USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
277
Chronology of New York.
prudent, and thence in a boat above AAlbany. He returned to Dartmouth, in England, November 7th, 1609, whence he sent an account of his discoveries to the Dutch West India Company, in whose employ he sailed. The point of the island where New York now stands he found possessed by the Manhattans, a brave and savage tribe; the Indians on the east, or Jersey shore, were more friendly : but were the deadly enemies of the Manhattans. The Dutch West India Company sent a second vessel to Hudson river for trade in 1610 : and, finding the Indians more friendly in that quarter, they obtained permission of the natives to build a small fort on an island lying a little below Albany, on the west side of the river. In 1612 the Dutch had a fort on York island. which consisted of a redoubt near the corner of Garden street and Broadway, overlooking Hudson river. In 1614 an expedition from Virginia. under Captain Argal, took possession of New Amsterdam. as New York was then called : there were then but fonr houses ont-ide of the fort. An arrangement was soon after made with the English government, by which the Dutch remained in the peaceable possession of the place for fifty years. The estab- lishment was made for the purpose of trade, which they success- fully prosecuted with the Indians, receiving furs in exchange for beads, trinkets. blankets, and hatchets. The Dutch had frequent quarrel with the New England colonies on Connecticut river. and the Swedes on Delaware river ; the former claiming all the country between these two rivers. The Dutch were not able to obtain permission of the Manhattans to build a fort on the island for some time: but in 1623 they obtained leave to build a better one than that which previously existed. and made a purchase of the present site of the south portion of New York, and erected a fort. Most of the settlers re-ided in the fort; but. the colony increas- ing. some houses were built on the outside near it, which formed the commencement of Pearl street. The fort was in a square form, with four bastions, at the junction of Hudson and East rivers. near the present site of the Bowling Green and the north part of the Battery. It was from time to time strengthened, by build- ing additional walls on the outside of the first wall. It contained the houses of the Dutch Director General, the commandant, and other officers.
278
Chronology of New York.
The Dutch resolving to establish a permanent colony at New Amsterdam, in 1629 appointed Wouter Van Twiller Governor, who held the office for nine years. In 1635 he erected a more substantial fort, with four bastions, which mounted 42 cannon, mostly brass, 12 and 18 pounders. In 1643 a church was built in the southeast corner of the fort. This church was 72 feet long, 52 wide, and 16 feet high. The Governor's house, also within the fort, was 100 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 24 feet high. These buildings were burned in 1741, and not afterward rebuilt. It appears that in 1638 tobacco was produced to a considerable extent on the island, and negro slavery had been introduced. In 1644 the City Hall, or Stadt House, or tavern, was built, on the corner of Pearl street and Coenties slip, and was a very important house in those days, being the place where the courts and the public meetings of the citizens were held. May 11th. 1647. Governor Stuyvesant, the last of the Dutch governors, arrived, and held the office for 17 years, until the colony was captured in 1664. He was a military character, and had lost a leg in the cap- ture of Tobago. In 1652 the first public school was established in the city. In 1653 a wall of earth and stones was built from Hudson river to the East river, running between Wall and Pine streets, with a gate near the present corner of Wall and Pearl streets, called the water-gate, and another in Broadway, called the land-gate. The walls and palisades were designed as a defence against the Indians. In 1665 Governor Stuyvesant captured Fort Casimir, now Newcastle. from the Swedes on Delaware river. then called South river. whence probably the Hudson river received the name of North river. In 1656 a market house was built at the present corner of Pearl and Broad streets. then called by other names. The city had 120 houses and 1,000 inhabitants. including the garrison. In 1658 the first public wharf was built by the burgomasters of the city. where Whitehall street now is. The Governor's house stood opposite, at the beginning of Water street. In 1660 the first map of the city was sent to Holland by Governor Stuyvesant. In 1662 a wind-mill was erected near the site of the present City Hotel. In 1664 a patent conveying the colony to the Duke of York was issued. and Colonel Nichols. with four frigates and 300 soldiers, arrived from England, where
279
Chronology of New York.
he had been appointed Governor of New York and New Jersey, and the city surrendered to him without resistance, though it was done with great reluctance on the part of Governor Stuyvesant. The property of the Dutch West India trading company was all confiscated. The style of the government of New-York was altered from sehout, burgomaster, and schepen, to mayor, aldermen, and sheriff. Twelve hundred guilders were raised for the sup- port of the ministry in New York. In 1669 the Governor per- mitted the Lutherans to settle Jacobus Fabriceius as their minister. In 1668 a carriage-road was ordered to be made to Harlem, there being none before. A race-course was established at Hempstead for the purpose of improving the breed of horses, and subscrip- tions were taken for those who were willing to run for a crown in silver, or a bushel of good wheat. In 1672 the first Friend or Quaker preached in New York. In 1673 the post-rider began his trips between New York and Boston, once in three weeks. In July, 1673. the Dutch retook the city, and the fort was surrendered by its commander, Captain Manning, without firing a gun ; but in the next year it was restored to the English. and Manning was tried by a court martial for treachery and cowardice. and sentenced to have liis sword broken over his head. All the inhabitants were required to take the oath of allegiance to the English govern- ment. In 1675 it was ordered that the land in the city conven- ient to be built on, it the owners did not choose to do it, might be valned, and sold to those who were willing to build. The streets were ordered to be cleaned every Saturday, or oftener if neces- sary. and the cartmen obliged, under the penalty of forfeiting their license. to carry away the dirt. In 1676 a law was passed to pave streets; also to fill up. level, and pave Heeren Gracht or Broad street on each side of the canal which occupied its centre. At this time the water came np to Garden street, where the ferry- boats landed. It was not lawful to sell liquor to the Indians ; and if any were found in the street drunk, without knowing at whose tavern they obtained the liquor. the whole street was liable to a fine. No grain was allowed to be distilled. except that which was unfit for other purposes. In 1677 there were found by the assessments to be twelve streets and 384 houses in the city. In 1683 there belonged to the city three barques, three brigantines. 26
Chronology of New York.
sloops, and IS open boats. Twenty cartmen were allowed. At this time New York had, by law, the exclusive right of bolting and packing flour and meal, which formed the main business of two-thirds of its inhabitants. This was regarded as a grievance by the country people. In 1684 the first watch was appointed. con- sisting of eight persons, at 12 pence each per night. In 1685 the assessed valuation of property in the several wards amounted to $75,694, and a tax of three farthings on the pound was laid. In 1686 James II of England abolished the representative system ; likewise the use of printing presses. The city paid the Governor £300 for the charter, and £24 to the secretary, which had to be borrowed at 10 per cent. ; this charter, with some alterations, has been continued to the present time. Chimney-sweepers were appointed. and ordered to " cry and make a noise." House- with two chimneys were to have one fire-bucket; with more, three buckets. In 16SS the inlet in Broad street was limited by a frame- work to the width of 16 feet. with a cartway on each side of 28 feet, making in the whole 72 feet, the present average width of the street.
The assessors valuation of property in the several wards de- nominated West. North. South. East, and Dock wards, with Harlem and the Bowery. was 878,231; of this $29.254 were in South ward.
In 1690 a meeting of commissioners (called a congress of the several colonies took place at New York. In 1694 there belonged to the city 60 ship -. 25 sloops. and 40 boats. Out of 983 houses. the inhabitants of 600 of them depended on bolting flour or meal for sub-istence. In 1696 Trinity Church was built. afterward enlarged. and burned in 1776. Ordered that a City Hall be built. valued at $3,000. In 1697 a city watch of four sober men was ordered. It was also ordered. November 23d, that lights be put in the windows of the house- fronting on the streets, mider a penalty of nine pence for each night of default ; and. on Decem- ber next following. that every seventh house hang a lighted lantern on a pole, and that the seven houses bear an equal portion of the expense. In 1699 the old City Hall was sold to John Rod- man, merchant. by " public outery." for $920, situated in what is now Pearl street. at the head of Coenties slip. In 1701 the docks
281
Chronology of New York.
and slips of the city were rented for £25 per annum. In 1703 Wall street was paved from Smith (now William street) to the English Church. In 1707 Governor Cornbury prohibited Presby- terians from preaching, and two ministers were arrested and tried, but acquitted, on paying $220 costs. In 1710 several hundred Palatines arrived from Germany by the way of England, fleeing from persecution ; they built a Lutheran Church, on the present site of Grace Church. In 1711 a slave-market was established in Wall street, near the East river. In 1712 an insurrection of the negroes took place, who fired the city in several places, and killed some of its inhabitants. Nineteen of them were executed. In 1718 a rope walk was established in Broadway, opposite to the Park (then called the Commons, and covered with brush and underwood). In 1719 a Presbyterian Church was built in Wall street. In 1720 a duty of two per cent. was laid on European goods imported. the first regular tariff mentioned in the early his- tory of the city. In 1725 the New-York Gazette, a weekly news- paper, was established. In 1729 the Society in London for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts gave notice of a present to the city of 1.642 volumes, belonging to the library of the late Dr. Millington : the books arrived, and were arranged in a room in the City Hall, appropriated to their keeping : and the thanks of the corporation were returned for the munificent gift. Three pence per foot given for land on the west side of Broadway. near the Battery. The Middle Dutch Church built. In 1731 the boundaries of the colony were finally adjusted with Connecticut. In 1732 the first stage began to run between New York and Boston once a month, being fourteen days on the journey. In 1733 a law was passed to preserve the fish in Fresh Water pond. now Canal street, and contiguous streets. House of correction or bridewell instituted. In 1786 Water street first mentioned as extending from Maiden lane to Countess's Key and Rodman's wharf. In 1737 the town of Brooklyn disputed the right of the corporation of New York to the ferry, and the city retained two counsel in the case, at a doubloon each. A market-house was erected in Broadway, opposite Crown street. now Liberty street. The city contained 1,416 honses, only sixteen having been built in seven years. In 1740 the New York Society Library was founded.
282
Chronology of New York.
In 1741 a severe fire broke out in the fort, which destroyed the secretary's office and the old Dutch Church. In this and the fol- lowing year the yellow fever prevailed to an alarming extent. In 1741 ocenrred the celebrated " negro plot," when the city con- tained 12,000 inhabitants, one sixth of whom were slaves. A plot no doubt existed, but the account of it was greatly exaggerated, and the fears of the inhabitants excited by repeated fires and robberies. Some Irish Catholics were implicated with the negrocs; 154 negroes and 20 white persons were committed to prison, of whom 55 were convicted and 78 confessed; 13 negroes were burned at the stake, at the present intersection of Pearl and Chatham streets, then out of town; 20 were hung, one in chains, on an island in Fresh Water pond, where the arsenal now is in Ehn street ; 78 were transported to foreign parts, and 50 discharged. Thirty six watelnen were appointed. and divided into three divisions. to watch alternately. In 1742 wheat was quoted at 3s. 6d. a bushel. The yellow fever prevailed near the tan-vats and docks. Coal was imported from England, as cheaper fuel than wood. In 1745 Lady Murray owned the only coach in New York. In 1746 the city contained 1.834 houses, having increased 418 in eleven years. In 1750 a theatre was established. . Dey street opened, regulated. and paved from Broadway to high-water mark in Hudson river, having a descent of 26 feet 2 inches. Beekman street laid out and paved. In 1731 the Moravian Church in Fulton street built. In 1752 St. George's Church in Beekman street built. Also an Exchange at the lower end of Broad street, on the west side, by private subscription, to which the corporation gave $100. In the winter- of 1758-4-> sloop- pared from Albany to New York in the months of January and February. In 1755 the Exchange was let for one year, for £30. One thousand stand of arms were imported from England by the corporation for £3,000, and deposited in the City Hall : the corporation petitioned for a lottery, to discharge thi- "excessive and alarming" debt. In 1759 Chatham street began to be laid ont. and a few houses erected. Thirty pounds per acre paid for land in the outer ward. In 1761 Vesey street regulated and paved. Lamps and lamp-posts were purchased. The city contained 60 firemen. In 1763 the first Methodist chapel was erected. by the successful preaching of
283
Chronology of New York.
Lieutenant Webb of the army, assisted by some friends of the cause. In 1765 St. Paul's Church was built. A Congress met at New York composed of delegates from the colonies. Great excitement existed on account of the Stamp Act. The Governor and the devil, holding the Stamp Act, were burned in effigy, after having been paraded through the streets. In 1767 the Brick church in Beekman street was built, on a triangular piece of ground granted by the corporation for a rent of $50 per annum. In 1768 the first Methodist church in America was built, in John street. In 1769 the North Dutch in William street built. Five church buildings erected before the Revolution are now standing-the Middle and North Dutch Churches in William and Nassau streets, the Lutheran. now Colored, Church corner of William and Frankfort streets. the Brick church in Beekman street. and St. Paul's Church in Broadway. Most of these are now in fine repair. The New York Hospital was founded by subserip- tion. In ITTO the expense of lighting the city was 2760 per ammum. In 1771 an iron railing was made round the Bowling Green, which cost 3500. Warren street laid out and regulated. In 1776. August 28th. by the disastrous battle of Long Island. the city fell into the hands of the British. On the 21st of Sep- tember a great fire consumed 493 houses, nearly one eighth part of the city. Before the fire it contained 4.200 houses and 30.000 inhabitants. In 1750 the winter was intensely coldl. and two cakes of ice completely blocked up the ferry from Powles Hook to Cortlandt street : hundreds of citizens and loaded teams and artillery passed on the bridge of ice, which continued for a con- siderable time. Hudson river, measured on the ice at this place. was found to be 2,000 yards wide. On the 25th of November. 1753. the British evacuated New York. after having held it since 1776, and General Washington, at the head of the American army, entered it. The British left their flag flying at the Battery, and had greased the flagstaff. so that it was with difficulty hauled down. and the American flag was raised in its place. A large number of loyalist- and tories left with the retreating army. The British had erected works across the island near Duane street. All the churches, excepting the Episcopal. had been destroyed. or used for hospitals, barracks. or riding-schools. The schools and
284
Chronology of New York.
college had been shut up. The city did not then extend north of Murray street. The books and accounts of the corporation dur- ing the Revolutionary War were taken away by Mr. Cruger, treasurer, who joined the British army and left the country. In 1784 the Exchange on Broad street was converted into a market- place. Much difficulty was found in tracing out and securing the public property, of every description. At different dates La Fay- ette, John Jay, lately arrived from Europe. Baron Steuben, and especially General Washington. received the freedom of the city, and the latter an address of congratulation and thanks. The streets were cleaned for £150 per annum, and wells and pumps repaired for £140 per annum. Lot 116 Chatham street was leased for 21 years for $6 per annum, and lot No. 18 of the same street, for the same term, for £4 per annum. The cor- poration offered any accommodation in their power to the Federal Congress. In 1785 the first Congress of the United States after the war was organized in the City Hall, corner Wall and Nassau streets. The Bank of New York went into operation. In 1786 St. Peter's, the first Roman Catholic Church, was built in Barclay street. The State. until the present year, presented no instance of divoree in any case whatever. In 1788 the New York city library was kept in a room in the City Hall. The adoption of the new Constitution of the United States was celebrated by a grand federal procession. In 1759. April 30th. General Washington was inaugurated in the open gallery of the old City Hall. facing Broad street ; and at the conclusion of the ceremony the collected thousands shouted with one heart. " Long live George Washing- ton." Broadway opened through the fort to the Battery. The City Hall was repaired and enlarged for the accommodation of Congress, at a great expense for that day. the whole done under the direction of Major L'Enfant, who received the thanks of the corporation. the freedom of the city. and an offer of 10 acres of land of the public property. which last he politely declined. The salary of the mayor connuted for $600 per annum. In 1790 the salary of the mayor was Too per annum. The population of the city. December 11th. was 29,906. In 1791 the city was divided into seven ward -. One hundred lots of ground in Broadway and adjacent streets in the vicinity of the New York hospital, 25 by
285
Chronology of New York.
100 feet. were offered for sale at £25 per lot. In 1792 the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen was incorporated, and Mechanic Hall built. Mayor's salary £800 per annum. A museum was allowed in the City Hall. In 1795 the new alms- house on Chambers street was built, and contained 622 paupers. who were supported at an expense of £8,319 15s. Td. per annum. Sonth street laid out 70 feet wide, and ordered that no water lots be farther laid out, and no more buildings be erected in that direction. The Park theatre erected. Powles Hook ferry leased for $250 per annum. Water street was laid out, which limited the city on the East river. In 1796 a lot on the southwest corner of Broad and Wall streets was purchased by the corporation for £800. All the printing of the corporation done for £35 per annum. In 1797 the Brooklyn ferry leased for 82.000 per annun. Free schools were established. In 1798 the Park theatre was completed, and the proprietors petitioned for the erection of a portico over the sidewalk, which was not granted. A street commissioner was appointed. The Chamber of Commerce and citizens petitioned the corporation to fortify the city, and $50,000 were appropriated and expended for the purpose. The yellow fever prevailed from July to November, and 2,086 persons died.
The Manhattan Company in 1799 received an unlimited charter for supplying the city with pure and wholesome water. with a capital for the purpose, with the privilege of using their surplus funds in banking operations, and an exclusive use of the springs on the island for a supply. What this company have never been able to do has been effectually done by the Croton water works of the city. The oldl Exchange in Broad street was ordered to be taken down. December 20th the news of the death of General Washington was received, the bells of the churches were ordered to be mnfiled and tolled from 12 to 1 o'clock. until the 24th. the citizens were recommended to wear crape for six weeks, and a funeral oration was delivered by Gouverneur Morris in St. Paul's church. In 1800, eight lots of ground. a part of the present Washington square, purchased by the Corporation for $1,000. In 1801 the United States Navy Yard at Wallaboght. Brooklyn, was established. The Brooklyn ferry at Fulton street was leased for $2.600 per annum. Broadway ordered to be continued and opened
286
Chronology of New York.
through Thomas Randall's land. called the Sailors' Snug Harbor, to meet the Bowery, and the hills levelled and carted into Fresh Water pond (now Canal street), which to this time was the north- ern limit of this street, and far beyond the settled parts of the city. The total valuation of real estate in the city was 821.964 .- 037. A City Hall was voted to be erected. and after much doubt and hesitation, the sum of 8250,000 was devoted to the object, and contracts were entered into, and the foundation stone was laid September 20th, 1803, with due ceremony, by Edward Liv- ingston. Mayor. and by the corporation, though the prevalence of an epidemic in some measure damped the ardor of the citizens. In 1804, July 11, the duel between Colonel Burr and General Hamilton occurred, in which the latter was mortally wounded, and died the next day to the great grief of the citizens. Colonel Burr after this event Hled as a fugitivo to France, and after many years returned to the United States. to be neglected. December 18th a great fire destroyed 40 stores and dwellings, 15 on Wall street. 17 on Front street, and eight on Water street, with a loss of between one and two millions of dollars. It was supposed to be the work of incendiaries. In Js03 the New York Free School was incorporated. The upper part of Broadway was regulated and paved. The yellow fever prevailed in the summer. and 250 persons died. The inhabitants of the city numbered 75.770. one third of whom left their dwellings. In 1806 the first successful attempt at navigation by steamboats by Fulton and Livingston took place on Hudson river. In 1809 the Historical Society was established. In 1811 a great fire in Chatham street consumed from so to 100 houses. The Brick Church and the jail narrowly escaped. July 4th the Corporation met in the new City Hall. in the Mayor's room. In 1812 the old City Hall in Wall street was ordered to be sold. and the new City Hall was finished. June 20th war was declared with Great Britain. November 12. the Brook- lyn Fulton ferry was leased to Robert Fulton for 84,000 per ammm for seven years, upon condition of establishing new steam- boats upon it. In August an experiment was made with ga- lights in the Park. In 1814 there were 3.212 free holders: owners of personal estate over $150, 5,612 : tenants. 13.504 : juror -. 4.1BS: alien -. 3.495 : >laves, 976. The population was 92. HS.
Chronology of New York. 287
which was less by 2,312 than in 1810. The Literary and Philo- sophical Society was instituted. October 29, the steam frigate launched. The interments this year amounted to 1,794. In 1815 the news of peace with Great Britain was celebrated with great rejoicings. In 1816 the duties on merchandise imported amounted to 816,000,000. In July, 1817, the Erie canal was begun near Utica. In 1815 the publie wharves, piers, docks and slips sold for one year for $42.750. In 1821 Mr. John Randall, Jr., finished his maps and surveys of the north part of the city and island, having been engaged in it. under the direction of the commissioners. for ten years, at a cost of $32,485. In January the harbor was closed by ice for the first time since 1780. The citizens crossed on the ice to Powles Hook, and some to Staten Island. The distance from Cortlandt street to the Jersey shore was found to be a few feet over a mile. In 1822. JJuly. the yellow fever appeared. and most of the city south of the City Hall was vacated. and the infected district fenced in : 358 died of the fever. November 25, burials in Trinity churchyard discontinued. In 1823 interments were forbidden South of Canal street. Washington square formed and regulated. The New York Gas Light company incorporated. In 1-24 1.600 honses were erected. In 1525 the Merchants' Exchange commenced in Wall street. The city was divided into 12 wards. May 11th gas pipes were laid on Broadway. from Canal street to the Battery. on both sides. October 20th the completion of the Erie canal was announced by the firing of cannon through the whole line. from Buffalo and back in 12 hours. November 4th the first canal lat arrived. and was greeted with great rejoicing. In 1-27 the Merchants' Exchange was completed. In 1829 the American Institute in the city of New York was instituted. In 1-32 the cholera swept off a great number of inhabitants. The whole number of deaths in July was 2.467. in August. 2,206: during the year. 10,859. In 1:33 the number of pupils taught in the public schools was 6,140 boys, 4,320 girls, total. 10.460. In 1-24 the number of inmates at the Almshouse at Bellevue in January wa- 2.011. of whom 1.051 were natives, and 960 foreigners. On the night of the 16th of December, 1835, occurred the great fire, which >wept over between 30 and 40 acres of the most valu- able part of the city. covered with stores and filled with rich
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.