108472.jpg)
