One of the Earliest American-Printed Maps of New Jersey
Detailed map of New Jersey, from Morse's Universal Geography. This fantastic depiction of the state shows rivers, a number of towns, and the start of the Appalachians. Part of New York, Long Island, and Staten Island are visible.
The map was engraved by Samuel Hill, a famous early American engraver who collaborated with Morse on a number of cartographic projects. This copperplate engraving first appeared in Morses' The American Universal Geography, one of the earliest American-published atlases.
Jedidiah Morse (1761–1826) was a pioneering American geographer, often called the "father of American geography." A Congregational minister by profession, he is best known for his influential geographical publications, including Geography Made Easy (1784) and The American Universal Geography (1793), which were among the first comprehensive geographical works published in the United States. His books shaped early American understanding of geography and cartography, providing a crucial reference for educators and mapmakers. Morse's work laid the groundwork for geographic education in America, and his emphasis on detailed maps helped standardize cartographic practices during a formative period for the young nation.