On the finest engraved powder horns a map is often shown, usually accompanied by arms. This example bears near the base the Royal Arms and motto “Dieu et Mon Droit”, below it is signed “M. R.” and dated 1768. The map begins with a view of the city of New York at the bottom and extends in a “Y” shape river system where the two arms represent the Mohawk on the left and the Hudson on the right. The right fork reaches the top of the horn at ‘Crown Point’ and extends down the left arm of another “Y” shaped river system. This time it leads down to the St. Lawrence River which extends upriver on the right arm to ‘Montreal’.

In greater detail the view of New York consists of 6 spires with 1 British ship in the harbour. To the right of that is a map of ‘Long Island’ with 3 houses and a further view of the town of Boston with 6 spires. Upriver from New York we find named ‘Albany’, ‘Skinacidy’ with 1 spire, and along the Mohawk River ‘F Hunter’, F Gochry?’ and ‘F Harrma’ before the waterway connection to Lake Oneida and Lake Ontario. Further along the Hudson we find ‘Sratarook?’ with 6 houses, ‘Half Moon’, ‘Stillwater’, ‘Saratoga’, ‘F Miller’, ‘Lake George’, ‘Ticondaroga’ and finally ‘Crown Point’ on Lake Champlain. Most are accompanied with symbols for forts. Dropping back down the horn we continue north into New France with ‘Lake Champlaine’, and the ‘Sorel River’ complete with houses. To the left of these are found engravings of local flora and fauna. Upriver on the St. Lawrence we find ‘3 Rivers’ and ‘Montreal’ complete with 4 spires. Downriver ‘Quebec’ is marked with 1 spire. References: Stephen V. Grancsay American Engraved Powder Horns. A study based on the J. H. Grenville Gilbert Collection. Philadelphia 1976.