Map of lots around the Commewijne River and in the Matapica Creek

Title Leupe: Generaele Caert van Mattapica en diverse sig daerin ontlastende Crequen, als Warappa, Toerpoeripa en Cabbes Criq, beneffens de Noordseyde der rivier beneden Comowyne enz..

This map shows all lots around the Commewijne River and the Matapica Creek as well as hinterlands that will be available due to the construction of a new canal to the west (left on the map).

The first land assignments in this area were made shortly before the middle of the eighteenth century.

The reclamation of the low-lying parts farther from the river began before c. 1757, starting along Warapa and Marapica Creeks, for which purpose however a system of drainage and supply channels had to be constructed.

This map gives a total view of all these lots and their owner, whose names and possession in Surinamese acres (0,43 hectares per acre) are mentioned in the legend on the top of the map.

The lots numbered 19 to 29 will benefit from the new drainage, but the note on the top right of the map reveals not all of them are connected to the planned canal.

The hinterlands of the lots are distinguished by a dotted line and not coloured.

Only for the new hinterlands is the extent in Surinamese acres depicted within the lot itselfn; the other lots only contain numbers and designations which refer to the legend above.

Redoubts, the Nieuw Amsterdam fortress and the flow of the rivers and creeks are included for orientation.

The map has been signed by the land surveyor himself in 1767.

Scale of 500 Chains of 66 Rhineland feet = 230 ‘strepen’.

A copy is available (1859A).