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Ownership history
Here you can read about different kinds of property in the colony. For instance about maps of plantations and towns in the three islands, and about where the ownership of land, houses, enslaved laborers and much more was recorded.
Tema
The end of slavery – Compensation to the slave owners
In 1848, Governor-General Peter von Scholten abolished slavery in order to avert a slave rebellion in the Danish colony in the West Indies. The slave owners had with one stroke lost their property – a fortune for many. They wanted indemnification, but ended up only receiving a minor compensation.
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Tema
Life in the colony – Tax data reports
The tax data reports that formed a basis for taxes to the Danish state contained detailed information about both the free and the subjugated populations in the West Indian colony. The reports are therefore important sources today for knowledge about the conditions in the colony.
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Tema
Life in the colony – Reports from the plantations
Plantation owners with debts to the Danish state sent frequent reports to the authorities with detailed information about the state of affairs at each plantation. Today the reports are important sources for knowledge about the harsh circumstances under which the enslaved laborers in particular lived in the colony.
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Tema
Oxholm’s West Indies maps and drawings: St. Croix, Christiansted
One of the best collections of maps and drawings from the Danish West Indies was made by the officer Peter Lotharius Oxholm in the years 1778-1780. The collection contains 32 maps and drawings, including 9 maps from Christiansted on St. Croix.
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Tema
Oxholm’s West Indies maps and drawings: St. Thomas
One of the best collections of maps and drawings from the Danish West Indies was made by the officer Peter Lotharius Oxholm in the years 1778-1780. The collection contains 32 maps and drawings, including 11 maps from St. Thomas.
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Tema
Oxholm’s West Indies maps and drawings: St. John
One of the best collections of maps and drawings from the Danish West Indies was made by the officer Peter Lotharius Oxholm in the years 1778-1780. The collection contains 32 maps and drawings, including 4 maps from St. John.
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Tema
Oxholm’s West Indies maps and drawings: St. Croix, Frederiksted
One of the best collections of maps and drawings from the Danish West Indies was made by the officer Peter Lotharius Oxholm in the years 1778-1780. The collection contains 32 maps and drawings, including 8 maps of Frederiksted on St. Croix.
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