Chapter I: The Exeter City Maps of John Hayman

 

John Hayman prepared two maps of Exeter in the years 1805 and 1806. The maps were produced for two very different publications. However, John Hayman is not known to have drawn any further maps and only a few other works of his are to be found in museums. This article looks at the two maps in detail and gives a brief overview of what is known about him.

Introduction

When a new guide to the scenery of England and Wales was published in the early 1800s it coincided with the production of specially prepared maps and plans, although these did not appear immediately in the new publication: The Beauties of England and Wales. Some 58 maps and 22 city plans were produced, and the large majority were the co-production of two London specialists. Of the city plans few were the result of “local” knowledge, i.e., produced largely by a local artist. John Hayman was one of only four locally employed artists engaged to produce a completely new town plan.[1] 
All of the other 18 plans[2] were by the collaboration of Cole and Roper. According to Ravenhill & Rowe and Smith[3], Hayman was a surveyor, a nephew of William Hayman with whom he was in partnership from 1786. In 1794 he was at Bartholomew Yard in Exeter. In October 1802 he was commissioned to survey and map the lands and tenements belonging to the corporation (of St Sidwell parish): a book of the Lands of the Corporation of the poor of Exeter was compiled in 1811 where Hayman is given as the surveyor. Furthermore, he was paid 15 guineas with a further 10 in 1812 as Mr Hayman having produced the Plans and Maps of the Lands and Houses of the Corporation very neatly and accurately. Furthermore, in the Exeter Itinerary and General Directory 1828[4] there is an entry; Hayman, I. land surveyor and artist, Workhouse. John Hayman married a woman by the name of Mary and died February 1847.[5] William Hayman (Exeter 1716 – Modbury 1793) was appointed Exeter City Surveyor in 1760 but resigned due to ill health in 1791. He was admitted to the Freedom of the City of Exeter in 1777.[6]
There was, however, a J Hayman working in Exeter about the time that Smith says Hayman flourished (namely 1786-90) as painter. The British Library has a very elegant engraving of the East View of the East Gate, drawn in 1784 and published October 20 1785.[7] [8]
The British Library etching and aquatint is dedicated: To the RIGHT WORSHIPFUL The MAYOR ALDERMEN and COMMON COUNCIL of the City of Exeter This EAST VIEW of the EAST-GATE of the CITY taken in the Year of our LORD 1784 Is Humbly Presented by their most Obedient & very humble Servant John Hayman. This print was formerly in the collection of George III. If one had visited Exeter Guildhall before 2004 one might have spotted two large oil paintings of the old east gate: these have now been transferred to The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery in Exeter. The print and one of the paintings are nearly identical.[9] It would certainly appear that Hayman was active from at least 1784 and was resident in Exeter until at least 1828.[10] Already by 1784 he was well-known enough to be commissioned to paint two pictures for the Guildhall.
There is a remote possibility that John was a grandson or relative of another John Hayman who lived in Exeter. Francis Hayman (born Exeter 1708 – London 1776), a famous painter working in London from the 1730s, was the son of John Hayman and Jane Browne.[11]
Finally, it is worth noting that John Hayman actually produced a proposal for publishing a map of Exeter in 1789.[12]
The overview is split into four main parts for ease of reference:

1. Chapter I: John Hayman (Cole & Roper) 1805 - John Hayman´s map of Exeter of 1805 found in by Britton & Bayley in Beauties of England & Wales Vol. IV. See Below:

2. Chapter II: John Hayman for Alexander Jenkins 1806 - John Hayman´s map of Exeter of 1806 used by Alexander Jenkins in his History of Exeter - and details of a proof copy of the map

3. Chapter III: John Hayman´s proof map for Jenkins´ History - only known copy of a proof version of the map found in History of Exeter.

4. Chapter IV: John Hayman (Henry Besley) - John Hayman´s map of Exeter of 1805 as used by Henry Besley of Exeter in his Exeter Itinerary from 1828 to 1839 with

Summary

Appendix I:The illustrations in Alexander Jenkins´ History of Exeter

Appendix II: Corrections to text in "proof" copy of Alexander Jenkins

Appendix III: Changes found in the Second Edition to Alexander Jenkins

Part One

John Hayman (Cole & Roper) 1805

John Britton and Edward Wedlake Brayley were friends from an early age. After Britton had been employed to write a text on Wiltshire, he then collaborated with his friend to begin The Beauties of England and Wales. In 1800, after agreeing terms with a London publisher, the two set off across the country. The plan was to cover the whole country in three years. The two collaborated as joint editors and completed the first six volumes together. The first of these appeared in 1801 with the counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The work was lavishly illustrated with attractive engravings.[13]

Devonshire was published in Volume IV together with Dorsetshire and was published by Vernor and Hood and others in London in 1803.[14] Britton is associated with 9 volumes in the series and Bayley with 10. The success of the series led to the two later working together on the publication of Devon Illustrated, published in 1829, and Cornwall Illustrated in 1831 (and brought together in 1832).[15] Maps and city plans were prepared for the entire series, mostly by George Cole and John Roper (hence they are popularly referred to as the Cole and Roper series), and most of the county parts will be found bound with these in. However, David Smith[16] explains that this was not the original plan - despite the rather ambiguous note: To Accompany the Beauties of England and Wales (lower right below border of all maps). Be that as it may, the maps and plans were published in the British Atlas when it appeared in 1810.[17]

Sometime before Volume IV of Beauties was published in its final form, John Roper engraved both a county map drawn by George Cole (Engraved by J Roper from a Drawing by G Cole lower left below border) and a map of Exeter drawn by John Hayman (Engraved by J Roper from a Drawing by I Hayman lower left below border)[18]. The maps and plans were published in a separate series between October 1st 1804 and 1810 – with the maps of Devon, Dorset and Exeter all dated 1805. There were 21 town plans to accompany the county maps.

From 1810 the British Atlas[19] appeared for Vernor, Hood and Sharp and 9 others; and in 1816 for Baldwin, Cradock & Joy but as English Topography by the Rev. J. Nightingale (he had written much of the text for London). There were numerous reissues of the maps and plans with new text.

The Exeter map was engraved at the same size as the county map and the book format (at 220 x 180 mm). Besides the signatures already discussed there is a signature within the border Drawn and Engraved under the Direction of J. Britton as well as the usual imprint: London: Published for the Proprietors by Vernor & Hood, Poultry, June 1st, 1805.[20]

Although the city map shows the same area as the large-scale map by Charles Tozer published only a few years earlier, it is a completely new drawing and not a copy. The Bishop’s Arms & the City Arms are top left and at the bottom there is a vignette of East View of Exeter Cathedral &c. signed Hayman delt. and Woolnoth sc.

In one reference book Woolnoth is said to have Engraved a vignette view after Francis Hayman on a map of Exeter,[21] but Francis Hayman had died in 1776 and it is clearly I (for J) Hayman in the map signature. William Woolnoth (1780-1837) also engraved the inset vignette of Exeter Cathedral, drawn by R Creighton, for J & C Greenwood´s large scale map of Devon in 1827.[22] Probably Woolnoth´s best known work was The ancient castles of England and Wales; engraved by William Woolnoth, from original drawings. With historical descriptions by E.W. Brayley, jun (1825). Volume II had a view of Berry Pomeroy.

The map appears to be up-to-date and the REFERENCE table is shown in wards above the scale bar and lists all houses of worship. A north point is shown. The plan covers the same area as Tozer (1792)[23] except that Holloway is extended as far as Parker’s Wall and the Cotton Factory by Trews Wear. Outside the city walls: Bridge Street is named between the bridge and Fore Street with Frog Lane passing below; the notes Devon/Exeter are shown by the bridge; the western New Cut is omitted and a New Canal bypasses Blackaller Wear; the road from Bedford Circus has been extended and now passes through Barn Field (the first part of the crescent dating to 1800). 

There are numerous additions including Little Silver beside St. Davids, the two sets of Barracks off the New Road, and an Aqueduct to the City Conduits at the head of Longbrook (beside Lions Holt and the Ammunition Ground). Fryers Hay, previously full of serge racks is now built up with Graves Street and Colleton Crescent (only completed in 1805 after three years) but other fields are still dotted with rack symbols, even though their total area is dwindling, for example, Bull Meadow, between Holloway Street and Magdalen Street. Only one Turnpike Gate is shown: the gate opposite Parker’s Wall on Holloway Street.

Inside the walls: the Wards have only an initial as reference; most religious meeting houses are shown as well as all the churches; the Old Jail (Tozer) is now the Methodists Meeting House; St. John’s Hospital is called the Grammar Sc.; the Treasury, by the cathedral has been removed; North Street is widened by the old gate; and the chapel is omitted within the castle. The Quaker’s Meeting House was built in Magdalen Street in 1806 but is already shown and is in the key. The Mount Pleasant inn on the river has become the K(nave) of Clubs.

This map would reappear many years later, published by the local Exeter publisher, Henry Besley in 1828.

To go directly to Chapter II: click here.

[1] The other cities produced with local assistance were Manchester & Salford, Worcester and Coventry.

[2] All of the individual cities (i.e., not including Newport) are illustrated (enlarged and not to scale) in Ashley Baynton-Williams´ Town and city maps of the British Isles; London: Studio Editions; 1992.

[3] Ravenhill, Mary & Rowe, Margery; Devon Maps and Map-Makers; Exeter; 2002. They do not mention the map of Exeter. David Smith; ibid. Quoting Sarah Bendall in Dictionary of Land Surveyors and Local Mapmakers of Great Britain and Ireland 1520-1850; 2nd edition; Folkstone; Dawson; 1997; H 226.

[4] Published in Exeter by T & H Besley, Bell-Hill, South Street.

[5] Ravenhill, Mary & Rowe, Margery; 2002.

[6] Ravenhill, Mary & Rowe, Margery; 2002; p.397. They list a number of maps dated 1762-1786 with six references.

[7] British Library collection: Cartographic Items Maps K.Top.11.69.w.

[8] Somers Cocks, J V; 1977. Entry 903; 904 is a corresponding view of the West View of the same gate.

[9] Both paintings are approx. 295 x 460 mm. Oil on canvas at approx. 660 x 875 mm. Available on-line at the website artuk.org but not on the RAMM catalogue at the website.

[10] The only reference to (J) Hayman in Etched on Devon´s Memory (the comprehensive listing of all persons involved in the book trade in Devon) is the reference to the two prints listed in Somers Cocks.

[11] https://dewiki.de/Lexikon/Francis_Hayman.

[12] Ravenhill, Mary & Rowe, Margery; 2002; p.397. Noted in the Burnett Morris Index at Devon Archives.

[13] References to Wikipedia entries on Britton, Bayley and the Beauties of England and Wales.

[14] Batten, Kit & Bennett, Francis; 1996; The Printed Maps of Devon; Devon Books; entry 67. See also Bennett & Batten; 2011; The Printed Maps of Exeter; Little Silver Press; Exeter; entry 16. The map is listed under 1805 as it is not known when the map became freely available, but the imprint date is 1805. Both books now on-line in an updated Second Edition.

[15] See Jennings vs. Fisher at Kit´s Blog: (https://two-rival-publications-of-1829.blogspot.com/).

[16] David Smith; The British Atlas, 1810 – A Reassessment of the town maps; in the IMCoS Journal; March 2017.

[17] Originally issued in 18 parts without a title page. The British Atlas when bound together comprised 58 maps and 21 city plans. One further plan, Newport, is an inset map on the Isle of Wight.

[18] The letter “I” often substituting “J” in such signatures.

[19] Full title: The British Atlas; comprising a complete set of county maps of England and Wales: with a general map of navigable rivers and canals: and plans of cities and principal towns. Drawn and engraved under the direction of [E.W. Brayley / J. Britton] to accompany the Beauties of England and Wales.

[20] I.e., Volume IV as usually found contains Devon and Dorset and is dated 1803 (title page) but the map is dated 1805.[21] Worms and Baynton-Williams; British Map Engravers; London; Rare Book Society; 2011.

[22] See Batten & Bennett (1996). The engraving is signed on the large 1827 map, but removed on the smaller 1829 map – see Entry 96 and Entry 97 resp.

[23] Bennett and Batten; 2011; Entry 15. David Smith pointed out that the text as written implied a copy of Tozer: this was not intended: only to observe a similarity in area covered. Two further errors in the original text have now been amended in the Second (on-line) Edition available at: https://printed-maps-exeter.blogspot.com/.

Chapter II: John Hayman for Alexander Jenkins 1806

In 1806 a new History of Exeter appeared in Exeter and London bookshops: Alexander Jenkins´ The history and description of the city of Exeter and its environs, ancient and modern, civil and ecclesiastical.[24] The history was published in Exeter by P. Hedgeland and published/distributed in London by Scatcherd & Letterman; Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme; Crosby & Co. and J. Mawman. It appears to have been a successful work and a copy is held at most large libraries.[25] It was reprinted and published as a Second Edition in 1841 with a slightly amended title, Civil and ecclesiastical history of the city of Exeter and its environs, from the time of the Romans to the year 1806.[26] This was now printed and published by W Norton of 247, High Street, Exeter and published/distributed by Messrs P A Hannaford, Curson & Son, T Balle and W Spreat (all Exeter). 

Not much is known about Jenkins apart from what he tells us in his Preface. From this we learn that: The following sheets, [were] compiled at different times, and the labour of many vacant hours, when want of employment in my profession, and the cares of a numerous family left me any leisure time.  He mentions his confined education but that from an earliest age, he had a strong propensity to the study of antiquities and remains of former ages. There is a hint of disappointment in lack of help from possible informants and lack of philanthropy of the current age (reiterated under General Benefactions in Chap. VI). Despite these shortcomings Jenkins was able to produce a comprehensive work of over 450 pages.

A South View of the OLD BRIDGE. Drawn by Coggan and engraved by Jenkins.

There are 12 plates or illustrations (see also Appendix I), most of which would appear to have been prepared personally. In his Preface he remarks that: The major part of the plates, if not executed in the masterly stile (sic) of modern publications, will commemorate to posterity the places they are intended to represent. Two of the plates (both signed by Jenkins) are sketch maps of the western peninsula, two are simple sketches of old coins and two are plans, of Rougemont Castle and the cathedral layout. The latter was engraved by Jenkins but drawn and crudely signed - J Jones del[27]. The other three are very creditable wood engravings: of the old Exeter Bridge[28] (752)*, the Guildhall and Tower (on one sheet, 781 and 992)* and two views of Rougemont Castle (on one sheet, 774 and 775)*. The map of Exeter included is engraved by B Baker after a drawing by Hayman; and the very attractive engraving of the Great Conduit* was engraved by Jenkins from a drawing by Hayman. Only the Frontispiece illustration of the Gateway to Rougemont Castle (773)* was by and after T H Williams.[29]

Despite the publication of George Oliver´s own The History of Exeter in 1821,[30] a Second Edition was published in 1841 (which was more a reprint than a new edition, see Appendix III) which contained not only a completely new set of engravings but also a portrait of the author. It is possible this is a self-portrait: there is no signature. According to Somers Cocks: The 2nd edn 1841 has nos [1] – [14] of Sprake´s Views of Exeter (see S.120) anonymously and poorly reproduced.[31]

Alexander Jenkins as shown in the second edition of his work.[32]

As mentioned, the First Edition contained a map of Exeter but the author has a copy of this work with two maps; one of which appears to be a proof copy. John Hayman may have used the map prepared for Beauties as the basis for the map of the city included in Alexander Jenkins’ History of Exeter. The plan, though drawn to a smaller scale, uses the same technique as for Hayman’s 1805 plan but there is no suspicion of simply copying, it is a new map.

This map is a little larger at 205 x 235 mm (l x h) compared to 180 x 220 mm of the Beauties map but attempts to include more of the surrounding area, so that the resulting scale is somewhat smaller: 20 Chains (or 1320 Feet) = 25 mm; compared to 800 Feet = 25 mm. Hayman´s first map included the vignette view of the Cathedral which occupied most of the space to the southwest of the river.

There is a signature: Engraved by B. Baker & D. Wright, Islington and From a survey & drawing by J. Hayman; and imprints: Engraved for Alexr. Jenkins History of Exeter and Published by P. Hedgeland, High Street, Exeter April 19, 1806.

Benjamin Baker was already one of the leading map engravers in Britain with a long pedigree. He produced over 50 maps for the long-running and successful Universal Magazine between 1791 and 1799 including a county map of Devon.[33] Those interested in Devon mapping will recognise his name as the engraver of the County Map of Devon issued by William Faden in 1799 as Reduced from the large map by Benjamin Donn.[34] In 1809 he was principal engraver in the Drawing Room at the Ordnance Survey office and was mainly responsible for engraving the OS map of Devon.[35]

In this map of Exeter there is greater emphasis on the suburbs so that toll gates can be seen and a number of houses are shown, e.g., Franklin, Barley, Haccombe and the two Cleaves to the west; Cowick Priory and Alphington House to the south; and Liverydole Chapel to the east. The area actually covered is from Littlejohn’s Cross to the Tiverton Gate and from Exwick Mill to one mile out from Larkbear, the city boundary. The Exeter/Devon boundary is clearly pecked (omitting the northern part). Heights are hachured and Country Seats drawn in elevation. This map has more written information even within the city and appears to be more accurate.

The broad hatched border has been enlarged for the title and there is a North point. Whereas the list on Hayman’s earlier plan included all religious meeting places this Reference Key only relates to the churches. The northerly barracks are now described and the new Artillery Barracks shown (bottom right); Hoopers Buildings can now be seen next to the Workhouse on the Honiton-London Road. There appear to be fewer buildings shown about Larkbear by Mt. Radford, and though Bull Meadow has lost its racks, there are further rack fields shown along Magdalen Street. The plan also shows nearly all the toll gates on the main roads. At Exwick a factory and mills replace one of the houses; possibly Mr Pim’s paper mills which burnt down only three years later. Within the city the streets, most important buildings, the Guildhall, inns, hotels, Tuckers Hall, the theatre, the partly built crescent in Barn Field and even the markets are shown and lettered.

 

John Hayman for Alexander Jenkins – a proof copy 

Link: To access Chapter III: John Hayman´s proof version of his map of EXETER - click here.

[24] Full title: The history and description of the city of Exeter: and its environs, ancient and modern, civil and ecclesiastical: comprising the religion, and idolatrous superstition of the Britons, Saxons and Danes; the rise and progress in these western counties; with a catalogue of the Bishops from the first erecting this county into a diocese, to the present era. collected from the most approved historians. Also, a general and parochial survey and description of all the churches, places of divine worship, public buildings, institutions, antiquities, present government, prospects, &c. and a list of Mayors & Bailiffs, to the close of the eighteenth century.

[25] Worldcat lists 48 entries including multiple copies: Three copies are available at HathiTrust the on-line resource of which 2 are the second edition.

[26] Full title: Jenkins´s civil and ecclesiastical history of the city of Exeter : and its environs, from the time of the Romans to the year 1806; comprising the religion, and idolatrous superstition of the Britons, Saxons and Danes ; the rise and progress of Christianity in the western counties ; with a catalogue of the Bishops of the diocese, from the first establishment of the See this county ; Also, a general and parochial survey and description of all the churches, and other places of divine worship, public buildings, institutions, antiquities, government, prospects, together with an annual list of Mayors & Bailiffs, &c., &c.; embellished with fourteen engravings of ancient buildings, and a portrait of the author. Second Edition.

[27] This was almost certainly John Jones of Exeter, listed in Maxted - - as working jeweller and engraver, Goldsmith Street, died 1828. Etched on Devon´s Memory.

[28] For a wonderful account of the bridge (and the illustration) see http://demolition-exeter.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-medieval-exe-bridge.html.

[29] Somers Cocks, J V; Devon Topographical Prints 1660-1870; Exeter; Devon Library Services; 1977. Entry S.33. Somers Cocks lists only the five illustrations with asterisk and not maps and plans. The numbers are those ascribed by Somers Cocks.

[30] The History of Exeter; Rev. G Oliver; Exeter; 1821. Oliver was quite rude about Jenkins´ work: Of Mr Jenkins´ late compilation, … the writer of the present work could wish to say as little as possible. When Edward Smirke reissued this work he confessed: it would be idle to deny that his [i.e., Oliver´s] partialities are very susceptible in his narrative. His catholic beliefs are very prominent. The History of the City of Exeter; Rev. G Oliver; Exeter; William Roberts; 1861; but largely rewritten and extended by Smirke.

[31] Somers Cocks, J V; 1977. Entry S.33.

[32] From a copy held at Yale University and digitalised by Microsoft for Hathi Trust and available at https://hdl.handle.net/2027/yale.39002003041556.

[33] See Batten & Bennett; The Printed Maps of Devon; Tiverton; Devon Books; 1996; Now available on line as revised Second Edition at https://www.printed-maps-of-devon.eu/. Entry 57.

[34] Batten & Bennett (1996); entry 62.[35] Batten & Bennett (1996); entry 74. Worms & Baynton Williams; 2011.

 Chapter III: John Hayman for Alexander Jenkins

– a proof copy

 

The author has three copies of Jenkins´ work. The first (1) is in contemporary binding with hand (not machine cut) page edges and has two versions of the Hayman plan of Exeter. The page size is 218 (h) x 120 mm: both maps are trimmed to fit the page height; the second example (2) has a more recent binding and similar page height; the third example (3) has a recent binding but the page height is only 195 mm. The edges of 2 and 3 are cut professionally: but the map has been printed and then folded before binding. These 2 copies have been used to compare differences in text or illustrations.

Map of EXETER for Alexander Jenkins´ history – proof copy.

A: Imprint (top) and imprint (bottom). Top: Engraved for Alexr Jenkins´s History of Exeter. Bottom: Published by P. Hedgeland, High Street, Exeter, April 19, 1806.

B: Signatures (bottom right) and (bottom left). Right: from a Survey & Drawing by J. Hayman. Left: Engraved by B Baker & D Wright, Islington.

C: Scale panel (centre bottom): Frame with chevrons on three sides added.

D: Reference panel: Names of 4 wards added (East, S., W., North).

E: Title: background has “piano key” and top elegantly arched into border.

F: Frame: “piano key” border replaces plain two-line border.

G: PARH of has been added to the name of each parish.

1. Frankland changed to Franklin

2. Cover changed to Coaver

3. St. Leonard´s Chap now St. Leonard´s Church

4. from Hoopera changed to from Hoopers

a. More trees have been added (e.g. by Reference panel, at Foxes, at Ford´s Gardens, opposite London Gardens) and many field layouts (e.g. north and south of Red Hill, near Hill´s Court, opposite the Aquaducts) have been altered.

b. Three roads have been named: Greenway Lane, Okehampton Road and Pesthouse L. Additionally, To Heavitree Church added on Madford Lane.

c. The parish boundaries now shown where two parishes meet; Parish boundary shown above Hills Court where St Davids Parish / St Sidwells Parish meet; and parish boundary shown on London Road between St Sidwells Parish / Trinity Church.

d. A Mill and Exwick added to the right of the Reference panel

e. Parsonage H named

f. Horse Barracks and Artillery Barracks (top centre) changed to Horse Barracks and Temporary Barracks with addition of buildings

g. Partly Built added at Southernhay and Crescent / Partly Built at Barnfield

h. Mt Radford has been rewritten as Mount Radford and a picture of Mt Radford house replaces the previous plan.

j. Cowick is now Cowick Priory

k. Little Cleave added (to Cleave) and a garden

l. Redhill becomes Haccombe Ho. with copse

m. The Barracks (bottom right) becomes Auxiliary Barracks with extra buildings

n. Devon added at Rougemont Castle

Table. 1. Additions and notations on proof copy of Hayman´s map.

 EXETER as published showing changes from proof copy (example 2).

Corrections and alterations

 All three copies analysed here have exactly the same text as far as one can assess. Differences are noticed in inclusion of what appears to be a proof copy of the map and separate but uncut pages in 1; machine cut pages and modern binding for 2; and smaller, machine cut pages on fine paper for 3.

The changes seen between the proof map and the final version can be categorised in three main groups. A number are design elements such as imprints and decorative features. A few ink corrections made to proof map have been incorporated into the later map. The other changes are engraver´s corrections of a similar nature but not present on the proof copy.

When compared to the proof version the published map has six “layout” changes, these are noted A-G in Table 1 on the previous page and illustrated in the annotated map above.  There are 4 changes resulting from annotations made in black ink on the proof map, noted 1-4. Apart from these content changes, there are a number of other improvements on the finished map mainly concerning roads and buildings, noted a-n.

One important factor to note is that both maps in example 1 are only folded once, vertically through the centre. Due to the page size being identical to the map height the proof copy border only just fits the page, i.e., lacking all possible imprints and signatures. Additionally, it has been pasted onto a thicker sheet of paper before insertion and binding. It is immediately followed by an example of the finished map, but this has only a single imprint above the top border. The final map version (seen in 2 and 3) is folded twice, hence has all the imprints and signatures as shown in the table above under A and B. However, the loss of imprints for both maps in 1 may simply be a result of trimming the pages to fit the book and do not necessarily indicate changes as such.

It is not clear who received the pre-publication proof to suggest changes. It could either be Hayman himself, the two engravers or it could be Jenkins. There seems a good likelihood that if it was Hayman, more of the final changes would be seen on the map. The engravers could not have the knowledge to incorporate changes on their own initiative. In all probability, Jenkins would not have felt it necessary to fill out areas with further trees and reorganise field boundaries. It could be that this proof copy was given to Jenkins who made the ink changes (1 to 4 in the map) and communicated his wishes to Hayman who then added his own corrections (a to n) before submitting instructions to the London engravers, Baker and Wright, who then incorporated the layout changes (A to G).

As well as the person who made corrections to the map there are signs that (up to) three subsequent owners of example 1 and made corrections of their own. There are a number of additions; one person has used red ink; and one person used Indian ink (and had a quill-style handwriting); and there are pencil annotations (Appendix II).

A previous owner of book 2 kindly added manuscript notes at the end consisting of a Chapter-by-Chapter summary of events and a copious index. Copy 3 has been printed on a different quality of paper – very fine, almost translucent. This results in the book being only 30 mm thick (compared to 40 or 44mm of 1 and 2 respectively).

William Upcott in his listing[1] has the following note to Jenkins´ History: A limited number of this work were taken off on FINE THICK PAPER, and TWELVE copies only were printed in Quarto, one of which was sold with part of the Library of Rob. Heathcote, Esq. by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby, 2d of May, 1808, for Eight Pounds. (Upcott´s italics).

To go directly to Chapter IV: Hayman´s map of EXETER as used by T & H Besley - click here.

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[1] Bibliographical Account of the principal works relating to English Topography (London, Printed by Richard and Arthur Taylor) 1818.

 Chapter IV: John Hayman (Henry Besley)

Thomas Besley was born in 1760 and advertised himself as printer, bookseller and stationer or bookbinder and was listed in various directories of the time at Southgate Street (1801 and 1811); at Holy Trinity (1803); and at 76, Bell Hill, South Street (between 1816 and 1834). Thomas and Jane had 6 children including Thomas Junior (he became an independent printer in Exeter) and Henry who eventually became partner and successor to the family business. Few local printers published extensively but Henry Besley could claim to have been one of the most prolific of local publishers.[36]

It would appear that the Besleys managed to obtain the plates which had been used for his map of 1805. They were either in contact with John Hayman or with the publishers. As both Besley and Hayman were living and working in Exeter, the former would seem the more likely. The Besleys did not simply reprint but also expanded the plates, added new title and imprints and included the map in the Exeter Itinerary And General Directory - June 1828. This was Printed and Published by T and H Besley, South Street. Issues of the directory are extant only for the years 1828, 1831 (with no change to the 1828 map), 1836 and 1839.[37]

The title has now been altered to read EXETER in 1828. While the scale (SCALE 800 feet = 24 mm or 1 Mile) and the height remain the same (220 mm) the width has been increased 30 mm (now 210 mm) to incorporate the city Workhouse on the eastern edge of the city. The imprint and signature now read: To Accompany the Exeter Itinerary & General Directory (lower left below frame); and Exeter. Published by the Proprietors, T & H Besley, Printers &c. South Street (centrally 5mm below frame).

This extension to the east, as well as including the City Workhouse, now shows the houses at the top end of St. Sidwell Street (e.g. Peerless Place and Salem Place) and Baring Crescent on the London Road. Coaver, recently commissioned by John Milford of the City Bank, and Bellair (built by John Vowler, a rich grocer, in 1710) can now be seen. 

The Reference Key (now 70 mm inside the frame) has been revised (e.g. Quaker’s Meeting House is now St. Sidwell’s Church) and turned into a scroll. There are a number of new buildings or alterations: the County Bridewell is shown beside the County Gaol and the nearby Barracks are slightly reduced; the Proposed Basin is shown near Trews Wear and the Deaf and Dumb Institute, established 1826, nearby has been added. Mount Radford has become a school (1827). The Racket Court has given way to Dix’s Field (named after previous owner). 

A new canal has been cut at Great Shilhay. In addition, the new gas works, built 1815-1817, has been included on Exe Island. This was situated in Archer Lane, between Tudor Street and Bonhay Road. Collaton Crescent, surprisingly, looks uncompleted. There are a few errors: Broad Gate has not been changed although it and 2 adjoining houses were taken down in 1825 for road widening.

It is possible that this is just a very good copy of the 1805 plate, but many of the original features are so precise in relation to the original that it is almost surely from the same plates but with revisions (in the same hand to a large extent). Could Hayman have been involved? This is not unlikely as he was still an Exeter resident at this time and the Workhouse has been included. However, his signature below the vignette of Exeter Cathedral is now missing (and that of Woolnoth). The map was available separately as shown clearly by an extra slip inserted into the volume at the same page advertising Besley´s printing services: The annexed Map of Exeter to be had separate, Price Plain 2s, coloured in parishes 3s, ditto as beautifully varnished and framed 5s 6d.

This map was used again in 1831 when the Exeter Itinerary And General Directory - July 1831 was issued. Two John Haymans are listed in this, neither of whom are listed under Architects and Land Surveyors or as Artists: one residing in Jeffery´s-Row, Sidwell Street; and another, a joiner, at 2 Adelaide Place, also in Sidwell Street.

The map was revised for inclusion in the Exeter Guide and Itinerary of 1836 (now only published by H Besley, title page not dated but Advertisement is dated). There is a new title Exeter in 1836, but the main change is that the reference key is removed and placed below the map; in the space now uncovered, considerable development is shown such as the New Road is extended from Bedford Crescent and back into Paris Street. Reference 35 is now the Friends’ Meeting House, newly opened, at the new Friar’s Walk. The new Queen Street is already shown as far as the city wall with a suggestion of extension but not yet named (opened 1837).

There are roads and houses between Magdalen Road and Holloway Street (not all complete). The North Road is new and winds from Longbrook Street out to the Bridewell and Gaol before joining the previous New Road and passing near the new reservoir (1833). Here it meets another new road which crosses Pound Lane and meets Northernhay Row near the New City Prison. The Bristol & Exeter Railway is now shown but without start or end: it appears from the compass on the banks of the Exe, follows the river on the northern bank before crossing both Great Shilhay and the river and ceases at the New Basin. The line was enacted in 1836 but not connected to the city until 1844.

For the 1839 directory, The Exeter Guide and Itinerary of 1839 (published by Henry Besley, title page not dated but map has a new title Exeter in 1839) the map was again altered: the new road to the New City Prison has been deleted; the layout of the roads around Magdalen Road has been realigned (corrected) with a new road to join Paris Street; and new properties have sprung up between Longbrook Street and the New North Road. There are outlines of buildings at the New Basin: these were possibly supposed to be the new coal wharfs or the rival gas works built at Haven Banks and opened in May 1839.

Summary

If John Hayman was selected by the publishers of Beauties of England and Wales or by the two leading authors, Britton and Bayley, to draw up a new map of the city, this might well have been common knowledge among those interested in antiquities and the history of Exeter. Hayman was an established surveyor, even if his extant work is scarce. The commission in 1802 to produce maps and plans of St Sidwell show his reputation was established, enough for Britton and Bayley to ask him to draw a plan of the city for them. Producing a manuscript map of one parish area with various areas outlined in ink with tree and hedge symbols; fields … stippled; gardens drawn in detailed plan; roads, named; buildings in plan[38] is a far cry from producing a map of a city. However, the plan succeeded. The publishers of Beauties of England and Wales must have been delighted to obtain such a first-class piece of work, every bit as accomplished as the others in their many volumes.

For Alexander Jenkins (or his publisher) to approach Hayman with a request for a map for his own Magnus Opus is certainly not beyond imagination. Jenkins intimates he was not a learned person, but he was very possibly an accomplished artisan in some field, very possibly also a jeweller like Johns. We know too little about Hayman to judge whether this was an easy or an onerous task: we do know that the map he drew up for Jenkins was certainly as good as the one produced only a year earlier, without being a copy.

The map drawn up for Beauties went on to have a long, and locally, a distinguished career. It lasted until at least 1839 when it was included in the last of the Exeter Itineraries to include this map. The next map of the city to match Hayman´s would be that drawn by Brown (also of Exeter) and engraved by Schmollinger in 1835 for Thomas Moore´s History of Devonshire, a rather unfortunate work which was not ultimately successful.[39] Wood´s map was certainly better, and copied by many, but was never a commercial enterprise. The next “successful” map of the city would be that drawn by the surveyor J Warren (probably from Exeter) and engraved by F P Becker & Co., for Henry Besley´s Route Book series, the first appearing in 1845.[40] This must be testimony enough for any artist.

Appendix I:The illustrations in Alexander Jenkins´ History of Exeter

Appendix II: Corrections to text in "proof" copy of Alexander Jenkins

Appendix III: Changes found in the Second Edition to Alexander Jenkins

                               

[36] I am indebted to the work of Ian Maxted and his contributions to Etched on Devon´s Memory; see especially The Print Trade in Devon at https://etched-on-devons-memory.blogspot.com /2017/03/themes-1-print-trade.html.

[37] The author has copies of all four of these issues. There may be further unrecorded issues.

[38] Ravenhill, Mary & Rowe, Margery; 2002; p.203. Entry 5/7/1.

[39] Bennett, Francis & Batten, Kit; 2011; The Printed Maps of Exeter; Entry 26. See also Jennings vs Fisher at Kits Blog.

[40] Bennett, Francis & Batten, Kit; 2011; 29 and 31.