Jens Michelsen Beck (1721–1791) was a Danish surveyor, cartographer, landowner, and planter who played a significant role in the development of St. Croix during the Danish colonial period.
Born on January 1, 1721, in Nyborg, Denmark, Beck was the son of a shoemaker. As a young man, he ventured to the Danish West Indies, arriving on St. Thomas in 1742 before transferring to St. Croix in 1743. Initially employed by the Danish West India Company as a junior assistant in administrative roles, Beck was later promoted to senior assistant. While on St. Croix, he honed his skills in surveying and cartography, eventually rising to the position of chief surveyor for the island.
One of Beck’s most enduring contributions was the creation of a historical map of St. Croix, which remains widely reproduced today. This map built upon earlier work by the formal cartographers Johann Cronenberg and Johann von Jägersberg, who were commissioned by the Danish West India Company during the period from 1734 to 1754. While Cronenberg’s map was sent to Copenhagen in 1750, it was never published due to its highly detailed and colorized format, which made it unsuitable for engraving and reproduction.
In contrast, Beck’s 1754 interpretation struck a practical balance, making it suitable for printing while offering enhanced detail of the North Shore, along the area labeled as “U-optagne Grunde” (undocumented ground). During the period from 1734 to 1754, as land parcels were being sold for development, the process likely resembled a chaotic “Wild West,” with minimal formal surveying and widespread disputes over property boundaries.
Beck’s published map brought clarity to the island’s land distribution, correcting estate boundaries and formalizing ownership. However, these adjustments led to accusations against Beck, with claims that he had improperly taken land from some owners and reassigned it to others. This controversy possibly led to his return to Denmark.
Despite lacking formal training in surveying, Beck earned a reputation as a highly skilled and respected professional. His maps and urban planning projects, such as the layout of Frederiksted, highlight the expertise he acquired through practical experience. His career exemplifies how individuals in colonial administrations adapted and developed specialized skills to meet the demands of their roles.
In 1750, Beck established the Beck Grove Plantation in St. Croix’s West End. Utilizing natural springs on the property, Beck developed the plantation primarily for sugar cane cultivation. By 1766, the estate operated with 86 enslaved laborers.
In 1754, Beck returned to Denmark, leaving the management of Beck Grove in the hands of an overseer, Adam Søbøtker. In 1758, he married Louise Sophie Hagen, with whom he had eight children. After the death of Louise Sophie in 1777, Beck purchased Gentoftegård, an estate north of Copenhagen, where he lived with his children. His son Michael later attempted to manage the plantation on St. Croix but tragically lost his life in a hurricane. By 1787, Beck decided to sell the St Croix estate.
Jens Michelsen Beck’s life and work reflect the complexities and contributions of colonial administrators in shaping the history of the Danish West Indies, particularly St. Croix. His legacy endures through his maps, which continue to provide valuable insights into the island’s 18th-century landscape.