Andrew Ellicott Finalizes the Shape of the United States
Andrew Ellicott was a Surveyor during the early years of the American Republic.
Ellicott’s contributions literally shaped the United States from Canada to Florida and out through Ohio.
Beyond that, he help the Lewis and Clark Expedition prepare for its adventure to the Pacific Ocean.
Andrew Ellicott
Andrew Ellicott served as a Major with Maryland’s Elk Ridge Battalion during the Revolutionary War.
After hostilities ended, Ellicott took up the profession of surveyor.
Over the ensuing thirty years, Andrew outlined many cities and States up and down the east coast.
From the Mason-Dixon to Erie
In 1784, Ellicott was among a handful of men commissioned to complete the Mason-Dixon Line.
This line, which separates Pennsylvania from Maryland (and later the North from the South), was left unfinished in 1767 when the Native American guides refused to continue onto an enemy tribe’s territory.
After successfully extending the Mason-Dixon, Andrew was then given responsibility for drawing the borders between Western New York, Pennsylvania and the Ohio Valley.
The result of this survey created the Erie Triangle. This is the small piece of Pennsylvania that touches Lake Erie and contains the city of the same name, a city that Ellicott would later be in charge of establishing.
Washington, D.C.
Andrew Ellicott was shortly thereafter hired by President Washington to survey the Capital City.
Now known as Washington, D.C., Ellicott surrounded this place with marker stones (most of which are still on site) and drew that town's first map.
Andrew ran into the original city architect, Pierre L’Enfant, but was an important member of the team that designed America’s modern Capital.
Surveys with Spain
Ellicott was then sent south to discuss border issues with New Spain.
This new endeavor had him acting as part-surveyor and part-diplomat. Andrew proved adept at both and after four years of work was able to settle the boundary with the United States’ tenuous ally.
The result of this work can still be seen on our maps as the line between Alabama and Florida.
Advising Lewis
After some trouble receiving pay from the Adams Administration, Ellicott took a more stable position and began working in the Land Office for Pennsylvania.
During this time, he welcomed Meriwether Lewis into the Ellicott house.
Lewis stayed several months and Ellicott assisted in preparing him for the upcoming Expedition with William Clark.
Ellicott’s input helped Lewis hone his surveying skills as well as choose equipment for the journey.
From Georgia to Canada
Andrew Ellicott was fired when a new Governor came into office who disagreed with his politics.
Ellicott was hired to finalize a border between Georgia and North Carolina but again went unpaid when Georgia didn’t like where he thought the line should be drawn.
Andrew then went north and re-surveyed the line between New York and Canada before passing away of a stroke at the age of 66.
Do you want to read about other FOUNDERS WHO SHAPED AMERICA?
You might like some of these stories:
Simone Dewitt Maps Out New York Transit
George Washington - The Early Years
With such a major contribution to the shape of the United States, it should be no surprise that Ellicott has several books about him.
‘The Stargazer’ is a full biography and the most recent about today’s Founder.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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