A small map published in late 1795 holds a special place of distinction in North Carolina’s cartographic history. Occacock from Actual Survey. By I. Price 1795 was the very first map drawn and engraved and printed in North Carolina. The map was bound into an eight page pamphlet that provided sailing
directions for the delicate passage through Ocracoke Inlet. The full title of the pamphlet is:
A description of Occacock Inlet : and of its coasts, islands, shoals, and anchorages,
with the courses and distances to and from the most remarkable places, and
directions to sail over the bar and thro’ the channels adorned with a map, taken by
actual survey, by Jonathan Price
Background
The Outer Banks have a fascinating and ever-changing history. Inlets between the ocean and Pamlico Sound open, close, and even migrate. One constant has been Ocracoke Inlet. It has remained stationary, open, and navigable since discovery in 1585. The importance of Ocracoke Inlet is revealed in the first paragraph of Price’s pamphlet: It is the only one which admits vessels of any burden, bound to any of the ports of entry or delivery of the State of North Carolina, excepting those on Cape Fear river and those of Beaufort and Swannsborough. The towns of Edenton, Bath, Washington, and New Bern, and ports further inland on the Roanoke, Tar, and Neuse Rivers, were dependent upon Ocracoke Inlet for maritime commerce.
Shell Castle, the reason for this map and pamphlet
Recognizing an opportunity for profit in the region’s maritime commerce, John Gray Blount of Washington partnered in 1789 with John Wallace of Portsmouth, NC, to purchase a “rock of oyster shells” just inside the inlet, “half a mile in length and about sixty feet in width.” This shoal was developed into a bustling commercial center which they named Shell Castle. According to Price, it contained “[John Wallace’s] dwelling-house and its out-houses, which are commodious, here are ware-houses for a large quantity of produce and merchandize, a lumber yard and a wharf, along side of which a number of vessels are constantly riding. These late improvements contribute much to the usefulness of the establishment, and give it the appearance of a trading factory. A notary public’s office is kept here.”
In addition to all the features described by Price, Shell Castle eventually supported a ship chandlery, a gristmill, a windmill, a general store, and a tavern. In 1794, thanks to an amendment introduced by Thomas Blount (John Gray’s brother and a U.S. congressman at the time), Congress authorized the erection of a lighted beacon at Shell Castle instead of at Ocracoke. The scale of Price’s map of “Occacock” did not allow a full delineation of all the improvements on Shell Castle, but a few are shown, as seen in this close-up.
A contemporary illustration of Shell Castle was included via transfer print on Liverpool creamware, c1797.
Occacock from Actual Survey
“I am desirous for yours as well as my own Interest to See the Chart of the Sea Coast Completed as I want about 20 to Send to the different Sea Ports of Europe to give an idea of the importance of Shell Castle[.]”
John Gray Blount to Jonathan Price, May 1797
The above quote was in reference to a chart of the NC coast published by Price and Strother in 1798. However, it also illustrates the purpose of Price’s survey and descripton of “Occacock.” John Gray Blount had drawn a rough sketch of Ocracoke Inlet in early 1794; he sent it to Thomas Blount for the latter’s use in promoting Shell Castle as a site for a lighted beacon. John Gray Blount then assigned to Jonathan Price the task of creating a map/chart Ocracoke by actual survey, and of writing an attractive description. The 1795 map of “Occacock” was drawn by Jonathan Price from his own surveys, engraved by New Bern silversmith William Johnston, and printed in New Bern by Francois Xavier Martin. As such, it was the first map drawn, engraved, and printed in North Carolina.
Occacock from Actual Survey is a well-executed map by Price. The engraving quality was sufficient for its purpose, but certainly not up to the standards available in Philadelphia at the time. The local silversmith in New Bern was likely chosen for expediency and economics, though that is pure conjecture. Information pertaining to the timeliness and cost of the engraving and printing is not available.
The pamphlet was advertised for sale in several newspapers, the earliest being in December 1795.
An internet search reveals few extant copies of the “Occacock” pamphlet containing the map. An example has been confirmed in the State Archives in Raleigh. The pamphlet was reprinted in the October 1926 issue of the North Carolina Historical Review, available on line through JSTOR (no login required).
As alluded to earlier, Jonathan Price also participated in a survey of the NC coast in 1797, leading to the 1798 publication of this chart. It was also engraved and printed in New Bern by Johnston and Martin, respectively. Price also participated in an 1806 survey of the North Carolina coast, during which he was at Shell Castle when it received a direct strike from a hurricane. Although Price survived two hurricanes that year, most of his notes and equipment were lost.
Epilogue
Shell Castle had a prosperous but brief existence. In his pamphlet, Price wrote, “It was thought by many, when this place was first improved, that the neighboring element would soon assert its right, and wash away the castle; but since the great storm in August, 1795, which hardly did any damage to it, their fears have vanished.” Unfortunately, the “neighboring element” eventually did assert its right. Two hurricanes in 1806 caused severe damage from which Shell Castle never fully recovered. Jonathan Price was at Shell Castle when the second hurricane made a direct hit. Although Price survived both hurricanes, most of his notes and equipment were lost. By the War of 1812, the channel to Shell Castle was no longer navigable and business shifted to nearby Ocracoke and Portsmouth.