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AVERY ARCHITECTURAL AND FINE ARTS LIBRARY GIFT OF SEYMOUR B. DURST OLD YORK LIBRARY
THE FIRST NEW YORK CITY DIRECTORY.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
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Carte Blanche
ROEDE
STATES
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A Magnificent Rich Wine.
The New Dry Wine.
Acknowledged hy connoisseurs to be the finest Champagne imported into the United States
SOLD BY THE LEADING WINE MERCHANTS AND GROCERS.
AGENTS: ALEX. D. SHAW & CO., 58 Broad Street, NEW YORK,
DR. JAEGER'S 827 & 829 BROADWAY, NEW YORK.
L. C. HOPKINS, President.
NORM
: DR JAEGER'S SANITARY ". SOLE CONCESSIONARIES
WOOLLEN SYSTEM CO ...
PATENT
PATENT
Prof. Dr Ga
PURE
TRADE
WARRANTED
MARK.
L.
Sanitary Woolen System Co.,
JNO. J. DONALDSON, Vice-Pres't.
A. L. TAYLOR, Treas.
DR. JAEGER'S WOOLEN CLOTHING is sanatory, not be- cause the garments are " medicated," or " magnetized," but because they are made of a material provided by Nature for the clothing of an animal: a material, therefore, endowed with properties (non-con- ductivity to heat and permeability to moisture) which make it auxiliary to the functions of that great HEALTH-REGULATING ORGAN, the Human Skin. Its hygienic virtues are inherent, and as durable as the animal fibre itself.
The material is also woven, cut, and made with special reference to its relations to the body anatomically and physiologically.
Every garment, therefore, made under the JJaeger system is sanatory -that is conducive to health, preserving, improving, and restoring it. The garments are all made of absolutely pure wool, and of every description for men, women, and children.
The Underwear manufactured from "Stockinet," a beautifully woven texture of natural gray, undyed wool, is fine, soft, " smooth as silk," does not "irritate the skin," can be worn with the greatest com- fort in summer and winter. Ladies' underwear, and men's negligee shirts, also in pure white. Writing of this underwear, DR. HART, Presi- dent of the National Health Society of Great Britain, says : " I con- sider it a contribution to Hygiene of the highest importance."
THE SANATORY BOOTS AND SHOES worn with the Sanatory Socks, keep the feet clean, fresh, dry, and warm, "free from corns and other feet troubles."
W. LEONARD, of Bristol, England, says : "Till I used your boots, I never knew what it was to have warm feet in the winter," and of the SANATORY HATS, which keep the forehead dry and cool, the same writer states : "It is the most comfortable hat I have ever had."
THE SANATORY BEDDING, of pure undyed Wool or Camel-Hair, is protective against cold and chills, and highly conducive to sound, restful sleep, especially for persons suffering from insomnia or neuralgic affections.
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Wholesale Warerooma : $97 and 829 Broadway, New York.
Branch Stores : ( 199 Broadway ( Western Union Building). 1 3fr Tulton Street, Brookl ....
U
ampad
ESTABLISHED 1835.
JAMES A. WEBB & SON,
165 Pearl Street, New York,
- MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN -
ALCOHOL AND o
COLOGNE SPIRIT,
WARRANTED IN EVERY RESPECT.
For Sale, Tax Paid, or in Bond for Export or for Proprietary Use in Bond, in quantities to suit Purchasers. Being the Inventors and Patentees of Camphene and other ILLUMINATING FLUIDS, we still retain our Business in
SPIRITS OF TURPENTINE, ROSIN, PITCH, TAR, Etc.
- - ALL OF WHICH -
WE FURNISH AT LOWEST MARKET PRICES.
The Mutual
Reserve Fund :
i Life Association,
POTTER BUILDING, 38 PARK ROW, N. Y.
E. B. HARPER, President.
Furnishes Life Insurance at One-half the Rates usually charged by Stock Companies.
Its system requires its members to pay only the Actual Cost for death claims-as they occur, and after they occur.
It has One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars in Assets.
It has One Million, Two Hundred Thousand Dollars Surplus.
1
Its Tontine Reserve Fund Exceeds One Million, One Hundred Thousand Dollars in Cash.
It has paid more than Three and One-half Millions of Dollars in Death Claims.
It issues a free policy ; no restrictions being placed upon its members as to Residence, Travel, or Occupation-except Military, when in actual service.
THE MUTUAL RESERVE FUND LIFE ASSOCIATION is the most popu- lar and progressive Life Association in the world.
FURTHER INFORMATION FURNISHED AT HOME OFFICE.
CHRYSTIE & JANNEY, BANKERS
23 & 25 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK, CORNER OF CEDAR.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES,
MUNICIPAL AND RAILROAD BONDS.
Transact a General Banking Business. Allow Interest on Daily Balances. Collect Drafts, Notes, Dividends, and Coupons, in the United States and Canada, and Invite Correspondence.
THE SAFE DEPOSIT CO. OF NEW YORK. THE FIRST ESTABLISHED IN THE WORLD.
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OFFERS UNEQUALLED SECURITY.
Rents Safes in its Burglar-proof Vaults.
RECEIVES SILVERWARE ON DEPOSIT. The Offices have been newly Furnished with
Every Improvement and Security.
RENT A SAFE FOR YOUR EXCLUSIVE USE.
PLACING YOUR SECURITIES IN A FRIEND'S SAFE SOMETIMES CAUSES INCONVENIENCE IN CASE OF ABSENCE OR DEATH.
140, 142, and 146 Broadway.
FRANCIS M. JENCKS, GEORGE H. VOSE, SECRETARY.
PRESIDENT.
R
b:
T
ESTABLISHED 1839.
CROUCH & FITZGERALD, Manufacturers of the Most Reliable
Trunks, Bags, et Valises,
STORES 1
No. 1 Cortlandt Street, corner Broadway.
" 556 Broadway, between Prince and Spring Streets. " 723 Sixth Avenue, between 41st and 42d Streets.
Factory, 352 & 354 West 41st Street, NEW YORK.
Fac-Simile Reprint of First Directory
THE
NEW YORK DIRECTORY
FOR
1786
ILLUSTRATED WITH A PLAN OF THE CITY
PREFACED BY A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK BY NOAH WEBSTER
ALSO WITH AN APPENDIX CONSISTING OF ANNALS OF NEW YORK CITY 1786 Compiled for this Work
PUBLISHED BY THE TROW CITY DIRECTORY COMPANY 11 UNIVERSITY PLACE, N. Y.
128 2 . A 1786
J. B. BREWSTER Co.,
- OF -
25th STREET.
WAREROOMS :
Fifth Avenue, cor. 42d Street.
MANUFACTURERS OF
Elegant Carriages
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION.
-SOLE MANUFACTURERS OF-
THE BREWSTER WAGON
-WITH-
VERTICAL STEEL PLATES IN AXLE BEDS.
MANUFACTORY : 141 to 153 East 25th Street, Near Lexington Avenue.
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
BY NOAH WEBSTER.
This city stands on the South-west point of an island, at the confluence of the Hudson and East- River. The principal part of the City lies on the East side of the island ; altho the buildings extend from one river to the other. The length of the City, on the East-River is about two miles ; but falls much short of that distance on the banks of the Hudson. Its breadth, on an average, is nearly three-quarters of a mile ; and its circumference may be four miles. The plan of the city is not perfectly regular, but is laid out with reference to the situa- tion of the ground. The principal streets run nearly parallel with the rivers. These are intersected, tho not at right angles, by streets running from river to river. In the width of the streets, there is a great diversity. Water-street and Queen-street, · which occupy the banks of the East-River, are very con- veniently situated for business, but they are low and too narrow ; not admitting, in some places, of walks on the sides for foot-passengers. Broad-street, ex- tending from the Exchange to City-hall, is suffi- ciently wide. This was originally built on each side
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DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
of a creek, which penetrated almost to the City-hall. This street is low, but pleasant ; and that part which did not suffer by the fire during the war, is gener- ally well built ; the other is recovering from its ruins.
But the most convenient and agreeable part of the city is Broadway. This street runs upon the height of land between the two rivers, beginning at the fort, near the South end of the City, and ex- tending to the Hospital, in front of which it opens into an extensive plain or common. This street is wide, and elevated so as to command a delightful prospect of the town, and the Hudson.
Wall-street is generally wide and elevated, and the buildings elegant. Hanover-square and Dock-street, are conveniently situated for business, and the houses well built. William-street is also elevated and con- venient, and is the principal market for the retailing of dry goods. Many of the other streets are pleas- ant, but most of them are irregular and narrow.
The houses are generally built of brick, and the roofs tiled. There are remaining a few houses built after the old Dutch manner ; but the English taste has prevailed, almost a century.
Upon the South-west point of the island stands the fort, which is a square with four bastions ; within the walls of which the Governors used for- merly to reside. Below the fort, near the water, there is a line of fortifications of considerable ex- tent, designed to command the entrance into both rivers. But it is questionable whether any number
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1796.
of cannon would prevent ships from passing with a favorable wind and' tide ; and indeed whether New York is capable of defence by land against a powerful marine force. The battery, however, in the sum- mer season, furnishes the citizens with an agreeable walk, which is open to refreshing breezes from the bay.
The City-hall is a brick building, more strong than elegant. It is three stories in height, with wings at each end, and fronts Broad-street, which affords an extensive prospect. The first floor is an open walk, except two small apartments for the door-keeper and city watch. In the second story of the Eastern wing, is the Assembly-chamber, now oc- cupied by Congress, and adorned with the following paintings : The portrait of the great Columbus, belonging to the Assembly of this State ; a painting valuable only for its antiquity and the character of the man-the likenesses of the King and Queen of France, as large as the life, executed in a masterly manner, and presented to Congress by his Most Christian Majesty ; equally valuable for the richness of the paintings, the dignity of the personages whom they represent, and as pledges of royal friendship. The likeness of General Washington, presented by a gentleman · in England ; a likeness dear to every American, and .destined to grace the walls of every Council chamber in the new world.
The Western wing contains a room for the Coun- cil or Senate, now occupied by the Secretary of Con- gress, and another for the Mayor's Court. In the
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DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
body of the house is a spacious hall for the Supreme Judicial Court.
There are three houses of public worship belong- ing to the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, one is called the Old Dutch Church, which was built in the year 1693, and rebuilt in the year 1766 ; and another is called the North Church, which was founded in the year 1767, and dedicated to the ser- vice of God, in the year 1769. This last church being ruined by the British during the late war, was repaired in the year 1784, and has been used with the old church for the performance of divine service. The middle church, generally called the New Dutch Church, was built in the year 1729 : it is the most spacious of the three, but was also ruined in the war, and is not yet fully repaired.
The people of this denomination were the first settlers of this State, and make a respectable part of the citizens. The church in the city is considered as one church or congregation, though worshipping in different places. The charter, or act of incorpo- ration, was granted by William the Third, in the year 1696, when Benjamin Fletcher, Esq., was Gov- ernor of the Province. The Ministers, Elders, and Deacons, are the body corporate, and hold consid- erable property. Many years before the war, they found it necessary, by reason of the decline of the Dutch language, to have service performed in English, and had then two Dutch and two English Ministers. Since the war, it has been performed chiefly in Eng- lish, and they have at present only two Ministers.
vii
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
There are four Presbyterian Churches in the city of New York. The first was erected in the year 1619. It was built of stone, and rebuilt and en- larged in the year 1748. It is eighty feet long and sixty wide, with a cupola and bell; and stands in the upper end of Wall-street, the North side of the street, near the Broadway. The second was erected in the year 1767, is a genteel brick building, thirty- three feet long, and sixty-five feet wide, with a steeple not finished ; it stands on the East side of the green, at the head of Beekman and Nassau- streets.
The congregations worshipping in these churches are connected with each other, under the care of the same Ministers, who preach alternately in them, and having the same Elders and Deacons ; their tem- poralities also are managed by the same Trustees, incorporated under the law of the State passed in April 1784, capacitating religious societies of every denomination to incorporate themselves, for the purposes therein mentioned.
The third Presbyterian Church was erected in the year 1768, is a genteel stone building, sixty-five and- a-half feet long, and fifty-five and-a-half feet wide ; and stands in Little Queen-street, not far from the Broadway. This church is also incorporated agree- ably to the same law.
These three churches were occupied by the Brit- ish during the late war, as hospitals and barracks, and were left by them in a most ruinous situation, and have been repaired with great neatness, and at
viii
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
a very great expense, by their respective congrega- tions, since the peace.
The fourth Presbyterian church was erected in the year 1787, is a neat frame building, fifty feet long and twenty-four feet wide, and stands in Nas- sau-street.
The Clergy of the Presbyterian Churches of this city are maintained by the revenues arising from the rents of their pews.
There are three Episcopal Churches in New York, under one charter, which was granted the sixth of May, 1697. Trinity Church was built in the year 1696, and at several times afterwards improved and enlarged. It was situated on the West side of Broadway, in view of the Hudson, with a spacious cemetery on each side; including the tower and chancel, it was about one hundred and forty-eight feet in length and seventy-two in breadth; and the steeple one hundred and seventy-three feet in height. This was supposed to be the most stately building of the kind in America, but it was destroyed in the fire which happened just after the British troops entered the city, in 1776. It is now in con- templation to rebuild it; and several thousand pounds are already subscribed for the purpose.
St. George's Chapel, in Beekman-street, was fin- ished in 1750. This is a neat building, formed with hewn-stone, and the roof tiled.
St. Paul's Chapel, in Broadway, was completed in 1766. This building, which is in itself elegant, is embellished with a superb monument, erected by
ix
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
order of Congress and at the expense of the United States, to the memory of the brave General Mont- gomery, who fell in the attack of Quebec, December, 31, 1775.
To the foregoing may be added the following Churches :
German Lutheran. 2
Roman Catholic. 1
Friends' Meeting 1
Anabaptists 1
Moravians 1
Jews Synagogue. .1
Hudson River was first discovered in 1608, by Henry Hudson, an Englishman, who sold his claim to the Dutch. In 1612, the States General granted . a Patent to several merchants for an exclusive trade on the river Hudson. The same year this Company built a fort on the West side of the river, near Al- bany, and named it Fort Orange. The next year a fort was built on the South-west point of Manhat- tan's, now York island ; but the first settlers planted themselves about two miles from this fort and built a church, there, the ruins of which, it is said, are still visible, near the two mile stone on the public road. In this situation, finding themselves insecure during the Wars between the English and Dutch, they left this place and planted their habitations under the guns of the fort; which laid the founda- tion of the present city.
New York remained in possession of the Dutch
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DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
until 1664, when it was surrendered by Colonel Nicolls, who was commissioned by James, Duke of York, to whom his brother, Charles II, of England had made a grant of it, the same year. In 1667, at the peace of Breda, New York was conferred to the English, who, in exchange, ceded Surinam to the Dutch. In the war of 1673, the Dutch again pos- sessed themselves of New York ; but at the treaty of peace, signed at Westminster, the following year, New York was restored to the English, in whose hands it remained till the late Revolution.
While New York remained in possession of the Dutch, it was called New Netherlands and governed by a Schout, Burgomasters, and Schepens. From its surrender to the English, in 1664, to 1683, the · province was ruled by Governors, appointed and commissioned by the Duke of York, and their coun- cil, whose rules and orders had the force of laws. From the last-named period, the people was ad- mitted to a share of the legislative authority. The government of the city (which was first incorpo- rated in 1696), is now in the hands of a Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council. The city is di- vided into seven wards, in each of which there is chosen, annually, by the people, an Alderman and an Assistant, who, together with the Mayor and Re- corder, form the Common Council. The Mayor and Recorder are appointed annually by the Coun- cil of Appointment.
The Mayor's Court, which is held from time to time by adjournment, is in high reputation as a
xi
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
Court of Law. A Court of Sessions is likewise held for criminal causes.
The situation of the city is both healthy and pleasant. Surrounded on all sides by water, it is refreshed with cool breezes in summer, and the air in winter is more temperate than in other places under the same parallel.
York island is fifteen miles in length, and hardly one in breadth. It is joined to the main by a bridge called King's-bridge. The channels between Long and Staten islands, and between Long and York-islands, are so narrow as to occasion an un- usual rapidity of the tides, which is increased by the confluence of the waters of the Hudson and East river. This rapidity, in general, prevents the obstruction of the channel by ice ; so that the navi- gation is clear, except for a few days in seasons when the weather is uncommonly severe. There is no basin or bay for the reception of ships ; but the road where they lie, in East-river, is defended from the violence of the sea by the islands which inter- lock with each other ; so that, except that of Rhode- Island, the harbor of New York, which admits ships of any burthen, is the best in the United States.
The city is esteemed the most eligible situation for commerce in the United States. It almost neces- sarily commands the trade of one-half of New Jer- sey, most of that of Connecticut, and part of that of Massachusetts, besides the whole fertile interior country, which is penetrated by one of the larg- est rivers in America, navigable one hundred and
xii
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
seventy miles. This city imports most of the goods consumed between a line thirty miles East of Con- necticut river, and twenty miles West of the Hud- son, which is one hundred and thirty miles ; and between the ocean and the confines of Canada, about two hundred and fifty miles ; a considerable portion of which is the best-peopled of any part of the United States ; and the whole territory contains at least half a million of people, or one-sixth of the in- habitants in the Union. Besides, some of the other States are partially supplied with goods from New York. But in the staple commodity, flour, Penn- sylvania and Maryland have rivalled it-the super- fine flour of those States commanding a higher price than that of New York.
In the manufacture, likewise, of iron, paper, cabi- net-works, &c., Pennsylvania exceeds not only New York, but all her sister States. In times of peace, however, New York will command more commercial business than any town in the United States. In time of war, it will be insecure, without a marine force ; but a small number of ships will be able to defend it from the most formidable attacks by sea.
Eight miles northward of the city, is a strait be- tween Long and York islands, which is, with great propriety, called Hell-gate. The passage is narrow, and the middle of it is obstructed with rocks, so as to occasion a most violent rapidity of the tides. Except at high and low water, this strait is impass- able, without a strong breeze sufficient to counteract the current, and even then the navigation is extreme-
xiii
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
ly hazardous. The tides which flow from the East and West, meet at Frog's Point, several miles to the eastward of Hell-gate ; for which reason the ebbing and flowing are remarkably sudden at this place. The channel at Hell-gate is deep enough for frigates, but vessels usually wait for high or low water, when the sea is generally smooth, and the strait is naviga- ble on each side of the rocks.
A want of good water is a great inconvenience to the citizens, there being few wells in the city. Most of the people are supplied, every day, with fresh water, conveyed to their doors in casks, from a pump near the head of Queen-street, which re- ceives it from a pond, almost a mile from the city. Several proposals have been made by individuals, to supply the citizens by pipes ; but none have yet been accepted.
The following is the character of the inhabitants of this city, drawn by a faithful hand in 1756 :
"New York is one of the most social Places on the Continent. The Men collect themselves into weekly Evening Clubs. The Ladies, in Winter, are frequently entertained either at Concerts of Musick or Assemblies, and make a very good appearance. They are comely and dress well, and scarce any of them have distorted Shapes. Tinctured with a Dutch Education, they manage their Families with becoming Parsimony, good Providence, and singular Neatness. The Practice of extravagant Gaming, common to the fashionable Part of the fair Sex, in some Places, is a Vice with which my Countrywomen
xiv
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
cannot justly be charged. There is nothing they so generally neglect as Reading, and indeed all the Arts for the Improvement of the Mind, in which, I confess, we have set them the Example. They are modest, temperate and charitable ; naturally spright- ly, sensible, and good-humoured ; and, by the Helps of a more elevated Education, could possess all the Accomplishments desirable in the Sex. Our Schools are in the lowest Order; the instructors want In- struction ; and through a long shameful Neglect of the Arts and Sciences, our common Speech is ex- tremely corrupt, and the Evidences of a bad Taste, both as to Thought and Language, are visible in all our Proceedings, publick and private.
" The People, both in Town and Country, are sober; industrious, and hospitable, though intent on Gain. The richer Sort keep very plentiful Tables, abounding with great Varieties of Flesh, Fish, Fowl, and all kinds of Vegetables.
"The Inhabitants of this Colony are in general healthy and robust ; taller, but shorter lived, than Europeans ; and, both with Respect to their Minds and Bodies, arrive sooner to an Age of Maturity. Breathing a serene, dry Air, they are more sprightly in their natural Tempers than the People of Eng- land ; and hence Instances of Suicide are here very uncommon. Few Physicians amongst us are eminent for their Skill. Quacks abound like Locusts in Egypt ; and too many have recommended themselves to a full Practice and profitable Subsistence. This is less to be wondered at, as the Profession is under
XV
DESCRIPTION OF NEW YORK IN 1786.
no kind of Regulation."-Smith's History of New York, page 211.
Admitting this be a candid representation of facts, at the time it was drawn, yet many material changes have taken place which ought to be noticed.
The change of the inhabitants, by the Revolution, was considerable, and had some effect upon the general character of the citizens. Notwithstanding, in point of sociability and hospitality, New York is hardly exceeded by any town in the United States. The principal families, by associating, in their public amusements, with the middling class of well-bred citizens, render their rank subservient to the happi- ness of society, and prevent that party-spirit, which an affectation of superiority in certain families in Philadelphia, has produced in that city-a spirit which disturbs or destroys their public amusements, and which has given the citizens, too generally, per- haps, the reputation of being inhospitable .*
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