Plan of the Ancient Possessions of the Upper Prairie…

Antique reproduction of an early map of Vincennes published as part of ongoing litigation.

This spectacular map of early Vincennes was printed in 1834 as part of The American State Papers, which were a private operation designed to produce public documents before the Congressional Publishing Office was created. But the information on the map actually relates to a series of lawsuits over lands claimed by some of the immediately recognizable founding families in Southern Indiana. Apparently, they (or their heirs) purchased these lands from native tribes, and the federal government claimed the transaction was illegal. One reason they give is because the original purchase, dated 1763, was under the rule of Great Britain and the king prevented private purchase of land. Each defendant would go on to lose their suit and forfeit their claims along the Wabash River that would eventually become part of Vincennes University. This is perhaps a fitting end, since many of the individuals named were on the original board of trustees for the university, including Henry Vanderburgh, William Harrison, and Francis Vigo.