USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York > Part 5
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CHAPTER VI.
THE PROGRESS OF THE CITY.
AFTER the quiet of the country was restored, and events appeared to justify the inhabitants in the expectation that no further apprehension need be felt with respect to the designs of England against the Dutch possessions in Amer- ica, the progressive welfare of the city received the atten- tion of the magistrates.
The city then contained several thoroughfares, irregu- larly, laid out, having been adapted to the nature of the ground in its original state, diversified by hills, valleys, marshes and streams; all the thoroughfares being yet in the condition of country roads, without pavement or other improvement. To establish some regularity with regard to the streets, was a primary object, with which intent a survey of the town had been ordered in 1654; but the more stirring events of that year had caused the subject to drop for that time. In 1656, however, this survey was com- pleted; and the city was laid down upon a map, and con- firmed by law, " to remain, from that time forward, without alteration."
Most of the houses were then built of wood, and many of them in such a rude manner as to have chimneys made of boards, and merely plastered, and roofs thatched with
64
CITY SURVEYED, AND STREETS FIRST NAMED.
reeds; these were ordered to be improved, so as to avoid the danger of fire. When new lots were granted by the public authorities, which were only to actual settlers, and upon condition that they should be improved without delay, the magistrates were strict in enforcing perform ance of the conditions; and as several persons had previ- ously received grants of large lots, for gardens, which they were now disposed to keep in their original condition, for speculative purposes, these were ordered either to sell or build on their lots, and in case of refusal, the lots were taxed. The burgomasters also enacted orders against casting filth into the streets; for the removal of hog pens and hay barracks from the fronts of the streets; and for the building of fences so as to leave no lots open on the highway.
The streets established by this original survey of the city, were named as follows: T'Marckvelt; De Heere straat ; De Hoogh straat; De Wall; T'Water; De Perel straat; Aghter de Perel straat; De Brouwer straat; De Winckel straat; De Brugh straat; De Heere graft; De Prince graft; De Prince straat; De Bever graft; T. Marckvelt steegie; De Smee straat; De Smits Valey. The locality of these streets, with particulars of their early history, will be found in a subsequent part of this book.
In the year 1658, stone pavements were first laid in the streets of this city; the street earliest improved in this manner, being the present Stone street, between Broad and Whitehall streets. The pavement of Bridge street followed, in the same year; and within the subsequent two years several of the other streets, most used, and situated in low ground, were likewise paved. These pavements were of cobble stones, without foot-walks for passengers-
65
WHARF ALONG THE EAST RIVER SHORE.
the gutter, for carrying off the water, running through the middle of the street.
Among the most important improvements of that day, was that undertaken for the protection of the shore along the East river, from the washing of the tide. This work had been partially done by the inhabitants whose lots fronted on the water, but so imperfectly as to occasion the necessity of a general ordinance. At some places rough stone walls had been built along the shore; at others, planks had been driven into the ground, and at others, no improvement had been made. It was designed to extend the whole distance below Wall street, on the present south line of Pearl street. The general ordinance under which this work was constructed, was as follows: "Whereas, the sheeting in front of the city hall, and before the city gate, (at Wall street,) on the East river, and some other places thereabout, is finished, and some is also begun by others, therefore, for the uniformity of the work, all who have houses on the water side, between the city-hall and the gate are ordered to line the banks with plank, according to the general plan and survey; to be completed between this and 17th December, 1656."
Up to the period of which we now write, there had been but one wharf in the town; the ships were in the custom of mooring in the East river, and sending their cargoes ashore in scows. This wharf, which was on the present line of Moore street, running out from Pearl street, was of small dimensions, extending but little further into the stream than low water mark, and scows were compelled to come up at the head of the pier. We find mention of this wharf first in 1644, though it had, probably, existed from the first settlement of the town. To this pier an
5
66
ESTABLISHMENT OF PUBLIC MARKETS.
addition was made, in the year 1659, by an extension of fifty feet. The vicinity of this place was the centre of trade for many years, several of the principal merchants, in the times of the Dutch, occupying the present north side of Pearl street, between Broad and Whitehall streets.
The first establishment of public markets may be set down at this period. Some attempt, without permanent success, had been previously made toward this object, and the custom had, until this time, commonly prevailed of country people bringing their products to town, and retail- ing them from door to door, or waiting at convenient localities for transient custom. In the spirit of progress, which prevailed in 1656, it was enacted that "whereas, divers articles, such as meat, pork, butter, cheese, turnips, cabbage, and other country produce, are from time to time brought here for sale by the people living in the country, and oftentimes wait at the strand, (foot of Whitehall street) without the people living out of that immediate neighbor- hood knowing that such things are for sale in town; there- fore, it is ordered that from this time forward, Saturday in each week shall be appointed as market day, the articles to be brought on the beach, near Mr. Hans Kiersted's house, of which all shall take notice." The house of Dr. Kiersted, here referred to, occupied the present north-east corner of Pearl and Whitehall streets. The country market, or place for the standing of country wagons, remained at this place for many subsequent years.
In the year 1658, a meat market was established, and a small house erected for that purpose on the plain in front of the fort, or the present site of the Bowling Green; and in 1659 a great yearly fair for the sale of cattle, was estab- lished in this city, the exchange or meeting-place for the
67
OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY.
buyers and sellers being at the present Bowling Green. The cattle were ranged along the west side of Broadway, posts having been driven in front of the church-yard, (near Morris street) to which the animals were fastened. This great fair commenced annually, on the 20th of October and closed the last of November; its continuance, there- fore, being about six weeks. It was the principal season of trade in New Amsterdam. Strangers from all the neighboring country, extending to the English settlements in Connecticut and on Long Island, being then attracted to the city. During that time no stranger was liable to arrest for debt, and every encouragement was given, to induce the assemblage of a large concourse of people. This yearly fair continued to be held in the city for more than thirty years subsequently.
With respect to the condition of the island, beyond the immediate limits of the city-there were, at this time, a considerable number of farms under cultivation, but the greater portion of the island still lay without inclosures, used as commons for the running of cattle. A part of these common lands lying in the neighborhood of the fresh- water ponds, on and adjacent to the present Park, was fenced in and appropriated to the pasturage of the cows belonging to the inhabitants of the town. These were driven forth in the morning, through the gates of the city, along the present Broadway, and through Pearl street and Maiden lane, and were returned in the evening. A person named Gabriel Carpesy, residing on the present William street, near Hanover square, followed, for some years, the business of a herdsman, and was employed by many of the inhabitants to take charge of the morning and evening
68
UPPER SECTION OF THE ISLAND.
journeys of their cattle. The manner of collecting the droves was by perambulating the several streets, and blowing a horn at the gates of the inhabitants, whose business it then was to have their cows in readiness to be turned out to join the drove. On the return, at evening, · the animals, accustomed to their own domicil, left their company and awaited at their gate the attention of the family, the herdsman blowing his horn as he passed along.
There was a large portion of the island without inclos- ure, and generally covered by woods, in which were running a large number of domestic animals, of every kind and all genders, placed there to multiply and to replenish the land. These animals were the property of individual owners, the marks of whom were branded upon them, at certain seasons, by officers specially authorized for that purpose. On these occasions, public notice was given by the "brand-masters," and the animals, with their young, were driven into one section of the island, where the whole being branded anew, were turned loose again into the woods.
The road to Harlem, in those times, lay mostly through the woods, and was in a condition hardly fit for travel in many seasons. Some years subsequently, (1671) a new road was found necessary, the first having become im- passable. The village of New Harlem, as it was then called, was composed of a community of farmers, the flat and fertile section in that vicinity, having been early chosen as the most desirable farming lands on this island. A small tavern stood on the banks of Harlem river, from which boats took passengers to the opposite
-
69
THE "BOUWERY."
shore. This tavern was the occasional point of excursion for riding parties from the city, and was generally known as the " Wedding-Place."
On the road to Harlem, near the Governor's farm or " Bouwery," a small settlement of three or four houses sprung up, about the time of Governor Stuyvesant, a tavern having been set up there by a Mr. Jansen. This place became a resort to pedestrians from the town, the road having been handsomely laid out, of unusual width, and greatly improved under Stuyvesant's direction. One or two small taverns were on the road between the town and the "Bouwery," the principal of which was that of Wolfert Webber, near the present Chatham square, who was, probably, the earliest settler on that road between the city and Harlem. Webber's house was built in the year 1648, and had been the centre of many scenes of stir- ring incident, having frequently been assaulted and robbed in times of Indian troubles.
The only other hamlet or village on the island, was at " Sapokanican," afterward called Greenwich, and now in the Eighth and Ninth Wards of this city. Plantations were established here soon after the settlement of the island, and at the time of Governor Stuyvesant, a few houses formed a small village there.
It was before observed that several plantations on this island, were under cultivation by individuals. The West India Company also owned several large farms which they had selected and reserved to themselves, soon after the settlement of the island. One of these, commonly called the Company's Farm, lay on the present west side of Broadway, between Chambers and Fulton streets, and
70
FARMS.
extending to the North river shore. It was confiscated by the English, and became afterward known as the King's Farm. Subsequently it was ceded to the Trinity Church. Three other farms were let out to tenants. They lay along the high road, at present known as Chat- ham street and the Bowery.
1
, Fun AMSTERDAM cen fiedeken un Acord . Amerikaes . Vier Holland, go het
IN AMSTERDAM a small Cuxen Manhattan bland, New Holland, North America new called New York & is a part of the English Colonies Ibase 1687
ulant. Hankattan ramaels . Vicu jork gennemt , to en Act geruchle in 't gebiet der Eumilken 1657.
CHAPTER VII.
THE CONDITION OF THE CITY AT THE TIME OF THE CAPITULATION TO THE ENGLISH IN 1664.
To illustrate the early condition of the city, it is pro- posed to adopt the period at which the rule of the Dutch terminated, after the city had been under their auspices between thirty and forty years, and had grown up to be a considerable town, of about fifteen hundred inhabit- ants; and for the purpose of presenting the Dutch city in its precise aspect, we shall conduct the reader through every street, and particularize the several residents.
It has been observed that the boundary of the city was principally defined by the stockades erected, in 1653, on the present line of Wall street; and also, that along the west side of the road, on the shore of the East river, on the present line of Pearl street, several of the citizens had established their residences, at a very early period. This road, between the city gate and the ferry, at the present site of Peck slip, was known as "De Smit's Valey," or " The Smith's Valley. The origin of this name is ascribed to the circumstance that Cornelius Clopper, a blacksmith, established himself on the present corner of Maiden lane and Pearl street. Here he intercepted the country people from Long Island, and pursued a profitable business; mak-
72
SMIT'S VALLEY.
ing his shop a point of sufficient attention to give a dis- tinctive appellation to the road on which it lay. The "Smit's Valley" was, for a long period, the common name of that part of the town lying between Wall street and the present Franklin square; it was, in subsequent years, known as the " Valey," " Vly" or "Fly." At the period here referred to, the road ran along the shore, near the high water mark, and there were, consequently, no build- ings on the east side. The inhabitants were-
Thomas Hall. The residence of Mr. Hall was on a hill near the present Beekman street. He was an Englishman by birth; but having joined, with others from New Eng- land, in an attempt upon the Dutch colony at the mouth of Delaware river, had been taken prisoner, and sent to this city. Himself and companions were leniently treated by the authorities, and were permitted to enjoy the rights of Dutch citizens. Mr. Hall and his partner, in the year 1639, established a tobacco plantation at "Deutle Bay," (Turtle Bay,) on the East river. In the year 1654, he pur- chased the property on which he afterward resided. He died in the year 1670, leaving no children. His widow sold the property to William Beekman; it consisted of a considerable farm, the present Beekman street running through it. Mrs. Hall, after the death of her husband, re- sided in Wall street, and died in the year 1686.
Abraham Verplanck occupied premises next below those of Mr. Hall, his property lying in the neighborhood of the present Fulton street. Mr. Verplanck had, at this time, become somewhat advanced in years, having been a resident of this place from a very early period. He had married a step-daughter of Jan Jansen Damen, a man of note in the early times in this city. His wife died in the
73
SMIT'S VALLEY.
year 1671; he survived her many years, and died at an ad- vanced age. Mr. Verplanck left two sons, Guleyn and Isaac, and several daughters. The latter son established himself in Albany; Guleyn, having served his clerkship with Allard Anthony, an eminent merchant of this city, engaged in business about the year 1656, and married Hendrica Wessells. He died in 1684.
Lambert Huybertson Mol. Next adjoining the premises of Mr. Verplanck, was the residence of this gentleman ; who, in company with his brother, carried on the business . of ship-builders.
Abraham Lamberzen Mol, occupied the premises ad- joining.
John Vinjé, (pronounced Vangee.) This citizen resided near Maiden lane, at some distance back from the road, on property originally granted to Jan Jansen Damen, in 1644. The Damen farm extended between the North and East rivers, and between Wall street and Maiden lanc. Mr. Vinjé was one of the heirs of Damen's property; he was a married man, but had no children. On his decease, in the year 1691, his name became extinct in this city.
Stoffel Elsworth, was a boat-builder of respectable stand- ing, who resided on this street many years.
Joost Carelzen, a ship-carpenter; his premises being a short distance above Maiden lane, where he resided nearly fifty years.
Henry Brazier, came to this city many years previous to the time now referred to. In 1644 he patented thirty- three acres of land, near the present Franklin square, ex- tending down to the meadow called Wolfert's Valley, in the vicinity of the present Roosevelt and adjacent streets. He resided, for many years, in the Smith's Valley, near
74
SMIT'S VALLEY.
Maiden lane, and died at an advanced age, in 1691, leaving a widow and three sons, Abraham, Henry and Isaac.
Widow Lawrenzen and Pieter Lawrenzen, occupied two small houses adjoining Mr. Brazier.
John Adriance, a ship-builder, occupied the adjoining premises, which fronted on Maiden lane.
Cornelius Jansen Clopper, who had long resided on the corner of Maiden lane, was considered, in his day, as one of the wealthy citizens. At his death he left two sons- Johannes and Cornelius-and four daughters.
Pieter Harmenzen, a ship-carpenter, occupied premises fronting on Maiden lane.
Pieter Jansen, also a ship-carpenter, occupied premises on Maiden lane.
Martin Clasen, a blacksmith, in good circumstances, re- sided near Maiden lane.
Jan Jansen Bush, a tailor, adjoining the above.
James Wel.
Augustyn Heermans, a native of Bohemia, came to this town about the year 1633, in the employment of the West India Company, and afterward engaged in mercantile pursuits. He held several offices of importance, and ac- quired a large real estate in this city. Mr. Heermans had cultivated a taste for drawing, and, in 1656, made a sketch of this city, a copy of which is given on the map fronting the title page of this work. His residence embraced an orchard and an extensive garden, situated on the west side of the present Pearl street, covering the line of Pine street. After the surrender of the town to the English, he removed to Maryland, where he had extensive interests; his son, Ephraim, remained here to close his father's business, and held, for some time, a clerkship in the City Office. The
75
HOOGH STRAAT.
property now spoken of was sold to George Heathcott, an English merchant, who established his residence in this city.
We have thus far traced the road from Franklin square to Wall street, and have come to the " Water-poort," or Water gate, being the entrance within the line of the city palisades, on the present line of Wall street. This gate was a heavy wooden structure, which was closed at bell- ringing in the evening (9 o'clock,) and opened at sunrise in the morning.
After we have thus entered within the fortified limits of the city, we have still the water upon the left hand, and a line of buildings upon the right, not very compactly built. This was the beginning of what was, at the period now referred to, called the "Hoogh straat," or High street; which name was then applied to a part of the original road along the water side, extending between Broad and Wall streets, the line being now marked by the north side of Pearl street, between Wall and William streets, and both sides of Stone street, between William and Broad streets.
Annekin Litschoe occupied the first house within the city gate. Daniel Litschoe, her late husband, was one of the earliest emigrants to this city, having come hither in the military service, as ensign. Having married a widow in this place, he established an inn at the spot now spoken of, then on the outskirts of the town. His tavern became the resort of the country people from Long Island, who visited the city, and approached it along the road at the water side. Mr. Litschoe having died about the year
76
HOOGH STRAAT.
1660, his widow continued the business for a number of years, but having become advanced in life, sold her proper- ty. She died in the year 1679, leaving a son by her former marriage, and a daughter of Mr. Litschoe. His name, therefore, became extinct among his descendants.
John Lawrence occupied the adjoining premises, in which he carried on business as a merchant. Mr. Lawrence was an Englishman by birth, and one of three brothers who emigrated to this country in the time of Charles I. He resided, for some time, at Flushing, Long Island, of which he was one of the patentees, and afterward engaged in business in this city. He became a prominent man in public life, and held various offices of importance. In the years 1673 and 1691 he was mayor of the city. He died in the year 1699, at the age of eighty years and upward.
Andries Joghmizen, a sail-maker, occupied the adjoining premises, containing thirty-one feet front and eighty-one feet in depth. He died about the year 1675.
Abraham Lubberts, residing next adjoining; he subse- quently removed to Elizabethtown, N. J.
Reinhout Reinhoutsen occupied the adjoining premises, forty feet front and one hundred and eighty feet in depth. After the surrender to the English, he sold his property, and removed elsewhere.
Govert Loockermans, the original patentee of property in this neighborhood, resided on the present north side of Hanover square. He was a shipping merchant and general trader, and one of the wealthiest citizens of his time. He died in the year 1671, leaving his widow, Mary, and three children. One daughter married Cornelius Dircksen; another married, first, Pieter Cornelisen Vanderveen,
77
HOOGH STRAAT.
and secondly, Jacob Leisler; and one son, Jacob. The widow died in 1678; her son Jacob, who was a physician soon after sold the property to his brother-in-law, Jacob Leisler, and left this part of the country, establishing him- self at St. Mary's, Maryland, where his father had acquired large possessions.
Johannes Pietersen Van Brugh occupied the adjoining premises, one of the best in town, near the corner of the present William street. Mr. Van Brugh was, in early life, connected with the establishment of the West India Company, in this city, and married a daughter-in-law of Domine Bogardus. He held various stations of a public nature, and was one of the leading citizens of his day. He died in the year 1699, leaving several children.
The present north-west corner of Hanover square and William street was then a vacant lot, owned by Borger Joris, a blacksmith, who was the grantee of property at and adjacent to this spot, at a very early period. From him came the name once applied to the present William street and Old slip, of "Borger Joris' Path"-afterward, for many years, known as "Burgher's Path." Joris, after many years residence in this city, removed to Long Island.
Continuing down "Hoogh straat," between the present William and Broad streets, on the present line of Stone street, we find the following inhabitants :
Warner Wessells was a hatter by trade. His mother, Mettie Wessells, kept an inn in this city for many years.
Dirck Jansen Vandeventer, a ship-carpenter, died in 1686. Jeremias Jansen.
Abram Clock occupied the south-west corner of the
78
HOOGH STRAAT.
present Stone and William streets, extending to Pearl street. He died soon after the period now referred to, leaving a widow, Tryntje, and several children.
Isaac Bedlow was engaged, in this city, in mercantile pursuits, from an early period, and became one of the most . extensive traders. He died in 1672.
Evert Duyckink came to this country at an early period, in the service of the West India Company, in whose em- ployment he resided, for some time, on the Connecticut river. On his return to the city, he procured the grant of a lot on the south side of the present Stone street. He died about the year 1680, leaving a widow and several children.
Christopher Hooghland was, in his youth a clerk for Govert Loockermans, in the mercantile trade, and com- menced business on his own account about the year 1658. He died in the year 1686, having previously occupied several public stations of importance. His widow and children subsequently resided on the south-east corner of Broadway and Maiden lane.
Abigail Verplanck.
David Joghimsen, a sloop captain and trader on the North river, died in the year 1682.
Asser Levy subsequently purchased the property of Mrs. Litschoe, near the gate, and continued the old tavern at that place. He died in the year 1682; his family, soon after, removing to Long Island.
Barent Coerten, a merchant, in good circumstances, died in 1689.
Arien Huyberzen.
Wessell Evertsen, the original patentee of between two and three hundred feet in front, on the north side of this
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