Jij- 
 
 U7 (IC 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE 
 NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE 
 OF HOME ECONOMICS 
 
 CORNELL UNIVERSITY 
 ITHACA, NEW YORK 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013878784 
 
THE 
 
 MARKET BOOK 
 
 CONTAINQia A 
 
 HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE PUBLIC MARKETS IN THE CITIES OF 
 
 With a brief Description of every Article of Hnman Food sold therein 
 THE INTEODUOTION OF CATTLE IN AMERICA 
 
 AND NOTICES OP MANY REMARKABLE SPECIMENS 
 
 BT 
 
 THOMAS F. DE VOB 
 
 UEllBER OF TSE NEW YORK BlSrOBlCAL SOCHETT STO. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 
 
 1862. 
 

 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, 
 
 By Thomas F. Db Vok, 
 
 in the Clerk's OflBce of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
 
 District of New York. 
 
 Eleotrotyped by Wm. Dehtbb, 
 
 l!j3 William Street. 
 
 Printed by Hall, Glatton k Mbdolb, 
 46 Fla£ Stieet 
 
THIS VOLUME CONTAINS 
 
 A HISTORY 
 
 or THB 
 
 PUBLIC MARKETS 
 
 IH TBI 
 
 CITY OF IN^E^V YORK, 
 
 FROM ITS FIHST SETTLEMENT TO THB PRESENT TIMK 
 
 WITH NUMEK003 CURIOUa AND KEMABKABLB INCIDENTS CONNECTED THEBBWITH, 
 THB INTRODUCTION OP CATTLE, SUPPLIES, TRADING, PRICES, AND LAWS; 
 SKETCHES OP THE OLD BUKOHER BUTCHERS, AND THE LICENSED 
 BUTCHERS OF MODERN TIMES ; TOGETHER WITH A COMPILA- 
 TION OP PACTS OP EVERT SORT AND CHARACTER 
 BELATma TO THE SUBJECT. 
 
 PACT, NOT PANCT. 
 
TO 
 
 GEORGE H. MOORE, Esq., 
 
 UBRARUIf OP TBB NKW TOR£ BISTTORICAL BOCIKTT, 
 
 THIS VOLUME 
 
 IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 
 
 AS A TKIBUTE OF ESTEEM AND RSSPECT, 
 
 FOR HIS UNWAVERING FRIENDSHIP TO 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
PEEFACE. 
 
 A Preface appears to be demanded from all who are guilty of 
 introducing another book into life; whether it is done for fame, 
 name, profit, the public good, to be instructive or interesting, or 
 for any other consideration. 
 
 In my case, being found here, so much out of my line, I do not 
 know under which, or how many, of the above heads to place myself; 
 and I must therefore leave the reader to judge, and determine my 
 position from his own estimate of my merit. 
 
 For several years, the unemployed hours from my business, or 
 rather profession, had hung heavily on my mind, and to fill them up 
 satisfactorily, was a thought I had often indulged in. To be sure, 
 at times, there were no leisure hours, not one of the twenty-four, but 
 what were needed for rest ; and again, on6, two, three, and sometimes 
 four, could be employed in doing something, either useful or wasteful ; 
 but what to do, was the question. I knew I had some knowledge, 
 which business and observation had given me ; but I also knew that 
 I was very deficient in learning, or at least of knowing how to ex- 
 press myself, satisfactorily to mysdf. So I thought to improve, or 
 at least to inform myself, even at this late day ; but the reader may 
 say, "An old scholar is not an apt one" — and so I found it. I had 
 the disadvantage of not knowing which end to begin with, but 
 went headforemost into what appeared to me to be the most agree- 
 able to my feelings. 
 
 Early in life, (1829,) I had engaged in the military, and have 
 continued in it, I may say with but a short intermission, to the pres- 
 ent day: this somewhat excited the mind, and sometimes drew 
 heavily on my leisure hours, while I sought such information as I 
 could find on this subject. My researches at last extended to the 
 "rooms" of the Historical Society, where I became acquainted with 
 the attentive, obliging, and gentlemanly Librarian, Mr. George H. 
 
Viii PREFACE. 
 
 Moore, who, after an agreeable acquaintance, unexpectedly caused 
 me to be introduced as a member of this honored association. Here 
 he opened out to me all the rich treasures contained therein, and I 
 eagerly devoured, not only the "military subjects" but all connected 
 with our city ; and at last I began to feel that I had either swallowed 
 or been bitten by a rabid antiquary, I found there was no remedy 
 for this dreadful disease, but by taking, in allopathic doses, sundry 
 piles of old musty records, in various forms and at various times. 
 I submitted to the treatment, but, in my case, it only relieved the 
 disease for a short period after the last time-worn paper of the pile 
 had passed ; upon the sight or knowledge of another, it again re- 
 turned in full force. In fact, I had acquired a fondness for histori- 
 cal information, and more especially for such as related to my native 
 city. 
 
 The numerous Records and Files of the Common Council, with 
 various old books, newspapers, pamphlets, &c., had been glanced 
 over, and the result was, a large mass of historical material, on 
 various subjects, had been collected, as I then thought, more for my 
 own personal gratification and amusement, than for any other use. 
 However, I found my researches had so completed my knowledge 
 of the introduction, time, place, name, and the final exit of the 
 numerous public market-places in the City of New York, that I 
 was enabled to give them, or rather parts of them, to the "press," 
 in answer to some "Reports" and "Communications." 
 
 My esteemed friend, Mr. Moore, gently hinted that a paper on 
 this subject would be acceptable to the Society ; that I had drawn 
 heavily upon the Treasures of the Society, and that it was due to 
 them. I admitted the justice of the claim, but pleaded my position 
 and inefficiency, and that I could much better furnish any other 
 than an intellectual feast. However, after repeated playful de- 
 mands, I consented to prepare a sketch, with the understanding 
 that he should revise, if he thought proper, and read it. 
 
 Before it was finished, one other intimate friend, who belonged 
 to the Society, said to me, that I "must prepare and read the paper 
 without any assistance." To this I answered, " I would not think 
 of such a thing, as it might not only reflect on the Society, but also 
 upon myself." Says he, " Then you must disappoint the Society, 
 yourself, as well as one or two otJters, who have not displayed very 
 friendly feelings, on learning the proposed arrangement." I had 
 always practiced and preferred a retired position, but I felt stung, 
 and concluded that, if there was anything in me, it must now come 
 
PREFACE, ix 
 
 out ; SO, ■with renewed and my best energies, I finished the paper, 
 sought Mr. Moore, explained my position, and asked his presence 
 at my house, to say whether I must fail or succeed. He decided 
 in favor of the latter, and, at my request, gave me an introductory 
 letter to the Rev. Dr. Osgood, one of the Committee on Papers to 
 be read, that I might also consult with him. 
 
 In the mean time, I found that the "Chamber of Commerce" (the 
 History of which had been so well written by the Hon. Charles 
 King, the present highly esteemed President of Columbia College,) 
 had been a prominent body, with whom the military authorities 
 had consulted on many subjects, including our public markets, dur- 
 ing the Revolution. To get at the details on this subject, I was 
 enabled, through a letter of introduction, to consult Mr. King, 
 when he became interested in my paper, and I was greatly pleased 
 to be summoned before him, that he might advise with me in rela- 
 tion to it. He listened to the result of my efforts, and in the end 
 he gratified me by saying that he should come to hear it again be- 
 fore the Society. Then, with the approbation of the Rev. Dr. 
 Osgood, who had also heard it read, I felt fully prepared to face 
 this strong battery of wisdom, intelligence, and honor, as well as 
 the several regiments of soldiers which I have had the honor to 
 command — without flinching. 
 
 On the evening of the 4th of May, 1858, 1 read mj paper before 
 the New York Historical Society, and its reception was all, and 
 more, than I expected; and, if confession is proper here, I was 
 elated — it struck in so deep, that — the result is before you. I 
 might also add, that a few days after, a further impetus was given 
 me, by several complimentary resolutions, from some professional 
 and other friends, requesting me to repeat the reading of the above, 
 at an early day, to which, with pleasure, I consented. This took 
 place in the large Hall of the Cooper Institute ; and again it was 
 most flatteringly received. On both occasions, the "press" gener- 
 ally and favorably noticed my effort, for which many thanks are 
 due. 
 
 The employment of my leisure hours has, at times, been so dis- 
 connected, in consequence of my engagements and the usual troubles 
 and trials of business, that it was difficult, sometimes, to get back 
 on my old trail: this, with the faults, or rather the neglect, of edu- 
 cation, will no doubt cause the style and grammar to be somewhat 
 broken, disconnected, or inelegant. However, my whole aim has 
 been, that it should be fact, not fancy — accurate and faithful ; to 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 give precisely what I found and experienced; preserving as much 
 of the original language and orthography as possible; denoting 
 extracts, as such, with marks of quotation, and using my own lan- 
 guage to connect or carry on the subject in this volume. 
 
 I now find myself in that position where my indebtedness is so 
 much, to so many, that I fear I cannot name all to whom I owe 
 many thanks. To the courtesy and kindness of David T. Valentine, 
 Esq., Clerk of the Common Council; George H. Moore, Esq., 
 Librarian of the New York Historical Society, and the Librarians 
 of the several Libraries of our City, as of several others; to 
 Dr. John W. Francis, (deceased,) Hon. Henry Meigs, Messrs. Wil- 
 liam J. Davis, Henry B. Dawson, Col. William Appleby, Jacob 
 Aims, Thomas Jeremiah, Daniel Burtnett, John M. Seaman, John 
 Scott, (deceased,) and numerous other gentlemen, I specially ac- 
 knowledge my obligations. I have also derived much assistance 
 from the works of O'Callaghan, Dunlap, Smith, Watson, Moulton, 
 Hardie, Horsmanden, Valentine, &c. 
 
 Almost every one (more especially the aged citizen) has some 
 special historical knowledge, connected with family, friends, or 
 neighborhood, worthy of being known and revealed, for the instruc- 
 tion or gratification of others, or as shedding new light upon the 
 annals of our city. Permit me, in concluding this Preface, to ask 
 from such as have the power to grant it, that if, while reading these 
 sketches of the past, their own memories may be stirred by long- 
 dormant recollections of remarkable incidents or scenes, they will 
 be good enough to note these recollections, as material for the use 
 of either myself, or others who, like myself, may adventure upon 
 the agreeable task of seeking to revive by-gone days. 
 
 THOMAS F. DE VOE, 
 
 Butcher, 
 
 Jefferson Markkt, 
 
 CiTT OF New York, 1861. 
 
INTEODUCTION. 
 
 In presenting the following historical matter, I do not propose to 
 reveal anything which is new or even interesting to the historian, 
 whose well-worn path is before me ; and although I may not follow 
 in his immediate footsteps, yet I must travel on the same high-road, 
 or I cannot be true to history. 
 
 The historian, in seeking his mental fare, looks only for the choicest 
 and most substantial food to satisfy his natural appetite ; and his 
 eagle eye merely glances at the stray crumbs which have fallen from 
 his plate, while the hungry gleaner, who follows after, is forced to 
 pick them up, to cover such other rejected food as may be left, but 
 which he gladly seizes and ravenously devours. I therefore hope to 
 find the reader hungry enough to partake of the gleaner's fare. 
 
 The contents of this volume will chiefly relate to the establish- 
 ment of the several market-places and public market-houses within 
 the present limits of the City of New York. 
 
 No doubt the number will surprise many; there having been 
 more than forty, although several have been found located on or 
 near the same spot where a former one had ceased to exist. They 
 were, however, separate and distinct markets, as will appear from 
 the various sources of evidence presented through the following 
 pages. 
 
 In giving each their separate histories, many interesting incidents 
 or local facts will be introduced, to relieve the necessary sameness 
 of so much building up and tearing or tumbling down, which so 
 many public edifices would seem to demand. Although not an in- 
 teresting subject, yet the early age and associations may assist to 
 interest the minds of those who now and then like to look back at 
 the ages past; to see the feeble steps of the first settlers; to follow 
 the more firm tread of their children; and to witness the rapid 
 strides of their fast generations. 
 
 The main object of the early settlers of New Netherlands was, no 
 doubt, to better their condition ; and when they beheld these beautiful 
 
xii INTRODUCTION. 
 
 and bountiful lands— as Van der Donk says, " The country fruitful 
 and advantageously situated, possessed good and safe havens, rivers, 
 fisheries, and many other worthy appurtenances;" and, in truth, 
 excelled their Fatherland, (Netherlands)— they had good reason to 
 name it New Netherlands. " In short, (says Lambrechtsen,) New 
 Netherlands, to make use of Hudson's own words, was the most beau- 
 tiful country on which you could tread your feet. The natives were 
 good-natured, peaceable, and obliging ; the climate pretty near at 
 par with ours ; so that New Netherlands was very properly adapted 
 for our nation, to be settled by it, as there seemed nothing wanting 
 but domestic cattle." 
 
 The natives were also found to be agriculturists, cultivating the 
 land, and producing many species of grain and vegetables. Hud- 
 son says : " I sailed to the shore in one of their canoes with an old 
 man, who was the chief of a tribe consisting of forty men and seven- 
 teen women ; these I saw — there in a house well constructed of oak- 
 bark, and circular in shape, so that it had the appearance of being 
 built with an arched roof. It contained a great quantity of maize, 
 or Indian corn, and beans of the last year's growth ; and there lay 
 near the house, for the purpose of drying, enough to load three ships, 
 besides what was growing in the fields." 
 
 The chase also furnished them, at one and at the same time, with 
 clothing and food from the various species of wild animals, wild 
 fowl, fish, fruits, nuts and roots, and fine oysters, which they, at 
 times, exchanged with or gave to the sometimes almost starving set- 
 tlers. In an address from the Indians to the ambassadors of Gov. 
 Kieft, they say : " When you first arrived on our shores, you were 
 often in want of food ; we gave you our beans and our corn, and 
 let you eat our oysters and fish."* 
 
 The West India Company went into active operation in the year 
 1623, trading principally in peltries, but did not do much to en- 
 courage the settlement or population. " Not a particle of the soil 
 was reclaimed, save what scantily supplied a few servants of the 
 Company. "t The country, however, was becoming more favorably 
 known to the Directors, who resolved to further improve it, by 
 sending over several families, and introducing domestic cattle. 
 Accordingly, in the spring of 1625, (says Wassenaer,) Peter Evertsen 
 Hvlft (one of the members of the Board) brought in two ships, of 
 280 tons burden, " one hundred and three cattle, among which were 
 stallions, mares, bulls and cows, for breeding, as well as swine and 
 sheep. These beasts were all very well provided for on ship-board 
 
 O'Callaghan. ^ Ibid. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XJij 
 
 —almost as well as on shore. Eacli one had his own stall, arranged 
 with a flooring of sand," with plenty of water, hay, and straw. 
 
 " The beasts, two of which only died on the passage, were, on 
 their arrival, landed on Noten Island, (now Governor's Island,) 
 but there being no grazing-ground for them at that spot, they were, 
 a day or two afterwards, taken by shallops and barges to Manhat- 
 tan, where they eventually throve very well, though some twenty, 
 in all, were lost : many of them by eating some kind of poisonous 
 vegetation, which had also destroyed the first shipment of domestic 
 animals, sent here several years before. These were brought by 
 Hendrick Christiansen, but were all of the smaller kinds, consisting 
 of 'bucks and goats, also rabbits.' We may therefore conclude that 
 those brought by Hulft in 1625 were fhejirst large domestic cattle 
 introduced ; and those also of the smaller species brought by him, 
 were the first of the breed successfully prolific in New Netherlands." 
 
 In 1626,* Director Minuit concluded a treaty with the natives, 
 by which they ceded Manhattan Island to the Dutch, for the sum 
 of "sixty guilders." The land which composes the now great City 
 and County of New York, estimated to contain twenty -two thousand 
 acres of land, was purchased for twenty-four dollars! So the 
 "West India Company" became the owners, and reserved it for 
 themselves, as stated in their " Charter of Liberties ; " but they 
 made very slow progress either in colonizing it, or in producing 
 many of the common necessaries of life. 
 
 Dominie Jonas Michaelius, in a letter dated August 11th, 1628, 
 says : " We want ten or twelve farmers, with horses, cows, and la- 
 borers in proportion, to furnish us with bread and fresh butter, milk 
 and cheese." 
 
 The population two years before (1626) numbered but "two 
 hundred and seventy souls, including men, women, and children ; "t 
 but in 1629 the Company offered greater inducements, in the 
 forms of "freedoms and exemptions" to families or single persons, 
 and a "patroonship" to those who would, in four years, "plant a 
 colonic of fifty souls, upwards of fifteen years old ; " the last 
 named, however, were not allowed to settle on the Island of Man- 
 hattan, and " all fruit and wares that are produced on the lands 
 situated on the North River, and lying thereabout, shall for the 
 present bei brought there, before they may be sent elsewhere. "J 
 
 In the "Conditions entered into and made between the Lords 
 the Burgomasters of the City of Amsterdam and the West India 
 Company," favorable articles were also set forth to encourage colo- 
 
 * Wassenaef. Also, Hoi. Doc. Col. His. f Wassenaer. 
 
 X N. Y. H. C. N. S., vol. 1., p. 371. 
 
xiv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 nization. Article 6 says, " That the said city (Amsterdam) shall 
 provide a suitable piece of land on the banks of a river for a 
 proper dwelling-place for the colonists. The place shall be pro- 
 vided with a trench and wall on the outer side, and the inner 
 ground be laid out with streets, a market, and in lots, for the ad- 
 vantage of merchants, mechanics, and those who will pursue agri- 
 culture — the whole to be done at the cost of said city." 
 
 "Art. 9. And to the end that the colonists may be provided 
 with necessaries as far as is practicable, the said city shall supply 
 them with clothing and necessaries for one year, and also with seed- 
 grain ; and for the assurance and certainty of having the necessary 
 supplies on hand, the city shall erect a large magazine or warehouse 
 in said place for the storage of clothing and necessaries for the 
 people, wherein they shall keep their /actor, who shall supply every 
 colonist with necessary clothing, household necessaries, and hus- 
 bandry a/ tides, at the same prices of this country, (Amsterdam) — 
 the toll of the Company not charged."* 
 
 The Directors in Holland, in the year 1639, to further encour- 
 age emigration, offered free passages to such farmers and their fam- 
 ilies "as were desirous of proceeding to New Netherlands, where, 
 on their arrival, they were promised to be furnished for six years 
 with a farm, fit for the plough, a dwelling-house, a barn, a suitable 
 number of laborers, four horses, an equal number of cows, sheep 
 and swine in proportion, with the necessary farming implements ; 
 for which they were, however, to be bound to pay a yearly rent of 
 one hundred guilders, (equal to |40,) and eighty pounds of butter. 
 On the expiration of his lease, the tenant was to restore the same 
 number of cattle that he had received on entering into possession, 
 retaining for himself whatever increase there might have been, in 
 the mean time, from the original stock. To those who owned 
 farms, but who had not the means of providing stock, the Com- 
 pany loaned cattle for a certain number of years, ' on halves ; ' 
 that is, on expiration of the contract, the number furnished were 
 restored, with half the increase." 
 
 Additions were also made from the settlements in New England 
 and Virginia, where the freedom of conscience had been proscribed. 
 They removed by "whole towns to the Netherlands, to enjoy that 
 religious liberty denied them by their own countrymen;" but in 
 order to secure their allegiance, "they were therefore called on to 
 take and subscribe an oath of fidelity."t 
 
 • N. Y. H. C. N. S., vol. i., p. 239. | O'Callaghan. 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 The Company's large " Magazine, or Warehouse," consisted 
 of five substantial stone buildings, adjoining each other, afterwards 
 known as the " Company's Store-Houses," was erected at an early 
 period. They occupied a position fronting westward, towards 
 " Fort Amsterdam," where an open space, of more than one hun- 
 dred feet in width, originally laid between them. This open space 
 or street, which extended along the front of the " Store-Houses," 
 was called " Winkle Street," Market Street, or Store Street, and 
 ran nearly on a line of Whitehall Street. On this street, be- 
 tween the present Bridge and Stone Streets, stood the " Company's 
 Store-Houses,"* in which was fhejlrst regularly appointed depot or 
 market-place in New Amsterdam, and from which the settlers were 
 supplied with the daily necessaries of life. This fact, however, will 
 be more satisfactorily shown in a malversation committed by one 
 of the Company's servants a few years after. There is no doubt, 
 however, that previous to the erection of these " Store-Houses," 
 and the introduction of domestic cattle, the inhabitants were chiefly 
 furnished by the Indians with the flesh of wild game, fish, oysters, 
 clams, and such vegetation as they produced. 
 
 The town, in 1633, came under the administration of Director 
 Van Twiller, who improved the fortifications, built a church, and 
 several dwelling-houses. But, "scarcely one solitary agricultural 
 settler had been, as yet, sent over by the Company to fell the 
 forest or reclaim the wilderness."t 
 
 Governor Van Twiller appears to have devoted the greater part 
 of his time to agriculture. " One of his plantations was at Red 
 Hook ; and Governor's Island, which is supposed always, from the 
 first settlement, to have been a perquisite of the Director-General 
 for the time being, was said to have been so near Red Hook, that 
 cattle crossed the channel to and fro at low water."| "This Island 
 he purchased, in June, 1634, from the Indian proprietors, who called 
 it 'Pagganck,' or 'Nut Island;' the Dutch lengthened it to 'No ten,' 
 or Nutten Island ; and the English further, to Governor's Island. 
 He also purchased two islands at Hell Gate, in July, now known 
 as Randall's and Great Barn Island. These 'plantations' he had 
 taken care to have well stocked, but greatly neglected those of the 
 Company, which were found by his successor. Sir William Kieft, in 
 • Valentine, Hist, of N. Y. City Records. t O'Callaglian. J Dunlap. 
 
16 
 
 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 1638, to be without tenants, stock, or cultivation, and thrown into 
 'commons.' "* 
 
 At this period, (1637,) we find the price of provisions and rates 
 of wages for laborers were as follows: "Rye was worth two florins 
 and a half (about one dollar) per schepel of three pecks. Maize, (or 
 Indian corn,) one and a half florin. Wheat, three florins. Peas, 
 four to five florins. Broken harley, four florins. Porh, seven stivers 
 per pound. Meat, (beef,) six stivers do. A hog six months old 
 brought fifteen florins. A keg of butter, twenty-five florins. A la- 
 borer in harvest got about eighty cents a day, on other occasions 
 sixty ; while the price of a negro was forty florins, or $16. "t 
 
 At the commencement of Van Twiller's administration, an 
 " Inventory " shows that all the Company's farms had been 
 " liberally stocked with brood-mares, oxen, milch-cows, heifers, 
 yearlings, goats, calves, and the necessary farming implements." 
 While after its close, was found, from their "five or six farms on 
 Manhattan Island — which were now destitute of a creature — 16 
 milch-cows, 10 mares, a number of sheep and other stock, had been 
 sold and otherwise disposed of." So that many of Van Twiller's 
 acts appeared to give cause for suspicion that " he had not hesi- 
 tated to enrich himself at the Company's expense. "| 
 
 His example was followed by another of the Company's servants ; 
 as we find, a few years afterwards, the store-keeper, Ullrick Lu- 
 poid, was complained of for extortion and malversation. " The 
 inhabitants being generally supplied from the Company's store with 
 whatever goods or necessaries they required at fixed prices, being 
 fifty per cent, advance on their prime cost, a list was posted in a 
 conspicuous place for public inspection, which shows that several 
 articles had become lessened in price in a few years, no doubt in 
 consequence of the increasing number of agriculturists. This list 
 is arranged as follows : 
 
 Freeh meat, 
 
 Pork, 
 
 Butter, 
 
 Tobacco, 
 
 Dried fish, 
 
 Hard bread, 
 
 Wheatenbread.T 
 
 Rye bread. 
 Corn bread, 
 Indian corn. 
 Barley, 
 Peas, 
 Wheaten flour, 
 
 stivers,§ or 10 cts. ^ lb. 
 10 " " 
 16 " " 
 " 14 <. ii 
 
 " 24 " " 
 
 ^ 100 
 
 " or 14 ctB. ^ loaf. 
 
 << 10 " " 
 
 <i 8 " " 
 
 60 cts. •§, schepel.|| 
 
 $2.00 " 
 3.25 
 1.00 
 
 A hog, (common size,) $ 8.00 
 
 Cabbage, (^ 100,) 12.00 
 
 Staves, C^ 1,000 of 1,200,) 32.00 
 
 Sugar, 
 Sour wine, 
 Spanish wine, 
 French wine, 
 Grogham, 
 Kersey flannel. 
 White linen. 
 Red flannel, 
 Children's shoes, 
 Brass kettles, 
 
 17 to 24 stivers fi, lb. 
 $31 "^ hhd. 
 4 stivers ^ quart. 
 10 " " 
 
 $1.00 -^ ell. 
 1.20 " 
 18 to 20 stivers " 
 $1.20 " 
 36 stivers ^ pair. 
 40 " ^ piece. 
 
 * Valentine. f O'Callaghan. | ibid. 
 
 § Stiver, valued at about two cents. || About three pecks. 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 17 
 
 " The inhabitants complained, it is right to add, that the goods 
 in the Company's store were overvalued : a complaint which was 
 subsequently admitted to have sufficient foundation in fact; for 
 Ullrich Lupoid, the store-keeper in charge, was found guilty of ex- 
 tortion and malversation, and sentenced by the Director and Coun- 
 cil, by and with the advice of the principal inhabitants, to removal 
 from office ; to pay, in addition, a fine of eighty dollars, and to be 
 banished to Holland. His sentence was, however, remitted, on Lu- 
 pold's petition; but he was ordered to satisfy the 'Company' for 
 his malversation."* 
 
 The prospects in agricultural pursuits, and more especially in 
 that of cattle and hogs, had become so thriving and favorable, as 
 to cause Governor Kieft and his Council to establish, on the 15th 
 September, 1641, "two Fairs at New Amsterdam: one to be holden 
 annually, on the 15th of October, for cattle generally ; the other on 
 the first of November, for hogs."t 
 
 We have been favored with interesting descriptions of the cattle, 
 hogs, and other animals, both tame and wild, domestic fowl, birds, 
 fish, with numerous agricultural productions, as they then appeared, 
 by Van der Donk and other early writers, from which the following 
 extracts appear to be suitable : 
 
 Van der Donk says, " The Cattle in New Netherlands are mostly 
 of the Holland breed, and with proper care, they raise as fine cat- 
 tle as we do in Holland. There are also cattle brought over from 
 the province of Utrecht, which are kept in the highlands at Amers- 
 fort, (Flatlands, L. I.,) where they thrive as well as in Holland ; 
 the increase is not quite as large, but the stock give milk enough, 
 thrive well in pasture, and yield much tallow. 
 
 " They also have English cattle in the country, which are not im- 
 ported by the Netherlanders, but purchased from the English in 
 New England. Those cattle thrive as well as the Holland cattle, 
 and do not require as much care and provender ; and, as in England, 
 this breed will do well unsheltered whole winters. This breed of 
 cattle do not grow near as large as the Dutch cattle ; do not give 
 as much milk, and are much cheaper ; but they fat and tallow well. 
 
 " They who desire to cross the breeds, and raise the best kind of 
 stock, put a Holland bull to their English cows, by which they pro- 
 duce a good mixed breed of cattle without much cost. ^ Oxen do 
 good service there, and are not only used by the English, but by 
 some of the Netherlanders also, to the wagon and plough. The 
 grazing of cattle for slaughtering is also progressing, as well ^ of 
 oxen as of other cattle, which produces profit in beef and tallow." 
 ♦O'Callaghan. t City Eecords. 
 
 Vol. I.— 2 
 
Ig WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 " Hogs are numerous and plenty — some of the citizens prefer the 
 English breed of hogs, because they are hardy, and subsist better in 
 winter without shelter ; but the Holland hogs grpw much larger and 
 heavier, and have thicker pork." 
 
 " Sheep are also kept in the New Netherlands, but not as many as 
 in New England, where the weaving business is driven, and where 
 much attention is paid to sheep, to which our Netherlanders pay 
 little attention. The sheep thrive well, and become fat enough. I 
 have seen mutton so exceedingly fat there, that it was too luscious 
 and offensive. The flocks require to be guarded and tended on ac- 
 count of the wolves, for which purpose men cannot be spared; there 
 is also a more important hinderance to the keeping of sheep, which 
 are principally kept for their wool. New Netherlands throughout 
 is a woody country, being almost everywhere beset with trees, 
 stumps, and brushwood, wherein the sheep pasture, and by which 
 they lose most of their wool, which by appearance does not seem to 
 be out, but when sheared turns out light in the fleeces. These are 
 reasons against the keeping of sheep." 
 
 "The inhabitants keep more (joats than sheep, which succeed best; 
 they also give good milk, which is always necessary, and because 
 they cost little, they are of importance to the new settlers and 
 planters, who possess small means. Such persons keep goats in- 
 stead of cows. Goats cost little, and are very prolific; and the 
 young castrated tups afford fine, delightful meat, which is always 
 in demand. 
 
 " The New Netherlanders also have every kind of domestic/owfe, 
 as we have in Holland, such as capons, turkeys, geese, and ducks. 
 There are also pigeoners, who keep several kinds of pigeons. In 
 a word, they have tame animals of every description, including cats 
 and dogs."* 
 
 Among the species of wild animals, " were panthers, bears, buf- 
 faloes, elk, deer, wolves, wild-cats, foxes, racoons, beavers, otters, 
 fishers, minks,- hares, muskrats, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, ground- 
 hogs, drummers," &c. 
 
 " The bears of this country (says Van der Donk) are not raven- 
 ous, and do not subsist on flesh and carrion, as the bears of Muscovy 
 and Greenland do. They subsist on grass, herbs, nuts, acorns, and 
 chestnuts, which, we are told by the Indians, they will gather and 
 cat on the trees. In the fall they always are fat." 
 
 '• The Indians esteem the fore-quarters and the plucJes as excel- 
 lent food. I have never tasted the meat, but several Christians, 
 
 *N.Y. H. C.N.S.,vol. i., p. 165. 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. I9 
 
 who have eaten bear's flesh, say it is as good as any swine's flesh or 
 pork can be. 
 
 " Buffaloes are tolerable plenty. These animals mostly keep to- 
 wards the southwest, where few people go. Their meat is excellent, 
 and more desirable than the flesh of the deer, although it is much 
 coarser. Their skins, when dressed, are heavy enough for collars 
 and harness. These animals are not very wild, and some persons 
 are of opinion that they may be domesticated and tamed."* 
 
 Of elk, Van der Donk says, " I have heard from the mouth of a 
 Jesuit, who had been taken prisoner by the Mohawk Indians and 
 released by our people, and came to me, that there were many wild 
 forest oxen in Canada and Nova Francia, which, in Latin, they 
 name hoves silvestres, (the moose, or elk,) which are as large as 
 horses, having long hair on their necks like the mane of a horse, 
 and cloven hoofs ; but that, like the buffalo, the animals were not 
 fierce." 
 
 Another writer says, " I have also eaten here several times of 
 elks, which were very fat, and tasted something like venison." 
 
 " In the forests is great plenty of deer, which in harvest-time and 
 autumn are as fat as any Holland deer can be. I have had them 
 with fat more than two fingers thick on the ribs, so that they were 
 nothing else than clear fat, and could hardly be eaten." 
 
 " We seldom pass through the fields without seeing deer, more or 
 less, and we frequently see them in flocks. The year before I came 
 here, (1641,) there were so many turkeys and deer that they came 
 to the houses and hog-pens to feed, and were taken by the Indians 
 with so little trouble, that a deer was sold to the Dutch for a hnf 
 of bread, or a knife, or even a tobacco-pipe; but now we commonly 
 give for a large deer six or seven guilders. "t 
 
 " The wild birds were as numerous as the wild animals. Eagles, 
 falcons, sparrow-hawks, sailing-hawks, kites, ravens, castrills, crows, 
 cat-owls, turkyes, partridges, pheasants, woodcocks, snipes, quails, 
 cranes, herons, pigeons, land-runners, woodpeckers, thrushes, black- 
 birds," &C.X Van der Donk says, " The most important fowl of the 
 country is the wild turkey. They resemble the tame turkyes of the 
 Netherlands. Those birds are common in the woods all over the 
 country, and are found in large flocks, from twenty to forty in a 
 flock. They are large, heavy, fat, and fine, weighing from twenty 
 to thirty pounds each, and I have heard of one that weighed thirty- 
 two pounds. They differ little in taste from the tame turkeys ; but 
 the epicures prefer the wild kind. They are best in the fall of the 
 year, when the Indians will usually sell a turkey for ten stivers. 
 
 * O'CallaghaB. f ^b''i- t Megapolensia. 
 
20 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 Sometimes the turkeys are caught with dogs in the snow ; but the 
 greatest number are shot at night from the trees. The Indians take 
 many in snares, when the weather changes in winter. Then they 
 lay bulbous roots, which the turkeys are fond of, in the small rills 
 and streams of water, which the birds take up, when they are en- 
 snared and held until the artful Indian takes the turkey as his 
 prize." 
 
 " There are also several kinds of quails in the country, some of 
 which are smaller, (common quail,) and others larger, (the partridge 
 ov pheasant,) than those of the Netherlands. In the Netherlands it 
 is not believed that they will alight and sit in trees ; but it is true 
 that many (partridges) are shot from trees in this country. I have 
 done it several times, and have killed a hundred or more from trees. 
 I have also heard from respectable authority that eleven heath- 
 fowls {prairie lien) have been killed at a shot — off a palisade 
 fence. There are also woodcocks, birdcocks, heath-fowls, pheasants, 
 wood and water snipes, Ac, and many cranes, of which great num- 
 bers are shot on the mowed lands in the fall of the year, and they 
 are fine for the table. Quacks and bitterns are also plenty. 
 
 "The pigeons, which resemble coal-pigeons, are astonishingly 
 plenty. Those are most numerous in the spring and fall of the 
 year, when they are seen in such numbers, in flocks, that they resem- 
 ble the clouds in the heavens, and obstruct the rays of the sun." 
 "The Indians, when they find the breeding-places of the pigeons, 
 (at which they assemble in numberless thousands,) frequently re- 
 move to those places with their wives and children, to the number 
 of two or three hundred in a company, where they live a month or 
 more on the young pigeons, which they take, after pushing them 
 from their nests with poles and sticks." 
 
 Of water-fowls, there "were swans, geese, pelicans, ducks, teal, 
 widgeons, brant, coots, divers and eel-shovelers." "We find these 
 principally in the spring and fall of the year. At other seasons they 
 are not as plenty. But at those seasons, the waters, by their move- 
 ments, appear to be alive with water-fowls ; and the people who 
 reside near the water are frequently disturbed in their rest at night 
 by the noise of the water-fowls, particularly by the swans, which, in 
 their seasons, are so plenty that the bays and shores where they resort 
 appear as if they were dressed in white drapery." 
 
 " There are also three kinds of wild geese. The first and best kind 
 are the gray geese, {Canada geese) which are larger than the Neth- 
 erlands geese, but not so large as the swans." "A great many of 
 those fowls are shot, and they are esteemed before the other kinds 
 for the table. I have known a gunner named Henry de Backer 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 21 
 
 who killed eleven gray geese out of a large flock at one shot from 
 his gun. The other kinds are the black geese, and the white-heads." 
 
 Of the fish taken "in the fresh water, were salmon, sturgeon, 
 striped bass, drums, shad, carp, perch, pike, trout, thick-heads, suck- 
 ers, sunfish, catfish, eels, lampreys, divers, mullets, or frost-fish. 
 Those of the sea, codfish, shellfish, weekfish, halibut, herring, mack- 
 erel, thornback, flounders, plaice, bream, blackfish, seal, lobster, oys- 
 ters, crabs, periwinkle, clams, turtles, and porpoises." 
 
 " All the waters of New Netherlands are rich with fishes. Stur- 
 geons are plenty in the rivers at their proper season ; but these fish 
 are not esteemed, and when large, are not eaten. No person takes 
 the trouble to salt or souse them for profit ; and the roes, from which 
 the costly caviaer is prepared, are cast away. Salmon are plenty 
 in some rivers, and the striped bass are plenty in all the rivers and 
 bays of the sea." "The drums are a tolerably good fish. I have 
 heard it said, that the drums were named thirteens when the Chris- 
 tians first began fishing in the New Netherlands. Then, every one 
 was desirous to see the fishes which were caught, for the purpose of 
 discovering whether the same were known to them, and if they did 
 not know the fish, then they gave it a name. First in the fishing 
 season, they caught many shad, which they named Mft, (eleventh.) 
 Later, they caught the striped bass, which they named Twalft, 
 (twelfth.) Later still, they caught the drums, which they named 
 Bertienen, (thirteenth.) For those fish succeeded each other in 
 their seasons, and the same are still known by the names which were 
 thus derived."* 
 
 In addition to the above list of fish. Van der Donk adds, "snook, 
 forrels, palings, brickens, dunns, roah, scoll, and sheephead. The 
 latter are formed like the sunfish, but much heavier, with cross 
 stripes, being about the weight of the largest carps. They have 
 teeth in the fore-part of the mouth like a sheep, but are not vora- 
 cious, and are an excellent fish. There is another species of fish, 
 called blackfish, which are held in high estimation by the Christians. 
 It is as brown as a seek, formed like the carp, but not so coarse in 
 its scales. When this kind of fish, which are plenty, is served upon 
 the table, it goes before all others, for every person prefers it. 
 
 "There are also porpoises, herring-hogs, potheads or sharks, tur- 
 tles, &c., and whales, of which there are none caught, but if prepa- 
 rations were made for the purpose, then it might be easily efi"ected ; 
 but our colonists have not advanced far enough to pursue whaling. 
 A lost bird, (whale,) however, is frequently cast and stranded, which 
 is cut up." 
 
 * O'Callaghan. 
 
22 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 The same writer, in Ms description of the North River, says: "I 
 cannot refrain, although somewhat out of place, to relate a very sin- 
 gular occurrence which happened in the month of March, 1647, at 
 the time of a great freshet, caused by the fresh water flowing down 
 from above, by which the water of the (North) river became nearly 
 fresh to the Bay, when at ordinary seasons the salt water flows up 
 from twenty to twenty-four miles* from the sea. At this season, 
 two whales, of common size, swam up the river forty miles, from 
 which place one of them returned and stranded about twelve miles 
 from the sea, near which place four others also stranded the same 
 year. The other ran up the river and grounded near the great Cha- 
 hoos Falls, about forty-three miles from the sea. This fish was tol- 
 erably fat, for although the citizens of Rensselaerwyck broiled out 
 a great quantity of train oil, still the whole river (the current being 
 still rapid) was oily for three weeks, and covered with grease. As 
 the fish lay rotting, the air was infected with its stench to such a 
 degree that the smell was offensive and perceptible for two miles to 
 leeward. For what purpose those whales ascended the river so far, 
 it being full forty miles from all salt or brackish water, it is difficult 
 to say, unless their great desire for fish, which were plenty at this 
 season, led them onward." 
 
 "Lobsters are plenty in many places. Some of those are very 
 large, being from five to six feet in length; others, again, are from a 
 foot to a foot and a half long, which are the best for the table. 
 There are also crabs, like those of the Netherlands, some of which 
 are altogether soft. Those, the people call weak-crabs, and they 
 make excellent bait for hook-fishing. 
 
 "There are also sea-cocks, (horned crabs;) sea-colts, sea-conks, and 
 periwinkles are very plenty, which in some seasons are cast ashore 
 by the sea in great numbers. From these the Indians make wampum. 
 
 " Oysters are very plenty in many places. Some of these are like 
 the Colchester oysters, and are fit to be eaten raw; others are very 
 large, wherein pearls are frequently found; but as they are of a 
 brownish colour, they are not valuable. The price for oysters is usu- 
 ally from eight to ten stivers per hundred. 
 
 "Muscles of different kinds are plenty; the St. Jacob's and mother- 
 of-pearl shells, with alls or stone crutches." 
 
 " There are also shrimps and tortoises in the waters and on the 
 land. Some persons prepare delicious dishes from the water terra- 
 pin, which is luscious food." 
 
 Of vegetables, Van der Donk says: "The garden products in the 
 New Netherlands are very numerous ; some of them have been known 
 ' A Dutch mile is about three English miles. 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 23 
 
 to the natives from the earliest times, and others introduced from 
 different parts of the world, but chiefly from the Netherlands. 
 
 "They consist, then, of various kinds of salads, cabbages, pars- 
 nips, carrots, beets, endive, succory, finckel, sorrel, dill, spinage, 
 radishes, parsley, chervil, (or sweet cicely,) cresses, onions, leeks," 
 "together with laurel, artichokes, and asparagus." 
 
 "The herb-garden is also tolerably well supplied with rosemary, 
 lavender, hyssop, thyme, sage, marjoram, balm, holy onions, worm- 
 wood, belury, chives, and clary; also pimpurnel, dragon's-blood, 
 five-finger, tarragon, (or dragon's-wort,) &c." 
 
 "The pumpkin grows with little or no cultivation, and is so sweet 
 and dry that it is used, with the addition of vinegar and water, for 
 stewing, in the same manner as apples; and notwithstanding that it 
 is here (Netherlands) generally despised as a mean, unsubstantial 
 article of food, it is there (here) of so good a quality that our coun- 
 trymen hold it in high estimation." 
 
 " The English, (in New England,) who in general think much 
 of what gratifies the palate, use it also in pastry," (pumpkin pies, 
 no doubt,) "and understand making a beverage from it." "The 
 Spanish (or mammoth pumpkin) is considered the best." 
 
 " The natives have another species of this vegetable peculiar to 
 themselves, called by our people quaasiens, (squashes;) a name de- 
 rived from the aborigines, as the plant was not known to us before 
 our intercourse with them. It is a delightful fruit; as well to the 
 eye, on account of its fine variety of colors, as to the mouth, for its 
 agreeable taste." " The natives make great account of this vege- 
 table ; some of the Netherlanders, too, consider it quite good, but 
 others do not esteem it very highly." 
 
 " Melons, likewise, grow in the New Netherlands very luxuriantly, 
 without requiring the land to be prepared or manured ; they will 
 thrive, too, in newly-cleared wood-land, when it is freed from weeds ; 
 and in this situation the fruit, which they call Sptanish pork, grows 
 large, and very abundant. I had the curiosity to weigh one of these 
 melons, and found its weight to be seventeen pounds." 
 
 " The citruU, or water-citron, (water-melon,) also grows there, 
 (here ;) a fruit that we hare not in the Netherlands, and is only 
 known from its being occasionally brought from Portugal, except 
 to those who have traveled in warm climates." " They grow ordi- 
 narily to the size of a man's head. I have seen them as large as 
 the biggest Leyden cabbages, but in general they are somewhat ob- 
 long." " When they are to be eaten, the rind is cut off to about 
 the thickness of the finger ; all the • rest is good, consisting of a 
 spongy pulp, full of liquor, in which the seeds are imbedded ; and 
 
24 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 if the fruit is sound and fully ripe, it melts as soon as it enters the 
 mouth, and nothing is left but the seeds." 
 
 "Cucumbers are abundant. Calabashes, or gourds, also grow 
 there : they are half as long as the pumpkin, but have within very 
 little pulp, and are sought chiefly on account of the shell, which is 
 hard and durable, and is used to hold seeds, spices, &c. It is the 
 common water-pail of the natives, and I have seen one so large 
 that it would contain more than a bushel," (about three pedes.) 
 
 " Turnips, also, are as good and fine as any sand-rapes that are 
 raised in the Netherlands." 
 
 " Of beans there are several kinds ; but the large Windsor bean, 
 which the farmers call tessen, or hot-house beans, and also the horse- 
 bean, will not fill out their pods." " The Turkish beans which our 
 people have introduced there grow wonderfully ; they fill out re- 
 markably well, and are much cultivated." 
 
 "Before the arrival of the Netherlanders, the Indians raised 
 beans of various kinds and colors, but generally too coarse to be 
 eaten green, or to be pickled, except the blue sort, which are abun- 
 dant ; they somewhat tend to flatulency, like those we raise in Hol- 
 land ; but in other respects they furnish an excellent food, of which 
 the Indians are especially fond. They have a peculiar mode of 
 planting them, which our people have learned to practice : when 
 the Turkish tvJicaf, (Indian corn,) or, as it is called, maize, is half a 
 foot above the ground, they plant the beans around it, and let them 
 grow together. The coarse stalk serves as a bean-prop, and the 
 beans run upon it, and thus two crops are gathered at the same 
 time." 
 
 Another writer (De Vries) says of Indian corn, or maize, " They 
 sow the maize in April and May," and gather it in September and 
 October; '-'and when they have shelled the corn, they bury it in 
 holes, which they have previously covered with mats, and so keep 
 as much as they want for the winter and while hunting." " When 
 they travel, they take a flat stone, and press it with another stone 
 placed upon the first ; and when it is pressed, they have little bas- 
 kets, which they call notassen, and which are made of a kind of 
 hemp, the same as fig-frails — which they make to serve them as 
 sieves — and thus make their meal. They make flat cakes of the meal 
 mixed with water, as large as a farthing cake in this country, and 
 bake them in the ashes, first wrapping a vine-leaf or maize-leaf 
 around them. When they are sufficiently baked in the ashes, they 
 make good, palatable bread. 
 
 "Our Netherlanders raise good wheat, rye, barley, oats, and peas, 
 and can brew as good beer here as in our fatherland, for good hops 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 25 
 
 grow in the woods ; they are in want of nothing but men to do the 
 work." 
 
 " Barley grows well in the country, but it is not much needed." 
 "Flax and hemp will grow fine, but as the women do not spin 
 much, and the Indians have hemp in abundance in the woods, from 
 which they make strong ropes and nets, for these reasons very little 
 flax is raised." 
 
 "Wild fruit was equally abundant," observes another writer; 
 " consisting of acorns, (some of which were very sweet,) chestnuts, 
 beech-nuts, walnuts, butternuts, hazlenuts, mulberries, cherries, cur- 
 rants, plums, gooseberries, medlars, bilberries, blackberries, rasp- 
 berries, cranberries, and strawberries ; the latter in such abundance, 
 that people lay down in the fields and ate them to satiety. Pig- 
 nuts, artichokes, wild leeks and onions, wild-peas, and other wild 
 fruit, also abounded." 
 
 Of imported fruits. Van der Donk says : " The Netherlands set- 
 tlers, who are lovers of fruit, on Dbserving that the climate was 
 suitable to the production of fruit-trees, have brought over and 
 planted various kinds of apple and pear trees, which thrive well. 
 Those also grow from the seeds, of which I have seen many, which, 
 without grafting, bore delicious fruit in the sixth year." " The 
 English have brought over the first quinces, and we have also 
 brought over stocks and seeds, which thrive well. Orchard cher- 
 ries thrive well, and produce large fruit. Spanish cherries, fore- 
 runners, morellaes, of every kind we have, as in the Netherlands ; 
 and the trees bear better, because the blossoms are not injured by 
 the frosts." 
 
 " The peaches, which are sought after in the Netherlands, grow 
 wonderfully well here." " We have also introduced morecotoons, 
 (a variety of the peach,) apricots, several sorts of the best plums, 
 almonds, persimmons, cornelian cherries, figs, several sorts of cur- 
 rants, gooseberries, calissiens, and thorn-apples." 
 
 "Although the land is full of many kinds of grapes, we still want 
 settings of the best kinds from Germany, for the purpose of enabling 
 our wine-planters here to select the best kinds, and to propagate 
 the same." "The entire land, both forest and bottom-land," ob- 
 serves O'Callaghan, "was, moreover, covered with vines, climbing 
 up the loftiest trees, or creeping along the lowly valleys, and bear- 
 ing loads of grapes : some white, some blue ; some large, some small ; 
 some very juicy, and others not so good, yet all promising, if prop- 
 erly cultivated, an ample return to the vine-dresser." "In short, 
 every kind of fruit which grows in the Netherlands is plenty already 
 in the New Netherlands, which have been introduced by the lovers 
 
26 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 of agriculture; and the fruits thrive better here, particularly such 
 kinds as require a warmer climate." 
 
 " Why mourn about Brazil, full of base Portuguese? 
 
 When Van der Donck shows so far much better fare ; 
 Where wheat-fills golden ears, and grapes abound in trees ; 
 Where fruit and kine are good with little care." 
 
 Evert JVieuwenhof. 
 
 At this early day, it will be seen, the natural advantages of this 
 beautiful country — producing so much, and still capable of grow- 
 ing every luxury wanted by man — were not fully appreciated, so 
 badly was it managed and sadly misgoverned by many of the Com- 
 pany's servants, more especially by Governor Kieft himself, who 
 afterwards confesses that he was instructed to do so ! " For he 
 said he had express orders to exact the contributions from the In- 
 dians" — to prosecute the people — "when there was no offence, and to 
 consider a partial offence an entire one, and so forth."* These un- 
 popular acts, and especially his exactions and enmity towards the 
 Indians, the consequences of which had become very grievous to the 
 settlers, and more particularly to those who lived away from the 
 protection of the Fort, as the settlement then extended about thirty 
 English miles to the east, and twenty-one to the north and south 
 from Fort Amsterdam — to assist in reforming some of these griev- 
 ances, the Commonalty at large chose "twelve men" to co-operate 
 with the Governor and Council. 
 
 Among some of the local improvements which were introduced in 
 1642, these "twelve men" represented that, in consequence of the 
 sale in New Netherlands of cows and other stock by the English, 
 the cattle owned and introduced by the Dutch were held in small es- 
 teem, and were not so valuable as they had heretofore been." 
 That "it was near-sighted and destructive to the improvement of 
 their own stock ; and that the English should not be permitted here- 
 after to sell either cows or goats within the Dutch jurisdiction, but 
 that this privilege should be confined to oxen and poultry."! 
 
 The Dutchmen, at this early day, began to admit the superior qual- 
 ities of the red cattle of New England ; at least in producing better 
 working oxen than their Dutch breed; but they wished to exclude 
 their breeding cattle. Theirs were generally good milkers, pro- 
 ducing good fleshy beef, and withal, this solicited exclusion of the 
 English stock would tend to enhance the value of their own breed- 
 ing stock. The Governor, however, concluded that the "English 
 should not be permitted to sell cows or goats for the future within 
 * Murphy's translations. -f O'Callaghan. 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 27 
 
 New Netherlands." In this act, he had acceded to the wishes of 
 the "twelve men," but many of their movements and acts were 
 looked upon by him with a jealous eye, and by a proclamation he 
 disbanded them, and forbade them to meet. 
 
 His enmity towards the Indians also was such, that he had made 
 up his mind to attack them unawares, and without notice, and ex- 
 pressed himself to De Vries, who was dining with him one day, that 
 "he had a great desire, he said, to make the savages wipe their 
 chops." Sure enough, the night after, he ordered an attack to be 
 made upon two separate parties of Indians that had moved near the 
 settlers, as a sort of protection from a stronger tribe which was at 
 war with them. So, in the silent hour of midnight, Kieft's brave 
 and valiant soldiers approached the unsuspecting victims, and in 
 cool blood cowardly murdered above one hundred of them. This 
 unwise and cruel act caused all the neighboring Indians, those who 
 were friendly as well as other tribes, to retaliate, by murdering all 
 the men they could find, (leaving the women and children,) burn- 
 ing and desolating the farms, destroying the crops, killing the cat- 
 tle, hogs, &c., and driving the settlers panic-stricken into the town. 
 
 Within two weeks sifter, peace was proposed, and partly effected 
 with a few Indians ; yet many were not satisfied, and they again com- 
 menced murdering families and individuals, and some who were quite 
 near the Fort. The inhabitants were now almost confined to the 
 precincts of the fortifications, and in a dreadful situation ; so they 
 appealed to the Honorable Lords in Holland, and say : " Our pop- 
 ulation consists for the most part of women and children ; the free- 
 men (not counting the English) are about two hundred in numbers, 
 who must protect by force of arms their families, which now lie con- 
 cealed in straw huts around outside the forts." The cattle are partly 
 burnt and killed ; the remainder conveyed to the fort on the Manhat- 
 tes, where, for want of forage, they must starve through the coming 
 winter, if not immediately slaughtered."* 
 
 Still further to add to their miserable condition, internal troubles 
 broke out among themselves. " Complaints were daily made of 
 stealing and killing of hogs, goats, as well as of the irregularities 
 which increased so fast that it ' threatened to end in plunder and 
 robbing,' and it was found that people would at last murder one 
 another in consequence of the impunity of the delinquents." 
 
 The situation of the country at that time was certainly a very dis- 
 couraging one ; with a jealous, sordid, and an unpopular Governor, 
 and the people almost rent asunder, distressed by their losses of 
 friends and protectors, of property, and many of them almost in 
 
 * O'Callaghan. 
 
28 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 despair. However, assistance came; their complaints and appeals 
 had been heard; the Dutch West India Company, in 1647, recalled 
 Governor Kieft, and sent a man much more fitted for the position 
 than either who had preceded him. 
 
 Peter Stuyvesant, the last of the Dutch Governors in this city, 
 arrived in the month of May, 1647, when he assumed the reins of 
 government. His character appears somewhat pompous and arbi- 
 trary, yet he had the vigilance, firmness, and force which were neces- 
 sary to raise the country up from the disorder and confusion in 
 which he found it. He made friends of the Indians, and introduced 
 a successful trade with them, as well for the resident traders as the 
 " West India Compan3^" 
 
 Numerous proclamations and ordinances of a stringent character 
 soon appeared, which were posted in the " public market-places."* 
 In the following month of July, an ordinance, in relation to the tres- 
 passing of cattle, was enacted, declaring that all the inhabitants of 
 the New Netherlands are hereby charged and commanded to set ofi' 
 and put into good fence all their plantations, so that the cattle 
 therein may be kept from committing trespass ; which cattle, 
 whether they be horses, kine, and in a special manner goats and 
 hogs, must be taken care of, or otherwise disposed of, that they 
 cannot commit any trespass ; to this end the Fiscal Van Dyck should 
 build a jMund, in which cattle shall be detained until the damages 
 shall have been made good, and the fees of ofiicers shall have been 
 paid : let every one take warning, and look out for costs." 
 
 In the early part of the following year, (1648,) a law was intro- 
 duced to confirm the privileges of trade in New Amsterdam to per- 
 manent residents ; for it was ordered that henceforward no person 
 should keep a shop, or carry on any retail business, except such as 
 " have already taken the oath of allegiance," were rated, at least, at 
 from two to three thousand guilders, and had entered into an en- 
 gagement to remain in the country four successive years, " and to 
 keep fire and light" at their own expense. This regulation was 
 not, however, to extend to "old residents," who were to be allowed 
 the privileges of trade, though not rated as above, provided they 
 bound themselves to remain in the province the required time ; not 
 to quit the same without permission from the Director and Council, 
 nor to use any weights or measures except those of " Old Amster- 
 dam, to which we owe our name ;" and for the further encourage- 
 ment of trade, " each Monday in the week was declared to be a 
 market-day"—" as well for strangers as residents." The " strangers," 
 no doubt, were the Indians and country people who had, prior to 
 
 * City Records. 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 29 
 
 the establishment of this " market-day," brought with them, in their 
 skiffs and canoes, their productions, from the chase, of the land and 
 of the water; some of which, such as peltries, corn, &c., were taken 
 to the " Company's Store," either for the purpose of trade or sale, 
 and the balance sold to the residents who were in the habit of find- 
 ing them at the " store," or landing-place ; but at no stated time or 
 particular day: therefore it appeared necessary to appoint a par- 
 ticular day — " Monday of each week a market-day," when they 
 would be sure to find each other, near this depot of trade or market, 
 which, no doubt, gave the space between the "Company's Store" 
 and the "Fort " the name of "Market-field."* 
 
 About this period an "Annual Pair," or "kermis," was also 
 established, for the sale of home productions, (those appointed pre- 
 vious were for cattle and hogs,) to commence on the first Monday 
 after the "feast of St. Bartholomew," (24th of August,) and continue 
 for ten days ; at which all persons were privileged to sell their goods 
 from their tents. f 
 
 Many of their productions were sold for cash, or such currency 
 as was then recognized as such ; a great deal of which was Indian 
 money, called " loampum" or seawant, (or zeawant,) " half-beavers, 
 and beaver" skins. The common value of "wampum or seawant," 
 when strung on a string, passed "six white," or "three black sea- 
 want," for one stiver ; the value of " beaver" was " eight guilders," 
 or about three dollars ; divided in " half-beavers," the value was 
 much less in proportion. The early English settlers, however, used 
 their £ s. d. currency when an opportunity offered. This Indian 
 currency, seawant, afterwards became much depreciated in value, by 
 the unskillful tinkering at the currency; it being hose, not perforated, 
 and badly finished. The authorities notice it at a meeting held 
 May 30, 1650, and they " have observed, both now and for a long 
 time, 'loose seawant;' many are not perforated, and half finished, 
 and also made out of stone, bone, glass, muscle-shells, horns, and 
 even out of wood, and broken ones, whereby occasion is given for 
 repeated complaints from the inhabitants, that they cannot go with 
 such seaivant to the market ; nor yet procure any commodity, not 
 even a mean white loaf of bread, or a can of beer at the merchant's, 
 the baker's, or the tapster's, for the loose' seawant." The authorities 
 resolve, " from this time forth, no loose, unperforated, or clumsy sea- 
 want shall be current, nor be a lawful tender, except that the same 
 shall be strung on one string, as the general custom has been here- 
 tofore. They ordained that the common seawant shall be as 
 formerly ; that is, six white, or three black seawant, for one stuyver ; 
 • O'Callaghan and City Records. t O'Callagban. 
 
30 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 and the base strung seawant shall pass eight white, or four black, for 
 one stuyver."* 
 
 Part of these instructions were unheeded: "the huse strung sea- 
 luant being still refused and rejected for trifling articles by shop- 
 keepers, brewers, bakers, tapsters, mechanics, and day-laborers, to 
 the great confusion and discommoding of the inhabitants in general ; 
 there being at present no other specie with which the inhabitants 
 can accommodate one another." The authorities, on the 14th Sep- 
 tember following, " do ordain and decree, that the base strung sea- 
 loant shall be current — in payment for small and daily necessary 
 commodities in housekeeping" — and " that the sum of twelve guild- 
 ers and under shall be paid all in base strung seaivani; from twelve 
 to twenty-four guilders, half-and-half; that is to say, half base and 
 half good strung seawant ; from twenty-five guilders to fifty guilders, 
 one- third base strunrf, and two-thirds good strung seawant ; and in 
 large sums agreeably to the agreement between the buyer and 
 seller. "t In case of refusal, certain heavy penalties were ordered to 
 be inflicted. We find, a few 3'ears after, one of the Government 
 officers refused to receive this currency from Solomon La Scheen's 
 (La Chair) wife, who appeared in court on the I7th January, 165fi, 
 "with a certain box of white stringed 'zeaivan,' to the amount of 
 ff. 84.3, complaining that Warner Wessells, the Parmer of the Excise, 
 refused the same, and will not give any license ; and whereas she is 
 obstructed in her business, requests the W. Court to decide if the 
 same be good zeaivan or not, and to order him accordingly to re- 
 ceive the same, and not impede her. The W. Court decides that 
 the zeawan exhibited by the petitioner is good merchantable zea- 
 urin, and hath heretofore sealed the same in Court. "J 
 
 At this period the prices of several of the domestic animals are 
 noticed, and " were to be had at a reasonable price, except sheep, 
 which the English (in New England) do not sell, and are rare in 
 New Netherlands."§ 
 
 "A milch cow, with her 2d or 3d calf, ff. 130. 
 A year old sow, .... 20 to 24. 
 
 A sheep, being a ewe, . . . 20 to 24." 
 
 "Maize (Indian corn) can be always had in season from the In- 
 dians ;" " the schepel cost ordinarily 10 to 15 stivers, when bought 
 from them." 
 
 Although the above valuation of animals appears to have been 
 made for breeding stock, yet this valuation, in our day, usual- 
 ly, would not vary much if the same were fit for consumption. In 
 1640 the price of "fresh meat" was five stivers (10 cents) per pound ; 
 
 * City Records. f Ibid. f Ibid. § Col. His., vol. i., p. 369. 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 31 
 
 — at this period, (1650,) according to the above, it could be afforded 
 at about the same price. Seven years afterwards (1657) we find it 
 about the same, by the following extract from a letter of Vice-Director 
 Aldrich, dated April 13th, 1657,* who says: "I understand that pork, 
 beef, peas, etc., are to be had cheaper here than they can be sent 
 from Holland, to wit : beef and pork at 4 and 5 stivers the pound ; 
 peas, 3 and 3^ guilders the schepel, payable in merchandise, such as 
 duffels, linen, etc., at the aforesaid prices. These, however, were 
 the prices in trading for merchandise, or other than the Indian cur- 
 rency, which had become much depreciated; instead oi four black 
 seawant passing for one stiver, as in 1650, it had been lowered, first 
 to six ; then, in 1659, the white wampum (or seawant) was reduced 
 from 12 to 16, and the black from 6 to 8 for a stiver. The only 
 effect of this was to oblige the holder to give more wampum for any 
 article he might require from the trader, who in return allowed the 
 natives a larger quantity for his beavers, (skins,) ' so that little or 
 no benefit accrued.' Prices nominally advanced: beavers, which 
 sold for 12 to 14 guilders, (seawant,) rose to 22 and 24 guilders ; 
 bread from 14 to 22 stivers the 8 lbs. loaf; beef, 9 to 10 stivers per 
 lb.; pork, 15 to 20 stivers; butter, 30 stivers; common shoes from 
 3^ to 12 guilders the pair; coarse stockings from 36 stivers to 4 or 
 5 guilders the pair; and wrought iron 18 to 20 stivers the lb. 
 Beaver and specie were all this while of equal value, and the differ- 
 ence between these and wampum was 50 per cent. Finally, the 
 price of beavers fell, in 1663, from 8 guilders (specie) to 4^ guild- 
 ers ; white wampum from 16 to 8, black from 8 to 4 for a stiver ; 
 and this was the state of the currency when the English came into 
 possession of the province. "t 
 
 Let us now return to the period of about 1650, when the increas- 
 ing numbers of inhabitants had caused trade to rapidly advance, and 
 many who were anxious to make a good or quick bargain on the 
 "market-day," were on the lookout, watching and waiting at the 
 beach or strand at the East River side, for the market-boats and 
 canoes, which were sometimes belated in consequence of the tides, 
 storms, ice, or other causes ; and when landed, the inhabitants were 
 as ready to purchase there at the strand as the farmers and Indians 
 were to dispose of their produce, to save them the trouble of carry- 
 ing it up to the " market-field." This strand, which had been the reg- 
 ular landing-place for small craft many years previous, extended 
 along up the shore from about the present Whitehall Street, along 
 the line of the present Pearl, to the foot of Broad Street, then called 
 the (Grafht) common ditch or creek. This "creek," at that early 
 * Hoi. Doc , vol. li., p. 6. t O'Callaghan. 
 
32 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 period, did not appear to be in a proper condition for the accommo- 
 dation of the market and other boats; but it is supposed to have 
 been in a state of nature; the shores on each side muddy and full of 
 weeds, and in winter obstructed with ice, so that it appearednot to 
 have been used much until about the year 1660, although they were 
 at work filling it up on the sides, in 1657 and '58, as will appear 
 from the City Records, February 21, of the latter year, when " the 
 three laborers of the Graft {canal) being summoned to court, ap- 
 pearing, are asked how it happens that they do not come any more 
 to work; answer — the weather is unfavorable; whereupon, they 
 were told that complaints were made that there has nothing filled 
 up — and therefore ordered to proceed to do so, and that they should 
 not stop." Then, on the 7th of March, 1659, " Resolvert Waldron 
 is ordered to appear in Court, to receive a commission to superin- 
 tend the Grafht, according to the placard dated 3d December, 1657, 
 published in front of the City Hall, and renewed on the 4th of 
 March, 1659. He was ordered to take good care, and superintend 
 on the newly -constructed ' Graft,' that no filth be cast into it; also, 
 that the boats, canoes, and skiffs be placed in regular order therein." 
 
 We now pass over a period of almost twenty years, when we find 
 it not yet dyked, nor the street {Broad) leveled or paved, which is 
 shown from the proceedings, as follows: "Ordered, that all and 
 every p(er)son & p(er)sons being inhabitants and living within the 
 streete called Here Graft, shall forth with & without delay fill up 
 the Graft Ditch or Common shoare, & make the same level, with 
 the streete, and then so pave & pitch the same before their doores 
 with stones, soe far as et^ery inhabitant's house shall be fronting to- 
 wards the Graft or Ditch, upon pain of every person soe neglecting 
 shall have such fines inflicted upon them as the Courte shall thinke 
 fitt.— Dated this 9th day of May, 1676, then proclaymed." 
 
 Although the houses were ordered to be built fronting the " Graft 
 Ditch," at that time, yet the line of the Here Graft {Broad) Street 
 was not laid out until about twelve years after ; this is shown in the 
 appointment of two carpenters, as surveyors, to lay out some lots 
 along the shore of the East River, from about the present Moore 
 Street, along the east line of Pearl Street, up to Coenties Slip. The 
 proceedings May 4, 1688, show the appointment of "Peter King & 
 Adolph Pieterson, surveyors for y Citty of New York," were re- 
 quired to "survey y^ vacant land within this Citty, near and in y" 
 Dock, beginning ffrom y' Weigh-house to y« Citty Hall, and to lay j" 
 same out in lotts of eighty foot long, into the Dock, and about Four 
 and Twenty ffoot broad, leaving sufiScient spaces ffor y° street; as 
 also to lay out y" street, ranging with y^ Here Graft, as you shall 
 
WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 33 
 
 receive further directions," — "and that they lay out a convenient 
 inlett in y" middle of y" said street ffor y^ Water to fflow in at, and 
 y° channell of y° Here Graft to run into it." Again, on the 14th of 
 June following, it was " Ordered, that the Carpenters, Mr. Adolph 
 Pieterson and Peter King, forthwith sett up the frames of the inlett 
 into the Here Graft of sixteen ffoot wide, leaving on each side twen- 
 ty-eight ffoot for the (Broad) Street." 
 
 In consequence of the war between the Fatherland and England, 
 the citizens began to fear that the feeling had extended to the 
 English Colonies ; and if a sudden attack should be made on the 
 city, it would be found defenceless. 
 
 Orders were therefore given,' on the 13th of March, 1653, to re- 
 pair the 'Tort;" that the whole body of citizens should mount 
 guard every night ; and to " inclose the greater part of the city 
 with upright palisades and small breastworks, so that, in case of 
 necessity, all the inhabitants may retire within the inclosure." 
 This wall of palisades was made of hard wood, of twelve to thir- 
 teen feet in height by eighteen inches in circumference, and sharp- 
 ened at the tops ; they extended from the East to the North River, 
 along the northerly side of the street, which took and yet retains 
 its name from this wall, or barrier,^of palisades. There were but 
 two entrances on the land side, by which the city could be entered : 
 one on the present Broadway, and the other on Pearl Street. 
 
 After the "wall" was finished, the "Night-Watch" became care- 
 less, and neglected to mount guard every night, as directed: so, 
 on the 24th of November following. Governor Stuyvesant sum- 
 moned the Captains of the Burgery, (citizens,) Arent Van Hatten 
 and Martin Krigier, before him, and told them he " was highly dis- 
 pleased that the Burgers should have intermitted their night-watch 
 without his knowledge ; whereupon they answered, that this hap- 
 pened through the want oi fire-wood;" to which "Stuyvesant" 
 said, " that they set to and procure some." Van Hatten pleaded 
 the resolution previously made, "refused to do so, and requested his 
 High Mightiness that they should go, according to request, to the 
 Burgomasters and Schepens." 
 
 An attempt was made, in the month of November, next year, to 
 "ordain and establish a 'Rattle Watch,' of four to six men, to 
 guard this city by night ; wherefore all persons, who desire to un- 
 dertake the same, are warned to repair to the aforesaid place, 
 (Gity HaU,) to hear the conditions, and to act according to circum- 
 stances." The Court met at the appointed place and hour, and 
 after stating the " conditions," there was not one offered himself to 
 undertake this important trust; so the idea of forming a "Rattle 
 Vol. I.— 3 
 
34 WEST INDIA COMPANY'S STORE. 
 
 Watch" at that period was given up, although they succeeded a 
 few years afterwards to organize one. The Burgomasters, on 
 the 4th of March, 1658, say they " have above eight persons for 24 
 stivers every night they watch, it being well understood four and 
 four shall watch each night ; and they are promised one or two 
 beavers for candles, and two to three hundred pieces of iire-wood." 
 
 On the 12th inst. following, Lodowyck Pos was appointed Cap- 
 tain of the " Battle Watch," when Articles or Eules were estab- 
 lished. 
 
 The trading at the " Strand," already referred to, no doubt in- 
 creased from year to year, as the agriculturist advanced ; and the 
 Town of Manhattan, in February, 1653, formally became a city* — 
 the City of New Amsterdam. 
 
 Although there were large crops raised, yet they were not such 
 as furnished food for the increased immigration. The growing 
 of tobacco was found more profitable than the growing of grain, 
 and the agriculturist excessively cultivated it. " For the last two 
 years, a scarcity of food now became imminent." " To prevent this, 
 the export of breadstuffs was prohibited; tobacco-planters were 
 ordered to set as many hills of corn as they did of tobacco, and the 
 consumption of grain by brewers and distillers was strictly for- 
 bidden. "t 
 
 About two years after this scarcity of food, the inhabitants were 
 again visited with another more terrible infliction. " Sixty-four 
 canoes landed at the city, with nearly two thousand Indians, who 
 broke into several of the houses, on pretence of looking for other 
 Indians. The magistrates, however, succeeded in prevailing upon 
 them to quit the place by sundown, and to retire to ' Nut (Govern- 
 or's) Island.' " In the evening they again appeared, and attacked 
 some of the citizens ; but they, in return, had prepared for them, 
 and after killing several, drove them out of the city. The Indians 
 then proceeded to lay the country around in waste. In three days, 
 one hundred of the Dutch were killed, one hundred and fifty taken 
 prisoners, twenty-eight "boweries" and a number of plantations 
 were burned, twelve or fifteen thousand schepels of grain destroyed, 
 from five to six hundred head of cattle killed or driven off, and the 
 farmers driven into the city for refuge. 
 
 Governor Stuyvesant being an old soldier, and withal a diploma- 
 tist, brought his threatening or persuasive powers into action on 
 the Indians, and, with some presents, soon restored peace. Many 
 of these Indians were ofttimes found treacherous, and were not 
 generally liked by many of the settlers, who would occasionally 
 * Brodhead. f O'Callaghan. 
 
MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 35 
 
 bring charges against them, which very often were proved false ; 
 and this had no doubt a tendency to establish the following regula- 
 tion in " the month of January, 1656."* " Various complaints 
 were made, ' that under the notion and name of Indians, horned 
 cattle, hogs, and other animals on the plains have been seized, 
 slaughtered, and offered for sale by Christians, or at least by those 
 who go under the name of Christians. To prevent, from this 
 time forth, neither in this city, nor on the plains belonging to this 
 province, shall any cattle, hogs, goats, or sheep be permitted to be 
 slaughtered, not even by the owner himself, unless the owner first, 
 on the same days he intends to slaughter, shall have given in such 
 creature as his own, to the magistrate of the respective place to 
 which he belongs, and from him have obtained a slaughter certifi- 
 cate' " — for which he had to pay a fee, according to the size and 
 value of the animal. 
 
 The city and citizens no doubt severely felt these drawbacks, but, 
 under Governor Stuyvesant's vigorous administration, both kept on 
 increasing. "A survey of the city at this period showed there 
 were ' one hundred and twenty houses,' with extensive lots, and 
 ' one thousand souls.' "t The houses were more substantially built, 
 the streets were better regulated, and a more rigid system was in- 
 troduced into all the local affairs of Government. 
 
 "MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND." 
 
 1656. The increasing number of the inhabitants in the year 1656 
 no doubt wished better regulations, especially in the one specified as 
 their "market-day." Monday was objectionable, because the butch- 
 ers had to slaughter their animals, and the farmers to gather their 
 productions on the Sabbath-day; and as no particular public market- 
 place had yet been appointed by the authorities here, although, as 
 has been before noticed, the inhabitants, in the course of trade, had 
 first made the open ground before the "Company's Store" and the 
 fort a "market-field;" then, likely, the scarcity of food in 1653 and 
 '54 had caused the citizens, in their pressing wants, to meet the mar- 
 ket-boats and canoes as they ran upon the shore or strand, which 
 extended from "Whitehall" along Dock (now Pearl) Street, up to 
 the "Graft" (Canal) at the foot of Broad Street." 
 
 The continuation and increase of business at that place, and the 
 • City Records. f Brodhead. 
 
36 MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 
 
 fact of Governor Stuyvesant having been a strictly relio:ious char- 
 acter — not only not countenancing, but positively forbidding labor 
 on the Sabbath-day — had afforded good reasons, with the assistance 
 of his counselors, to change the "market-day," and on the 12th day 
 of September, 1656, formally, to appoint a public locality in the fol- 
 lowing language : "Greeting: Whereas, now and then the people 
 from without are in the habit of bringing into the city different com- 
 modities, such as veal, pork, butter, cheese, turnips, roots, straw, and 
 other products of the land, for the purpose of selling them ; and it 
 frequently happens, particularly here at the 'Strand,' that they are 
 obliged to tarry long, and to lodge to their great damage, for the rea- 
 son, because the community, or at least the greater part, especially of 
 those who live away from the 'Strand,' are not aware that such 
 commodities have been brought for sale, not alone to the discom- 
 moding of the ' Burger ers,' but also to the notorious injury of the 
 enterprising man from without, who frequently has to lose more 
 in his time than the profit on his commodities will warrant; 
 therefore, for the purpose of making provision in the prem- 
 ises, the 'Director-General and the Councillors' aforesaid, by these 
 presents, do ordain, that from this time forth, here in this city, Sat- 
 urday shall be the market-day, and market shall be held at the 
 strand, at or around the house of Mr. Hans Kierstede, where, after 
 him, every one shall be permitted to enter that has anything to buy 
 or sell."* This location was between Moore and Whitehall Streets, 
 on the east side of Pearl Street. 
 
 Here, then, the public wants and accommodations of both produ- 
 cer and consumer appear to have been consulted by the public authori- 
 ties in establishing the first picblic market--p\a.ce in our city, without 
 a direct gain to the public coffers, although one part of the public 
 revenue was received in the form of "excise" on all the slaughtered 
 cattle, which all had to pay alike, whether for sale at the " Compa- 
 ny's Store" or for family purposes. "They who slaughter oxen, 
 cows, calves, hogs, or goats, for consumption, shall be taxed for each 
 guilder (40 cents) of their value, one stuyver, (2 cents;) and those 
 who do not produce their animals for valuation previous to slaugh- 
 tering, shall forfeit the same, for the benefit of the officer, the town, 
 and the informer. "t 
 
 This "Excise":]: was fi.rst farmed or leased, for one year, to Sol- 
 omon La Chair, Burgher, for the sum of seven hundred and ten ca- 
 role guilders, (about $284.) He appeared in Court on the 6th of 
 November, 1656, and requested that "sworn butchers" may be or- 
 
 * City Records. f City Records and Doc. Hist, of N. Y., vol. i., p. 646. 
 
 i City Records. 
 
MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 37 
 
 dered and confirmed. The Burgomasters and Schepens appointed 
 " William Clasen, Gerit Jansen Boos, and Jan Van Haerlan," "who 
 shall each be bound to serve in butchering and cutting up, and to 
 provide, have, and possess their own ropes, hand-barrows, troughs, 
 and other articles requisite for slaughtering, and receive for butcher- 
 ing and cutting as follows : 
 
 "For every ox or cow, - - - - 4 guilders, or $1.60 cents. 
 " every pi^^ under 80 lbs. wt., 20 stivers, " .40 " 
 " over that (weight,) - - - 30 stivers, " .60 " 
 
 " a calf, 1 guilder, " .40 " 
 
 " a sheep or goat, - - - - 12 stivers, " .24 cents J' 
 
 Some of the inhabitants, in giving in the valuation of an animal 
 to La Chair, were apt to place their worth at too low a figure, as 
 he petitions to the Court " to be allowed to value them himself, and 
 to bind himself to take the animals at such valuation, if the owner 
 is satisfied." This the Court grants him. About the same time, a 
 complaint is made against William Harck, for slaughtering cattle 
 without paying excise. He states, in answer, " that he killed 
 four cattle for Mr. Thos. Willet, o'er at the Ferry, (BrooldynJ 
 and he is ignorant if he must pay excise for them." The Court de- 
 cides he mast pay "either himself or by Mr. Willet.'" 
 
 The next year, (1657,) this "Excise," as a "Slaughter Farmer," 
 was leased to G-errit Hendricks, who received the same rate of fees 
 on "all steers, cows, calves, sheep, lambs, hogs, bucks, or goats;" 
 and also, "that for all salted meats or pork coming from without 
 into this city, whether in barrels or casks, to be consumed, shall be 
 paid to the farmer aforesaid one stuyver in each guilder of the 
 value of the same." 
 
 "That all fresh or salted meat coming into this place and not to 
 be consumed here, but for exportation, the person who brings the 
 same in shall be obligated to procure from the /armer a certificate 
 of delivery, containing an account of the just quantity or weight 
 of the meat ; and moreover, to procure from the said farmer a cer- 
 tificate of inspection, and shall also pay therefor three stuyvers." 
 Hendricks, no doubt, was the first "inspector of salted meats" here. 
 
 In the month of July, the year following, (1658,) "the Heer Pres- 
 ident" states, "that the Burgomasters have resolved that the Board 
 should fix certain hours of the day when the working people should 
 go to their work and come from their work, as well also their re- 
 cess for meals." 
 
 Near this "market-place at the strand," in the "market-field," a 
 cattle-market, or the first "Bull's Head," was established on the 13th 
 of December following, and the Secretary was ordered to draw up a 
 
38 MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 
 
 "placard," holding a cattle-market for about forty days in the fall of 
 the year, "for the sale of/ai and lean cattle." This placard says: 
 "The Schout, Burgomasters, and Schepens make known that they 
 establish, for the accommodation of the public, a market for store and 
 fat cattle, steers, cows, sheep, goats, hogs, bucks, and such like, and to 
 that end, they mean to erect stalls and other conveniences for those 
 who bring such animals to market. This market will be opened the 
 20th day of October, and close the last day of November, precise- 
 ly, in each year; during such time it shall remain a free cattle- 
 market, and no stranger shall, during that time, be liable to arrest 
 or citation, but shall be permitted to attend to his business without 
 molestation or hinderance." It also orders the Burghers not to meet 
 any one for the purpose of buying cattle, except only at the place ap- 
 pointed; that "posts shall be erected by the side of the Church, 
 (along the ivest side of the '■ market field, ^ against tlxefort,) where those 
 who bring fat cattle to market for sale shall present them." 
 
 At another meeting held March 7, 1659, "it was thought good," 
 (as all the jwoceedings at that time were kept in Dutch,) "that the 
 proclamation concerning the cattle-market be translated into English, 
 and sent to the magistrates of the following places: Stamford, Fair- 
 field, Southampton, Southhold, Stratford, Milford, and East Hamp- 
 ton, and to be accompanied with the following letter : 
 
 "Worthy Lords — The object of this is to make known to you our 
 resolution to erect and establish within this city a market for fat 
 and lean cattle, and to request of you to make known the same to 
 your people ; and that every one has leave to come to said market 
 with his cattle who may be inclined to extend his voyage hither- 
 ward." "We remain, &c." 
 
 The English and Dutch traders were sometimes sorely troubled 
 in their trading transactions, on account of their different languages, 
 and there were but few who could translate well enough to allow 
 them to drive a satisfactory bargain. Three years previous to 
 this " proclamation," Jan. Peeck had been occasionally employed, 
 and found very useful, so the Court, on the 25th February, (1656,) 
 appointed him as a translator, or " broker," between the Dutch and 
 English merchants, who paid him a per centage on the amount of 
 their trade or sale. 
 
 These Cattle Fairs first introduced the New England (English) 
 breed of cattle into our city, which were soon after preferred by 
 many to the Dutch breed. The New Bnglanders appeared to un- 
 derstand their breeding, rearing, and feeding much better than the 
 Dutch settlers, and their fine animals were more eagerly sought after, 
 which soon caused a regular trade to be opened at all seasons of the 
 year. 
 
MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 39 
 
 In 1667 the trade from New England had become so flourishing 
 as to demand the establishment of a ferry across the Harlaem River, 
 which, as the Records show, on the 9th of July, was in the posses- 
 sion of Johannes Verveshe, of Harlaem, to whom the authorities 
 " have soiled the fferry as foUoweth : Itt is agreed hee shall have the 
 fferry for ffive years, provided hee keepe a convenient house and 
 lodging, for passengers att Harlam, and he shall have a small peece 
 of land on Bronckside, about an acre, and a place to build a house 
 on, which he must cleare, and not spoyle the meadow, which shall 
 bee layed out by the Town, which must bee a morgan of laud, and 
 att the end of fiive years itt is to be farmed out, and dureing the 
 five yeares hee shall pay nothing for itt; and in case itt shall be lett 
 to another, the house shall be vallued as itt stands, and he must be 
 payed for itt, provided hee may have the preffernence of the hyring 
 of itt att the tyme expired. 
 
 " Heere followeth what he shall aske ffor every man passenger, or 
 horse or cattle. 
 
 " Ffor every passenger, two-pence silver, or sixpence wampum. 
 
 " Ffor every ox or cow that shall bee brought into his iferry-boat, 
 eight-pence, or twenty-foure stivers ; and cattle under a year ould, 
 sixpence, or eighteen stivers wampum. All cattle that are swome 
 (swims) over, pay but half price. Hee is to take for dyett every 
 man for his meale, eight-pence, or twenty-foure stivers wampum. 
 Every man for his lodging, two-pence a man, or six stivers in wam- 
 pum. Every man for his horse shall pay foure-pence for his night's 
 hay or grass, or twelve stivers wampum, provided the grass be in 
 fence. 
 
 "All men going or coming with a packett from our Governor of 
 New Yorke, or coming from the Governor of Connectcott, shall be 
 fferried free. 
 
 "Also, in regard the said Verveshe must be att the charge of 
 building a house on each side of the iferry, the Governor hath freed 
 him from paying any excise for what wine or beare hee shall retayle 
 in his house for one years after the date hereof." 
 
 In the year 1668, Verveshe (or Verveelen, as he is now known,) 
 " and the remaining inhabitants of New Harlaem," complains of cer- 
 tain travelers using a place to cross near Spitenduyvel, and have 
 broken down fences with their cattle and horses. The Court and 
 Governor order, " that among others, also, one John Barcker has 
 passed with a great number of cattle and horses over the Spyten- 
 duyvel." They order, " that said Barcker shall pay the ferry-money 
 of all horses and cattle conveyed by him over the Spytenduyvel, 
 whilst the ferry has been at Harlaem, which ferry-money the peti- 
 
40 MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 
 
 tioner shall employ for the repairs of the fences on Spytenduyrel 
 aforesaid ; and the ferryman is in like manner well and expressly 
 ordered and charged to finish the house and korael, (pen,) according 
 to his agreement, at the earliest opportunity." 
 
 On the shore or " strand" near this market-place, the sale of fish, 
 oysters, &c., it may reasonably be supposed, took place from the 
 boats, skiffs, and canoes, or they had about this time been removed 
 to the " canal," which was reported at a meeting held 7th March, 
 1660, that, " Good care and superintendence on the newly construct- 
 ed graft, (canal,) that no filth be cast into it; also that the boats, 
 canoes, and skiffs be placed in regular order therein." A complaint 
 was made in the month of September, against Wessels Everzen, for 
 "having sold fish on last Sunday forenoon." Everzen's wife ap- 
 pearing, says, " that it happened before the ringing of the bell." 
 Another fisherman, by the name of Albert Trumpeter, was also com- 
 plained of for the same thing ; his wife also said, " it occurred be- 
 fore the ringing of the bell." 
 
 The Court, after some consideration, dismissed them, by saying 
 that it " took place before the preaching." 
 
 Forestalling also appeared to have been quite extensively prac- 
 ticed, through a trade with the Indians, who visited the city with 
 their various articles for that purpose. The Burgomasters and 
 Schepens had repeatedly warned those who engaged in it, but it ap- 
 pears it had not produced the desired effect ; so, at a meeting on the 
 11th of October, 1661, the authorities say, " they had spoken about 
 the forestalling of what the Indians bring to sell, such as venison, 
 maize, and fish ;'" whereupon it was declared, " that no Indian shall 
 bring any articles to any place, except such as shall be ordered and 
 appointed therefor." 
 
 Then, on the 26th of June, 1663, "Otte Gerrits complains of Joris 
 Dopzen a^nd Eoelef Jansen Van Mepplen, for having ' brought in 
 two quarters of veal without a permit.' Gerrits demands the veal, 
 and a double fine." Both of the defendants admit " it to be so," 
 and, it is reasonable to suppose, were fined accordingly. 
 
 Another curious case is noticed on the 13th of November, in the 
 same year, when a woman named AagU Jaes sues Cornelius Jansen 
 Van Horn. She states her case before the Court, and says, " Her 
 hoy shot a bear, which he tried to put into his boat, and that the 
 defendant came by there, who said that he had chased the bear, and 
 that the half belonged to him ; forcing him to toss up for who 
 should have the skin, which her hoy lost: maintaining that the de- 
 fendant has no right to the skin, but her hoy, because he had 
 shot it." 
 
MAEKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 41 
 
 Defendant says, "He chased the bear, and that he was on one end 
 of the Island, and the boy shot the bear -on the other end : admits 
 he told the boy to toss up for the skin, and that he had eaten half of 
 the meat." Burgomaster and Schepens. having heard the parties, 
 decree that " the bear belongs to the boy, as he shot him ; but since 
 half of the meat has been consumed by the defendant, and the 
 plaintiff is content with the skin, that defendant shall deliver up to 
 her (Mrs. Joes) the skin of the aforesaid bear." 
 
 These trial scenes certainly appear very curious and laughable to 
 the present generation ; while there is no doubt the scenes of the 
 present day will be looked upon by future generations with the 
 same feelings. These " Old Netherlanders," who laid the founda- 
 tion of our great city, brought many of their "old fatherland" 
 habits, customs, and laws ; but the currency, or principal part of it, 
 as noticed before, had been already established by the Indians, and 
 to deal or trade with them, it was necessary for the Burghers to 
 adopt it ; although a great deal of trading was done, principally 
 among the settlers themselves, by barter. 
 
 One of the earliest cases of trading and worthy of notice 
 appears from the Translations of Van der Kemp, dated 10th of 
 October, 1638 : " Cornelius Petersen appeared before the Secretary 
 Van Tienhoven, and declared with true Christian affirmation, in 
 lieu of a solemn oath, that it was true that he had purchased a hog 
 from Ann Jackson, in payment of which, she took from his store 
 so much of purpled cloath as was sufficient for a petticoat." 
 There appears no evidence given as to the size of the iwg or the 
 garment; we may therefore rationally conclude that, if the 
 garment was as expansive or expensive as those worn two hun- 
 dred and twenty years after! why, the hog ought to have been of an 
 enormous size ! 
 
 The trading price oiporh and beef a,t this period (1664) is shown 
 in the following extract from the " Register of the Resolutions,"* 
 dated May 31, 1664: "Agreed with Captain Tomas Willet that he 
 will procure for us, on account of the Honorable Company, if he 
 can, a quantity of pork and beef equal to 600 lbs., the beef at 4, 
 and the pork at 5 stivers the pound, payable in negroes, at such 
 price as may be agreed on ; in case of not agreeing, in beaver or 
 goods — beaver price." 
 
 In the city the prices usually ranged higher, especially at retail, 
 
 and they also were regulated by the currency paid for them : if the 
 
 pay was in ''good hard money," it was at a less price than "pay as 
 
 money," or '^ trust." "Pay as money" meant, pay in provisions of 
 
 * Hoi. Doc, vol. ii., p. 474. 
 
£12 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 0" 
 
 42 MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 
 
 any kind, at one-third less than Government valuation ; and "trust" 
 was still worse, as one-fourth or one-fifth more was charged than 
 the article could have been bought for with "good hard money." 
 
 " Government valuation," after the change of government from 
 Dutch to English, appears to have been the standard price for all 
 kinds of stock or produce, which was fixed by the " Governor and 
 Court of Assize;" and all such, at this fixed rate, paid debts, taxes, 
 rates, &c., especially out of the city, where there was but little 
 business done except by trading or paying in this manner. 
 
 We find the Assessors were ordered by law, in 1665,* to value 
 stock at the following prices : 
 
 " A horse or mare, 4 years old and upwards, 
 
 An ox or bull, 
 
 A cow, 
 
 A steer or heifer, between three and four years old, 
 
 A goat, one year old, .... 
 
 A sheep, " " . . . . 
 
 A swine, " " 
 
 " The prices of many articles of food varied but little from 1665 to 
 1687, and were also received for taxes, and contracted for in trade, 
 at the following prices : 
 
 "Pork, X3, 10s., Od. per barrel, or Zd. per lb. 
 
 Beef, 1, 10s., Od. " 2d. " 
 
 "Wheat, 0, 4s., Od. per bushel, to 5s. 
 
 Rye, 0, 2s., 6(/. " 3s., Qd. 
 
 Indian corn, 2s., &d. do. Oats, 2s. do. Butter, &d. per lb. 
 
 Tallow and hog's fat, Qd. do. Dry hides, id. per lb. 
 
 Green hides, 2d. do. Board, 5s. per week. 
 
 Victuals, &d. per meal. Lodging, 2d. per night. 
 
 Labor, 2s., 6c?. per day. Beer, 2d. per mug." 
 
 "The practice of paying in produce continued until about the 
 year 1700, when trade had rendered money plenty, and introduced 
 it into general circulation." 
 
 In the year 1670, some interesting particulars of the city, its in- 
 habitants, and of the country around, have been given by Denton, 
 who says, " New York is built most of brick and stone, and cover- 
 ed with red and black tile ; and the land being high, it gives at a 
 distance a pleasing aspect to the spectator." 
 
 " The inhabitants consist most of English and Dutch, and have 
 a considerable trade with the Indians, for beavers, otter, racoon 
 skins, with other furs ; and also for bear, deer, and elk skins • and 
 * Wood, L. I., p. 16 and 17. 
 
MARKET-PLACE AT THE STRAND. 43 
 
 are supplied with venison and fowl in the winter, and fish in the 
 summer, by the Indians, which they buy at an easie rate." 
 
 He says of the country around, and more especially of Long 
 Island, that " it is inhabited from one end to the other — is plenti- 
 fully stored with all sorts of English cattel, horses, hogs, sheep, 
 goats, &c. ; no place in the North of America better." 
 
 " To give some satisfaction to people that shall be desirous to 
 transport themselves thither — {this country.) The best commodi- 
 ties for any to carry with them is clothing. They sowe store of 
 flax, which they make every one cloth of for their own wearing, as 
 also woollen cloth, and linsey-woolsey, and, had they more trades- 
 men amongst them, they would in a little time live without the help 
 of any other countrey for their clothing." 
 
 " Here you need not trouble the shambles for meat, nor bakers 
 and brewers for beer and bread, nor run to a linnen-draper for a 
 supply, every one making their own linnen, and a great part of their 
 woollen cloth, for their ordinary wearing." 
 
 " Were it not to avoid prolixity, I would say a great deal more, 
 and yet say too little, how free are those parts of the world from 
 that pride and oppression, with their miserable effects, which many, 
 nay almost all parts of the world, are troubled, with being ignorant 
 of that pomp and knavery which aspiring humours are servants to, 
 and striving after almost everywhere ; where a waggon or cart gives 
 as good content as a coach, and a piece of home-made cloth, better 
 than the finest lawns or richest silks ; and though their low-roofed 
 houses may seem to shut their doors against pride and luxury, yet 
 how do they stand wide open to let charity in and out, either to as- 
 sist each other, or relieve a stranger."* 
 
 In the year 1671 numerous complaints were made, " that great 
 quantities of unmarked horses and cattle, contrary to the former 
 ordinance, still are found in the common wood-land of the Island of 
 the Manhattan. It is therefore ordered by the mayor, that the per- 
 sons heretofore appointed (of whom there were four) for branders, 
 as well as at Haerlam, shall give notice that no horses or cattle, 
 after the space of six weeks next ensuing, are permitted to feed in 
 the common lands of this Island, except they are branded with the 
 cittye's or toione's brand upon. Those found not branded ' shall be 
 brought up to the S. Overseers to be branded, and the owner of the 
 same shall pay as followeth : for bringing up a horse, six guilders, 
 and for branding, two guilders ; for bringing up a steare, oxe, or 
 cow, three guilders, and for branding, one guilder. If no owner 
 
 * Denton'a " New York," published by 'Williain Gowan. 
 
44 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 appears for those which are not known, they shall be kept during 
 the space of six weeks, and then publicly sould.' " * 
 
 This "Market-Place at the Strand" continued as such until the 
 year 1675, when the " Custom-House Bridge Market-House " was 
 erected, and its attractive "fitt" shelter drew the market people 
 from what, during a period of almost twenty years, had been known 
 as " at the Strand, at or around the house of Mr. Hans Kierstede." 
 
 "BROADWAY SHAMBLES." 
 
 Early in the year 1658, a meat-market was established, and a 
 shed or shambles were built for that purpose, on the plain in front 
 of the "Fort Amsterdam," the present site of the Bowling Green. 
 This appears to have been the first place erected expressly for the 
 sale of the meat of large animals, as, previous to this, we have before 
 noticed that "fresh beef and pork had been sold, and no doubt cut 
 up, at the Company's Store." Smaller animals, such as mutton, veal, 
 goats' flesh, &c., had been sold from the baskets of the producers, at 
 the " Market-Place at the Strand." 
 
 The market-place having been established, an elderly Burgher, or 
 rather " Claas Van Elsaut, the elder," on the 21st of February fol- 
 lowing, petitions, "that the magistrates may be pleased to allow him 
 to be keeper of the shambles, as it is frequently demanded, both by 
 the English and outside people, that some one may be appointed to 
 fix a block, scales, and weights in the hall, so that they may not be 
 at a loss when they come there with their meats. "t His request was 
 laid over until another meeting, when it was denied. The next year 
 he again presents himself at the Court, and "requests to be Clei-k 
 of the Market;" soon after. Tennis Kray (who held the public office 
 of a measurer of apples, onions, and turnips,) petitions "that his wife 
 may superintend the market, to keep it clean." The Court answers, 
 "that nothing will be done about the market for the present time." 
 
 This market "shambles on the plain" did not appear to answer 
 the purpose of its erecters, as there is no doubt that it was a small, 
 rough shed ; open, leaky, and not suitable for stormy or cold weather. 
 As the Records show, on the following 18th of April, "the Burgo- 
 masters resolved and concluded to erect the mea^market ; further, 
 to cover it with tiles; to have a block brought therein, and to 
 • City Records. t Ibid. 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 45 
 
 leave the key with Andries (de Haas) the baker, ■who shall pro- 
 visionally have charge thereof." 
 
 We have previously introduced three sworn butchers, whose chief 
 business was in "butchering and cutting up," for the private citi- 
 zens and the " Company's Store ;" but now having established this 
 mea^market, .and many complaints being made of frauds which had 
 been committed by cheating the Government out of their lawful ex- 
 cise, called for additional " sworn butchers." These facts brought 
 the Burgomasters and Schepens together on the 24th of September, 
 1660, when they resolved to appoint more " sworn butchers," who 
 are to be bound under certain instructions. At a meeting held on 
 the 15th October following, therefore, a placard was prepared in 
 the following terms : " In accordance with the laudable custom of 
 our own Fatherland, and for the accommodation of the Burghers 
 and inhabitants of this city, (we) have thought it expedient that 
 sworn butchers be accepted and chosen, who shall be empowered to 
 slaughter all cattle consumed within this city's jurisdiction — they 
 have therefore accepted and selected thereunto 
 
 Egbert Meinderzen, Asser Levy, (a Jew,) 
 
 Roelof Jansen, Veeter Maacker, 
 
 Gerrit Jansen Roos, Jan Van Harlaem, 
 
 Pieter Jansen, Vande Langstraat, 
 
 Hendrick Volkersen, Daniel Tourneur, 
 
 Paulus Van de Beeck, Gerrit FuUewever, 
 
 who are made known to the community, that every one who has any 
 cattle to be slaughtered may speak to them, and pay them the fol- 
 lowing fees : 
 
 One ox or cow, • - - - 5 guilders, (about $2 ;) 
 
 " hog, 1 thaler; 
 
 " sheep, calf, or goat, - - - 1 guilder, (iO cents;) 
 small animals in proportion." In their instructions, " they shall be 
 bound to accommodate every one without delay, and bring with 
 them their tools; and shall not kill any cattle without a permit 
 from the Slaughter Farmer." 
 
 They all submitted to the instructions, and were sworn, except 
 Asser Levy, who " requests to be excused from killing hogs, as his 
 religion does not allow him to do it ; which was granted him." 
 He then took the oath which the Jews are accustomed to take. 
 
 The municipal officers occasionally engaged in a little of the 
 slaughtering business, and no doubt received some extra privileges 
 from the " Slaughter Farmer," when preparing meats for the Com- 
 pany's Store; or it appears so from the proceedings which took 
 place on the 19th October following. " The Heer Schepen, Cor- 
 
4(j BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 nelis Steenwyck, proposes, as the season for slaughtering is at 
 hand, and he is about to kill some cattle, therefore requests that he 
 may pay the Farmer for what he consumes, as well as for the meat 
 which he may deliver to the Burghers, and for what he should send 
 or deliver to the (Company's) Store, that he might convey with a 
 permit, merely paying an excise." 
 
 Burgomasters and Schepens having considered the request, decide 
 that the Heer Cornells Steenwyck shall have to pay the farmer for 
 what he consumes and sells to the Burghers of this city ; and he 
 shall procure merely a permit for what he sends or delivers to the 
 " Company." 
 
 These "sworn butchers" were very partial to litigation in set- 
 tling their difficulties, which appears usually to have been done 
 through referees, and without the assistance of the legal profession. 
 Some of these trials are quite original in their way, and, in their 
 details, show how much of the business was conducted, as well as the 
 history of the citizens of that early day. The Jew, Asser Levy, is 
 found often engaged, both before and after he was made a "sworn 
 butcher," in suits of various kinds. The fiirst he brings against 
 Egbert Meiuderzen, in relation to the division of profits. 
 
 This case was before the Court January 18, 1661, when Levy 
 states, "he bought and slaughtered some cattle with defendant, and 
 receiving the balance from defendant after settlement of account, 
 he said he should count it (money) after him, and acquaintin/r him 
 thereof, that defendant abused him, as one who supported thieves 
 and such like ; for which he demands reparation. Defendant denies 
 it. Plaintiff says he can prove it, which the W. Court ordered him 
 to do by the next court-day." 
 
 On the following 3d of May, Levy is engaged in another against 
 Frans. Janzen Van Hooghten, a carpenter, who "hath agreed to 
 build a house for Wessels, (Everfzen,) the fisherman, which must be 
 finished by May, and to this time (M May) the agreement is without 
 effect ; and whereas he has hired the same house from the above- 
 named Wessels, and cannot occupy it, he claims the damage he shall 
 suffer thereby, as he must remain so long in another man's house. 
 
 " Defendant says he undertook the house, but for no time, and 
 must moreover wait for the materials to make the roof tight ; he 
 has spoken to Wessels Evertzen about them, who gave him for 
 answer, he could not bring them so soon. 
 
 " Plaintiff says he laid the roof on long ago, and that defendant 
 went to other work, leaving that stand." The Court orders the 
 'defendant to go to the work, and remain there until it be finished, 
 without working on another." 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 47 
 
 Again, a few years after, (November 21, 1665,) this Levy 
 brought a suit against Johanus La Montayne, about some goats, 
 which were at that time extensively used for the dairy and slaughter. 
 In La Montayne's answer, he says, the " eight goats were not re- 
 fused to be paid, on condition that Levy restored to him the butter, 
 etc., the produce of the seven goats which he sold Mr, Gysbert, 
 before the expiration of the contract on which he had the goats." 
 
 The evidence which follows shows that an attempt had been 
 made to have it settled by arbitration. This says : " On date, 27th 
 October, appeared before me, Nicolaes Bayard, the above-mentioned 
 plaintiff, Asser Levy, who declared that he agreed with the defend- 
 ant, Johan Montayne, that defendant should pay him for his claim 
 8 goats, 2 wethers, 150 ps. fire-wood, and 2 cocks, provided the 
 plaintiff paid the costs of this suit." 
 
 Another of these " sworn butchers," named Daniel Tourneur, 
 must have been also fond of the " law," but otherwise he appears 
 unlike Levy, as he slaughtered and dealt in hogs. He brings a 
 suit against Frans. Jansen Van Hooghten, on the 10th February, 
 1660, from whom he demands one beaver, balance of a hog, and 
 two guilders for slaughtering. Defendant says that, on buying 
 the hog, he was told by the plaintiff that he had no measled hogs 
 among his ; and on slaughtering it, found it measled. Defendant 
 is asked if he killed the hog shortly after buying it ? Answers, 
 No ; but three or four weeks after. The W. Court order defend- 
 ant to pay the plaintiff the beaver, and the two guilders for kill- 
 ing. This case having been decided, Tourneur and Jans Schryver, 
 on the same day, were called upon as witnesses in another hog case. 
 They were " asked about the sale of the hog which took place 
 between Captain Jan Jacobzen and the Rector Alexander Caro- 
 lus Curtius. Daniel Tourneur declares that, after many words of 
 praising and bidding, the hog was sold to Dom Rector for five 
 beavers, saying that Captain Jacob would not sell that hog less 
 than five beavers, which was told to the Rector; to which the 
 Rector answered, saying, in God's name, he had blit two beavers, 
 and he must wait for the other three ; to which Captain Jacob would 
 hardly agree. Finally, through the mediation of Joannes Van der 
 Mezlen, he let himself be persuaded ; offering to confirm the same 
 on oath. 
 
 Jan Schryver declares that Dom' Rector bought the hog for 
 two blankets and tzco beavers; offering also to confirm the same on 
 oath. 
 
 The W. Court give parties eight days' respite to recollect them- 
 selves, and if they have any proof, to bring it also in." 
 
48 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 This case was decided on the 24th of August following, by the 
 Court, " who condemned the defendant to pay the plaintilBf five 
 beavers, which he proved." 
 
 Next we notice Daniel Tourneur in the position of a defendant in 
 a suit brought before the Court, on the 13th of September, 1664, by 
 Albert Trumpeter, who complains " that he missed a hog, being a 
 sow, which he had placed on Baren Island with other hogs, which 
 the defendant removed from there. Defendant admits having taken 
 a hog from the Island ; saying that some of the N. Haerlem have 
 hogs also running there, and that one requested the other, when 
 going to the Island, to look after his hogs ; and as he was there to 
 cut grass, returning from work, he saw a hog lying on the strand 
 very sick, which he laid loose in his canoe and brought to the vil- 
 lage, making the same known, in order to learn whose hog it was ; 
 whereof he produces declaration ; then, as no one claimed the hog, 
 he will let it lay over the night, to see if some one would not come 
 in the mean while to whom the hog belonged, but he found it dead 
 on the next day. The W. Court having heard parties, decree that 
 the defendant shall replace such hog on Baren Island for the plaint- 
 iif from which he removed plaintiff's hog, or that he make good the 
 removed hog to the plaintiff." 
 
 Two of these sworn butchers were afterwards engaged against 
 each other on the 18th January, 1661, when Roelef Janzen Van 
 Mepplin complains of Egbert Meinderzen, (who appears to have 
 been rather a troublesome Burgher.) Van Mepplin " says he hath 
 slaughtered some cattle in company with the defendant, and agreed 
 with him for wages, at 26 stivers per head. Demanding a balance 
 of sixty-one guilders, nine stivers, according to account exhibited in 
 Court. 
 
 Defendant acknowledged he hath entered into such an agree- 
 ment with the plaintiff, and that no money has yet been received ; 
 that plaintiff is unwilling to pay the expense of the men. He was 
 to have slaughtered three with them, and did slaughter five with 
 them. 
 
 Plaintiff is asked if he helped to slaughter the cattle which 
 he brings into account? Answer — they slaughtered them to- 
 gether. 
 
 Defendant says he can prove by Pieter Jansen and Willem Jan- 
 sen Van Borckeloo that plaintiff said he would help to bear the ex- 
 pense. Which being stated to plaintiff, he says, if defendant can 
 prove that, he will bear the expense alone." The Court order 
 " defendant to pay the plaintiff, and decree that the defendant shall 
 bear three-quarters and the plaintiff one-quarter of the expense." 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 49 
 
 Another novel suit was brought against one of the early sworn 
 butchers, at a Court held on the 3d of August, 1673, where "Thomas 
 Walton brings action against Roelef Jansen, butcher, for sheep sold 
 him." He claims " the quantity of three ankers of rum." The 
 Court condemns "Jansen to pay the said debt." Then again, in 
 1674, Jansen was sued by David de Four, who demands from Jan- 
 sen " the sum of ff. 200, for an ox sold about two years ago to the 
 defendant, and offers to deliver to defendant a certain cow which 
 he bartered with defendant whenever he is paid." Jansen says, " that 
 De Four did not deliver him the cow according to agreement, not- 
 withstanding he sent his children for her divers times." The Court 
 ordered, " that Jansen shall pay De Four the demanded sum within 
 eight days' time, provided the cow be first delivered to the plaint- 
 iff the time the same is paid, and that said cow shall meanwhile run 
 at defendant's risk." 
 
 We turn back, and find, three days after these butchers were 
 sworn in, (October 15, 1660,) Egbert Meinderzen, who had a com- 
 plaint lodged against him " by persons bringing meat to market, 
 that he obliges them to purchase a Burgher-right first before they 
 can sell it." The Court warns him not to do so any more, or he 
 will be attended to. 
 
 This Burgher-right, or freedom of the city, appears to have been 
 of two kinds, which vested certain rights and privileges in the 
 holder when obtained, and were known as the "Great Burgher- 
 right" and "Small Burgher-right." 
 
 The " Great Burgher-right" was established in this city on the 
 30th of January, 1657, as will appear from the " Records," in tli3 
 following language: "The Court allow and concede to the Burgo- 
 masters and Schepens the establishment of a Great Burgher-right, 
 for which those who may request to be therein, shall pay fifty 
 guilders, (|20 ;) and all such, and such only, shall hereafter be qual- 
 ified to fill all city offices and dignities within this city — be exempt 
 for one year and six weeks from watches and expeditions — be free 
 in their proper persons from arrest by any subaltern Court or judi- 
 cial benches of this province." The " Small Burgher-right" it was 
 necessary to obtain before they could do any business, and some 
 bought it only for short periods ; however, the following proceed- 
 ings will more fully explain this privilege. 
 
 On the 25th of March following, " The Heer President states that 
 there are several of the inhabitants of this city who have purchased 
 their 'Burgher-right' for a year and a day, and do not pay; and 
 whenever the city messenger goes for payment, they answer, they 
 have no money, proceeding to scoff at and censure the Burgomasters ; 
 Vol. I.- 
 
50 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 and though it be a matter which concerns the Burgomasters alone, 
 nevertheless, that it be known to the Heer Schepens, it is therefore 
 communicated to the Court to remember it." 
 
 Two days after, " the Schouts and Burgomasters, pursuant to the 
 privilege granted on date 30th January, 1651, that some of the new- 
 ly-arriving passengers may, through ignorance, presume to sell here 
 in this city by the ell, measure, or weight, or pursue some other 
 business, have thought proper, in order to save every one damage, 
 again to inform them by this publication, that no one can sell in the 
 city by the ell, measure, or weight, or do any other business, unless 
 he have received the Burgher-right of this city, and have his ell, 
 measure, or weight stamped; and whoever is inclined so do to shall 
 liave to apply to receive their Burgher-right to the Hon. Presiding 
 Burgomaster, Allard Anthony; and for the stamping their ell, meas- 
 ure, and weights, shall apply at the City Hall, on the afternoon of 
 Saturday, from two to four o'clock; every one is warned to take 
 heed of damage." The same day " Marcus Vogelsangh appears in 
 Court, requesting to be admitted a Burgher ; claiming, as he lived 
 here before three years, that it cannot be refused him ; and also that 
 he is to be preferred to the new-comers, who were not here in the 
 troubles with the English. But as there was no Burgher-right at 
 that time. Burgomasters decree that he, the petitioner, must purchase 
 it like others, or he cannot be considered a Burgher." 
 
 On the 9th of April following, notice was given "that those who 
 claim the Great or Small Burgher-right, by virtue of gift or favor, 
 shall communicate their names within eight days to the Burgomas- 
 ter of this city, who, for this purpose, beginning to-morrow, the 
 10th inst., shall sit during the eight days at the City Hall, from two 
 o'clock till five o'clock in the afternoon, to inscribe the names, with 
 warning, that those who do not communicate theirs within the as- 
 sessed time, shall be deprived of the claims of Burgher-right." 
 
 Two days after, " Asser Levy, the Jew butcher, appeared in Court; 
 requests to be admitted a Burgher ; claims such ought not to be re- 
 fused him, as he keeps watch and serves like other Burghers, show- 
 ing Burgher's certificate from the City of Amsterdam, that the Jew 
 is Burgher there ; which being debated on, 'tis decreed as before, that 
 it cannot be allowed, and he shall apply to the Director-General and 
 Council." 
 
 "Lourens Cornelius Van der Wei" also appears in Court the 
 same day, "representing that he hath already performed divers ex- 
 traordinary services in time of need, &c., both as a gunner of the 
 city, as also in the South (Delatvare) River, and that, if necessary, 
 he is ready to serve ; requesting, therefore, the benefit of a Great 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 5X 
 
 Burgher-right. Burgomasters, considering the manifold services of 
 the petitioner, and his good disposition to continue, if necessary, 
 grant his petition, and he is therefore inscribed, and has taken the 
 Burgher oath." 
 
 The next year, on the 28th February, (1658,) "Tomas Swartwout 
 appears in Court, requesting the Small Burgher-right, and took the 
 oath in Court, signing an obligation for 20 gl. beavers, payable for 
 it." On the 22d of the following month, "It was ordered, that from 
 now, henceforward, that all who will purchase the Great and Small 
 Burgher-right, shall promptly pay into the Treasury ; and those who 
 have already bought it, to pay within the space of twenty-four hours, 
 on pain of execution." 
 
 Two years after, on the arrival of the ship Gilded Beaver, the 
 Court permanently fixed the price of these Eights, which took place 
 on the 18th of June, 1660, when they say, "To those who come in 
 the ship Gilded Beaver, and those who may yet come," must pay 
 "for the Small Burgher-right twenty guilders, ($8,) and for the ' Great 
 Burgher-right' fifty guilders, (|20;) or in beavers, the beaver to be 
 the value of six guilders." 
 
 Referring again to the sworn butchers, we find a man by the name 
 of Symon Joosten is noticed in Court, October 16th of this year, 
 (1660,) "and was told if he be desirous to be a sworn butcher, he 
 must first purchase his Burgher-right. He declares he is not desir- 
 ous to be a sworn butcher, but requesting that he may sell his meat 
 that he may bring for sale on payment of the excise, which is al- 
 lowed him." 
 
 Meindcrzcn (before noticed) was again complained of on the next 
 Court-day, held 29th October, 1660, but this time impleaded with 
 one William Jansen Van Borckeloo, {an unsworn butcher^ and from 
 the evidence on trial, both are found guilty. Meinderzen is fined 
 twenty-five guilders, with costs, and forbidden to slaughter for the 
 space of six weeks. Van Borckeloo was also fined, although plead- 
 ing ignorance of the 'placard, in the sum of twenty-five guilders and 
 costs. The next day Meinderzen petitions to the Court, " after pay- 
 ing his fine, and requests their Hon" will be pleased to permit 
 and allow him to slaughter along with the other ' sworn butchers.' 
 The Burgomasters, through special considerations, release the peti- 
 tioner from his condemned six weeks, with this reservation — that he 
 demeans himself for the future as an honorable Burgher." Van 
 Borckeloo also petitions that "he has settled his fine, and requests, 
 in all humility, that your Hon" may be pleased to accept him 
 as a sworn butcher." His request was also granted. 
 
 Cases of theft were most severely punished, and sometimes torture 
 
52 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 with the rack and chains were applied to force confession from the 
 culprit. The following extracts from the trials of two individuals 
 show these facts: The first is noticed in the month of May, 1661, in 
 the trial of one Marten Van Weert. when under examination by the 
 magistrates. "The prisoner, under threats of being placed on the 
 raclc, was asked where he got the silver-handled knife. Answers, 
 persisting in his {former) confession, that he was half drunk when 
 he took the spoons, and laid them the next morning under the little 
 shelf." After the conclusion of the trial, the magistrates proceed 
 to show his many unlawful acts, and then the sentence follows: "For 
 his grave and shameful act of theft, committed at various times and 
 divers places, according to his own voluntary confession and ac- 
 knowledgment, without torture or force — -first having stolen, seven 
 or more years ago, a quantity of zeawan from the house of Pieter 
 Kock, deceased ; having stolen from the Heer Cornelius Steenwyck's 
 house, at divers times, a quantity of otters and beavers, (sldns) to- 
 gether with some pieces of manufactured or Harlaem stufl"s, and a 
 piece of fine-napped cloth; also a piece of fine linen; having lately 
 stolen from Christyne Capoens' house, at the feast or celebration of 
 the marriage of Lawurens Van der Spygel and Sarah Webbers, to 
 which wedding he was invited, half-a-dozen spoons," the magistrates 
 "condemn the above-named Marten Van Waart, as they hereby do, 
 that he shall be severely scourged with rods in a closed chamber, 
 banished ten years out of this jurisdiction, and further in the costs 
 and mises of justice." 
 
 On the 15th of November following, another case is found in 
 "Mesaack Martenzen, brought forward, was, at the request of the 
 Heer Officer, for further interrogation, examined by torture as to 
 how many cabbages, fowls, turkies, and how much butter he hath 
 stolen, who his abettors and co-operators have been. Answering, he 
 persists by his reply, as per interrogatories, that he did not steal any 
 butter, fowl, turkies, nor had any abettors; being again set loose, 
 the Heer Officer produces his demand against the delinquent, con- 
 cluding, that for his committed theft, voluntarily confessed, without 
 torture or cliains, he shall be brought to the usual place of criminal 
 justice, well fastened to a stake, and severely whipt, and banished 
 from the jurisdiction of this City of Amsterdam, for the term of few 
 years, all with costs." 
 
 At the Court this day, January 31, 1662, "Pieter, the negro, en- 
 tering, requests payment for executing the sentence on one Mesaack 
 Martenzen and Marten Van "Weert ; is promised that arrangements 
 shall be made that he have that for Mesaack, but that of Marten 
 Van Waart is promised him by the Heer Officer." 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 53 
 
 Ten years after, John Clarke, in a letter dated "from y° Secre- 
 tarye's Office in Ffort James, the 28th day of January in the even- 
 ing, 1672-3," furnishes us with some other interesting facts of the 
 same character. He says: "Lastly, for our own city news, lett this 
 satisfy : that 'tother day wee had like to have lost our hangman, 
 Ben Johnson, for hee being taken in diverse thefts and robbery es, 
 convicted & found guilty, scap* his neck through want of another 
 hangman to truss him up, soe that all the punishmept hee receiv* for 
 his 3 yeares roguery in thieving & stealing, (which was never found 
 out till now,) was only thirty-nine stripes at the whipping-post, loss 
 of an ear, & banishm'. Capt. Manning had likewise 2 servants that 
 hee employed at his island, [iiow BJacltweU's,) taken w"" him in their 
 villany, but they being not found soe guilty as hee, came off with 
 whipping and banishmen'. All this happened about a ffortnight 
 since, but 'tis 2 months since they were apprehended. Another dis- 
 aster about 12 dayes since befell a young man in this towne, by name 
 one Mr. Wright, a one-eyed man, & a muff-maker by trade, who 
 drinking hard upon rum one evening, w* some ffriends, begann a 
 health of a whole halfe pint at a draught, w* hee had noe sooner 
 done but downe hee fell and never rose more, w'"" prodigy may teach 
 us all to have a care how wee drink, in imitation of that good old 
 lesson, Fodix quern faciunt, &c. This young man's untimely (end) 
 doth somewhat parallel that person in yo' letter, who you write was 
 killed with a sley, the w'* in like manner could but strike a great 
 amazem' into all that heard it, by w'^'' wee may see that though there 
 is but one way of coming into the world, yet there is a thousand 
 wayes of goeing out of it."* 
 
 We again look back to the year 1664, on the 3d day of Septem- 
 ber, when New Amsterdam became New York, (after James, Duke 
 of York,) by its seizure, and Governor Stuyvesant was forced to 
 surrender it to Col. Richard Nicolls, who appeared in the harbor 
 with a powerful English fleet, causing an open war between Eng- 
 land and Holland; this was settled soon afterwards, and New York 
 was ceded to the English by a treaty. The city, at this pei'iod, con- 
 tained about 1,500 inhabitants. 
 
 Colonel Nicoll immediately became the Governor, but the Dutch 
 laws, with the name of Schout, Burgomaster, and Schepens, were 
 not repealed until the following June 12th, (1665,) when Mayor, 
 Aldermen, and Sheriff were introduced ; and soon afterwards they 
 were importuned with petitions and complaints of various charac- 
 ters : one of which was, that the city was defrauded by the inatten- 
 tion of Timothy Gabrie, collector of the excise on slaughtered 
 
 * Historical Magazine, vol. iv., p. 51. 
 
54: BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 cattle, who is informed by the Court that " the city is seriously de- 
 frauded ill the entering of cattle for slaughter; that before he 
 grants a license, he must inspect the cattle, to see if they be entered 
 according to the just value."* 
 
 The butchers, also, on the 31st of October following, petition for 
 increased "fees and wages;" which, after some deliberation, the 
 authorities only raised " one guilder on each beast, whether ox or 
 cow ; and from ^11 other small cattle, not more than was granted 
 and allowed heretofore." 
 
 Additional "sworn butchers" were considered necessary, and the 
 following were appointed : Jan Hendrickson Van Gunst, Richard 
 Nicholls, and Richard Dodomit, who were sworn with the following 
 oath : " We doe swere, in the presence of the Almighty God, that 
 we, as sworne Butchers of this Citty, shal kill noe Cattle, Hoggs, 
 etz, without a Ticket of consent from the Collectors of the Mayor 
 and Aldermen, except it be for the Right Hon""" Governor, Richard 
 NicoUs. So help us God Almighty." 
 
 At some seasons of the year these butchers were busily employed 
 in slaughtering, especially in the fall season and part of the winter, 
 but the spring and summer months found them seeking other em- 
 ployment, which sometimes appeared to interfere with the rights of 
 others, or was so thought in these early days; and no doubt called 
 forth from the authorities, on the 25th of August, 1676, the follow- 
 ing order: "That noe Butchers bee permitted to be Curriers, Shoe- 
 makers, or Tanners; nor shall any Tanner be either Curriers, 
 Shoemakers, or Butchers ; itt being consonant to the Laws of Eng- 
 land, & practised in the neighbour CoUony's of y" Massachusetts 
 and Conecticott." 
 
 Prior to the 1st of November, 1676, cattle were slaughtered in 
 the citty (then below Wall Street) at the private establishments of 
 the butchers ; and no doubt they were not as careful or as cleanly 
 as they should have been, or at least the following proceedings, 
 which appear on the previous 7th of June, lead us to think so : 
 " Whereas, there is found sev'all inconveniencys by the Butchers 
 keeping theire Slaughter-Howses in this City, as well as the annoy- 
 ance thereof to y" inhabitants of the same. Itt is ordered, y' (that) 
 for f future there shall not bee any Slaughter-House w"an this 
 City, nor any Oxen, Cows, Hogs, Sheepe, or Lambs killed w"in 
 f same after the first day of November next ensuing, upon paine 
 not only to forfeit all and every such meate soe killed contrary to 
 this order, but forfeit to y° use of the Citty the sum of £10 ster- 
 linge." 
 
 * City Records. 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 55 
 
 This order caused them to be so scattered about the suburbs, that 
 it gave the "Parmer of the Excise" a great deal of trouble to 
 examine the different animals which were to be slaughtered on the 
 same day ; and no doubt this called for the establishment of a large 
 public slaughter-house, to be conducted by the Government, on the 
 16th of February the next year, in the following language: "It is 
 ordered that, for the necessary and publique use, a Generall or Pub- 
 lique Slaughter-Howse shall be built for the use of the Cytie over 
 the Water, without the Gate at the Smith's Fly, neare the Half 
 Mocme" — Battery. 
 
 " Without the Gate " meant just outside of the Gate of the Wall 
 of the City, and on the east end of Wall Street, on the river-shore, 
 stood the "Half Moone" Battery; between this and the present Pine 
 on Pearl Street this "Publique Slaughter-Howse" was built, one 
 year afterwards. The proceedings show on the 8th of January, 
 1678, that "Ashur Levy, (Jew Butcher,) then makeing his addresse 
 to their Court, that hee might be admitted to build the Slaughter- 
 House," (mentioned in the above,) "and to take in Garrett Jansen 
 Rose to be partner therein, and that all persons should have libberty 
 to kill & hang therein meat, there paying for the same as formerly 
 in other places." The Court granted his proposal, and on the 10th 
 of February following, he " affirmed that hee had built" it; when 
 the Court confirmed the same upon him and his partner. 
 
 This building was used for public slaughtering until the 12th 
 of March, 1696, when a committee was ordered, (after the repre- 
 sentations made by the inhabitants of Pearl Street, setting forth 
 the great apprehensions they have of being injured by the " Oun- 
 powder lodged in the warehouse near Whitehall,") " doe view 
 whether the Slaughter-Howse /o/'/KcrZ?/ imployed for that use be suf- 
 ficient for y° lodging the same — which if itt be, that they order the 
 powder be removed thither accordingly," and the Slaughter-House 
 became a powder-house. 
 
 Asser Levy, the Jew butcher, while keeping this "Publique 
 Slaughter-Howse," also kept an old-established tavern near by or 
 just within the " Water Gate," which many previous years was kept 
 by the widow of Daniel Litschoe, from whom he purchased it. Levy 
 died in the year 1682, when his family removed to Long Island. 
 
 Gerrit Jansen Roos was a carpenter by trade, but he became a 
 sworn butcher, and in 1665 lived and owned property on the present 
 Broadway, above Wall Street; then, thirteen years after, he is found 
 engaged with Levy in the public Slaughter-House. 
 
 Glancing back to the change of government from the Dutch to 
 English rule, with the second Governor, Colonel Francis Lovelace, 
 
56 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 who succeeded Nicholls in 1668, did not altogether change the 
 language of the " Records," as they were yet kept in both English 
 and Dutch. This change, however, did not last long; for on the 
 29th day of July, 1673, a Dutch fleet sailed into our harbor, and, 
 with some man cbut ring, again took possession of the country, 
 changed the name of New York to that of " New Orange," (in com- 
 pliment to the Prince of Orange,) and with it the form of govern- 
 ment to its former character of Schout, Burgomaster and Schepens, 
 and Captain Anthony Colve as the Governor. This continued only 
 for a sliort period, as, by a treaty of peace made on the 9th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1674, between England and Holland, the Dutch restored this 
 country to the rule of the Englisli, when Sir Edmund Andross be- 
 came Governor, William Dervall Mayor, and our city was once 
 more called New York. 
 
 Many propositions were soon after offered, followed with orders 
 and prod a VI at ions to improve the local affairs of the government, 
 some to undo and others to add to those already in existence. "Itt 
 being taken into consideracon wether itt bee not proper to have 
 English weights and measures too bee used according too the Law. 
 It is ordered, thatt in three months after the publicacon thereof, the 
 same shall bee put in practize in the City, Long Island, and parts 
 adjacent. 
 
 "And in six months in all other parts throughout the government. 
 And thatt whosoever shall after that time presume too use any other 
 weights and measures, shall forefeite all they shall soe sell, and bee 
 lyable too such further punishment ffor contempt as the case shall 
 require. The time off Proclamacons prohibiting the exportacons 
 off corne, ande also that off fiBouer, &c., being expired, the same be- 
 ing taken intoo consideracon, and the present scarcity. Itt is or- 
 dered that the prohibicon ffor exporting off corne or ffloure doo still 
 continue inn force ffor the terme off six months after the dayte here- 
 off."* ("A Butch pound cordains eighteen ounces.")^ 
 
 Several other changes were made at the General Court of Assize, 
 held in the city, beginning on the 6th and ending on the 13th of Octo- 
 ber, 1675, among which, "APair or Market is ordered to be held three 
 dayes at Breucklin," and three more in this city, which is fully noticed 
 in the following proclamation made by Governor Andross on the 29th 
 of January, 1676: "And the ord=° of the Court of Assize for a Pfayre 
 to bee also observed, to witt: at Breucklin for cattell, &c., graine, 
 &c., produce of the country, the first Monday, Tuesday, and Wed- 
 nesday in November, and in the Citty at the marl-ef-Immesind plaine 
 afore the forte, the Thursday, Fryday, and Saturday followinge, and 
 * Wooley's Journal, by Gowan, p. 35. ^ City Records. ' 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 57 
 
 that every person or persons eominge to the same are and bee free 
 from any arrest or arrests, for debt or debts in tteir persons or 
 goods, eominge to or returninge from the said Markett of Fayre day 
 or dayes, of w"^ all persons are to take notice, and conform them- 
 selves thereunto accordingly. 
 
 " This ord"' to be and remain in force for the space of three yeares 
 from the twenty-fourth of March next."* 
 
 Governor Andross, in 1678, in some answers about New York, 
 shows us some facts in relation to the buildings, productions, trade, 
 wealth, slaves, &c. He says, " Our buildings, most wood, some late- 
 ly (built of) stone and brick, good country houses & strong of 
 their severall kindes. Our produce is land provisions of all sorts, 
 as of wheate exported yearly about 60,000 bushells, pease, beefe, 
 pork, & some refuse fish, tobacco, beavers, peltry or furrs from the 
 Indians, deale & oake timber, plankes, pipe-staves, lumber, horses, 
 & pitch & tarr lately began to be made. Comodityes imported are 
 all sorts of English manufacture for Christians, & blankets, duifells, 
 &c., for Indians about 50,000 lbs. {£) yearly. 
 
 "Our merch'^ are not many, but with inhabitants & planters 
 about 2,000 able to beare arms ; old inhabitants of the place or of 
 England, except in & neere New Yorke, of Dutch extraction, & 
 some few of all nations ; but few serv'" , much wanted, and but very 
 few slaves. Some few slaves are sometimes brought from Barbadoes, 
 most for provisions, and sould att ab' 30 lb. or 35 lb. country pay. 
 
 "A merch* worthe 1,000 lb. or 500 lb. is accompted a good sub- 
 stantiall merchant; and a planter worthe halfe that in moveables, 
 accompted (rich?) with all the Estates, may be valued att about 
 ■£150,000." " Noe beggars, but all poore cared for." 
 
 About this period Mr. Wooley, in his "Journal," also gives some 
 interesting facts, in the following words : he says, " The price of In- 
 dian commodities as sold by the Christians is as followeth : 
 
 £. =. d. £• «• ^■ 
 
 Beavers, - GO 10 3 a pound. Grey Foxes, - 00 03 a pound. 
 The Lapps, 00 07 6 " Otters, - - 00 08 
 
 Minks, - 00 05 " Rackoons, - 00 01 5 
 
 " Beaver is fifteen pence a skin custom at New York, four-pence 
 at London ; three-pence a skin freight, which is after the rate of 
 fifteen pounds a tun. 
 
 " The value of other skins : a deer skin, 00 00 6 a p. ; a good 
 bear skin will give 00 07 ; a black beaver skin is worth a beaver 
 and a half of another colour; a black otter's skin, if very good, is 
 worth twenty shillings; a fisher's skin, three shillings; a cat's skin, 
 
 * City Records. 
 
58 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 half a crown ; a wolf's skin, three shillings ; a musquash, or a musk- 
 rat's skin, six shillings and ten-pence. 
 
 "An oxe-hide, three-pence a pound wet, and sixpence dry. Mo- 
 lossus, three-pence a pound, and fifty shillings a barrel in winter, 
 that being the dearest season. Sugar in Barbadoes, twelve shillings 
 the hundred, which contains a hundred and twelve pounds, which at 
 New York yields thirty shillings the bare hundred. In Barbadoes, 
 (new negroes, i. e., such as cannot speak English,) are bought for 
 twelve or fourteen pound a head ; but if they can speak English, 
 sixteen or seventeen pound ; and at New Yoi-k, if they are grown 
 there, they give thirty-five and thirty or forty pound a head, where, 
 by-the-by, let me observe, that the Indians look upon these negroes 
 or blacks as an anomalous issue, meer Edomites, hewers of wood 
 and drawers of water. 
 
 "The price of provisions: Long Island wheat, three shillings a 
 (schepel) skipple, (being three parts of a bushel;) sopus wheat, half 
 a crown a skipple ; Indian corn flower, fifteen shillings a hundred ; 
 bread, 18 a hundred; pork, £'d the barrel, which contains two hun- 
 dred and forty pounds, i. e., 3d. the pound; beef, 30s. the barrel; 
 butter, 6d. a pound; amongst provisions I may reckon tobacco, of 
 which they are obstinate and incessant smokers, both Indians and 
 Dutch, especially the latter, whose diet, especially of the boorish 
 sort, being sallets and bacon, and very often picked buttermilk, re- 
 quire the use of that herb to keep their phlegm from coagulating 
 and curdling. I once saw a pretty instance relating to the power 
 of tobacco, in two Dutchmen riding a race with short campaigne 
 pipes in their mouths, one of which being hurl'dfrom his steed, as soon 
 as he gathered himself up again, whip'd to his pipe, and fell a suck- 
 ing and drawing, regarding neither his horse nor fall, as if the prize 
 consisting in getting that heat which came from his beloved smoke." 
 
 In 1680, another extraordinary market-day is ordered to be kept 
 every week, on Wednesday. This, however, is to be held at the 
 market-place, near the bridge and weigh-house. 
 
 These particular days were no doubt designated in the laws and 
 ordinances for the purpose of enabling the country people to meet 
 on certain days, to establish them as market-days, " Wednesdays and 
 Saturdays," at the market-place " near the bridge and weigh-house," 
 (see Custom-House Bridge Market;) and the only place for the sale 
 of fresh meat was at the Broadway Shambles, where the regular mar- 
 ket-days were "upon Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday," which fact 
 is shown from the laws "ordained and enacted on the 15th day of 
 March, 1683." They read, "that Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 
 in each week be and are hereby appointed market-days in this city, 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 59 
 
 for the exposing to sale at the marltet-house all butchers' meat and 
 flesh whatsoever ; that is to say, on Tuesday and Thursday, from 8 
 to 12 of the clock in the forenoon ; and on Saturday, the same time 
 of the forenoon, and from two to four of the clock in the afternoon, 
 for the market shall be opened and shut by the ringing of the bell. 
 No butchers'-meat victuals is to be exposed for sale in the said mar- 
 ket, under the penalty of forfeiture."* 
 
 Before the close of the year, it appears that " butchers' meat is 
 to be sold every day, except Sunday," from the proceeding held on 
 the 6th of December same year, which first notices the fact that 
 " the Lycenses always belong to y" Governo", the benefitt of y° Mar- 
 kett and Markett-Houses is granted, provided there be nothing sold 
 but upon "Wednesday and Saturday, beginning betwixt nine & ten 
 of y° clock in y° iforenoon, and all brought in y" markett-place, 
 nothing being sold in any vessell, boate, or canoe w'soever ; only 
 Butchers' meat is to be sold every day in y° weeke, Sunday excepted, 
 but to be sold in y" markett, & no where else. That it is conven- 
 ient a Gierke of y" Markett be appointed, and that by y° Governor, 
 who shall see after y" weights & measures, & due regulations of 
 markett." 
 
 The "Dongan Charter," which was proclaimed three years after, 
 also says, that "Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday" were the regu- 
 lar market-days; this is dated April 22d, 1686, and also says: 
 "Whereas, the citizens and inhabitants of the said city have 
 erected, built, and appropriated, at their own proper costs and 
 charges, several public buildings, accommodations, and convenience 
 for the said city ; that is to say, the City Hall or Stadt House, with 
 the ground thereunto belonging, two market-houses, &c.," fone the 
 " Broadivay Shambles," and the other the " Custom- House Bridge 
 Ilarket") It further says : " The granting to the Mayor, Alder- 
 men, and Commonalty, that they and their successors shall, and 
 may forever hereafter, hold and keep within the said city, in every 
 week of the year, three market-days ; the one upon Tuesday, the 
 other upon Thursday, and the other upon Saturday, weekly, for- 
 ever." 
 
 In 1691, the "Broadway Shambles" still continued to be the only 
 meat-market, and were so represented on the first day of April 
 of that year, in the proceedings, which say : " That there be but 
 one butchers' shambles within this citty ; that it be still daily kept 
 at the ( Green, or) Groon, before the fi'ort, until further ; and all 
 butchers' meat to be brought to the said shambles for sayle, and no 
 other place." 
 
 * City Records. 
 
go BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 This was followed on the 18th of the same month with market 
 regulations, as follows : " Resolved, That the market for fiesh be 
 kept three dayes in the week — Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday — 
 and that the market bee opened by seven of the clock in the morn- 
 ing, and notice to bee given for the opening of the same by the 
 Einging of the Bell ; and in case by Tydes, weather, or any other 
 accident, that Flesh, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Butter, Cheese, hearbes, 
 ffruit, and Rootes, or other provisions vendible, should come to the 
 Citty on other days wh"" are not markete days — yett they may nev- 
 ertheless be sould in the said markett-place under the same Circum- 
 stances and Regulations as on the Dayes on wh"" the marketts are 
 appointed." 
 
 " No Hucksters or persons to sell againe shall b(u)y any flesh, 
 fish, fowles, Egges, butter. Cheese, or any other sort of provision 
 sayable, till it hath bin two houres in the markett, upon forfeiture 
 of six shillings, and also what shall bee so brought or sold." 
 
 "Any person that buyes or cheapens any Flesh, Fish, &c., and 
 coming to the markett, to forefeit six shilling." 
 
 " That all the above said provisions — as Flesh, Fish, &c., that 
 shall be exposed to sayle in any other place then afore appointed, 
 to be forefeited to the Clarke of the Marketts." 
 
 " Ordered, that the Clerke of the Marketts receive for all Cattle 
 killed for the markett, for each head one shilling ; for every hogg 
 or shoate brought or cut out for sayle in the Markett-Housc, three- 
 pence ; and for every sheep, calfe, and lamb, two-pence. And for 
 sealeing of weights and measures one penny a p , both great and 
 small." 
 
 One individual, named Henry Coleman, soon after became insub- 
 ordinate, when a " complaint was made (on the following 9th of 
 May) by Captain Lockard against Coleman, Butcher, who denys 
 any obedience to the Rules and Orders of this Citty." This ap- 
 pears to have been of so much importance, that a committee was 
 appointed to " wait upon His Excellency to acquaint him of the 
 said complaint." 
 
 An addition was made to these laws on the 16th of October fol- 
 lowing, when it was "Ordered, that no Butcher, on any of the 
 markett dayes appointed within this Citty, shall sell any meate 
 under the quantity of a whole quarter of Beefe att a time in any 
 place but the Markett-House appointed, shall forfeit six shillings ; 
 one-half to the Clarke of the Markett, the other half for the use 
 of the Citty." Ten days after, it was further "Ordered, that all 
 fforfeitures by any Law or order relating to the Markett-House, 
 half the fifines to goe to the Clarke of the Markett, the other halfe 
 to the Citty." 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 61 
 
 An additional flesh or meat market being required, on the 15tli 
 of the same month and year it was also "Ordered, that there be 
 tivo markets for flesh-meat kept ; the one in the Broadway over 
 against the ffort, (^Broadway Shambles,') the other under the 
 Trees by the Slipp ; and that the Butchers shall be obliged to keep 
 flesh in both places ; and the Country people shall bring _/iesh to 
 either of the two places, suiting their conveniency" — "to pay noth- 
 ing for anything they bring in killed" — " and that no butchers' 
 meat be killed within the City Gates." 
 
 The establishment of this new meat market-place, "under the 
 Trees by the Slipp," had no doubt the effect of reducing the trade 
 at the "Broadway Shambles;" and in addition, its locality ap- 
 peared much against it. The city on the East River side, with its 
 ferry, dock, slips. Weigh and Custom Houses, and City Hall, all 
 tended to increase the growth and prosperity on that side, and also 
 in that of the sale of property. Several lots, in 1692, were sold at 
 " publick vandeu " along the shore in the " Smith's Vlie," for about 
 sixty-five dollars per lot ; each buyer was bound to " dock out," 
 within a specified time. 
 
 These lots had been surveyed a few years before by Peter King 
 and Adolph Pietersen, surveyors for the City of New York, when 
 a warrant had been given to them by the Mayor, which is noticed 
 the 4th day of May, 1688, as follows : " You are required and com- 
 manded to survey j" vacant Lande within this Citty near and in 
 y" Dock, beginning from y" Weigh-House to y" Citty Hall, and to 
 lay y° same out in Lottes of Eighty foot long into the Dock and 
 about Four and Twenty ffoot broad, leaving sufficient space for 
 y" street, as also to lay out y° street Ranging with y' Here Graft, 
 (canal in Broad Street,) as you shall receive further instructions 
 from me uppon y° surveying & laying out y" sid Lottes ; & for so 
 doing this shall be your warrant. Given under my hand in New 
 York, this 15th day of September, A^' 1686."— N. Bayard, Mayor. 
 
 The grounds around the " Broadway Shambles," however, had 
 the advantage of being occupied several times through the course 
 of the year with fairs and cattle markets. An act was passed by 
 the General Assembly, in 1692, " for settling the Fairs and Mar- 
 kets," of which the following is a part : " That there be kept yearly, 
 for the City and County of New York, two Fairs at the City of 
 New York. The first Fair annually, to commence the last Tuesday 
 of April in every year, and to end upon the Pryday then next fol- 
 lowing, being in all four days inclusive, and no longer. And the 
 second Fair to commence the first Tuesday of November in every 
 year, and to end on the Fryday then next following, being in all 
 four dayes inclusive, and no longer." 
 
62 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 To these "Fairs" and open markets were brought "cattle, 
 horses, mares, colts, grain, victuals, provisions, and all other neces- 
 saries, together with all sorts of merchandise, of what nature so- 
 ever, and them to expose to sale or barter, in gross or by retail, 
 between the hours of eight of the clock in the morning and sunset 
 of the same day, without payment of any toll, or any other let, 
 hinderance, or molestation whatsoever." 
 
 The various domestic animals that were brought to the city from 
 the northward had to cross in the ferry-boats or swim, as no bridge 
 had yet been built across the "Spikendevil" or Harlaem River. 
 We, however, find, in the month of January, 1693, the "Council" 
 met to consider the offer of Frederick Phillippse to build a bridge 
 vrhere Kingsbridge is now located. " They doe find that itt cannot 
 be well accomplished without a great charge unto this Citty, which 
 at present they are not soe capable to defray ; and understanding 
 that Frederick Philips, Esq., will undertake to build a Bridge at 
 the said place (Spikendevil) for j conveniency of all travellers & 
 Drovers of Cattell att a moderate and reasonable Toll, they doe 
 therefore humbly pray your Excellency, (the Governor,) that if the 
 said Mr. Philips will undertake in one year's time to build a good 
 and convenient Drawbridge, for the passage of all Travellers, 
 Droves of Cattel, & passage of Carts & Waggons, for the Toll of 
 one penny ffor each neat Cattel and two-pence for each Man and 
 Horse, and twelve-pence for each score of Hogs & Sheep, & six- 
 pence for each cart & waggon that shall pass thereon, that he may 
 have the preference of their Majesties' Grant." 
 
 The Ijridge appears to have been built soon after, and it became 
 established as a toll-bridge, and the only bridge connecting the 
 Island of New York with the main-land for a period of more than 
 sixty years. 
 
 Madame Knight, in her Journal of 1704, says : " Thursday, De- 
 cember 21, set out for New Haven with my kinsman, Trowbridge, 
 and the man that waited on me about one afternoon, and about 
 three (o'clock, P. 31.,) came to half-iuay house, fivhich once stood at 
 the bottom of the hill on the old middle road, about With Street, be- 
 tween the line of the 5th and 6th Avenues,) about ten miles out of 
 town, where we baited and went forward, and about 5 came to 
 Banting Devil, else Kingsbridge, where they pay three-pence for pass- 
 ing over with a horse, which the man that keeps the gate set up at 
 the end of the bridge receives. We hoped to reach Frenchtown 
 ( New Rochelle) and lodge there that night, but unhappily lost our 
 way about four miles short, and being overtaken by a great storm 
 of wind and snow which set full in our faces, about dark we were 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. gg 
 
 very uneasy. But meeting one Gardner, who lived in a cottage 
 thereabout, offered us his fire to set by, having but one poor iedd, 
 and his wife not well." She was taken further on, where she obtain- 
 ed quarters. 
 
 At this period, across this Bridge was the only road to Boston, 
 and that but seldom traveled. The Albany Turnpike had not yet 
 been opened, and only a few very rough by-roads, which answered 
 the purpose of a few farmers to reach the North or East River, as 
 they usually came by water to the city with their produce. How- 
 ever, some few farmers in the interior, and drovers from Connecti- 
 cut, with cattle and horses, occasionally passed over it. But at a 
 later period, when the turnpikes were opened, and traveling on 
 them became general, occasionally the farmers and drovers would 
 complain of the many detentions, and " at times the toll was so 
 variously charged as to become grevious," which no doubt led Jacob 
 Dyckman, (the grandfather of ex-Alderman Isaac Dyckman,) a 
 blacksmith, a farmer, and also a tavern-keeper, with several other 
 public-spirited farmers, in the year 1758, to erect another bridge 
 across the river near this old one. This new bridge, as appears 
 from the following communication, was called " Free Bridge Dyck- 
 man's;"* and then follows on, "Whereas the crossing at Harlaem 
 River, on the high-road to Boston by Kingsbridge, according to 
 an established toll, became very changeable and burthensome to 
 travellers in general, and to the inhabitants of Westchester and 
 Dutchess Counties in particular : the toll received passing the bridge 
 being for each carriage, 9d.; each horse and head of cattle, 3d.; and 
 a man Id. Notice is therefore hereby given that certain public- 
 spirited persons have lately contributed a large sum of money, and 
 therewith built a fine new bridge across the said river, a little to the 
 southward of the said bridge, which shortens the public road about 
 half a mile ; and the said new bridge is free and exempted for all 
 toll whatsoever. (Signed) Jacob Dyckman, Jun'r; (dated) Harlaem, 
 11th November, (1758.)" 
 
 The following letter from Benjamin Palmer to Colonel Aaron 
 Burr, Member of Assembly of the City and County of New York, 
 in the year 1798, will further explain how this bridge was built, and 
 its cost : "Sir — I called at your house the day you went to Albany, 
 but you was gone on your journey. I had a desire to inform you per- 
 sonally concerning the Free Bridge, which I built over Harlaem 
 River. 
 
 " Sir, I undertook to raise the money by subscription, and expected 
 to build it near the old bridge, called King's Bridge ; but when I 
 * N. Y. Mercury, December 18, 1768. 
 
g4 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 found that Col. Philips had got that right from the Government of 
 this State, it could not be built in any other place than from Thomas 
 Vermillia's land, across to Jacob Dyckman's land ; therefore, I took 
 them into partnership with me to build said bridge. We chose 
 Walter Briggs (since deceased) to be our treasurer, to receive the 
 subscription money, and to pay the workmen and other costs arising 
 from the building said bridge, but there was not money enough by 
 a considerable sum to finish it, because it took twice as much to 
 build it in that place as it would where I first proposed ; therefore, 
 there was not money enough to build said bridge raised by subscrip- 
 tion. I then paid into the hands of Mr. Briggs, our treasurer, £120 
 in cash to finish it, and he allowed me £20 14s. for my time, trouble, 
 and expenses in getting the subscription signed, collecting the money 
 and attending the building of said bridge, which sum makes £140 
 14s., according to my petition; which sum I have never been paid, 
 nor ever received any satisfaction for it. 
 
 " Besides this loss, I was twice pressed in one year, as a soldier, 
 to go to Canada, there then being a war between England and 
 France ; therefore I was obliged to hire two men to go in my place 
 — the one cost me £5, the other £20, supposed by the people in gen- 
 eral, as well as myself, to have been the orders of Col. Philips; be- 
 cause he knew it would stop his bridge from taking toll. Notwith- 
 standing this, I continued building the/ree bridge until finished. 
 
 " Sir — the reason of my writing particularly to you, was because 
 Mr. John Bartow was acquainted with you — he told me that he had 
 talked to several gentlemen about the building this bridge — they 
 said it was just that I should be paid ; for it had saved many thou- 
 sand pounds to the people of this State. He told me if I would 
 draw up a petition, and send it to the Assembly, he would sign it, 
 and speak to you, sir, concerning it, and desire you to lay it before 
 the Honorable the House of Kepresentatives, and speak in favor 
 of it, as it was a just debt, and ought to be paid. 
 
 " Mr. Bartow further said, he knew it was Col. Philips' interest 
 in the House to stop tlie petition from being granted. 
 
 " I shall be much obliged to you, sir, if you will lay this petition 
 before the House, and speak in favor of it, as in your wisdom you 
 may think fit. Benjamin Palmer."* 
 
 The following remarks in relation to it are also interesting: 
 " When Col. Burr returned from the Legislature, he told Mr. Palmer 
 that there were no hopes of ever getting any assistance from the 
 Legislature for building the above bridge; and told that if Mr. 
 Palmer would draw up a subscription paper, he would subscribe to 
 • N. Y. Gazette, September 6, 1800. 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 65 
 
 it himself; for, that it was not worth his while to petition any more 
 concerning it ; and that, as it was begun by subscription, there was 
 no other way than to finish it by subscription. 
 
 " And whereas said bridge was then considered as a grievous and 
 heavy tax on the public. The profits went into no public funds, but 
 only to enhance the private fortune of a particular subject ; and also 
 it was a neat imposition on the public, for said bridge separated the 
 City and County of New York, and the people from the country 
 from coming into and going from the city — they could neither pass 
 nor repass, by land, without going over said bridge, paying an ex- 
 travagant tax or toll. The gates were locked and barred at night, 
 so that if people's business was ever so urgent, they were obliged to 
 stand and knock, let the weather be ever so cold or stormy, until a 
 servant pleased to come and unlock the gate, the house being 12 or 
 15 rods from it; therefore, Mr. Palmer, on the frequent complaints 
 of the people, undertook to build a/ree bridge over Harlaem River 
 by subscription ; and there not being money enough raised to finish 
 said bridge, Mr. Palmer advanced £120 in cash to finish it, besides 
 his time and trouble, and other expenses. This bridge was finished 
 in the year 1759. 
 
 " Walter Briggs, who was treasurer, allowed Mr. Palmer £20 14s. 
 for the purpose above mentioned, which may be seen by Mr. Briggs' 
 book of accounts — the two sums, with the interests, make upwards 
 of 1,500 dollars — a sum too great to lay on one man, when we all 
 had the honor and profit of a free bridge, as well as himself; there- 
 fore let us consider Mr. Palmer's situation, and do unto him as we 
 would desire others to do unto us. 
 
 " Such gentlemen as can spare a few dollars to make up his loss, 
 do it freely ; and not say, this bridge was built before we was born. 
 If nothing for the public good had been built before we were born, 
 we should be in a deplorable situation. 
 
 " Suppose young people should say, the Independence of these 
 States was declared before they were born, and that they would not 
 pay the old debts contracted to obtain their independence ; but there 
 is a law to oblige them to pay. Mr. Palmer has no law to oblige 
 the people to pay him for freeing them from a grievous and heavy 
 tax laid on them for passing a toll-bridge, by building a/ree one. 
 And whereas, it was the first step towards freedom in this State, 
 and it is hoped the Sons of Freedom will step forward and cast in 
 their mite ; for it was almost as difficult for Mr. Palmer to get a/ree 
 bridge in those days, as it was for America to get her freedom and 
 independence from Great Britain. 
 
 " When this/ree bridge was finished, there was a fine fat ox roast- 
 VoL. I.— 5 
 
66 BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 ed on the Green, and thousands from the city and country partook 
 of the ox, and rejoiced greatly. 
 
 " When this free bridge was finished, Col. Philips was obliged to 
 make his a free bridge also ; and it would have continued a toll- 
 bridge to this day, had it not been for the spirited exertions of Mr. 
 Palmer." 
 
 This free bridge was noticed as having been finished in the year 
 1759, and the public opening of it was thus announced: " These aie 
 to acquaint the public, that to-morrow (2d oi January, 1759,) the 
 free bridge erected and built across Harlaem River will be finished 
 and completed; and on the same day there will be a stately ox 
 roasted whole on the Green, for and as a small entertainment to the 
 loyal people who come."* 
 
 In the month of April following we find, " To be let, and entered 
 upon immediately, the house, farm, and bridge at King's Bridge, in the 
 manor of Philipsburgh, in the County of Westchester. For particu- 
 lars inquire of Frederick Phillipse."t 
 
 From a petition and report made in the year 1824, a few more 
 interesting facts are brought forth. The first introduces " the 
 bridge formerly called the ' free bridge' across Harlaem River, lead- 
 ing from New York Island to Westchester, has become much de- 
 cayed, and in a condition to be dangerous to persons and carriages 
 passing and repassing over the same. 
 
 " The bridge is much used by persons from Westchester, coming 
 to the New York market, and others, and is highly necessary to be 
 kept in good order." This was dated October 7, 1824, and signed 
 by Jacobus Dykman, James De Voe, Aaron Post, Henry Post, Denis 
 Post, Henry Thison, and Benjamin Lynt. In the month of Decem- 
 ber following, the " Road Committee" reported : " The bridge to be 
 repaired connects, the island of New York with that part of West- 
 chester County lying on Harlaem River, called the ' Manor of Ford- 
 ham,' and is a short distance from the mouth of ' Spyt den Duyvel' 
 Creek, through which the waters of said river flow into the Hudson. 
 
 "This bridge was erected about sixty years ago by individual 
 subscription, to avoid the unjust exactions of the proprieters of 
 Kingsbridgc. But during our struggle for independence it was de- 
 stroyed by the enemy to prevent the passage of the American Army 
 across the river ; the passage of the other bridge being defended by 
 a redoubt. Ten or twelve years since, however, the inhabitants in 
 its vicinity raised another subscription and rebuilt it, at an expense, 
 as your Committee are informed, of about one thousand dollars, and 
 have kept it in repair at their own cost, excepting the appropria- 
 • N. Y. Mercury. f Gazette, April 9. 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 67 
 
 tions made by this Board three or four years ago of two hundred 
 dollars, twenty of which remain unexpended. It is now in such a 
 state of decay that it cannot be passed without great danger, and 
 humanity at least requires that it should be immediately and sub- 
 stantially repaired, or that it should be entirely removed, that the 
 safety of travelers who do not know its situation may not be en- 
 dangered. It is virtually the property of the corporation, as the 
 sovereignty of that body over Harlaem River to low-water mark on 
 the northern or Westchester side of it has never been disputed." 
 
 " Your Committee are informed that there is considerable trav- 
 eling over this bridge ; that the inhabitants of a large district of 
 Westchester County pass it with produce for our market ; if so, may 
 it not in time be productive of the most beneiicial effects, by reducing 
 the price of such vegetables as come daily to our city? For it can- 
 not be denied that a toll-bridge is a tax on all the produce which 
 passes over it, which the consumer has to pay ; if, therefore, the 
 produce which crosses Harlaem River, and reaches our market by 
 land, can toll free, it could be afforded and would be sold at a less 
 price than it now is." " The Committee recommend the appropria- 
 tion of two hundred and eighty dollars to assist to rebuild in a safe 
 and substantial manner the aforesaid bridge, and to keep the same 
 in repair for the space of seven years." 
 
 Returning to the latter part of the sixteenth century, we find the 
 inhabitants rather a mixed people; some doing illy and some well, 
 but the Dutch Burghers had the credit of being the most industrious 
 and prosperous. Charles Lodowicke, in a letter to his uncle, Mr. 
 Francis Lodowicke, dated May 20, 1692, says, "Our chiefest unhappy- 
 ness here is too great a mixture of nations, and y English y« least 
 part ; y'- French protestants have in y"^ late King's Reign resorted 
 hither in great nu(m)bers proportionately to j^ other nations' in- 
 liabitants. Y'' Dutch generally y" most frugall and laborious, and 
 consequently y« richest; whereas most of y'' English are y contrary, 
 especially y" trading part." 
 
 " Most sorts of European animalls thrive here very well, tho' y'? 
 country before y" discovery was not known to have produced any 
 of those usual sorts of Beasts, as Horses, Cows, Sheep, Hoggs, or 
 Goats ; Sheep would increase here and do very much. English or 
 clover grass agreeing very well with j^ land, yet y stature of 
 y'' cattle seem rather to decrease here, w'='' might doubtless in a 
 great measure be helpt by care and good husbandry. An Ox shall 
 ordinarily weigh here six hundred weight, rarely one thousand." 
 "All sorts of Cattle are now in abundance and increase dayly: a 
 Horse is sold from 2 to 6 pound, an Ox or Cow from 2 to 5 pound, 
 this country money, w^^ is 25 per cent, worse than sterling." 
 
gg BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 The General Assembly, however, in the following year, regulated 
 the price of slaves, domestic animals, and other property, in the fol- 
 lowing terms: " Resolved, 1. That all negro and Indian slaves, from 
 twelve years old to sixty, be valued at twelve pounds per head. 
 
 " 2. That all horses and neat cattle, from three years old and up- 
 wards, be valued at thirty shillings per head. 
 
 " 3. That all sheep and goats, from one year old and upwards, be 
 valued at three shillings per head. 
 
 " 4. That all hogs, from half a year old and upwards, be valued 
 at three shillings per head. 
 
 " 5. That all lands, meadows, and houses, throughout this prov- 
 ince, shall be valued according to the yearly income of the same."* 
 
 On the 25th of September, 1694, the Broadway Shambles, in the 
 Broadway, were ordered " to be lett to Farme unto Henry Crosby, 
 of this City, Butcher, for the term of seven years, att one pound 
 per annum, upon condition that he put the house in good repair, and 
 soe to maintain and give up the house att the expiration of the 
 term aforesaid."t The next year Crosby sought and procured a 
 better bargain from the Common Council, as appears on the 19th of 
 June, 1695. " Upon the humble request of Henry Crosby, y'^ Butch- 
 er in the Broadway, that the Citty would be pleased to grant him 
 liberty to fence in a small piece of ground, the breadth of his shop, 
 and about fourteen or fifteen feet long, for the keeping of sheep and 
 for slaughter, which was granted." 
 
 Crosby's lease expired, when a committee was ordered, on the 
 3d September, 1702, " to lett to Farme the old market-house in 
 Broadway, not exceeding the term of five years." This term it 
 changed hands, for I find it in the possession of "Jeremiah Calcutt, 
 of this city, butcher," at the expiration of the term, who afterwards, 
 on the 29th September, 1703, had influence enough in the Common 
 Council to be appointed " High Constable." Whether he was ap- 
 pointed for efficiency, or from political favor, or whether it was 
 necessary to fee-ed the whole of the Common Council, (which at that 
 . period included the Mayor,) before the important ofiice could be ob- 
 tained, is not now known ; although, if the latter, the expenses for 
 a "grand feed," or feast, would not now be considered a large sum; 
 but at that period, however, when a grand dinner was given, or or- 
 dered for the Common Council, every item was afterwards made 
 out in the bill, of which the following is a specimen: 
 
 "An account of Richard Harris, against the Mayor, Aldermen, 
 &c.. Dr. Dated December 19, 1704. 
 
 " To a piece of beef and cabbage, - - - - £0 7 6 
 * Journal of Assembly, vol. i., p. 37. -f City Records. 
 
BROADWAY SHAMBLES. 
 
 69 
 
 To a dish of tripe and cow heel, 
 
 6 
 
 To a leg of pork and turnips, 
 
 - 8 3 
 
 To 2 puddings, 
 
 14 6 
 
 To a surloyn of beef, - - . . 
 
 - 13 6 
 
 To a turkey and onions, .... 
 
 9 
 
 To a leg of mutton and pickles, 
 
 -060 
 
 To a dish of chickens, .... 
 
 10 6 
 
 To minced pyes, 
 
 -14 
 
 To fine cheese, bread, &c.. 
 
 7 6 
 
 To butter for sauce, .... 
 
 - 7 9 
 
 To hire of two negroes, to assist, 
 
 6 
 
 To dressing dinner, &c.. 
 
 -14 
 
 To 31 bottles of wine, .... 
 
 3 2 
 
 To beer and syder, .... 
 
 - 12 
 
 £10 18 6" 
 
 The above was considered an enormous hill, but after considering 
 the large number of items, " it was allowed." The wine item ap- 
 pears very heavy, but in those days it was a custom to prepare 
 largely of liquid stimulants, in the event of a victory, birth-days, or 
 even the " making of vendues." When the " great victory over the 
 Spanish and French fleets at Vigo" was celebrated, a few years be- 
 fore, it was " Ordered that a public bonfire be made, and ten gallons 
 of wine and a barrel of beer provided, and all the houses to be illu- 
 minated." 
 
 At this period, Madame Knight, a Boston lady, made a journey 
 to this city on horseback, and in her "Journal" she notices many 
 interesting customs, fashions, &c., of the citizens on certain occa- 
 sions. She says : " They are not strict in keeping the Sabbath as 
 in Boston and other places where I had been, but seem to deal with 
 great exactness, as far as I see or deal with. 
 
 " They are sociable to one another, and courteous and civil to 
 strangers, and fare well in their houses. 
 
 " The English go very fashionable in their dress ; but the Dutch, 
 especially the middling sort, differ from our women, in their habit 
 go loose, wear French muches, which are like a cap, and a head-band 
 in one, leaving their ears bare, which are set out with jewels of a 
 large size, and many in number. And their fingers hoop't with 
 rings, some with large stones in them of many colors ; as were their 
 pendants in their ears, which you should see very old women wear as 
 well as young. 
 
 " They have vendues very frequently, and make their earnings 
 very well by them, for they treat with good liquor liberally, and 
 
70 CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET. 
 
 the customers drink as liberally, and generally pay for 't as well, by 
 paying for that which they bid up briskly for, after the sack has gone 
 plentifully about, tho' sometimes good penny worth are got there. 
 
 " Their diversion in the winter is riding sleys about three miles 
 out of town, where they have houses of entertainment at a place 
 called the Bowery; and some go to friends' houses, who handsomely 
 treat them. Mr. Borroughs carry'd his spouse and daughter and 
 myself out to one Madame Dowes', a gentlewoman that lived at a 
 farm-house, who gave us entertainment of five or six dishes, and 
 choice beer and metheglin, cyder, &c., all which she said was the 
 produce of her farm. 
 
 " I believe we met 50 or 60 slays that day; they fly with great 
 swiftness, and some are so furious that they'le turn out of the path 
 for none except a loaden cart. Nor do they spare for any diversion 
 the place affords, and sociable to a degree, theyr tables being as 
 free to their neighbours as to themselves." We must, however, 
 take leave of these happy people, and at a later period again refer 
 to them or their generations. 
 
 On the 28th of October, 1707, a "resolution passed, that the 
 butcher's shop in the Broadway now in the occupation of Jeremiah 
 Calcutt be demolished and pulled down, and that the said Jeremiah 
 Calcutt have liberty to convert the materials thereof to his own 
 use, by the Mayor's lysense, he producing his lease thereof to the 
 Mayor."* It was soon after taken down, but no doubt the place 
 was held as a market-place for fairs and the like for many years 
 after, as I find, in 1720, " the old market-place in the Broadway be 
 and are hereby held as a public market-place, until further orders." 
 
 CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET. 
 
 1675. In the year 1675, a General Court of Assize was held in 
 this city, "beginning on the 6th and ending on the 13th day of Oc- 
 tober," when, among other proceedings, " a weekly markett " was 
 ordered to be held, and "a fitt house to be built by the water-side," 
 near where the " Market-Place at the Strand" had been formerly 
 held. This was soon followed by a proclamation from Governor 
 Andross, which came before the Common Council on the 29th of 
 January of the following year, and read as follows: "Whereas, as 
 a weekly markett in this citty hath beene thought necessary for the 
 
 * City Records. 
 
CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET. 71 
 
 convenience, good, and welfare of the inhabitants and neighbour- 
 hood, for wh^h a fitt house being now built by the water-side, neare 
 the Bridge and Weigh-House, I have, by the advice of my Councell 
 and Cort of Mayor and Aldermen, resolved and ordered, and doe 
 hereby publish the said markett to begine on Saturday, the 24th of 
 March next ensuinge, in the afores"! house, and soe every Saturday 
 foUowinge, for the space of three yeares."* 
 
 The location of this '[fitt house by the water-side, neare the 
 Bridge and Weigh-House," stood about where the corner of Pearl 
 and Moore Streets now meet ; and no doubt, when it was erected, 
 the business which came to the "Market-Place at the Strand" was 
 removed into it. It appeared to accommodate the country people 
 and Indians, who came by water with poultry, fish, butter, cheese, 
 &c. ; while those who brought "flesh-meat" went up the canal in 
 Broad Street, to the Marketfield Street, and so across into the 
 " Broadway Shambles." 
 
 About this period, the Rev. Mr. Wooley, in his Journal, notices 
 the Indians, with their swift canoes : " In which they bring oysters 
 and other fish for the market; they are so light and portable, that 
 a man and his squaw will take them upon their sholders and carry 
 them by land from one river to another, with a wonderful expedi- 
 tion; they will venture with them in a dangerous current, even 
 through Hell-gate itself, which lies in an arm of the sea, about ten 
 miles from New York eastward to New England, as dangerous and 
 as accountable as the Norway whirlpool ( v maelstrom : in this 
 Plell-gate, which is a narrow passage, runneth a rapid, violent 
 stream, both upon flood and ebb ; and in the middle lieth some isl- 
 ands of rocks, upon which the current sets so violently, that it 
 threatens present shipwrack ; and upon the flood is a large whirl- 
 pool, which sends forth a continual hedious roaring; it is a place 
 of great defence against an enemy coming that way, which a small 
 fortification would absolutely prevent, by forcing them to come in at 
 the west end of Long Island by Sandy Hook, where Nutten Island^ 
 would force them within the command of the fort of New York." 
 
 Mr. Wooley, in another part of his Journal, says : " The City of 
 New York in my time (1678-9) was as large as some market towns 
 with us, all built the London way ; the Garrison side of a high situ- 
 ation and a pleasant prospect ; the Island it stands on all a level 
 and champain ; the diversion especially in the winter season used 
 
 • City Records. 
 
 (t This evidence would lead us to suppose that there could not have been much of a 
 channel, even at that period, between Red Hook and Nutten or Governor's Island, and 
 very likely some fifty years before, as noticed on page 15, had been in the state as there 
 represented.) 
 
72 CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET. 
 
 by the Dutch is aurigation, i. e., riding about in wagons, which is 
 allowed by physicians to be a very healthful exercise by Land. And 
 upon the Ice it's admirable to see Men and Women as it were flying 
 upon their Skates from place to place, with markets upon their 
 Heads and Backs." 
 
 He further says: "All Commodities and Trades are dearer or 
 cheaper according to the plenty of importation ; " and " for what I 
 had occasion, some things were reasonable, some dear. I paid for 
 two loads of Oats in the straw 18 shillings to one Henry Dyer; to 
 the same, for a Load of Pease-straw, six shillings ; paid to Thomas 
 Davis, for shooing my Horse, three shillings, for in that place 
 Horses are seldom, some not shod at all, their Hoofs, by running 
 in the woods so long before they are backed, are like flints : Paid 
 to Derick, i. e., Richard Secah's Son, for a Load of Hay, twelve 
 shillings ; Paid to Denys Fisher's Son, a Carpenter, for two days' 
 work in the Stable, eight shillings; for a Curry- Comb and Horse- 
 brush, four shillings ; to Jonathan, the Barber, £\ 4s. the year ; to 
 the Shoo-maker, for a pair of Boots and Shooes, £1 5s. ; to the 
 Washerwoman or Laundress, £\ 5s. 6d. the year." 
 
 Of the inhabitants he says, " Both English and Dutch (are) very 
 civil and courteous, as I may speak by experience, amongst whom I 
 have often wished myself and family, to whose tables I was fre- 
 quently invited, and always concluded with a generous bottle of 
 Madera. I cannot say I observed any swearing or quarrelling, but 
 what was easily reconciled and recanted by a mild rebuke, except 
 once betwixt two Dutch Boors, (whose usual oath is sacrament,) 
 which, abateing the abusive language, was no unpleasant scene. 
 As soon as they met, (which was after they had alarm'd the neigh- 
 bourhood,) they seized each other's hair with their forefeet, and 
 down they went to the sod, their vrows and families crying out be- 
 cause they could not part them; which fray happening against my 
 chamber window, I called up one of my acquaintance, and ordered 
 him to fetch a kit full of water and discharge it at them, which im- 
 mediately cool'd their courage, and loosed their grapples; so we 
 used to part our mastiffs in England. In the same City of New 
 York, when I was Minister to the English, there were two other 
 Ministers, or Domines, as they were called there, the one a Lutheran, 
 a German or High Dutch ; the other, a Calvinist, was Hollander or 
 Low Dutchman, who behav'd themselves one towards another so 
 shily and uncharitably as if Luther and Calvin had bequeathed 
 and entailed their virulent and bigotted spirits upon them and their 
 heirs forever. They had not visited or spoken to each other with 
 any respect for six years together before my being there, with whom 
 
CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET. 73 
 
 I being much acquainted, I invited them both, with their vrows, to 
 a supper one night unknown to each other, with an obligation that 
 they should not speak one word in Dutch, under the penalty of a 
 bottle of Medara, alledging I was so imperfect in that language that 
 we could not manage a sociable discourse ; so accordingly they came, 
 and at the first interview they stood so appaled as if the ghosts of 
 Luther and Calvin had suffered a transmigration, but the amaze soon 
 went off with a salve tu quoque, and a bottle of wine, of which the 
 Calvinist Domine was a true carouser, and so we continued our Men- 
 salia the whole meeting in Latine, which they both spoke so fluently 
 and promptly, that I blush'd at myself with a passionate regret that 
 I could not keep pace with them." 
 
 The growth of the city had at the end of three years so much in- 
 creased, that it seemed to demand more than one market-day ; and 
 as this {Saturday) was about to expire, according to the order of the 
 24th of March, 1675, it was necessary to renew it, and also to ap- 
 point another day ; which, however, did not take place until the 9th 
 of March, 1679-'80, when "for ye better supply of ye Cytie"— with 
 provisions and other necessaries — "from this day forward another 
 market extraordinary shall be kept every week, weekly, on Wednes- 
 day, att ye usual market-place, neere ye Bridge and Weigh-House."* 
 The population two years after is shown to have been about 2,000 
 whites, besides negroes and slaves; number of houses 207, besides 
 barns and sheds. 
 
 The market regulations in existence (prior to 1683) did not an- 
 swer altogether, or were not rigid enough to meet forestallers and 
 sellers of unsound meats, to provide in what manner certain articles 
 should be sold, &c., which this increased and mixed population 
 would seem to have demanded. The city, however, was soon after- 
 wards supplied with such laws, which were ordained and enacted on 
 the 15th of March, 1683 ; part of them read as follows: " That fish, 
 butter, cheese, eggs, poultry, fruit, roots, and herbs may be sold 
 every day in the week at any time, in the market or other conven- 
 ient places." 
 
 " That no person shall forstal any provision or victuals coming to 
 the markett, as to buy in any private or other place than the mar- 
 kett, under pain of forfeiture of the same, whether it be found in the 
 hands of buyer or seller. 
 
 " No person shall engross any provision or victuals which is in 
 the market, or by the market, to retail there again, especially such 
 as be known for Hucksters, Butchers, or other people occupying 
 their living by such provisions or victuals as they shall so engross, 
 under pain of such provisions and victuals so engrossed. 
 
 * City Records. 
 
74 CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET. 
 
 " No butter, cheese, or other provisions sold by weight, shall be 
 sold but according to the weight established. 
 
 " No Huckster shall engross any poultry, eggs, or fresh butter 
 coming to the market, under pain of forty shillings. 
 
 " No unwholesome or stale victuals shall be sold in the market, 
 under the pain of forty shillings. 
 
 " No blown meat or leprous swine shall be sold, under the pain 
 of forfeiture the same and forty shillings. 
 
 " That there be a person appointed by the Mayor and Aldermen 
 to be Clerk of the Market, who is to take care that the above orders 
 are duly observed and prevent defaults, and set out and appoint con- 
 venient boarths, stales and standings for all persons that come to the 
 market, shall not be put in execution until the week after Easter, 
 when the same is to be duly observed and kept." 
 
 In the repairs of this market-house, in 1683, I find from a report 
 that " 1,500 (feet) of inch oak plank, 16 feet (in length,) cost £5 5." 
 
 This "fitt market-house" had not been used quite ten years when 
 Governor Dongon ordered the removal of this market-place ; which 
 subject came before the Council held on the 24th of May, 1684: 
 " Mr. John Tudor, bringing a message from the Governor, desiring 
 that the market may be removed from the place where itt is now 
 kept, to the vacant ground before the Fort, and that the authorities 
 would order the same to be done accordingly." " That from hence- 
 forward the market for butchers' meat be held in the same place 
 ( Broadivay Shambles) according, they erecting their scales and other 
 conveniences at their own charge." 
 
 The removal of this market-place from the " Bridge and Weigh- 
 House" no doubt was caused by the accumulation of business at this 
 place. The laws had granted them the privilege to hold market- 
 days every day of the week ; this, and the shipping and the receiving 
 of goods, all took place on and around the Dock, Bi'idge, and through 
 the ' Weigh-House,' and ' 12d. per ton bridge money' was exacted 
 on all merchandise exported or imported."* 
 
 Although the market-place was removed, yet the "fitt market- 
 house" was not; but in 1687 it was "Ordered that the market-house 
 of the city be employed as a warehouse for goods ; each ton or cask 
 paying 9 pence for 24 hours, and the Mayor appoint a fit person to 
 keep the same, who shall have half of the profit for his services." 
 Accordingly, on the 26th February following, (1688,) Anthony De- 
 milt was ordered to "keepe ye key of ye market-house until the 25th 
 day of March," and the allowed fees, which in addition "for every 
 half bar'" be collected "two stivers wampum for ye use of y« city." 
 
 * Picture of N.Y. 
 
CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET, 75 
 
 At the expiration of the term, he was again appointed to this im- 
 portant office " until further order." 
 
 On the 16th of March, in the year 1689, the Common Council 
 agreed with Captain John Tudor "for a place to build a shop in the 
 market-house for the term of three years, for the sum of forty shillings 
 per annum." Then, on the 30th inst., " George Brown hath hired a 
 lott for a shop in the market-house for the same time at £2 10, and 
 another lott was lett to Peter Panburnge at X3, to be paid quarterly." 
 
 The Mayor made a report on the 24th April, 1691, "that he hath 
 lett out the shop in the market-house to one John Ellison for three 
 pounds ten shillings per annum, to be payed quarterly, and he to re- 
 ceive the same att his owne charge, a pair of hinges for the door, 
 onley accepted." On the 18th of February, in the year 1692, a com- 
 mittee was appointed to " lett it out, what is to be lett thereoff." 
 
 Next we find it with an additional name, from the proceedings on 
 the 15th March, 1694 : " The market-house or store-house (no doubt the 
 ivholej at the Bridge was let to John Ellison, cittyjoyner,f'carj3eKfer,j 
 for the space of five years, from the first of May next, for the sum 
 of sixteen pounds per annum ; he having permission to build an ad- 
 dition of ten feet in breadth, with chimney — part of the market-house 
 to be used as a store-house for merchants." 
 
 Ellison's lease expired in the year 1699; he, however, on the 
 20th of September, agreed with the Authorities to " put up a house 
 of brick and stone, two stories high, in the room and on the ground ; 
 the old market-house stands to have a lease of twenty-one years;" 
 but I find the inhabitants enter a protest against giving " the pos- 
 session of a lease to John Ellison for the market-house at the ' Cus- 
 tom-House Bridge,' until such time they are heard ;" and there ap- 
 peared two parties who wished that privilege ; one to build a market- 
 house, and the other a place for the meeting of merchants. 
 
 The first was before the Board on the 16th October of that year, 
 " praying that they have liberty to make and erect a publick market- 
 house for the ornament and benefit of y^ Citty, on y? ground whereon 
 ye old market-house stands on which John Ellison lives ; he, the said 
 John Ellison, having relinquished his agreement with y^ Citty." 
 The other, signed by some eighty-three inhabitants of the South 
 Ward, states, " That whereas Sir Edmund Andross, Knt., late Gov- 
 ernor of this province, did order a certain building to be erected 
 near the Bridge in this city, which has since been called the market- 
 house; and whereas your petitioners have been informed that the 
 same was by this Board to be let out for some term of years to one 
 Mr. Ellison, on condition to erect a new building on the same ground, 
 and pay as a rent twelve pounds a year to the City : 
 
76 CUSTOM-HOUSE BRIDGE MARKET. 
 
 "Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the said agreement 
 may be quashed, and that the same ground may be allowed to your 
 petitioners for the use of this City, they offering to erect there a 
 convenient place for the meeting of merchants, on their own cost and 
 charges ; it being a very convenient place for the same, being nigh 
 the Custom-House, and will be of ornament to the City, and alao 
 pay twelve pounds a year to the City, they having the benefit of the 
 store-money of merchants' goods allowed them," &c. A committee 
 was ordered " to consult with the inhabitants of the South Ward 
 what building they propose to make on the premises, and what yearly 
 rent they will pay for the same, and make report thereof to the 
 next Common Council." 
 
 This report was not made until the 19th of February, 1700, when 
 it was " Ordered, that y^ said market-house be granted to ye (South) 
 Ward for the terme of fifty years, they, the said Inhabitants, in ten 
 years' time, erecting a publick building according to the moddell 
 exhibited to this Courte ; they yielding the yearly rent of twelve 
 pounds, and keeping and delivering the same in good repair att 
 the expiration of the said term of fifty years." 
 
 It appears, by this order, the inhabitants were not immediately 
 bound to erect this public building, but were allowed ten years to 
 do so ; and our old friend, John Ellison, a few years after, turned 
 his attention to " catching porpoises," as his petition sets forth, 
 " that he has been at great charge in inventing a method to catch 
 porpoises," and wishes encouragement for the same, which was not 
 given him by the Board. 
 
 The old market-house had been, many of its former years, used as 
 a " store-house and shops," and lost its reputation as a public mar- 
 ket-place ; others, also, had been in the mean time established ; the 
 inhabitants around it felt anxious to restore its trade back again, 
 and applied to the authorities to assist them, who, on the 30th June, 
 1701, ''Resolved, That the old market-house near the Custom-House 
 Bridge be forever hereafter appropriated for a publick market-house, 
 for the benefit and conveniency of all persons that should resort 
 thereunto, in as full and ample manner as any other market-house 
 or market-place within this city now is, or lawfully ought to be." 
 
 In 1703, it appeared to have needed some repairs, as, on the 29th 
 of November, " ten pounds is appropriated for the covering of the 
 market-house by the Custom-House Bridge." So it stood until the 
 2d November, 1708, when the sheds or "shops" on the sides had 
 become useless, and it was "ordered that the inhabitants have lib- 
 erty to pull down the boards about the market-house by the Cus- 
 tom-House Bridge, and that Alderman Thong dispose of the same." 
 
BKOAD STREET MARKET. 77 
 
 He reported, on the 1st February folio-wing, " that he had sold the 
 boards for one pound, three shillings and sixpence ; whereof he ex- 
 pended for thirty-four loads of sand, and for a laborer for mending 
 the street near the Custom-House, eighteen shillings and one penny 
 half-penny." 
 
 It then rested quietly until the 16th of November, 1720, when it 
 was presented as a public nuisance, and the Common Council gave 
 permission to the inhabitants, or rather to " have liberty to remove 
 the old market-house near the Custom-House to a more convenient 
 place near the water-side, at their own cost, provided they do the 
 same within ten days ; if not, the said market-house will be pulled 
 down, according to an order of the Supreme Court." Thus was 
 disposed of the old market-house, which I have designated " the 
 Custom-House Bridge Market," 
 
 BROAD STREET MAEKET. 
 
 1691. I HAVE designated the Jirst market-house built in Broad 
 Street with the above title, there having been several market-houses 
 and market-places established at various intervals in that street. 
 
 The first notice we have of this market-place is found in the pro- 
 ceedings of the Common Council, July 9, 1691, in which "Captain 
 William Merritt, Mr. Johannes Kipp, Captain Brandt Schuyler, and 
 Mr. Teunis de Kay are appointed a Committee to build a market- 
 house att the end of Heere-graft (Broad) Street, for all but Butch- 
 ers' meat." This market-house was finished, as is shown from the 
 following instructions, given to a committee, on the 18th of Febru- 
 ary, 1692, "for the letting the new Market-House over against 
 Anthony Farmer's, which said new market-house is allowed to be 
 made shambles, (stalls for butchers' meat,) or any otherwise." 
 
 "Anthony Farmer's" appears to have been located over or on the 
 east side of the Heere-Graft, (canal in Broad Street,) near the 
 present Water Street, near what was then known as the "Little 
 Bridge." 
 
 The Laws and Ordinances in 1702 say, "That there be three 
 market-days, one whereof be at the 'Little Bridge' by the dock." 
 
 In the month of March, 1704, "Two pairs of stairs be made in 
 the Dock on each side of the 'Little Bridge;'" "and that two 
 posts be put up in the 'market-house' by the Great Bridge, ('Cus- 
 
78 BROAD STREET MARKET. 
 
 tom-House Bridge Market,^) in order to keep out the cows." Then, 
 in the month of June, 1705, it was ordered that "the street front- 
 ing the Dock, between the ' Great and Little Bridges,' the south end 
 of Broad Street to the Little Bridge, on both sides of the (canal) 
 way," should be paved. 
 
 At this early period, just about this market-house appeared 
 rather a favorite place for the merchants and traders ; it being so 
 nearly located to the " Great Bridge," Dock, and Custom-House on 
 the one side, where all goods of every character were exported 
 and imported for the city ; and on the other side, the " Coenties 
 Slip (Fish) Market" and the old City Hall, which had now been 
 given up by the authorities, and sold, a few years previous, (1699,) 
 to one John Rodman, a merchant, for the sum of £920 ; and another 
 at the head of this (Broad) street, in Wall Street, had been erected 
 in the year 1700. 
 
 These attractions gave an idea to a prominent individual, named 
 Cornelius Sebring, who lived opposite, on the Long Island shore, to 
 petition to the Governor, on the 23d January, 1708, for an addi- 
 tional ferry. He stated, he " stands possessed of a certain farm on 
 the Island of Nassau, directly over against the centre of the City 
 of New York, being a most fit and convenient place for being a 
 ferry to and from the said city;" "and can be of no hurt or dam- 
 mage to the old ferry, it being not so convenient for that ferry to 
 send their boats to the south end and centre of the city, where he 
 proposes to send his." "To be limited on the Island of Nassau on 
 the one side of the old ferry, and on the other side by the Red 
 Hook ; and on the side of New York between the (Old) Slip, at 
 Captain Theobald's, unto the ' Great Bridge,' for the loading and 
 landing of all persons, goods, wares, and merchandise, except cattle, 
 to be landed at or near the slaugJiter-hoivses ; (nevertheless, not ex- 
 cluding the old ferry-boat from the places aforesaid.") 
 
 The Corporation remonstrate against the granting of this peti- 
 tion, and state that this ferry "hath been commonly esteemed & re- 
 puted for seaventy years past to extend from a heap of Rock Stones 
 gathered together on a small wharfe or landing Bridge near the 
 Ferry-House on the said Island." "That some private persons, for 
 their own Lucre and gain, have solicited your Excellency for an- 
 other Ferry on the said Island fronting to this City, which, if 
 Granted, would be of great damage to this Corporation, and all the 
 Inhabitants thereof." "And also, that your Excellency would be 
 further pleased to order unto the petitioners & their successors her 
 Majesty's Grant of Confirmation for the said Ferry on both sides 
 of the said River, with power to Establish one or more Ferrys, if 
 
BROAD STREET MARKET. 79 
 
 there shall be occasion, &c."* Their remonstrance was granted, 
 which denied the petition of Mr. Sebring. 
 
 This "old ferry," (says Mr. Valentine,) "from the earliest settle- 
 ment, and for many years afterwards, was from the present landing 
 on the Brooklyn side, at Fulton Ferry, to the nearest point on thid 
 island, which was at the present Peck Slip." 
 
 The Records inform us that on the 28th of February, 1683, "Mr. 
 William Merritt beeing sent ffor, and discoursed about the fferry too 
 Long Island ; offered, iff he might have the same ffor twenty years, 
 too give twenty pound pr annum, and to mayke houses on each syde, 
 and have two Boats ffor cattle and horses, and two Boats ffor pas- 
 sengers ; and too carry cattle and horses att 6 sciple p'' head, men at 
 1 sciple, and come att 1 sciple p"" bagg ; wheat 3 sciples." 
 
 A committee was appointed " too drawe upp suitable orders ffor 
 the future management and accomodacon thereof, and the rates 
 and prises, and too lett the sayme ffor terms off years, by advise and 
 eonsente off the Mayor, reservinge a Rente too be annually payde bye 
 quarterly payments ffor the publique use off the Citty." 
 
 It appears, however, that no regular ferry-house and other neces- 
 sary accommodations had been prepared until the year 1698, when 
 the conditions were made known in again farming or leasing it for 
 a period of five years, beginning from the 25th of March of the above 
 year, (1698. j 
 
 These conditions read in the third section : " That y^ said farmer 
 shall provide and maintain two great Boats or Scows for y^ carry- 
 ing and transporting of cattle, corne, &c. ; and two small Boats suf- 
 ficient for y" carrying of passengers, and that the great Boats shall 
 be kept one on each side of the river, &c. ; the small Boats y« like- 
 wise constantly going to and fro, but not both to remaine on the 
 same side of y« River att any time, and also to keep good and able 
 men to Row in the said Boats, who shall give their constant attend- 
 ance, and be ready att all times according to form and custom." 
 
 They shall " keep and maintain one sufficient pound for security 
 of cattle to be transported to and from the Citty of New York, and 
 when delivered at y-' Ferry to take charge thereof, and to find all 
 Roapes & other necessaries." Section 5th says: " That the Mayor, 
 &c., within the first year of y^ said lease, shall cause to be erected 
 and built at ye Ferry, on Nassau Island, a good sufficient house of 
 stone and brick, of two stories high, fourty fo'ot in length, and twenty- 
 four foot in breadth, for y accommodation & conveniency of y" 
 persons that farmeth y^ said Ferry. And the farmer to keep it a 
 Public House of entertainment." 
 
 • Doc. Hist, of N. Y., vol. iii., p. 422. 
 
80 BROAD STREET MARKET. 
 
 The ferriage rates were fixed as follows : " Every single person 
 to pay for going over eight stivers in wampum, or a silver two- 
 pence. Each person in company fower (4) stivers in wampum, or a 
 silver penny — if after sunsett, double ferriage. Bach horse or beast 
 single, one shilling; in company, nine-pence. Each colt or calfe, 
 three-pence. Each hog, eight stivers in wampum, or a silver two- 
 pence. Each sheep, four stivers wampum, or a silver penny," &c. 
 
 This ferry was ordered to be sold or " demised to y^ fairest bidder." 
 
 From the above we perceive the cattle that crossed the ferry were 
 landed at or near the " Slaughter-Houses," (previously noticed,) then 
 located above Wall Street on the East River shore ; as shown in a 
 survey made of the north side of Wall Street in 1686, they " Have 
 laid out ys northeast side of Wall Street, beginning at y^ wester- 
 most corner of y« Butchers' Pen," the yard belonging to the Slaughter- 
 Houses; and they are also so put down on the Rev. John Miller's 
 plan of New York, printed in 1695. 
 
 This " public institution," or the slaughtering part, was ordered, on 
 the 23d June, 1696, to be removed, and " no butcher or other person 
 whatsoever doe slaughter any cattle of any kind, after y<^ seventh 
 day of July next." Captain Ebenezer Willson having previously 
 (May 11) petitioned "for a grant for some land from the street to 
 low-water mark on y^ west side of y'' house of Thomas Hooks for 
 ye building of a Slaughter-House," which was granted to him for 
 " thirty years, and that j^ surveyors lay out y^' same.'' This loca- 
 tion appears to have been " fronting to the East River at the east 
 end of Queen (Pearl) Street," near the present Peck Slip. This fact, 
 however, is more fully shown from the report on the petition of John 
 Kelly, before the Common Council, October 11, 1720, in which he 
 states : 
 
 " That the petitioner hath lately purchased from Richard Sarkett 
 three water lotts contiguous, seventy-four foot wide, convenient for 
 the present for the situacon of a Slaughter-House for Cattle. That 
 the places where the two slaughter-houses of this City are now sit- 
 uated, by the increase of buildings & the number of inhabitants, are 
 not only become offensive to the inhabitants, but dangerous to them 
 and their children, being exposed often to the danger of mad oxen 
 and doggs. 
 
 " That the three lotts of this petitioner are likewise convenient for 
 the landing of Black Cattle by the Ferryman from the Island of 
 Nassau, and that the petitioner is willing, at his own private charge, 
 to erect and build upon his said lotts such convenient Sloughter- 
 House as may serve all the Butchers of this Corporation, provided 
 he may have a grant for the same for a reasonable term of years 
 
BROAD STREET MARKET. 81 
 
 without increasing of the ffees." This was referred to a Committee 
 consisting of Aldermen Andrew Marschalk, Jacobus Kip, John 
 Roosevelt, John Cruger, and Philip Cortlaudt, who reported on the 
 following 3d December, " That wee find the said allegations to be 
 true, and are humbly of opinion that the present Sloughter-Houses 
 fronting the East River at the east end of Queen (Pearl) Street in 
 the East "Ward of this City, now or late belonging to the Widdow 
 Cortlandt and Johannes Beekman, are becom a publick nuisance, 
 and ought in a short time to be removed, in order more convenient 
 and ornamental buildings may be erected there, and in that neigh- 
 borhood, which now are retarded by occasion of the said Sloughter- 
 Houses. 
 
 " We are also humbly of opinion that the place proposed by the 
 petitioner, John Kelly, for the erecting Public Sloughter-Houses and 
 Penn upon the East River of this City, a little to the westward of 
 the now dwelling-house of Mr. John Deane in the said East Ward, 
 is a convenient place for that use and service, being the freehold of 
 the said John Kelly, and that the petitioner ought to have a grant 
 to him, his heirs, executors, and administrators, for the erecting of 
 three or more substantial and convenient Publick Sloughter-Houses 
 at the place aforesaid, at his own proper cost, charge and expense, 
 at which all persons whatsoever shall and may sloughter their neat 
 cattle, paying to the said John Kelly or his assigns one shilling or 
 the tongue of each neat cattle so sloughtered for the use of the said 
 Sloughter-Houses and Penn & convenience for sloughtering the same 
 in full of all fees, dues, and demands for so doing." 
 
 They further say, that the said grant " ought to be for the term of 
 twenty-one years;" also "to be restrained from farming" the same 
 "to any butcher whatsoever during this term ;" also "to inclose a suffi- 
 cient quantity of ground for a publick Penn or Pinfold, sufficient to 
 hold and secure all neat cattle that shall or may be brought there- 
 unto in order to be sloughtered at the said Sloughter-Houses, and 
 shall and will supply, furnish & provide all necessary ropes, trees, and 
 tackle suitable and convenient for the well and easy sloughtering and 
 hanging up all cattle ;" also to keep all " in good and sufficient re- 
 pair, plight, and condition — well and sufficiently scoured & claused." 
 To have them all built and regulated " on pr before the first day 
 of October next ;" " the same shall be deemed & esteemed the Pub- 
 lick Sloughter-House of the said City of New York, & that no other 
 Sloughter-Houses from thence forward shall be built & erected on 
 the East River during the said term." 
 
 Perhaps these few facts in relation to the " Sloughter-Houses" of 
 the olden time will not be so acceptable to the reader as some more 
 Vol. I.— 6 
 
82 BROAD STREET MARKET. 
 
 interesting subjects. My answer is, they were public institutions — 
 built and conducted for more than a century and a half by some of 
 the first men of that day, several of whom have given their names 
 to certain public streets, as Cortlandt, Beekman, Bayard, &c. ; and 
 withal, they are noticed or marked down on many of the early maps 
 of the City in the most prominent form ; and if they are an eye-sore 
 or an evil, they are a necessary one, where people will be carnivorous. 
 
 • A complaint was made against the ferry-master five years after, 
 (1725,) through a petition, by a butcher named "William Weblin, in 
 which he states, " That he has received many abuses of late from 
 James Harding, the ferryman, not only by abusive words, but several 
 times by his carelessness has had his creatures destroyed and killed 
 in bringing from the ferry to New York ; the particulars of which 
 would be too tedious to trouble this Honorable Court with all, and 
 therefore your petitioner will confine himself to what has been trans- 
 acted by said Mr. Harding, since the 26th of this instant month of 
 July, on which day,about noon, your petitioner had two cattle brought 
 to the ferry, and put into the common pen or yard where cattle al- 
 ways use to be put, in order to be brought over to the Slaughter- 
 House in New York ; on which day, in the afternoon, your petitioner 
 went over to said Harding, and treated Mm handsomely, and prayi^ 
 him to bring said two cattle over by the first opportunity, which he 
 said should be done ; but said cattle not being brought over accord- 
 ing to expectation, on Fryday, the 28th instant, your petitioner went 
 over again, to know what was the reason the said cattle were not 
 brought over in four high waters, at a time of calm good weather ; 
 and when your petitioner came, the said Harding told him he could 
 not carry them now, nor could he tell when they could be carried 
 over, so that your petitioner was forced to turn said cattle into a 
 pasture after they had stood starving in a pen for the space of four 
 high tydes, during which time your petitioner had no beef for the 
 market but what he borrowed ; and when your petitioner expostu- 
 lated with this ferryman about his neglect herein, his answer was, 
 that Jeremiah Calcuttwas dead, and he would make all the butchers 
 in New York truckle to him before Christmas ; nor would he bring 
 said cattle over, unless your petitioner would come over and help 
 to load them. , 
 
 "As your petitioner has lived in this city and followed the trade 
 of a butcher for the term of about nine years, during which time the 
 ferrymen have always thought it their duty to load and bring over 
 the cattle that have come to the ferry for the butchers. And why 
 the butchers shall be forced to goe and load the cattle themselves, 
 now Jeremiah Calcutt is dead, more than they did before, your pe- 
 
BROAD STREET MARKET. 83 
 
 titioner cannot perceive, nor will the circumstances of the trade al- 
 low your petitioner to hire hands and goe over to load the cfittle 
 when they come to the ferry. He wishes the Hon. Court to order 
 the said ferryman to do his duty — as has always been the practice 
 of the said ferry." 
 
 Two years after the butchers and other keepers of dogs were com- 
 plained of for allowing their dogs to run loose about the city, and 
 the authorities on the 17th of March notice it in the following man- 
 ner : " Whereas the butchers and other inhabitants of this city super- 
 abound in a very great number of mischievous mastiffs, bull-dogs, 
 and other useless dogs, who not only run at coaches, horses, chaises, 
 and cattle in the daytime, whereby much mischief has ensued, but in 
 the night-time are left in the streets of this city, and frequently bite, 
 tear, and kill several cows and render the passage of the inhabitants 
 of this city upon their lawful occasions very dangerous in the night- 
 time through the streets thereof, by attacking and flying at them, and 
 are become a publick nuisance and grievance," &c. 
 
 The butchers in general, from my first recollections, were noto- 
 rious for keeping bull-dogs, and no doubt at this very early period 
 they were used to assist in catching runaways or dangerous animals, 
 which had become so from fright or other causes. Cattle raised on 
 large ranges, where they almost run wild, are apt to be dangerous, 
 and if penned into a small yard singly or almost alone, they will 
 not allow any person to approach them, but turn and charge you at 
 a full run. Such animals, when about to be haltered in olden time, 
 were worried with bull-dogs, who seized them by the nose with a 
 vice-like grip of their strong jaws, and by a muscular twist of the 
 body, threw the animals or held them until they could be haltered. 
 
 Some stubborn animals would not step after being haltered, but 
 lay down ; then the bull-dog would soon arouse them, so that they 
 can be pulled in. It is, however, many years since butchers have 
 used bull-dogs for this purpose, although they were kept by some of 
 the bull-lies, when it was the fashion for bull-baiting. The few which 
 are now kept here are by sporting characters of the dog-fighting and 
 rat-killing fanciers. 
 
 In the month of September, 1710, a committee was appointed to 
 " cause the wall under the market-house at the south end of Broad 
 Street, near the Dock, to be repaired." We then pass on to the 
 1st of June, 1714, when it was "Ordered, that the market-house by 
 the Dock, at the south end of the Broad Street, be repaired ; " 
 which I find, from records in the Comptroller's ofiSce, cost £7 10s. 
 Again, in December, 1719, a committee was ordered to "view the 
 wall fronting the Dock which supports the Market-House at the 
 
84 BROAD STREET MARKET. 
 
 south end of Broad Street, and take care that the same be put into 
 some tolerable repairs, to preserve itt from falling this winter, in 
 order it be better repaired in the spring ; " which no doubt was 
 done. 
 
 The next year the laws ordained " what places to be public mar- 
 kets;" among which were "the market-places at the Great and 
 Little Bridges;" that is, the one at the Great Bridge was the " Cus- 
 tom-House Bridge Market," and the one at the Little Bridge the 
 "Broad Street Market." Then also, in the boundaries of the South 
 Ward, from the Charter, dated 1723, it includes "the market-house 
 at the south end of the said (Broad) street." 
 
 Now let us look at the plan of New York, surveyed by James 
 Lyne, in 1729. He places a building at the foot of Broad Street, 
 which he calls Exchange; the laws, however, the next year call it 
 "Market by the Long Bridge." 
 
 This Long Bridge was formerly the Little Bridge, which at this 
 period had been widened and extended. 
 
 We here turn aside to notice a great rejoicing, which ended with 
 great sorrow and death to several prominent citizens. It was a 
 great fashion in "olden times," on great occasions— such as victo- 
 ries, birth-days of distinguished men, or the finishing of some im- 
 portant edifice or great work— to have an ox roasted whole, with 
 barrels of liquor furnished to the inhabitants. From "Zenger's" 
 Weekly Journal, of the 21st July, 1735, we learn that "on Wednes- 
 day last His Excellency, William Cosby, Esq., our Governor, caused 
 an ox to be roasted whole on the new Battery, where he was at- 
 tended by several gentlemen of distinction; the day was spent 
 with firing and drinking of the loyal healths by a great many peo- 
 ple, as is usual on such occasions. But the day ended with more 
 real and sudden sorrow than we have known in this city within 
 twenty-four years last past. For the last piece (cannon) unfortu- 
 nately burst, and wounded three persons mortally, viz., John Hen- 
 drick Lymes, Esq., Sheriff of the City of New York ; a fragment 
 of the piece struck on the groin and thighs, and bruised him that 
 he died within a few hours." One of the others was " Catharine 
 Courtlandt, the only daughter of Philip Courtlandt, Esq., one of 
 His Majesty's Council for this province; she had her skull frac- 
 tured, so that she died within a few minutes after she received the 
 hurt. She was about nine years of age." 
 
 This market-house, for many of its latter years, was used princi- 
 pally as a country market, and when vacant, the merchants took 
 possession of it, where they transacted their selling, trading, or 
 exchanging. Near by was the "Long Bridge," which had been 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 85 
 
 used by them as a place of meeting for about seventy years, and 
 was first established by Governor Lovelace, in 1669, in order that 
 merchants should meet "near the Bridge" (Long Bridge) on every 
 Friday, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock ; and the 
 Mayor was ordered " to have the bell rung to congregate, and again 
 to disperse;" and also "to take care that they be not disturbed" 
 while in session. 
 
 This market-house was not noticed in the laws of 1737 as a pub- 
 lic market-place; but the " Gazette" of July 24, 1738, refers to it in 
 an advertisement for the sale of property at Harlaem, as follows : 
 "On Saturday, the 2d of September next, at ten o'clock in the 
 morning, in the Exchange Market -Hoiise, near the 'Long Bridge,' 
 will be exposed to sale, by publick vendue, the plantation of the 
 late Captain Thomas Coddrington, containing about thirty acres of 
 land, besides two out-lots of about eight acres;" "all in the bounds 
 of Harlaem, in the outward of the City of New York." 
 
 Four years after, David Grim, on his map, marks it down with 
 the name I have adopted for it, viz., "Broad Street Market." Two 
 years later, an excellent old side-view map, or the "South Prospect 
 View of y'= flourishing City of New York," printed in London, 
 1746, now in the possession of the "Society Library," shows this 
 market-house, directly at the foot of Broad Street, but no reference 
 is given to it. A mistake, however, is made, by noticing the "Meal 
 ■ or Wall Street Market-House" as the Exchange, (No. 15.) The 
 "Old Exchange" in Broad Street was not built, or commenced, 
 until the year 1752 ; and the intention, no doubt, was to represent 
 this old "Broad Street Market" as Lyne did, when he called it 
 "the Exchange," in 1729. 
 
 I find no further reference to it ; and as it had stood more than 
 fifty years, I am inclined to think that about the period of 1746 it 
 was taken down. 
 
 "OLD SLIP MARKET." 
 
 1691. Among the proceedings which took place before the " Court," 
 on the 15th of October, 1691, was that of designating where " Flesh- 
 Meat" shall be sold. The "Court" ordered "that there be two 
 market-places for Flesh-Meat: the one in the Broadway over against 
 the Ffort ; the other under the Trees by the Slipp." 
 
 The first I have noticed as the " Broadway Shambles," and the 
 
86 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 other I will proceed first to locate. This " Slipp" is marked down 
 on an old map as being near the present lower end of Hanover 
 Square and Old Slip, where no doubt at that time stood several 
 large shady trees, under which the country people coming from the 
 ferry from Brooklyn, with their productions, were "wont to stop and 
 rest, sheltered from the sun. They were here met by the purchasing 
 Burghers, and it soon became a market-place recognized by the au- 
 thorities in the above " order." 
 
 The "Burger's" or "Slip Battery of Ten Guns," and also the 
 Burger's Path, was near this spot, where the first Slip was made, or 
 noticed as such, gave it the name of Old Slip — it being the oldest 
 Slip. 
 
 This additional "Flesh-Market" was ordered no doubt in conse- 
 quence of the rapid growth of this part of the city for several years 
 previous, as this would appear to have been a reasonable supposi- 
 tion from the many improvements suggested by the authorities. One 
 of which was the " ordering all the lotts from Burger's Path to the 
 foot of the Hill, by Alderman Beekmans, (Beekman Street,) be ex- 
 posed to sale ;" and on the following 5th of December it was " order- 
 ed that the lotts lying between Burger's Path and the Block-House 
 ( Wall Street) be laid out into thirteen lotts, the first lott next to 
 the Slipp to y" (be) fifty foot in breadth, and the other twelve to 
 yE' (be) each forty-two foot." These were all sold, and many of 
 them were soon built upon, as well as many others which formerly 
 belonged to the Government. 
 
 The rapid progress of the city was, however, checked for a period 
 by what was then called the " Bread Famine." This took place in 
 the year 1696, when the citizens, in the month of October, appealed 
 to the authorities to assist them, in the following language : " Upon 
 complaint of the inhabitants & poor of this city, that there is no 
 bread to be bought to supply their wants, soe that they cannot subsist 
 unless some speedy method be taken to furnish the same ; and the 
 bakers being summoned before this Board, doe complain that they 
 have no corne, neither can gett any to purchase att a reasonable 
 rate, whereby to occupy their trade in order to supply the inhab- 
 itants of this citty with bread as aforesaid. It is therefore ordered 
 that ye Aldermen and Assistants of each respective Ward within 
 this Citty doe goe through their several Wards & make dilligent 
 search and enquiry of what quantities ot flower, wheat, and bread are 
 in the same Ward, and make return thereof on Munday next att two 
 of ye clock in the afternoon, in order that effectual care be taken for 
 to supply the inhabitants with bread." 
 
 At their next meeting (October 23d) it was ordered that a com- 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 87 
 
 mittee " joyn the Recorder to consult of such proper methods as may 
 be most effectual for the causing corrie to be brought to this citty for 
 the releif of the inhabitants." 
 
 On the 17th of November following, the Mayor reported to the 
 Board, "that the inhabitants have made daily complaints for the 
 want of bread. That the Aldermen had made strict enquiry at 
 every house of what store of corne they had at that time ; there did 
 not exceed the quantity otseven hundred bushels; upon which it was 
 taken into consideration what number of inhabitants was within this 
 citty, and what might be needful for their daily subsistense with 
 bread. Whereupon itt was computed that there was about six thou- 
 sand souls within this citty, and that stock of corne would not be 
 sufficient for a week's maintenance." 
 
 " Thereupon this Board fell into consideration of what should be 
 the cause of soe great a scarcity, when lately there had been soe 
 plentiful a harvest, and did finde that the true and only cause did 
 proceed from y*' liberty & latitude that every planter had lately taken 
 of making his house or farme a markett for wheat, or converting the 
 same into flower by bolting of itt, and that under pretense of a privi- 
 ledge they conceive they had obtained by virtue of a law made in 
 Genl Assembly." A committee was appointed to take measures to 
 have this law repealed, and they were successful with what was then 
 called the " Bolting Act." 
 
 This market-place soon became a successful one, visited by many 
 country people, and butchers who cut up and sold " flesh-meat," 
 which no doubt afterwards gave it the name of the " Great Flesh 
 Market." Prior to the erection of a market-house, they protected 
 themselves from the stormy weather under their several temporary 
 sheds and tents until the prosperity and wants of the " inhabitants 
 of the neighborhood of Burger's Path asked leave to erect a market- 
 house at their own charge." This took place on the 8th of July, 
 1701, when the Board ordered that they have liberty to erect such a 
 house '' on the vacant lotts of ground fronting the houses of Leonard 
 Huygen, and that late of Jacob Teller, for the conveniency and 
 accommodation of the public." 
 
 A statement was made showing the increase of cattle, and those 
 that were killed for the use of the city, in several of the previous 
 years. The proceedings of the 16th of July, 1698, show "A con- 
 siderable increase of stock of cattle, and sould att double ye price of 
 what they were formerly; and for instance, about fourteen years 
 ago, (1684,) there was not ataove/owr hundred neat cattle killed for 
 the service of the inhabitants of this citty, and now near three thou- 
 sand head, besides sheep and other small cattle, which fully demon- 
 strates the increase of the trade." 
 
88 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 The introduction of a landing-place for the ferry-boats was also 
 established here ; it was, however, chiefly for the landing of flour at 
 certain tides. The lessee of the regular ferry, Dirck Benson, had 
 got behind with his payments to the Corporation, who sued him, but 
 they afterwards proposed terms of settlement, (in the Court held 
 January 27, 1703,) by abating " £30 per annum, for the remaining 
 term of the lease," if he would " land all flower brought over to the 
 city in the ferry-boats att the Slip att Burger's Path, and also to land 
 passengers and other commodities brought over one tide att the said 
 Slipp at Burger's Path, and the other tide at ' Countess Key,' {Fly 
 Market;) and if these terms were not agreed to, then the action now 
 depending against him for the said rent be prosecuted to the utmost." 
 
 This arrangement of the ferry was, on the 1st of October, 1707, 
 somewhat altered in the terms of the lease to James Harding; "that 
 is to say, every Monday and Thursday, at Countess Key, every Tues- 
 day and Pryday, at Burger's Path, and every Wednesday and Satur- 
 day, at the Dock Slip, near Col. Cortlandt's house, and at no other 
 place whatsoever." Then, in the early part of the year 1722, the 
 same was " demised and lett to ffarm to William Weblin, butcher, 
 for the term of five years, at seventy-one pounds," but this arrange- 
 ment was not completed. 
 
 The war with the French at this period (1705) found, as Smith 
 says, "Our harbor being wholly unfortified; a French privateer ac- 
 tually entered it in 1705, and put the inhabitants in great consterna- 
 tion." They, however, soon began to prepare with fortifications, 
 ship of war, and privateers ; one of the latter, a brigantine, called 
 the Dragon, commanded by Captain Guicks, carrying about 130 men, 
 lay in the harbor preparing for sea ; several of her crew being allow- 
 ed on shore, " went on a spree," which ended in a riot and the death 
 of several persons. The particulars we find noticed in "The Boston 
 Neivs Letter," October 1, 1705, {doted Ne20 York, September 24:) 
 "On the 19th instant, about 10 at night, some privateers began a 
 riot before the Sheriff's house of this city, assembled the sheriff at 
 his door without any provocation, & beat and wounded several per- 
 sons that came to his assistance, & in a few minutes the privateers 
 tumultously met together in great numbers ; upon which forces were 
 sent, out of the Fort to suppress them, and the Sheriff, Officers, and 
 some men belonging to Her Majestie's ships made a body to do the 
 same ; but before these forces could meet with them, the privateers un- 
 happily met Lieut. Whaxton Featherstone-Hough and Eiisign Alcock, 
 (two gentlemen of the Hon. Col. Livesay's Regiment, that came in 
 the Jamaica Fleet, who were peaceably going home to their lodg- 
 ings,) and barbarously murdered the first, and greviously wounded 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 89 
 
 the latter in several places in the head, and brusied his body ; & after 
 they had knock'd him down several times and got his sword, some of 
 them run Lieut. Featherstone-Hough in at the left side thro' his heart, 
 (as is supposed with Ensign Alcock's sword,) of which wound he 
 immediately dyed. Just as the fact was done, the privateers were 
 attacked by the Shcriif, Officers, and Seamen of Her Majestie's Ship, 
 and some of the town, & in a short time were obliged to fly ; several 
 of both sides were wounded ; some of the privateers were then taken 
 prisoners, and several since, who were committed, & do believe will 
 suffer according to law ; the soldiers killed one of the privateers that 
 was flying from them. One Erasmus Wilkins was apprehended on 
 Saturday last & committed, and by the evidence 'tis believed he is 
 the man that murdered Lieut. Featherstone-Hough ; it would be too 
 tedious to relate the particulars, but their insolence is beyond ex- 
 pression : this riot was chiefly acted by the privateers belonging to 
 the Briganteen Dragon, Capt. Guicks, Commander." 
 
 The next year (1706) greater exertions are made for the defence 
 of the city ; the Mayor and Council petition Governor Cornbury on 
 the 8th of May, stating " the iminent danger wee conceive the city 
 to be in by an invasion of the common enemy," and " the vigorous 
 defence by reason our fortifications are wholly out of repair." They 
 wish them repaired, and " the making of others in convenient places ; 
 the mounting of artillery and the compleat arming of our inhabit- 
 ants." The next meeting of the " Council," (14 May,) it was " order- 
 ed that what beams the carpenters shall use of the Widdow Helena 
 Cooper's for the making of carriages for the mounting of the guns," 
 " to be paid for by the city, as shall be appraised." 
 
 On the 11th of July following, an ordinance was passed compell- 
 ing all the inhabitants, or their providing sufficient laborers, " to 
 work att or upon the fortifications by equal terms & wards soe often 
 as they shall have notice ; to appear with a good spade, shovell, ax 
 or pick, or other necessary tool or instrument." 
 
 "The " Council " again petitioned (on the 22d July) to the Governor, 
 saying, "We haveing received advice from Antigua that /owr French 
 privateers are sayled out of Martineque for this coast, and also that 
 Monsieur Deberville, with a strong squadron of ships of war, de- 
 signs speedily to attacque this city and province. We therefore 
 must humbly pray your Bxcelloy that your Lordship would most fa- 
 vorably be pleased to lay an embargo in this port for such term as 
 your Lordship shall judge requisite." 
 
 From the " Boston News Letter," August 5, (1706,) following, we 
 again extract the news from New York, dated 29th July, which tells 
 us that " Last week an embargo was laid here for 60 days, and all 
 
90 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 persons forbid all manner of labor, and all shops shut up until the 
 fortifications of the city be finished, so that we have near 1,000 men 
 at work every day." The next week after, the same paper says, 
 " Our fortifications we hope will be compleat this week, and we shall 
 have 100 cannon mounted in this city, besides the Fort, {George,) 
 which is also put into very good repair & order." 
 
 The people, however, had no confidence in Governor Cornbury ; 
 he had deceived them before, when money, &c., were granted for the 
 defence of the city, he appropriated to his own private use. Smith 
 says, " We never had a governor so universally detested, nor any 
 who so richly deserved the public abhorrence. In spite of his noble 
 descent, his behavior was trifling, mean, and extravagant. 
 
 " It was not uncommon for him to dress himself in a woman's 
 habit, and then to patrole the Fort in which he resided. Such freaks 
 of low humor exposed him to the universal contempt of the people ; 
 but their indignation was kindled by his despotick rule, savage big- 
 otry, insatiable avarice, and injustice, not only to the publick, but 
 even his private creditors ; for he left some of the lowest tradesmen 
 in his employment unsatisfied in their just demands." However, the 
 numerous complaints presented to the Queen obliged her to revoke 
 his commission, and his creditors threw him into one of the jails of 
 the City Hall, in Wall Street, until released by the inheritance ob- 
 tained by the death of his father.* His successor, John Lord Love- 
 lace, Baron of Harley, arrived here in the month of December, 1708, 
 and before a period of six months had passed, he was laid into his 
 grave, " from a disorder contracted in crossing the ferry on his ar- 
 rival here."t The Lieut. Governor, Richard Ingolsby, was then 
 placed in command, until his character and actions became known ; 
 who, like Cornbury, was dismissed from the office; and in 1710, 
 we find Robert Hunter, " a man of wit and personal beauty," at the 
 head as the Governor.| 
 
 About this period, the Mayor, Jacobus V. Cortlandt, held several 
 other public offices besides, which were attached to this high posi- 
 tion, and among these was that of Ckrk of the Market. In the lat- 
 ter office, he had been engaged in prosecuting several delinquent 
 butchers, from whom his counsel or collector had recovered cer- 
 tain fines or penalties. This subject was brought before the Jus- 
 tices and Vestrymen on the 17th of June, 1712, when " Mr. (Thomas) 
 George having acquainted this Board, that he has in his hands thirty 
 
 pounds shillings, which he recovered of several butchers at the 
 
 suit of Coll. Jacobus V. Cortlandt, which moneys he, the said Coll. 
 Cortlandt, hath given to the use of the poor of this citty, and de- 
 
 • DuQlap's Hist. N. Y., p. 263, vol. i. f Smith's Hist. N. Y., p. 191. | Ibid., p. 199. 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 9I 
 
 sires this Board will order how he shall dispose thereof. Ordered, 
 he pay the same to the Church Wardens of this city, for the use of 
 the poor of this city, whose receipt shall be a sufiBcient discharge for 
 so doing. 
 
 "Ordered, the Church Wardens lend Phillip Batten, butcher, 
 thirty shillings, in order to go on with his trade, (he being reduced 
 to great poverty by reason of his wife being delirious,) being an ob- 
 ject of charity."* 
 
 In the year 1711, the war with the French had made it necessary 
 for the authorities to take possession of and use all the public mar- 
 ket-houses in the city to build battoes in, except this one at Bur- 
 ger's Path,t which then appeared to be the principal market-place, 
 as it was more central and in the more thickly settled portion of the 
 city. " Twenty ship and house carpenters (says Smith) were impressed 
 into the service for their building, while commissions were appointed 
 to purchase provisions and other necessaries, and empowered to 
 break open houses for that purpose, and to impress men, vessels, 
 horses, and waggons for transporting the stores." The following 
 will give some idea of the prices that were paid for some kinds of 
 these provisions : 
 
 £. a. d. 
 
 " Good prime pork, per barrel, 3 10 
 
 Indian corn, per bushel, 026 
 
 Pease, do. 5 
 
 Buttock of beef, per pound, (smoaked,) - - - 7 
 Cheese, do. 6." 
 
 After peace was concluded, which took place in the month of 
 March, 1713, the prices of provisions became much reduced, and so 
 remained until the hard winter of 1717, when a large portion of the 
 country was covered with a deep snow, and supplies were stopped 
 from many places, and again the price advanced. 
 
 The farmers in the Eastern States suffered severely, which is par- 
 ticularly described in "Lewis' History of Lynn." He says, "Two 
 great storms on the twentieth and twenty-fourth of February cover- 
 ed the ground so deep with snow, that people for some days could 
 not pass from one house to another. Old Indians of an hundred 
 years said that their fathers had never told them of such a snow. 
 It was from ten to twenty feet deep, and generally covered the lower 
 story of the houses. Cottages of one story were entirely buried, so 
 that the people dig paths from one house to another under the snow. 
 Soon after, a slight rain fell, and the frost crusted the snow ; and 
 
 * Eecords in the possession of G. H. Moore, Esci. 
 t See " Flatter's Barrack Market-Plaoes." 
 
92 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 the people went out of their chamber windows and walked over it. 
 Many of the farmers lost their sheep ; and most of the sheep and 
 swine which were saved lived from one to two weeks without food. 
 One man had some hens buried near his barn, which were dug out 
 alive eleven days after. 
 
 " This snow formed a remarkable era in New England ; and old 
 people, in relating an event, would say that it happened so many 
 years before or after the great snow." 
 
 Three years after, in the month of January, it is said, "on the 9th, 
 10th, 11th, and 12th instant, great numbers went over Hudson's River 
 upon the ice from New York to New Jersey, since which the weather 
 has been very warm, like the spring, and all the ice gone."* 
 
 In the spring of 1726, prices of provisions were noticed in The 
 New York Gazette, on the 9th of May, as follows: "Pork, 55s.; 
 Beef, 34 to 35s. per barrel; Flour, lis. to lis. 6d. per hundred; 
 Fresh Beef in the market, 3d. | penny per pound, by the quarter, 
 and 4d. per pound smaller pieces; and Pease, 4s. 6d. per bushel." 
 
 In the Laws of 1720, this market-place is noticed " as the market- 
 house at Burger's Path," and we find eight years after it was still 
 known by that name, when the Board gave the inhabitants " liberty 
 to repair the market-house at Burger's Path." Again, in May, 1721, 
 " John Brown, at Mrs. Beurk's, over against the ' market-house by 
 Burger's Path,' sells Eui'opean goods at very reasonable prices, and 
 takes for pay Flour, Biskets, Beef, Pork, Gammons," &c.t Two 
 months after, however, the name assumed the proper one, as we find 
 in the same paper, "Thursday next, at nine in the morning, at the 
 ' Old Slip dfarket,' will be exposed for sale, by publick vendue, goods 
 of various kinds ;" and Lyne's Map of this year, marks No. 9, " Old 
 Slip Market," standing on a line of the present Pearl Street, with 
 the rear next to the " Slip." It continues in the " papers" with its 
 right name, although at times slip will be spelled with two p's in 
 describing the residence (in 1734) of a "Book-binder, lives in Duke 
 Street, (formerly called Bayard Street,) near the ' Old Slipp Mar- 
 ket.'" " Looking-glasses, new silvered, and the frames plaine japan- 
 ed ; also, all sorts of Picktures made and sold, and all manner of 
 painting work done. Also, Looking-glasses and all sorts of painters' 
 coulers and oyl, sold at reasonable rates, by Gerardus Duykinck, 
 at the sign of the two Cupids, near the ' Old Slip Market,' where you 
 may have ready money for old looking-glasses;" and in 1736, 
 " Stephen Bayard has Muscovada sugar to be sold between the Old 
 Slipp and Koenties Markets.''^ 
 From about the years 1725 to 1733 this market appeared at the 
 
 * Boston NewB Letter, February 1, 1720. f N. Y. GizHte, 1729. | N, Y. Journal. 
 
2 stalls 
 
 ,Nos. 1- 
 
 -2,atX22 0. 
 
 
 3 
 
 " 10 0. 
 
 
 4 
 
 " 3 0. 
 
 
 5 
 
 " 16 0. 
 
 
 6 
 
 " 10 0. 
 
 
 7 
 
 " 3 0." 
 
 OLD SLIP MARKET. 93 
 
 height of its prosperity, and it was then considered the best in the 
 city; but in 1735 the ''Fly Market" became its rival, as an equal 
 number of stands were leased, as will appear under the head of "Fly 
 Market," at that date. 
 
 This leasing of all the stands took place on the 10th of Decem- 
 ber, when the Market Committee reported that they had met and 
 agreed with the following butchers for stands in the " Market-House 
 at Burger's Path:" 
 
 " To Israel and Timothy HorseMd, 2 st-alls. 
 To Samuel Brown, 
 To Samuel Hopson, - 
 To Eliza Cai-penter, 
 To Widow Davis, - 
 To MicW Christopher Row, 
 
 Israel Horsefield lived at Brooklyn near the ferry, where he had 
 built several buildings, and in doing so, had no doubt by accident 
 overstepped his bounds, and got upon the property of the Corpora- 
 tion ; but was fortunate in securing a lease on the 26th February, 
 1735, " of that part of the wharfe and slaughter-house he has lately 
 built and put upon the land of this Corporation, near the ferry at 
 Brookland, at the annual rent oi five shilling.^' This part of the 
 corporation's no doubt he purchased afterwards, and it became pos- 
 sessed by Israel, Junr., who advertised it for sale in the Neiu York 
 Gazette and Weekly Mercury, February, 1769, " consisting of a house 
 and lot of ground, slaughter-house and barn, situate at Brooklyn 
 Ferry, on Long Island." 
 
 The market-house, even with an increased number of stands, soon 
 appeared too small, as the country people were crowded out, and 
 caused many to stop at the " Fly," which was close by the ferry. 
 This was a spur to the " inhabitants of the East Ward, near and 
 adjoining the market-house, contiguous to the Old Slip, called Bur- 
 ger's Path, who applied to the Board on the 21st , 1736, 
 
 through Alderman Walter, to enlarge the market-house at their own 
 charge and expense," so that a part thereof be for the use of the 
 country people. This enlarging did not tend to give much en- 
 couragement to business, as I find but five stands leased for one 
 year in March, 1737, to the same persons, and Nos. 6 and 7 are not 
 noticed. 
 
 Some of these butchers, with others of ''Fly" and " Coenties Mar- 
 kets," were so unfortunate as to have negro slaves engaged in the 
 " Great Negro Plot," which occurred a few years afterwards. This 
 information is derived principally from Horsmanden's account, 
 whose conclusion was, that these conspirators, both white and black, 
 
94 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 had designed to destroy the city by fire, and massacre the inhabit- 
 ants ; but fortunately, in consequence of a robbery having been com- 
 mitted some weeks before the appointed time, which was fixed on 
 St. Patrick's night, {March 17,) 1741, and while the police and 
 magistrates were engaged in tracing out the thieves, several fires 
 occurred, of which the governor's house, the chapel, and other build- 
 ings in the Fort ( George) were burnt to the ground. A few days 
 after, the roof of Capt. Warner's house was found in flames, but was 
 soon put out by the fire-engines : then followed the partial burning 
 of the store-house of Mr. Van Zandt ; then the cow stables, near 
 Guick's, in the "Fly;" then at the house of one Ben. Thomas, next 
 door to Capt. Sarly's ; then the haystack standing near the Court- 
 House and stables of Joseph Murray, Esq., in the Broadway; then 
 at the house of Sergeant Burns, opposite Fort Garden; then at Mrs. 
 Hilton's house, at the corner of the building next to the " Fly Mar- 
 ket;" then at Col. Philips' store-house; and then the alarm which 
 proceeded from the cellar of a baker near Coenties Market, which 
 was all of a smother, and chips in a blaze, but was soon suppressed ; 
 added to all this, the evidence from the criminals, which had begun 
 to be developed of this infernal plot, and the thoughts of the former 
 conspiracy,* (1712,) all tended to create the most intense excite- 
 ment among all classes of the citizens. 
 
 "At this time the City of New York contained a population of 
 about twelve thousand souls, and of whom one-sixth were slaves."! 
 So numerous were they, that it was thought they were more fully 
 organized than was afterwards proven, and so strong was the feel- 
 ing against them at first, that they were without defence ; " all the 
 counsel in the city were arrayed against them, and volunteered their 
 services in behalf of the crown." 
 
 Some who had always born good characters, were deserted by 
 their masters, who believed they were all guilty alike ; many were 
 persuaded to plead guilty, and throw themselves upon the mercy of 
 the Court ; and others, again, were convicted on the testimony of 
 other negroes, who gave false evidence to save their own lives. 
 
 The two butchers, Timothy and Israel Horsefield, noticed as oc- 
 cupying stands Nos. 1 and 2, in this market, lived at Brooklyn, L. I., 
 and, as it appears from the evidence, they had three slaves on trial, 
 two of whom were found guilty, and their sentence was transporta- 
 tion. Mrs. Eliza Carpenter, who occupied stand No. 5, had two, one 
 of which was burnt, and the other transported. Edward Kelly, of 
 "Ply Market," had one transported; and Isaac Varian one also 
 transported. 
 
 * See " Coenties Slip Market." f Smith's Hist. N. Y., p. 438, 439. 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 95 
 
 It appears they had the city divided into two districts, and or- 
 ganized in two parties : one of which called themselves " Long 
 Bridge Boys," who met at John Romme's in Broad Street ; and the 
 other, " Smith Fly Boys," who met at John Hughson's, living at the 
 North River, where he kept a low place of resort, near the foot of 
 (now) Liberty Street, in John Thurman's house. Hughson and 
 Romme were white men, and were both engaged in this conspiracy ; 
 the former appeared to be the " ringleader ;" and at a great meeting, 
 where some forty or fifty negroes met at his house, he swore them 
 all, " to burn and kill," every one to (set on) fire his master's house, 
 " kill master and mistress, and then fire the Port." " That when the 
 city was on fire, the negroes were to meet at the end of Broadway, 
 next to the Fields," (Park.) The following evidence from confes- 
 sion made, shows the fact of the slaves of the above butchers being 
 interested : from Pedro, (Depeyster's slave,) " says, he went out one 
 Sunday morning with 3Irs. Carpenter's negro Albany ; that as they 
 went along the Broadway, they met with Mr. Sleydall's Jack, who 
 was going to Comfort's for tea-water; that at the (Fly) market, 
 near Mr. Delancy's house, they met two other negroes; that Albany 
 asked them to go down to Hughson's, and drink with them ; that 
 they first drank cyder, then raw drams." Braveboy (Mrs, Kier- 
 Steele's) says, " that some time last summer. Carpenter's Albany came 
 to his mistress's house to bring meat, and called him into the yard, 
 saying he wanted to speak with him, and then asked him whether 
 he would join with them?" "Then Albany told him, he would help 
 him to a gun to kill his master." " Varian's Worcester said, that in 
 Christmas holidays, Lefferts' Pompey carried him to Hughson's, 
 where were many negroes at supper ; that they had punch, &c.,' and 
 after supper, Hughson, his wife and daughter, swore to a plot 
 against the white people, and that he (Hughson) swore most or all 
 of the negroes then present, among whom the prisoner was sworn ; 
 that some swore by one thing, and some by another; there were 
 present the following negroes, viz. : Lefferts' Pompey, Kelly's Lon- 
 don, Carpenter's Tickle, and Albany and Bastian. Codweis's Cam- 
 bridge asked HorsfieM's Cceser and Guy about it, who both con- 
 fessed they had been sworn at Hughson's, and told him, when the 
 work was going forward at York, (meaning the city, as the Hors- 
 fields, or masters of these two negroes, were butchers, who lived over 
 the water, Brooklyn, Long Island, opposite to this city,) they would 
 give the prisoner notice, and take him over with them in a canoe to 
 assist them. William Nail, servant to Thomas Cox, of the City of 
 New York, butcher, (in Coenties Market,) being duly sworn upon the 
 Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith, that he, the 
 
96 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 deponent, having discourse with one London, a negro man slave, be- 
 longing to Edioard Kelly, butcher, concerning negroes that were 
 taken up on account of the plot, heard the said London swear, by 
 G — d, that if he, the said London, should be taken up on account of 
 the plot, he would hang or burn all the negroes in York." 
 
 One hundred and iifty-four negroes were committed to prison, of 
 whom fourteen were burnt at the stake, (about half way in Augustus 
 Street, between Duane and Pearl Streets;) eighteen hanged. Cceser, 
 Varick's negro, was hung in chains on the Island, near the powder- 
 house, not far from the corner of Centre and Pearl Streets. Seven- 
 teen were transported, and the rest were pardoned or discharged 
 for want of proof. 
 
 Twenty white persons were committed, of which the following 
 were executed: John Hughson, his wife Sarah, Margaret Kerry, and 
 John Ury. Hughson was hung in chains, on the g;rounds now occu- 
 pied by the " Catharine Market." In the month of October, the Com- 
 mon Council petition the General Assembly, praying that the negroes 
 executed for the late conspiracy be paid for out of the revenue. 
 
 In the evidence shown in this " Great Negro Plot," the name of 
 William Nail, servant to Thomas Cox, is noticed. The name servant 
 was usually given to those of any age or sex who were unable to 
 pay passage-money across the ocean, but instead of it, bound them- 
 selves for a period of time agreed upon to the shipping merchants, 
 which time the merchant or captain had liberty to dispose of to the 
 best advantage, on their arrival. At a later period, many such per- 
 sons were known as " Redemptionists;" that is, they had power to 
 redeem their persons by paying certain sums of money instead of 
 labor or service. 
 
 The arrangements to obtain a home in the " New World" in this 
 manner commenced at a very early period, and some cases are in- 
 deed quite novel. Among the earliest noticed, appears in the follow- 
 ing law-suit which took place on the 27th of March, 1656. Gristie 
 Rutzersen brings action against Dirk Van Schelluyne before the 
 Court, when she states, " that she brought last year a girl, named 
 Mayke Cornelissen, with her from Holland, and disbursed ff. 50 
 (florins) in Holland for her passage, on condition that if she did not 
 remain here with her, she should pay her in place of the ff. 50 Hol- 
 lands, ff.lOOhere ; and whereas, the maid hath been engaged by others, 
 and deft. (Schelluyne) hath order to satisfy her; the pltff. requests 
 that he be condemned to pay her the ff. 100. Deft, says, that Mayke 
 Cornelissen hath left an act. with him, which he exhibits in Court, 
 in which she acknowledges that ff.50 were paid in Holland by the 
 pltff. for her passage, for which she should serve here one year ; but 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 97 
 
 in case she came to marry in the meantime, she should give her here 
 ff. 100 for the ff. 50 paid in Holland ; and whereas, pltff. could not re- 
 tain her in her service, she hired herself with another ; maintains, 
 consequently, that she owes only fF.50." The Court adjudges the 
 defendant to pay if. 100.* 
 
 In the following month of July, " Loaurens And"" Van Boskerk, a 
 turner, here complained that Frederick Adryasen, Sen""., his man, ran 
 away from last Sunday morning, without either words or reasons, 
 and he hired him in Amsterdam for 3 years, & he is not bound yet 
 more than 1 year ; requeats that he be constrained by order of the 
 Court to serve out his time." 
 
 We leave the " Records," and pass to a period when " Newspa- 
 pers" were first printed on this continent, to which Boston must 
 claim the honor. In the advertisements which then appear, "few 
 and far between," we find these " servants" noticed. In the Boston 
 News Letter of September 3, 1705, we read : " Ran away at Boston, 
 about 3 weeks ago, from his master, Capt. Samuel Rymes, com- 
 mander of the Barbadoes merchant, a man-servant, named Joseph 
 Ingerson, aged about 22 years, a well-set young man. Whoever 
 shall apprehend said servant, and him safely convey to his said mas- 
 ter, shall have forty shillings reward and reasonable charges." 
 
 The same paper, dated 3d of June, next year, in an " editorial," 
 thus shows the advantage of encouraging the importing of these 
 white servants, instead of black slaves : " By last year's bill of mor- 
 tality for the Town of Boston, in No. 100, ' News Letter,' we are 
 furnished with a list of 44 negroes' death last year, which being com- 
 puted one with another at £30 per head, amounts to the sum of one 
 thousand three hundred and twenty pounds, of which we would make 
 this remark : that the importing of negroes into this or the neigh- 
 bouring provinces is not so beneficial either to the crown or country 
 as white servants would be. 
 
 " For negroes do not carry arms to defend the country as whites do. 
 
 " Negroes are generally eye-servants, great thieves, much addicted 
 to stealing, lying, and purloining. 
 
 " They do not people our country as whites would do, whereby 
 we should be strengthened against an enemy. 
 
 " By encouraging the importing of white men-servants, allowing 
 somewhat to the importer, most husbandmen in the country might 
 be furnished with servants for 8, 9 or £10 a head, who are not able 
 to launch out 40 or £50 for a negro, the now common price. 
 
 " A man then might buy a white man-servant, we suppose, for £10, 
 to serve 4 years, and boys for the same price, to serve 6, 8 or 10 
 
 * Records. 
 
 Vol. I.— 7 
 
98 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 years. If a white servant die, tlie loss exceeds not £10, but if a 
 negro dies 'tis a very great loss to the husbandman ; three years' in- 
 terest of the price of the negro will near upon, if not altogether, pur- 
 chase a white man-servant. 
 
 " If necessity call for it, that the husbandman must fit out a man 
 against the enemy, if he has a negro, he cannot send him ; but if he 
 has a white servant, 'twill answer the end, and perhaps save his son 
 at home. 
 
 "Were merchants and masters encouraged, as already said, to 
 bring in men-servants, there needed not be such complaint against 
 supei'iors. impressing our children to the war; there would then be 
 men enough to be had without impressing. 
 
 " The bringing in of such servants would much enrich this prov- 
 ince, because husbandmen would not only be able far better to ma- 
 nure what lands are already under improvement, but would also im- 
 prove a great deal more that now lyes waste under woods, and ena- 
 ble this province to set about raising of harvest stores, which would 
 be greatly advantageous to the crown of England and this province. 
 
 " For the raising of hemp here, so as to make sail-cloth and cord- 
 age to furnish but our own shipping, would hinder the importing it, 
 or save considerable sums in a year to make returns for which we 
 now do, and in time might be capacitated to furnish England not 
 only with sail-cloth and cordage, but likewise with pitch, tar, hemp, 
 and other stores which they are now obliged to purchase in foreign 
 nations. 
 
 " Suppose the government here would allow forty shillings per 
 head, for five years, to such as should import every of these years 
 100 white men-servants, and each to serve 4 years, the cost would 
 be but £200 a year, and a 1,000 for the five years; the first 100 
 servants being free the 4th year, they serve the 5th for wages, and 
 the 6th there is 100 that goes out into the woods, and settles a 100 
 families to strengthen and barricade us from the Indians, and also 
 a 100 families more every year successively. 
 
 "And here you see that in one year the town of Boston has lost 
 £1,320 by 44 negroes, which is also a loss to the country in general, 
 and for a less loss, (if it may not improperly be so called,) for a 
 £1,000, the country may have 500 men in five years' time for the 44 
 negroes dead in one year. 
 
 "A certain person within these 6 years had two negroes dead, 
 computing both at £60 per head, to have served 24 years, at 4 years 
 apiece, without running such a great risque, and the whites would 
 have strengthened the country, that negroes do not. 'T would do 
 well that none of those servants be liable to be impressed during 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 99 
 
 their service of agreement at their first landing. That such servants 
 being sold or transported out of this province during the time of 
 their service, the persons that buy them be liable to pay £3 into 
 the treasury." 
 
 Some twenty years after Boston, New York began by publishing 
 the N. Y. Gazette, in which we iind, dated May 9, 1726, " The ship 
 Happy Return is lately arrived at the City of New York from Dub- 
 lin, with men and women servants; many of the men are tradesmen, 
 as blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers, taylors, cordwainers, and other 
 trades. Which servants are to be seen on board of said vessel lay- 
 ing over against Mr. Read's Wharf, and to be disposed pf by John 
 & Joseph Read, on reasonable terms." 
 
 Professor Kalm, on his arrival at Philadelphia, in 1748, in the 
 ship " Mary Gaily," Captain Lawson, says he went on shore with 
 the captain, " but before he went, he {the captain) strictly charged 
 the second mate to let no one of the German refugees out of the 
 ship, unless he paid for his passage, or somebody else paid for him, 
 or bought him." Of the various kinds of servants then employed, he 
 further describes as follows : " The servants which are made use of 
 in the English- American Colonies are either free persons, or slaves, 
 and the former are again of two different sorts. 
 
 " 1. Those who are quite free, serve by the year ; they are not only 
 allowed to leave their service at the expiration of their year, but may 
 leave it at any time when they do not agree with their masters. 
 However, in that case they are in danger of losing their wages, 
 which are very considerable. A man-servant who has some abili- 
 ties, gets between sixteen and twenty pounds in Pennsylvania cur- 
 rency, but those in the country do not get so much. A servant-maid 
 gets eight or ten pounds a year ; these servants have their food be- 
 sides their wages, but must buy their own clothes, and what they get 
 of these they must thank their master's goodness for. 
 
 " 2. The second kind of free servants consists of such persons as 
 annually come from Germany, England, and other countries, in order 
 to settle here ; most of them are poor, and have not money enough 
 to pay their passage, which is between six and eight pounds sterling 
 for each person ; therefore, they agree with the captain that they 
 will suffer themselves to be sold for a few years on their arrival. 
 In that case, the person who buys them pays the freight for them ; 
 but frequently very old people come over, who cannot pay their pas- 
 sage ; they therefore sell their children, so that they serve both for 
 themselves and for their parents. 
 
 " They commonly pay fourteen pounds Pennsylvania currency for 
 a person who is to serve four years, and so on in proportion. 
 
100 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 " When a person has bought such a person for a certain number 
 of years, and has an intention to sell him again, he is at liberty to 
 do so ; but he is obliged, at the expiration of the term of the servi- 
 tude, to provide the usual suit of clothes for the servants, unless he 
 has made that part of the bargain with the purchaser. 
 
 " The English and Irish commonly sell themselves for four years, 
 but the Germans frequently agree with the captain before they set 
 out to pay him a certain sum of money for a certain number of per- 
 sons ; as soon as they arrive in America, they go about and try to 
 get a man who will pay the passage for them ; in return they give, 
 according to their circumstances, one or several of their children, to 
 serve a certain number of years ; at last they make their bargain 
 with the highest bidder. 
 
 " 3. The negroes or blacks make the third kind. They are in a 
 manner slaves ; for when a negro is once bought, he is the purchaser's 
 servant as long as he lives, unless he gives him to another, or makes 
 him free. Formerly the negroes were brought over from Africa, 
 and bought by almost every one who could afford it. The Quakers 
 alone scrupled to have slaves ; but they are no longer so nice, and 
 they have as many negroes as other people. The price of negroes 
 differs according to their age, health, and abilities. A full-grown 
 negro costs from forty pounds and upwards to a hundred of Penn- 
 sylvania currency." 
 
 We again turn to the N. Y. Gazette, to notice these " servants," 
 who, it appears, occasionally ran away from their masters. We 
 read that " William Fletcher, a bought servant, is run away from 
 his master the 19th of last March, (1726,) and carried with him some 
 paper-money belonging to his master. Whoever can apprehend said 
 servant, or discover by letter where he is, so that he may be appre- 
 hended, shall have five pounds paid by the collector of His Majesty's 
 Customs in New Yoi'k. Or if he will return and give security for 
 his good behaviour, he shall be forgiven. He had on when he went 
 away a dark-colored kersey coat, with brass buttons and braid, with 
 duroy; has leather breeches, short dark hair; by trade a brush-maker; 
 pretends to be a turner ; he makes mops, makes, and mends bellows." 
 
 Four years after, 11th of May, 1730, in the same paper, is the 
 notice of a runaway " servant-man," which, from description, would 
 appear to have been a useful mechanic. " Ran away from Nicholas 
 Mathiessen, of the City of New York, brewer, one servant-man, 
 named Henry Fisher, about 26 years of age. He is by trade a house- 
 carpenter, a mason, and a pump-maker ; some time past he lived with 
 Mr. Hold in this city, brewer. Whoever can take up said servant- 
 man and bring him to his master, or secure him and give notice, so 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. JQl 
 
 that his master can have him again, shall have five pounds reward, 
 and all reasonable charges paid." 
 
 Another, at a later period, is also worthy of notice, and reads, 
 " Ran away from Doctor William Rand, of Boston, on the third day 
 of July last, an indented German servant-man, named George Ducart, 
 about 22 years old; is well set, of a brown complexion, and has brown 
 hair. He took with him a suit of blue clothes, with metal buttons, 
 a pair of cotton breeches, ozenbrigs frock and trowsers, and yarn 
 stockings. He also took from his master a silver-hilted sword, a 
 cross-cut saw, and a fine French gun. He is supposed to be gone 
 towards Philadelphia, but 'tis said has been lately seen in New York, 
 in the employ of a butcher. Whoever takes up said servant, and 
 secures him in goal, shall have three pounds reward, paid by the 
 printer of this paper ; or returned to Boston to his master, three 
 pistoles reward, and all reasonable charges."* 
 
 The manner of disposing of the unexpired time of these servants, 
 in case of death or otherwise, is shown by the following : " On Thurs- 
 day, the fifth day of August next, will be exposed to sale, by way of 
 public vendue, the times of two men and one woman servant, and 
 several other things belonging to the estate of His late Excellency 
 Governor Montgomerie." On the following 11th of October, "a 
 very good, handy servant girVs time of six years, to be disposed of; 
 enquire of the printer hereof."! Advancing forty years, the " N. Y. 
 Journal," June 27, 1771, says, " Twenty-three, months of the time of 
 an indented servant- woman, named Hannah Scott, is ' to be sold for 
 eight pounds;^ inquire of Samuel Bayard, opposite the Old English 
 Church." " Rivington's N. Y. Gazetteer," July 22, 1773, " Servants 
 &nd Bedemptioners. — Afewboys and girls, men and women, on board 
 the ship Needham, William Chevers, commander, just arrived from 
 Newry, whose freights are payable to the captain, or to William 
 Neilson." In the same paper, on the 29th of July following: "To 
 be sold, upwards of four years' time of an English indented ser- 
 vant, a young man about twenty years of age ; he has been used to 
 accompts, and writes a very good hand." After the Revolution, 
 we find in " The Daily Advertiser," May 25, 1786, noticed, " To be 
 disposed of, the time oitwo German Bcdemptioners, man and woman ; 
 they are likely, healthy, and strong, and have four years and a half 
 to serve ; enquire of the printer." 
 
 We turn back to this now "Old Market-House," and find two 
 
 items noticed in relation to it in an editorial of the N. Y. Gazette, 
 
 June 17, 1754, which says, "The 'Old Slip Market,' at the foot of 
 
 Smith Street, which for a long time has remained in a very ruinous 
 
 • N. Y. Gazette, Sept. 25, 1752. t lb., July 26, 1731. 
 
102 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 condition, is, by order of the Mayor and Corporation, now repair- 
 ing, having a good stone foundation already placed and a strong 
 boarded floor preparing for the same ; and will in a very little time, 
 from the close application of the workmen, be in an extraordinary 
 good condition to receive both city and country produce. We are 
 told that the front part (if not the whole) of the market is to be re- 
 shingled." Then follows, "At the aforesaid market, on Friday last, 
 was exposed to sale the largest veal of its age that has been known 
 for many years to be brought into our market. It was but six weeks 
 and four days old, and bred at Woodbridge, Rahway, in the Jerseys, 
 and was sold for 9 shillings the quarter, one of which weigh'd up- 
 wards of 30 pounds." 
 
 On the first of November following, the market-house appears to 
 have been finished, when a committee was appointed " for the letting 
 of the sellars under the ' Slip Market,' for the use and benefit of this 
 Corporation." 
 
 As late as 1762, the Laws designate it as " the Market-House at 
 Old Slip, commonly called Burger's Path ;" but whenever noticed 
 in the press, it is usually found w^ith its proper name, used as a 
 " guide-post," in advertising somebody's wares, and very seldom in 
 an editorial. One of an unfortunate occurrence which happened to 
 one of the butchers is thus noticed in the Gazette of July 3d, 1766 : 
 " Mr. Giles Cooper, a butcher of the ' Old Slip Market,' partner of 
 John Foster, another butvher, fell from his horse, between Hamstead 
 and Jamaica, Long Island, last Thursday (27th ult.) afternoon, and 
 broke so many of his bones that he died next morning." 
 
 Occasionally meat and other thieves visited the markets for the 
 purpose of procuring a good dinner, without paying the current coin, 
 and occasionally they were caught; when, if they did not willingly 
 pay, they received a coin " well laid on," which would do some of the 
 light-fingered gentry now-a-days some good ; but in those days, there 
 were no " shysters," either judges or lawyers, who would like to di- 
 vide their plunder or run the risk of receiving some of the same sort. 
 Not only were men publicly whipped, but women too. In the month 
 of September, 1756, the N. Y. Mercury says, " This day, between the 
 hours of nine and eleven, Mrs. Johanna Christian Young, and another 
 lady, her associate from Philadelphia, being found guilty of grand 
 larceny, at the Mayor's Court, last week, are to be set on two chairs 
 exalted on a cart, with their heads and faces uncovered, and to be 
 carted from the City Hall, to that part of the Broadway near the 
 new English Church, from thence down Maiden Lane, then down 
 the Fly to the Whitehall, thence to the Church aforesaid, and then 
 to the Whipping Post, where each of them are to receive 89 lashes, 
 to remain in goal for one week, and then to depart the city." 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 103 
 
 The pay of the " Publick Whipper," some twenty years before this 
 took place, is noticed in the following entry, dated 15th January, 
 1736 : " To Edward Breuwen, the public whipper of this city, £2 10, 
 in full for 1 qrs sallarry, & also the sum of 15s. for setting in the 
 pillory & whipping through't the Town, at a cart's tail, one Patrick 
 Bulter for issueing contrefetted dollors," &c.* 
 
 The pay of this "publick" officer was very much increased 10^.1751, 
 as no doubt the duties of the office had become more onerous and 
 arduous to the professed office-seeker, which caused an advertise- 
 ment as follows: " The Public Whipper of the City of New York, 
 being lately dead, if any person inclines to accept that office, with 
 twenty pounds a year, he may apply to the Mayor, and be entered."t 
 
 A few years after, another mode of punishing criminals is no- 
 ticed in the same paper, January 25, 1768, as follows: "One John 
 Clayton Morris was committed to goal of this city for sheep steal- 
 ing; it seems he had successively stole four or five, which he killed, 
 and retailed in the markets. On a search, the skins were found in 
 his possession. He was tried last week at our Supreme Court, and 
 found guilty, but had the benefit of the clergy granted him ; was burnt 
 in the hand, and discharged." 
 
 The next year, (1769,) on the 14th of September, the " Chronicle" 
 says, " On Tuesday last William Smith and Daniel Martin, the former 
 for stealing a quarter of lamb, and the latter for stealing fiddle- 
 strings, received 15 lashes each at the usual place of flagellation." 
 
 A few days after, Richard Ely, for attempting to defraud and 
 cheat, "was exalted on a wooden horse in a triumphal car, with 
 labels on his breast; after which he was conducted to the public 
 whipping-post, where he received a proper chastisement." 
 
 We find the counterfeiter was more severely dealt with, as the fol- 
 lowing will show. The same paper on the 15th of May, same year, 
 says, "On Thursday last, one John Jubeart was committed to goal, 
 for passing false dollars. Upon examination before Alderman Gau- 
 tier, he said that he was born upon Staten Island, and followed the 
 business of a tinker. There was a millinix found upon him, and an 
 instrument which he said he used to straiten gun-barrels. He had 
 passed some of the bad dollars in this city, which were brought in 
 and delivered to the Alderman. Upon his being detected and threat- 
 ened to be carried before a magistrate, he endeavored to make his 
 escape, and went into the ' Old Slip Market,' where he buried some 
 dollars among a parcel of rubbish, which was taken up by some peo- 
 ple who had observed him, and produced at his examination. 
 
 "The public are desired to observe, that the mounts upon the side 
 * Records. f N. Y. Gazette, March 4, 1751. 
 
104 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 of these false dollars, instead of being raised, are indented, and the 
 millinix upon the edges open, and distinguishable from a genuine 
 Spanish dollar." 
 
 On the 3d of August he was found guilty, and receired sentence 
 of death, to be hanged on the 23d; but was respited until the 6th of 
 September, " when he was executed at ' stone fence,' near the city." 
 
 Th^gold and silver money, although scarce, gave considerable 
 trouble among the traders, who sometimes differed about its valua- 
 tion ; some of it was either much worn, or had been lessened of its 
 weight by the dishonest. 
 
 The question of its valuation came up before the Chamber of Com- 
 merce on the 3d of October, same year, (1769,) when " it was unani- 
 mously agreed, that all the members will receive and pay the under- 
 mentioned gold and silver coins at the following rates, and their 
 
 lesser denominations in the same proportions, viz. : 
 
 =e. B. d. 
 
 " A Johannes, weighing eighteen penny-weights, for - 6 8 
 
 A Moidore, weighing six penny-weights and eight grains, 
 
 for - - 2 8 
 
 A Caroline, weighing six penny-weights and eight grains, 
 
 for 1 18 
 
 A Spanish Doubloon, or 4 pistole pieces, weighing seven- 
 teen penny-weights and eight grains, for 5 16 
 A French Pistole, weighing four penny-weights and five 
 
 grains, for - 18 
 
 An English Guinea, weighing five penny-weights and six 
 
 grains, for - ... . - 1 17 
 
 A French Guinea, weighing five penny-weights and five 
 
 grains, for - - - - - - 1 16 
 
 A Chequin, weighing two penny-weights and five grains, 
 
 for - - - 14 6 
 
 An English Crown, and also a French Crown, cast 8 9 
 
 An English Shilling, Is. 9d. ; a Pistareen, Is. 7d. 
 " That for every grain any of the above specified gold coins shall 
 weigh less than the above respective weights, four-pence must be de- 
 ducted therefrom. (Signed,) Anthony Van Dam, Sec'y." 
 
 The paper currency was also a source of trouble to the citizens ; 
 the principal part in circulation was Jersey money, which appeared 
 to rank higher than New York bills, as will be shown from the pro- 
 ceedings of the Chamber of Commerce, March 3d, 1772. At this 
 meeting William McAdam stated, " Soon after the establishment of 
 this society, I proposed to your consideration, whether it was for the 
 interest of the community that Jersey paper-money should pass in 
 
OLD SLIP MAEKET. 105 
 
 this province higher than it is taken for in the Treasury of the prov- 
 ince of New Jersey. The loss and inconvenience arising to the 
 traders in this city, from the present practice of passing Jersey 
 money for more than its acknowledged value by their own Legisla- 
 ture, will, I hope, plead my excuse for receiving my proposal. That 
 this Corporation may enter into an agreement to fix a time when 
 they will no longer depreciate their own currency by accepting that 
 of another above par. 
 
 " I therefore propose that a time be fixed that this Corporation 
 do agree to pay and receive Jersey money at the same rate it is re- 
 ceived and paid in their own treasury." 
 
 This proposition was referred to further meetings ; however, on 
 the 5th of November following, a resolution was passed, " that it be 
 received on the same terms that it passes for in New Jersey ; that 
 is to say : 
 
 "A bill of £6 proclamation money for $16, or £6 8 N.Y. currency, 
 A bill of £3 " " 8, or 3 4 
 
 A bill of £1 10 " " 4, or 1 12 
 
 A bill of 15s. " " 2, or 16 
 
 and in like proportion for bills of a less denomination," which was 
 to take place " from and after 3d of September following, (1773.") 
 This resolution was, however, rescinded, in consequence of its un- 
 popularity, at a meeting held on the following 7th of December. 
 
 "Rivington" came out with an editorial on the 20th January, 
 1774, saying, " Jersey Bills are now, in the general course of trade, 
 restored to the old standard at which they were ever current in this 
 province, viz. : Bills of one shilling, at thirteen pence; those of one 
 pound ten shillings, at thirty-two shillings and sixpeTice, &c. At these 
 rates they are freely taken, either for goods, or to purchase the best 
 Bills of Exchange in our city."* 
 
 From the following advertisements, we glean some further facts 
 relative to the currency of that period : "Jacob Remsen has for sale 
 besides, beef, pork, flour, and bread," " and a parcel of ' wampum,'+ 
 (or Indian currency.)" " Lost or mislaid, on the first of this inst., in 
 the ' Oswego {Broadway) Market,' 3 thirty shilling Jersey Bills ; one 
 6 and 6 penny do., 2 18 penny do., in a blue paper. Two dollars re- 
 ward, and no questions asked ; it being lost by a poor man, and the 
 money not belonging to him."t The next refers to counterfeit 
 money. "The public are hereby notified that there are now passing 
 among us a number of counterfeit Jersey twelve shilling bills, dated 
 December 31, 1763, signed Johnson, Smith, and Skinner. They are 
 
 » Gazetteer. f " Gazette and Weekly Post Boy," March 13, 1766. 
 
 t N. Y. Mercury, September 14, 1767. 
 
106 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 printed with common types, but so badly executed as to be easily 
 discovered on close inspection. Twelve shilling bills made out of 
 three shilling bills have also appeared in this city lately."* " Lost 
 or stolen, last Monday, between the North River and ' Coenties Mar- 
 ket,' a worked pocket-book lined with read ; had in it cash, 1 bill 
 New York currency, old emmission ; 2 of forty shillings ditto," &c.t 
 
 The next will show the ridicule, as also the value of a Congress 
 bill, by the royal editor " Rivington," in his " Royal Gazette," De- 
 cember 22d, 1779: " Monday se'night was offered for public sale, at 
 the Coffee-House, a Congress bill of 70 dollars ; the first bidder of- 
 fered three shillings New York currency for it, the next 6d. more, 
 and it went on at 6d. more till 6s. 6d. The bidders began then 
 with coppers, and came up to 7s. and 3 coppers ; at last they offered 
 farthings, and the 70 dollar bill was knocked off for eight shillings 
 and three-pence half-penny." 
 
 After the "Revolution," we find "Indian money" yet for sale: the 
 N. Y. Packet, May 11, 1786, gives notice to " any person desirous of 
 purchasing a quantity of Indian Corn, may be supplied by applying 
 to Nicholas Hoifman & Son, No. 12 Little Dock Street, where also 
 may be had a quantity of black and white wampum, pipes and shells." 
 
 In the preparations for the Bevolution, the city was laid out into 
 districts or company beats: No. 20 is noticed as "beginning at Mr. 
 John Siemens', fronting the corner of the Old Slip Market, running 
 down to the East River ; then from said Siemons' along Queen Street 
 to the corner of Smith Richards, and then down King Street to the 
 East River, taking in Dock and Water Streets below." This beat 
 was commanded by Oliver Templeton and Garret Kettletas.''^ 
 
 The next year, this market is noticed in connection with a horrid 
 murder, which took place near by it, which appears in the " Penn^' 
 Evening Post," and reads, "On Sunday last, July 7, 1776, a number 
 of felons, confined in the New Goal, attempted to escape. The ring- 
 leader, it seems, is one Armstrong, a murderer, of whom wc have 
 the following account, viz. : That he was a deserter from the Regu- 
 lars at Boston, and entered himself in one of our Rifle Companies 
 before that place; that he was a remarkable wicked, disorderly, 
 desperate fellow ; that some months ago, soon after the arrival of 
 the army from Boston, he broke into the house of Mr. Jacob Pozer, 
 at Whitehall, and took from thence all his wearing apparel ; same 
 night he went into the house of Mr. James Meldrum, at the (Old) 
 ' Slip Market,' when most of the family were in bed ; that a young 
 woman of the house asked his business, and desired him to walk out, 
 
 * N. Y. Journal, April 19, 1770. t Gazette, March 23, 1776. 
 
 t Frov. Congress, August 22, 1775. 
 
OLD SLIP MARKET. 107 
 
 which he refused, and attempted to take hold of her, when she threat- 
 ened to scald him with hot water from a tea-kettle, and endeavored 
 to leave the room ; that he followed her and struck the edge of a 
 tomahawk into her skull, of which she instantly died ; that he then 
 rushed out of the house, was pursued by the men of the house and 
 others, who, by the assistance of the watch, secured him. That at 
 the last Supreme Court, he was brought on his trial for the murder, 
 but there not being a jury to be had, he was remanded till the next 
 session ; that having, with a number of confederates, formed a con- 
 spiracy to escape, on Sunday afternoon he fired a pistol at the 
 sentry, which luckily missed him ; that he seized the sentry's gun 
 and knocked him down with it, and then wrenched a sword from 
 the hands of Mr. Sheriff Roberts, who was endeavoring to quell the 
 mutiny, just going to plunge it in his body, when the sergeant of the 
 guard saved him, by shooting the villain through the head." 
 
 The days of prosperity of this lingering old market-house appear 
 at that time to have been drawing to a close, as I find it but seldom 
 noticed ; although as late as the year 1778, it appears to have been 
 in existence, as we learn from Holt's N. Y. Journal, August 24th, 
 where it was noticed in connection with a very large fire as follows : 
 " The fire began on Monday morning about 1 o'clock, the 3d inst., 
 at the house of Mr. Stewart, on Cruger's Dock, {now Front Street;) 
 that it consumed all the houses between 'Coenties' and the 'Old 
 Slip Market,' from the water-side to Dock (Pearl) Street." Another 
 account says, the "fire broke out in the store of Mr. Jones, ship chand- 
 ler, on Cruger's Wharff, and, notwithstanding the utmost efforts of 
 the Navy, Army, and inhabitants, soon consumed all the buildings 
 on the east, south and west end of said wharff, and every house on 
 the south side of Little Dock ( Water) Street. The street being nar- 
 row, the flames soon communicated to the north side of Little Dock 
 Street, and consumed the whole (five houses excepted) at the west 
 end. The fire soon caught the back buildings in Dock Street, and 
 burnt every house to the east of Mr. Isaac Low's, as far as the Old 
 Slip, and three opposite the Slip."* The next issue states those who 
 sufi^ered from loss, as follows : " Col. William Bayard, 6 houses and 
 store that rented for £520, (this worthy gentleman suffered -greatly 
 in the fire of September, 1776.) Messrs. John and Henry Cruger, 6 
 houses; Mr. Gerardus Duyckinck, 7 houses; Mr. Peter Mesier, 2 
 dwelling-houses, (this family and their relations have lost in the 
 course of 23 months no less than 15 houses and stores, some of them 
 large and elegant buildings,) and Mr. David Provoost, 4 houses, and 
 2 pulled down ; Oapt. Thomas Brown, 4 houses ; Mr. Varack, 1 house; 
 * N. Y. Gazette, August 3, 1778. 
 
108 OLD SLIP MARKET. 
 
 estate of Mr. Andrew Myer, 1 house ; Mr. Henry Van Vleck, 1 house ; 
 Mr. Samuel Schuyler, 2 houses ; Mr. Thomas Doughty, 1 house ; Mr. 
 Isaac Low's house, and that of Mr. Lawrence Kortwright, adjoining, 
 greatly damaged; Capt. Deale, 2 houses; Mr. Edmund Seaman, 2 
 houses ; Mr. Andrew Breasted, 3 houses ; Mr. Humphrey Jones, 1 
 house ; Dr. Van Solingen, 1 house ; Mr. Richard Ten Eyck, baker, 
 
 1 house ; Mr. Wandelham, 1 house ; Mr. James Wells, a house and 
 
 2 stores; Mr. Benjamin Moore, 1 house; Mr. Benjamin Davis, 1 
 house; Mrs. P. De Lanceys, 1 house; Mrs. Ten Eyck, 2 dwelling- 
 houses and several stores." 
 
 Another account of this fire is taken from a letter, dated at " Camp 
 at the "White Plains, August 8, 1778," which says, " Yesterday came 
 out from thence {Neiv York) two Hessian officers, (who deserted,) left 
 the city about 8 o'clock in the evening, the 6th inst., and passed 
 King's Bridge about one in the morning. One of them, a handsome 
 young fellow, whose brother is aid-de-camp to Gen. Clinton, tells me 
 he saw the fire. That it began in a house filled with king's stores ; 
 68 houses and a vast quantity of stores, amongst which 30,000 blankets 
 or pairs of blankets, I think the latter; 10,000 suits of cloaths, and 
 a great deal of provisions, computed at four weeks' supply."* 
 
 David Grim says, in addition, " The cause of so many houses 
 (about 300) burned at this time, was the military officers taking the 
 ordering and directions of this fire from the firemen ; the citizens 
 complained to the Commander-in-Chief, who immediately gave in 
 general orders, that in future, no military man should interfere 
 with any fire that may happen in the city." 
 
 The Major-General commanding, in a proclamation, says, " Many 
 of the inhabitants suspected that this fire was not the effect of acci- 
 dent, but design ;" which induced him to ofi"er a reward of one hun- 
 dred guineas on conviction of the ofl'enders. This amount was in- 
 creased by a somewhat notorious member of the law, (John Coggil 
 Knapp,) who occasionally showed some outward liberality, but 
 whose reputation was not of the best. He promises an additional 
 reward of twenty guineas, upon the same terms as set forth by the 
 major-general commanding. 
 
 This large fire was followed the next day with another calamity, 
 thus noticed: "Last Tuesday afternoon, about one o'clock, during 
 a heavy rain accompanied with thunder, the lightning struck the 
 Ordnance Sloop Morning Star, lying off the Coffee-House, ( Wall 
 Street,) in the East River, with 248 barrels of gunpowder on board ; 
 it produced a most tremendous explosion. A number of houses were 
 unroofed, many windows broke, and some furniture demolished by 
 * Penna. Packet, August 15, 1778. 
 
COENTIES SLIP MARKET. iqq 
 
 the blast ; the effects of which were similar to an earthquake. Hap- 
 pily there was only one man in the vessel when the accident hap- 
 pened,"* who perished ; the other part of the crew being on shore, 
 fortunately escaped. 
 
 At this period an extract of a letter says, " The inhabitants are 
 most distressed at their present situation, and a vast many want to 
 take their chance in the country, but cannot obtain permission."t 
 Their situation continued to grow worse, and in the long, severely 
 cold winter of 1779-80, caused an inefficient supply of both provi- 
 sions and fire-wood. " Fuel was so scarce (says a writer) that gar- 
 den fences, old sheds, &c., were taken down to supply the want of 
 cord-wood. Provisions were as scarce as fuel. Everybody, except 
 the rich and the dissolute, was put upon short allowance. Potatoes 
 were sold for a guinea per bushel! while biscuits, made of oatmeal, 
 as coarse and containing as little nourishment as ground straw, 
 were served out to the (British) troops. Early in the spring the 
 Cork Fleet arrived, and brought provisions in abundance. Fine 
 rose butter was sold immediately at 2s. 2d. per lb., and almost every- 
 body was soon relieved and made comfortable.''^ 
 
 No doubt among the "old sheds," &c., this then old and unused 
 market-house was torn down and taken for fire-wood, as I find no 
 further notice of it. 
 
 "COENTIES SLIP MARKET." 
 
 1691. The establishment of this market-place took place, no 
 doubt, from the fact, that after the " Great Dock" had been made, 
 it excluded many of the fishing craft from landing at that old place, 
 and, of course, changed their location above the dock. There the 
 large vessels could lay in a well-protected cove, and the smaller 
 ones were drawn upon the beach or strand near the attractive pub- 
 lic-house, kept many years before by Mary Polet, commonly known 
 as Long Mary. 
 
 The first notice in the "Records" of the establishment of this noted 
 
 market-place was on the 15th of July, 1691, when the authorities 
 
 designate where Flesh Meat shall be sold, and adds, " Fish to be 
 
 brought into the dock, over against the City Hall, or the house 
 
 that Long Mary formerly lived." 
 
 • N. Y. Gazette, August 10, 1778. f Penua. Packet, August 16, 1778. 
 
 X Pamphlets, No. 238, p. 57, H. Society. 
 
110 COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 
 
 Long Mary must have been quite a character in her day, as I find 
 her name often noticed, as early as the year 1671. In that year a 
 committee was appointed " to take a view of the corner waal w'^'* 
 the Towne is to make before the house of Long Mary's;" and a few 
 months after, " tlie Court do allow to the karmen, for the work done 
 for the Towne in filling up the Wharfe before Long Marie's, eight 
 stivers per load" for gravel. No doubt her person and well-kept 
 house attracted the attendants at the City Hall, the fishermen and 
 others, who resorted there, and being very tall, she acquired the 
 name of Lo7ig Mary with her numerous visitors. 
 
 The old Stadt House, or City Hall, stood near by on the line of 
 Pearl Street, opposite the Coenties Slip, which fact is well autheft- 
 ticated. It was originally built for a large City Tavern, of which 
 parts were used by the officers of the W. I. Company ; soon after it 
 became known as the State House or City Hall, where the Schout 
 Burgomasters and Schepens held their sessions; then, at a later 
 period, the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen, with the Courts of Jus- 
 tice and Prisons; and near this market-place, on the shore, were 
 many of the necessary implements of punishment. "We find on the 
 20th of October, 1691, that it was "Ordered, that the Sheriff imme- 
 diately cause a ducking stoole to be built upon the Wharf before the 
 City Hall, and goe to the Treasurer for his pay." 
 
 This market-place having been established for the exclusive sale 
 of fish, the fishermen usually sold from their boats and canoes on the 
 few market-days then allowed, except in their fishing seasons, when 
 they provided sheds or other covering, while salting and laying up 
 stores for the inhabitants ; and the business increased so fast that it 
 became soon after known as the " Great Fish Market." 
 
 We find at this early period the various kinds of fish were usually 
 very plentiful and cheap, particularly shell-fish, which were caught 
 in abundance along the shores in every direction. So quiet was the 
 harbor, that whales came up to the city and visited both the East 
 and North Rivers. Several were taken near the city at different in- 
 tervals, as will be shown, with several other interesting facts connect- 
 ed with the subject of fish. In another part of this work is noticed the 
 description given by Van der Donk of the stranding of two whales 
 up the North River. From the " Boston News Letter," dated Feb- 
 ruary 24, 1707, we find, " Last week a whale, about 40 feet long, 
 was struck a few miles to the eastward of this city, and afterwards 
 passed thro' the harbour, and was killed in the Fludson River and 
 brought down hither, where she is exposed to view." Then, in an 
 address made by Lord Cornbury to the Board of Trade, in July, 1708 
 he says, " The quantity of train oyl made in Long Island is uncer- 
 
COBNTIES SLIP MARKET. m 
 
 tain ; some years they have much more fish than others ; for example, 
 last year they made four thousand barrils of oyl, and this season 
 they have not made above six hundred : about the middle of Octo- 
 ber they begin to look out for fish ; the season lasts all November, 
 December, January, February, and part of March : a yearling (ivhale) 
 will make about forty barrils of oyl, a stunt or whale two years old 
 will make sometimes fifty, sometimes sixty barrils of oyl, and the 
 largest whale I ever knew of in these parts, yielded one hundred 
 and ten barrils of oyl, and twelve hundred weight of bone. There 
 might be good improvement made in the fishery of codfish & mack- 
 eril ; but fish of several sorts is so plenty in the river and bay be- 
 fore the city, that our people will not take the pains to go to sea."* 
 Samuel Mufford also gives interesting information in his testi- 
 mony on the whale fishery in 1716, when he says, " It hath been a 
 custom for above 60 years (several years before New York was sub- 
 jected to the crown of England) for their Majesties' subjects on the 
 east end of Long Island, then belonging to Connecticut Colony, to 
 go out upon the seas adjacent to their land, six men in a small boat, 
 to take and kill whales and other fish, and the captors to have all 
 they killed brought on shore with wind and sea."t There also ap- 
 pears at an early period, an "Agreement made the 4th of January, 
 1669, between y^ Whale Companies of East and South Hampton. 
 If any Companie shall find a dead whale upon the^ shore, killed by 
 ys other, a person bringing the news to bee well rewarded. And if 
 one Companie shall find any whale so killed at sea, they shall en- 
 deavor to secure them and have one-half for their pains, and any 
 irons (harpoons) found in them to bee returned to ye owner."J 
 
 In the year 1721, a proposition was made by Josiah Quincy to 
 supply the New York markets with fresh fish. He presents a peti- 
 tion to the Corporation on the 8th July, 1721, " praying for land at 
 or near Kingbridge to erect a fishery, with liberty to fish in the 
 river at that place; and proposes to supply the markets at New 
 York with fish very fresh and at very easy rates, and in payment, 
 rendering therefore yearly, on every fourteenth day of October, to 
 this Corporation a good dish of fresh fis}i."% 
 
 The "Journal of the General Assembly" shows an Act was passed, 
 in the month of April, 1726, "to entitle Lewis Hector Piot Be Lan- 
 gloiserie to the sole fishery of porpoises in the Province of New York, 
 during the term of ten years." The length of this gentleman's name 
 no doubt was taken in consideration, when the length of time was 
 given to him for this value(less)able right, that he might retire on 
 
 • Doc. Hist., vol. V. t Doc. Hist. N. Y., vol. i., p. 372. 
 
 I Thompson's L. I, § City Records. 
 
112 COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 
 
 the proceeds, and be no longer doomed to sign his name to the many 
 documents called for in that business. 
 
 An intelligent writer gives a good article on fish and oysters, 
 which is found in the "Independent Reflector, November 22, 1753 ;" 
 he says, "Tho' we abound in no one kind of fish sufficient for a staple, 
 yet such is our happiness in this article, that not one of the colonies 
 afi'ords a fish-market of such a plentiful variety as ours. Boston has 
 none but sea-fish, and of these Philadelphia is entirely destitute, be- 
 ing only furnished with the fish of a fresh-water river. New York 
 is sufficiently supplied with both sorts. Nor ought our vast plenty 
 of oysters to pass without particular observation ; in their quality 
 they are exceeded by those of no country whatever. People of all 
 ranks amongst us, in general, prefer them to any other kind of food. 
 Nor is anything wanting, save a little of the filings of copper, to 
 render them equally relishing, even to an English palate, with the 
 best from Colchester. They continue good eight months in the year, 
 and arc, for two months longer, the daily food of our poor. Their 
 beds are within view of the town, and I am informed that an oyster- 
 man, industriously employed, may clear eight or ten shillings a day. 
 Some gentlemen, a few years ago, were at the pains of computing 
 the value of this shell-fish to our province in general. The esti- 
 mate was made with judgment and accuracy, and their computation 
 amounted to ten thousand pounds per annum. Their increase and 
 consumption are since very much enhanced, and thus also their ad- 
 ditional value in proportion. I confess it has often given me great 
 pleasure to reflect, how many of my poor countrymen are comforta- 
 bly supplied by this article, who, without it, could scarcely subsist, 
 and for that reason beg to be excused for the length of this reflec- 
 tion on so humble a subject, tho' it might justly be urged to the 
 honour of oysters, that, considered in another view, they are service- 
 able both to our king and country." 
 
 Following up the taking of whales, we find in the N. Y. Gazette, 
 December 11, 1752, says, " Last Saturday a whale, forty-five feet long, 
 ran ashore at Van Buskirk's point at the entrance of the Kills from 
 our bay, when being discovered by the people from Staten Island, a 
 number of men went off and killed him, and may now be seen at Mr. 
 John Waters', at the Perry-house on Staten Island." 
 
 Then the same "paper" at a later period, (April 13, 1756,) says, 
 "On last Tuesday, 5,751 shad were caught at one draught on the 
 west side of Long Island." Enormous! 
 
 " We hear," says the Gazette and Weekly Post Boy, September 
 4, 1766, "that on Monday, {September 1,) Mr. Holman, of Elizabeth- 
 town, N. J., with five other men and two boys, being out a-fishing, dis- 
 
COENTIES SLIP MARKET. II3 
 
 covered a whale swimming about, near Coney Island, on which soon 
 after it ran ashore, and before it could get off, they came up and 
 killed it with a rusty sword, that happened to be on board the ves- 
 sel. We are told Mr. (Saml.) Waldron at the Ferry, opposite this 
 city, on Long Island, has bought it, (for about £20,) and that it is 
 now brought up to that place: it is said to be forty-nine feet in 
 length, and that if cut up, would produce about seventy barrels of 
 oyl." 
 
 Occasionally a short supply of oil (or oyl, or oyle, as it was spelled 
 in the "olden time,") was found for the city's use ; an instance of this 
 character occurred a few years after, when there was none to light 
 the public lamps for a period of about three months. A citizen asks 
 the question, through the N. Y. Journal, (October 8, 1772,) " Why 
 the publick lamps in this city have not been lighted for these three 
 months past, when a tax is levied for that purpose?" It is answered 
 in the next paper, (October 15,) through the editor, as if coming from 
 the Corporation, as follows: "You are desired by the Corporation 
 to answer the question of the citizen, by informing him that no oil 
 was to be had." 
 
 Among the news dated New York, October 25, in the New Hamp- 
 shire Gazette, November 5, 1773, which says, "Several days last 
 week a large whale was seen in the North as well as the East River, 
 near the city." Since this period several have been taken near our 
 harbor, and towed up to the city for exhibition ; the last noticed 
 was on the 25th of April, 1857, when the "Herald" says, "Captain 
 Cobb, of the fishing schooner Wni. Riley, and Captain Harris, of 
 schooner B. F. Broivn, while cruising off Sandy Hook on Saturday 
 last, came in contact with a stranger, which proved to be a ricjld 
 ivJiale. Preparation was immediately made for his capture, and in 
 about three hours the prize was taken. He was immediately towed 
 to Staten Island, where he was cut up, and yesterday the blubber 
 and bone were brought to the city. The tuJiale measured 48 feet in 
 length, 10 feet across the breast, and will yield about 40 barrels of 
 oil and five hundred pounds of bone." 
 
 Reverting again to this market-place, as no market-house had yet 
 been built here, until we find from the orders given on the 16th of 
 November, 1720, to have the " Custom-House Bridge Market" taken 
 down, and the inhabitants have liberty to remove the old market- 
 house to a more convenient place near the water-side. 
 
 The Laws published this year do not yet give it a name, but de- 
 scribe it as "at the slip at the east end of the dock." Ten years 
 after, the Laws say of the "five several places" to hold markets, " One 
 market at Coenties Dock." Thei^on Lyne's Map of the City, pub- 
 VoL. I.— 8 
 
114 COENTTES SLIP MARKET. 
 
 lished in 1729, it is noticed as the "Fish Market," and is so known 
 on all the early maps. 
 
 Two years after, in the N. Y. Gazette, dated August 28, 1732, it 
 appears with its common name, although differently spelled, in an 
 advertisement of William Thurston, school-master, dwelling at the 
 corner house by Koenties Market, over against the "Scotch Arms;" 
 and the reasonable supposition is, that if the school-master was 
 abroad then, he would have showed his learning, in having the name 
 spelled as it was then known. 
 
 It no doubt took the name of Coenties from a wealthy tanner and 
 shoemaker, named Coentracf Ten Eycke, who owned and resided on 
 the corner of now Pearl Street by the side of this market-place. 
 The Christian names of the inhabitants were then mostly used, and 
 for shortness, or a nickname, no doubt this was given him : this has 
 been pronounced coon-re, coon-tre, coon-je, or coenties. 
 
 Its proper name after this period it began to enjoy, although 
 variously spelled, as will be shown in the press " of the olden time," 
 of which nearly every one and the greater part of the advertisements 
 and other notices also show, that the market-places, and other pub- 
 lic places, were the guide-posts to trace out individuality, prior to 
 the Revolution ; after that period the houses were properly number- 
 ed. The first is taken from the N. Y. Weekly Journal, April 24, 
 1734, which speaks of a " House to be sold in Duke (Stone) Street, 
 fronting the alley that leads to Coenfjies Marhet." The same paper, 
 March 29, 1736, says, that " Stephen Bayard has Muscovada Sugar 
 to be sold, between the 'Old Slip and Koentjies Markets.'" The 
 Mercury, May 18, 1754, has " to be sold, by James Jarvis, next door 
 to Doctor William Farquar's, between Coenties Market and the 
 Long Bridge, {Broad Street,) a variety of chints and callicoes." 
 The same, August 11, 1755, "By Robert Doyle, pewterer, at the 
 sign of the Gilt Dish, in Dock (Pearl) Street, between the Old Slip 
 and Coenties Markets." " Colden and Kelly," says the same paper 
 of January, 1756, have for sale, " at their store near Coentjies Mar- 
 ket," &c. In the Gazetteer, July 16, 1759, Thomas Doughty adver- 
 tises " to be sold, cheap, at his store in Dock Street, between the 
 ( Old) Slip and Coenties Market." The " Mercury," November 21, 
 1763, notices a sale at public vendue, " at Coentjies Market, of sugars 
 & Lisbon wines." The " Gazette and Weekly Post Boy," April 28, 
 1766, has " to be sold at public vendue, on Friday, the 4th inst., at 
 12 o'clock, at the Coenties Market, twenty-five hogsheads of Mus- 
 covada Sugars." Then, in the Revolution, we find in the N. Y. Ga- 
 zette, January 12, 1778 : " Stolen out of the house of Henry Minugh, 
 in Little Dock (Front) Street^ near Coenties Market, a silver 
 
COENTIES SLIP MAIIICBT. 115 
 
 watch;" and on the 25th of May, "A negro woman to be sold in 
 Dock Street, between Coenties and (Old) Slip Markets." 
 
 At this period the Coenties Market did not stand very high, ex- 
 cept as a "Fish Market;" we find, however, one butcher named 
 Thomas Cox, in March, 1737, renting one stand, for one year, at £2 ; 
 and the next year but two are leased: one to Samuel Brown at ,£1, 
 and the other to Cox at £2 10. Then, in the month of May, 1740, 
 Roelef Van Meppel is found occupying one stand. 
 
 This Cox was unfortunately killed a few years after, the account 
 of which I find in the Weekly Post Boy, October 28, 1745. It ap- 
 pears that a young man had been aboard of the Clinton privateer, 
 and brought off two pistols, one of which was loaded; " he set down 
 in order to mend the flint ; in doing of which the pistol unhappily 
 went off, and shot Mr. Thomas Cox, butcher, through the head — 
 when he fell dead without speaking." 
 
 The English being at war with the French, privateers were in 
 active operation, collecting recruits and fitting out for the service, 
 while the Government vessels of war that lay in the harbor were in 
 the habit of impressing boatmen and seamen from off their vessels 
 when they arrived in port, which soon had the effect of deterring 
 the market and other vessels from coming to the city, and occasion- 
 ed a short supply of the necessaries of life. This brought forth a proc- 
 lamation from Sir Peter Warren, which appeared in the Post Boy, 
 September 10, 1744: "Whereas, I am informed that several boat- 
 men and others, intending to come to the market of New York with 
 wood and other necessaries, have been under apprehension that they 
 should be impressed for his Majestie's service ; I do hereby give no- 
 tice, that none shall be impressed but such as belong to inward- 
 bound vessels from sea. Given under my hand, on board his Ma- 
 jestie's ship Launceston, at New York, the 24th September, 1744. 
 
 " Peter Waeren."* 
 
 However, this impressment did take place, although many years 
 after, to some four fishermen, who were supplying the market with 
 fish. They were, in the month of July, 1764, " seized by a press- 
 gang in the harbor and carried aboard a tender (from Halifax) 
 which lay off in the bay. It came to the knowledge of some of the 
 citizens, who, when the captain came on shore in his barge, suddonly 
 assembled and seized the boat, but offered no injury to the captain." 
 He publicly declared, " he gave no such orders ; offered to release 
 the fishermen ; and, going into the Coffee-House, wrote and delivered 
 
 ♦ " Sir Peter Warren,'' whose wife, " Lady Warren,'' after his death, long resided in 
 the " old Van JVess house," yet standing between Fourth and Bleeoker, Charles and 
 Perry Streets. 
 
116 COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 
 
 an order for that purpose." la the mean time some of the people 
 carried the boat up to the Fields, (ParhJ where they burnt it ; and 
 others of the company went on board the tender with the captain's 
 order, and brought the fishermen on shore. 
 
 This market-place being the principal fish market at that early 
 period, it has been thought not improper to introduce into its his- 
 tory all that pertained to fish among the sketches noticed in its his- 
 tory. About the year 1748, Professor Kalm says, "Among the nu- 
 merous shells which are found on the sea-shore, there are some which 
 by the English here are called clams, and which bear some resem- 
 blance to the human ear. They have a considerable thickness, and 
 are chiefly white except the pointed end, which, both without and 
 within, has a blue color, between purple and violet. They are met 
 with in vast numbers on the sea-shore of New York, Long Island, 
 and other places. The shell contains a large animal, which is eaten 
 both by the Indians and Europeans settled here. 
 
 "A considerable commerce is carried on in this article, the Dutch 
 and English who live in Long Island and other maritime provinces. 
 As soon as the shells are caught, the fish is taken out of them, drawn 
 upon a wire, and hung up in the open air, in order to dry by the 
 heat of the sun. When this is done, the flesh is put into proper ves- 
 sels, and carried to Albany upon the river Hudson ; there the In- 
 dians buy them, and reckon them one of their best dishes. Besides 
 the Europeans, many of the native Indians come annually down to 
 the sea-shore, in order to catch clams, proceeding with them after- 
 wards in the same manner I have just described. The shells of these 
 clams are used by the Indians as money, and make what they call 
 their wampum ; they likewise serve their women for an ornament, 
 when they intend to appear in full dress. These wampums are 
 properly made of the purple parts of the shells, which the Indians 
 value more than the white parts." 
 
 Between the years 1768 and the breaking out of the Revolution, 
 this market-place appeared to be at the height of prosperity. A 
 large amount of mercantile business was transacted both at public 
 and private sale ; and the more particular evidence of this fact is 
 shown by the citizens of this (Dock) Ward asking leave, on the 22d 
 of August, 1771, "to enlarge Coenties Market at their own expense ;" 
 and they also wish it to be recognized as one of the meal markets ; 
 which was granted so far as related to the enlargement; but for 
 meal, the producers were provided with two other places, the "Meal 
 or Wall Street," and the " Broadway Market;" the latter afterwards 
 known as the Oswego Market. 
 
 A short period after, we find another petition from the inhabit- 
 
COENTIES SLIP MARKET. II7 
 
 ants, who state " that they have furnished at great expense the addi- 
 tion to Coentjies Market for the use of the country people, only five 
 feet to the westward of the old market, agreeable to the directions 
 of the committee ; yet notwithstanding said expense, much beyond 
 their expectation — considering the irreparable condition of the old 
 market-house, which is daily in danger of falling — have by subscrip- 
 tion raised the sum of fifty pounds towards rebuilding the said mar- 
 ket upon a range with the new end lately finished." They wish the 
 Board to assist them ; and while the subject was under considera- 
 tion, the market-house and other buildings had a narrow escape of 
 being destroyed by fire and gunpowder, of which the "N. Y. Journal," 
 January 22, 1772, gives the following account: "At the late fire 
 (16th inst.) on the Dock, {house of Mr. John Bums,) near Coenties 
 Market, the city was in imminent danger of a most dreadful calamity, 
 there being then lodged in a store-house, joining or very near the 
 fire, a large quantity of gunpowder, the explosion of which would 
 probably not only have destroyed most of the buildings near the 
 place, but hundreds or thousands of people by whom the docks and 
 streets were crowded." 
 
 On the 16th of April following, a committee was appointed " to 
 examine and view in what condition the Coenties Market is in, and 
 whether any necessarys ought to be made, and how much, and make 
 report with all convenient speed ;" and the result was, that they 
 " order a cover to be made over the fish market at Coenties Slip." 
 
 For many years the fishermen had met with very poor success 
 and encouragement in bringing fish to market, whicli, had caused 
 the business to be neglected, and necessarily a short supply was 
 the result. It was thought some public assistance ought to be 
 given to encourage the fishery. 
 
 The General Assembly took up the matter, and on the 8th of 
 March, 1773, passed an Act, as appears from the proceedings of 
 the Chamber of Commerce, Tuesday, April 6, of that year. " Mr. 
 Henry White, the President, stated at this meeting, that the House 
 of Assembly, in the last session, did grant the sum of £200 per 
 annum, for five years, to be paid to the Treasurer of this Corpora- 
 tion, for the encouragement of a fishery on this Coast, for the bet- 
 ter supplying the markets of this City with Fish." 
 
 A committee reported the following, which was : " Resolved and 
 agreed, that the following premiums be paid by the Treasurer of 
 the Chamber of Commerce:"* 
 
 To the Owners and Crew of any Boat or Vessel, who shall sup- 
 ply this market with the greatest quantity of Fish, taken on the 
 * Rivington's N. Y. Gazetteci-, April 29, 177.3. 
 
118 COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 
 
 Coast with Trawl Nets, (Ray and Skate excepted,) from the first of 
 May, 1773, to the first of May, 1774, the sum of - - £40. 
 
 To the same, "for the next greatest quantity," - - £30. 
 
 To the same, greatest quantity of Codfish, from 1st November, 
 1773, to the 1st May, 1774, - ... £30. 
 
 To the same, next greatest quantity, - - . . £20. 
 
 To the same, for the greatest quantity of Live Sheephead, from 
 the 1st May, 1773, to the 1st May, 1774, - - - £15. 
 
 To the same, for the greatest quantity of Fresh Mackerel, from 
 the 1st of May, 1773, to the 1st of May, 1774, - - £10. 
 
 On the 4th of May following, the "Chamber" "Ordered, that all 
 persons who mean to apply for the aforesaid premiums, that they 
 do, every Fare they make, carry an account thereof to the Sec'y 
 of the Board for the time being, who is to keep a regular account 
 thereof; and that the persons make oath before a magistrate of the 
 quantity brought to market each time, if required." 
 
 The next year, on the 5th of July, a committee from the " Cham- 
 ber," after examining the various parties and their proofs, offering 
 for the premiums, reported, " That Peter Parks exhibits ample proof 
 that he hath brought to this City, and exposed to sale in the pub- 
 lick markets, upwards of eight hundred Live Cod-Fish" within the 
 limited time, and was accordingly paid £30. " That Robert 
 Heartshorne exhibits proof that he hath at divers times between 
 (the same dates) brought four hundred and fifty-six sheephead," and 
 was paid £20. 
 
 These are all that were noticed as having been awarded pre- 
 miums at this period. They, however, on the 14th inst., renew the 
 premium list, and make several alterations, by demanding above 
 certain numbers or pounds weight, with the same conditions as rep- 
 resented in their first list. 
 
 The sum of £50 is offered to those who shall supply this market 
 with the greatest quantity of fish, not less than seven hundred and 
 fifty pounds weight ; and £20 for the next greatest quantity. 
 
 The sum of £30 for the greatest quantity of live codfish, not less 
 than one thousand fish ; and £20 for the next greatest quantity. 
 
 The sum of £20 for the greatest quantity of live sheepshead, 
 not less than one thousand fish; and £15 for the next greatest 
 quantity, not less than seven hundred and fifty ; and £10 for the 
 next greatest quantity, not less than five hundred fine sheepshead. 
 
 The sum of £10 for the greatest quantity of fresh mackerel, not 
 less than seven thousand ; and £5 for the next greatest quantity, 
 not less than five thousand mackerel. 
 
 The sum of £20 for the greatest quantity of dried herrings, from 
 the first day of May, 1774, to the 1st day of July, 1775. 
 
COENTIES SLIP MARKET. ng 
 
 On the 22d of June, 1775, " Peter Ketteltas, Joseph Bull, Ga- 
 briel H. Ludlow, and Edward Laight, being appointed by the 
 Chamber of Commerce to examine fishermen claims, that have 
 furnished the market with fish, as the Corporation thought fit to 
 grant a bounty upon : Give this public notice, that they will attend 
 at the house of Mrs. Brock, on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday next, 
 at 11 o'clock, when all persons claiming are desired to attend with 
 their proof."* 
 
 The breaking out of the Revolution soon afterwards, put an end 
 to this annual awarding of premiums through the Chamber, al- 
 though they were occasionally called upon to advise and assist the 
 authorities. 
 
 The great preparations for the war caused the more general use 
 of the city on the East River side, which tended to drive many of 
 the fishing and other vessels on the North River side ; and it also 
 assisted to destroy much of the trade of the city. 
 
 The military occupation of it by both parties, at difi'erent peri- 
 ods, brought forth proclamation and orders, which were issued by 
 those in power. General Putnam issued an order, dated " Head-Quar- 
 ters, New York, April 8, 1776. The General informs the inhabitants, 
 that it is become absolutely necessary that all communication be- 
 tween the ministerial fleet and shore should be immediately stop- 
 ped ; for that purpose, has given positive orders, the ships should 
 no longer be provided with provisions. Any inhabitants or others 
 who shall be taken that have been on board, will be considered as 
 enemies, and treated accordingly. All boats are to sail from Beek- 
 man's Slip: Capt. James Alner is appointed Inspector, and will 
 give permits for oystermen. It is expected, and ordered, that none 
 attempt going without a pass." t 
 
 On the 17th inst. another order from General Putnam follows in 
 the "Gazette" of that date. He says: "In order that it may be 
 more convenient for the people at the North River, His Excellency, 
 General Putnam, has been pleased to order that a person should be 
 appointed there to give permits to oyster-boats, &c., going down; 
 and Mr. Simon Schermerhorn is appointed for that purpose.'' 
 
 The next day, we find another order in the Penn^ Evening 
 Post, signed by Horatio Gates, Adjutant- General : "Whereas, the 
 Asia (British man-of-war) having quitted her station, and left the 
 harbor, the navigation between this city and New Jersey, by the 
 Kills, is become quite safe. The troops upon Staten Island and 
 Bergen Neck are to let all boats coming to New York or returning 
 to Jersey, to pass and repass without molestation." 
 
 * EiTington's GiiZette, July 14, 1774. f N. Y. Packet, April 18, 1776. 
 
120 COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 
 
 The same " paper," on the 6th of August following, says, " The 
 public are desired to take notice that no person whatever, either 
 male or female, above the age of fourteen years, will be permitted 
 to pass any of the ferries in the State of New Jersey without a prop- 
 er pass from the place they leave." 
 
 Three years after, the city being in possession of British officers, 
 fresh provisions, and also fresh fish, had become scarce, and the mar- 
 kets very poorly supplied ; and, by way of encouragement, the mili- 
 tary commandant (through the Royal Gazette, April 12, 1779,) gave 
 " Notice that permissions will be granted by the police to any per- 
 sons properly recommended, who may incline to employ themselves 
 in fishing, with seines or otherwise, any where within the protection 
 of his Majesty's ships, for the purpose of supplying the markets of 
 this city." 
 
 Soon after the military commandant, " Major-General Pattison," 
 desires the " Chamber of Commerce" to give their opinion "respect- 
 ing the expediency of regulating the markets with regard to the 
 prices to be paid for butchers' meat," &c. This subject was laid be- 
 fore this hody, July 12, 1779, when a committee was appointed, and 
 on the following meeting (19th July) they reported as follows: 
 " With regard to regulating the prices of butchers' meat, experience 
 justifies our apprehension that the remedy may prove worse than the 
 disease; but we are of opinion, that limiting the time of butchers, 
 greenwomen, or hucksters, being in the market, may be attended 
 with very good effects. We therefore beg leave to recommend, 
 that no butchers, greenwomen, poulterers, sellers of vegetables, or 
 any huckster, to be in the market (Saturday afternoons excepted) 
 after 10 o'clock in the morning, from the month of April to Octo- 
 ber; and not after 11 o'clock the remaining part of the year; and 
 that no fresh provisions, (fish excepted,) vegetables, or poultry should 
 be suffered to be put into stores or cellars, on penalty of being for- 
 feited for the use of the Aims-House." 
 
 Two days after the following proclamation was issued by General 
 Pattison : " Whereas it is highly expedient that further regulations 
 should be established respecting the boats and small craft passing 
 to and from this city : I have therefore thought fit to order and 
 direct, that from and after the first day of August next, all boats 
 and small craft bringing provisions, fuel, forage, or fish to this city, 
 and other market supplies, must have passes from the office of police, 
 specifying the names of the persons and the places to and from which 
 they are to pass and repass. That every such boat or small craft as 
 shall be detected without such pass, or in going to or coming from 
 any place or places, but such as are particularly mentioned in their 
 
COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 121 
 
 passes, -will be seized, and the persons found therein detained, and 
 are to be reported to the police, in order that the same may be laid 
 before the commandant. 
 
 " That any person or persons intending to bring supplies to this 
 city, and who shall obtain a pass from any of His Majesty's officers 
 commanding at out-posts, or the commanding officer on Long Island, 
 or from the Colonel of the Militia of the County in which they re- 
 side, shall be permitted to bring supplies to this city, either by land 
 or in any craft, having a pass aforesaid. 
 
 " That every person or persons discovered on board any boat or 
 small craft coming to or going from the city, without such pass as 
 aforesaid, or a pass from the office of police, shall, together with 
 said boat or small craft, and the hands thereunto belonging, be de- 
 tained and reported as abovesaid. 
 
 " That from and after the publication hereof, all boats or small 
 craft attempting to pass from this city after dark, and before gun- 
 fire in the morning, (except such as are in His Majesty's service,) 
 will be seized by the gun-boats and forfeited, and the persons found 
 therein imprisoned. 
 
 " That all boats or small craft that shall be discovered passing to 
 this city after dark or before gun-fire in the morning, (except such 
 as are in His Majesty's service, or that are coming with provisions, 
 fuel, forage, fish, or supplies for the market, having passes for that 
 purpose,) will be seized and forfeited, and the persons found therein 
 imprisoned as abovesaid. 
 
 " That all forfeitures incurred by virtue of this proclamation shall 
 be divided : one moiety thereof to the person or persons making the 
 seizure, and the other to be paid into the hands of John Smyth, Es- 
 quire, Treasurer of the City Fund, for the use of the poor. 
 
 "Any person or persons offending against this proclamation, may 
 depend on being punished with the utmost rigor. Given under my 
 hand, in the City of New York, the twenty-second day of July, 1779, 
 and in the nineteenth year of His Majesty's reign. James Pattison. 
 
 " By order of the General, John L. C. Roome, Secretary." 
 
 " During the whole period of the occupation of the city by the 
 British, viz., from 1776 to 1783," (says Mr. King,) " the Chamber 
 seems to have co-operated very zealously with the British authori- 
 ties, naval and military ; and they on their part seem to have re- 
 lied very much upon the influence and exertions of the Chamber to 
 render their rule of the city easy and acceptable."* 
 
 In 1781, Mr. Isaac Low, then the President of the "Chamber of 
 Commerce," presented, (on the 8th of May,) at a meeting of the 
 * History of the "Chamber of Commerce," by Charles King, Esq. 
 
122 COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 
 
 Board, several suggestions in relation to the fishery. He says, '' I 
 am directed also to represent the fishery upon the Banks of Shrews- 
 bury as an object of great importance to this garrison ; and that un- 
 less a proper armed vessel can be appointed daily to protect the 
 fishermen from the gun and whale boats that are preparing upon the 
 adjacent shores to attack them, they will find it totally impractica- 
 ble to pursue that business." This subject was addressed to His 
 Excellency Mariot Arbuthnot, Esq., Admiral, &c. ; whose answer is 
 as follows: "With respect to the protection of the fishermen em- 
 ployed on the Banks of Shrewsbury, for supplying your market, I 
 cannot help mentioning to you, that early after I took the command 
 on this station, I purchased a vessel mounting twelve carriage guns ; 
 she was fitted out at a considerable expense ; I requested that the 
 city would man her ; that I would pay the men, and that her service 
 should never be directed to any other purpose than giving such pro- 
 tection ; my offer was received with a strong degree of coolness, and 
 till now I have never had any further solicitation on the subject." 
 The "Chamber" thought this answer from the Admiral was from 
 the effect, that their suggestions had been misunderstood by him, 
 and they again wrote : " They meant no offence ;" " that they knew 
 of no application about the vessel, &c., but if he would furnish this 
 vessel, they doubt not they will be able in a short time not only to 
 procure as many men as your Excellency may think sufficient for 
 that purpose, but also to raise funds for paying them ; provided pro- 
 tection from impress can be granted by your Excellency to the men, 
 and that they shall be discharged as soon as the fishing season is 
 over." 
 
 No doubt the "Old Market-House" was yet standing, although it 
 had not been used as a market-place since the commencement of the 
 " War," when it was taken possession of by the military as a bar- 
 racks, store-house, &c. The Royal Gazette, July 1, 1780, notices it 
 as a Regimental Store, in an advertisement for a " deserter, named 
 Richard Hutchinson, private soldier from the MtJi Regimental Store, 
 at Coenties Market. Whoever will give information of the said 
 Hutchinson to Sergeant McDonald, at the said store, so that he may 
 be apprehended, shall receive one guinea reward. M. Wood, Ensign 
 64th Regiment." 
 
 The same " paper," on the 19th of August following, notices " a 
 ship's boat taken up on the Bergen shore : whoever can prove their 
 property and pay charges may have her again by applying to Eben- 
 ezer Wan, in the ' Coenties Market.' " 
 
 Then again four days after, notices " Rum, dry goods, &c., for sale 
 at John Williams and Go's Store, No. — , ' Coenties Market.' " 
 
COENTIES SLIP MARKET. 123 
 
 Soon after this period the market-house must have been destroyed, 
 and the place where it stood was again proclaimed a public marhet- 
 place, as will appear in the following " Market Regulations, dated 
 May 28, 1781, by Samuel Birch, Esqr., Brigadier-General Com- 
 mandant of New York," &c. 
 
 '' Whereas divers persons, influenced by a desire of inordinate 
 gain, have been guilty of engrossing and forestalling all kinds of 
 victuals and provisions in this town, whereby the prices thereof are 
 excessively enhanced, and other great and criminal abuses have been 
 committed by persons as well acting as butchers as by others who 
 frequent the markets in this city, to the manifest injury of the inhab- 
 itants, particularly those in indigent circumstances. For prevention 
 whei-eof in future, I do hereby order: 
 
 " I. That all fresh meats, victuals, and provisions of all kinds, 
 (fish excepted,) shall be openly sold in one or other of the public 
 market-places, and no where else in this city, (the place where Coen- 
 ties Market stood to be considered as one,) on penalty of forfeiture ; 
 one moiety to the informer, and the other for the benefit of the poor 
 of the city. 
 
 "II. That no person shall presume to sell any fresh meats, victuals, 
 or provisions, (fish excepted,) in either of the said markets before 
 sunrise; and the said markets shall continue open until twelve 
 o'clock in the forenoon, and no longer, (except on Saturday,) on pain 
 of forfeiture as aforesaid. 
 
 " III. That no negro, or other slave living in town, shall be per- 
 mitted to buy or sell victuals or provisions of any kind for the use 
 of his or her master or employer without a ticket in writing for that 
 purpose from his or her said master or employer ; nor shall persons 
 residing in the country suffer their negroes or other slaves to sell 
 the produce of their plantations in the said markets without such a 
 licence or authority specifying the nature and quantity of the arti- 
 cles sent under their care and directions and observing the foregoing 
 regulations, on pain of forfeiture to be applied as above. 
 
 " IV. That no butcher or other persons shall presume to blow, or 
 cause to be blown, any meat brought to the said markets ; nor shall 
 they add to or stuff the said meats or the kidney thereof with any 
 fat, or other thing whatsoever ; but the same shall be brought to 
 the said markets in the natural state as killed, on pain of forfeiture 
 to be applied as above. 
 
 "V. That no person or persons bringing fish to the said markets 
 for sale, shall, on any pretence whatsoever, store the same or lodge 
 them in any cellar, warehouse, or other places whatsoever ; but shall 
 expose the same either in the public markets or in the boats they are 
 brought in, on forfeiture to be applied as above. 
 
124 COENTIBS SLIP MARKET. 
 
 " VI. That no person acting as a butcher and residing on this 
 island, do presume to kill any kind of cattle, but at a public slaughter- 
 house, on pain of forfeiture the same, to be applied as above. 
 
 " VII. That Bphraim Smith, the Clerk of the Market, shall once 
 in every month at least, examine the weights and measures made use 
 of in the said markets, and seize to his own benefit all such as he 
 shall find deficient by the standard. 
 
 " VIII. That all and every person and persons exercising the 
 trade and occupation of a butcher in this city shall be obliged, within 
 twenty days from the date hereof, to take out licenses for that pur- 
 pose from the office of police, and enter into bond in the penalty of 
 two hundred pounds, with one sufficient security, unto the office of 
 police, conditioned for the due and faithful observance of these regu- 
 lations on their parts ; and all fresh meats, victuals, or provisions 
 sold or exposed for sale by any person or persons without entering 
 into bond, and obtaining such license as above, shall be forfeited 
 and applied as above. 
 
 " IX. That the Clerk of the Markets be as active as possible in 
 promoting the due and faithful observance of these regulations and 
 detecting offenders; and prevent any contentions between the in- 
 habitants and military. Two orderly sergeants, one British and one 
 German, will daily attend the Clerk of the Market superintending 
 thereof, until these regulations and good order are effectually estab- 
 lished therein ; which sergeants are to be paid for such service two 
 shillings currency a day each, out of the money arising from the re- 
 ceipts of the stalls and standings in the said market. 
 
 " X. And whereas the penalties and forfeitures hereinbefore in- 
 flicted may not be sufficient to restrain the lawless and avaricious 
 pursuit of those who had a practice of committing the criminal 
 abuses alluded to in the said markets : In order, therefore, effectually 
 to enforce the due observance of these regulations, it is determined 
 that if any person belonging to the military be guilty of transgress- 
 ing the same, such person shall be tried and punished by the sentence 
 of a court-martial, as for a breach of order ; and if any inhabitant 
 or other person shall violate the said regulations, or enter into any 
 combination or conspiracy to defeat or invalidate the same, or to 
 enhance the price of any of the victuals, provisions, or commodities 
 usually offered for sale in the said markets, such inhabitant or other 
 person shall be immediately put in confinement and expelled the 
 line, as soon as an opportunity offers for that purpose ; and it is or- 
 dered, that no market be held on Sundays, except for selling fresh 
 fish. S. Birch. 
 
 " May 28th, 1781. By order of the Commandant. 
 
 " John St. Clair, Secretary." 
 
FLY MARKET. J25 
 
 After this " proclamation " it is noticed sometimes as the Coenties 
 Market, and again as Coenties Market-Place. In the Royal Ga- 
 zette, nearly a month after, (June 20,) it is said, "One, two, or more 
 rooms, either on the first or second floor of an exceeding good house, 
 to be let, situated in Dock Street, near the Coenties Market." The 
 same paper two years after, (May 14, 1783,) refers to the remoyal 
 of James Griffiths " to the house No. 15 in Little Dock Street, be- 
 tween the Old Slip and Coenties Market-Place." Five days after- 
 wards, the N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury fixes this market- 
 place as the starting-point for Newark. " Peter Stuyvesant, who 
 for many years drove a stage waggon from Powles Hook to Brown's 
 Ferry, proposes to begin again next Wednesday for the like purpose, 
 and will sett oif from Comonapa, at nine o'clock in the morning and 
 four in the afternoon, on every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 
 and drive to Brown's Ferry, where Joseph Crane will be ready with 
 another waggon to receive all passengers, and proceed to Newark, 
 The price for each person is 2s. 6d. in the whole. A boat will at- 
 tend at Coenties Market to receive all passengers on the days above 
 mentioned, at seven o'clock in the morning." 
 
 This " Market-place" was not used as such after peace was pro- 
 claimed, but the Slip was a grand depot, principally for all the mar- 
 ket-boats, which brought farming produce and live stock that came 
 down the East River, and this continued until about the year 1835. 
 
 FLY MARKET." 
 
 1699. The adoption of the singular name of Fly, which was 
 given to this once famous old market-place, no doubt proceeded from 
 the name of a long, low, salt-water marsh or meadow, which at an 
 early period extended from about Wall Street, along the East 
 River shore, on the crooked line of Pearl Street — then the high- 
 water mark — up to the rising ground about Beekman Street. The 
 Records show, as early as 1655, that this marsh was called by the 
 old Dutchmen Smee^s Vlie, Smidt's Vley, which the English portion 
 of the citizens called Smith's Fly, (Smith's Valley, or Smith's 
 IJcndmv'') adopting the sound of the name, without the sense; 
 and the name of Fly, Smith's Fly, or in the Fly, was known for 
 this portion of the city ; (and it also became occasionally used, when 
 denoting the present Pearl Street,) imtil near 1800. 
 
126 FLY MARKET. 
 
 The name of VKe, or Vley, and Fly, no doubt meant to desig- 
 nate meadow-land, as we find occasionally Smith'fi ileadotv, or 
 Middotv, noticed. From an inventory of goods belonging to the 
 estate of Elizabeth Thyson, deceased, made January 2, 1686, she 
 possessed, " first, one small house and lott of ground, standing 
 and being in ye Smith's Middow, (Meadoto,) where y*^ said Eliza- 
 beth Thyson is deceased, and lett out to John Carrelson."* In the 
 disposal of several tracts of land near Roundout Creek,t Robert 
 6. Livingston offers " all the Fly or Meadoiv, and upland, &c. ;" 
 and again, the "Flushing Fly or Meadows on Long Island":]: are 
 noticed. 
 
 To further prove the above statements, the Records, in Decem- 
 ber, 1691, show "all the lands in front of the Vley, from the Block- 
 house f Wall Street) to Mr. Beekman's, ordered to be sold." On the 
 6th of May following, it was " Voted, that from the Block -house 
 to the Green Lane (Maiden Lane) be vallued at five-and-twenty shil- 
 lings p'" foot, and from the Green Lane to Mrs. Van Clyff 's, (now the 
 present John, between Pearl and Cliff Streets, the latter of which took 
 its name from this family,) be vallued at eighteen shillings p^ foot, 
 and from Mrs. Van Clyff's to Mr. Beekman's, (near Beehnan Street,) 
 be vallued at fifteen shillings p"" foot." 
 
 In the month of August following, the purchasers of these lots in 
 the Smith's Fflye obtain liberty to " Digg the Hill by Mr. Beek- 
 man's, so much as belongs to the City as the common or highway, 
 (2wesent Pearl Street,) as the Surveyors shall direct." 
 
 We find in the "press" further evidence. "On Saturday last, in 
 the afternoon, one Thomas Smith was driving a cart, which was 
 laden with iron, along the street in Smith's Fly: the horse (which 
 was naturally skittish) took fright and ran ; and he, in endeavoring 
 to hold him, was so violently hurried against a stoop or porch before 
 a Door, that his scull was fractured. "§ " John Brovrne, lately mar- 
 ried to the Widow Breese, continues to carry on the leather-dress- 
 er's trade, at the dwelling-house of the late John Breese, in the 
 S7riith's Fly, near Beekman's Swamp, or Creple-Bush; at the south 
 end of the house a staff is erected, with a Vane on the top of it, 
 &c."ll The "Weekly Gazette" of 1749 also says, "The removal 
 of Charles Arding from the Meal Market to the Dock near Beek- 
 man's Slip, in the Fly, where he continues to sell several sorts of 
 European Goods." 
 
 Then, to be sold by Evert Pels, " a very good lot of ground, op- 
 posite the Hon. William Walton, Esq., on the north side of a certain 
 
 * Files. t Gazette, 1769. J Royal Gazette, Feb. 23, 1782. 
 
 § Boston Weekly News Letter, Dec. 20, 1737. || Weekly Post Boy, Deo. 16, 1744. 
 
FLY MARKET. 127 
 
 street called or known by the name of Queen Street, or Smith's 
 Fly: adjoining on the west side the Ground of William Elsworth, 
 Jun'r ; east side, the house and ground of the Widow Darcey — 
 containing in breadth and front to said Queen Street, or Smith's 
 Fly, 24 foot; and in length on each side from said Queen Street, or 
 Smith's Fly, to the said Creple-Bush or Swamp, 244 foot, be the 
 same more or less."* 
 
 " The origin of this name (says Valentine) is ascribed to the cir- 
 cumstance that Cornelius Olopper, 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, making his shop a point of sufficient attraction 
 to give distinctive appellation to the road on which it lay," This 
 stopping-place no doubt originated the idea of establishing a mar- 
 ket-place here. 
 
 lu the year 1692 a Slip (or Key, as it was called in those early 
 days,) was made at the east end of this " Green Lane," (reow Mai/len 
 Lane,) about on the line of Pearl Street, at the mouth of a creek, 
 which put up that Lane to near Gold Street. This appears with the 
 name of Maiden Slip in the Records of the 9th of August of that 
 year, which say, "As also two other wharfes twelve ffoot wide, one 
 on each side Maiden Slip, running to high-water marke, and the 
 Sh'pp are to be twenty-four ffoot wide." 
 
 After the arrival of the newly appointed Governor, Richard 
 Goote, Earl of Bellamont, in 1698, this Maiden Slip was named after 
 and in compliment to the Countess or wife of the Lord Bellamont, 
 when it was afterwards known as the Countess Key. 
 
 On the 6th of September, (1699,) the inhabitants of Queen {Pearl) 
 Street laid before the Court a petition, " praying that a market be 
 appointed at 'Countess Key' and that they will build a convenient 
 market-house at their own charge, for the publick benefit." The 
 petition was granted, and it was ordered, " that the inhabitants of the 
 said street, at their own cost and charge, have liberty to erect any 
 publick building at ' Countess Key' aforesaid, for the convenience 
 and ornament of the city." Although their petition was granted at 
 this time, yet it appears by the following, that it was not built until 
 nearly seven years after. In the proceedings held 20th June, 1706, 
 we read, "Pursuant to an order of the Court, bearing date the 6th 
 day of September, 1699, authorizing the inhabitants of Queen Street 
 to build a convenient markett-house at their own charge, for the 
 public benefitt, at 'Countess Key;' it is hereby ordered, that such 
 
 * Gazette, April 9, 1759. The old " Waltoa House " is yet standing, (in Franklin 
 Square,) in Pearl Street, above Peck Slip. 
 
128 FLY MARKET. 
 
 markett-house as the said inhabitants shall erect and build, at their 
 own charge, betwixt the houses of Captain John Depeyster and Bar- 
 nardus Smith, att the north end of the Slip in ' Countess Key' afore- 
 said, be appointed and continue a publick markett and markett-house 
 of this city forever." 
 
 One week previous, {IWh June) the "Council" had given "the 
 inhabitants of Queen Street liberty, att their own charge, to build a 
 Bridge over the Slip att ' Countess Key' att the south end thereof, 
 leaving a Draw -Bridge for boats to pass" (up the " creek," noticed 
 before.) 
 
 " The inhabitants of the City of New York," says Smith, " con- 
 sisted, at this time, of Dutch Calvinists, upon the plan of the Church 
 of Holland ; French refugees, on the Geneva model ; a few English 
 Episcopalians, and a still smaller number of English and Irish Pres- 
 byterians, who have neither a minister nor a church, used to assem- 
 ble themselves every Sunday at a private house, for the worship of 
 God. Such were the circumstances, when Francis M'Kemie and 
 John Hampton, two Presbyterian ministers, arrived here in January, 
 1707. As soon as Lord (or Governor) Cornbury, who hated the 
 whole persuasion, heard that the Dutch had consented to M'Kemie's 
 preaching in their church, he arbitrarily forbid it." M'Kemie, how- 
 ever, did preach with open doors at a private house, as also did Mr. 
 Hampton at Newtown. They were arrested and imprisoned for six 
 weeks. 
 
 Part of the duties of the Church Wardens appear to have been 
 the care or charge of the poor of the city, as they were, on 29 th of 
 September this year, " Ordered, the Church Wardens of this city 
 put a badge upon the clothes of such poor as are clothed by this 
 city with this mark, N. Y., in blew or red cloth, att their discretion." 
 
 Great preparation for the war with the French had been made, 
 as noticed before, and still greater preparations were making in the 
 early part of the year 1709 for a grand expedition in the reduction 
 of Canada. " Commissioners were appointed to purchase provisions 
 and other necessaries, and empowered to break open houses for that 
 purpose ; and to impress men, vessels, horses, and waggons for trans- 
 porting the stores." Twenty ship and house carpenters were im- 
 pressed into the service for building battoes, of which we find " one 
 hundred were built, and as many canoes ;" and after expending above 
 twenty thousand pounds, it proved a failure.* 
 
 In 1711 another grand expedition for the same purpose was made; 
 the market-houses were all taken except one,\ to build the battoes 
 in. The Market-House at Countess Key was set apart for the build- 
 
 * Smith. f See " Old Slip Market:' 
 
FLY MARKET. 129 
 
 ing, " and for no other use or service whatever, until the same be 
 compleat and finished." This expedition in the end, after losing a 
 great many lives by shipwreck and other disasters, proved most un- 
 fortunate for the country for several years. 
 
 The market-houses were closed but a few months to those persons 
 who supplied them, among which were several countrymen, who 
 were in the habit of defrauding the city out of the fees, by making 
 a quick sale, and leaving the markets before the clerk could collect 
 them. This called for an ordinance on the 16th of October, same 
 year, when " it was ordained that from henceforth the country peo- 
 ple who frequent the markets of this corporation, have liberty t-o 
 expose their meat for sale in the publick market by the joynt or 
 otherwise, as they shall see convenient, /rs? paying the fees of the 
 clerk of the market for the same ; and that if any flesh be exposed 
 to sale by the joynt by any country people before the fees of the 
 clerk of the market are paid, the same shall be forfeited to the use 
 of the poor of this city." 
 
 This market, in the Laws of 1720, is thus noticed: "The Market- 
 House at Countess Key ;" after this period, in all the printed laws, 
 it reads, "At the Market-House fit or near the Countess Key, com- 
 monly called Countesse's Slip ;" and the first notice found of it being 
 called ^^ Fly MarJcet" is from Lyne's Map, 1729, then continued by 
 r. Maerschalcks, 1755 ; T. Maerschalcken, 1763, and so further con- 
 tinued by all other surveyors on their maps of the city, as long as it 
 stood. 
 
 In 1735 many country butchers and others presented themselves 
 in the garb of countrymen, and claiming their rights, who were al- 
 lowed, in the different markets, the best standings, without paying 
 the regular fees ; this gave cause of great complaint to the regular 
 butchers, who in the month of August, (1735,) presented a petition, 
 " praying relief from the many impositions practised, and wishing to 
 take charge of the public markets, and paying a certain amount of 
 fees for the same," &c. "A committee was appointed to examine 
 into the allegations thereof, and make their report." Before their 
 report was ready, " a law for the better regulating and ordering the 
 publick markets" was passed, and appeared on the 4th of November 
 following, which no doubt gave some relief, as will appear from a 
 portion of it : " And be it further ordained, that (in regard the mar- 
 Icetts are principally intended for the benefitt of housekeepers, who 
 buy for their own use,) the hucksters and retailers within this city, 
 who buy to sell again, shall not enter into any of the aforesaid mar- 
 kets to make their provisions, and buy to sell again any sort of mar- 
 ket provisions of any of the market people there, to sell again, or 
 Vol. I.— 9 
 
130 I''LY MARKET. 
 
 carry tne same to their several houses and shops, until the afternoon 
 of every day, to the end, that the housekeepers may provide them- 
 selves in the forenoon of every day at the first hand." And " in or- 
 der for making the several marketts of this city more commodious 
 and convenient for the future, as well for the butchers being free- 
 men of this city, as of all other persons who resort thereto for the 
 supply thereof, a standing committee shall be appointed by the Com- 
 mon Council, who shall be empowered and authorized to enlarge, 
 alter, repair, and support from time to time all the market-houses at 
 the expense of the city." " That no more than two stalls or stand- 
 ings in any one of the said marketts shall be let or leased to any one 
 butcher." " And whereas, by virtue of divers Laws of this Cor- 
 poration for many years past, the clerk of the markett had took and 
 received certain fees for all neat cattle, hogs, shoats, sheep, calves, 
 and lambs that were killed for the markett : Be it therefore further 
 ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that it shall not be lawful for 
 the clerks of the marketts of this city to intermeddle with the re- 
 ceipts of dutys, fees, or profits, or take any money of any butchers or 
 other persons resorting to. or standing in any of the common mar- 
 ketts aforesaid, upon any pretence whatsoever, other than for examin- 
 ing and sealing of weights and measures by virtue of his ofiBce." 
 
 On the 16th of same month a report was made on the petition of 
 the butchers previously presented, in the month of August, as fol- 
 lows : " That it was the opinion of the committee that it would be 
 for the benefit of the Corporation to take the several market-houses 
 under their own care, and should at their own charge support and 
 maintain the same from time to time for the future with all neces- 
 sary repairs, and that they cause the several stalls in the several 
 markets to be numbered and marked, and let out by lease to the pe- 
 titioners or such other person or persons as shall agree to take the 
 same at a reasonable and annual reserved rent for the use of the 
 Corporation." 
 
 On the 10th of December following, the committee who were em- 
 powered to " cause the stalls in the severall markets to be number- 
 ed and marked, and let" for one year, reported to have " mett and 
 agreed with the following butchers for stalls in the Ply Market:" 
 " To Richard Green, - 1 stall. No. 1, £6 
 
 To Widow Laurier, 
 
 To Isaac Varian, - 
 
 To George Young, 
 
 To Charles Dawson, 
 
 To .John Stockford, - 
 
 To Edward Kelly, - 
 
 
 
 2, 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 3, 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 4, 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 5, 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 6, 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 7, 
 
 5 0." 
 
FLY MARKET. I3I 
 
 The several lessees of these stands " were ordered to give bonds 
 to the Chamberlain, to pay the said rents quarterly for the use of 
 this Corporation." 
 
 Although the Common Council had taken " the several market- 
 houses under their own care, and should at their own charge sup- 
 port and maintain" them, yet I find the very next year the people, 
 anxious to preserve and add to their market accommodations, peti- 
 tioned to be allowed to enlarge this market; and the Authorities 
 on the 21st, 1736, granted their prayer, giving to " the inhabitants 
 of the Bast Ward liberty, at their own charge, to enlarge the Mar- 
 ket-House at Countess Key Slip, in such manner as the Aldermen 
 and Assistants of the said Ward shall direct, and that the butchers' 
 stalls, or some of them, be removed into the new enlargement at the 
 south end thereof." 
 
 On the 22d of May, 1737, the same six butchers again lease 
 stands for another year, but the butcheress, the Widow Laurier's, 
 name is missing. 
 
 This system of leasing these stands continued until the year 
 1740, when several of the butchers refused to agree with the 
 "Committee," in consequence of their not having been protected 
 in their rights. This Committee, finding they could not make the 
 former arrangements with several of the butchers, made the follow- 
 ing report to the Board on the 4th of May, (same year :) " That we 
 have, after many and frequent meetings, great trouble and difficulty, 
 agreed with the several butchers who have subscribed their names 
 to the paper hereunto annexed, for the stalls and standings in the 
 several market-houses." " We also further report, that George 
 Young and Thomas Cox, two butchers of this city, did not appear 
 before the Committee, though sundry times summoned for that pur- 
 pose. That Israel Horsefield and James Ruffhead (though they fre- 
 quently appeared and attended the Committee) yet refused to agree, 
 notwithstanding a considerable abatement was offered the former. 
 The Committee do beg leave also humbly to inform this Court, that 
 one Evardus Brower, and many others, living on Nassau (Long) 
 Island, who make it their chief business to buy, kill, and sell cattle, 
 do daily come and take up the stalls or standings in the said mar- 
 ket-houses, without paying anything for the same. Lastly, the 
 Committee are humbly of opinion that some other method can and 
 ought to be taken less burthensome, and more profitable to the 
 Corporation, in letting the stalls and standings in the market- 
 houses, than have been heretofore. All of which is humbly, &c." 
 (Signed,) Will. Roome, S. Johnson, Peter Jay, 
 
 Peter Van Ranst, H. Depetster, Sam'l Lawrence. 
 
132 FLY MARKET. 
 
 " Which report is approved of by this Board, and ordered that the 
 Common Clerk commence an action in the Supream Court against 
 Israel and Timothy Horsefield for the rent due from them for their 
 stalls and standings in the (Old Slip) Market-House." 
 
 At this period an occurrence took place near this market, which 
 introduced its proper name, and no doubt it had then become the 
 common one. It read as follows : " Sunday last, about five o'clock 
 in the afternoon, a fire broke out in the stable of Mr. John Rosevelt, 
 over against the Fly Market, in this city. It burned the said stable, 
 his bolting-house, chocolate engine-house, and part of his linseed oil 
 -mill-house, &c."* 
 
 The slip near this market, which had been so long known as the 
 " Countess Key Slip," appears to have been changed to " Smith's 
 Fly Slip" about the year 1740, when no doubt the Countess of Bel- 
 lamont had been publicly forgotten. A petition from Peter Schuy- 
 ler and others, in 1744, states, " that they are the proprietors and 
 owners of the wharfs and soil between the 'Smith's Fly Slip' and 
 Burling Slip, in the East Ward." 
 
 The business around the Fly Market began now to show an im- 
 proved state; in fact, the city on the "east end" or side far out- 
 stripped the "west end," and just around the public markets ap- 
 peared to be the common centre for the transactions of trade and 
 sale of almost every character. Slaves were then kept, principally 
 by all who could afford such help, and they were bought and sold 
 both at this and the meal markets. The " old papers " about this 
 (1744) and various periods would often show a notice of this kind: 
 " To be sold at public vendue, on Saturday morning next, at 10 
 o'clock, at the Fly Market, a negro man, who can cook and do all 
 sorts of household work." Here, then, at this age, our public mar- 
 kets answered a double purpose : for in them were not only sold the 
 dead flesh, which tended to keep the soul and body together, but the 
 living flesh, with the soul and body too. 
 
 The improvements also appeared to keep pace with the business. 
 In 1748 a very important one was finished by the Corporation, who 
 " have, at a very great expense, made a drain or common sewer 
 from the East River, under the Fly Market, up Maiden Lane to the 
 high grounds." It was not, however, satisfactory to the neighbor- 
 hood, as it was not sufficient for the purposes intended; so they 
 propose to consult, and, if necessary, to assist, the Corporation in 
 enlarging and extending it farther out into the East River. A 
 committee was appointed from the Corporation, on the 11th of 
 July, 1749, " to view and examine the Fly Market, and advise and 
 * Boston Weekly News Letter, December 20, 1737. 
 
FLY MARKET. I33 
 
 consult what the expense and laying out a good and sufficient 
 drain." This Committee reported, on the 17th inst., " that the 
 present drain be run out and extended so far into the 'Fly Slip' as 
 to range with the rear of Captain Robert Livingston's store-house, 
 and to be filled in on both sides level with the peers." " That the 
 cost or expense thereof (exclusive of the subscriptions of that neigh- 
 borhood) the Committee cannot ascertain;" and "advise the work 
 done with the utmost expedition." Another committee, of six, was 
 appointed to have the work done, but they found the expense would 
 be so great, " as neither the neighborhood or the Corporation 
 would consent to allow for that purpose." " That in order to pre- 
 vent the same from being a nuisance, there be dug out of the said 
 slip so much of the mud, dirt, and ground as to leave twelve inches 
 water at low water, which will keep the same sweet, and prevent 
 its being a nuisance ; and which is also conceived by the neighbor- 
 hood to be the most easy and effectual method ; and forasmuch as 
 the doing thereof will be an annual charge, and as all other com- 
 mon sewers and wharfs of this city are maintained and repaired 
 and cleansed at the publick charge of this city, they, the neighbor- 
 hood, have proposed to the Committee to pay into the hands of the 
 Chamberlain or Treasurer of this city the sum of sixty pounds, 
 current money of this colony, to be expended for that purpose, as 
 far as the same will extend: provided the Corporation will, at 
 their own expense, advance such farther sum as will be necessary 
 to keep the same clean ; and shall and will, at their own expense, 
 keep the same in repair, and from becoming a nuisance for the 
 future." 
 
 The next year (1750) a proposition was made to build a large 
 cistern near the Widow Rutger's brew-house, near Gold Street, "to 
 serve in case of fire." It was expected this cistern would fill with 
 clean water at every high tide, by the proposer ; who failed to con- 
 vince the public of the great benefit, and the project fell through. 
 
 In the spring of the next year, (1751,) among the parliamentary 
 proceedings of the mother-country, a most remarkable act was pass- 
 ed for regulating the commencement of the year, and correcting the 
 calendar according to the Gregorian computation. The proceed- 
 ings of the General Assembly on the 11th of April, in the year 
 1696, had " Ordered, that the said year begins the first day of May, 
 anno 1696, and terminates the first day of May, 1697." But by this 
 new law, it was decreed that the new year should begin on the first 
 of January, and that eleven intermediate nominal days, between the 
 second and fourteenth days of September, 1752, should for that time 
 be omitted, so that the third should be denominated the fourteenth. 
 
134 FLY MARKET. 
 
 This change was thus announced : " Thursday next the new style 
 begins to take place in all the English dominions, when this day, 
 which would have been the 3d, must be reckoned the 14th of Sep- 
 tember ; and from thenceforward, our reckonings of time will be 
 agreeable to that of most foreign nations."* "Our calendar is of 
 Roman origin, and was originally divided by Romulus into ten 
 months, comprising 304 days. Numa Pompillus added two months 
 to the year; and Julius Ctesar subsequently arranged the solar 
 year at 365 days, 6 hours. As the solar year really consists of 365 
 days, 5 hours, and 49 minutes, the error amounted in 1582 to ten 
 days, when Pope Gregory XIII. ordained that" 1582 should contain 
 365 days only, and made other alterations, which brought the ver- 
 nal equinox to the 21st of March, where it should be."t This 
 change has since been known as the Neiv Style; the Old Style is 
 seldom noticed, except occasionally letters received from Russia 
 will be marked with both, the new and the old dates, or in the con- 
 nection with some event prior to this period. 
 
 In March, 1754, the Corporation advertise, "These are to give 
 notice to all persons, that on Thursday, the 21st day of March, in- 
 stant, at two o'clock in the afternoon, at the Common Council Room, 
 in the City Hall of this City, will be let to farm, by publick outcry, 
 to the highest bidder, the stalls and standings of the several markets 
 of this City." On the 14th of June following, the same body ap- 
 pointed a committee to receive " proposals from the inhabitants near 
 the Fly Market towards enlarging the said market in length, to be 
 att their own expense.":^ Their proposals were accepted, and soon 
 after the market appears enlarged, which was very acceptable, as the 
 business had been increasing and much increased for the ten years 
 previous; at which period (1744) provisions were represented to 
 have been very cheap, " hy those lulio knew" who says, " The rich 
 never have wanted luxuries, and the poor have been able to subsist 
 upon the earnings of a few hours' labour ; 3 pence in fish, bread, and 
 drink afforded a comfortable meal; 6 pence would procure meat, 
 bread, and drink. Such have been the opportunities of earning 
 money by different kinds of labour, that none willing to work were 
 in want; hence there were few beggars, except the lazy, drunken 
 wretches not fit subjects for the Alms-house."§ 
 
 These prosperous and plentiful times no doubt continued for sev- 
 eral years ; and to further assist the cheapness of at least one kind 
 of provisions, the " papers" in the month of April, 1754, state, " We 
 had such great quantities of {wild) pidgeons in our markets last 
 
 * N. Y. Gazetteer. August 31, 1752. f Suaday Times, January, 1861. 
 
 I N. Y. Mercury, March 11, 1754. § " Olden Time in New York," &c. 
 
FLY MARKET. 135 
 
 week, that no less than six were sold for one old penny." In the 
 face of all this plentifulness, we find several of the products which 
 ought to have overrun the generous soil of our country imported from 
 another at this period. The N. Y. Mercury, December 23, 1754, 
 gives an instance, as follows : " There is to be sold on board of the 
 snow Lord Bicssel, James Hathorn, master, Irish potatoes, butter in 
 crocks and firkins, and Irish beef." Then, nearly two years after, 
 the high prices of meats are particularly noticed in an editorial of 
 the N. Y. Weekly Post Boy, April 19, 1756, as follows : " The end 
 of last week, on the departure of most of the ofiBcers of His Majesty's 
 forces, fresh beef Was sold in our markets at 6d. per pound by the 
 whole quarter. This seemed to be a gloomy prospect for many of 
 our poor, who buy from hand to mouth ; but that Being who caretli 
 for them happily sent, in a few days, large supplies of fish ; and on 
 Thursday last, Mr. Bernard Johnson, of Gravesend, on Long Island, 
 caught five thousand seven hundred shad at one hawl of a sein, be- 
 side large numbers of several other hawls ; and the next day sold 
 the greater part of them in our markets." 
 
 These high prices and scarcity continued for many years after, 
 and caused many to intercept the country people on the ferry-boats, 
 and purchase their marketing, thereby taking the advantage of the 
 many who expected to purchase in the markets when they arrived. 
 A communication from an officer to the editor of the N. Y. Mercury, 
 (February 27, 1758,) addressed to Mr. Gaine, says, " As it is a daily 
 practice among servants and others to purchase many kinds of pro- 
 visions out of the ferry-boats and other boats, in contempt of the 
 law, therefore be pleased to publish the following Abstract from the 
 Laws of the Corporation, in order that no ignorance may be plead, 
 as the same will be put in execution without distinction. 
 
 " No person or persons shall buy, sell, or cause to be bought or 
 sold, any victuals or other provisions or things whatsoever, within 
 the City of New York, or the liberties thereof, coming to any of the 
 common markets of the said city, or making any contract, promise, 
 or bargain, for the selling, having, or buying of the same, or any 
 part thereof; so coming to any of the common markets aforesaid, be- 
 fore the same shall be brought into one of the said markets, ready 
 to be sold, (fish of all kinds only excepted,) upon pain, that as well 
 every person selling or contracting, as every person so buying or 
 contracting, either by themselves or their white servant or servants, 
 shall respectively forfeit, for any offence, the sum of six shillings. 
 
 "And if negro or other slave shall offend, he shall receive 15 
 lashes on the bare back at the public whipping-post or house of cor- 
 rection, unless the master will pay six shillings to execute the same." 
 
136 F L r JI A R K B T . 
 
 The next year followed with a great scarcity of fire-wood, when 
 hundreds of families suffered from the long season of cold weather. 
 A somewhat singular appeal for assistance is found in the N. Y. 
 Mercury, December 31, 1759, headed, "Help! Help! Help! Wood 
 at three pounds ten shillings a cord, a price never before heard! The 
 countryman says, ' We have wood enough.' The boatman says, ' / 
 could fetch two loads while I am bringing and unloading one!' The 
 merchants employ the carmen in carrying their sugars, &c. The 
 widow hears a noise in her yard, rises from her bed at midnight, 
 from her window sees a thief, and asks him what he is doing ; he 
 answers, I must have ivood! In the morning views her small pile, 
 and laments the loss of half a cord. The rich engross, when per- 
 haps two hundred families have not a stick to burn, and (it is said) 
 thus it is! in one house where two persons now lie dead of the 
 small-pox." 
 
 " Should not the Fathers of the City do something in this extremity ? 
 Cannot our magistrates appoint an officer or officers to inspect every 
 boat, to agree on the price of the whole, distribute their wood in 
 small quantities at the price agreed on, command the carmen from 
 every other service to attend the boat till unloaded? If this or 
 something to the same purpose be not done, what may be the condi- 
 tion of this city before the beginning of February next?" 
 
 "At this period," says Rev. Mr. Burnaby, " the City of New York 
 contains between 2 and 3,000 houses, and 16 or 17,000 inhabitants, 
 is tolerably well built, and has several good houses. The streets 
 are paved, and very clean, but in general they are narrow ; there 
 are two or three, indeed, which are spacious and airy, particularly 
 the Broadway. The houses in this street have most of them a row 
 of trees before them, which forms an agreeable shade, and produce 
 a pretty effect. The whole length of the town is something more 
 than a mile, the breadth of it about half a one." 
 
 Among the public buildings, " the College, when finished, will be 
 exceedingly handsome ; it is built on three sides of a quadrangle, 
 fronting Hudson's or North River, and will be the most beautifully 
 situated of any College, I believe, in the world." 
 
 Of the inhabitants, " more than half of them are Dutch, and almost 
 all traders ; they are, therefore, habitually frugal, industrious, and 
 parsimonious." Their amusements are " balls and sleighing expedi- 
 tions in the winter ; and, in the summer, going in parties upon the 
 waters, and fishing, or making excursions in the country. 
 
 " There are several houses pleasantly situated upon the East River, 
 near New York, where it is common to have turtle feasts ; these 
 happen once or twice a week. Thirty or forty gentlemen and ladies 
 
FLY MARKET. I37 
 
 meet to dine together, drink tea in the afternoon, fish, and amuse 
 themselves till evening, and then return home in Italian chaises — a 
 gentleman and lady in each chaise. In the way there is a bridge, 
 about three miles distant from New York, which you always pass 
 over as you return, called the Kissing Bridge, (over Be Voor's Mill 
 Stream, just below ' Old Gato's' about bith Street, between 2d and 3d 
 Avenues,) wherfe it is a part of the etiquette to salute the lady who 
 has put herself under your protection." 
 
 " The province in its cultivated state affords grain of all sorts, 
 cattle, hogs, and great variety of English fruits, particularly the 
 Newtown pippin." 
 
 The manner of bringing the market productions to the Fly and 
 other markets at this period was usually by water. Those living 
 in the interior on Long Island brought them in wagons and ox-carts 
 to the ferry, then unloaded on the ferry-boats, which came direct to 
 the markets. The boats were propelled either by a fair wind or 
 rowed across, usually three or four trips a day, and seldom a loaded 
 team crossed with them. The farmers living in New Jersey and 
 the neighboring counties, both on the North and East Rivers, 
 brought theirs also down in the same manner to the nearest water- 
 side — unloaded into their skiffs ; then, with the tide of ebb, easily 
 rowed to the city direct to the various markets on the shores, where 
 they usually disposed of their products in time to return with the 
 flood tide. 
 
 Such were some of the inducements offered in the following notice 
 of the sale of " Little Bern Island, at public auction, belonging to 
 the estate of Mr. St. George Talbot, deceased, situate opposite New 
 Harlaem Church, in the out-ward of this city, containing upwards 
 of one hundred acres of land and meadows. It abounds with wild 
 fowl, as ducks, geese, pidgeons, quails, &c., and has the advantage 
 of a fine seine-fishery, and black-fish, oysters, lobsters, &c. Being in 
 the vicinity of New York, the produce may be brought to the ' Ply 
 Market' with the tide of ebb, and the flood will waft the craft home."* 
 
 We find, however, in their haste to and fro, they would seek a 
 tow from some of the larger sailing vessels, which sometimes proved 
 a dangerous assistance, as we read: " Last Saturday afternoon, as a 
 market skiff was returning home with four men and one woman in, 
 they very imprudently took hold of a tow rope from a sloop at Cor- 
 ker's Hook under full sail, by which the skiff was instantly filled 
 with water, and overturned ; the man that had the rope held fast 
 till he was taken on board of the sloop, the other four were thrown 
 out of the skiff; when, fortunately, the three men, one of whom could 
 • N. Y. Journal, July 23, 1772. 
 
138 FLY MARKET. 
 
 only swim, got fast of the boat, and in attempting to get hold of her 
 bottom, she turned up again with the woman in her, who had come 
 up under the boat, and taken hold of one of the benches ; they then 
 all got hold of the skiff, and just kept their heads above water till 
 Mr. Morgan, ship-carpenter, and another man, in a small boat, at 
 the risque of their lives, took them off, or they must have perished 
 with cold or been drowned."* 
 
 The principal part of the farmers and gardeners near the city, 
 during the Revolution, were engaged in the war, either on the one 
 side or the other, which obliged the women and boys to labor in the 
 fields raising such products as they were able ; and then, 
 
 " The country maids with sauce to marliet come, 
 And carry loads of tatter'd money home." 
 
 They came rowing down past the numerous guards and sentinels to 
 the city, being protected usually with a " pass." 
 
 From "Poems of the Olden Time," we have a suitable descrip- 
 tion of 
 
 "THE MARKET GIRL." 
 
 " At dawn of day, from short repose, 
 At hours that might all towns-men shame, 
 To catch our money, round or square, 
 She from the Groves of Flatbush came, 
 With Kail and Cabbage — fresh and fair. 
 
 At Brooklyn wharff, in travelling trim, 
 Arriv'd an hour before the Sun, 
 Young Charon's boat receives her stores, 
 Across the wavy waste they skim ; 
 And thus they, laughing, come to town, 
 She at the helm, and he, the oar. 
 
 Full early taught the arts of gain, 
 No sharping knave that walks the street, 
 (Tho' versed in all the tricks of trade,) 
 No city nymph, or powdered swain, 
 With all their art, can hope to cheat 
 A bargain from this country maid. 
 
 The market done, her cash secur'd, 
 She homeward takes her wonted way ; 
 The painted chest, behind the door, 
 (With many a golden guinea stor'd,) 
 Receives the gainings of the day ; 
 Laid up — to see the sun no more ! 
 
 Sweet nymph ! why all this causeless pain, 
 Such early toil, and evening care. 
 This hoarding for the age to come ! 
 If he that courts you, courts in vain, 
 And you, regardless of an heir, 
 Refuse, alas! to take him home."t 
 * N. Y. Packet, January 9, 1787. f Freneau. 
 
FLY MARKET. I39 
 
 " The ferries between Brooklyn and New York," says Mr, Jero- 
 mus Johnson, about the year 1777, '' were under the surveillance 
 of a military guard. All the inhabitants were compelled to obtain 
 passports for themselves and their families, hy name, to cross the fer- 
 ries ; and every market-boat, with her hands, were licensed to come 
 to the city. Nor was this all. Every farmer or person who wished 
 to take any goods from New York, was compelled to take a bill of 
 the goods to the police oflSce, in the city, for a permit to take the 
 same from the city. Every permit cost two shillings. The passports 
 to cross the ferries, and the licenses of the market-boats, were renew- 
 ed and paid for every year. In this manner, favorites were provided 
 for. During the war, a continual trade was carried on between 
 favored individuals of the British and treacherous Americans."* 
 
 The ferry which landed at the foot of this market, and the in- 
 creased trade in the year 1761, with the numerous market and other 
 vessels that crowded into this Fly Market Slip — the larger ones 
 having the powerful advantage, generally used it — caused a law to 
 be passed in that year, " That no sloop, boat, or vessel, except small 
 craft, such as ferry-boats, market-boats, pettiaugers, and canoes, 
 shall come within the slip" — "at the end of the common sewer 
 (that leads under the market-house, commonly called and known by 
 the name of the Fly Market,) that empties itself into the East 
 River, under the penalty of forty shillings." 
 
 An excellent article from " Cbnsoba," in showing the scarcity 
 and the eagerness of procuring provisions, appeared two years 
 after, in the N. Y. Gazette, January 10, 1763, where the Lady says, 
 "I have frequently observed, and sometimes felt, great rudeness and 
 ill manners in our public markets; especially when any kind of 
 provision appeared of which there was a scarcity. I have seen 
 people press and shove with such rudeness and violence, as suffi- 
 ciently shew'd an intention truly hostile, and that force alone could 
 determine the purchasers ; and sometimes the prey has been seized, 
 and in danger of being torn to pieces, by two furious combatants, 
 equally voracious, who seemed, by their actions, to be upon the 
 point of starving, and to contend for their lives. I, who am a 
 woman, unused to war, and of a peaceable disposition, have been 
 obliged to give up my pretensions to the goods, half purchased, and 
 give place to one of more strength and resolution, being not quite 
 reduced to the necessity of fighting or starving. 
 
 "All that are weak and peaceable like myself, have been excluded 
 from purchasing in the market, by rudeness and force. It is to be 
 hoped that persons guilty of such misbehavior need only to be told 
 * Naval Magazine, vol. i., p. 568. 
 
140 FLY MARKET. 
 
 of it, to avoid it, and as they value their own liberty, not encroach 
 upon that of their neighbors. Such conduct has also a direct ten- 
 dency to raise the price of provisions in the market, to the extrav- 
 agant price that we all have had reason to complain of." 
 
 The prices of provisions had become so exorbitant, that the 
 "principal freemen and freeholders asked for a law to regulate 
 the prices of all kinds of provisions;" which subject was before 
 the authorities on the 15th of August same year, (1763.) They 
 set forth, " That in all populous citys the regulation of the publick 
 marketts, respecting the prices of provisions, hath always been es- 
 teemed a matter of great importance to the inhabitants, and worthy 
 the attention of the publick ; that the petitioners had for some time 
 past observed many of the common necessaries of life sold in the 
 marketts in this city at exorbitant prices, considerably higher than 
 in any of the neighboring colonies ; and wish the Board to regulate 
 and assize butchers' meat, and such other provisions as might be 
 thought to require the like regulations." 
 
 This was referred to a committee, to inquire what power the 
 Board had, and whether they can legally do so. They reported, 
 on the 24th inst., " That they are of the opinion the Board are 
 fully authorized to regulate and assize the prices of all kinds of 
 provisions set to sale in this city. And to expedite the work, the 
 Committee presented the following ordinance," which became the 
 law, and is an interesting document : 
 
 A Law/or Assizing all Kinds of Victuals to he set for Sale in the 
 
 Public Markets. 
 Published in Common Council, August 24, 1763. 
 
 Forasmuch as, through the avarice of those who usually supply 
 this City with provisions, the prices of all manner of victuals 
 daily brought to market for. the sustentation of its Inhabitants are 
 grown excessively great, and not only ruinous to Families of the 
 poorer sort, but intolerable even to people of better estate : In 
 order, therefore, to remedy this great and growing evil, and to fix 
 and establish between the Buyer and Seller reasonable prices for 
 all sorts of Victuals hereafter to be brought to market, and to reg- 
 ulate the sale thereof, except the articles hereinafter excepted : 
 
 I. Be it ordained by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of 
 the City of New York, in Common Council convened, and it is 
 hereby ordained by the authority of the same, That no kinds of 
 Provision or Victuals whatsoever, hereafter to be brought to this 
 City, or offered, or set for sale or sold within the same, (except 
 live Fish, Bread, Flour, and salted Beef in Barrels and half-Barrels, 
 and salted Pork in Barrels and half-Barrels, and Butter and Milk, 
 
FLY MARKET. 141 
 
 and Hog's Lard in Firkins, and Oysters, Clams, and Muscles,) shall 
 be set, offered, or exposed to sale, or sold, at any other place or 
 places whatsoever, other than the Public and Common Market- 
 Houses of this City, under the penalty of forty shillings for every 
 offense ; to be paid by him or them so setting, offering, or exposing 
 the same for sale, or selling the same ; and that the like penalty 
 oi forty shillings for every offense be paid by the Buyer. 
 
 II. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That no 
 regrator, huckster, or other person, usually'practising the buying of 
 provision or victuals, such as are hereby directed to be sold, or are 
 usually sold in the common markets, with design to sell them again, 
 shall either by himself, or any other or others, purchase or buy any 
 sort of provision or victual, before or earlier than the hour of eleven 
 of the clock in the forenoon, in any day throughout the year, under 
 the penalty of three pounds, to be paid by the offender for every 
 such offence. 
 
 III. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That 
 no person or persons whatsoever shall hereafter presume to house, or 
 put under cover, except in the public markets, or conceal any sort 
 of provision or victual whatsoever brought, or to be brought to 
 this city for sale, (except as before excepted ;) but that every person 
 and persons that shall hereafter set, or expose for sale, or sell, or 
 shall bring to this city with design to set or expose to sale, or sell, 
 any sort of provision or victual whatsoever, (except as before ex- 
 cepted,) shall bring or carry the same, or cause the same to be 
 brought or carried straitways, if the same shall arrive at this city 
 after sunrise, and one hour before sunset, to some one or other of 
 the public market'houses of this city ; and if the same shall so arrive 
 after an hour before the setting of the sun, and before sunrise, then 
 to be carried immediately after sunrise to some one or other of the 
 public market-houses of this city ; and her or they shall there openly 
 and publicly expose the same to sale, under the penalty of three 
 pounds, to he paid by the offender herein for every offence; and 
 that the person or persons who shall permit or suffer any provision 
 or victual whatsoever (except as before excepted) to be housed or 
 put under cover within his, her, or their houses, out-houses, build- 
 ings, or yards, during the time hereby provided for bringing the 
 same into the public markets, shall forfeit the like penalty for every 
 offence. 
 
 IV. And he it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That 
 the prices for all sorts of provisions and victuals shall hereafter be 
 as follows ; that is to say, the prices of beef and pork shall be as 
 follows, viz. : 
 
142 FLY MARKET. 
 
 For beef, from and including the first day of March to and in- 
 cluding the last day of August, a price not exceeding/o^<r-pence by 
 the pound weight ; and from and including th.Q first day of Septem- 
 ber to and including the last day of February, a price not exceed- 
 ing three-pence by the pound weight ; the tallow included at the same 
 rates, when the beef is sold by the quarter. 
 
 For a bullock's head, not exceeding one shilling. 
 
 For a neat's tongue, not exceeding one shilling. 
 
 For pork, from and including the first day of March to and in- 
 cluding the last day of October, a price not exceeding four-pence 
 half-penny by the pound weight ; and from and including the first 
 day of November to and including the last day of February, a price 
 not exceeding three-pence half -penny by the pound weight; and. 
 
 For roasting pigs, by the pound weight, /ue-^ewce. 
 
 For Veal, from and including the first day of March to and in- 
 cluding the last day of August, a price not exceeding/owr-pemce by 
 the pound weight ; and from and including the first day of Septem- 
 ber to and including the last day of February, a price not exceeding 
 five-pence by the pound weight. 
 
 For a calve's head and pluck, and the four feet, eighteen pence. 
 
 For mutton, from and including the first day of July to and in- 
 cluding the last day of November, a price not exceeding three-pence 
 half -penny by the pound weight ; and from and including the first 
 day of December to and including the last day of June, a price not 
 exceeding/oJir-pejice half-penny by the pound weight. 
 
 For lamb, from and including the firrst day of March to and in- 
 cluding the last day of April, a price not exceeding nine-pence by 
 the pound weight ; and from and including the first day of May to 
 and including the last day of August, a price not 'exceeding five- 
 pence by the pound weight; and from and after that day to and in- 
 cluding the last day of February, at no greater price by the pound 
 weight than mutton is hereby directed to be sold at during that 
 period. 
 
 For Yenison, not exceeding /ve-pewce by the pound weight. 
 
 And the prices of poultry, as well wild fowl as tame, shall not 
 exceed the respective rates herein annexed to the names of the sev- 
 eral species or sorts, to wit : 
 
 For a full-grown dunghill fowl, whether coch or hen, one shilling. 
 
 For Sipidlet, after midsummer, nine-pence. 
 
 For a chicken of the larger sort, seven-pence. 
 
 For a chicken of the smaller sort, five-penee. 
 
 For a large fat goose, eighteen pence. 
 
 For a green goose, fifteen pence. 
 
FLY MARKET. I43 
 
 For a large cock turkey, four shilling. 
 
 For a large hen turkey, two shilling and sixpence. 
 
 For a cock chicken turkey, two shillings. 
 
 For a hen chicken turkey, eighteen pence. 
 
 For a large full-grown tame duck, one shilling. 
 
 For a duck not full grown, nins-pence. 
 
 For a dozen wild pidgeons, eighteen pence; and in the like propor- 
 tion for a greater or less number. 
 
 For a quail, one penny half -penny. 
 
 For a heath hen, fifteen pence. 
 
 For a partridge, one shilling. 
 
 For a black duck, or other wild duck of the larger sort, one shUUng. 
 
 For a teal, or other wild fowl of the smaller sort, sixpence. 
 
 For a large wild cock turkey. Jive shillings. 
 
 For a large tvild hen turkey, three shillings and sixpence. 
 
 For a wild cock chicken turkey, two shilling and three-pence. 
 
 For a wild hen chicken turkey, one shilling and nine-pence. 
 
 For a large wild goose, two shillings. 
 
 For a wild goose not full grown, eighteen pence. 
 
 For a hrandt, fifteen pence. 
 
 For snipes of the larger sort, by the dozen, fifteen pence; and in 
 that proportion for a greater or smaller number. 
 
 For snipes of the middling sort, by the dozen, twelve-pence; and 
 in that proportion for a greater or smaller number. 
 
 For snipes of the smaller sort, and other small birds, by the 
 dozen, sixpence; and after that rate for a greater or smaller number. 
 
 And for twenty eggs, from and including the first day of March 
 unto and including the last day of October, not exceeding one shil- 
 ling; and so in that proportion for a greater or smaller number; 
 and from and including the first day of November to and including 
 the last day of February, not exceeding owe penny for each egg. 
 
 And for fresh butter, from the first day of May, inclusive, to and 
 including the last day of October, not exceeding nine-pence, by the 
 pound weight ; and from the first day of November, inclusive, unto 
 and including the last day of Aprilj not exceeding twelve-pence, by 
 the pound weight. (In the month of April, 1762, "Fresh butter sold 
 in our market at 2/6 a pound.") 
 
 And that the prices (or fish shall not exceed the sums herein an- 
 nexed to the several sorts or species, viz. : 
 
 For a large bass, by the pound weight, two-pence. 
 
 For a small bass, by the pound weight, two-pence half-penny. 
 
 For a black-fish, sea-bass, and sheep-head, by the pound weight, 
 three coppers. 
 
144 FLY MARKET. 
 
 For 2t, fresh cod, by the pound weight, /owr-^ewce. 
 
 'Fov fresh-water perch, by the pound weight, /owr-pence. 
 
 For salt-water perch, by the pound weight, three coppers. 
 
 For trout fish, or torn cod, one shilling by the dozen ; and in propor- 
 tion for a greater or lesser number. 
 
 For lobsters, by the pound weight, sixpence. 
 
 For oysters in the shell, clear of weeds, beards, and empty shells, 
 two shillings by the bushel, heaped up, and after that rate for a 
 greater or lesser quantity. 
 
 For opened oysters, by the gallon, three shillings; and after that 
 rate for a greater or lesser quantity. 
 
 For clams, by the hundred, nine-pence. 
 
 For milk, from and including the first day of May to and including 
 the last day of October, not exceeding four coppers by the quart ; 
 and from and including the first day of November to and including 
 the last day of April, not exceeding _^/?ue coppers by the quart. 
 
 For American cheese, four-pence half -penny by the pound weight. 
 
 V. And be it further ordained by the authority aforesaid, That 
 if any person or persons whatsoever shall, at any time or times, from 
 and after the fifteenth day of September next, presume to set, offer, or 
 expose to sale, or sell any species of provision or victuals whatso- 
 ever hereby directed to be sold in the public or common markets, or 
 whereof the price or prices are hereby fixed, at any greater or 
 higher rate or rates, price or prices, than is hereby fixed, he, she, or 
 they so offending, shall forfeit and pay for every such offence the re- 
 spective sums following : that is to say, for every such offence in or 
 relating to the sale oibeef, the sum of three pounds; and for every 
 such offence in or relating to the sale of smaller meats, the sum of 
 thirty shilling; and for every offence in or relating to the sale of 
 poultry, whether wild fowl or tame, or in or relating to the sale of 
 fish, or any other article or articles of provision not here enumerated, 
 the prices whereof are above fixed, the sum of ten shillings; and that 
 every purchaser, in such case or cases, shall forfeit and pay the like 
 respective sums for every respective offence ; and if the offending 
 purchaser be a slave, he or she §hall receive such punishment at the 
 public whipping-post, as the Mayor, Recorder, or any Alderman of 
 this city, shall in his discretion think fit, unless the master or mis- 
 tress of such slave will and do immediately pay the fine or forfeiture 
 hereby imposed for such offence. 
 
 YI. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. That 
 the fines and forfeitures that shall or may accrue or arise upon or 
 by the breach of this ordinance, or any article, matter, clause, or 
 thing whatsoever in the same contained, shall and may be recover- 
 
FLY MARKET. 145 
 
 ed before the Mayor, Recorder, or any one of the Aldermen of this 
 city, by any person or persons who will sue for the same ; the one 
 moiety thereof, when recovered, to be his, her, or their use ; and the 
 other moiety thereof to be paid by him, her, or them to the Church- 
 Wardens of this city, for the use of the poor thereof. 
 
 Published August the 24th, 1763. By order of the Common 
 Council. Aug. V. Cortlandt, C'lk. 
 
 This law created a great sensation among the market people, and 
 more especially the butchers and farmers, who were very indignant, 
 and somewhat contemptuous. The newspapers took hold of them, 
 and handled them " without gloves," as appears by the following 
 effusions : 
 
 " There was perhaps never a more just or necessary law passed 
 in this province, than the late By-Law for regulating the prices of 
 provisions sold in our markets. For the impositions of the butchers, 
 and the extravagant demands of some of our country people, have 
 loudly called for redress, and must soon have proved to the poorer 
 sort absolutely ruinous. 
 
 " As to the affront offered to the dignity of the butchers, and the 
 airs they assume on the occasion, I doubt not they will soon be 
 made sensible that the law is not, like a sirloin, to be rescinded 
 with broad-ax and cleaver ; and should they refuse to continue their 
 business on the law's taking place, I hope the gentlemen of the city 
 will not hesitate a moment to raise an adequate sum, by subscrip- 
 tion, to supply the markets at a lower rate than that prescribed by 
 the ordinance ; upon which the Corporation, 'tis hoped, will instant- 
 ly turn every butcher's stall out of the market, nor ever suffer 
 them to be replaced, till after suitable proofs of contrition and re- 
 morse. 
 
 " For we have really been imposed upon by one of the most im- 
 pudent combinations that was ever suffered among a free and think- 
 ing people. Was it not astonishing, and beyond all human toler- 
 ance, that beef should be sold from 7d. to 8d. per lb., when it might 
 be offered for 3d. and 4d., and yield a sufficient profit ! Cattle were 
 perhaps never plentier or cheaper in the country than the greater 
 part of the time during which this exorbitant price has been enact- 
 ed. Nay, what is more notorious, than that beef is sold at 4d. per 
 lb. in the neighboring provinces, and in some parts of this very 
 province ? Why, then, should this city be under the peculiar curse 
 of being fleec'd, or rather flea'd, by the butcher ? In a word, was 
 not 2.id. and 3d. per lb. reckon'd a good profit, when he gave from 
 £5 to M for a beast; and is not, therefore, 8d. per lb., when a beast 
 of equal weight and goodness can be now purchased at the same 
 Vol. L— 10 
 
146 FLY MARKET. 
 
 rate, intolerable and extortions ? Besides, what title has a butcher, 
 ■who ought to be considered in the light of a common laborer, (and 
 special little doth he labor,) to accumulate riches? Wou'd not 
 three or four hundred pounds per annum be sufficient for the rank 
 and station of a slaughterer of sheep and oxen ? And more than 
 that wou'd arise from the profit of a penny per lb. ; whereas I am 
 confident they make above three-pence. Plebeanus." 
 
 " Plebeanus " had not so high an opinion of the butchers on this 
 side of the '' water," as the same Government had for them, a few 
 years before, on the other side. The "London Review" of No- 
 vember, 1749, says: "A grant has passed the Great Seal, wherein 
 His Majesty is pleased to reincorporate singular, all the freemen of 
 the art of butchers of the City of London, and all others who 
 now use and exercise the art within the said city, the liberties and 
 suburbs thereof, or in any place within two miles from the said city, 
 by the name of the ' Master Wardens and Commonalty of the Art 
 or Mystery of Butchering of the City of London.' " 
 
 We now turn again to another article which followed " Plebea- 
 nus," found in the "N. Y. Gaaette," dated September 12, 1763. 
 " It is, I think, impossible to offer a stronger argument for the ne- 
 cessity and excellence of the law for regulating the price of provi- 
 sions, &c., than that it gives so great disgust to our butchers, and 
 the neighboring farmers, who used to supply our markets." " It is 
 evident, from the clamor of the country people, that they did not 
 intend to lower their prices without such legal compulsion. They, 
 indeed, pretend that they would have done it voluntarily: but 
 when ? Why, at the swift-approaching period when the city should 
 be so impoverished as to be incapable of purchasing." " If they 
 dislike the law, it is on account of the appraisement ; and if they 
 are dissatisfied with the appraisement, it is because they would have 
 demanded more; and if they would have demanded more, it was 
 necessary to prevent them." " Compulsion must " " be called in to 
 remedy the defect of voluntary justice ; and the force of law to sup- 
 ply the want of bowels. With such a power every community must, 
 in the nature of things, be invested, as to those particulars which 
 are brought among them for their own consumption ; and with such 
 a power the Corporation of this 'City is invested by its Charter, 
 which is confirmed by act of Assembly. And whether it was not 
 high time to exert this power, when beef was raised to 8d., butter 
 to 2s. 3d. per lb., and veal to 14s. a quarter, and most other escu- 
 lents in proportion." 
 
 The farmers or country people took a bold stand, and sent through 
 the Gazette {Sept., 19th inst.,) a spicy letter of invitation to the cit- 
 
FLY MARKET. I47 
 
 izens, to step up into Westchester County, on Tuesdays and Friday?, 
 and purchase for cash such articles as they have to sell ; and from 
 the tenor of it, we suppose they were not guided by the establislml 
 city prices. 
 
 This letter is dated from Philipsburgh, (Westchester County,) 
 Sept. 12, 1763: "Whereas the gentlemen of the City of New York 
 have been pleased to make a law, and prefix a certain price upon 
 country produce, such as eatables or provisions, brought to the City 
 of New York; and lay a certain fine upon all persons that give .a 
 greater or larger price for what they buy. But they forgot to in- 
 sert in their laws, that no lesser prices should be ofl'ered, or given, 
 under the same fine. We thought we were born free Englishmen, 
 and had the liberty, as such, to sell our own effects at our own lib- 
 erty. But finding the case not to be so, we, the inhabitants, and 
 country back, have fixed upon a store-house on a dock at Martling's 
 Cove, (Tarrytown;) when, on every Tuesday and Friday in the 
 week, the county inhabitants do bring all sorts of country produce 
 to sell there ; and where all gentlemen and ladies of the Corpora- 
 tion of the City of New York may be supplied for their cash : for 
 no boat or craft will, after the fifteenth day of September instant, 
 carry off any victual kind, upon a fine of twenty shillings. 
 
 " We are your humble servants, and friends to the liberty of 
 Englishmen." 
 
 But few country people brought their butter to market, and con- 
 sequently a short supply was the result, although they were threat- 
 ened through the " press," by the merchants, with importations of 
 that article. They also appeared anxious to impress on the minds 
 of certain producers rights which the laws granted them, of which 
 the following will more fully explain, as taken from the N. Y. Ga- 
 zette, October 3d following : " The better to undeceive the people of 
 this province," (the printer of the Gazette was particularly requested 
 to insert in his paper,) " those of New Jersey, Connecticut, & in 
 their being prevented from bringing their cattle to town by a report 
 industriously propagated amongst them, in direct contradiction to 
 the liberty intended and given by the law" — " that every day in the 
 week (Sundays excepted) be, and are hereby appointed public mar- 
 ket days, within the said city, from the sun-rising to sun-setting ; 
 and that the country people, and others, resorting to the said mar- 
 kets, may stand or sit in such part or parts thereof as are not from 
 time to time particularly appropriated and allotted to other person 
 or persons, and there vend their flesh, fish, poultry, herbs, fruit, eggs, 
 butter, cheese, bacon, and other provisions and commodities, in the 
 public markets." A gentle hint also accompanies the above, in the 
 
148 FLY MARKET. 
 
 following language : " "We are credibly informed that the merchants 
 of this city expect in a few weeks, from Ireland, about 6,000 firkins 
 of best Irish butter ; on the arrival of which, 'tis not impossible the 
 country people who used to supply our markets may be obliged to 
 purchase large quantities of salt." Sure enough, "on Tuesday last 
 {25th December) arrived here the ship Pitt, Captain Montgomery, 
 in five weeks from Belfast. It is said she has brought upwards of 
 2,000 firkins of choice butter, which sells cheap ; and as great quan- 
 tities are daily expected from the same quarter, the country stomachs 
 will soon be brought to." Then we find the prices had induced frauds 
 in the making of it, of which " a quantity of bad butter was seized in 
 our market belonging to one Mr. Rosea, of Staten Island ; the rolls 
 were very artfully cased over with excellent/resA butter, and the in- 
 side so bad that it was fit for no other use than the soap-tub." 
 
 The reputation of the city and province was anything but good 
 in the packing of this article, and this reputation it appeared to have 
 enjoyed many years previous. This fact is strongly shown in the 
 " Independent Reflector," May 10, 1753, where the writer says, " I 
 cannot learn that the packing of butter for exportation was ever 
 regulated by any act of this province, tho' it constitutes a branch of 
 our trade so considerable, that ten thousand firkins have in one year 
 been brought to market in this city. Nor is there any reason for 
 supposing it would, under proper regulations, be inferior to the but- 
 ter of Ireland. Yet by the frequent frauds committed, and the little 
 care generally taken in its packing, it hath so greatly sufi"ered in its 
 character, at almost every market whither we transmit it, that while 
 there is any Irish butter to be purchased, it will not sell, save at a 
 price too low for a reasonable profit. In proof of those reiterated 
 frauds and complaints, I believe I might appeal to every merchant 
 trading to the West Indies. I have myself seen twenty odd pounds 
 of salt taken out of one firkin ; and not only hogs' lard and tallow, 
 but even stones and brick have been sold for merchantable butter." 
 
 This Assize Law also created a great commotion among the 
 butchers, who were very indignant ; and some even defied the au- 
 thorities. Complaints were made on the 23d December (same year) 
 of two of the most prominent of them, which appears in the follow- 
 ing language: " Whereas it hath this day been represented to this 
 Board, that John Carpenter, butcher, hath openly and contemptuous- 
 ly declared that he would sell his beef for 4H. per lb. in spite of all 
 the ivise heads that made the law could do, or words to that effect." 
 " He is ordered to appear before this Board, at the house of Walter 
 Brock, Inn-keeper, near the City Hall, to-morrow morning, to show 
 cause why he should not be disfiranchised." 
 
FLY MARKET. I49 
 
 Jacob Arden, another butcher, was also " complained of for speak- 
 ing in contemptuous manner and publicly violating the law for as- 
 sizing all kinds of provisions. The Board request the Mayor to 
 remove him out of the markets until he shall have obtained the 
 Freedom of the City." 
 
 The next day, John Carpenter, of Kings County, (L. I.,) butcher, 
 who claims the Freedom of the City, attended, and William Bayard, 
 Esq., proved on oath the charge against him. The Board " ordered 
 his license taken from him, turned out of market, and also disfran- 
 chised." 
 
 This " Freedom of the City " is noticed by a " freeholder of the 
 Second Ward," who says, " The Charter permits the Corporation to 
 exact the sum of five pounds (besides eight shillings to the Mayor, 
 seven and sixpence to the Clerk, and one shilling to the Cryer, pre- 
 scribed by law,) of every merchant or trader, as the price of his ad- 
 mission to the privileges of & freeman; and twenty shillings for a 
 mechanic or laborer, with the above perquisites."* 
 
 A committee of citizens of the First Ward, in the month of Au- 
 gust, 1797, petitioned the Common Council to grant a, freemansMp 
 to a certain person whom they wished to elect as a Constable for that 
 Ward. They state, they "have long been unfortunate in the choice 
 of their constables, and wish to avoid this, if possible, in future. 
 In their endeavors to suppress vice and disorder, they readily dis- 
 cover the necessity of having peace oflBcers, in whom confidence can 
 be placed, and who are willing to discharge their duty. They have 
 found a difficulty in discovering a person of this description willing 
 to accept of the office, but are informed, with an opinion that Mr. 
 (Philip) Fulkerson will answer their wishes and expectations. To 
 render him eligible to the contemplated office, it is necessary that 
 he should be a 'Freeman of the City.' " They "beg leave to rec- 
 ommend him to your notice, as a person worthy of receiving his 
 freedom." 
 
 We now leave this subject, and turn to Carpenter and Arden, 
 who were among the most prominent butchers of their day ; and 
 although they were found guilty and punished, yet they proved, to 
 the satisfaction of the Board, that meats, &c., could not be honestly 
 and profitably sold at the prices assized by this law. The Board 
 having had the subject of changing the ansize previously under 
 consideration, at the same meeting, after awarding the punishment 
 to these butchers, changed the prices, as will be shown by the 
 Order: "That for the future, all kinds of meat be sold by weight, 
 and that the price of beef be at the rate oi four-pence, half-penny, 
 • Minerva, Deo. 21, 1796. 
 
150 FLY MARKET. 
 
 by the pound weight ; pork, five-pence, half-penny ; veal, (hind 
 quarter,) sixpence; fore quarter, four-pence, half-penny; mutton, 
 four-pence, half-penny ; fresh butter, one shilling and three-pence ; 
 milk, five coppers by the quart," &c. 
 
 We find the price of "milk" is noticed in this Assize Law, but it 
 does not appear that it was then allowed to be sold in the markets, 
 if we may judge from the tenor of a communication addressed to 
 Mr. Weyman. " Sir — I am surprised, and all my offspring aston- 
 ished, what can or may be the reasons that I am not admitted or 
 ordered into the public markets ? Tho' that I am the support and 
 only nourishment of almost every creature, the poorer sort of man- 
 kind are deprived of me, as they cannot bribe my bearers. The 
 richer sort do enjoy me, by the means of bribes, but not in my pu- 
 rity ; for I am obliged to run iarefoot every evening and morning, 
 through so much water, that I am near being wasted to nothing. 
 All which might be prevented by your ordering me to be carried 
 into the market-houses, where every person, rich and poor, might 
 enjoy me in my purity, and should be obliged to runn the risque of 
 being entirely drowned. I beg some people will take this into ma- 
 ture consideration, and they'l oblige many a person and their hum- 
 ble servant, ' New Milk.' "* 
 
 It does not appear that milk was sold in the markets until after 
 the "Revolution:" then "Bear Market" took the lead; but tho 
 citizens were usually served by the country milkmen and women, 
 who, after rowing down or up to the city, carried it from house to 
 house with a yoke, in two kettles, which is peculiarly described in a 
 " Traveler's Letters " as follows : " There are the venders of milk : 
 instead of awkwardly traveling along with a heavy bucket of milk 
 in one hand only, they are thus accoutred : A piece of wood, (which 
 I call a yoke,) about two feet long, is made to fit around the back 
 of the neck, and rest upon the shoulders. To each end is affixed a 
 chain, with a hook at the end. This chain is of such length as to 
 enable them, by stooping a little, to hook the handles of two large 
 milk-vessels, made of tin, resembling a grocer's tea-canisters. One 
 of these is carried on each side, to the houses of their customers. 
 A loud cry of ' Milk come ! ' awakened me from a late sleep, this 
 morning ; and when I arose and went to the window, saw a Dutch- 
 man thus yoked."t This fasldon of carrying a yoke continued, 
 with a few milkmen, up to as late as 1835. 
 
 We find the price of lamb is not noticed in this "Assize Law:" 
 no doubt the cause was, that it was then but little used, on account 
 of its scarcity ; or rather it would seem so to appear, from the fact 
 
 • October 8, 1763. f Literary Magaziae, Philadelphia, vol. vii., p. 120 
 
FLY MARKET. 151 
 
 that a great number of the principal inhabitants subscribed to the 
 following agreement, made on the 3d of February, 1766 : " We, the 
 inhabitants of the City of New York, do hereby engage and promise 
 that we will not buy, or suffer to be bought for our use, any lamb 
 before the first day of August next ; and that we will not buy any 
 meat from any butcher that shall expose any lamb to sale before 
 the day aforesaid, and will give all manner of discountenance to 
 such butchers for the future. Given under our hands at New York, 
 this 3d February, 1766." An editorial says: 
 
 " The resolutions against eating lamb before the first day of Au- 
 gust, or employing butchers that kill it, having been so generally 
 received in this town, must give great satisfaction to all well-wish- 
 ers to this country, as it will both save our money and employ our 
 poor, many of whom have been in a starving condition for want of 
 materials to keep them at work. To show the great consequences 
 of these resolves, let us only consider that in this town there are at 
 least 2,000 families that eat lamb, suppose two quarters each week, 
 from the first of April to the first of August, being seventeen 
 weeks, 17,000 lambs saved; the increased value of their wool and 
 skins in that time, at the medium of 2s. each, is £1,700, which, if 
 manufactured, will be six times the value of the materials, and pro- 
 duces £10,200. Another consideration in the eye of the public is, 
 that a quarter of lamb, at an average, before the above period, 
 weighs 3 lbs. per quarter, and afterwards about 8 lbs., though sold 
 nearly for the same money. But the greatest advantage to the 
 public still remains ; for it cannot be doubted that, if all the lambs 
 were preserved as above, (which would cost the farmer scarce any- 
 thing,) a very considerable number would be kept over winter, to 
 Increase our stock in this most profitable and useful animal." 
 
 In the month of February, the year after, (1767,) it was again 
 recommended, " as the season now approaches for killing lambs, it 
 is hoped that all humane persons will abstain from buying a few 
 months, to increase the breed of sheep, and provide wool for the 
 employment and cloathing for the industrious poor." 
 
 Then appears the next year, that "It is expected that all the 
 members of the society will strictly adhere to their engagements 
 against eating lamb before the first of May." 
 
 The disposition made of the unfit or unwholesome meat, when of- 
 fered for sale in the markets at that period, was its immediate seizure, 
 and then burnt, which now would be considered a disagreeable and 
 unprofitable mode of disposing of it ; however, but few cases are on 
 record, and no doubt the reason was the prompt action of efiScient 
 officers against ofi'enders, who not only lost their meat, but had to 
 
152 FLY MARKET. 
 
 pay a heavy fine — part of which was used to buy the wood to con- 
 sume it by fire. I find but two cases in a period of about thirteen 
 years : one is noticed {March 17, 1755,) as follows : " Saturday a 
 carrion veal and a lamb were seized in the Fly Market, and burnt 
 at the ferry stairs, by order of Alderman Philip Livingston, of this 
 city, it being diseased and unfit for use." The other, November 14, 
 1768 : " Some few days ago, nine pigs were seized in the Fly Market 
 as perfect carrion, which on the Mayor's view were sentenced to be 
 burnt publicly on the Common, (Park,) and the owner of them fined 
 forty shillings ; the sentence was immediately put in execution, and 
 part of the fine taken to purchase wood to burn them with." 
 
 The death of an old man, described in the N. Y. Gazette, Nov. 
 28, 1763, brings forth an " old land-mark" near this market: " We 
 hear from Jamaica, L. I., that last week died there one John Cock- 
 fer, who was born so long ago, that for many years he had forgot 
 his age. He often said he was a soldier in the Fort ( William) in 
 Governor Leysner's time, (who was here during a civil war,) and 
 had been a man grown several years before he enlisted, and that, 
 when a young man, he had often shot squirrels, quails, &c., on or 
 near Pot-Baker's Hill* in this city, which was then a wilderness." 
 
 " Pot-Baker Hill" at that time was not the Pot-Baker Hill before 
 Chambers Street, known as Crolius' ; but its location is described 
 in the following advertisement from the same paper and year, dated 
 February 4 : " Jarvis Roebuck, cork-cutter, from London, living at 
 the foot of Pot-Baker's Hill, between the Fly Market and the New 
 Dutch Church." 
 
 In the year 1770, alongside of this market-house, a " skirmish" 
 took place between two of the "Liberty Boys" and some six or seven 
 of the King's soldiers. One of the "Sons of Liberty," Captain Isaac 
 Scars, appears to have picked up a ram's-horn, the only weapon be- 
 longing to a male sheep, and used it with such eifect as to have taken 
 two prisoners, and put the rest to flight. 
 
 Some extracts from the N. Y. Journal, March 1st, give some in- 
 teresting particulars of some of these troubles. In the month of 
 January several attempts had been made by the soldiers to cut down 
 or blow up with powder the Liberty Pole, which had been erected 
 by the friends to liberty on the Common, {Park.) 
 
 " The soldiers, determined to execute their project, availed them- 
 selves of the dead hour of the night, and at one o'clock they cut 
 down the Pole, sawed and split it in pieces, and carried them to Mr. 
 Montayne's door, where they threw them down and said — let us go 
 to our barracks." 
 
 * Liberty, between William and Nassau Streets. 
 
FLY MARKET. I53 
 
 "This act so exasperated the citizens, that they concluded, with the 
 assent of the authorities, to pull down an old house which was some- 
 times used as a barrack by the soldiers, and also a fortification or 
 shelter, to cover their retreat when engaged in pulling down thispofe. 
 The soldiers drew their cutlasses and bayonets, and dared the inhab- 
 itants to come and pull it down. The magistrates and officers, how- 
 ever, interposed, but the soldiers were bent on further insult to the 
 citizens ; so they published a handbill, reflecting on their place of 
 meeting, {which they called) the Gallows Green, a vulgar phrase for 
 a common place of execution, for murderers, robbers, traitors and 
 rioters; to the latter they compare the Liberty Boys, who have 
 nothing to boast of but the flippancy of tongue," &c. The Journal 
 further says, that " Mr. Isaac Sears and Mr. Walter Quackenbos, 
 seeing six or seven soldiers going towards the Fly Market, con- 
 cluded they were going to it to put up some of the above (handbills) 
 papers ; upon the former coming to the market^ they made up to the 
 soldiers, and found them, as they had conjectured, pasting up one of 
 the papers. Mr. Sears seized the soldier that was fixing the paper 
 by the collar, and asked him what business he had to put up libels 
 against the inhabitants? and that he would carry him before the 
 Mayor. Mr. Quackenbos took hold of one that had the papers on 
 his arms. A soldier standing to the right of Mr. Sears drew his 
 bayonet ; upon which the latter took a ram's-horn, and threw it at 
 the former, which struck him on the head ; and then the soldiers, 
 except the two that were seized, made off, and alarmed others in the 
 barracks. They immediately carried the two to the Mayor, and as- 
 signed him the reason of their bringing them before him. The 
 Mayor sent for Alderman Desbrosses, to consult on what would be 
 proper to be done in the matter. In the mean time, a considerable 
 number of people collected opposite to the Mayor's. Shortly after 
 about twenty soldiers, with cutlasses and bayonets, from the lower 
 barracks, made their appearance, coming to the Mayor's thro' the 
 main street. When they came opposite to Mr. Peter Remsen's, he 
 endeavored to dissuade them from going any further, (supposing 
 they were going to the Mayor's,) represented to them that they would 
 get into a scrape ; but his advice was not taken, owing, as he sup- 
 poses, to one or two of their leaders, who seemed to be intoxicated. 
 The people collected at the Mayor's determined to let them pass by 
 peaceably and unmolested, and opened for them to go thro'. Cap- 
 tain Richardson and some of the citizens, judging they intended to 
 take the two soldiers from the Mayor's by force, went to his door to 
 prevent it. When the soldiers came opposite to his house, they 
 halted ; many of them drew their swords and bayonets ; some say 
 
154 FLY MARKET. 
 
 they all drew ; but all that were present agree that many did, and 
 faced about to the door, and demanded the soldiers in custody ; some 
 of them attempted to get into the house to rescue them ; Captain 
 Richardson and others at the door prevented them, and desired 
 them to put up their arms, and go to their barracks ; that the soldiers 
 were before the Mayor, who would do them justice ; the soldiers 
 within likewise desired them to go away to their barracks, and leave 
 them to the determination of the Mayor. Upon the soldiers' drawing 
 their arms, many of the inhabitants conceiving themselves in danger, 
 ran to some sleighs that was near, and pulled out some of the rungs. 
 The Mayor and Alderman Desbrosses came out, and ordered the 
 soldiers to their barracks. After some time, they moved up the Fly. 
 The people were apprehensive that as the soldiers had drawn their 
 swords at the Mayor's house, and thereby contemned the civil au- 
 thorities and declared war against the inhabitants, it was not safe 
 to let them go thro' the streets alone, lest they might offer violence to 
 some of the citizens. To prevent which, they followed them and the 
 two magistrates aforesaid to the corner of Golden Hill, (John Street 
 and Pearl,) and in their going, several of the citizens reasoned with 
 them on the folly of their drawing their swords, and endeavored to 
 persuade them to sheath them, assuring them no mischief was in- 
 tended them, but without success. They turned up Golden Hill, 
 and about the time they had gained the summit, a considerable num- 
 ber of soldiers joined them, which inspired them to re-insult the 
 magistrates, and exasperate the inhabitants ; which was soon mani- 
 fested by their facing about, and one in silk stockings and neat buck- 
 skin breeches, (who is suspected to have been an oflScer in disguise,) 
 giving the word of command, ' Soldiers, draw your bayonets and cut 
 your way through them,' the former was immediately obeyed, and 
 they called out. Where are your Sons of Liberty now? and fell on the 
 citizens with great violence, cutting and slashing." " One of them 
 made a stroke with a cutlass at Mr. Francis Field, one of the people 
 called Quakers, standing in an inoffensive posture in Mr. Field's 
 door, at the corner, and cut him on the right cheek; and if the corner 
 had not broke the stroke, it would have probably killed him. This 
 party that came down to the main street cut a tea-water man draw- 
 ing his cart, and a fisherman's finger ; in short, they attacked every 
 person that they could reach, and their companions on Golden Hill 
 were more inhuman ; for, besides cutting a sailor's head and finger, 
 they stabbed another with a bayonet ; two of them followed a boy 
 going for sugar into Mr. Elsworth's house ; one of them cut him on the 
 head with a cutlass, and the other made a lunge with a bayonet at 
 a woman. During the action on the hill, a small party of soldiers 
 
FLY MARKET. 
 
 155 
 
 came along the Fly by the market, and halted near Mr. Norwood's," 
 where they drew their bayonets and attempted to strike Mr. Jon. 
 White. After which many of the magistrates and officers collected 
 together and dispersed the soldiers. 
 
 The accommodations for the country people at this market had 
 now become insufficient, and the benches allotted for their use were 
 usually taken up by hucksters ; so, in order to accommodate them, 
 the Board, in the month of February, 1771, ordered " Four tables 
 and a platform to be erected, to lay quarters of meat upon, and that 
 no butcher or huckster shall use any part of the above under for- 
 feiture of the provisions exposed." Before the close of the year a 
 further enlargement was asked for by a " considerable number of 
 freeholders living and residing near the Fly Market," " at their own 
 expense." They wish to build " an additional market-house in the 
 middle of the street, to begin opposite the house formerly posses'd 
 by Thomas Eandel, and to extend toward the river as far as the 
 Smith's Shop now posses'd by John Roome." On the 28th October 
 this privilege was granted to them. 
 
 At this period some idea of the prices of meats may be formed 
 from a letter by Joseph Outen Bogert,* a butcher of this market, 
 who writes to the " Council," on the 2d September, 1771, and says, 
 " I have served the Aims-House for some years past, and not doubt- 
 ing in the least but that your worthy gentlemen was fully satisfied 
 therewith, I have served the house with beef, tallow, mutton, lamb, 
 and veal, at 3d., at 3jd., at 3^d., and at 4d., according to the season 
 of the year, and the different prices of cattle, at such seasons which 
 upon a leavel I compute it about 3|d. per pound, and we have had 
 a fine season for grass and hay. I'll undertake to serve the said 
 house at 3jd. per year ensuing." 
 
 In the month of August, the next year, the Justices and Vestry- 
 men invited ''contracts" again to serve the "Poor-House" tor the 
 same articles, and notify " that no allowance or abatement whatever 
 will be made therein, at the end of the year, should provisions un- 
 expectedly rise from the badness of the season, scarcity of cattle, or 
 otherwise. Signed, &c., Augustus Courtlandt, C'k." 
 
 The exact number of the inhabitants at that time (1772) we find in 
 the N. Hampshire Gazette, August 6th, dated New York, July 22, 
 which says, "An exact account has lately been taken at New York 
 of the inhabitants of that city and county, as follows, viz. : 
 
 Whites, 3,720 males under 16 years of age, ) 
 
 " 5,083 males above 16 and under 60, V 9,083 
 
 " 280 males of 60 and upwards, ) 
 
 • The death of Joseph Outenbogart, butcher, is noticed in February, 1783. His BOn 
 Abraham, and also John Woods, were appointed hie executora 
 
156 FLY MARKET. 
 
 "Whites, 3,779 females under 16, ) q „ .„ 
 
 5,864 females above 16, ) 
 
 Blacks, 568 males under 16, ^ 
 
 890 males above 16 and under 60, >■ 1,500 
 
 " 42 males above 60, ) 
 
 '' 559 females under 16, ) 
 
 " 1,085 females above 16, j 
 
 Whole number, - - - . 
 
 Crime at this period, such as robbery or burglary, was punished 
 with death, on both woman and man. The N. Y. Gazette, Novem- 
 ber 4, 1773, noticing an instance, says, "On Saturday last ended the 
 proceedings of the Supream Court of Judicature for this City and 
 County, when Elizabeth JDonohmtgh, for picking the pocket of Mr. 
 Abraham Van Gelder,* in the Fly Market, and Neptune, a negro 
 man, for burglary, were sentenced to be hanged on Friday, the 10th 
 of December next." 
 
 After the new market-house was finished, it began to attract into 
 it many persons not intended to occupy it, to the exclusion of cer- 
 tain country people, some of whom were fishermen, who now began 
 to visit this market. This caused a law to be published, August 
 10th, 1774, as follows : " Whereas the Mayor, Aldermen, and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New York have lately caused to be erected 
 a market-house at Countesse's Slip, in the East Ward of this City, 
 on the southeasterly side of Dock (Water) Street, for the better ac- 
 commodating of the country people who come to this city with pro- 
 vision for sale, and those who bring fish to market only, notwith- 
 standing which sundry butchers have of late occupied the benches in 
 the said market, contrary to the intention of the said Mayor, Alder- 
 men, and Commonalty, and to the exclusion of the country people; 
 to prevent which for the future, 
 
 "Be it ordained by the Mayor, &c., of the City of New York, in 
 Common Council convened, and it is hereby ordained by the au- 
 thority of the same, That if any person who now does, or hereafter 
 shall, follow or practice the business or occupation of a butcher in 
 this city, shall, after the fifteenth day of August (1774) instant, ei- 
 ther by him or herself, or his or her apprentice or servant, or by 
 any other person on his or her behalf, presume to sell, or ofl"er or 
 expose to sale, any butchers' meat whatsoever in the aforesaid mar- 
 ket at Countesse's Slip, or shall lay any butchers' meat on any of 
 the benches within the same, every person so offensing shall forfeit 
 for every such offence the sum of twenty shillings. And whereas, 
 
 * This Mr. Van Gelder, on the 3d of April, 1775, " leased at auction all the public 
 markets for one year, at £275." 
 
FLY MARKET. I57 
 
 some butchers have made a practice of slaughtering and dressing 
 sheep, lamb, and calves in the publick markets in this city, which 
 occasions filth, and is offensive to the people in the neighborhood : 
 
 "5e it therefore further ordained by the authority aforesaid. That 
 if any butcher or other person shall, after the said fifteenth day of 
 August instant, slaughter or dress any sheep, lamb, or calf, in any 
 of the markets of the said city, he or they so ofifensing shall forfeit 
 for every offence the sum oiten shilling: which fines and forfeitures 
 shall be recovered before the Mayor or Eecorder, or any one of the 
 Aldermen of the said city, with costs, by any person or persons who 
 shall prosecute for the same." 
 
 The continued exciting circumstances which followed caused the 
 " spirit of freedom and patriotism to show themselves, and soon 
 they marched boldly forward into the ' "War of the Revolution.' " 
 The inducements held out by the British officers led many of the 
 slaves to desert their masters : among whom were several belong- 
 ing to the butchers of this market, one of whom was our " con- 
 temptuous John Carpenter;" and they advertised them as "Run 
 a Way's,"* in the month of March, 1776. Carpenter says, "Ran 
 away last Tuesday, the 5th inst., from the subscriber, living at 
 Brooklyn Ferry, a negro man named Tom, about 23 years of age, 5 
 feet, 8 inches high; had on, when he went away, a blue jacket, 
 buckskin breeches, blue-and-white spotted stockings, a tow shirt, 
 and old beaver hat, cut small, a half-worn pair of shoes, with odd 
 buckles. He is a likely, well-set fellow; understands butchering 
 very well ; was late the property of John Beck, of this the City of New 
 York,butcher; speaks Dutch and English tolerably well." " 20 shil- 
 lings reward if he is taken in the city, and 40 shillings if taken 
 out," "and all reasonable charges paid, by John Caepentee." 
 Goodheart Seigler, butcher, also notices his " negro boy Prince as 
 having run away, he being a butcher by trade." Another, by the 
 name of Daniel Enslee, (Ensley, Insley, Inslow, &c.,) advertises his, 
 and agrees to give " twenty shillings reward for the taking of 
 Tom, a negro man, if this side of Kingsbridge ; if on the other side, 
 forty shillings paid by me, Daniel Enslee, Butcher in Fly 
 Market." 
 
 An incident soon after occurred, which rather reflected on this Mr. 
 Enslee. Before the "Patriots" left the city, provisions had become 
 scarce, and it was quite difficult for several of the butchers (among 
 whom were John Carpenter, Mathew Cleaves, John Pessenger, and 
 others,) to supply the Continental troops, hospitals, &c., with fresh 
 beef. Neat cattle were very scarce, and what few were obtained, 
 
 • •• Constitutional Gazette.'' 
 
158 t'LY MARKET. 
 
 it was hazardous to bring ttem to tlie city by the drovers, although 
 they were usually engaged before their arrival. 
 
 This incident, however, is better explained in the following peti- 
 tion, which was presented to the " Provisional Congress," then the 
 acting magistrates : " The humble petition of John Carpenter, Sen'r, 
 and Mathew Gleves, victuallers, (supply butchers,) and Willbur 
 Wood, drover, sheweth : That the said Willbur Wood has been em- 
 ployed by the said John Carpenter and Mathew Gleves, as a dro- 
 ver, to purchase cattle for them. On the 16th of June instant, set 
 out with them from his place of abode in Dutchess County, in this 
 province; that yesterday evening, about four o'clock, after said 
 Willbur Wood had delivered the cattle at Richard Yerian's, (Vari- 
 an's,) the Bull's Head, in the Bowery Lane, for said Carpenter and 
 Grieves, he went over to acquaint them of having brought such 
 cattle, and where he had left them ; that on his return to New 
 York, near the Fly Market he met with one Mr. Daniel Inslow, 
 and two other persons, who invited said Willbur Wood to go with 
 them and drink some beer, which he did, as having been before ac- 
 quainted with said Inslow, when, in discourse, said Wood was 
 asked if he did not bring down cattle for said Carpenter and 
 Gleves, which he answered in the affirmative. They then replied, 
 that Carpenter should have none of them, for if he had, said Wood 
 would meet with trouble, and directed him to come to said Bergen's, 
 this day, at two o'clock in the afternoon, and he should be paid for 
 them by the said Inslow. That said Carpenter and Gleves have 
 frequently supplied the Continental troops with provisions, and 
 said Carpenter at this time supplied two of the hospitals; and if 
 these cattle are wanted for the troops, they are willing they should 
 part with the cattle for that purpose ; but if that is not so, your 
 petitioners most humbly pray that this Honorable Board will be 
 pleased to take the premises into consideration, and make such or- 
 der as shall appear necessary for the said cattle to be restored to 
 your petitioners, John Carpenter, Sen., and Mathew Gleves, who 
 wait on this Honorable Board with this their humble petition, to 
 give such further account and satisfaction in the premises as this 
 Honorable Board may require. John Carpenter, 
 
 " Willbur Wood, Mathew Gleaves. 
 
 "New York. Friday Morning, June 21. 177(1." 
 
 Daniel Inslow was called before the " Congress," and also the 
 petitioners, who were respectively heard ; after which, the " Con- 
 gress" "Thereupon Resolved and Ordered, That Daniel Inslow do 
 immediately redeliver to Willbur Wood the cattle which he took 
 from him, and that he see them safely driven to the yard from 
 
FLY MARKET. 159 
 
 which they were driven." " He was also reprimanded from the 
 'Chair' for his improvident conduct, and discharged."* 
 
 John Pessenger also supplied one portion of the Continental 
 troops at that period, while occupying stand No. 1 in this market. 
 He being a somewhat remarkable, as well as a patriotic character, 
 perhaps a few incidents connected with his varied life may be found 
 interesting. 
 
 About the year 1740 his parents resided in a German settlement 
 called Stone-Arabia, some fifty miles from Albany, in the State of 
 New York. At that early period many of the Indians were very 
 troublesome, especially those living among the French in Canada, 
 who occasionally made war excursions among the settlers in the 
 northern part of the State, when they murdered the people, burnt 
 their dwellings, and destroyed their crops. In one of these excur- 
 sions, the residence of the parents of Pessenger was attacked and 
 burnt, when they fled for their lives towards Albany, but on their 
 way were obliged to stop among some friendly Indians, and then, 
 in a wigwam, John Pessenger was born, in the year 1742. 
 
 Some protection was afterwards afforded them by the Govern- 
 ment, when they and many others returned ; only, however, for a 
 few years, as the continued difficulties with the French and their 
 Indian allies led to a declaration of war. Then again commenced 
 the destruction of human life, of property, and the carrying off cap- 
 tives by the savages, both French and Indians. The thriving vil- 
 lage of Saratoga and some thirty families were sacrificed by them ; 
 and at this time the brother of Pessenger, named Sbpfeenes, was 
 carried into captivity, and kept among the Indians ten years, before 
 he was able to return to his parents, who had long given him up as 
 one of the murdered victims. 
 
 Pessenger afterwards came to the City of New York, and served 
 an apprenticeship with Andreas Regler, when he commenced busi- 
 ness in this market, where we find him before the Revolution. Pre- 
 vious to that, he had married a young widow, with an only daughter, 
 named Dorothy, who, after the Revolution, became the wife of Henry 
 Astor ; and she proved a valuable assistant to him, being not only a 
 fine-looking woman, but very active, hard-working, and withal quite 
 frugal. Mrs. Astor was childless, which no doubt left her but few 
 household duties to perform ; and as it was then quite fashionable, 
 as well as it was considered a respectable duty of the " working 
 ladies" of that day to assist their husbands in the prosecution of 
 their business, she, at an early period of her married life, occasion- 
 ally took part with her husband in the slaughter-house, in assisting 
 * Proceedings of the Provisional Congresa. 
 
jgQ FLY MARKET. 
 
 to prepare the small meats for the market. Their combined in- 
 dustry and frugality soon placed it in their power to enjoy a resi- 
 dence in the Bowery, and the owners of considerable property. 
 The great and continued attachment which Astor had for his help- 
 mate was ofttimes displayed in his bringing her home the gayest 
 dresses, or other fancy articles, which he thought would please her. 
 As there was nothing too good for his wife, in fact, he often (in his 
 crooked English) expressed himself to his associates, that his 
 " Dolly was de pink of de Powery." But I am straying from her 
 step-father, John Pessenger, who, among other children, had two 
 sons by this wife, named Andrew and John, and both became 
 butchers. 
 
 Andrew, in 1797, obtained a stand in this market, formerly occu- 
 pied by George Arnold, and in 1810 changed it to No. 5 ; but on 
 the breaking out of the war of 1812, he entered into the naval 
 service, on board of the U. S. sloop-of-war Wasp; and he was in the 
 engagement between that vessel and H. B. M. sloop-of-war Reindeer, 
 on the 28th of June, 1814. In the list of " severely wounded" in 
 that action was the name of Andrew Passinger, who soon after 
 died of these wounds. 
 
 The other son, John, Jr., in the year 1796 purchased, at public 
 auction, stand No. 62 in this market, where he continued business 
 until the year 1812, when he exchanged with Adam Kartell for No. 
 35 Bear Market ; and when the new Washington Market building was 
 iinished, he was transferred into that. Previous to the war of 1812, 
 he had served his military term out in an artillery company, under 
 Captain John Menus ; but the war demanded from him further du- 
 ties, and he became drafted in a militia company, when he per- 
 formed three months' duty, for which his widow received 160 acres 
 of land, he having deceased in the year 1818. 
 
 The patriotism of the father of John Pessenger, Sr., early led 
 him into the ranks of the " Liberty Boys," and no doubt, when the 
 Continental troops were assembled in the city, he was sought after 
 to supply a portion of them with provisions ; and being well known 
 to most of the farmers and graziers in Westchester County and 
 Long Island, he was enabled to keep them well supplied ; which 
 fact brought him to the notice of General Washington, who found 
 in him a trustworthy and confidential man. On the retreat of the 
 Continental Army to Harlaem Heights, Pessenger went with them ; 
 and he became installed with additional duties, in the purchasing of 
 cattle and other live stock, for which he was liberally supplied by 
 the Commissary with the Continental paper money, which at that 
 period was at par. 
 
FLY MARKET. 161 
 
 The morning on which the "Battle of Harlaem Plains" took place, 
 Pessenger being at -work, slaughtering in a barn near by, the bat- 
 tle had commenced, when Washington sent word to him to order 
 all hands out, to assist with the wounded, and to his personal care 
 he assigned Major Leitch, of Virginia, whom he said was a particu- 
 lar friend ; and on leaving him he impressively said, " Pessenger, I 
 commit him to your charge, and do not leave him until I see you 
 again, unless I am killed." Pessenger had the wounded Major con- 
 veyed to a farm-house, where he remained with him, doing all, and 
 more than all, that was ordered by the surgeon. The next day 
 Washington visited his sinking friend, and found, from the nature 
 of his wounds, that he could not live ; although, no doubt, from the 
 careful nursing and attention, he lived some fourteen days after- 
 wards, when he expired. Pessenger said that Washington was very 
 much affected, after every visit, and more especially when he died. 
 
 Pessenger continued with the army to White Plains, where he 
 occasionally had in possession sometimes 50 to 75 head of cattle at 
 one time, which were usually inclosed in a barn-yard. One night 
 the cattle broke out and strayed off towards the British lines, when 
 all hands were ordered out to hunt them up, and it wks near day- 
 light before they all reached home. Pessenger had also strayed 
 quite near the British lines; "hoping," as he afterwards said, "of 
 bringing in a tory or two," and while wending his way back, in 
 passing a piece of woods, he heard the sound of a voice or voices. 
 It being yet quite dark in the woods, he crept along behind the trees 
 and bushes, when he got near enough to hear, as he thought, some- 
 body in distress ; the indistinctness, however, led him nearer, when 
 he discovered it to be Washington, who had early gone out to visit 
 the lines and reconnoitre the enemy's position, as he expected an at- 
 tack that morning, and on returning he had stopped in this quiet 
 place, where, on bended knees, Pessenger found him praying for 
 his country and the success of his patriotic countrymen. Pes- 
 senger quietly withdrew and returned to his quarters, to iind all the 
 missing cattle closely yarded. Sure enough that morning the "Bat- 
 tle of White Plains" began, and again his services were demanded, 
 and again he assisted with the wounded. 
 
 The acquaintance in this county was no doubt the cause of Pessen- 
 ger's remaining here during the war. In the mean time Gen. Howe, 
 in New York, had been very anxious to procure several persons, 
 who were acquainted with the country round about the City of New 
 York, to procure him the necessary supplies, and having heard 
 through Manold, a tailor in New York, (who happened to be Pes- 
 senger's brother-in-law,) his relationship with Pessenger, when he 
 Vol. I.— U 
 
Ig2 FLY MARKET. 
 
 induced him to go and visit Pessenger, and with large rewards to 
 engage him if possible. Manold found Pessenger, and offered him 
 500 guineas as a bonus, and a large salary besides, to engage in the 
 service of Howe. Pessenger's patriotic blood was up in a moment, 
 and he quickly told his brother-in-law, that " General Howe could 
 not buy him with all his golden guineas, and he might take them 
 back and tell Howe to — " do something else with them. 
 
 Previous to the war he had purchased at private sale of Colonel 
 De Lancey the corner lot and an old farm-house which stood upon 
 it, then known as the corner of Bowery Lane and Pisher Street, 
 (the present corner of Bowery and Bayard Street,) where he had 
 taken up his residence, but which of course he had to vacate when 
 the British took possession of the city. 
 
 When peace was proclaimed, he returned and took possession of 
 his old habitation, as well as his stand No. 1, from which he had 
 been deprived of for seven long years, and again he commenced his 
 old business. 
 
 It was not long before he found the property of De Lancey was 
 confiscated, and his own along with it ; when he applied to Gen. Wash- 
 ington for his opinion and advice in relation to it ; the General in- 
 formed him that he thought the receipt given by De Lancey when 
 he purchased this property was sufficient to entitle him to hold it ; 
 but it appears not to have been satisfactory to the Commissioners of 
 Forfeiture, and it was sold at public auction, and again purchased 
 by Pessenger, who then thought, that as the country was so much 
 embarrassed in her financial affairs, that he would say no more about 
 it to Washington. Another loss, or rather an affliction, soon after 
 took place, in the death of his beloved wife. 
 
 Washington became President of the United States in 1789, and 
 shortly after removed his residence to Franklin Square, then known 
 as No. 1 Cherry Street, in this city, and where he sought Pessenger 
 to furnish his table with meats, which in the course of time led Pes- 
 senger to occasionally visit Mr. Tobias Lear, the secretary of Wash- 
 ington, at the latter's residence, where, after a time, he became ac- 
 quainted with one of Mrs. Washington's waiting-maids, Miss Maria 
 M. Henigar, the daughter of Christof Henigar, a fine rosy-cheeked 
 girl, and somewhat remarkable for beauty and healthfulness. The 
 visits became quite agreeable to both parties, and finally it was so 
 interesting, that when Mrs. Washington moved to Philadelphia, 
 Miss Henigar could not be induced to remove with her, as she had 
 made up her mind to join Pessenger in the holy bonds of matrimony ; 
 and she is yet (1861) living, being more than 94 years of age. 
 
 John Pessenger continued his business on his old stand in this 
 
FLY MARKET. 163 
 
 market until he died, which event took place on the Fourth of 
 July, 1811. 
 
 After the British troops had taken possession of the city, officers 
 for the various departments were soon after appointed by the chief 
 officer in command, from whom emanated various proclamations 
 and orders to establish the necessary rules and regulations govern- 
 ing the markets, police, prices to various articles, to prevent extor- 
 tion in seasons of scarcity, to order supplies; all of which were 
 usually promulgated through the press. Other sources will also 
 show how the city was supplied with provisions, their prices at 
 various dates, with other matters connected with the workings of 
 the government under Martial Law. 
 
 The first is an order from the Commissary-General,* addressed to 
 "John Hewlet, Esq., Long Island:" Commissary-General's orders 
 for cattle and sheep, dated Jamaica, October 2d, 1776: "You are to 
 use your utmost endeavors to procure and bring to me cattle and 
 sheep for the use of the army. When they are delivered to me, a 
 receipt will be given for them, to be paid for at a certain time and 
 place. If you find any butchers or other persons interfering with 
 you in this business, or buying from the country people, under pre- 
 tence of bringing it in to me, without a written order signed by me, 
 you will seize their cattle from them for His Majesty's use, put a 
 fair value on them, and drive them in to me ; and on delivery, such 
 butchers will be paid for them, or have a receipt. You will also 
 secure and seize for His Majesty's use all cattle and sheep belonging 
 to Rebels^ who have left their habitations, and bring them in to me. 
 And you will employ proper persons to assist you. For doing 
 whereof, this shall be your warrant. I expect your utmost care and 
 dispatch in this business ; and be sure to report to me what you do 
 in it. James Christie, Commissary for Cattle and Sheep." 
 
 Mr. George Cherry was appointed agent for supplying or victual- 
 ing His Majesty's fleet in North America, and he was found on board 
 of the ship " Grand Duke," at Brownjohn's Wharf, near this market.t 
 Andrew Elliott was appointed the next year, on the 4th of May, 
 " Superintendent-General of the Police, with powers to issue such 
 orders and regulations, from time to time, to suppress vice and sup- 
 port the poor — direction of the night watch — the regulations of mar- 
 kets and ferries, and all other matters, &c. ; he will be assisted by 
 David Matthews, Esq., Mayor, with the police."! 
 
 The prices of provisions, soon after the occupation of the city by 
 the British troops, became much enhanced. Eddis, in his letters 
 
 • N. Y. Packet, February 20, 1786. f Gazette, May 12, 1777. 
 
 X Ibid., May 11, 1778. 
 
164 FLY MARKET. 
 
 written in 1777, gives a few remarks in relation to the supplies, as 
 follows : " Notwitiistanding the war. New York is plentifully sup- 
 plied from Long Island with provisions of all kinds. It must, how- 
 ever, be confessed that almost every article bears an exorbitant 
 price when compared with that of former happy times." From an- 
 other source, in the same year : " Every article of provision is scarce 
 and dear — the beef which formerly sold for 8 coppers sells for 24. 
 No fresh butter to be had ; only Irish butter, very strong, at three 
 shillings per pound."* On the following 20th of April, the same pa- 
 per says: "Beef at 14d. sterling per pound by the quarter; mutton 
 and veal at 18d. ; butter at 4s. Id. a scant two-pound roll; milk 7d. 
 per quart; bread very dear, and all sorts of poultry, which is now 
 very scarce ; cabbages, small, from 7d. to 20d. apiece ; spinage at 
 lOd. and 12d. for a half a peck ; three, four, and five eggs for 7d., and 
 everything in proportion." Then, following on the 3d of Novem- 
 ber: "As fresh beef and pork now bear a very generous price in 
 this city, it would be advisable in the country people to bring down 
 as much as they can of that species of provisions, and not all at once, 
 but at different periods, and in return they can supply themselves 
 with the best beef and pork in the world, (ready salted to their 
 hands,) for one-third less than they sell their /res/i meat for. "^ The 
 same paper on the 22d of December following says : " On Wednesday 
 next, being Christmas Eve, forty poor widows, housekeepers, having 
 families in this city, will receive 40 lbs. of fresh beef, and a half-a- 
 peck loaf each, on a certificate of their necessity, signed by two 
 neighbors of repute, which is to be determined at the Rev. Dr. 
 Inglis's house in the Broadway, between 10 and 12 o'clock that day, 
 who will give a ticket for the above donation." This was the gift 
 of an advertising member of the law, named John Coggil Knapp. 
 
 The same paper also notices the seizure from a set of monopo- 
 lizing hucksters, who " for some time past, undiscovered, made a 
 practice to purchase up great quantities of potatoes, turnips, &c., 
 brought to this market for the use of the inhabitants of this city, 
 stow them in cellars near the dock, and afterwards introduce them 
 into the market, and dispose them at a very exorbitant price. This 
 being made known to our Mayor, he ordered a large quantity of 
 different vegetables that had been stored in order to be sold as men- 
 tioned above, to be seized last Friday, and the same were sent to 
 the public Aims-House for the use of the poor." 
 
 TheN. Y. Journal, August 10, 1778, speaks of "a gentleman who 
 left Flushing, on Long Island, last Lord's Day, represents that there 
 are about 12,000 of the enemy's troops stationed at New York, Long 
 
 * American Remembrancer, Feb. 3d. -f N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury. 
 
FLY MARKET. 165 
 
 Island, Staten Island, and King's Bridge, and about 5,000 at Rhode 
 Island. That bread is very scarce with them ; pease and oat-meal 
 being served out instead thereof; the Commissary's rations are en- 
 tirely stopped, and the soldiers' wives, who were entitled to half a 
 ration, are reduced to a quarter. That the Long Island people are 
 selling off their small cattle, poultry, &c., as they are daily robbed 
 of them by the soldiery." 
 
 From the (N. Y.) " Gazette," November 14, 1778, which had pre- 
 viously become both royal and loyal, we learn the condition of the 
 workingmen, and its editor's somewhat generous treatment towards 
 his workmen, as will appear from their appeal, headed "The journey- 
 men printers to the master printers : Gentlemen — As the necessaries 
 of life are raised to such an enormous price, it cannot be expected 
 that we should continue to work at the wages now given, and there- 
 fore request an addition of three dollars per week to our present 
 small pittance. It may be objected that this requisition is founded 
 upon the result of a combination to distress the master printers, at 
 this time, on account of the scarcity of hands ; but this is far from 
 being the case, it being really the high price of every article of life, 
 added to the approaching dreary season. There is not one among 
 us, we trust, that would take an ungenerous advantage of the times. 
 We only wish hardly to exist, which it is impossible to do with our 
 present stipend. There is scarcely a common laborer but gets a 
 dollar per day and provisions, and the lowest mechanicks from 12 
 to 18s. per day." "The editor of this paper says, " I do consent to 
 the above requisition. James Rivington." 
 
 In the year 1777, the farmers on Long Island were found possess- 
 ed of great quantities of wheat, rye, and Indian corn, as it was un- 
 reasonable that those who stood in need should be left at their 
 mercy, so the price of wheat was fixed at 12s. per bushel of 58 lbs. ; 
 rye and corn at 7s. ; wheat flour, 35s. per cwt. ; rye, 20s., and Indian 
 corn at 17s. They were ordered to thrash out one-third of their 
 crop immediately, one-third by February next, and the balance by 
 the 1st of May, 1778. The price put on upland hay was 8s. ; salt 
 hay, 4s. ; straw, 3s. per cwt., and 2s. 6d. per ton for carting or water 
 carriage. 
 
 The prices of wood were also regulated in the same manner. In 
 1778, " it was ordered, that from and after Saturday, the 5th day of 
 December next, no more than /re pounds currency shall be demand- 
 ed or paid for a cord of walnut wood, and four pounds for any other 
 sort of wood. The above rates being deemed from the best in- 
 formation amply sufficient, the owners of vessels and the boatmen 
 that have usually supplied this city with wood, are hereby warned 
 
166 FLY MARKET. 
 
 not to attempt to distress the inhabitants by desisting from bring- 
 ing the same, as their vessels and boats shall, upon proof thereof, be 
 seized and assigned to others that will undertake to supply the city, 
 and all protections and passes shall be withdrawn from such delin- 
 quents. Those persons that have cut wood for the use of this city 
 in consequence of the permits granted, are to send it to New York 
 as soon as possible ; upon proof of unnecessary delay, the luood shall 
 be forfeited for the benefit of the poor,and their permits withdrawn."* 
 Then follows "A proclamation of His Excellency Sir Henry Clin- 
 ton, dated New York, December 20, 1778 : the farmers of Long Island 
 and Staten Island were ordered to thrash and bring to marlcet, by 
 stated periods, such proportions of wheat, rye, and Indian corn in 
 their possession as they did not stand in need of for the support of 
 their families and the sowing their lands. They were required also 
 to give an account to the Colonels of Militia of their respective dis- 
 tricts what quantity of grain they possessed, and what it might be 
 necessary to reserve for the above uses. The Commander-in-Chief 
 has been pleased to order that proclamation to remain in force, and 
 be strictly observed, the rates excepted, which, as an encouragement 
 for an ample supply of the markets, are to be as follows : 
 
 " Wheat, - 26 shillings currency per bushel. 
 
 Wheat flour, - 80 " " per cwt. 
 
 Rye, - - - 10 " " per bushel. 
 
 Rye meal, - - 30 " " per cwt. 
 
 Indian corn, - 10 " " per bushel. 
 
 Indian meal, - - 28 " " per cwt. 
 
 Buckwheat, - 7 " " per bushel. 
 
 Buckwheat meal, - 26 " " per cwt. 
 
 " It is therefore ordered, that from and after the first day of Feb- 
 ruary next, no greater price for any of the above articles shall be 
 demanded, offered, or received, on the penalty of the person so of- 
 fending forfeiting (on being convicted on oath before the police of 
 New York, or the Colonels of the Militia of the district on Long 
 Island or Staten Island, where the ofi'ence is committed,) the grain, 
 flour, corn, or meal so offered to be sold or purchased, or the 
 value thereof, and to suffer imprisonment till the said forfeiture 
 is paid ; the one-half of the forfeiture to be paid to the informer, 
 and the other half for the use of the poor of this city, or the town- 
 ship where the offence is committed. 
 
 " The police of New York and the Colonels of Militia on Long 
 Island and Staten Island are hereby required to take an account of 
 what quantities of wheat, rye, Indian corn, grain, flour, or meal are 
 * Royal Gazettp, January 22, 1779. 
 
FLY MARKET. 167 
 
 in their respective districts, and in whose possession, and report the 
 same as soon as possible to the Commandant of New York. 
 
 "D. Jones, Major- General." 
 
 " In the month of March, 1779," says Johnson, " flour and bread- 
 stuff were nearly exhausted in the British store-houses at New 
 York. There was no good flour; and the Hessians, who were in 
 Brooklyn, drew damaged oatmeal instead of bread. This meal, 
 baked into cakes, was unfit for use ; and the writer has seen them 
 cast to the swine, which would not eat them. The soldiers were 
 mutinous. All the grain possessed by the farmers was estimated, 
 and placed under requisition. The timely arrival of a few victu- 
 aling ships relieved the scarcity, and saved the British from a sur- 
 render to the Americans to escape starvation."* The price of 
 flour, on the 15th of December, 1780, is shown from a petition of 
 the bakers of the city, who state, " That the price of flour — being 
 advanced beyond the assize of bread — that they cannot afford to 
 carry on their business." The Board of the Chamber no doubt as- 
 sisted the bakers, as they " are of opinion that good flour cannot 
 now be purchased under three foumls per hundred weight."! How- 
 ever, the timely arrival of vessels from the mother-country greatly 
 assisted the citizens with supplies, and at this period is found no- 
 ticed in the press the arrival of beef from the " Leaden Hall Mar- 
 ket." " Uriah Hendricks has for sale ' the best London beef, fresh 
 put up in Leaden Hall Market,' preserved by a new method, with 
 saltpetre, spice, &c., and is in excellent order for family use, being 
 in casks, of 112 lbs. each ; its cost at London was more than double 
 price of Irish beef." J The Royal Gazette following, October 13, 
 notices " ^London Beef.' — A few barrels of the prime London beef, 
 put up at the Leaden Hall Market, for private family use, and im- 
 ported in the ship Bowman, yet remains on hand, and may be had 
 by applying immediately to Captain Taylor, on board of said ves- 
 sel, now lying at Marston's Wharf." 
 
 Vegetables and fruit also appeared very scarce, at times ; there 
 was but little raised, and that little almost clandestinely grew in 
 some place beyond the reach of the numerous marauding troops, or 
 immediately under the protection of the commanding officers. The 
 consequence was, but a small supply ever came to the markets, for 
 as soon as it was landed, it was immediately taken up at almost any 
 price by the wealthy, or the most favored tavern-keepers. 
 
 " An officer lately returned from New York reports that vegeta- 
 bles and fruit are so excessively scarce there, that an ordinary din- 
 
 * Naval Magazine, vol. i., p. 568. f Proceedings of the Chamber of Commerce. 
 X N. Y. Gazette, &c , June 21, 1779. 
 
168 FLY MARKET. 
 
 ner at any of the taverns in the city, the garden stuff and dessert 
 generally exceed the charge of every article of the entertainment 
 besides, wine and firing {fire-wood) only excepted."* 
 
 A few months before, the inventor and patentee of the preserved 
 meats was brought to light, in the following notice: "Portable 
 soup — veal, mutton, and beef — fresh imported from Mr. Piper, the 
 patentee, successor to Debois, the first inventor of these excellent 
 cakes for invalids and persons traveling by land and water, proving 
 the most excellent succedaneum in the world. Enquire of the 
 printer." t 
 
 The same paper notices the loss of ten fat cattle, which, by de- 
 scription, would be considered now-a-days a hard lot: "Stolen or 
 strayed, the 6th inst., from the farm of John Houls, living at Gow- 
 anus, four miles from Brooklyn Ferry, ten fat cattle: two oxen, one 
 large black cow, one black two year old bull, two one year old stears, 
 one three year old steer, three two year old heifers. Twenty dol- 
 lars reward will be given to any person that secures them, so that 
 the owner may have them again ; either acquaint John Houls or 
 "William Mooney, butchers in the Fly Market."^ 
 
 The winter of 1779 and '80 was a most remarkable cold winter, 
 for the long continuance of cold weather not only closed both the 
 North and East Rivers, but also closed the Bay of New York with 
 solid ice. Near every article of provisions and wood was brought 
 across in sleighs, and " a troop of horse and artillery crossed to 
 Staten Island on this immense bridge, which connected all our 
 islands one with the other, and with the main-land. "§ " Fuel and 
 provisions were scarcely to be purchased by the citizens, even those 
 who had means of paying exorbitant prices. In many instances 
 household furniture was broken up to supply the fire necessary to 
 support life." 
 
 Perhaps the following will more fully demonstrate the above 
 facts, which we find in the " Penn* Packet," as follows : " Poughkeep- 
 sie, January 10. The, very remarkable and long-continu«d severity 
 of the weather {the like not having been known, as we are informed, 
 hy the oldest man living) has stopped all the avenues of intelligence, 
 and almost cut off all social intercourse between people of the same 
 neighborhood. 
 
 " The incessant intenseness of the cold, the great depth and quan- 
 tity of the snow, followed in quick succession one on the back of 
 another, attended with violent tempests of wind, which for several 
 days made the roads utterly impassable, has put a stop to business 
 
 ♦ Upcott's Collections, vol. vi., p. 143. t N. Y. Gazette, August 19, 1780. 
 
 X Ibid., November 20, 1779. § Dunlap's Hist. N. Y., p. 166. 
 
FLY MARKET. 169 
 
 of all kinds except such as each family could do -within itself. And 
 as many were slender provided with necessaries for subsistence, we 
 have reason to apprehend that we shall shortly hear many melan- 
 choly accounts of private distress in the country ; and that from the 
 sea-coasts and vessels at sea, the accounts will be dreadful."* " The 
 sound between Long Island and Connecticut is almost froze over 
 in the widest part, and some persons have passed over from Long 
 Island to Norwalk and other parts of Connecticut on the ice. Wood 
 is brought from Long Island to New York on sleighs. It is also 
 passable from Paulus Hook to New York."t A party of mounted 
 refugees who had been making surprisals, among which, an ac- 
 count , says : " The further trophies of this successful excursion are 
 three handsome sleighs, with ten good horses, all of which were 
 yesterday (Feb. 1) driven to New York over tlie ice from Staten 
 Island, an enterprise never yet attempted since the first settlement of 
 this country yX '' Yesterday, (Feb. 6,) 86 loaded sleighs went from 
 this city to Staten .Island on the ice."% 
 
 "A few nights since a number of prisoners escaped from one of 
 the prison ships in New York on the ice, one of whom froze to death 
 before he reached the shore."! (No doubt he was almost dead from 
 starvation and disease before he started.) At a later date another 
 escape from this prison ship is thus noticed : " Last Sunday, (20<A 
 August, 1780,) came to town (Phila.) Captain Richard Grinnell, 
 who made his escape from the Scorpion prison ship in New York, 
 on Tuesday, the 15th inst. He informs us that on the day he left 
 New York, there was the hottest press ever known there ; they 
 pressed about 700 men that day, and the press still continued ; that 
 they not only took seamen, but all the refugees, laborers, and mer- 
 chants' clerks they came across. Captain Grinnell further says, 
 that there was on board the two prison ships. Scorpion and Strom- 
 billo, about 300 prisoners."! 
 
 In the year 1782, the cold weather must have been more severe 
 than that two years before, but not so long continued. The news from 
 New York, dated January 31, states: "We have had a more intense 
 frost since Monday last, than any inhabitant of this city remembers 
 to have happened for twenty years past. It has rendered the ar- 
 rival of vessels, and, conseque itly, the means of obtaining intelli- 
 gence, impracticable."** Then appears on the 4th of February, "In 
 the late severe weather on Tuesday and Wednesday last, some peo- 
 ple were found frozen to death in their crafts in the East and Hud- 
 
 • 1780, January 27. f Ibid., Feb. 8. % n)id-. Feb. 12. 
 
 § Gaine'e Mercury, &o., Feb. 7. {{ New Hampshire Gazette, February 5. 
 H Penaa. Packet, August 22. " Penna. Packet, Feb. 12, 1782. 
 
170 FLT MARKET. 
 
 son's Rivers ; and, indeed, the bay was so full of ice all the last week 
 that our navigation to Staten Island has been greatly impeded." 
 
 The manner in which the authorities at this period disposed of the 
 stands in the several markets is thus noticed : " By permission of 
 the Commandant, the stalls and standings of the several markets in 
 this city will be exposed to sale at public auction on Monday, the 
 13th of March next, at 12 o'clock, at the house of Mr. John Roome, 
 inn-keeper, the corner of Water Street and the Fly Market. Condi- 
 tions will be made known at the time of sale. In Vestry, 21st Feb- 
 ruary, 1780.* 
 
 The formation and peculiar duties of this Vestry are more fully 
 shown in Butler's letter, who says, "At this time, December, 1777, the 
 poor were greatly distressed, and General Robertson, then Command- 
 ant of New York, was pleased to appoint nineteen gentlemen from 
 the diiferent wards of the city, to solicit contributions for their relief 
 These gentlemen, with the magistrates of police, were then formed 
 into a Vestry, and the Alms-IIouse and poor of the city were com- 
 mitted to their care ; and latterly, the pumps, lamps, &c. — proper 
 funds for the execution of the trust reposed in them were necessary — 
 therefore the rents of such houses and stores as were not wanted for 
 the service of government, and the five {six, viz., Coenties Slip, Old 
 Slip, Fly, Peck Slip, Bear, and Oswego) markets were appropriated 
 to the funds for the Vestry. "f 
 
 The street which ran alongside of this (Fly) market was not 
 known at this period as Maiden Lane, but as " Fly Market," and 
 occasionally as " Fly Market Street," from the corner of Queen 
 (Pearl) Street, where the numbers began ; in fact, we find but few 
 streets properly numbered, until after the British troops had taken 
 possession of the city. The "Gazette" furnishes us with several 
 evidences of the above facts. In 1778: "Joseph Collins, Taylor, 
 takes this method to acquaint the gentlemen of the navy and army 
 that he has lately removed to No. 22 'Fly Market.'" Then there 
 appears in 1779 : "Wanted, empty soap and candle boxes. Any per- 
 son who has them to dispose of may hear of a purchaser by applying 
 to Gregg and Laffan, Tallow Chandlers in the Fly Market." 
 1780: "To be sold, the lease of a house in the 'Fly Market,' late 
 the property of Mr. Timothy Slandert, deceased." 1781 : " William 
 Torrence & Co. have removed to No. 2 Fly Market, next door to 
 William Campbell's, where they are opening for sale broadcloths 
 and Rattinetts, &c." In 1799, the numbers were continued through ; 
 that is, Maiden Lane from Broadway, where the numbers began, to 
 No. 112 corner of Pearl Street, was then known by this name, and 
 
 * Boyal Gazette. f The TomlinsoQ Papers, Mercantile Library AssoolatioQ. 
 
FLY MARKET. 171 
 
 from 112 to the East River was called the " Fly Marlcet," although 
 the numbers continued on to the end of the market. 
 
 Fly Market Street continued in existence until the 26th of April, 
 1824, when Assistant Alderman Samuel St. John called up his 
 "resolution" for giving the name of Maiden Lane to the whole street 
 running from the North to the Bast River, " now known as Cort- 
 landt Street, Maiden Lane, and Fly Market Street," which was 
 adopted; but Cortlandt Street still survives. 
 
 We turn to the 26th of April, 1780, and find the following : "Notice 
 is hereby given that no persons whatsoever are to be admitted into 
 the British lines without having previously obtained passports for 
 the purpose, from the Commandant of New York, except those who 
 come to and go from the markets. They will report themselves to 
 the police, whose permissions for taking out horses, &c., will be suf- 
 ficient. Oliver Delancey, Adjt. General."* 
 
 Some three years after, on the 1st of January, (1783,) "Notice is 
 hereby given to any person or persons inclined to enter into a con- 
 tract for supplying /res A beef to His Majesty's ships at this port, to 
 send in their proposals to me, in writing, sealed, on or before the 
 18th of January next, on board the 'Centurion' Victualler, at Hal- 
 let's Wharf, or at No. 217 Water Street. 
 
 " John Delafons, Agent Victualler." 
 
 Followed soon after this: "By order of the Commandant, per- 
 mission is hereby granted to all persons coming from any part of the 
 country with live stock for the use of the markets, to kill and dis- 
 pose of the same, provided the stock is slaughtered at such places 
 as are set apart for that purpose. Hucksters, or any other persons 
 who may be detected in forestalling any provisions or vegetables 
 brought to this city for the supply of the markets, may depend on 
 being treated with the utmost rigour. John St. Claie, Sec'y. 
 
 "New York, 7th June, 1783." 
 
 The last " proclamation," made before the " evacuation," in rela- 
 tion to markets, is noticed in the N. Y. Weekly Mercury, July 7th, 
 same year, as follows: "Whereas, the butchers who have stalls and 
 standings in the public markets, make common practice of throwing 
 the feet and other offals of their meat, either under their stalls, or 
 in the streets adjoining the same, whereby the inhabitants living 
 near the said markets are greatly incommoded and distressed by the 
 nuisance occasioned by such practices. The said butchers are there- 
 fore hereby strictly forbidden from committing such practices in fu- 
 ture, and are hereby directed to keep their several stalls and stand- 
 ings clean and clear of all such filths ; and in case any of the said 
 
 * Eoyal Gazette. 
 
172 FLY MARKET. 
 
 butchers shall be convicted before the police of transgressing this 
 order, their license shall be forfeited, and the offenders be delivered 
 from having any stall or standing in the said markets. By order 
 of the Commandant. John St. Claib, Secretary." 
 
 We turn back, and find from an examination of David Hunt, of 
 Westchester, (New York,) noticed in the New Hampshire Gazette, 
 December 24, 1776, in which he states, "That provisions in general 
 were scarce and dear, flour in particular, and all kinds of vegeta- 
 bles." " That they {Bangers) had collected {in Westchester County, 
 New York,) 1,200 sheep, 900 hogs, and several hundred cattle, and 
 drove them on Willet's Neck, and since gone off to New York." 
 
 These '' Rangers" were organized in New York, principally from 
 the refugees, as a foraging party, under the command of the city's 
 former Governor, (Tryon,) who made himself quite extensively 
 known as a " Cattle Thief," and was one of the most efficient in sup- 
 plying the city with fresh provisions. The following will give the 
 reader some idea of his accomplishment in that line. The "same 
 paper," 1778, September 8, gives the news from " New Haven, August 
 26," which states that " Governor Tryon, with his foraging party, 
 it is said, are returning, having collected on Long Island upwards 
 of 9,000 cattle, sheep, &c." The same, March 9th, (1779,) next year, 
 says, " The troops which lately went to the east end of Long Island, 
 we are informed, were foraging parties ; they have since returned 
 towards New York, taking with them a considerable booty in cattle 
 of various kinds." March \&th: " 3,000 men landed at Elizabeth 
 Town, under General Clinton. A large body of them, under Gen- 
 eral Jones, immediately marched a few miles in the country, and had 
 collected about 40 head of cattle, when a detachment of Conti- 
 nental troops attacked them, retook the cattle, and drove the enemy 
 to their boats." The same paper notices a "large body of the enemy, 
 commanded by Governor Tryon, advanced by the way of King's 
 Bridge as far as Horseneck. About two hundred head of cattle and 
 a number of sheep fell into their hands." May 18th: " Last Saturday 
 a party of the enemy landed at Point Judith, and stole from there 
 about 900 sheep, and between 60 and 70 cattle." Jmie 8th: " Last 
 week about 1,500 of the enemy made an excursion to Scrallenberg, 
 a small village in the neighborhood of Hackinsack, where they burnt 
 some houses, abused the inhabitants, and plundered their effects; 
 but by the timely exertions of the army, who collected speedily, 
 they were obliged to embark with precipitation, carrying but few 
 cattle and little of their plunder with them. We learn that this 
 party consisted chiefly of the Associated Refugees, as they term them- 
 selves, but more properly Associated Thieves and Murderers. They 
 
PLY MARKET; 173 
 
 stabbed an old gentleman of about 90 years of age, named Talman, 
 in order to oblige him to confess where his money was. He died 
 shortly after of his wounds. They also killed Mr. Zabriskie, by 
 frequently stabbing him with their bayonets, and a negro girl, as she 
 was driving off some cattle." July \Mli: "A party of Tories from 
 New York landed at Monmouth, and marched with upwards of 50 
 men to Trenton Palls, undiscovered, where they surprised several 
 persons, and drove off a few sheep and horned cattle." Also, 
 "Thirty-two Refugees, commanded by Captain Bonnel, landed at 
 Greenwich, in Connecticut; they plundered the houses of nothing 
 but arms and ammunition, the principal object being horned cattle, 
 of which they brought off thirty-eight, also four horses. The Ref- 
 ugees proceeded about six miles into the country, collecting cattle ; 
 and on their return, were attacked by a body of Bebels, supposed to 
 consist of about 150, with two field-pieces, but got safe on board, 
 and arrived at Oyster Bay about noon with the cattle and prisoners." 
 The American soldiers were not behind, and would occasionally 
 return the compliment, even going so far within the opponents' lines 
 as to reseize this kind of stolen property. Says the Penn^ Packet, 
 July 31, 1781, " Last Saturday Colonel Sheldon's Dragoons went to 
 Frog's Neck and Morrisania, and brought off upwards of 200 horned 
 cattle, a considerable number of horses, hogs, sheep, &c., said to be 
 Colonel De Lancy's property, which he had plundered from the in- 
 habitants, in order to fatten and sell to the New York butchers ; a 
 profitable trade he has practiced a long time." 
 
 Again, we return to the " Royal Gazette," dated January 2, 1779, 
 where we find the loyal editor indulging his readers with a species 
 of burlesque on General Washington's proclamation in relation to 
 cattle. The editor states, " Mr. Washington last winter issued a 
 proclamation, requiring the inhabitants of certain districts to fatten 
 their cattle, in order to subsist his army the ensuing campaign. 
 The British light infantry, having at least an equal interest in that 
 measure, one of them, in the name of the whole, composed the fol- 
 lowing exhortation to accompany and strengthen the Rebel Gen- 
 eral's requisition : 
 
 " Great WashiDgton, thou mighty son of Mars, 
 
 Thou thund'ring hero of the Rebel wars ! 
 
 Accept our thanks for all thy favors past ; 
 
 Our special thanks await thee for the last. 
 Thy proclamation, timely to command 
 
 The Cattle to be fatten'd round the land, 
 
 Bespeaks thy generosity, and shows 
 
 A charity that reaches to thy foes! 
 
 And was this Order issued for our sakea, 
 
 To treat us with Roast See/ and savory steaks? 
 
174 FLY MARKET. 
 
 Or was it for thy Rebel train intended? 
 
 Give 'em the Hides — and let their shoes be mended ; 
 
 Tho' shoes are what they seldom wear of late ; 
 
 'T would load their nimble feet with too much weight 1 
 
 And for the Beef — there needs no puffs about it ; 
 
 In short, they must content themselves without it ; 
 
 Not that we mean to have them starv'd — why marry! 
 
 The live stock in abundance, which they carry 
 
 Upon their backs, prevents all fear of that. 
 
 Then, honest Whigs, make all your cattle fat ; 
 
 We, to reward you for your care and pains, 
 
 Will visit soon your crowded stalls and plains ; 
 
 And for your pamper'd Cattle write, at large, 
 
 With bloody bayonets, a full discharge. 
 
 You know that we light bobs are tough and hardy, 
 
 And at a push you'll never finds us tardy ; 
 
 We have a stomach both for Beef and battle ; 
 
 So, honest Whigs, once more, feed well your Cattle ; 
 
 Obey your Chief ^s command ; and then, 'tis plain, 
 
 We cannot want for Beef the next campaign ! 
 
 And if we want for fighting, be it known. 
 
 The fault, good neighbors, shall be all your own ! McL n.'' 
 
 It also says, on the following 5th of June, " On Monday last a 
 party of about forty Refugees embai-ked on board two sloops and 
 proceeded to Sandy Hook. On Tuesday evening they landed at 
 Shoal Harbor, and went to the houses of some notoriously violent 
 BcJwJs, whom they took and brought off with their cattle, &c., with- 
 out the loss of a man." " The party returned safe here on Wednes- 
 day, bringing with them 27 milch cows, 7 horses, 2 waggons loaded 
 with goods, &c." 
 
 The manner of disposing of their cattle and other plunder was 
 by auction, which usually took place at the " Bull's Head in the 
 Bowery," then the grand depot for stolen goods. The same paper 
 which notices the above, also notices the sale of their plunder, as 
 follows : " To be sold this day, at public auction, at the Bull's Head 
 Tavern, in the Bowery Lane, between XI and XII o'clock, several 
 good milch cows, one very fine ox, several horses, waggons, &c." 
 Then, on the I7th inst., were " to be sold, at the Bull's Head Tavern, 
 twenty-one elegant horses, which have been in the Rebel Dragoon 
 service; also, near thirty head of horned cattle, saddles and bridles, 
 some sheep, three waggons, &c." One more sale we shall notice, 
 July 10th following, at the same place : " For ready cash only, a 
 number of horses and cows, &c. By Feegan and Deane." 
 
 " N. B. As a bell is not allowed, the Hibernia Flag will be hoist- 
 ed and a cryer at the door." 
 
 The " same paper," on the following 29th of November, notices 
 the "police regulations" of bread. "That on and after Thursday, 
 
FLY MARKET. 1Y5 
 
 the 23d instant, all bread made of sweet flour of the first quality 
 must be baked into Iotuj loaves of two pounds weight each, and 
 stamped with the initials of the baker's name, and sold for sixteen 
 coppers each loaf; and all bread made of merchantable flour of an 
 inferior quality must be baked into round loaves, weighing two 
 pounds and one-half each, stamped and sold same as the preceding." 
 
 The prices of every article continued high, and the " dry summer 
 of 1782 they were very high. Beef then ranged from Is. 6d. to 3s. 
 6d. per lb. ; turkeys, half a guinea apiece ; potatoes sometimes sold at 
 18s. and a half a guinea per bushel ; butter, 8 and 10s. per lb., and the 
 price of oysters was at the enormous rate of 16s. the 100." The poor 
 suffered much, especially the " Kefugee poor," but were occasionally 
 assisted from the proceeds of a theatre, gotten up by the British 
 officers, many of whom were amateur performers ; and also from a lot- 
 tery, called in the royal paper of May 4th, 1782, the " New York 
 Poor Lottery, which positively commences drawing on Wednesday 
 next, the 8th instant, at Kirk's Tavern, near the new Bridewell, under 
 the inspection of Captain Linus King, Frederick Rhinelander and 
 Robert Dale, who are appointed by authority for that purpose." 
 
 But where were some of these "Old New Yorkers," when the 
 poor starving Rebels (as they were called) lay locked up in the many 
 loathsome prisons and prison-ships, where so many thousands were 
 suffering the martyrdom of freedom for seven long years? I ask, 
 where were the many who afterwards grasped at the only chance to 
 stay among those brave and successful patriots, that they might, with 
 their ill-gotten wealth, take advantage of the poverty of those suf- 
 fering patriots, and accumulate not only riches, but give to their 
 generations a title, or at least the appearance of nobility, and that 
 royal blood which will never leave their veins until they shall wipe 
 that eternal stain from their records? Read in the N. H. Gazette, 
 April 26, 1777, where " The enemy at New York continues to treat 
 the American prisoners with great barbarity. Their allowance to 
 each man for 3 days is 1 lb. of beef, 3 worm-eaten, musty biscuits, 
 and a quart of salt water. The meat they are obliged to eat raw, 
 as they have not the smallest allowance of fuel. Owing to this more 
 than savage cruelty, the prisoners die fast, and in the small space 
 of three weeks (during the winter) no less than 1,700 brave men per- 
 ished." In the History of Litchfield we find, from Lt. Catlin's ac- 
 count, that they were " confined with no sustenance for 48 hours ; 
 for 11 days had only 2 days' allowance, pork offensive to the smell, 
 bread hard, mouldy and wormy, made of canail and dregs of flax-seed. 
 He, with 225 men, were put on board the Glasgow at New York about 
 Dec. 25, to be carried to Connecticut for exchange. They were on 
 board 11 days, crowded between decks, and 28 died through ill- 
 
176 FLY MARKET. 
 
 usage." Then we find from the " grievances that the prisoners are 
 under," " close confined in jail, without distinction of rank or char- 
 acter, amongst felons, without their friends being suffered to speak 
 to them, even through the grates. On the scanty allowance of 2 lbs. 
 hard biscuit, and 2 lbs. raw pork per man per week, without fuel to 
 dress it. Frequently supplied with water from a pump where all 
 kinds of filth is thrown that can render it obnoxious and unwhole- 
 some, when good water is as easily obtained. Denied the benefit 
 of a hospital, not allowed to send for medicine, nor even a doctor 
 permitted to visit them when in the greatest distress ; married men 
 and others, who lay at the point of death, refused to have their wives 
 or relations admitted to see them, and for attempting it often beat from 
 the prison."* From the Life of Silas Talbot, there were " Two young 
 men, brothers, belonging to a rifle corps, were made prisoners, and 
 sent on board the ' Jersey.' The elder took the fever, and in a few 
 days became delirious. One night (his end was fast approaching) 
 he became calm and sensible, and lamenting his hard fate, and the ab- 
 sence of his mother, begged for a little water. His brother with tears 
 entreated the guard to give him some, but in vain. The sick youth 
 was soon in his last struggles, when his brother offered the guard a 
 guinea for an inch of candle, only that he might see him die. Even 
 this was refused. ' Now,' said he, drying up his tears, ' if it please 
 God that I ever regain my liberty, I'll be a most bitter enemy!' 
 He regained his liberty, rejoined the army, and when the war ended, 
 he had 8 large and 127 small notches on his rifle-stock." 
 
 " But such a train of endless woes abound, 
 So many mischiefs in these Huliss are found, 
 That on them all a poem to prolong 
 Would swell too high the horrors of our song — 
 Hunger and thirst, to work our woe, combine, 
 And mouldy bread, and flesh of rotten swine ; 
 The mangled carcase, and the batter'd brain. 
 The Doctor's poison, and the Captain'sf cane. 
 The Soldier's muequet, and the Steward's debt, 
 The evening shackle, and the noon-day threat." 
 
 " See, Captain, see ! what rotten bones we pick — 
 " What kills the healthy cannot cure the sick ; 
 "Not dogs on such by Christian men are fed, 
 "And see, good master, see what lousy bread!" 
 
 " Your meat or bread (this man of death replied) 
 " 'Tis not my care to manage or provide — 
 " But this, base Uebel dogs, I'd have you know, 
 " That better than you merit we bestow." 
 
 " Here, generous Britain, generous, as you say, 
 " To my parch'd tongue one cooling drop convey ; 
 "Hell has no mischief like a thirsty throat, 
 " Nor one tormentor like your David Sproat."t 
 
 • Onderdonk, L. I., p. 226. f Cunningham. J Freneau's Poems, p. 169. 
 
FLY MARKET. 177 
 
 The term Bebel, which had been so many years applied to the 
 Friends of Liberty by the royal editors, Rivington and Gaine, had 
 at last become not only disagreeable, but uncalled for, and appears to 
 have been the cause of the following threat: "Provoked at the in- 
 solence of the insignificant Tory Printers in New York, who have 
 the impudence to use the term Rebel in their papers, in contradic- 
 tion to the declaration of their King, in his late speech to the con- 
 trary, a number of determined Whigs have agreed, that should that 
 term, or any other reproachful word, be further used after the first 
 of March next, in any of their papers, that printer, or printers, shall 
 have tJieir ears cropt if found in any of the thirteen United States 
 of America after the war. This public intimation is given them to 
 prevent their further abuse of words, and to save their ears, should 
 any of them presume to tarry in that country, and amongst those 
 people who have been the objects of their repeated scurrility and 
 abuse."* 
 
 The evacuation of the City of New York by the British troops 
 appears to have been ordered by the authorities in England to take 
 place some five months previous to the 25th of November, 1783, if 
 the following extract of a letter is true. This letter is dated New 
 York, July 21, 1783, and reads: "This instant the Mercury packet 
 is arrived, and Admiral Digby has sent me an assurance that the 
 definite treaty is in his possession, and shall be sent to me presently. 
 The day appointed in England for the evacuation of New York was 
 this very 21st of July."t This no doubt was true, as Sir Guy Carle- 
 ton in the following month " informed Congress that he has received 
 orders from England for the immediate evacuation of New York ; 
 but observes in his letter, that this movement will be considerably 
 retarded by the number of persons who must go with him in conse- 
 quence of the resolutions of the people throughout the United States, 
 forbidding the return of the Refugees."| In the month of April 
 previous, large numbers of Refugees began to leave ; the press says, 
 " The number of inhabitants going to Nova Scotia in the present 
 fleet consists of upwards of nine thousand souls."§ In the month 
 of June following, the Adjutant-General, Oliver De Lancey, informs 
 " All persons who have returned their names to the Adjutant-General 
 for passage from this place are desired to apply to the gentleman 
 appointed by His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, to examine 
 their several claims, who will attend for that purpose at the City 
 Hall, from 11 o'clock until two every day, Sundays excepted." On 
 the 16th of August following: " Notice is hereby given to all loyal- 
 
 • Penna. Packet, March 4, 1783. t Md'. Ju'y 24, 1783. 
 
 X Ibid., August 23, 1783. § N. Y. Gazette, &c., April 28, 1783. 
 
 Vol. I.— 12 
 
178 FLY MARKET. 
 
 ists within the Unes, desirous to emigrate from this place before the 
 final evacuation, that they must give in their names, at the Adjutant- 
 General's ofiSce, on or before the 21st instant, and be ready to em- 
 bark by the end of this month." September the 12th following, 
 the Commissioners " give notice to all loyalists who have been rec- 
 ommended for passages to Nova Scotia, that ships are prepared to 
 receive them on board, and it is expected they will embark on or 
 before the twentieth instant; that if they neglect to embrace the 
 opportunity now offered, they must not expect to be conveyed after- 
 wards at the public expense." The two latter were signed "Abijah 
 Williard." 
 
 " The most authentic accounts agree (says a correspondent) that 
 there are yet between 12 and 15,000 Refugees, men, women, and 
 children, to be embarked at New York, Long Island, and Staten 
 Island for Nova Scotia, St. Johns, and Abasco ; among these are 
 many passengers of fortune and landed estates, who leave nothing 
 but terra firma behind them."* In the following month of October, 
 Rivington says : " Such persons discharged from the several depart- 
 ments of the army, and have already agreed to form a joint settle- 
 ment at Port Mattoon in Nova Scotia, and are desirous of proceed- 
 ing thither immediately, are requested to give in, without loss of 
 time, a return of themselves and families to the heads of their re- 
 spective departments, in order that a proper vessel may be obtained 
 for the purpose of conveying them and their baggage. They will 
 hold themselves in readiness to embark in eight days from the date 
 hereof. Refugees and discharged soldiers, who have been admitted 
 to join this settlement, are required to give in their names, if de- 
 sirous of going at present, to Mr. Hugh, next door to the Bull's 
 Head in the Bowery. By order of the Managers." 
 
 The time was drawing near when the last of the Refugees and 
 other British subjects and soldiers were about departing our shores. 
 One Tory " ofiBcer-holder," however, in his eagerness to steal and 
 destroy public property, has left his name behind, to be again brought 
 to light in the following transaction : " Last Friday evening, (four 
 days he/ore the evacuation,) Mr. Ephraim Smith, heretofore Inspector 
 of Markets, assisted by a party of soldiers, determined that the 
 Damned Rebels, as that loortJiy character is pleased to term them, 
 should not enjoy so small a convenience when the insolence of his 
 office should be no more, cut down and carried to his house the Bell 
 OP THE Fly Market, with threats of prostrating the whole of the 
 erections there. But it is with great pleasure we inform the public 
 that the Commandant, having been made acquainted with the trans- 
 * Peuua. Packet, Stpttml/er 4, 17S3. 
 
FLY MARKET. 179 
 
 action by a gentleman who happened accidentally to be present, he 
 not only severely reprimanded Mr. Smith for his conduct, but Mr. 
 Smith, by his order, will have the mortification of replacing the beU 
 in its old situation. (Le malkurss, Ephraim."*) 
 
 All the market-houses which were left standing were found in a 
 ruinous condition, having had no additions or repairs during the 
 occupancy of the city by the British troops. "Above £100 were 
 spent on these market-houses alone."t 
 
 The prices of provisions, just previous to the evacuation, are thus 
 noticed in Rivington's paper, (October 22d:) "As sold yesterday in 
 the public markets in this city. Beef from 6d. to 15d. per lb. ; mut- 
 ton, from 7d.,to Is. Id. per lb.; lamb, lOd. ; veal from Is. to Is. 6d. 
 per lb. ; fowls from 4s. to 4s. 6d. per pair ; turkeys from 6s., weigh- 
 ing 8 lbs. ; potatoes, 3s. 6d. per bushel ; Indian meal, 16s. per cwt. ; 
 and butter, 2s. 6d. per lb." Four days after the evacuation of the 
 city, the prices showed another decreasing change, in the same royal 
 editor's paper ; but that paper had undergone a change in its name, 
 and appeared with the title of " Eivington's New York Gazette and 
 Universal Advertiser." Its royalty, as also its editors, had ceased 
 with the departure of the British troops, who also had taken with 
 them the loyalty of a great many persons, and left their royal bodies 
 behind to propagate and spread discord and disunion, if it had then 
 been possible. Many thousands, however, who were strictly con- 
 scientious and honestly loyal, left immediately after finding the royal 
 power here had to succumb. 
 
 A very few of the royal butchers remained after the evacuation ; 
 but those who belonged to the markets previous to the war, and re- 
 mained in the city through and after the war, by continuing under 
 various pleas, were often subjected to insult and mortification in be- 
 ing pointed out as a tory butcher, with other more unpleasant names. 
 
 For the first few months after the patriots had regained the city, 
 very little business was done, as there was but little to do with. 
 The city and the country round about were almost stripped of all 
 kinds of provisions to supply the departing troops and former citizens. 
 In fact, the whole market fees of the city, as appears from an ac- 
 count of Alderman Van Gelder, the collector, for nine days, ("from 
 December 9th to the 18th, 1783,") were but £14 4s. 5d. 
 
 The poor returning troops and citizens were almost naked and 
 moneyless, but the pleasure of once more beholding their homes and 
 firesides instilled into them a new life ; while there were among the 
 poor farmers some who were unable to rise again, being obliged to 
 mortgage their farms to obtain the necessary stock and farming im- 
 • Penna. Packet, November 25, 1783. t City Records. 
 
180 FLY MARKET. 
 
 plements to cultivate the recovered barren acres, with the hope that 
 a few years would enable them to live as before. The long war had 
 so exhausted the country, that it was many years in recovering suf- 
 ficiently to relieve its liberators, and, of course, many were impov- 
 erished. In the year 1786 we find noticed, "As an instance of the 
 deplorable situation of New Jersey for want of cash, a correspond- 
 ent assures us that he, last week, counted posted up over the mantle 
 in a tavern no less than sixteen real estates taken by execution, and 
 advertised by the Sheriff of Morris County for sale."* 
 
 How much do lue all owe these suffering liberators for our freedom 
 and independence! And if we cannot repay them in any other way, 
 we can and must watch, guard, and battle if necessary, and also in- 
 struct our children to do the same, that the Union may be preserved 
 as they have left it to us. 
 
 This subject has led me astray, although I feel that the sufferings 
 in obtaining our liberties should be engrafted in our every-day 
 thoughts, conversations, books, schools ; in fact, in our very dreams, 
 so that we shall be prepared to combat the enemy in any form he 
 may assume. Beware, however, of the demagogue or the smooth- 
 tongued politician, as this subject is their forte, which reaches quickest 
 the soul of the patriot, and warily leads him on, to be at last entrap- 
 ped ijito their fatal clutches, and robbed of their manhood. Other 
 pens than mine have, and will spread again, pages of this history, 
 which will have more influence than can be found on these, and I 
 can safely resume the history of this market again. 
 
 On the 22d of April, 1784, "The neighborhood and butchers at 
 the Fly Market were desirous of covering the slip at the lower end 
 of the said market, and extending the said market over the slip to 
 the bridge across the same, to make room for the country people," 
 which then again began to crowd this market. The Board gave 
 their cons-ent on the 12th of May following to extend to the bridge 
 near the ferry stairs, and " That the market thus extended be cov- 
 ered in the same manner as the one it joins on." 
 
 A countryman, about two years after, in this market, displayed a 
 remarkable feat or feast, which is noticed in the N. Y. Gazette, 
 29th May, 1786: "Yesterday, a countryman in the Fly Market, for 
 a trifling wager, ea,t fifty boiled eggs, shells and all! He performed 
 the task in about fifteen minutes, being elevated on a butcher's block 
 during the operation." 
 
 A feast at the best hotels (or rather taverns and inns) was not 
 so expensive at that period as the present, as the following charges 
 will show : " Breakfast, two shillings ; dinner, two shillings and nine- 
 pence ; supper, two shillings ; cut of beef, one shilling ; cut of ham, 
 * Independent Journal, March 4. 
 
FLY MARKET. Igl 
 
 one shilling and two-pence ; do. of beef-steaks, one shilling and six- 
 pence ; chicken, one shilling and nine-pence ; oysters from 6d. to 2s., 
 as called for. Single bed, one shilling ; horse, one night at hay, 
 two shillings ; double do., one shilling and sixpence; oats per quart, 
 three-pence ; bating at hay, sixpence. Madeira, 8s. ; Champagne, 
 10s. , claret, 8s. ; Sherry, 6s. ; port, 6s. ; porter, 3s. ; beer. Is. ; cyder, 
 8d. per bottle; sangaree, (per bowl,) 4s. ; punch, 2s. ; toddy. Is. 2d. ; 
 grog, Is. ; spirits, (per gill,) 6d. ; brandy, 8d. ; gin, 8d.," &c.* 
 
 " Ehoracus," a very great traveler, also gives us a bill of fare of 
 the several States the next year ; he says : " As I have travelled thro' 
 all the States, I will furnish the Bill of Fare: for New Hampshire, 
 beef and Indian dumplings. Massachusetts, cod and haydock, {had- 
 dock.) Rhode Island, tontog {black-fish) with plain butter, not with 
 soy or ketchup — they are quintessences and extracts. Connecticut, 
 pork and molasses. New York, oysters and lobsters. (New) Jersey, 
 a Burlington ham and Newark cyder. Philadelphia, soft sheeps- 
 head. Delaware does not deserve a dish; they must subsist as 
 Lazarus did — upon the crumbs. Maryland, a canvass-back duck, 
 roasted by a stop-watch. Virginia, fried chickens and hominy, with 
 New England rum. North Carolina, corn-fed pork and peach 
 brandy. South Carolina, a pye of rice-birds and a roast turkey- 
 buzzard. These vain people will have two dishes if their creditors 
 have none. Georgia, a poor-man's pudding with a glass of water, "t 
 
 There is no doubt some truth in the general character of the 
 living in the several States as noticed above ; but the reader will 
 conclude that the following description of the living in the States 
 is a more reasonable one: "Notwithstanding the general charge of 
 its being hard to live in America, there is not at this time a civilized 
 country on the face of the earth in which a poor man may live with 
 so much ease as in the United States. Every traveler knows with 
 what diligence farmers and mechanics, in foreign countries, are 
 obliged to labor through the year. In the winter the work begins 
 before day, and in summer it continues thro' the day. They have 
 little respite or time for spending money. If one of them is accost- 
 ed, he seldom stops to answer — his work must go on. This is not 
 the case with us, nor have we any example of what Europeans call 
 industry. The citizens of America may live with half of the labor 
 which would support them in France, England, or Germany. Is he 
 candid or honest who complains of such a country, or says that his 
 troubles are occasioned by the necessary difficulty of living, by the 
 difficulty of paying taxes, or of providing food and raiment, or by any 
 other course than his vices, his idleness and dissipation?''^ 
 
 • N. Y. Packet, March 12, 1786. f Daily Advertiser, May 16, 1787. 
 
 X N. Y. Packet, June 26, 1787. 
 
182 FLY MARKET. 
 
 There were, however, complaints about some of the currency at 
 this period, and more particularly the copper coin. 
 
 The ferrymen who own the boats which ply between this Market 
 Slip and Brooklyn apply to the Board for relief, and state they 
 " have for this some time past taken a quantity of coppers for fer- 
 riage, &c., at the rate of twenty to a shilling, which is now lying 
 on their hands, and must of course be a very great loss in their 
 present depreciation, and involve your petitioners into many embar- 
 rassments. We therefore beg your Hon. Body to consider our situ- 
 ation, and to receive them on the same conditions from the 1st to 
 the 20th of July, (1787,) and your petitioners will be in part re- 
 leased of the loss in the ' copper coin.' They also beg leave that 
 your Hon. Body will assist them with advice in respect to those 
 coppers which are now in circulation, as the public in general, 
 which uses the ferry, very seldom presents any other money to pay 
 their passage, and which we have received since your Hon. Body 
 was pleased to recommend their passing 2X forty-eight to a sldlling; 
 but as there still arises great inconvenience in taking them even at 
 that rate, and still likely to be attended with some additional loss, 
 unless received for rent by your Hon. Body, we pray your counsel 
 in the premises, &c." Henry Dawson, Gilbeet V. Mater, and 
 Jacob Wilkins, Jun'r. 
 
 The bakers also follow with another on the same subject, on the 
 8th of June, who state, " That the greatest part of the bread which 
 the petitioners have sold for some time past has been paid for in 
 ' coppers ' and Jersey money ; that they cannot purchase flour with 
 the moneys they have so received, and are daily obliged to receive ; 
 neither will the merchants receive these moneys in payment from 
 them for flour they have already purchased. That in this embar- 
 rassed situation, they cannot carry on their business without involv- 
 ing themselves in debt." 
 
 In the month of June of the next year, a petition, signed by 
 above forty inhabitants, praying "that the south part of the market 
 now called the Fish Market may be covered, and appropriated 
 solely to the use of the country farmers ; that the slip may be filled 
 up half of the width of Burnet Street, and a new fish market erect- 
 ed over the water in the middle of the slip." A committee re- 
 ported, on the 26th of the same month, in favor of the above, and 
 the " additional market-house across the slip, and that proper 
 blocks or wings be laid in the slip, to extend sixty-four feet beyond 
 the south side of Front Street, for the purpose of supporting a 
 market, which may be erected at the expense of the neighborhood." 
 
 It may not be uninteresting to know how the stands were ar- 
 
P'LY MARKET. 183 
 
 ranged in the first and second markets, after the third or fish mar- 
 ket was finished. This regulation was adopted by the Board on 
 the 31st December following. In the first or upper market-house, 
 beginning at Queen (Pearl) Street : " One stall at the head of the 
 market, and eighteen on the sides," (37 stands.) "That every 
 butcher's stall be no more than eight feet long, and three feet, six 
 inches broad, and that no part thereof extend any further into the 
 market ; that the back of each stall be placed to range with the 
 inner side of the market-posts, and eleven feet passage-way through 
 the centre." The whole length is represented as being 224 feet, 
 and about 20 feet wide. The same arrangement was made with the 
 six butcher stalls in the next or middle market-house. 
 
 The rapid growth around, and the increased business in this mar- 
 ket, appeared to outstrip all the others ; and notwithstanding the 
 " late enlargement, it is still insufficient for the accommodation of 
 the citizens." The neighboring inhabitants and owners of prop- 
 erty were always quite willing to subscribe certain amounts to fur- 
 ther increase its success ; but we find some — just such, or whom 
 knowledge has made worse, now-a-days — exceedingly willing to 
 subscribe, but exceedingly wrewilling to pay over. But I must go 
 back to this less corrupt age, and speak of a reported list of per- 
 sons on the 17th July, 1789, "who had subscribed (X54!) to the 
 late addition to the Fly Market, and either neglected or refused to 
 pay ; " when suits were ordered to be commenced against them. 
 
 The law for collecting the public market fees was altered on the 
 4th of March, 1790 ; weekly sums were to be collected from all the 
 butchers who occupied stands. In this market, the sum of £16 9s. 
 was the stated weekly sum, and the lowest sum for any stall " be 
 four shillings." This law was, however, repealed before it was a 
 month old, as we find, on the 26th of the same month, it changed 
 to the old system of paying : " For the four quarters of beef, 2s. ; 
 of mutton, lamb, and veal, 4d. ; and of fresh pork, 6d., in lieu of all 
 other market fees." 
 
 Towards the close of the year, quite a compliment was paid to 
 the Collectors, by the "Board," (on the 24th December,) who state, 
 " That from the diligence of James Culbertson and Rinier Skaats, 
 Collectors of the market fees, considerable more moneys have been 
 collected than usual. Therefore ordered, that Mr. Culbertson be 
 allowed £20, and Mr. Skaats £7, in addition to their usual allow- 
 ance to the first of January next ; and that from that day they be 
 allowed a commission of ten per cent, on the moneys by them re- 
 spectively collected." What a pity we had not a few Culbertsons 
 and Skaatses now-a-days to handle the public moneys, as well as to 
 
184 FLY MARKET. 
 
 fill many of the public offices ! And what a satisfaction to the 
 public, if the whole city were better governed, on one-half (or even 
 less) the expense ! Such kind -of men would build or rebuild our City 
 Halls, our (Tompkins) market-houses, clean our streets, and, in season, 
 attend to all other necessary matters which might lay suffering, and 
 wanted by the people. Their consciences, as well as their oaths, 
 would not allow them to leave their desks or duties, during business 
 hours, (which number should count as many as of those of the me- 
 chanics and other workmen,) to while away the people's time in 
 Tom's, or Dick's, or Harry's place, or traveling the road with a tu7-n- 
 out of electric speed, or to attend a political convention. We all 
 know that there are those of that class who live among us, but of 
 course they are not the flexible tools that this minority of well-or- 
 ganized political workmen want ; their metal is not tempered in the 
 modern political furnace to suit their purposes: in fact, they are 
 only suitable for the mass, who appear to have no choice, or, at 
 least, who do not use if. 
 
 One of these collectors, (James Culbertson,) in making his regular 
 returns in the month of April, 1792, also makes a return of fines 
 collected from nearly fifty delinquents, to the amount of £16 15 0. 
 Seventeen of these were for light butter; nine ior forestalling ; eight 
 for blowing meat; two for bloiving turkeys; the others for exposing 
 meat by an agent, and goods contrary to law. Their fines were gen- 
 erally ^ve shillings, and a few £1, which was immediately paid after 
 the decision was made, or the Bridewell key was turned upon them. 
 
 In the month of May, 1790, the " inhabitants around this market- 
 place praying aid to erect an arched walk across the kennel (sewer) 
 at the end of the market in Queen Street," and also, " that the stall 
 of Henry Astor, butcher, be removed to the lower market," which 
 was granted. This stall of Astor's stood across the head of the up- 
 per market, and no doubt tended to block up the entrance gangway, 
 which caused its removal. 
 
 An anecdote was told to me by an old drover, several years ago, 
 of this thrifty and hard-working man. "When he commenced busi- 
 ness here, he began in a small way ; his purchases were made at the 
 Bull's Head, (which at that time took up the grounds where now 
 stands the old Bowery Theatre ;) here he selected his small stock, of 
 which he bought but few at a time, placed them in his wheelbarrow, 
 and wheeled them home ; then, with the assistance of his wife, he 
 dressed and prepared them for market. Hours before daylight, the 
 next morning, his stock in trade was placed in the same carriage, 
 when he conveyed it to the Ply Market ; and he became one of the 
 most wealthy of our butche-s. 
 
FLY MARKET. 185 
 
 He came to this country during the Kevolution with the British 
 troops ; but, after a short period, he managed to escape their ser- 
 vice, and entered into that of the "Art and mystery of Butchering ;" 
 when he became known and continued with the name of Ashdoor. 
 In 1783, 11th of April, he advertises his horse as — "Stolen from the 
 subscriber, on the night of the 10th instant, from the door of Israel 
 Seaman's, Rosevelt Street, a dark-brown horse, about fifteen hands 
 high, a small star in his forehead, the hair worn off his breast by a 
 collar; trots and carries well; saddle and double curb bridle on 
 the horse when stolen." Three guineas reward for the horse, sad- 
 dle, and bridle. "For the thief, horse, saddle, and bridle, ten 
 guineas will be paid by Henry Ashdoor." 
 
 After peace was declared he sought citizenship, and was natural- 
 ized under the act passed May 4th, 1784 ; soon after which he began 
 to thrive, and when his brother John Jacob, the millionaire, arrived 
 here, the frugal butcher Henry assisted him with his first stock in 
 trade : a basket of trinkets, which he sold and traded with those who 
 brought furs and skins on board of sloops and other vessels which 
 lay around the docks ; and these were the rough foundation-stones 
 that were built upon, and now, no doubt, this structure of wealth 
 stands among the highest. 
 
 But their lives are only an edition of many of the " Old Families," 
 whose posterity are now enjoying the fruits of the labor of their 
 self-denying and hard-working forefathers andforemothers; who, if 
 they could rise up from their graves— Rip Van Winkle like — they 
 would gaze horror stricken on the idleness, extravagance, and dissi- 
 pation of their fast generations. And these fast generations should 
 be forced to look back into the ages past and see their ancient sires, 
 (or Governors, as they are now usually termed,) with their old 
 greasy leather breeches — the only pair ever ownedby the wearer — the 
 thick, coarse woolen stockings, with the heels run and well darned; 
 the cowhide boots, with two patches in front and one behind ; the 
 coarse flaxen shirt, which thread had been spun on a spinning-wheel 
 for a resting spell on a winter's evening ; and a hat, or part of one, 
 which twenty years before was said to have been sold for a " cocked 
 hat," and the second one ever owned by the wearer ; and then again, 
 their old-fashioned great-grand dames, with linsey woolsey short 
 gowns and petticoats, the wool of which had been prepared by their 
 own useful hands ; their hair without a comb, but plainly arranged 
 under a close-fitting cap ; and their feet incased in a pair of shoes, 
 so heavy and substantial, that their noise and healthfulness would 
 frighten a modern doctor out of his senses, as well as deprive him 
 of his annual income. In the cZe-generations that have followed 
 
186 PLY MARKET. 
 
 those " good old times" which I have endeavored to illustrate, many 
 no doubt will exclaim against this picture of their ancestors as be- 
 ing a shocking satire upon themselves, with their thin shoes and 
 thinner constitutions ; and if they did not faint away outright, they 
 would say that history was a tell-tale, and ought not to be counte- 
 nanced in this enlightened and fast age. 
 
 We follow on with a petition dated 20th of July following, from 
 several farmers and gardeners, whose names will be recognized 
 among many of the worthy families of the present generation. 
 They complain that they were not allowed to place themselves 
 among the farmers of Long Island and other parts of the country in 
 the markets, and wish that proper places may be set apart for the 
 petitioners, where they may be free from the inconveniences they 
 have hitherto experienced. Signed by 
 
 Henry Brevoort, Henry Spingler, Henry Low, 
 
 Isaac Varian, Samuel Van Orden, Lawrence Ulshofer, 
 
 Thomas Rose, Richard Amos, Yellis Mandeville, 
 
 Nicholas Romaine, George Campbell, Gilbert Coutant, 
 William Graham, John Samler, Samuel Hallett, 
 
 David Williamson, John Amos, &c. 
 Then complaints were made of the great interruption and noise 
 of carts, carriages, &c., in market hours. The Board, on the fol- 
 lowing 20th of August, "Ordered the Deputy Clerk, Mr. Culbert- 
 son, to place chains across Front Street, thirty feet west of the side 
 or range of the street leading along to the river ; and in December, 
 1799, chains were ordered on both sides across Water Street." 
 
 In the month of January, 1792, "A terrible fire broke out in a 
 frame house in Front Street, near the Fly Market, which in two 
 hours entirely consumed 7 houses, and damaged a number of others 
 before it was extinguished. The Fly Market was on fire several 
 times, and the shipping at Taylor's and Brownjohn's Wharves were 
 obliged to haul into the stream. The heat was so great that several 
 panes of the windows on the opposite side of the street were melted." 
 There was a scarcity of neat cattle several years after peace had 
 been declared, but since 1788 they increased very fast. Long Island 
 and the lower counties of the State of New York almost wholly sup- 
 plied the city's wants. Connecticut exported a large number in '89 
 and in '90 : " there were exported (in 1790) 7,072 horses, cattle, and 
 mules, it being 394 more than was shipped the preceding year from 
 the district of New London."* The " Complaint of a Queen's County 
 Farmer" gives us some ideas of the difficulties of the time in getting 
 market price for his cattle. He says : " It takes about six or seven 
 
 * N. Y. Jouraal, Ac, January 24, 1791. 
 
FLY MARKET. 187 
 
 years for a farmer to raise a pair of excellent well-grown oxen and 
 make them fat enough for beef of the first quality ; he hopes, when 
 he has got them fit for the knife, some butcher will come along and 
 purchase his cattle at their value ; instead of this, he finds the coun- 
 try is infested by a set of underling drovers, or rather butcher agents, 
 who fabricate a thousand lies about the glut of the markets, and the 
 cheapness of meat ; and who, after haggling and teasing him a long 
 time about the price, worry the poor farmer at last into a bargain, 
 and buy his beef for twenty per cent. less than the current rate of the 
 market. The agent thus adds to the prime cost as much as he thinks 
 proper, and forwards them to the butcher at the new price. In ad- 
 dition to this, he gets his purchase fee, and laughs in his sleeve at 
 the thought of having cheated both the farmer and the butcher."* 
 
 The animals, being purchased, were driven to the ferry, then they 
 were put on board of a low flat scow with sprit-sail ; and if in cross- 
 ing they were caught in a stiff breeze, over they went, often drown- 
 ing several persons and animals too. " On Friday last (17th Dec, 
 1795,) one of the Brooklyn ferry-boats was overset in passing the 
 East River ; one man and seven fat oxen were drowned."t 
 
 These occurrences were quite common, and frequently attended 
 with great loss of life and property, on both the North and Bast 
 Rivers. The sail ferry-boats were considered very unsafe, especial- 
 ly on a windy day, or from floating ice, when but few persons would 
 trust their horses, carriages, cattle, or other property on them ; pre- 
 ferring to wait a day or two for calm weather. The oar-barges, 
 for foot-passengers, were thought more safe, and were more regular 
 in crossing. They, however, were a great annoyance to travelers 
 and business men, and continued so until team or horse and steam 
 boats were introduced. But no doubt a few incidents, since the 
 Revolution, will be more acceptable to the general reader. 
 
 In the year 1784, on a "Tuesday afternoon, (January \bth,) as a 
 ferry-boat was coming from Powles Hook with passengers for this 
 city, it unfortunately got between two cakes of ice, which so dam- 
 aged it, that when they separated, it soon after sunk, leaving the 
 people in the water, to struggle for life. A cake of ice close at 
 hand afforded them a temporary relief. The North River eddy, 
 setting in around the Battery, carried them into the East River, 
 where, getting into the ebb-tide, they were carried out into the Bay. 
 All the slips being full of ice, it was with difiiculty that two or 
 three small boats were got out to attempt their relief; but the large 
 fields of ice at that moment in motion rendered every effort of the 
 boatmen fruitless, and cut off every prospect of deliverance from 
 * N. Y. Journal and P. K., March 10, 1792. f Ibid., December 22, 1796. 
 
188 FLY MARKET. 
 
 their miserable, anxious situation, but by death — till the river, being 
 somewhat free from ice, a boat, manned with hardy soldiers, went 
 in pursuit of them, braving every danget, and persevering through 
 every difficulty. To the inexpressible joy, though contrary to the 
 expectation of the town, they returned just at dark, (having been 
 almost to the Narrows,) and rescued from the jaws of death seven 
 of the unfortunate people. The other, a negro man, perished with 
 cold. Among the number saved are Mr. Buchanan, of Morristown; 
 Mr. Laboyteaux and Mr. Thomson, of this city ; and we are happy 
 to inform the public that they are doing very well. To the specta- 
 tors the sight was truly distressing, to behold our fellow-creatures 
 upon the verge of death, invoking our assistance in vain, and expe- 
 riencing the most torturing anxiety of mind, between the hopes of 
 being saved and the dread of entering the inscrutable state of eter- 
 nity."* Then — " On Saturday afternoon last, when a ferry-boat 
 passing over from Brooklyn to this city was suddenly overset. This 
 accident is said to have been occasioned by the shifting of one of 
 the horses, of which there were five on board ; which so startled the 
 rest, that they all removed to one side, when the boat immediately 
 filled. The passengers, viz., Mr. Thorne, Mr. Stackhouse, and a 
 servant-man, together with two ferrymen, saved themselves by swim- 
 ming till they were picked up, when almost exhausted, by several 
 boats from the shore and the different vessels in the harbor. "t 
 Following this, we find — "On Wednesday last, about one o'clock, as 
 a ferry-boat was attempting to cross over the North River to 
 Powles Hook, she was overset by a sudden gust of wind at no 
 great distance from the shore, and notwithstanding the utmost ex- 
 ertions of several who immediately set out to their assistance, to 
 the evident danger of their own lives, three passengers, namely, a 
 Mr. Blias Cowenhouse, of Allantown, a Mr. Young, driver of one 
 of the Philadelphia stages, and a negro boy, servant to Mr. Van 
 Voorst, near Powles Hook, were unfortunately drowned. An old 
 gentleman and the two ferrymen continued to hold fast by the 
 ropes till they were picked up." J Another more "melancholy acci- 
 dent happened," {Ajml 3, 1798.) " Yesterday, about 12 o'clock, one 
 of the large ferry-boats which plies between (the old ferry stairs, 
 Fly Market,) this city and Brooklyn, across the East River, was 
 unhappily sunk in a gust of wind. There were eight men in the 
 boat ; five of them were boatmen, and three passengers ; all of whom 
 were drowned, except one of the boatmen. "§ 
 
 The business of carrying neat cattle on the ferry-boats was at 
 
 • Penna. Packet, January 22. t Independent Journal. 
 
 J Ibid., November 8. § N. Y. Journal, &c. 
 
FLY MARKET. 189 
 
 times objectionable to the passengers; sometimes having to wait 
 after the regular periods for starting, when taking them off or on, 
 and also when discharging them at the ferry landings, at this and 
 the Catharine Markets, among the crowds, was also a cause of 
 complaint. So, on the 30th of September, 1793, " it was ordered 
 that no cattle be landed at any place in this city to the westward 
 of Col. Rutgers," that being much nearer the public slaughter-house, 
 than at Corlaers Hook. 
 
 Other complaints were also made to the ferry-master, which 
 sometimes came from a belated passenger, of the want of prompt- 
 ness; another, of the boatmen, whom they dreaded to sail across 
 with, considering their knowledge of navigation, when either in 
 sailing trim, or half-seas over, was of the smallest possible descrip- 
 tion. The imagination would lead one to think of the many wran- 
 gles that occasionally took place at the ferry landings and on board 
 of the boats; one of which grew into a matter of much import- 
 ance, and worthy of notice, took place in the year 1795. 
 
 It appears that Alderman Purman " came to the ferry stairs on 
 the Brooklyn side and wanted to cross" before the usual time. 
 Unpleasant words passed between him and two of the ferrymen, 
 named Timothy Crady and Thomas Burk, and when Mr. Hicks, the 
 Conductor of the Ferry, came down to order the boat off, the Al- 
 derman complained to him that these two men had abused him ; on 
 which Mr. Hicks said to the Alderman, that it was the rule to have 
 civil treatment given to all the passengers, or words to that effect. 
 On the passage across, the Alderman being not yet satisfied, gave 
 the men a reprimand, which again brought forth hard words, and 
 finally a threat from the Alderman that he would commit them to 
 prison. Timothy Crady said " he would put his boat-hook through 
 any man that would touch him ; " so says the Alderman, in his tes- 
 timony before what was then known as the " Bridewell Court."* 
 When they reached the ferry stairs at the Fly Market, the Alder- 
 man ordered the Clerk of the Market (Mr. Culbertson, an officer,] 
 to arrest them and take them to jail. The manner of their being 
 taken to the jail is described by John Bennet, a Long Island far- 
 mer, attending this market, in a deposition, that " he saw Timothy 
 Crady and Thomas Burk in the custody of Mr. Culbertson, on their 
 way to the Bridewell ; and that Alderman Furman did punch them 
 in the back with his cane, saying ' Move on, you rascals — I'll fix 
 you;' and that he punched the said Burk and Crady with so much 
 violence, that they frequently would yield to the force of his cane." 
 
 They were, after a time, brought up before this Bridewell Court, 
 
 • N. Y. Journal, &c., December 26, 1795. 
 
190 FLY MARKET. 
 
 composed of Mayor Yarick, Aldermen Beekman, Van Tuyl, and 
 Lenox, usually held at the Common Jail in the Park, when the 
 testimony of Alderman Purman was taken; no other was offer- 
 ed against the prisoners. On their behalf, Jacob Hicks stated, 
 " That he had known Thomas Burk as a ferryman these eighteen 
 months, during which time he sustained the character of a good 
 citizen and a civil man." However, in the end the Court sen- 
 tenced, " That you, Timothy Crady, receive, to-morrow morning, 
 twenty lashes on your bare back, to impress on your mind that you 
 are not to insult men in office ; suffer two months' imprisonment in 
 Bridewell, at hard labor. And that you, Thomas Burk, be impris- 
 oned two months in Bridewell, at hard labor, excused from whip- 
 ping, being interceded for by Alderman Furman." 
 
 Other testimony taken before the Grand Jury shows " they were 
 imprisoned on the 10th of November, and were coniined twelve 
 days before being brought to trial." The judgment and sentence 
 which followed is reviewed by some of the " Press " in communica- 
 tions, cards, and editorials ; the conclusions of which are not at all 
 flattering to this " Court," particularly to Mayor Varick and Alder- 
 man Lenox, the latter being severely handled. 
 
 The affair created no little excitement; and several citizens, 
 (among whom were Mr. William Kettletas, the Messrs. Hicks, and 
 others, who witnessed the transaction and thought these ferrymen 
 had been improperly and unjustly punished,) finding they could not 
 obtain their liberation or justice, appealed through petitions to the 
 Legislature to impeach this "Bridewell Court." The case was 
 brought before the House, who appointed a committee to investi- 
 gate it ; they after a time reported, and, after a severe struggle, the 
 House "Resolved, That the testimony produced in support of the 
 charges against Richard Varick, &c., does not furnish sufficient 
 ground for impeachment; acquits them, or either of them." This 
 conclusion was quite unsatisfactory, and more especially to Mr. 
 Kettletas, who wrote several communications, showing the case 
 more fully, and somewhat reflecting on the committee. 
 
 These were noticed by the " House," who ordered the arrest of 
 Mr. Kettletas; which is shown in the proceedings, March 3, 1796. 
 The Sergeant-of-Arms, being attended with "William Kettletas in his 
 custody, "was set to the bar of this House, and was questioned if he 
 was the author of a certain publication? To which he said : ' I am 
 the author, and did direct the same to be printed.' He was ordered 
 into the custody of the Sergeant-of-Arms. A resolution was passed 
 pronouncing him ' guilty of a misdemeanor and contempt of the au- 
 thority of this House.' That he ' be brought to the bar of this 
 
FLY MARKET. 191 
 
 House, and upon Ms asking pardon of the House for his offence, and 
 paying the Sergeant's fees, he be discharged from custody.' He 
 was brought before them again, when he answered : ' / am not can- 
 scious of having committed any offence, and therefore I teill not ask 
 the pardon of this House.' He then was delivered to the keeper of 
 the goal of the City and County of New York, and confined in the 
 same prison with the two ferrymen. " 
 
 Prom this prison he addresses a note to the editor of the New 
 York Journal, which is found in that paper, dated April I, 1796, 
 as follows : 
 
 " Mr. OreerHeaf — It is with the deepest regret I announce to my 
 fellow-citizens a confirmation of the late melancholy report of the 
 death of the unfortunate Timothy Crady. Whether his death was 
 in consequence of the 25 unjust stripes he received by order of the 
 ' Bridewell Court,' or not, is reserved for the decision of that tribunal, 
 before whom it will be my duty, as well as every other citizen's, to 
 submit this solemn question. The confirmation of his death was 
 made known to me, on the 28th instant, by Thomas Burlc, the sur- 
 viving fellow-sufferer, who has returned to his former place of resi- 
 dence at Brooklyn. Which fact I immediately communicated to 
 William SIo, the Bridewell master, from whose custody, it has been 
 said, the said Burk escaped before the sentence of the ' Bridewell 
 Court' was executed. Mr. Slo returned me for answer, that he 
 should not trouble himself about the said Burk, except he came in 
 his way. This fact, relative to the conduct of Mr. Slo, I think 
 proper to make public, that the ' Bridewell Court' may take such 
 steps to support the law as the law expressly enjoins." 
 
 Mr. Kettletas was confined in prison until the Legislature ad- 
 journed; he was then by a habeas corpus liberated on the 12th of 
 April. The "Journal" says: "On this occasion a number of citi- 
 zens attended at the prison, and forced him into a phaeton, in which 
 they paraded him in triumph. 
 
 " On the phaeton were displayed the American and French flags, 
 the Cap of Liberty, supported by Mr. Kettletas, and a painted rep- 
 resentation of a man whipped at the whipping-post, after the Bride- 
 well mode, with a scroll in these words over the head of the whip- 
 per: ' What! you rascal, insult your superiors!' The phaeton was 
 drawn by citizens through the principal streets in the city, drums 
 beating, with a numerous body of attendants, to the Tontine ; from 
 thence up Wall Street into Broadway, down by the Government 
 House, and back to Hunter's Hotel, where Mr. Kettletas made a 
 short speech to the people in nearly the following words: 'Felloir- 
 citizens — I thank you for the respect which you have this day paid 
 
192 PLY MARKET. 
 
 me ; in a particular manner for the lionor of bearing the Standard 
 of Liberty, which you liave placed in my hands. Your decorum, 
 combined with all your insignias, evidence to me your attachment 
 to the Constitution and the laws of your country ; they are the best 
 supporters of liberty, and I am sure you revere them.' He was then 
 set down at his own door, and the company, after giving three cheers, 
 retired in the utmost order, enraptured with the virtues of their fel- 
 low-citizen, who had endured near,/i«e weeks' imprisonment, by what 
 has been called an arbitrary edict." 
 
 Mr. Kettletas was not yet satisfied that justice had been done to 
 Burk, so he brings a suit "for cruelty and injustice" against this 
 " Bridewell Court," for Thomas Burk, and in the end recovered, or 
 rather it was settled, by paying Burk 500 dollars.* 
 
 Another melancholy accident, occurring through the inefficiency 
 of the ferrymen, is noticed in a " communication," about four years 
 after, which reads : " Having seen several erroneous accounts in the 
 papers respecting the upsetting of the ferry-boat at Fly Market, 
 and being myself on board at the time, will thank you to publish the 
 following: We started from Fly Market Ferry Stairs with little 
 wind, but there was a prospect that the wind would blow very fresh, 
 so that the passengers desired the boatmen to brail up the sail, which 
 they would not comply with. Some of the passengers wished and 
 talked of taking charge of the boat themselves. We considered the 
 boatmen incapable of conducting the boat, owiug to intoxication ; 
 however, we concluded that no man would be employed in that busi- 
 ness unless they were capable of the task ; but unfortunately we suf- 
 fered them to proceed. The iirst gust that came upset us, and sev- 
 eral of the passengers were immediately lost. As near as I can 
 recollect, there was in the boat about twelve persons — one woman 
 and five men were immediately drowned — six of us were saved after 
 having been upset, nearly one hour and an half in the water. One, 
 after the storm was over, being spent, could no longer hold fast, but 
 let go and was drowned. There were three horses and a chair {a 
 two-wheded carriage on leather springs) on board. "t 
 
 Then we have a communication from an " Enquirer," in the month 
 of January, 1804, who says: "On Wednesday morning, I had occa- 
 sion to cross from the Fowles Hook Ferry Stairs, New York, to the 
 Jersey side. On my arrival at the boat, I found the wind to blow 
 quite fresh ; upon which I asked the ferry-master if the boatmen had 
 not better take a reef in their sails? He answered me, no ; and the 
 mulatto captain also replied, there was no danger ; he would carry 
 us across safely. Though after these answers, I did not feel myself 
 • N. Y. Journal, &o., February 8, 1797. t American Citizen, May 27, 1801. 
 
FLY MARKET. I93 
 
 free from apprehension of danger, I agreed with the rest to take my 
 passage, with a promise to myself, that if there should be an increase 
 of wind, I would endeavor to persuade our captain to take in sail. 
 I soon foun^ my fears were not unfounded, as at every flaw the pit- 
 tiauger went gunnel under. I then expressed my wish that they 
 would either reef the sails or take in one — this was also answered by 
 a cry on the part of our captain, There is no danger. Soon after a 
 flaw took us, and one or two afterwards, so severe that it is a mir- 
 acle of miracles we were not all sent into eternity. Independent 
 of this, there was a person on board with a horse and chair, who 
 miraculously escaped having his leg broken by the carriage tumbling 
 about, and jamming his leg against the side of the boat. This per- 
 son lost several articles of his travelling apparatus overboard. He 
 appeared much enraged, and after his arrival on the other side, ap- 
 plied to the ferry-master for his property to be replaced. The only 
 satisfaction he got from the ferryman, that the ferrymen's lives were 
 in as much danger as the passengers'. The person alluded to said 
 he would publish the circumstance the next day ; but as I have not 
 seen it, if you think these lines in a fit state for publication, you will 
 please give them a place in your paper."* 
 
 Three years after, in the month of February, was noticed : " On 
 Friday, at 5 P. M., a large boat of the old ferry, laden with flour, 
 which was stowed too much on her bows, sunk in the middle of the 
 river, with six persons on board, who were picked up by boats which 
 went off to their assistance." The next year : " On Monday night, 
 (January 14,) the Powles Hook Ferry-boats, Dolphin and Rambler, 
 owned by Mr. Holdrara, were cut by the ice in Whitehall Slip and 
 sunk. They were laden with country produce ; the greatest part of 
 which was saved." Then following, on the 21st instant, "One of 
 the Powles Hook Ferry-boats, with a quantity of wood and 25 pas- 
 sengers, had nearly been lost on Saturday (19th) at noon. She was 
 coming before the wind, When a sea struck her, and went over her 
 fore and aft, and filled her nearly half full of water. The passen- 
 gers waved their hats for assistance, but were fortunately landed in 
 safety."! 
 
 We are shown in the following verses some of the troubles of the 
 olden time, in 
 
 "CROSSING THE FERRY." 
 
 " T' other day, being call'd to New York in a hurry, 
 And obliged, nolens volens, to cross o'er the Ferry, 
 I had waited impatient some time on the stairs, 
 When ' Hurry — she's going !' saluted my ears. 
 
 ' Daily Advertiser. t Morning Chronicle, January 16, 1805. 
 
 Vol. I.— 13 
 
194 FLY MARKET, 
 
 So I scrambled on board, took my seat in the stern, 
 
 And (as usual) was wailing for freight, in the sun ! 
 
 Till at length, 'mid some oaths, and ' For 6 — sake push oflf!' 
 
 The men took their oars, and were leaving the wharf. 
 
 ' Hold on, there — hold on ! here 's a man coming down . 
 
 With a cart-load of things to go over to town — 
 
 Hold on, there — hold on ! here 's a woman in sight — 
 
 Hold on just a bit — I shall get two-pence by 't!' 
 
 With a smart spunky crew, who were not in condition 
 
 To bear any longer such great imposition. 
 
 We all rose at once — spoke in language of thunder, 
 
 And our great noble Captain was forced to knock under."* 
 
 " Crossing the Ferry," at New York, with the first steam ferry- 
 boat, was made on the North River, by Mr. John Stevens, on or 
 about the 18th of September, 1811. The first announcement of it 
 appears in the "Press" of that date, as follows: '' Hobohen Steam- 
 boat. — Mr. Godwin respectfully acquaints the citizens of New York 
 and the public at large, that he has commenced running a steamboat 
 ou the Hoboken Ferry, of large and convenient size, and capable of 
 affording accommodation in a very extensive degree. The boat 
 moves with uncommon speed and facility, and starts from the usual 
 Ferry Stairs, at the Corporation Wharf, foot of Vesey Street, New 
 York, where passages may be taken at any hour of the day."t 
 
 On the 24th of the same month, the following editorial appears : 
 " Steamboats are rapidly getting into ' the full tide of successful ex- 
 periment' in this country. Last week one of Colonel Stevens' ferry- 
 boats, employed by Mr. Godwin, of Hoboken, was started into opera- 
 tion, and yesterday made 16 trips back and forth, between that place 
 and this city, with a probable average of 100 passengers each trip. 
 Her machinery, we understand, is somewhat different from that of 
 the large North River boats, and we presume she sails considerably 
 faster than any other heretofore constructed in our waters. "f 
 
 The North River boats, or rather the first successful steamboat 
 introduced on the North River, appeared and commenced the first 
 trip to Albany on Monday, the 17th of September, 1807, at 1 o'clock, 
 P. M. She was called " Clermont" after the country seat of Chan- 
 cellor Livingston, on the North River, about 110 miles from New 
 York. The particulars of the "Clermont's" first trip to Albany 
 with passengers are thus given by a number of witnesses who have 
 subscribed their names, as noticed in the Press : 
 
 " Steamboat. — On Friday morning last, {September ith,) at 18 
 
 minutes before 7 o'clock, the North River steamboat left New York, 
 
 landed one passenger at Tarrytown, and arrived at Newburgh at 4 
 
 o'clock in the afternoon ; landed a passenger there and arrived at 
 
 * L. I, Star, September i, 18U. f '■ Columbian." t Ibid. 
 
FLY MARKET. 195 
 
 ' Clermont,' where two passengers were landed at 15 minutes before 
 2 o'clock in the morning, and arrived at Albany at three-quarters of 
 an hour past 10, making the whole time 28 and a half hours — dis- 
 tance 165 miles. The wind favorable but light from Verplank's 
 Point to Wapping's Creek ; the remainder of the way it was head 
 wind or a dead calm. This was signed by 
 
 " Selah Strong, Garrit Van Wagennen, Thomas Wallace, 
 John L. Wilson, John P. Anthony, Wm. S. Hicks, 
 
 Dennis Moore, G. 0. Wetmore, J. Bauman, 
 
 J. Crane, James Braiden, Stephen N. Power. 
 
 " bated Albany, Sept. 5, 1807."* 
 
 This boat was built by Mr. Charles Brown, at his ship-yards on 
 the East River, from which she was launched in the spring of 1807. 
 The engine put into her was made in England, and in the month of 
 August, she was found completed, so as to be moved from her berth 
 around to the Jersey shore by her machinery, much to the surprise 
 and admiration of hundreds who witnessed this first successful steam- 
 boat in our waters. 
 
 With the ferry-boats there was quite a competition between Pul- 
 ton, who represented the Powles Hook Ferry Company, and Col. 
 John Stevens, that of the Hoboken Ferry. Colonel Stevens, as it 
 appears, brought forth the first passenger steam ferry-boat ; but Ful- 
 ton produced, although at a later period, a boat (or rather a double 
 boat) which proved successful for the general wants and uses of a 
 ferry-boat. 
 
 The remarks of the " Press," made at that period, will give the 
 reader a much better knowledge of their several merits ; and having 
 noticed Colonel Stevens', we turn to Fulton's, which is found in the 
 month of July following. " The large and commodious steamboat 
 which has been for some time erecting in this city by Mr. Fulton, as 
 a ferry-boat to ply between this city and the City of Jersey, will be 
 in full operation on Thursday next, {July 2.) The crossing the 
 North River has been such an obstacle to the communication with 
 this city, that it is a matter of real congratulation to the public 
 that their difficulties are removed. The most timid may cross now 
 without fear. As the fare of a market wagon, loaded, will be but 
 fifty cents, there is no doubt but our markets will be better sup- 
 plied than ever they have been."t 
 
 On the 20th of July following, a description is given of "Fulton's 
 
 Steam Ferry-Boat." " This excellent machine, consisting of a boat 
 
 with two hulls, connected by a single platform, with a wheel in the 
 
 space between them, and rudders at each end, built for the convey- 
 
 * Daily Advertiser, September 11, 1807. t " Columbiaa," July 1, 1812. 
 
196 FLT MARKET. 
 
 ance of passengers across the Hudson, has got into successful oper- 
 ation, and promises extraordinary facilities for traveling. Horses 
 and wagons stand on each side of the machinery, driving in at one 
 end from a floating bridge fitted to the boat, and out at the other, 
 without rising or descending six inches in accomplishing the pas- 
 sage from street to street on each side the river. The boat is 
 constructed with both ends alike, and never turns in sailing, but 
 goes back and forth by changing the motion of the wheel." 
 
 " On Sunday, the corps of Flying Artillery crossed in the boat 
 from Paulus Hook to the city, on its way to Albany, at four trips ; 
 on the first of which it brought 4 pieces of artillery, (6-pounders,) 
 and limbers, ammunition-wagons, 27 horses, and 40 soldiers, besides 
 other passengers." Another account says, " The 'steam ferry-boat' 
 crosses the Hudson twice in each hour during the day. Yesterday, 
 (September 15,) in crossing from Paulus Hook, the boat contained 
 about 500 persons, besides a coach and a pair of horses, a phaeton 
 and pair, a horse and chair, and five saddle-horses." 
 
 The great number of soldiers and other persons crossing the fer- 
 ries at this period was on account of the preparations for war with 
 England. 
 
 The want of a team or steam ferry-boat on the East River was 
 the occasion of a large amount of property lost by fire on the 23d 
 of September, 1812, in Brooklyn. The "Press," the next day, says, 
 " Last evening, about eight o'clock, a tremendous fire broke out at 
 Brooklyn in Ben'n Smith's large stable, (in which nine horses were 
 destroyed,) situated near the old ferry, east side of Main Street, 
 which consumed the building where it originated, together with 
 Chas. Hewlet's grocery-store, T. Hicks and Van Mater's stables, 
 and the large store-house known as the Corporation Buildings." 
 Three dwelling-houses were also injured. " We are informed that 
 if it had not been for the arrival of the floating and other engines 
 from this city, the fire would in all probability have crossed the 
 street, and the whole town would have been in danger. It is sup- 
 posed the flames would have been sooner arrested, had not the New 
 York firemen been hindered at the ferries; the large ferry-boat 
 happened to be on the Brooklyn side at the time of the alarm." 
 
 The editor of the "Long Island Star" says, "We are proud to 
 acknowledge the services of the firemen of New York, who came 
 over to the assistance of Brooklyn during the late fire. Besides 
 the Floating Engine, there were Nos. 5, 7, 11, 13, 21, 22, and 37. 
 We observe in several daily papers the acknowledgments of the 
 firemen to individuals of our village for the refreshments provided 
 for them on that occasion. In one communication is observed, that 
 
FLY MARKET. 197 
 
 every public, as well as many private houses, were solicitous for the 
 refreshment of the firemen. The engineers of the town, in behalf 
 of the members of the Fire Department, thanked the firemen of 
 New York, and also ' to Captain Robert L. Gardiner, of the 
 (fishing) smack, for his willing and friendly exertions in transport- 
 ing two engines, with their members, across the East River, and to 
 our townsmen for the refreshments they afforded to the firemen 
 generally.' John Doughty and David Seaman." 
 
 The New York firemen " send the following to be published : 
 The disastrous fire of the 23d which your village suffered, and the 
 sundry late fires, ought to awaken the inhabitants to make all pos- 
 sible preparations to facilitate the extinguishing of fires. When- 
 ever you have been visited by a fire of any magnitude, some of the 
 firemen of New York, with their engines, have gone to your relief. 
 Had there been any ferry-boats or other conveyance at command, 
 you would at all times receive much earlier assistance. Not a 
 boat belonged to your ferry sufficiently large to convey one engine, 
 nor did any cross till after the fire had raged for two hours. I 
 would propose to your inhabitants that they build two scows, one 
 for each ferry, sufficiently large to take in two or three engines ; that 
 these boats be deposited in our ferry slip, in which case you may at 
 all times calculate upon assistance from the New York firemen." 
 
 It was not long after, when a decided improvement was made on 
 this river, by the introduction of a "horse ferry-boat," first started 
 on the "Catharine Slip Ferry," and particularly noticed in the 
 "Long Island Star," as follows:* ^^New Ferry-Boats. — On Sunday 
 last (April 3, 1814,) the public were gratified by the performance 
 of a new-invented ferry-boat on the New (Catharine Street) Ferry, 
 between this village and New York. This boat was invented by 
 Moses Rogers, Esq., of New York. It is in some respects similar 
 to the Paulus Hook ferry-boats, and calculated to receive wagons in 
 the same commodious way ; but the water-wheel in the centre is 
 moved by eight horses. It crossed the river twelve times during 
 the day, in from eight to thirteen minutes each, and averaging two 
 hundred passengers each time. It makes good way against wind 
 and tide, and promises to be an important acquisition. Another 
 boat, to go by horses, is now building for that ferry ; and a steam- 
 boat, belonging to William Cutting and others, is nearly ready for 
 the ferry between Brooklyn and Beekman Slip. These great im- 
 provements on the ferries cannot fail to benefit this village and the 
 adjacent country." It was announced, two days after, " The horse- 
 boat will continue to run from the New Ferry to Brooklyn until 
 • "Columbian," April 7, 1814. 
 
198 FLY MARKET. 
 
 the first of May, as a temporary arrangement. Passengers will be 
 charged four cents ; two of whicli are for the owner of the ferry, 
 and two cents for the owner of the boat. All other articles at the 
 rates heretofore charged in the row-loats." 
 
 On the 8th of the next month after, was introduced the first 
 " Brooklyn Steam Fernj-Boat. — The ' Nassau,' the new steamboat 
 belonging to Messrs. Cutting & Co., which commenced running 
 from Beckman Slip to the lower ferry at Brooklyn a few days ago, 
 carried in one of her first trips 549 (another counted 550) passen- 
 gers, one wagon and a pair of horses, two horses and chairs, and 
 one single horse. She has made a trip mfour minuies, and gener- 
 ally takes from four to eight, and has crossed the river forty times 
 in one day."* " Yesterday, (Sunday, May lOthJ between twelve 
 and one o'clock, Mr. Lewis Rhoda accidentally got hurled into the 
 niachinery of the new steamboat 'Nassav,' which cut off his left arm 
 a little below the elbow, and broke his neck. He expired in about 
 three hours after."t 
 
 "The boat impelled by horses from the New (Catharine) Slip to the 
 upper Brooklyn Perry carried at one time 543 passengers, besides 
 some carriages and horses. And a horse-boat is to run soon from 
 Grand Street Dock to Williamsburgh," which boat was noticed on 
 the following 4th of June : " This morning was launched, at the ship- 
 yard of Mr. Charles Browne, an elegant double boat, intended to 
 ply as a ferry-boat from Corlaes Hook to Williamsburgh, Long 
 Island. This beautiful boat is called the ' Williamsburgh ' and is to 
 be propelled by horse-power, with machinery very different from that 
 already constructed and used in the Hoboken or Brooklyn boats, and 
 is thought by competent judges to be very complete. It is supposed 
 that two or three weeks may yet be required to complete the ma- 
 chinery, &c., before she can be placed in her station." 
 
 The benefit arising from these steam and team ferry-boats soon be- 
 gan to be experienced by our city, as well as by Long Island and 
 New Jersey ; from whence loaded wagons were hourly seen through 
 the day crossing these ferries, laden with the productions of the 
 farmers of these different places, and more especially from Sag Har- 
 bor and the lower parts of Long Island. 
 
 From this period, year after year, were introduced new boats of 
 various styles, and with increased speed and accommodations, upon 
 the various routes, which have also much increased. 
 
 To the year 1795 we again turn, and find the principal part of 
 these market buildings had been built many years, and being mere 
 wooden sheds, had now become dilapidated, leaky, and greatly need- 
 * " Columbian," May 18, 1814. t L. I. Star, May 11, 1814. 
 
FLY MARKET. 
 
 199 
 
 ed repairs; besides, tlie market was on certain days overcrowded, 
 and afforded no shelter from the storms or sun, especially for the 
 many country people. Petitions were presented asking for repairs 
 and greater accommodations, which the Common Council wished to 
 accede to, but they thought the neighborhood, or those who were 
 enjoying a large business or benefit, ought to assist in furnishing 
 the necessary accommodations, as they had always done on former oc- 
 casions. Many of the " neighborhood," however, thought the mar- 
 ket revenue was more than sufficient to maintain it, and they would 
 not subscribe as usual. But several young butchers, who had "shirk 
 stands" in the " lower market," and others, came forward with peti- 
 tions, among whom were Daniel Winship, George Goodheart, John 
 Pell, George Markler (Merkle,) Cornelius Schuyler, and John Cor- 
 bey, present one on the 17th of August, (1795,) in which they state: 
 " They have served regular apprenticeship to the butcher's trade in 
 the city, and some have been working for themselves three or four 
 years. They have been killing ' small creatures,' and selling their 
 meat by the quarter." They " find this mode of doing business will 
 not answer their purpose ; they have nothing but their trade to de- 
 pend upun;" they "conceive they might be accommodated with 
 stands in that part of the Fly Market where they now sell their 
 meat, without taking up more room than they do at present, and in 
 such case the petitioners would each of them willingly pay ' one hun- 
 dred dollars,' to be expended in repairing or enlarging the market, 
 &c. ; and they are all recommended as proper persons by many of the 
 older butchers." Then, on the 19th instant following, George Mes- 
 serve, Jr., says: "He has served a regular apprenticeship to the 
 butcher's trade, with his father, Mr. George Messerve, and he now 
 wishes to set up for himself, and carry on his business, which he can- 
 not do without having a proper stand (m tJie ' lower market ') for 
 that purpose." He " is willing to pay one hundred dollars towards 
 repairing or enlarging the markets, or for any other purpose," &c. 
 
 The following certify, that he sustains the character of an honest, 
 industrious man, and recommend him, &c. : 
 
 John Lamb, John Lasher, M. Willett, 
 
 G. Bauman, Peter T. Curtenius "Walter Bicker, 
 
 John Stoutenburgh, S. Roorbeck, John J. Montayne, 
 
 Geo. Marvin, Stephen M'Crea, "William Edgar, 
 
 Richard Varian, Ezekiel Robins, Michael Varian. 
 
 Caleb Vandenburgh also petitions in the following November, 
 and says : " He is a native of this city,'and has served an apprentice- 
 ship ; requests a stand in the lower Fly Market." "We find the fol- 
 lowing old butchers certify to his " apprenticeship :" 
 
200 FLY MARKET. 
 
 William Wright, William Post, John Lovell, 
 
 John Finck (Fink,) John Doughty, Jr., John Norman, 
 Isaac Varian, William Mooney, George Robert Beck, 
 
 Joseph 0. Bogert, John Fitzgerald, William Everett, Jr., 
 
 Edward Mooney, John Pessinger, Abraham Bogert, 
 
 James Sullivan, Joseph Nott, Stephen Hilliker, and 
 
 James Marsh. 
 
 There were large numbers applying for these and other stands ; 
 and others, again, to be licensed as regular butchers ; the Board, 
 however, had not yet concluded to enlarge or rebuild, but recom- 
 mended the Mayor to " License all persons of good character who 
 shall apply for license, provided they shall have served an appren- 
 ticeship to the business in this city." 
 
 A law had many years before passed, that "No person shall exer- 
 cise the office of a butcher in this city, unless he is licensed for that 
 purpose by the Mayor, under the penalty of five pounds for every 
 offence ; and that every butcher shall hold his office during the pleas- 
 ure of the Corporation only." 
 
 The next year, (1796,) on the 7th of March, a committee, consist- 
 ing of Aldermen Robert Lenox, Andrew Van Tuyl, and Nicholas 
 Carmer, reported on the condition of these old buildings ; part of 
 which appears as follows : " That the upper and middle markets re- 
 quire new floors, and the latter a new roof; but as the repairs, if" 
 carried into effect, would only be temporary, and ill comport with 
 the public spirit, they conclude it cheapest in the end to make per- 
 manent improvements." This conclusion encourage a petition to 
 have a new building placed along Front towards Wall Street, which 
 was soon followed with a stronger one opposed to it ; however, the 
 old site was decided on, and on the 22d of August, the committee 
 were ordered to proceed in the rebuilding the market-house, running 
 from Water to Front Street, by contract, and cause the old building 
 to be sold. 
 
 It appeared finished early in the month of November, " supported 
 with brick pillars, and ceiled with lath and plaster." 
 
 In consequence of it being next to the country and fish market, 
 there were many applications for the stands ; so numerous were they, 
 that the Common Council concluded to sell them at public auction ; 
 and on the 14th of the same month, a committee reported, " that 
 the following fourteen unappropriated stands in the lower market " 
 were " exposed to public sale in the market on Saturday last, {12,th 
 inst.,) under the conditions and for the sums mentioned (below,) and 
 that they allowed Mr. (Frederick) Jay, the vendue master, for his 
 commission, eight dollars. Signed, Robert Lenox, &c." 
 
 They were sold to the following persons, at the prices named: 
 
FLY MARKET. 201 
 
 No, 
 
 . 72. George Manolt, 
 
 £530 
 
 No 
 
 . 65. Benjamin Cornell, 
 
 £165 
 
 
 71. David Seaman, 
 
 290 
 
 ({ 
 
 64. Henry Lovell, - 
 
 280 
 
 
 70. John Pell, 
 
 285 
 
 tt 
 
 63. Isaac Bayea, - 
 
 180 
 
 
 69. Daniel Winship, - 
 
 205 
 
 (( 
 
 62. John Pessinger, 
 
 150 
 
 
 68. George Messerve, 
 
 320 
 
 (( 
 
 61. Cornelius Schuyler, 
 
 175 
 
 
 67. Whitehead Cornell, 
 
 170 
 
 K 
 
 60. Burdet Striker, 
 
 210 
 
 
 66. James Young, 
 
 310 
 
 (( 
 
 59. Andrew Boss, - 
 
 200 
 
 £2,110 Whole amount, - - £3,470 
 
 These conditions -were : " None to buy but licensed butchers, sub- ■ 
 ject to such regulations and fees as the Corporation may make from 
 time to time, and no transfer of any stall so purchased to be made 
 without leave of the Corporation. 
 
 " Butchers who have stands in the upper market, and becoming a 
 purchaser in the lower market, are considered to have forfeited their 
 stalls in the upper market. 
 
 " None of the butchers in the other markets are to have leave to 
 become purchasers in the Ply Market. 
 
 "A credit of thirty, sixty, and ninety days is given for the pur- 
 chase money, upon giving such notes to Mr. (Daniel) Phoenix as he 
 shall approve ;" when he gave a receipt as follows : 
 
 " New York, November 14, 1796, received of (John Fell,) his 
 notes, payable at thirty, sixty, and ninety days, for two hundred and 
 eighty-five pounds; which, when paid, will be the consideration 
 money for stand No. 70 in the lower market. 
 
 " Daniel Phoenix, City Treasurer." 
 
 These fourteen stands were the cause of a long-contested law-suit 
 in 1822, at which date they will be referred to. The large amount 
 of money which these stands brought induced the Corporation to 
 order all the vacant stands in the upper market to be sold at public 
 auction on the following 28th instant; when a committee reported 
 their sale as follows: 
 
 No. 3. David Man, - £58 
 
 " 7. Matthew Pox. - 85 
 
 " 9. Matthew Fogel ( Vogel,) 62 
 " 13. Daniel Ensley, Jr., - 43 
 " 15. Nicholas Smart, - - 55 
 
 Carried up, - - £303 Whole amount, - - - £498 
 
 These nine stands, it will be perceived, brought less than one-half 
 as much as those previously sold; the cause, no doubt, was, they 
 were the rejected inside stands of the upper market, and the farthest 
 from the country and fish markets. Those which are located the 
 nearest to these markets, and especially those on the corners, are 
 always considered the most valuable. 
 
 Although these butchers had bought these stands, as it were, in 
 
 Brought up. 
 
 - £303 
 
 No. 17. James Reading, 
 
 75 
 
 " 19. John Barr, - 
 
 - 60 
 
 " 18. John Carby, - 
 
 40 
 
 " 8. John Deavenport, 
 
 - 20 
 
202 FI-Y MARKET. 
 
 fee, yet they were nevertheless liable any moment for violation of 
 the established laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations ; with the in- 
 fliction of the penalty, either fine, imprisonment, or the removal from 
 their stands were sure to follow. The authorities then were more 
 honest, capable, and strict in the performance of their duties than 
 those of the present day, and carried them out, not as politicians, 
 but as sworn conscientious officers ; and the people were more satis- 
 factorily governed. 
 
 A few years previous to this sale, the Proceedings inform us, on 
 the 14th of November, 1Y87, that William Everit, in the Fly Mar- 
 ket, butcher, " having totally neglected to attend his business at his 
 stall," it was resolved by the Board, " that his license be termi- 
 nated." He immediately petitions to the Board, and states, that he 
 " has been many years past used the trade of a butcher, and kept his 
 stall in the Fly Marhet, and duly paid for- the privileges and immu- 
 nities, and also paid the sum of fifteen powiids for these privileges ; 
 that during the time he was in said business supported the character 
 of an honest and upright man, and a good citizen." He gives as a 
 reason for neglect of business, was on account of family matters, or 
 difficulties, and wishes again to be placed in the possession of his 
 stand. But this is denied him ; in fact, it placed him out of busi- 
 ness for many years after. 
 
 In the month of August, 1796, "A complaint was made against 
 
 N S -, butcher, in this market, for affixing false Jewish 
 
 seals on his meats, and oifering it for sale." He was ordered to 
 appear before the Board at their next meetings, (10i!7i mid 15ih,) 
 when they ordered, "That his license be suppressed." But after an- 
 other hearing on the 26th September, " he was restored to his ofl&ce," 
 which, no doubt, was butchering for the Jews. 
 
 Then several butchers were represented as having neglected per- 
 sonally to attend at their stalls, and had put others in their places, 
 without permission of the authorities, " who thereupon, on the 4th 
 day of September, 1797, Ordered, that if any butcher shall neglect 
 personally to attend his business at his standing in the market for 
 the term of fourteen days, his standing shall be considered as vacated, 
 and sold to some other licensed butcher, except in cases of sickness 
 or other accidental causes." " The Deputy Clerk of the Ply Mar- 
 ket was ordered to notify John Fincke, Henry Spingler, John 
 Doughty, John Lovell, Alexander Peacock, and James Sullivan, 
 butchers, to appear at this Board on Monday afternoon next." On 
 that day John Fincke, John Doughty, John Lovell, and Alexander 
 Peacock attended, and assigned satisfactory reasons for their ab- 
 sence. Henry Spingler also attended, and acknowledged that he 
 
FLY MARKET. 203 
 
 had abandoned his stall, " when it was ordered to be sold." John 
 Triglar, the nephew of Spingler, had worked and served for him 
 many years, was at this time occupying his stand, and wished to re- 
 tain it, so he petitions to the Board on the 18th September, (same 
 year,) and says: "Having served a regular apprenticeship to the 
 butcher's trade in the said city, he about twelve months ago obtained 
 a license to carry on and exercise the trade of a butcher iu the said 
 city ; and since, he has worked part of his time with his uncle Henry 
 Spingler, and part of the time he has sold meat on his own account 
 at the stall No. 46, occupied by the said Henry Spingler; that the 
 said Henry Spingler being about to decline the butcher's business, 
 the petitioner is desirous of obtaining a license for the said stall, 
 for which he is willing to pay this Corporation the sum of fifty 
 pounds. That the petitioner has it- not in his power to pay a larger 
 sum ; having but lately begun his business, and being in low circum- 
 stances. That the petitioner's /aiAer lost his life at Fort Washing- 
 ton in the service of his country, and left the petitioner an orphan in 
 his infancy, dependent on his friends for support. He therefore 
 prays that this Honorable Board will be pleased to take his case 
 into consideration ; that the sacrifice of his fatJier's life in his coun- 
 try's cause may plead in the petitioner's behalf, and that the said 
 stall No. 46 maybe granted him." The Board however, demanded 
 £70 from Triglar, which he paid, and took possession. 
 
 For a few hundred pounds, Spingler several years previous had 
 bought some 22 acres of land, which then lay west of the " Bow- 
 ery Hill," now located near Union Square, where he turned his at- 
 tention to raising garden truck and other field products ; part of 
 which he conveyed and sold at this and the Bear Market. His prop- 
 erty, by its fortunate location, as time has proved, has constantly 
 increased in value ; and he has left his heirs very wealthy, (one of 
 whom now resides in the splendid mansion No. 21 West 14th Street,) 
 while his name yet lives, represented by the " Spingler Institute," 
 on Union Square. 
 
 Previous to the sale of these butchers' stands, a law had passed 
 which deprived the hucksters from selling fruit from their stands in 
 the markets, caused from the many complaints against their engross- 
 ing and storing all that came to the markets for a rise in price. 
 The law was so unexpected and sudden that it found them with a 
 large surplus on hand, and not time to dispose of it ; and they ap- 
 pealed to the authorities, on the 26th of November, in the same 
 year, saying that "they now have on hand many of the prohibited 
 articles, which to them will be a great detriment. Should your 
 Honorable Board allow them to sell as usual, they will ever pray." 
 
 Catharine Montaynie, Catharine Spicer, Arabella Truce, 
 
204 PLY MAKKET. 
 
 Wilhelmina Shaffer, Catharine Staale, Elizabeth T-otten, 
 Bridget Nash, Jane Wood, Jane Gilmore, 
 
 Nancy Lott, Mary Appleby, Caty Buyshe, 
 
 Eliz. Marks, Sarah Conklin, Barbary Varvoser, 
 
 Sarah Burton, C. Shearer, Mary Baker, 
 
 Mary Calp, Abigal Doil, all of Fly Market. 
 
 A few of them, however, exposed their fruit for sale, and were 
 fined ; and in the month of January following some of them appeal- 
 ed again, and state, " that the support of our needy, destitute fami- 
 lies depends in a great measure upon the privilege of exposing for 
 sale fruit in the public markets, under any restrictions your honors 
 may think fit to impose in your justice ; and at the same time, most 
 humbly pray, after due consideration of our case and the inclemency 
 of the present season, that you will remit the fines at present im- 
 posed," &c. 
 
 Their appeals appear to have been unnoticed ; yet they did not de- 
 spair, but with the assistance of some forty subscribing citizens, they 
 again made a last trial, and " trust with confidence in your good- 
 ness for a repeal of the law above alluded to." This was read on 
 the 6th of February following, and rejected. 
 
 In the month of December previous, (1796,) the Fish Market was 
 torn down, for the purpose of stopping what proved to be a very 
 destructive fire, which is noticed in the Minerva December 9, 1796. 
 "About one o'clock this morning, a fire broke out in one of the 
 stores on Murray's Wharf, Cofl'ee-House Slip. * The number of 
 buildings consumed may be from fifty to seventy — a whole block, 
 between the above Slip, Front Street, and the Fly Market. The 
 progress of the fire was finally arrested by cutting down the Fish 
 Market." 
 
 So many fires occurring just about this period, led many of the 
 citizens to believe the slaves were again conspiring to destroy the 
 city, which caused great excitement, and much preparation to guard 
 against such a calamity. The same paper, of the 14th inst. following, 
 notices this. " Serious Cause of Alarm. — Citizens of New York, you 
 are once more called upon to attend to your safety. It is no longer a 
 doubt — it is a fact, that there is a combination of incendiaries in this 
 city, aiming to wrap the whole of it in flames ! The house of Mr. 
 Lewis Ogden, in Pearl Street, has been twice set on fire — the evidence 
 of malicious intention is indubitable — and he has sent his Mack man, 
 suspected, to prison. Last night an attempt was made to set fire to 
 Mr. Lindsay's house in Greenwich Street — the combustibles left for 
 the purpose are preserved as evidence of the fact. Another at- 
 tempt, we learn, was made last night in Beekman Street. A bed 
 
FLY MARKET. 205 
 
 ■was set on fire under a child, and his cries alarmed his family. 
 Rouse, fellow-citizens and magistrates 1 your lives and property are 
 at stake. Double your night-watch, and confine your servants.'" 
 
 The Common Council, on the 15th December, passed resolutions 
 ofi"ering^/?ye hundred dollars reward for the conviction of offenders, 
 and recommend the " good citizens in the several wards to arrange 
 themselves into companies or classes, to consist of such numbers as 
 shall be necessary for the purpose of keeping such watch for the 
 safety of the city." 
 
 A citizen says: "The yellow fever produced not such extraordi- 
 nary commotion. The present alarm, as it is contagious, it may be 
 called the Jire fever." The /ever, however, soon died out; as the 
 precautions taken had the desired effect, even if there had been a 
 sign of conspiracy. 
 
 The Fish Market was used without a cover until the 24th of Feb- 
 ruary (1797) following, when the fishermen petitioned " That, in 
 consequence of the Fish Market being destitute of a cover, that it 
 is very injurious to them. Respecting the fish — as in a clear day 
 the fish will not survive but a few minutes, in consequence of their 
 being exposed to the sun, which not only materially affects the sale 
 of them, but we are entirely exposed to the inclemency of the 
 season. They beg a redress of a grievance of this kind, as it will 
 affect the community at large." (Signed,) 
 
 Joseph Latham, Nicholas Darow, Elias Lewis, 
 Jasper Latham, Thos. Wilcocks, Henry Harris, 
 Joseph Lewis, John Potter, Thomas Geoffery. 
 
 On the 27th of March following, a new market-house was ordered 
 to be built. " That in rebuilding the market, the uniformity al- 
 ready established should be continued, and that it should be extend- 
 ed from the south side of Front Street to the door of the house oc- 
 cupied by John C. Frecke;" and to be built in the same manner as 
 the upper market. 
 
 The next year will always be known as the " dreadful yelloio 
 fever year" when we find 2.086 deaths registered in a few short 
 months. It became known to many of the prominent physicians in 
 the year 1791, when several of our first citizens fell victims to its 
 fury; then again in 1795, when 732 were carried off; and the vari- 
 ous accounts given of it were quite melancholy. 
 
 One, given October 17, states: "This city has been in a truly 
 melancholy situation ; but the accounts of the mortality have been 
 groatly exaggerated in the country. Consternation has added 
 greatly to the distress of the city ; the poor have suffered much, 
 but their wants have been liberally supplied from the hands of be- 
 
205 FLY MARKET. 
 
 ncTolent donors. Very little business has been done — a solemn 
 calm has reigned through every street. We are now blessed 
 ■with salubrious -western gales, which is conceived to be sent in 
 mercy, and presages to our hopes that the city will be free from the 
 epidemic in a little time. It certainly puts on a less terrible hue — 
 not more than one in twenty die. Those who have died were the 
 greatest part new residents."* 
 
 In the years 1799, 1800, 1803, and 1805, the city was again vis- 
 ited by this dreadful visitor, more or less ; but in 1798 it came on 
 so sudden, that it grasped a great many in its fatal clutches before 
 they were hardly aware of its presence ; and so fatal was it in the 
 month of August, that it was believed " nearly one-half of those 
 cases reported died; and after that period the proportion dimin- 
 ished to about one-third." What made the matter worse, the 
 country people were so alarmed that they would not bring their 
 provisions to the city, although every encouragement was given 
 them. " No fees were demanded from country people bringing 
 provisions to our markets." The committee appointed to afford 
 relief to the indigent and distressed sick, in a communication to 
 the public, say : " They entreat their fellow-citizens of the sur- 
 rounding country not to withhold from the markets the usual sup- 
 plies of poultry and small meats, as well as other articles so essen- 
 tially necessary to both sick and well, in this city, in this distressed 
 season."! These appeals are answered from many of the citizens 
 who had removed ; and others, living in New Jersey and elsewhere, 
 sent large sums of money, as well as gifts of beef, pork, mutton, but- 
 ter, cheese, flour of all kinds, poultry and vegetables, by the wagon 
 and sloop loads. 
 
 The markets in the infected district were deserted, but not be- 
 fore this disease had marked its victims among the butchers, of 
 whom no less than eleven, now known — eight from this and three 
 from the other markets — viz.: John Barr, James Place, James 
 Young, William Mooney, Simmons Potter, Adam Van der Bergh, 
 William Everit, Jun'r, and George Messerve, of the Fly; and 
 William Blank, Gilbert Knapp, Edward King, from the others. 
 
 In briefly noticing the death of John Barr, the occupant of No. 
 19, it is also a duty, and withal a pleasure, to notice the occupant of 
 No. 13, Matthew Vogel, for his fearless acts of humanity displayed 
 )jy him in that dreadful season, when many of its first victims were 
 almost deserted or left with those who could not assist them. 
 
 Mr. Vogel at that time was a young as well as strictly a Chris- 
 tian man, without a particle of the braggart or of personal fear, as 
 * N. Y. Journal, &c. f Daily Advertiser, Sept. 28, 1798. 
 
FLY MARKET. £07 
 
 he went wherever he could hear of a case of this fearful disease that 
 needed assistance, whether rich or poor ; and I am told he was the 
 means of assisting many, or svwothing the pillows of the afflicted and 
 dying sufferers. 
 
 Yet living, (1858,) and nearly ninety years of age, is the active, in- 
 telligent widow of one of the victims of 1798, who told me the fol- 
 lowing facts. She said her husband, John Barr, was a butcher in 
 the " Old Fly Market," where he took the yellow fever. He came 
 home to his residence, then at the southeast corner of the Bowery 
 Lane and Grand Street, and with the assistance of his wife, dis- 
 mounted from his horse — no carts being allowed after a certain time 
 around the markets — when his relatives and friends deserted him 
 all, except his affectionate wife — and she for two days and nights 
 was at the bedside, alone with her, at times, deranged husband; and 
 when in his senses, his wishes were, if he died — that he might not 
 be taken by Parker, in his horrid dead-cart, to " Potter's Field." 
 His faithful wife promised he should not if she lived. The humane 
 Vogel heard of his sickness through the doctor, {Underhill, she 
 thought he was a doctor,) and hurried there to find that the husband 
 was speechless and the wife worn out. He stayed and done all 
 that man could do, but the poor distracted wife knew he could not 
 live, and she also knew that no other help could be obtained; she 
 prepared his winding-sheet, that he might have the Christian burial 
 she had promised him. 
 
 He died, and Vogel, having previously procured a coffin, laid him 
 out ; then, before the expected dead-cart came along for the body, 
 he harnessed the dead man's favorite horse before his butcher-cart, 
 to be at last used as his hearse, and in this he conveyed the body, 
 followed by one, the chief mourner, to the family burial-ground in 
 the Dutch Reformed church-yard, at the corner of Eldridge and 
 Houston Streets, where he wished it to lie. There the noble-hearted 
 Vogel dug the grave, and the faithful wife redeemed the last prom- 
 ise made to her once affectionate and her only husband.* 
 
 The action of the " Board of Health," who bestowed on Mr. Vogel 
 a "vote of thanks" for his many fearless acts of humanity, which 
 soon after became generally known, brought him much trade ; but 
 his generous nature, which hung to him through life, caused many 
 of the deserving as well as the undeserving to visit him, and they 
 went away not empty handed. Another generation, and Uncle Mat 
 (as he was familiarly called) found himself poorer only in purse, 
 and his heroic services almost forgotten, save a few friends who 
 were with him in that deadly season. In the year 1830, he petition- 
 * A sketch of Mrs. Barr will be found ia Union Market. 
 
208 *'LY MARKET. 
 
 ed for a small office, but as a political qualification had then begun 
 to show its demon head; he could not succeed. His few friends 
 among the leading men then came forth, and among their acts placed 
 the following before the Board on the 13th of February: " I certify 
 that I have been personally acquainted for many years with Mr. 
 Matthew Vogle, and understanding that he is an applicant to the 
 Common Council for the appointment of Ward Street Inspector, I 
 recommend him as worthy, and as an applicant having strong claims 
 to their regard. Mr. Vogle in the gloomy year of 1798 did great 
 service to our city during the mortality occasioned by the Yellow 
 Fever — he volunteered his services to aid the sick and distressed 
 among our citizens, which services he most humanely and perse- 
 veringly discharged at the hazard of his life — and in a manner so 
 much to his credit and our satisfaction, that the Board of Health, 
 of which I then had the honor to be a member, also an Alderman, 
 deemed it proper to bestow on Mr. Vogle a vote of thanks. 
 
 " Gabriel Furman, Chairman of Board of Health. 
 
 '• New York, 13th of February, 1830." 
 
 We, the subjoined signers, are all acquainted with the facts as 
 above set forth, and unite in the petition and recommendation of Mr. 
 Vogle. 
 
 Samuel Stilwell, Edward Sturman, John Mann, 
 
 James Donaldson, John B. Smith, George Taylor, Jr., 
 
 Peter Parks. 
 
 "Uncle Mat" did not receive this appointment; as the position of 
 a " Ward Street Inspector " would not suit an honest man — so says 
 the politician — so says, not the people; the politician rules and ruins, 
 and the people bear their burdensome load like heroes. This office 
 had too many votes, working with the broom, and that broom on 
 election day was wonderfully useful in sweeping in enough illegiti- 
 mate votes in the ballot-box to keep some other party, who likely 
 were still more dishonest, out. Mr. Vogel, however, through the as- 
 sistance of Colonel Appleby, Geoi'ge Pessinger, and many more old 
 friends, succeeded in obtaining a clerkship in the Essex, Monroe, 
 and Gouverneur Markets, where he honestly and faithfully dis- 
 charged the duties until his death, which occurred in 1852. 
 
 For another incident of the fever of '98 I am indebted to Dr. An- 
 derson, who was a very great sufferer by the loss of many dear rela- 
 tives at this period. He told me, that " in the month of September, 
 he first lost his brother by the fever ; a few days after his father, 
 then living in Wall Street, was attacked, and soon after died ; he 
 then removed his mother to his residence in Liberty Street, when 
 she was taken down with it, and, notwithstanding the careful nurs- 
 ing of himself and wife, she too died. By this time his wife, who 
 
FLY MARKET. 209 
 
 had been ill of consumption, died also, no doubt hastened from ex- 
 cessive duties and excitement; then her sister, (his sister-in-law,) 
 having performed her duty with his sick mother, and her sister, 
 caught the fatal fever, and also died." While her body was yet 
 lying in the house. Dr. Anderson, who had now become so much 
 overcome by these afflictions that he gave up, supposing that all were 
 gone, his turn would come next. He proceeded up to the garret of 
 his house, when he perceived a piece of rag carpet lay stretched on 
 the floor, threw himself upon it, where exhausted nature caused him 
 to sleep. 
 
 In that situation John Ferguson, his friend, found him, who had 
 come to visit and assist him with the sick; but finding the rooms de- 
 serted, except the deceased, he proceeded up to the garret, where 
 he remained after finding him. When Anderson awoke, says Fer- 
 guson to him : " Sandy, what is God Almighty going to do with you 
 next?" These words of pity and sorrow from a "friend in need" 
 encouraged and renewed his before drooping spirits, and again he 
 went forth to the world. 
 
 John Ferguson was then a law student, and having been disap- 
 pointed in love, became reckless of his life, and everywhere, at all 
 times of day and night, he was found assisting the sick or dying of 
 this fatal fever. Plis freak of recklessness, however, in the end 
 proved to be a humane one ; and several years after he became the 
 Mayor of the City of New York. 
 
 A Mr. Jacob Underhill, a benevolent gentleman from up the 
 North River, came to the city at this period on purpose to assist 
 the victims of this disease, and faithfully he devoted his time and 
 purse in doing so. His principal medicine, says Dr. Anderson, was 
 plain Sage Tea, and, it was said, he cured many with it. 
 
 Dr. Alexander Anderson, referred to above, is now about 85 years 
 old, and daily he may be found engaged in an art of which he may 
 properly claim to be the father in the United States ; that is, wood 
 engraving. In his youth he studied medicine, and received his de- 
 gree from Columbia College, but following the bent of his taste for 
 the arts, he relinquished the study of medicine and engaged in that 
 of engraving. Years after, he found some of Bewick's wood en- 
 gravings on natural history, when he became attracted by their gen- 
 eral effect, and without instructions he adopted this branch, and he 
 has followed it to the present day. 
 
 We again look back into that dreadful year 1798, and find 
 
 that the widows of several of these deceased butchers petition to be 
 
 allowed the use of their stands ; others, again, whose stands had 
 
 been purchased from the Corporation, wished to sell them. The 
 
 Vol. I.— 14 
 
210 FLY MARKET. 
 
 first is from Catharine, the widow of George Messerve, on the 29th 
 of October, same year, when she obtains permission " to continue in 
 the occupation of the standing in the Fly Market of her late hus- 
 band" — " for one year, or during the pleasure of the Board." The 
 widow of Adam Van der Bergh, and Sarah, the widow of William 
 Everitt, Jun'r, were " indulged with the little (like ?J priviledge as 
 that granted to Catharine Messerve." 
 
 Joseph Outen Bogert petitions for leave to purchase of the widow 
 of James Young, deceased, stand No. 66, which was granted. She 
 sold it to Bogert for $1,700 ; and when she accompanied him to the 
 Mayor's office, to procure a license, " the Mayor told the widow 
 that she got more than the husband gave for it" — " and instantly 
 recommended that it would be proper to take less." To this Mrs. 
 Young replied, that " the stall was her own, and that, as she was 
 left with three children, she must make the most of it." No doubt 
 the trade to it was considered in the sale. 
 
 James Campbell also petitions for the stand of Simmons Potter, 
 No. 19, which formerly belonged to John Barr, which was granted, 
 on condition that " he pay off the note, with the interest, due from 
 Potter," to the Corporation. In this manner the Corporation col- 
 lected all moneys due to them, whether of the principal, interest, or 
 rent. If one failed to pay either or all of these, it was charged to 
 the next occupant. 
 
 The butchers, after deserting the markets in consequence of the 
 fever, sold meats at their houses or other places ; and as they were 
 liable to the city for a stated sum (market fees) on each head of 
 stock they sold, after their return to the markets, they were called 
 on to render an account on oath of such market fees ; and they not 
 doing so immediately, on the 13th of November of the same year, 
 " the butchers of the Fly and Catharine Slip Markets respectively 
 do, on or before twelve o'clock on Monday next, of the fees due 
 from the 30th of July last to the 27th of October last, inclusive ; 
 and also that they do by that day pay the amount of those fees." 
 
 In the month of June, 1800, 8ome nine of the butchers in this 
 market petitioned for the " Manhattan Water" (which was just in- 
 troduced through several of the streets) in this market, to make 
 pickle and clean the market, and wish to bring it in at their own 
 expense ; which was granted to them. 
 
 At this period there were several petitions and memorials before 
 the Board, showing the crowded state of this market; and another 
 against a butcher here, who neglected his business in the market to 
 forestall cattle. This is dated June 2d, 1801, and says: "That 
 Henry Astor, and certain others, who are also licensed butchers, leav- 
 
FLY MARKET. 211 
 
 ing the care of their stalls and the selling of their meats to journey- 
 men, and others who are not licensed butchers, are in the constant 
 practice of forestalling the market, by riding into tlie country to 
 meet the droves of cattle coming to the New York markets, and 
 purchasing cattle for other stalls besides his own; and does not 
 personally attend to any stall. That it is also become very custom- 
 ary for drovers of cattle from the country, after selling their own 
 cattle, to purchase other droves, and sell them out singly at an ad- 
 vanced price, thereby forestalling the market. That your memo- 
 rialists, by their regular and constant attendance at their stalls, 
 have it not in their power to counteract these pernicious practices, 
 but are thereby prevented from purchasing cattle upon so good 
 terms as they otherwise could, and are often obliged to purchase 
 from the said forestallers at an advanced price. That in conse- 
 quence thereof, the price of butchers' meat is very considerably en- 
 hanced, to the great detriment of the city." They wish the Board 
 to adopt " such rules, regulations, and active measures as they 
 shall think fit and expedient, to restrain the said Henry Astor, and 
 all others, from forestalling the markets in manner aforesaid." 
 This was signed by several of the principal butchers in several of 
 the markets, as follows : 
 
 Wm. Wright, William Post, David Marsh, 
 Edward Patten, Alex'r Peacock, John Norman, 
 Philip Fink, Alex'r Fink, and Joseph 0. Bogart. 
 
 At this period the market is represented as being much crowded, 
 by several citizens and some of the butchers, who state : " From 
 the extreme narrowness of the said market, and from the present 
 crowded and unequal distribution of the vacancies between the 
 stalls, they are impeded in the prosecution of their business, and 
 the citizens frequenting the said market greatly incommoded ; inso- 
 much that, in full market-day, it is difficult to pass and repass." 
 
 This extract would lead us to suppose that this market, at that 
 period, was near its height of prosperity ; and no doubt it was, as, 
 two years after, every stand and space appears to have been occu- 
 pied, and all doing well. Seventy- two butchers' stands were occu- 
 pied by the following persons : 
 No. 1. John Pessinger. 8. John Deavenport. 
 
 2. John Hilliker. 9. George Mason. 
 
 3. John Fitzgerald. 10. Nicholas Stall, (Stael.) 
 
 4. John Ba.s\ey, (Baisky.) 11. George Rierson, (^t/^rson.) 
 
 5. Thomas Hall. 12. John Philips. 
 
 6. William Kline. 13. Mathew Vogal, ( Fdg'eZ.) 
 
 7. James Wilt. 14. Thomas Gibbons. 
 
212 
 
 FLY MARKET. 
 
 No. 15. Jacob Nichols. 
 
 16. George R. Beck. 
 
 17. James Redding. 
 
 18. William Dick. 
 
 19. William Mooney. 
 
 20. John K. Floor. 
 
 21. Andrew Ross. 
 
 22. John Norman. 
 
 23. Abner Curtis. 
 
 24. Francis Arden.. 
 
 25. Scale & Passage. 
 
 26. Charles Bird. 
 
 27. William Wright. 
 
 28. Joseph Graff. 
 
 29. Isaac Varian. 
 
 30. Eliphalet Wheeler. 
 81. Sam'l Ackerman. 
 
 32. Andrew Van Densen. 
 
 33. John Whitehand. 
 
 34. John Roper, or Raper. 
 
 35. John B. Smith. 
 
 36. John Williams. 
 
 37. David Mann. 
 
 38. David Marsh. 
 
 39. Stephen Hilliker. 
 
 40. John Tier. 
 
 41. William Post. 
 
 42. Isaac Beyea. 
 
 44. John Triglar. 
 
 45. Daniel Ensley. 
 
 46. John Fink. 
 
 47. Edward Patten. 
 
 48. Alexander Peacock. 
 
 49. John Lovell, Jun'r. 
 
 50. John Doughty. 
 
 51. John Lovell, Sen'r, 
 
 52. James Carr. 
 
 53. Michael Varian. 
 
 54. Richard Varian. 
 
 55. John Garrison. 
 
 56. Christian Stamler. 
 
 57. Henry Astor. 
 
 58. William Messerve. 
 
 59. John Raynor. 
 
 60. James Marsh. 
 
 61. Cornelius Schuyler. 
 
 62. John Pessinger, Jun'r. 
 
 63. William Everitt. 
 
 64. Henry Lovell. 
 
 65. Benjamin Cornell. 
 
 66. Joseph 0. Bogart. 
 
 67. Whitehead Cornell. 
 
 68. George G. Messerve. 
 
 69. Daniel Winship. 
 
 70. John Pell. 
 
 71. David Seaman. 
 
 72. George Manolt. 
 
 43. George Thompson. 
 
 Of all this large number, 1 know of but two who are yet in the 
 land of the living, {Jtdy, 1859:) one the occupant, at that period, 
 of No. 30, Eliphalet Wheeler ; and the other, of No. 56, Christian 
 Stamler. Both have long and successfully battled with the world, 
 although their long road of life has not been traveled together. 
 
 Eliphalet Wheeler is now almost eighty years of age, enjoying 
 good health, both in body and mind. When a boy of nine years 
 old, he began by earning a few shillings a week from working in 
 Lorillard's Tobacconist ; at the age of sixteen he was apprenticed 
 with John Norman, a butcher in this market, where his perquisites 
 soon placed a few dollars in his pockets. About this period, it was 
 a great habit for the apprentice boys, and of course young men, to 
 meet together certain evenings at Mrs. F's in Elizabeth Street, be- 
 low Bayard's Lane, (Broome Street,) where she kept quite an at- 
 
FLY MARKET. 213 
 
 tractive shop, dealing out mead, cakes, etc., and where card-playing 
 and other games of chance were performed. Young Wheeler was 
 induced to visit this place one evening, and before he left, he had 
 just four shillings less than when he entered. The loss was not so 
 much, but the idea of losing it by gambling was more than his sen- 
 sitive mind could bear. It preyed on him so much, that on his way 
 home late in the night, he had to cross near the old family vault of 
 Alderman Bayard, which was then looked upon as a sacred spot by 
 many of the rising generation. When he came to it he stopped, 
 and on bended knee made a vow, " that he would never again, in 
 any manner, engage in 'games of chance;' and further, to devote his 
 whole life and energies to serve the Lord." From that hour his 
 earnings were placed in what is called a "money-box," and he con- 
 tinued to thrive: purchased this stand (No. 30) in 1802; and in 
 1822 he purchased No. 2 in Fulton Market, from which he retired 
 more than twenty years ago, with abundance of this world's goods ; 
 and he has lived such a life as conformed to the vow made upon 
 the old " Bayard Vault." 
 
 Christian Stamler is now about eighty years old, and quite help- 
 less. His life has been devoted to one of money getting, and he has 
 succeeded. He was ever very eccentric, both in looks and conver- 
 sation. Many anecdotes are told of him; one of which appears 
 quite suitable to his general character. He happened on board of 
 a sloop one day, looking for stock; after finding some to suit and 
 agreeing about the price, the captain not knowing him, and judging 
 from his appearance that he could not raise Jive ddlars, asked him 
 for a retainer. " Chris" was somewhat nettled, but very coolly took 
 out a small dirty roll from a corner of his old vest pocket, opened 
 it out, and handed the captain a ofie-tJiousand dollar bill, at the same 
 time showing many others ; told the captain to take out the amount 
 demanded. The captain was nonplused, but some butchers came 
 up — gave the captain his name, which was generally known to him, 
 as well as to all the dealers in stock — but he said, " He did not ex- 
 pect to find a man of his reputed wealth in such shocking bad 
 clothes." 
 
 John Fink, noticed as the occupant of No. 46 in this market, had 
 many years previous been a keeper of an old public-house, known 
 as the " Butchers' Arms," on the corner of the Bowery and Bayard 
 Street, where many young butchers and others almost daily con- 
 gregated ; and from this latter fact no doubt was the cause of Mr. 
 Fink becoming a prominent character in the once famous "Miranda 
 Expedition," which originated in this city in the year 1806. 
 
 "This expedition was started by a native of Caraccas, South Amer- 
 
214 FLY MARKET. 
 
 ica, known as General Francisco De Miranda, who appears to have 
 had some political difficulty with his government, and who had 
 been obliged to leave his country, and to seek safety in France, 
 where he had engaged in her army, and soon after received the 
 rank of General. Some dissatisfaction about promotion had in- 
 duced him to leave that country also; and the year 1805 found 
 him in the City of New York, where he became acquainted, through 
 letters of introduction, to several prominent citizens. Among these 
 were Colonel William Smith, Samuel G. Ogden, Colonel Armstrong, 
 and Captain Thomas Lewis, the latter belonging to an armed trader, 
 called the " Leander." It appeared soon after Colonel Smith be- 
 came a frequent visitor at Fink's public-house, which was a sort of 
 head-quarters for the young butchers after the market hours ; and 
 after a short period, he induced Mr. Fink to engage in the enroll- 
 ment of men, as was said, " for the service of the United States," to 
 form a Cavalry Company, by the name of " President's Guards," 
 whose principal duty was to guard the President while traveling, 
 and at other times to guard the mail at New Orleans, at which place 
 they were to immediately proceed. The inducements held out jvere, 
 that they were to receive one month's pay of $15 in a-dvance as 
 bounty money, besides all the necessary clothing and rations, which 
 were to be supplied gratuitously. 
 
 Mr. Fink's influence being very considerable, he soon enrolled 
 above thirty persons, most of them butchers, and several of them 
 married men ; and there is no doubt that he was deceived in the 
 real character of the expedition, because he had engaged himself to 
 go, with many of his intimate friends; but when they saw the secret 
 and unusual manner of the ships leaving the harbor, and of embark- 
 ing the troops, he refused to proceed, and he also induced many of 
 those whom he had induced to join also to refuse ; although several 
 of them, on the assurance of several of the officers " that they should 
 not be deceived, with also some additional advance paid," resolved 
 to go. 
 
 At this late period but few are left who can recognize many of 
 those who were butchers who went on that expedition ; but I have 
 beon able to present the following : John Parsells, David Vinton, 
 John Edsall, Alexander Bahanan, Matthew Bahanan, Benjamin 
 Davis, Richard Piatt, John Burk, Henry Sperry, and others. 
 
 After the ship " Leander " was ladened with a large quantity of war 
 materials, and the Custom-House Officers had been deceived respect- 
 ing her cai'go and destination, she dropped down to Staten Island, 
 where she received General Miranda and the enrolled troops on 
 board; and she put to sea on the 3d day of February, 1806, ar- 
 
FLY MARKET. 215 
 
 riving at Jacmel in due time. Here she remained some six weeks, 
 giving those whom " Miranda" intended to attack time enough to 
 learn all his intentions, and the necessary preparations to receive 
 him. Two other vessels were engaged by Miranda at Jacmel, when 
 troops and ammunition were placed on board, and all three pro- 
 ceeded to the Island of Buen-Aire, and after many difficulties ar- 
 rived off that coast, where soon after they were attacked by two 
 Spanish vessels, and the two vessels of Miranda were taken, although 
 he escaped in the " Leander." 
 
 Some 60 prisoners were taken to Porto Cavello, where they were 
 imprisoned, and soon after tried for piracy, when all the officers 
 were ordered to be hung, and afterwards to have their heads cut off; 
 the others wei-e ordered to be imprisoned ten years at labor, part 
 at Omoa and the other part at Porto Rico, where many of them 
 died of wounds and sickness, and those who remained suffered al- 
 most death. Some few were pardoned, but many of them remained 
 in prison for years, although many efforts were made to secure the 
 interposition of our Government ; to secure which, in their behalf, 
 some twenty of them stated in a memorial : " That we, your me- 
 morialists, are natives of the United States of America, and for the 
 most part of the City of New York, and are part of a number of 
 men of the same description who were brought from New York in 
 February last, in the ship Leander, Thomas Lewis, commander, un- 
 der circumstances of treachery and imposition, which your memorial- 
 ists will proceed to explain : Samuel G. Ogden has been known for 
 some time as owner of the ship Leander, which vessel had for some 
 time been employed by him in a forced trade, for which purpose she 
 had been heavily armed ; consequently, there was less danger of her 
 warlike equipments awakening suspicion on the part of the public, 
 or in the breasts of your memorialists, of any illegal undertaking. 
 Of the whole number of your memorialists, some were attached to 
 the vessel, some were employed for military service, and others for 
 the exercise of their ordinary occupation and trade. Those of the 
 first description were shipped in the usual manner, on a voyage to 
 Jacmel and back to New York ; the rest were engaged by Colonel 
 William Smith, Mr. John Fink, Colonel William Armstrong, and 
 Mr. Daniel R. Burning, to proceed to New Orleans, and other places 
 not mentioned, under the command of Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Bur- 
 ning, who, as was falsely and shamefully mentioned, had been appoint- 
 ed by Government to carry thither a certain number of men as a 
 guard to the mail. Your memorialists predicate their right to claim 
 the interference of Government in their behalf upon the original 
 innocence of their intentions and the veracity of the statement they 
 
216 FLY MARKET. 
 
 have offered. To establisli these to your satisfaction, they beg that 
 the persons hereinafter mentioned, who are informed of the intrigue 
 that was exercised by Colonel Smith and others, his colleagues, may 
 be appealed to, viz. : Mr. Daniel Kemper, whose son was executed ; 
 Colonel Marrinus Willet; Mr. Brinkerhoof, tavern-keeper; William 
 Rutledge, ship-joyner ; Samuel Winship and Francis White, butch- 
 ers, all of New York. And if it shall appear by the testimony of 
 these persons that the account be worthy of credit, they will be en- 
 titled to their country's protection and support." This was dated 
 "Carthagena, December 30, 1806." 
 
 We find also from a petition of John Parcell's, dated July 25, 
 1812, he says: "About eight years have elapsed since the expira- 
 tion of his apprenticeship, (with John Pell,) three years and four 
 months of which time he was confined in prison in South America in 
 irons, on account of being on hoard of a vessel under the command of 
 iliranda," &c. Several others of these butchers, after enduring al- 
 most every hardship and suffering, came back broken down in spirit 
 and constitution, at last to lay their bones with their kindred. 
 
 The principal portion of the supplies which at this period (1802) 
 furnished the markets still came to the city by water, either in small 
 boats or across the ferries, and but few were brought in wagons or 
 carts, except by those who lived a few miles from the city on New 
 York Island. Occasionally the markets were poorly supplied, 
 caused either from certain tides, storms, &c., which gave opportuni- 
 ties for the now numerous forestallers to take advantage of these 
 circumstances, by advancing the prices. The prices of certain arti- 
 cles in favorable seasons were usually about the same in certain 
 months, but the winter and spring months they all ranged higher. 
 This, however, was expected ; but the forestallers had for several 
 years past exceeded this expectation, and bought up all they could 
 before its arrival at the markets, by which means they controlled 
 the markets, and gave much dissatisfaction and cause of complaint. 
 This brought forth a report in the month of February, 1803, from a 
 Committee consisting of Aldermen John Oothout and Philip Brasher, 
 who state : " That it has hitherto been the policy of this Board to 
 encourage a resort of country people bringing provisions to the mar- 
 kets in this city by land carriages; the Committee are persuaded 
 that this policy has been attended with the most beneficial effects, 
 as supplies in this way not only tend to reduce the price of pro- 
 visions, but frequently defeat the injurious practice of forestallers ; 
 the Committee therefore recommend that no market fees whatever 
 be demanded from persons bringing into this city any provisions in 
 wagons, carts, or sleds, provided the same are vended out of such 
 
FLY MARKET. 217 
 
 wagons, carts, or sleds in which the same may be brought to this 
 city. The laws against forestallers have been for a great length of 
 time but partially executed, if not totally neglected, whereby the 
 prices of provisions are much enhanced, and the inhabitants gener- 
 ally, but more especially the poor thereof, feel its baneful effects. 
 The Committee are of opinion that the clerks of the different markets 
 ought to be instructed from time to time by the Mayor of this city 
 'to be vigilant in the execution of their duty in this particular.'" 
 They further state, they " have taken a survey of the Fly Market, 
 with a view to recommend additional shelter from the rain and sun 
 to be provided for women and others who dispose of vegetables ; 
 find it impracticable, owing to the space being very narrow between 
 the eves of the market and the opposite houses ; any further exten- 
 sion would prove destructive in case of fire. The Committee, how- 
 ever, recommend that the Mayor direct the Clerk of the Market to 
 make a more convenient disposition of the several stands, by obliging 
 many green-women who occupy the lower parts of the Fly Market 
 to remove nearer Pearl Street; by this arrangement, they would 
 have more room, and the country people from Long Island better 
 accommodated." 
 
 In the month of April of this year, Mr. Grant Thorburn observed 
 a man, for the first time, selling flower-plants in this market. He 
 says: "As I carelessly passed along, I took a leaf, and rubbing it 
 between my fingers and thumb, asked him what was the name of it? 
 He answered, 'A rose geranium.' I looked a few minutes at the 
 plant, thought it had a pleasant smell, and thought it would look 
 well if removed into one of my green flower-pots, to stand on my 
 counter to draw attention. Next day some one fancied, and pur- 
 chased plant and pot. Next day I went when the market was nearly 
 over, judging the man would sell cheaper, rather than have the 
 trouble of carrying them over the river, as he lived at Brooklyn — 
 and in those days there was neither steam nor horse-boats. Accord- 
 ingly I purchased two plants, and having sold them, I began to think 
 that something miglit be done this way, and so I continued to go at 
 the close of the market, and always bargained for the unsold plants. 
 The man finding me a useful customer, would assist me to carry 
 them home, and show me how to shift the plants out of his pots and 
 put them into green pots, if my customers wished it. So I found 
 by his tongue that he was a Scotchman, and being countrymen, we 
 wrought to one another's hands ; thus, from having one plant, in a 
 short time I had fifty. 
 
 " The thing being a novelty, began to draw attention ; people car- 
 rying their country friends to see the curiosities of the city, would 
 
218 FLY MARKET. 
 
 step in to see my plants. In some of these visits the strangers 
 would express a wish to have some of the plants ; but having so far 
 to go, could not carry them. Then they would ask for the seeds, 
 and also those of cabbage, turnip, or radish seeds, &c. ; but here 
 lay the difficulty, as no one sold seed in New York, not one of the 
 farmers or gardeners saved moie than what they wanted for their 
 own use ; there being no market for an overplus. In this dilemma, 
 I told my situation to George Inglis, the man from whom I had al- 
 ways bought the plants in the Fly Market. He said he was now 
 raising seeds, with the intention of selling them next spring, along 
 with his plants, in the market; but if I would take his seeds, he 
 would quit the market, and stay at home and raise plants and seeds 
 for me to sell. A bargain was immediately struck; I purchased 
 his stock of seeds, amounting to fifteen dollars ; and thus commenced 
 a business on the 17th of September, 1805, that became the most ex- 
 tensive of the sort in the United States."* 
 
 We find in the month of March, 1805, the Clerk of this market 
 represented, "That many persons have received severe falls from 
 the steps, which are placed at each end of the market, arising from 
 their being too narrow on the tread," which was so altered as to 
 make them more safe and convenient. 
 
 In 1803 the yellow fever appeared here, but it was not so fatal 
 as in 1798, although very bad, and in some instances fatal to whole 
 families. The first case which will be noticed here was a man of 
 the name of John Sebring, who died of this dreadful disease on one 
 of the butchers' stalls in this market, on the 19th of August. He 
 had just arrived from New Orleans, and belonged to Fredericksburgh, 
 Virginia. When taken sick he sought his boarding-house, but was 
 denied admission ; so he went into the market, laid down on one of 
 the stalls, and soon after died. Just above the market, at No. 55 
 Maiden Lane, lived a family named Westerns, consisting of a mother 
 and two daughters ; all three died at nearly the same hour, and were 
 so reported on the 5th of October following. Mr. Abraham 
 O'Kie, his wife and three children, all died from the same cause 
 within ten days. He was the keeper of the " City Assembly Rooms," 
 but he died at his residence No. 163 Greenwich Street, as noticed 
 October 3d following. 
 
 The next year it again appeared in some few cases. However, we 
 find at a meeting of the Humane Society, held August 6th, that the 
 Visiting Committee reported a donation of two hundred pounds of 
 meat received from the butchers here, and two other donations of 
 meat from Mr. Francis Arden, also of this market, for the benefit 
 of the poor and the sick. 
 
 * " Life and Writings of Grant Thorburn," p. 62. 
 
FLY MARKET. 219 
 
 The year following (1805) the fever again prevailed with some 
 considerable violence, when the butchers in this market petitioned, 
 on the 6th of September, that " conceiving the health of the city in 
 the vicinity of the Fly Market to be such as to induce them to be- 
 lieve that their stands will be of no public utility during the un- 
 healthfulness of the season," they pray for permission to remove 
 during the sickness, which was granted to them. Some of them re- 
 moved their business to their residences, from whence they supplied 
 their patrons ; while others moved their stalls to Franklin Square, 
 Chatham Square, Broadway, and on both sides of the Park. 
 
 Eliphalet Wheeler says his place of business was located on the 
 Park, just below Chambers Street, on Broadway. A few years before 
 he had become acquainted with a most remarkable colored woman, 
 who lived on Golden Hill, corner of Cliff and JohnStreets,named Mary 
 Simpson, usually known as Mary Washington, as she had once been 
 a most faithful slave of General Washington, whom he had set free, 
 while President of the United States, residing in New York. After 
 she had left Washington's family, she had opened a little store in 
 the basement of this house, where she sold milk, butter, and eggs, 
 with cookies, pies, and sweetmeats of her own manufacture ; and 
 she also took in washing for several bachelor gentlemen who re- 
 sided in the neighborhood. She never forgot her old master's birth- 
 day, nor did she want her friends or patrons to forget it, as that 
 day was above all the holidays with her ; and she kept it most faith- 
 fully, by preparing a very large cake, which she called "Washington 
 Cake," (once a favorite of Washington,) a large quantity of punch, 
 then a fashionable drink, and hot coffee. These were nicely ar- 
 ranged upon a large table ; then against the wall hung an old por- 
 trait of Washington, which graced the head of the table, and a 
 small leather trunk, on which was marked the initials " G. W.," 
 made of brass-head nails ; both of which had been given to her by 
 Washington himself. Every anniversary morning, some of the first 
 men, old and young, paid a ceremonious visit to this much respect- 
 ed colored woman, to eat her " Washington Cake," drink her punch 
 andccofifee, praise her old master's portrait, and his many noble and 
 heroic deeds ; and thus was passed every Washington's birth-day 
 until her death. She said she " was fearful that if she did not 
 keep up the day by her display, Washington would be soon for- 
 gotten." 
 
 During the several yellow-fever seasons, about the year 1800, Mr. 
 Wheeler says, " Mary often came to see me and beg offal meat, 
 sheep-heads, &c. ; some of which she made soup of for the many des- 
 titute and sick and the rest she fed to numerous starved cats, which 
 
220 
 
 FLY MARKET. 
 
 had been left behind by many families, in their haste to leave the 
 infected district. 
 
 Grant Thorburn says, (in a letter to me,) " When the yellow fe- 
 vers prevailed, people fled, and left their cats to starve ; soon the 
 hungry cats came howling round the dwellings of those whose doors 
 were open. Mary Washington and her stout colored servant-girl 
 went every morning with two large sacks to the butchers, who al- 
 ways cheerfully gave them as many sheep-heads as they could carry. 
 On arriving home, they found five-score and five starving cats wait- 
 ing their return ; straightway each with her hatchet split the sculls 
 and scattered the brains, when the cats ate and were satisfied. I 
 had full share of starving cats to provide for. The weather being 
 hot, and the windows open, the cats came in. We were obliged to 
 keep a woman with a stick to sit by the table, while the servant 
 was placing the food before us. Every day scores of cats met on 
 the pavement opposite his house ; every day I placed dishes on the 
 side-walks, and got many gallons of milk from the kind milkman 
 for the poor cats. Soon the cats found their way up town, and got 
 better quarters." 
 
 At an early day Mary became attached to St. George's Church, 
 and after a time she became acquainted with the minister. Reverend 
 Doctor Milnor, who found in her a quiet, respectful woman, with a 
 most excellent heart, full of kindness and attention, especially to- 
 wards the sick and needy. She was very fond of hearing the Bible 
 read, and became so anxious to know how to read it, that she was 
 placed in the Sunday-school, where, by great exertions and the kind 
 assistance of Doctor Milnor, she soon obtained this knowledge, and 
 this good book became her daily companion. Even when going to 
 market she carried it with her ; and if she found Mr. Wheeler not 
 engaged, he was pleased to hold her Bible while she recited, some- 
 times, whole chapters at a time, without missing a word, so reten- 
 tive was her memory. 
 
 At all the meetings of the Church, no person was a more regular 
 attendant than this colored woman ; in fact, she was looked upon, and 
 felt herself, a little above some of the colored persons who came to 
 this Cliurch, and would not sit with them. Her many good qualities 
 were considered by Doctor Milnor, who had a cliair especially pro- 
 vided for her in the gallery. She could do nothing of importance 
 without consulting her "Boss," as she kindly called the Reverend 
 Doctor Milnor ; and when she died, she bequeathed about eighteen 
 hundred dollars to the Sunday-school, and to be expended under the 
 direction of Dr. Milnor. One of his sons said to me, " If anybody 
 ever deserved a monument, that colored woman, Mary Simpson, was 
 one of them." So let her name and example live 1 
 
FLY MARKET. 221 
 
 In the spring of 1806 several complaints had been made against 
 some uncleanly slaughter-houses, not without just cause. Several 
 volunteers among some of the more respectable portion of the butch- 
 ers offered their services to the Board of Health ; and a Committee 
 of the Board of Health was appointed and conferred with this Com- 
 mittee of Butchers, on the subject of regulating all the slaughter- 
 houses in the city. In their report, dated June 14th, 1806, the Com- 
 mittee state that they had met with the following butchers : " David 
 Marsh, William Wright, Jacob Tier, William Ohivers, Daniel Win- 
 ship, Jacob Varian, and Christian Miller, who will undertake on 
 the part of the butchers to inspect the slaughter-houses, and carry 
 into effect such parts of the law for preventing nuisances as related 
 to butchers; for which purpose the Committee recommended that the 
 aforesaid persons should be appointed inspectors of slaughter-houses 
 by the Common Council, and empowered to prosecute offenders for 
 the transgressions of the law for preventing nuisances, and of such 
 regulations as the butchers may adopt among themselves for the 
 purpose of conducting their business with every possible propriety." 
 
 Several of these butchers were also leading spirits in the two 
 great political parties of the day, then known as Federalists and 
 Eepublicans, and they occasionally brought their power to bear, 
 either on one side or the other. An instance of a great wrong was 
 attempted by the party in power in the month of July, 1806. Twelve 
 Kepublican butchers petitioned to the Board for as many stands in 
 the lower, or "Fish Market," which caused a resolution to be passed 
 in the Board, granting and directing the Market Committee to as- 
 sign stands for them ; although several of them occupied stands in 
 this and other markets. In a few days after, this Committee report- 
 ed, "That they have deliberately considered the nature of the duty 
 enjoined on them, and with all due deference to the judgment of 
 this Board, do give it as their opinion, that it would be improper 
 and unjust to give away these stalls to any individual whatever, in- 
 asmuch as an offer has been made for one of these middle stalls, at 
 the rate of $120 per annum, and numbers of butchers stand ready 
 to give the same amount yearly for the remainder of them, (and 
 more money, if required.) They are clearly of opinion that £>, con- 
 siderable revenue may be derived to the Corporation funds by leasing 
 the said stalls for 1, 3, 5, or 7 years. To give away these stalls in 
 the manner contemplated by the resolution of last Monday will cer- 
 tainly cause a great clamor and discontent by the citizens; and 
 there will be evidently a want of room for the country people, as 
 also a deficiency for the use of the fishermen." 
 
 This subject did " cause a great clamor and discontent," especially 
 
222 FI'Y MARKET. 
 
 among the " press " of both parties, who indulged in criminations 
 and recriminations; each party showing up the favoritisms or rascal- 
 ities of the other by turns, and it is now difficult to judge which was 
 the worst. 
 
 The butchers petitioned, and also held several meetings, in rela- 
 tion to this subject, and at one of them the following proceedings 
 took place : 
 
 " At a meeting of the butchers who occupy stands in the different 
 markets in the City of New York, held at Pierson's Tavern, 31st 
 of July, 1806: 
 
 " It being well ascertained that the Common Council of this City 
 have lately resolved to convert part of the lower Ply Market, at 
 present used by the fishermen and country people, into a flesh mar- 
 ket, and to allow fourteen stalls to be erected therein for the use of 
 as many butchers, who have been selected and named for that pur- 
 pose, and conferred upon them these stands gratuitously, when many 
 of the butchers occupying stands in the Fly Market have paid large 
 sums of money for theirs — in confident expectation that no stalls 
 were to be erected in the lower or fish market, but have granted to 
 fourteen select favorites privileges which would have produced, 
 either at public or private sale, at least twenty thousand dollars to 
 the treasury of the city, John Pessenger, Chairman. 
 
 Joseph 0. Bogert, Secretary." 
 
 As the prosperity of this market increased, ofttimes the greater 
 part of the country market would be in possession of persons whom 
 the laws excluded. From this fact originated ''Shirk," or "Shark 
 Butchers," who were generally a set of shiftless characters, devoid 
 either of principle or honor ; made up of those who had worked a 
 while at the business until discharged; or others from about the 
 country, who could not obtain licenses ; and others, again, who had 
 been in business, but not succeeding, either from their extravagance, 
 dissipation, or otherwise, were obliged to adopt any measure where- 
 by they might exist. Many of them often assumed the garb of coun- 
 trymen, in which they almost daily visited this portion of the mar- 
 ket with their quarters of small meats nicely laid in the country 
 farmers' baskets ; while others represented themselves as agents for 
 countrymen, or made certain arrangements or collusion with the 
 officers in charge ; and when driven off from the stands or benches, 
 they would "shirk" around for another; and they became known 
 as "shirkers" and "sharks." There were also a few of the regular 
 butchers who were permitted, or specially licensed, " to sell small 
 meats by the quarter" in this lower market; they, however, were 
 confined to certain parts and particular stands. 
 
FLY MARKET, 223 
 
 In 1807 these " shirks " became so formidable as to almost exclude 
 the country people, who, with several citizens, complain to the au- 
 thorities, which was followed by the regular butchers, who also ask- 
 ed for relief. They wished none but farmers, "who bring their 
 stock to market, raised on their own farms, to sell meat by the 
 quarter," in this part of the market. The Deputy Clerk was " in- 
 structed to use his utmost vigilance to detect such offenders as shall 
 sell contrary to the tenth section of the law," &c., which had the 
 desired effect for a short period. 
 
 About this period a Philadelphian visitor, who had been to this 
 market, was comparing it with the principal market in Philadelphia, 
 in a letter to one of the editors of a Philadelphia Magazine, when he 
 says : " This morning I accompanied ' mine host ' to the Ply Market, 
 which is the principal one in this city — the whole forming a line 
 perhaps as long as one of the ranges of the Philadelphia 'High Street 
 Market.' " " Pish," he says, " may be had in greater plenty, variety, 
 and freshness. There is not found here that regularity or conven- 
 ience which distinguish the ' markets' of my native city. The fruits 
 and vegetables, &c., with the owners, are exposed to all the injuries 
 of the weather ; they are ranged on the side of the market-house in 
 the street, on the pavement, so that there is no more emptj space 
 than is barely sufficient to accommodate the foot-passengers. Every- 
 thing which is exposed for sale may be bought without walking 
 half the distance which it is necessary to do at Philadelphia."* 
 
 The prices of provisions are also noticed by Melish, in his Travels, 
 who also refers to this market, as follows : " There are five public 
 markets in this city, of which the principal is the Ply Market, and 
 those are well supplied with wholesome provisions, vegetables, fruit, 
 and fish ; and the prices are generally reasonable. A few of these 
 may be quoted : beef, mutton, and veal, 9 to 12 cents per pound ; a 
 turkey, 75 cents ; a goose, 62 cents ; ducks and fowls, 25 cents each ; 
 eggs, 14 cents per dozen ; butter, 22 cents per pound ; fish and fruit 
 plenty and cheap." 
 
 The fishermen were now increasing, and were in a thriving condi- 
 tion, although much incommoded in the slip for want of room for 
 their fishing vessels, and they were obliged to pile their empty fish- 
 cars on the dock or wharf, which created trouble between them and 
 the Street Commissioner. The Board, at a meeting May 18, 1806, 
 ordered this officer " to inquire on what terms a water-lot at Brook- 
 lyn can be purchased for the accommodation of fisherman cars." 
 Before this arrangement was made, the fishermen petitioned " the 
 necessity of our having our cars out of the water, that they may 
 * Literary Magazine, vol. vii., p. 188. 
 
224 FLY MARKET. 
 
 dry, and by that means be cleared from the grass, &c., which will 
 otherwise collect and destroy our fish ; and it is necessary to have 
 the cars near our place of keeping fish, as it is very frequently the 
 case that our smacks or fishing-boats arrive at the dead hours of the 
 night, and in the slack time of tide our fish will die almost instan- 
 taneously, unless they are shifted into cars. The number of smacks 
 employed regularly in this business will exceed seventy, and the 
 number of cars now upon the wharf will fall short of two to one 
 smack ; and as the fish increase the cars will materially diminish, 
 and the principal part of the summer season there will be but few 
 upon the wharf." This was signed by 
 
 George Rogers, Joseph Latham, Joseph Ashbey, 
 
 Roger Crandall, Jasper Latham, Jonathan Crock^er. 
 
 Their petition, with other influences, stopped their removal for a 
 period, but the Corporation eventually (in 1810) removed them to 
 Brooklyn. The fishermen had threatened, that if they were removed 
 or ordered to be removed from Fly Market Slip, they would stop 
 the supplies of fish ; and they kept their word. This created con- 
 siderable feeling with the public on being cut off from one of the 
 principal necessaries of life, and the fishermen were much blamed. 
 
 One of them appeared in the " press," in these words : " The pres- 
 ent suppression of the regular supply of sea-fish at the markets in 
 this city having justly excited the attention of the public, one of the 
 condemned feels himself called upon, by the respect always due to 
 the constituted authorities and the citizens at large, to give some 
 explanations of the case. 
 
 " It is well known that for a number of years past the fishermen 
 have been accommodated with room on the wharf adjoining the 
 Slip, as a deposit for their cars. It was necessary that the cars 
 should be kept out of water, and it was not practicable to keep them 
 at Brooklyn, or at any other place at a distance from the market. 
 Let it suffice to say, without going into a detail of the whole busi- 
 ness of catching fish, bringing them to market, and keeping them 
 alive, sweet, clean, and wholesome while there, that this arrange- 
 ment is indispensable, and without it the fish market will lose one- 
 half of its worth and usefulness." " The Harbor-Master, also, on 
 Friday last, gave us express permission and direction to place our 
 cars in the position in which they were found." "And the result 
 is, that we must be allowed our old privileges, or others that will 
 answer the same purpose, or we cannot go on with our Ijusiness." 
 
 This removal of the cars, even if the city had been regularly 
 supplied, would have subjected the fishermen to a great deal of 
 trouble and labor, in conveying these unwieldy y^s/i-cag-es across the 
 
ELY MARKET. 225 
 
 East River, and back again, against the usual strong current of that 
 river. The fact was, however, established, that the City of New 
 York was without a supply of fish, when they could so easily be 
 obtained ; and of course, the consequent rise of the small quantity 
 that were otherwise brought there. This soon brought forth ap- 
 peals from the public press, followed by petitions, and more es- 
 pecially from the poor retail fishermen, who depended upon their 
 daily sales for a living. Those from this market who signed were : 
 Elisha Lymans, James Griffing, Jr., Russel Beckwith, 
 Wm. Stebbins, Nathaniel Harris, Clark Trumans, 
 Edward Tinker, Joshua Parker, William Baxter, 
 
 Jonathan Crocker, Juorry Tinker, Bradley S. Wiggins, 
 
 and Jeremiah Tinker, who asked for relief; and the Board acceded 
 to their request, "by placing the cars at the end of the Slip." 
 
 In the "war of 1812," one of these Ply Market fishing smacks 
 engaged and captured the British sloop or tender named the Eagle, 
 which was prowling around the Hook, seizing all the market-boats 
 and other small craft that came in her way. The manner in which 
 this capture was performed is thus described: " The fishing smack, 
 named the Yankee, was borrowed of some fishermen at the Ply 
 Market, in the City of New York, and a calf, a sheep, and a goose 
 purchased, and secured on deck. Between thirty and forty men, 
 well armed with muskets, were secreted in the cabin and fore-peak 
 of the smack. Thus prepared, she stood out to sea, as if going on 
 a fishing trip to the Banks: three men only being on deck, dressed 
 in fishermen's apparel, with bufi' caps on. The Eagle, on perceiv- 
 ing the smack, immediately gave chase, and after coming up with 
 her, and finding she had live stock on deck, ordered her to go down 
 to the Commodore, then about five miles distant. The helmsman 
 answered, ' Aye, aye, sir ! ' and apparently put up the helm for that 
 purpose, which brought him alongside of the Eagle, not more than 
 three yards distance. The watch- word, ' Lawrence,^ was then given, 
 when the armed men rushed on deck from their hiding-places, and 
 poured into her a volley of musketry, which struck the crew with 
 dismay, and drove them all down so precipitately into the hold of 
 the vessel, that they had not time to strike their colors. The 
 Eagle, with the prisoners, was carried to the city, and landed at 
 Whitehall, amidst the shouts and plaudits of thousands of specta- 
 tors assembled on the Battery, celebrating the ' Fourth of July,' 
 1813. Those engaged in this successful afl'air were Sailing-Master 
 Percival and several volunteers from the flotilla." 
 
 Provisions at that period had become quite scarce and high, and 
 more especially in the supplies of fish, which many poor families 
 Vol. I.— 15 
 
226 FLY MAKKET. 
 
 had previously, through the summer season, almost exclusively lived 
 upon. A remarkable circumstance occurred in the fall of 1813, 
 which tended to relieve them for several weeks ; and is thus noticed 
 in the press: " Since the interruption of our accustomed supplies of 
 fish from the eastern coast, by the British blockaders, the want is 
 in a great measure provided for by remarkable quantities of chub or 
 small mackerel, with which the New York markets abound. They 
 are taken in nets, in the head of Long Island Sound, in such great 
 numbers, that 72,000, we are told, were caught at one haul a few 
 days since. Such an abundance of this species of fish has never 
 been known in this country since a similar occurrence during the 
 Revolutionary War."* I am told that the rivers, inlets, and creeks 
 in and around the harbor of New York, and more especially along 
 the East River shores, were so well stocked with these fish, that 
 they were taken by thousands, with little trouble ; and the com- 
 mon price for them in the markets was "a shilling a dozen." 
 
 The few regular butchers which were "permitted" in the country 
 part of this market had from time to time extended or otherwise 
 encroached on the market space, to suit themselves, without consult- 
 ing the Clerk or Committee. In consequence of this, the Board, on 
 the 17th of April, 1809, passed a resolution, " That persons having 
 permits to sell small meats in the lower or country market, are 
 hereby directed to use, in future, instead of their present stalls, 
 tenches of such form and dimensions as the Deputy Clerk may 
 direct." 
 
 The troubles and duties of the Clerk, John Minuse, are also 
 noted in another form, with some of these occupants. On the 3d 
 of September, 1810, the Clerk complains of an individual, whom 
 we shall call Charles Conlin, to the authorities, and says : " Mr. 
 Charles Conlin, a permitted butcher in the Fly Market, has been 
 guilty of giving in false returns, (of the number of animals he 
 hilled,) which I have detected several times, and he won't refrain ; 
 he says that he don't care about it, for he will cheat whenever he can; 
 and if they turn him out of the market, he can sell meat wherever 
 he pleases." A resolution passed revoking Conlin's permit. About 
 a week after, Conlin presented a petition, in which he says: " That 
 for the last four years past he has sold meat by the quarter in the 
 lower market, and was a few days ago deprived of his license, on 
 account of some person having informed the Clerk that he had not 
 given in a true account of the meat sold ; which conduct he is sin- 
 cerely sorry for," and wishes to be restored. 
 
 The Market Committee, after hearing the case, on the 15th of the 
 * National Intelligencer, October 23, 1813. 
 
FLY MARKET. 227 
 
 same month reported on the facts as were presented : " That the day 
 on which the petitioner was complained of, he killed eighteen sheep ; 
 ten of which were sold in the market, and the market fees regularly 
 accounted for; of the remaining eight, three were placed in the 
 market in a basket, covered, where they remained not more than 
 half an hour, when they were sent to a Mrs. McK-^s boarding-house, 
 and sold to her for one shilling the quarter. ('Cheap meat for 
 hoarders ! ') They were never offered for sale in the market, it 
 being the practice of the petitioner, at different times, to send his 
 meat of such poor quality to the above-mentioned boarding-house. 
 The remaining five were never taken out of the market-cart, but 
 were sent to Mr. Winship, for the supply of the Navy-Yard and 
 frigate at the Wallabout." The petitioner being a man of family, 
 and of respectable connections, the Committee recommended to the 
 Board " to pardon his offence, and restore to him his license ; " 
 which was done. 
 
 Another case took place at this market in the early part of next 
 year, for an infringement of the market law. It appears that the 
 Clerk complained of John Miller for forestalling, &c., but he repre- 
 sented that he had a permission from the Alderman to make such 
 sales. He was summoned for trial before Justice Henry Meigs, who 
 reported on his case as follows : " It appeared to me, in the trial of 
 the cause mentioned in the preceding petition, that although the de- 
 fendant, John Miller, was without a legal authority to sell, as 
 charged against him, yet he must have considered himself justly au- 
 thorized, by virtue of the permit mentioned ; and that he has not, 
 therefore, willfully infringed the ordinance regulating public mar- 
 kets. March 18, 1811. H. Meigs, Ass't Justice of the First Ward." 
 
 This country market was a continual source of trouble not only 
 to the citizens and regular butchers, but to the " Board," which 
 usually took place after a change of officers and their different par- 
 ties. New committees came into power with new ideas and wants, 
 many of which were not practical, being either too stringent, or 
 tinctured too strongly of free trade, to be suitable for the protection 
 of the citizens. 
 
 Laws were passed and rescinded, and licenses and permits were 
 given to favorites by one party, to be taken away by the other. This 
 state of things had originated and grown with those parties ; and 
 now (1858) they have so much enlarged and perfected on that danc- 
 ing-in and dancing-out system of government, that the clever, honest 
 people " pay the piper" any amount demanded, as naturally and 
 faithfully as if they had agreed with them on prices to be named 
 after their election. This is not all : these parties have continually 
 
228 FLY MARKET. 
 
 added to their numbers ; many an honest, independent-minded man, 
 through his necessities and wants, which actually have been driven 
 into their destructive and detested ranks, taken from them their in- 
 dependence and self-respect, to be at last turned into the pot-Jiouse 
 brawler, drunkard, liar, perjurer, thief, &c., &c., dc; or if he has 
 been successful of this world's goods, through rascality, pecula- 
 tion, or collusion, he assumes the model man in conversation onhj, 
 loudly condemning those who attempt to mount the same ladder 
 which carried him above the level, high upon the aristocratic throne 
 of fashion and worldliness. 
 
 But I have strayed from the subject I had intended to introduce, 
 which were two resolutions offered to the Board by the Market Com- 
 mittee, December 8th, 1817. The first reads: '' Resolved, That the 
 Clerk of the Common Council be directed to make a register of the 
 stalls held by the butchers in the several markets of this city ; and 
 that for this purpose, the several butchers holding stands be direct- 
 ed to make return to the Deputy Clerks of the respective markets 
 of the number of stalls they hold, and that the butchers renew their 
 licenses in the month of April in each year, for the better regulation 
 of the markets. 
 
 " Resolved, That all butchers holding permits from this Board be 
 required to report on or before the first day of January next, as all 
 permits will after that date be considered void, unless renewed by 
 the Corporation." 
 
 Many of the old permit and " Shirk Butchers," who had been per- 
 mitted to stand in this market for many years, considered they were 
 not called upon to renew their privileges, and failed, or would not 
 obey the last resolution. The Clerk complained of them, and they 
 were suspended, along with several others, who almost daily smug- 
 gled themselves in against the law. Among the most noted " Shirk 
 Batchers," who petitioned in the month of August, 1818, to be "re- 
 stored to that privilege," was Jacob Patchen, Jesse Coope, and 
 Israel Reynolds. Their petition was referred to a committee, who, 
 on the 7th of September following, reported that " The small meats 
 brought to the loiver market are, with very few exceptions, just bought 
 by the persons offering them for sale, or the animals are sent them 
 by some persons residing a few miles in the country to sell on com- 
 mission, or as pretended agents for the owner, to the great detriment 
 of our own butchers, who are restricted to a public stand. The 
 system now pursued, it is a rare thing to see a farmer in the market 
 with meats, &c., of his own raising ; the truth is, that nearly, if not all, 
 these agents are butchers or hucksters in disguise. The Committee 
 cannot perceive the propriety of permitting the market thus to 
 
FLY MARKET. 229 
 
 be occupied to the exclusion of our own citizens, who are regular 
 butchers and subject to taxation." This petition was denied, and an 
 ordinance was ordered to be reported on the subject accordingly. 
 
 About this period died, at a great age, a very venerable and most 
 eccentric man, known to many of our citizens who visited this mar- 
 ket; some of whom even at this day remember "Johnny Day," or 
 rather he was more generally known — some say from ten to twenty 
 years — under the affectionate and familiar name of " Old Johnny." 
 His appearance was that of an old salt or broken-down sailor, al- 
 ways noted for wearing a dirty pair of patched duck trowsers ; a 
 once blue, short monkey-jacket ; a slouched tarpaulin for head cover- 
 ing, and on his feet a pair of old stout shoes, which had been pretty 
 well worn and patched before they came into his possession. 
 
 His history no doubt was one full of events, and of a character 
 somewhat strange as well as romantic. His daily habits and man- 
 ners, however, appeared somewhat like his wardrobe, and were quite 
 as eccentric. Long before the sun peeped over the Long Island 
 hills, every morning found him at this market waiting the call of 
 his patrons for any light work or odd jobs they might offer him, 
 whether to transport a tray of meat, carry a basket of potatoes, or 
 toddle home after some good housewife with her marketing — not 
 that he was an admirer of the softer sex, or was willing to serve 
 them, as he seldom spoke to or answered their questions, but re- 
 ceived their directions and their rewards in dumb show. Previous 
 to his coming to this market, he said, he had not spoken to a woman 
 for about sixty years. 
 
 This peculiar habit of " Old Johnny " towards the female sex 
 rendered him not a favorite, and therefore he was rarely employed 
 by them, although there were one or two old hucksters who could 
 occasionally prevail upon him to do some little service ; among these 
 was Mrs. Spicer and Mrs. Tallman, who now and then gave him a 
 cup of warm coffee or other refreshment, after finishing their break- 
 fast. 
 
 Old Johnny's residence and lodgings were in the cellar of a house 
 in Banker (Madison) Street, where he went regularly every night to 
 sleep ; but his boarding-house was in and about this old market. 
 
 At the commencement of the war of 1812 he was then acknowl- 
 edged to be over one hundred years of age, although he still retain- 
 ed the appearance on his visage and gait of the earlier days, when 
 he first became known here. The only complaint he ever made was 
 from occasional " sick turns," no doubt the effect of his extreme age ; 
 and in one of these, Mrs. Spicer induced him to go and see Mrs. 
 Brownell, a most benevolent lady, residing on the corner opposite 
 
230 ^LY MARKET. 
 
 the market, and who was held in high repute for her knowledge as 
 a medical doctress. A few simple remedies applied, with the more 
 important nourishing diet supplied, soon placed " Old Johnny " in a 
 position to pursue his usual routine ; in addition to this, it opened 
 a channel to the old man's heart ; he began to look upon the sex 
 with a less bilious eye, and with a clearer heart, he began to think 
 there were some kind, true-hearted women, even in this world ; as 
 an acknowledgment of this newly-discovered magnet to his heart 
 and soul, he was now more than willing to go to the pump a dozen 
 times a day for water, to carry fire-wood as often into the house, or 
 to do any little or great service within his power for the " Fair Lady," 
 as he now and ever after fondly termed her, who had not only acted 
 as his physician, but now had become his friend. While suffering 
 in one of these " sick turns," Mr. Brownell, (whom he honored with 
 the title of "General,") as well as Mrs. B., frequently questioned 
 him concerning the early history of his life. Johnny was not com- 
 municative on this matter in the presence of Mr. B., or would only 
 utter a few exclamatory sentences, and then suddenly stop with a 
 common expression, " Take care, Johnny — you have said enough ;" 
 then put his wiry fingers to his mouth, ciose his lips, and so remain 
 a few moments. 
 
 Mrs. B's kindness, however, would occasionally induce him to un- 
 fold portions of his life's history. " That he once had the honor to 
 hold the commission of Lieutenant in the British naval service; 
 that he was engaged to be married to a girl of good family — 
 young, beautiful, rich, and accomplished ; but, unfortunately, he left 
 his betrothed in the charge of a supposed friend, who cruelly de- 
 ceived and slandered him ; gained her affections, and married her ; 
 when he afterwards, in a duel, shot him dead, fled from England, 
 and left all behind." Having gone thus far, he would suddenly ex- 
 claim, " Take care, Johnny — you have said enough ;" and then re- 
 main silent, though often followed by two large tears rolling down 
 his wrinkled face. 
 
 This was all that she, by questions put to him, could ever elicit. 
 Years passed rapidly away, still "Old Johnny" was at his post 
 and haunts around this market, till about the year 1818, when one 
 day he was taken suddenly ill in Pearl Street, before the meeting- 
 house of the Society of Friends ; here he had lain some time ; the 
 people passed by unheedingly ; none assisted him ; many supposing 
 he was a drunken vagabond lying on the side-walk. 
 
 Mr. Brownell learned at his store, from some of the passers-by, 
 of "Old Johnny's" situation. His wife was informed, and immedi- 
 ately this good Samaritan was on her way, and found " Old Johnny " 
 
PLY MAKKET. 231 
 
 almost dead. The services of an old honest colored man were se- 
 cured, and the old man was removed carefully to his home, where, 
 under faithful nursing and the ancient vigor of his constitution, he 
 soon recovered his usual health and haunts at the market. He first 
 visited Mrs. Brownell, and kindly thanked her ; at the same time, 
 he said, in a sort of confidential, mysterious warning, " Fair lady, 
 you will never regret this act of kindness. Many passed and pit- 
 ied me; none, however, but the 'Fair Lady' would care for me." 
 And again he earnestly said, " The 'Fair Lady' shall never regret 
 it." " No, Johnny," said Mrs. B., " I never regret doing a deed of 
 humanity." " No, no, 'Fair Lady,' " said Johnny, " I mean — I will 
 give you all" — and he stopped a moment, to think whether he had 
 not said enough, but finished with — " What I have never dared to 
 touch." Mrs. B. thought no more of this, until Johnny was missing 
 for several days from the market, when she proceeded up to his un- 
 derground lodgings, and sure enough, Johnny was there lying upon 
 his death-bed, as it afterwards proved. He quickly recognized her, 
 with an expression, " Heaven be thanked for this ! My prayer is 
 granted. Again I see the ' Fair Lady,' to tell her that my time is 
 short in this world. To my knowledge, I have no relatives, and I 
 want proper assistance to make a will." Mrs. B. said to him, 
 " Johnny, what have you to leave, that you should wish to make a 
 will ?" Johnny turned on his side, with a groan, saying, "There" — 
 pointing to a couple of very old seaman's chests, which were almost 
 hidden from sight by the old sail-cloth, irou, and rough fire-wood — 
 "There, in those old chests, and a large covered pot, which lies buried 
 beneath that hearth — all their contents I shall bequeath to you, 
 ' Fair Lady.' I told you you would never regret your kindness to 
 'Old Johnny Day.'" 
 
 Mrs. B. thought these might contain the gatherings of the many 
 years around the Old Fly Market, and likely not more than enough 
 to have him decently buried; but, to satisfy "Old Johnny," the will 
 was made, and properly drawn up,, by his dictation — recorded in 
 the Surrogate's office, and dated the 4th day of December, 1819. 
 
 However, before "Johnny" died, he wished to disclose something, 
 which appeared to greatly disturb his mind; and to his colored 
 nurse he several times, in detached sentences, commenced to unfold 
 that he knew where " hoards of silver coin, bars of gold and doub- 
 loons, and jewels of vast value, lie buried — enough to fill twenty 
 chests like those ; but I cannot, I must not, reveal it now. I will — 
 I will before I die." 
 
 " He had some horror when speaking of it," said his old nurse ; 
 " but I believe he intended, and tried to do so, when he was so far 
 gone that his speech was inaudible." This was about the substance 
 
232 
 
 FLY MARKET. 
 
 of all that "Old Johnny" ever revealed; although there were some 
 people who thought he had been an old pirate, and that before he 
 died he made such a confession; but this was not so, as the old 
 negro nurse was truth itself 
 
 The will was opened, and in it was found, he had bequeathed all 
 his property, of all kinds, which proved to be about $35,000, in 
 solid cash, besides other valuables, to the fair, kind, and Christian 
 lady, Mrs. Brownell, the mother of the well-known and highly-es- 
 teemed Judge J. Sherman Brownell, who so honestly inherits those 
 good qualities once possessed by his parents. 
 
 On the 26th of April of this year, (1819,) a return of all the butch- 
 ers who were licensed was made, when a resolution was passed, 
 "That they be licensed agreeably to the returns of the Deputy 
 Clerks of the different markets ; and that the price of license be re- 
 duced to one dollar." 
 
 Two years after, the Deputy Clerk reported the following for 
 license : 
 
 1. 
 
 William Pullis. 
 
 29. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 2. 
 
 Nicholas Steel. 
 
 30. 
 
 William Winter. 
 
 3. 
 
 Matthias Smith. 
 
 31. 
 
 John Whitehead. 
 
 4. 
 
 George Eyerson. 
 
 32. 
 
 George Ewen. 
 
 5. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 33. 
 
 Martin Silber. 
 
 6. 
 
 John Chappel. 
 
 34. 
 
 Harvey Lyon. 
 
 7. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 35. 
 
 John Rudman. 
 
 8. 
 
 Do. 
 
 36. 
 
 William Warlow. 
 
 9. 
 
 John Bridle. 
 
 37. 
 
 Henry Shop. 
 
 10. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 38. 
 
 Eliphalet Wheeler. 
 
 11. 
 
 Do. 
 
 39. 
 
 John Norman. 
 
 12. 
 
 Do. 
 
 40. 
 
 Willct Cornell. 
 
 13. 
 
 Do. 
 
 41. 
 
 Andrew C. Wheeler, 
 
 14. 
 
 Thomas Gibbons, 
 
 42. 
 
 Peter Wilt. 
 
 15. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 43. 
 
 Daniel Burtnett. 
 
 16. 
 
 Zavier Broadway. 
 
 44. 
 
 John Nash. 
 
 17. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 45. 
 
 Henry Marsh. 
 
 18. 
 
 Do. 
 
 46. 
 
 David Marsh. 
 
 19. 
 
 Do. 
 
 47. 
 
 Edward Patton. 
 
 20. 
 
 John Hyde. 
 
 48. 
 
 William Reynolds. 
 
 21. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 49. 
 
 Andrew Fisher. 
 
 22. 
 
 Do. 
 
 50. 
 
 John Doughty. 
 
 23. 
 
 John Abeel. 
 
 51. 
 
 William Patton. 
 
 24 and 25. Scale and Passage. 
 
 52. 
 
 James Carr. 
 
 26. 
 
 Christian Truss. 
 
 53. 
 
 John Stamler. 
 
 27. 
 
 James Wright. 
 
 54. 
 
 John I'errin. 
 
 28. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 55. 
 
 George S. Messerve. 
 
FLY MARKET. 233 
 
 56. Christian Stamler. 65. Lanning Ferris. 
 
 57. Effingham Marsh. 66. Joseph 0. Bogert. 
 
 58. William Messerve. 67. Daniel Winship, Jr. 
 
 59. Michael Crawbuck. 68. George G. Messerve. 
 
 60. William Foster. 69. Daniel Winship. 
 
 61. Cornelius Schuyler. 70. John Pell. 
 
 62. Nat. Underhill. 71. David Seaman. 
 
 63. Albert Fisher. 72. George Manolt. 
 
 64. Elnathan Underhill. 
 
 Many of the stands are found vacant at this period ; and one year 
 later, more than one-half of the butchers and others had left this 
 famous old market, never more to return. 
 
 But we are loth yet to part company with this ancient relic of 
 " by-gone times," which had lived so long in the history of our city ; 
 known and fed so many generations of almost all the civilized na- 
 tions of the world. In childhood it had first appeared with a very 
 small covering to shelter and accommodate its original visitors, who 
 daily passed along at a " slow and sure" pace towards it, wearing 
 huge breeches and pockets capacious enough to contain a week's 
 stores when in danger of short supplies ; and while the trade was 
 progressing for the season's supplies of kale and cabbage, their old 
 dingy meerschaum was replenished with that then common iceed, to 
 be whiffed away in assisting their thinking organs in the prosecu- 
 tion of a satisfactory bargain. Although many changes of authority, 
 with rebuildings and additions to the VJey, yet these old Dutchmen 
 held fast to their old customs, manners, and language, until time 
 has found them merged into the English, French, German, with a 
 few of other nations, to be at last called and known as New Yorkers. 
 
 Two years after the war of 1812 had commenced, "the scarcity 
 of specie, and the drains made upon the banks, induced a suspension 
 of specie payments, which continued until the first Monday in July, 
 1817. The want of specie and small change for a circulating medium 
 induced the Corporation to cause to be issued a substitute, in the 
 shape of paper money, in 6^, 12J, 25, and 50 cent bills, to the amount 
 of one hundred thousand dollars ; signed by John Pintard, Thomas 
 Franklin, and William M'Neal; which bills being endowed with 
 public confidence, passed current in all payments, and facilitated 
 business."* 
 
 These Corporation bills, however, were not sufiScient for the usual 
 wants, and many tradesmen also issued their own bills ; but glad 
 enough were all classes when the time was approaching for the gen- 
 eral use of specie again. The butchers and all others who stood in 
 the markets promised, through the " Press," to sell " for one week 
 • Goodrich's Picture of N. Y., p. 102. 
 
234 FLY MARKET. 
 
 twelve per cent, cheaper than they have done," by way of welcoming 
 the recommencement of the silver age. " Silver is silver — and chaff 
 is chaff," said they. 
 
 The city soon after became flooded with the bills of the country 
 banks, which at that period stood upon very slender foundations; 
 some of which were every few weeks or months stopping specie pay- 
 ments or closing for a period; then with their agents buying up 
 their bills for 25 or 50 cents on a dollar, while others stopped en- 
 tirely, and defrauding thousands of poor mechanics and others. In 
 1819 it had become so intolerable that a large meeting of the butch- 
 ers of this city was held on Tuesday, 22d June of that year, at which 
 they passed several resolutions ; one of which was, " That after the 
 30th instant they will receive no country bank-notes that are be- 
 low par in New York." 
 
 In the mean time provisions of all kinds had become scarce and 
 high, and so continued for several years. The prices of cattle varied 
 from 10 to 15 dollars per cwt. from 1814 to 1820. Meat at retail 
 sold as high as 2s. 6d. per pound, and even " rough-fat " sold at 16 
 to 18 pence per pound. In 1815 the milkmen come out in the press 
 and state, that " in consequence of the high price of fodder, the milk- 
 men, after the 1st of December, have agreed to charge a shilling a 
 quart for milk."* 
 
 In the month of January following, " Hickory wood sold at 23 
 dollars per cord ; oak, fifteen — the severe frost having cut off all 
 supplies ;" and in the same month of the next year, " Flour sells for 
 $15 per barrel, and a further advance is apprehended." 
 
 The February following, "A vessel has lately arrived from Bel- 
 fast with 562 firkins of butter, 200 of lard, 50 barrels of beef, 54 do. 
 of pork, and a quantity of potatoes ;" and in the month of December 
 following, the "Gazette" states: " If there are any hogs yet remain- 
 ing in the country, now is the time to bring them to the New York 
 markets, as the price is from ten to eleven dollars a hundred, which 
 has most of this season been their current prices."t 
 
 The number of animals killed and exposed for sale in this market 
 during the months of January, February, March, and April, in the 
 year 1816, was reported as follows: 
 
 
 Sbeep. 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 Calves. 
 
 Hogs. 
 
 January, - 
 
 1,544 
 
 671 
 
 225 
 
 220 
 
 February, 
 
 1,066 
 
 572 
 
 485 
 
 158 
 
 March, 
 
 554 
 
 569 
 
 1,164 
 
 157 
 
 April, - 
 
 501 
 
 463 
 
 1,948 
 
 134 
 
 Total, 
 
 3,665 
 
 2,275 
 
 3,822 
 
 669 
 
 • Gazette, November 30 
 
 '. 
 
 
 t December 12, 
 
 1817. 
 
FLY MARKET. 235 
 
 In the year 1818 another report shows all the animals sold at the 
 four principal markets, from January 1st to September 30, 1818 : 
 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 Calves. 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Hogs. 
 
 Fly Market, 
 
 4,402 
 
 9,105 
 
 19,154 
 
 1,725 
 
 Washington, - 
 
 - 3,168 
 
 5,539 
 
 14,412 
 
 605 
 
 Catharine, 
 
 3,616 
 
 5,210 
 
 14,384 
 
 332 
 
 Centre, - 
 
 - 617 
 
 1,186 
 
 4,357 
 
 60 
 
 Total, - 11,913 21,040 52,307 2,722 
 
 " The above is a true copy of the returns of the Deputy Clerks of 
 the different markets." 
 
 The subject of removing this market-place from Maiden Lane had 
 begun several years before it was accomplished. 
 
 Petitions for and against it were presented at intervals; some 
 said: "It was an unfit place, being over a sewer, which in the sum- 
 mer-time is considered very unhealthy ; that it blocked up the street, 
 so much so, that mercantile business was partially stopped." And 
 others, again, " Because its trade was decreasing ;" and no doubt this 
 latter was the greatest cause, as the new Washington Market was 
 beginning to be the attraction, both for the country people on the 
 North River side, and great numbers of our citizens. In Janu- 
 ary, 1816, a committee reported on the expediency of removing it, 
 and " that the ground at Beekman's Slip, Front Street, Crane's 
 Wharf, and Bast River, should be the site fixed upon;" which was 
 adopted, (by a vote of 12 to 5,)* but not carried out at this period; 
 and no doubt the cause was, that more opposition had been made to 
 it than had been expected, especially from the press. The Gazette, 
 August 19, 1819, has rather a sensible " communication " upon the 
 subject, which says : " The public mind has been long occupied with 
 the question — Ought the Fly Market to be removed? The question 
 appears to be at rest by a resolution passed by our Corporation to 
 remove it to Crane's Wharf. This resolve has not been put into 
 execution ; nor, unless my judgment is extremely erroneous, is it at 
 all likely it will be. Perhaps the question never was discussed with 
 so much obstinacy as it is at this time in the Common Council. 
 
 "The enormous sum required for the completion of the project, the 
 pressure of the times, the difficulties with the owners of property, 
 the advantages to accrue to the Corporation by selling the property 
 prepared for the market, are urged with vehemence on the one side ; 
 while the other, with equal warmth, call for its removal by every 
 consideration of their high and responsible stations as guardians of 
 the public health, and solicitous for the public good. The present 
 
 * N. Y. Spectator, January 3. 
 
236 FLY MARKET. 
 
 site of the Fly Market is undoubtedly best suited for the conven- 
 ience of citizens, as the whole community south of it are supplied 
 there. The main objection to its present situation is its being so 
 confined by the adjacent houses as to render it unhealthy, by the 
 unavoidable collection of filth in a narrow street, and want of a 
 free circulation of air." 
 
 The Grand Jury, in the following month of September, presented 
 it as a nuisance, and say in their report, that " this market is built 
 over a common sewer, conducting the water from Maiden Lane and 
 the adjoining streets to the East River. The sewer has no cover- 
 ing under the meat market, between Pearl and Front Streets ; but 
 the floor of the market, which is loosely laid, is taken up whenever 
 it is necessary to cleanse it. On the sides of the market are a 
 number of apertures into this sewer, which are receptacles of filth 
 and garbage from the taverns, fruit-stands, and cook-shops adjoining 
 thereto, creating offensive and pestilential matter, and infecting the 
 atmosphere with the most nauseous vapors at this season of the 
 year. But although a sense of duty compels the Grand Jury to 
 present this market as a nuisance, they are pleased to avow that it is 
 in as cleanly a state as its confined situation will admit, but which 
 forces on them the conviction that this market ought to be removed 
 to a site more favorable to cleanliness and comfort." 
 
 This presentation of the Grand Jury, however, had no effect with 
 the Market Committee, who, on the following 24th of January, re- 
 ported against the removal ; and, in answer to the several reasons 
 urged as causes for the removal of this market, they say : " But 
 your Committee cannot perceive any unfitness for the public ac- 
 commodation, or any unhealthiness in the present site of this mar- 
 ket, nor any other objection to it, that would not apply with nearly 
 equal, if not greater, force to any other situation. They are also 
 of opinion that, if this market were removed, the inhabitants of the 
 southwesterly part of the city would immediately require a new 
 market to be erected for their accommodation somewhere to the 
 southward and westward of Maiden Lane. They would then say, 
 and with great force, that the Oswego Market, the Exchange Mar- 
 ket, and the Fly Market had all been taken away from them, and 
 that another ought to be erected for their convenience." 
 
 The business, however, decreased so fast, that the butchers in the 
 Upper Market petition on the 27th of May following, and wish to 
 be removed to some part of the Lower or Country Market ; stating 
 that "but little business is done in that part of the market." They 
 followed it up the next year, in the month of February, stating that 
 they " have several times prayed to be removed ; but as their pray- 
 
FLY MARKET. 237 
 
 ers have hitherto been in vain, though they have, as they believe, 
 been founded in justice and equity, they have bowed in silent sor- 
 row to your honored will. But as they are now encouraged by 
 many of their much respected and sympathetic brethren in the 
 Lower Marhet, who will make a voluntary sacrifice of personal in- 
 terest to subserve public good, they appeal with confidence, and 
 humbly pray that your Honorable Body will be pleased to embrace 
 the opportunity offered by the late fire, (which destroyed all the 
 buildings on the proposed site,) of erecting a public market, and that 
 the butchers at present in Fly Market may be permitted to remove 
 to and occupy the stands in said market." 
 
 The farmers and other inhabitants of Kings County, L. I., who 
 attended this market, also " asked to discontinue it." A remon- 
 strance from several of the property owners and store-keepers was 
 also at that time presented against its removal; but the fate of the 
 Old Fly Market was soon after decided, and the Fulton Market 
 was ordered to be built. 
 
 Before this decision was made, however, an interesting display 
 took place in the city, part of which pertained to this market. One 
 of its most prominent butchers, a great friend and co-worker of the 
 New York County Agricultural Society, purchased a number of 
 prize cattle at one of their Fairs held at a place called " Mount 
 Vernon," (but previously known as " Smith's Folly,") at that day a 
 little above " Cato's," on the Bast Kiver, (now nearly on a line of 
 Sixty-first Street,) on the 13th day of March, 1821. 
 
 " ^Premium Cattle.'' — Twenty best cattle that have ever been ex- 
 hibited in this city, and which obtained the first premium — value 
 $100 — on the 13th inst., at Mount Vernon, will be offered for sale 
 on Saturday, the 17th inst., in Fly Market, by the subscriber, assist- 
 ed by many of his worthy friends, who have, in the most handsome 
 and generous manner, offered him their services ; and he hopes that 
 his efforts to promote the agricultural interest of this State will 
 meet the approbation and support of a magnanimous and generous 
 public. T. Gibbons."* 
 
 After these animals had been dressed, an average of 182^ Bbs. 
 of rough-fat was taken from each animal, and in forty butchers' 
 carts, handsomely decorated, "was carried through the principal 
 streets of the city;" while "the 'Star-spangled Banner' was dis- 
 played, and the premiums of silver pitchers, &c., exhibited in the 
 first carl." Mr. Gibbons announced through the press, " The price 
 of this beef will be one shilling a pound." A card from the Debt- 
 ors' Prison announced, on the 19th, " With gratitude, the prisoners 
 * "Gazette," March 15, 1821. 
 
238 FLY MARKET. 
 
 in the Debtors' Jail acknowledge the receipt of a plentiful donation 
 of 'Premium Beef from Mr. Gibbons, and the joint Society of 
 Butchers of the Fly Market." 
 
 The days of the existence of the Old Vlie had become numbered, 
 and brought the period when the owners of the fourteen stands, pur- 
 chased in 1796, wanted to know what compensation the Corporation 
 intended to give them, in lieu of those they intended to take from 
 them. So they presented their claim in the shape of a petition, 
 dated 13th December, 1821, " stating that the Corporation, in the 
 year 1796, caused fourteen new stands in the Fly Market to be sold 
 at auction ; and that they were purchased by the petitioners, or 
 those from whom the petitioners have bought them. That they un- 
 derstood the Corporation intend pulling down and removing said 
 market ; against which they protest, and request that no measures 
 be taken therein, until a compensation is made to the petitioners for 
 the loss they will incur by the removal of said market ;" which was 
 referred, and no action taken upon it. It, however, brought forth 
 a resolution, on the 21st January following, from their friend. 
 Alderman Abraham Valentine, " That the voluntary relinquishment 
 of fourteen butchers to certain stands in Fly Market, which they 
 claim to have purchased from the Corporation, shall not be con- 
 strued by the Common Council as invalidating their claims to com- 
 pensation." Which was adopted. 
 
 The next morning's (22d) "paper" says: "The Fly Market, or, as 
 our forefathers used to call it, the Vlie, is to be deserted this day. 
 The bustle commenced yesterday, and many an epicure, who for 
 years has been habitually fatting upon the good things of the Fly, 
 will hereafter be gratified by visiting the Fulton Market ; and, al- 
 though he cannot dispense with his eating habits, he will soon be- 
 come reconciled to his new and daily visits to the more extensive 
 one now brought into use." 
 
 Several of the butchers continued their business in the market- 
 house, until the tearing down over their heads drove them out. 
 Mr. John Seaman (now of stand No. 34, Centre Market,) was at 
 that time assisting his father, David Seaman, (the occupant of No. 
 71,) and engaged in making sale of a piece of meat to a captain of 
 a vessel, and while weighing it, a piece of the roof fell down be- 
 tween the traders; which soon closed the last sale made in this 
 once famous old market, after having been established one hundred 
 and twenty-three years in one place. 
 
 This settled the " Old Market-Place," but the claims which the 
 owners of the 14 stands bought of the Corporation in 1796 were 
 yet to be settled. With this purpose, on the following 10th day of 
 
FLY MARKET, 239 
 
 June, a communication was receired by the Counsel of the Board, 
 stating that George Manolt, David Seaman, and Albert Fisher had 
 commenced action in the Supreme Court against the Corporation for 
 the damages which they have sustained by being deprived of their 
 stalls in the Old Fly Market, in consequence of its being pulled 
 down. Whereupon the C^nsel was directed to enter his appear- 
 ance for the Corporation, and to defend the suit. It was also re- 
 ferred to the Law Committee, " to employ such additional counsel 
 as they may judge proper." 
 
 This suit did not, however, then take place, as there were some 
 hopes and promises of settling it with the Corporation ; but after 
 waiting two years, it was agreed that but one should go on, and the 
 suit was entered in the name of David Seaman against the City, be- 
 fore the Honorable Samuel R. Betts ; having as Counsel Peter A. 
 Jay and Thomas A. Emmet for plaintiffs ; and for the Corporation, 
 M. Ulshoeffer, D. B. Ogden, and William Slosson, Esq., as Counsel. 
 On the 19th of July, 1824, the Counsel to the Board reported: 
 "That on the 15th instant, the cause of 'Seaman' against the Cor- 
 poration (one of what are commonly called the butcher causes) was 
 tried, and on the 16th a verdict was found for plaintiff of $600." 
 
 This was followed with a petition from the other plaintiffs on the 
 25th of October, of which the following is an extract : " That your 
 petitioners therefore caused certain suits to be commenced against 
 the Corporation, supposing that if their title should be once settled 
 in either of these suits, the Corporation would no longer contest 
 their claim to compensation ; that one of these suits was tried on the 
 16th of July last, when a verdict was found against the Corpora- 
 tion. On this verdict judgment has been rendered — no exception 
 was taken to the charge of the judge, which was not favorable to 
 your petitioners — no motion has been made for a new trial — no writ 
 of error has been brought, but the Counsel for the Corporation have 
 acquiesced in this decision. Your petitioners therefore suppose that 
 the question of titles may be considered as no longer in controversy, 
 and that the amount of compensation due to your petitioners respect- 
 ively only remains to be ascertained. It appears to your petitioners, 
 that in this state of affairs, it cannot be necessary or desirable to in- 
 crease expense by protracted litigation, but that an amicable ar- 
 rangement may now be made." 
 
 This subject came before the Finance Committee, who reported 
 on the following 22d of November, which concludes in these words : 
 "On the trial of one of these suits, a verdict of 1600 was found for 
 the plaintiff, and under all the circumstances of that case, your Com- 
 mittee did not deem it advisable to recommend any further defence 
 
240 *'LY MARKET. 
 
 in those suits ; since that trial, the petition now reported on was 
 presented to the Board, and referred to your Committee, and they 
 have had interviews with the petitioners and their Counsel, Peter 
 A. Jay, Esq., and have treated respecting an amicable settlement of 
 the matters in question. 
 
 "The result is, that your Committee hai* concluded to recommend 
 to the Board to allow to the petitioners the amount paid for the 
 stalls which they held at the time the market was pulled down, to- 
 gether with the interest from that time to the present. 
 
 "And the petitioners have agreed to accept this compensation, 
 together with their expenses; which also your Committee have 
 agreed should be allowed to them. Your Committee have been in- 
 duced to recommend this liberal settlement towards the petitioners, 
 not only because of the verdict of the jury before referred to, but prin- 
 cipally from the peculiar hardship of the case of some of the peti- 
 tioners, who paid very large sums of money for these stalls to others 
 from whom they purchased, and not long before the market was 
 pulled down. It is true that this Board have not been parties to 
 these transfers in but few instances; and in none, as your Commit- 
 tee believe, also, they ever countenanced the idea that the purchaser 
 was to hold beyond the life of the original purchaser by auction. 
 But these are questions that your Committee do not mean to enlarge 
 upon; they have met the claimants in a spirit of liberality fend 
 amity, and have concluded to recommend a compromise to the 
 Board, as before stated, and with the express understanding on both 
 sides that, in case this proposition should not be accepted by the 
 Board, neither this report, nor such proposition, nor anything that 
 has taken place in regard thereto, shall be considered as prejudging 
 any right on either side. The case of Seaman being disposed of as 
 above stated, the claims of thirteen of the stalls in question alone 
 remain ; and the annexed statement shows the numbers of the stalls 
 sold at auction, which the petitioners either bought then or pur- 
 chased since ; it also shows the names of the petitioners ; the amount 
 paid for each stall; the amount of interest on each sum; the total 
 of each claim ; and adding the expenses agreed to be allowed as be- 
 fore stated, it makes a total sum of $10,272.46. 
 
 " Your Committee therefore offers for the consideration of the 
 Board the following resolution : 
 
 "Resolved, That in case all the petitioners shall, on or before the 
 next meeting of this Board, make and execute a proper release or 
 releases in the premises, which shall be considered sufficient by the 
 Finance Committee, (who may require security in any instance that 
 they may think proper,) the Comptroller shall report a warrant in 
 
FLY MARKET. 241 
 
 favor of Peter A. Jay, Esq., for the total sum above named ; and 
 which shall be delivered to Mr. Jay on his delivering to the Comp- 
 troller the said release and his receipt for the amounts." Signed, 
 Reuben Munson, William H. Ireland, Henry J. Wycoff, and William 
 Burtsell. 
 
 The "Board" approved the report, adopted the resolution, and 
 the .whole was acceded to by all the petitioners who represented these 
 various stands at this date, as follows : 
 
 No. Names. Cost in £. In $. Interest. Total. 
 
 59. William Foster, - - - £200 $500 00 $100 62 $600 62 
 
 60. Michael Crawbuck, - 210 525 00 105 65 630 65 
 
 61. Cornelius Schuyler, - 175 437 50 88 04 525 54 
 
 62. Nath. Underbill, - - 150 375 00 75 47 450 47 
 
 63. Albert Fisher, - - - 180 450 00 90 57 540 57 
 
 64. Elnathan Underbill, 280 700 00 140 88 840 88 
 
 65. Lanning Ferris, - - - 165 412 50 83 25 495 52 
 
 66. Joseph 0. Bogart, - - 310 775 00 155 85 930 85 
 
 67. Daniel Winship, Jr., - 170 425 00 85 53 510 53 
 
 68. George Messerve, - - 320 800 00 161 00 961 00 
 
 69. Daniel Winship, - - - 205 512 50 103 15 615 65 
 
 70. John Pell, - - - - 285 712 50 143 40 855 90 
 
 71. David Seaman, - - - (Test case at law settled.) 
 
 72. George Manolt, - 530 1,325 00 266 65 1,591 65 
 
 $9,549 83 
 For expenses, taxes, costs, &c., allowed, - - - 722 63 
 
 Settlement for the whole amount, $10,272 46 
 
 Thus terminated the career of the once famous " Old Fly Market ;" 
 but many old citizens and merchants near it had become so partial 
 to the name, that they continued to use it even after the last vestige 
 of the old market-house had disappeared. An old and a well-known 
 highly respected firm, yet in existence, at that period says in an ad- 
 vertisement: "Just published by B. & G. W. Blunt, No. 147 Fly 
 Market, a Chart of the Harbor of New York, with the Coasts of Long 
 Island and New Jersey, from Fire Island to Barnegat Inlet, &c.*" 
 
 In concluding the history of this market-place, we may say that, 
 while in existence, it could claim the merit of being the best, and 
 most liberally supplied with all the various articles used for human 
 food, in the United States. 
 
 * American, December 13, 1823. 
 
 Vol. L— 16 
 
242 MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 
 
 "MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET." 
 
 On the 4th day of October, 1709, " the inhabitants of the East 
 Ward petitioned for liberty to erect a market-house at the south 
 end of Clark's Slip, at the east end of Wall Street;" and permission 
 was granted to them " to erect the same at their own charge, pro- 
 vided it be finished within two years from date." 
 
 For more than fifty years previous, a noted tavern had been kept 
 near where this market was to be established, which appears to have 
 been the resort of country people from Long Island, who usually put 
 up here when visiting the city. It was the first house inside of the 
 wall or city gate, which opened on the present line of Pearl Street. 
 This tavern was established by Daniel Litschoe, who died about the 
 year 1660, when his widow continued the business for a number of 
 years ; but having become advanced in life, she sold her property to 
 the Jew butcher, Asser Levy, who continued it,* and (with his part- 
 ner, Gerrit Jansen Roos,) he also kept the neighboring " Public 
 Slaughter-House." After that period, there appears to have been a 
 noted public-house kept near the same place. The old Cofifee-House 
 afterwards became famous, which was followed by the celebrated 
 " Tontine," both being in that vicinity. 
 
 This market-place, soon after its erection, became rather a favor- 
 ite place for the merchants to meet to transact their business, and it 
 has not lost its character yet on that point ; the only difference is a 
 slight change in the business. In the " olden time," " all negro and 
 Indian slaves that are let out to hire, within this city, do take up 
 their standing in order to be hired at the market-house at the Wall 
 Street Slip, until such time as they are hired, whereby all persons 
 may know where to hire slaves as their occasion shall require, and 
 all masters discover where their slaves are so hired ;"t and now a very 
 large business is done there with the products of slave labor. 
 
 At that early period the masters, when they had ijo work for their 
 slaves, (many of whom were Indians,) sent them to this market-place, 
 where they were obliged to wait during business hours until hired, 
 which would sometimes be by the day, week, or month ; however, 
 they were occasionally a great deal of trouble to their masters and 
 employers, no doubt in consequence of ill-treatment, neglect, and 
 being improperly cared for ; and, of course, the slaves were usually 
 • Valentine. t Records, November 30, 1711 
 
MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 243 
 
 lazy, vicious, thievish, and at times revengeful, although many strin- 
 gent orders and laws were made to keep them in order. As early 
 as 1690 they were not allowed to cross the ferry either way, as it 
 was " Ordered that the fferryman shall not bringe or sett over any 
 negroes or slaves uppon the Sabbath daye without a tickett from 
 their masters." 
 
 In 1706 Governor Cornbury issued the following proclamation : 
 " Whereas, I am informed that several negroes in Kings County 
 have assembled themselves in a riotous manner, which, if not pre- 
 vented, may prove of ill consequence : You, the Justice of the Peace 
 in the said county, are hereby required and commanded to take all 
 proper methods for the seizing and apprehending all such negroes as 
 shall be found to be assembled in such manner as aforesaid, or have 
 run away or absconded from their masters or owners, whereby there 
 may be reasons to suspect them of ill practices or designs, and to 
 secure them in safe custody ; and if any of them refuse to submit, 
 then to fire upon them, kill or destroy them, if they cannot otherwise 
 be taken ; and for so doing this shall be your sufficient warrant. 
 Given under my hand, at Fort Ann, the 22d day of July, 1706. 
 
 " COENBURY." 
 
 Then we find, in the year 1712, a great excitement was made 
 among the citizens in consequence of a conspiracy or rising of the 
 negro slaves in this city. Horsman den says : "On the 7th of April, 
 about one or two o'clock in the morning, the house of Peter Van 
 Tilburgh was set on fire by the negroes, who being armed with guns, 
 knives, &c., killed and wounded several white people as they were 
 coming to assist in extinguishing the flames. Notice thereof being 
 soon carried to the fort. His Excellency, Governor Hunter, ordered 
 a cannon to be fired from the ramparts to alarm the town, and de- 
 tached a party of soldiers to the fire, at whose appearance those vil- 
 lains immediately fled, and made their way out of town as fast as they 
 could, to hide themselves in the woods and swamps. In their flight 
 they also killed and wounded several white people ; but being close- 
 ly pursued, some concealed themselves in barns, and others sheltered 
 in the swamps or woods, which being surrounded and strictly guard- 
 ed till the morning, many of them were then taken. Some, finding 
 no way for their escape, shot themselves. The end of it was, that after 
 these foolish wretches had murdered eight or ten white people, and 
 some of the confederates had been their own executioners, nineteen 
 more of them were apprehended, brouglit upon their trials for a 
 conspiracy to murder the people, &c., and were convicted and exe- 
 cuted ; and several more that turned evidence were transported." 
 
 Governor Hunter, in a letter dated June 12, (same year,) to the 
 
244 MEAL OK WALL STREET MARKET. 
 
 "Lords of Trade," gives the following particulars concerning it: 
 " I must now give your lordships an account of a bloody conspiracy 
 of some of the slaves of this place to destroy as many inhabitants 
 as they could. It was put in execution in this manner: When 
 they had resolved to revenge themselves for some hard usage they 
 apprehended to have received from their masters, (for I can find no 
 other cause,) they agreed to meet in the orchard of Mr. Crook, the 
 middle of the town ; some provided with fire-arms, some with swords, 
 and others with knives and hatchets; this was the sixth day of 
 April ; the time of meeting was about twelve or one o'clock in the 
 night ; when about three-and-twenty of them were got togeather, one 
 Coffee and negro slave of one Van Tilburgh set fire to an out-house 
 of his master's, and then repairing to the place where the rest were, 
 they all sallyed out togeather w"i their arms, and marched to the 
 fire ; by this time the noise of fire spreeding through the town, the 
 people began to flock to it; upon the approach of severall, the slaves 
 fired and killed them ; the noise of the guns gave the allarm, and 
 some escaping their shot, soon published the cause of the fire, which 
 was the reason that not above nine Christians were killed, and 
 about five or six wounded ; upon the first notice, which was very 
 soon after the mischief was begun, I ordered a detachment from the 
 Fort, ( George) under a proper officer, to march against them, but the 
 slaves made their retreat into the woods, by the favour of the night ; 
 having ordered centries the next day in the most proper places on 
 the Island to prevent their escape, I caused the day following the 
 militia of this town and of the County of "Westchester to drive the 
 island, and by this means and strict searches in the town, we found 
 all that put the design in execution ; six of these having first laid vio- 
 lent hands upon themselves, the rest were forthwith brought to their 
 tryal before y^ Justices of this place, who are authorized by act of 
 Assembly to hold a court in such cases. In that court were twenty- 
 seven condemned, whereof twenty-one were executed, one being a 
 woman with child, her execution by that meanes suspended ; some 
 were burnt, others hanged, one broke on the wheel, and one hung 
 a live in chains in the town. One Mars, a negro man slave to 
 one Mr. Regnier, was twice indicted and twice tryed, and again ac- 
 quitted, but not discharged ; and being a third time presented, was 
 transferred to the Supream Court, and there tryed and convicted on 
 y« same evidence on his two former tryals : this prosecution was car- 
 ryed on to gratify some private pique of Mr. Bickley's against Mr. 
 Eegnier, a gentleman of his own profession, which appearing so par- 
 tial, and the evidence being represented to me as very defective, 
 and being wholly acquitted of ever having known anything of the 
 
MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 245 
 
 conspirracy by the negroe witnesses, I thought fit to reprieve him till 
 Her Majestie's pleasure be known therein."* 
 
 The "City Records" also show some of the particulars, and the 
 punishments awarded to a few of the culprits, of which the follow- 
 ing are among the most prominent who were tried and convicted : 
 Clause, the slave of Allen Jarrott, with Quacco, slave of Abraham 
 Provoost, and Sam, slave of Peter Fauconieier ; also Bobin, who 
 stabbed his master, Adrian Hoghlandt, in the back, and killed him : 
 all were convicted of murder, but their mode of punishment appears 
 quite diiferent. Clause was "broke upon a wheel." Rohin was 
 hung in chains alive, and " so continue without any sustenance until 
 he be dead." Quacco was burnt, and Sam was hung. Nicholas 
 Rosevelt also had a slave named Tom, who was " burned with a 
 slow fire until he be dead and consumed to ashes," as was also Ruth 
 Shepard's Tunis. Bphraim Pierson, a "constable of the watch," 
 was badly wounded by Jacob Regnier's Mars: his punishment was 
 to " be stripped from the middle upwards and tyed to the tail of a 
 cart, at the City Hall, and be drawn from thence to the Broadway, 
 and from thence to the Custom-House ; thence to Wall Street, and 
 from thence to the City Hall again ; and that he be whipped upon 
 the naked back, ten lashes att the corner of every street he shall 
 pass, and that he afterwards be discharged from his imprisonment, 
 paying his fees, &c." 
 
 The Sheriff, Francis Harrison, Esq., was ordered to be paid £36 
 10s. for cost of " iron-work, gibbets, cartage, and laborers, fire- 
 wood, and other materials and expenses for the execution of sev- 
 eral negro slaves, for murders by them committed in April last." 
 
 Negro slaves, when they suffered death for committing crime, 
 were not always a total loss to their masters ; the authorities were 
 usually appealed to, through petition, for the amount of a valua- 
 tion made by persons who no doubt dealt or were in the trayd; 
 and such valuation was paid by Government. 
 
 The following petition on this subject was before the Board Sep- 
 tember 19, 1719, asking "for payment of a negro belonging to 
 Hermannus Burgher,blacksmith,who is to suffer death for burglary." 
 " That your petitioner is a poor, aged, and lame man, and hath 
 nothing whereby he may sustain himself but the labor of a negro 
 man slave, named Harry, who is now under sentence of death, and 
 therefore, as your petitioner hath reason to believe, execution will 
 be speedily done. But your petitioner being informed that there is 
 an act of General Assembly in force for allowance of a certain 
 sum of money to the owners of such slave or slaves as shall be le- 
 * Col. Hist., vol. v., p. 341. 
 
246 MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 
 
 gaily put to death — he therefore prays he may have the benefit of 
 the said act; and as in duty bound, &c. Harmanys Buger." 
 
 The value of his slave was referred to the following gentlemen, 
 who reported as follows : " We, Alburtus Bosch and Nichlas Maet- 
 taysan, being desired of Harmanus Burger to vallow the slave 
 called by the name of Herry, now in prison, are of opinion that he 
 ia worth sixty pounds, if hee was to be bought by any of our trayd: 
 as witnesses our hands, &c., September 3, 1719." 
 
 Eight years after, the punishment for passing false bills of credit 
 is meted out to a couple of individuals in a style which I think 
 would deter or make such kind of business very unfashionable at 
 the present day. " At a Supreme Court of Judicature held at the 
 City Hall of the City of New York, the fourth of December, 1727, 
 were presented for sentence David Wallace and David Willson, 
 having at the last Court been convicted of a cheat, in passing some 
 bills of credit of the Province of New Jersey, were now brought 
 to the bar, and received the following sentence, viz. : That the said 
 David Wallace and David Willson do stand in the pillory between 
 the hours of ten and eleven in the forenoon of the same day, (12th 
 inst.,) and after that be placed in a cart, so as to be publickly seen, 
 with halters about their necks, and carted thro' the most publick 
 streets in this city ; and then be brought to the public Whipping- 
 Post, and there David Wallis, on his bare back, to receive thirty- 
 nine stripes, and David Willson twenty-eight stripes. And within 
 some convenient time after, the Sheriff shall deliver said prisoners 
 at the Ferry-House in Kings County, and on the third Tuesday in 
 January next they shall be set on the pillory, and then Wallis to re- 
 ceive at Flatbush thirty-nine stripes, and Willson twenty-eight. 
 Then they shall be conveyed to Jamaica, in Queens County, and 
 there, on the fourth Tuesday in February, to stand on the pillory, 
 and afterwards each of them to receive the same number of stripes. 
 Then to be conveyed to Westchester, and there, on the fourth Tues- 
 day in March, to stand on the pillory, and then at the Whipping- 
 Post Wallace to receive twenty stripes on the bare back, and 
 Willson ten. After which, at the end of King's Bridge, they shall 
 be delivered to the High Sheriff of the City of New York, and from 
 that time, Wallace to remain in prison six months, and Willson 
 three months. And then each to be discharged, paying their fees ! " 
 
 The Laws of 1720 notice this market as the Market-House at 
 Wall Street Slip; and the "Proceedings" on the 16th of November, 
 same year, order, "That the neighborhood of the Wall Street 
 Market-House have liberty to remove the said market-house higher 
 up into the said street, or repair it where it now stands, at their 
 
MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 247 
 
 own proper cost and charge." Six years after, a law was ordained, 
 that the market-house " commonly called Wall Sfi-eet Market-Hov^e 
 is hereby appointed a public market-place for the sale of all sorts 
 of corn, grain, and meal ; and that from and after the 25th day of 
 March next, (1726,) no corn, grain, or meal be sold in publick mar- 
 ket within this city at any other place" but at this market, under a 
 heavy penalty. 
 
 After this period, it became usually known in the " papers' adver- 
 tisements" as the Meal Market, until it ceased to exist. Lyne's 
 Map, 1729, marks it down, No. 10, Meat Market; which no doubt 
 was the printer's mistake, as no cut meat was allowed to be sold in 
 it until about 1740, when an ordinance was passed, " allowing 
 country people to cut meat up," and also in the Broadway Market ; 
 which fact is more particularly referred to in the history of that 
 market. 
 
 Bradford's Gazette, 1734, says: "To be sold by John Briggs, at 
 his shop, at the corner of the Meal Market, all sorts of Drugs and 
 Medicines by wholesale." I don't suppose there is at present a 
 shop in that neighborhood that sells at wholesale, or even one at re- 
 tail. The " "Weekly Post Boy" of 1743 notices their " new printing- 
 office is removed from Hanover Square to Hunter's Key, (Quay,) 
 about midway between the Old Slip and Meal Market" "The 
 printer hereof" ("Mercury," April 29, 1754, says,) "is now moved 
 next door to Mr. Robert G. Livingston, in Queen (Pearl) Street, 
 between the Fly and Meal Markets." The same paper. May 6, 
 notices " European and India Goods — to be sold by Richard Van 
 Dyck, at his store in Hanover Square, near the Meal Market." 
 The same paper, March 3, 1760, has — "To be sold at public ven- 
 due, on Wednesday, the 12th of March inst., a large and convenient 
 dwelling-house, with the lot of ground thereunto belonging, on the 
 corner of Wall Street and Queen Street, opposite to the Meal 
 Market, neare the Merchants' Coffee-House, now in the occupation 
 of Mr. Daniel Bright." 
 
 We look back into the Records in the year 1737, when we find 
 " William Cornell " had — " Farmed (or leased) the ferry between 
 this city and Island of Nassau, (L. I.,) and petitioned to amend and 
 enlarge the market-house at Clark's Slip, (then at the foot of Wall 
 Street,) as it is mightily out of repair, and sundry conveniences 
 wanting for the better landing and preserving the ferry-boats, at 
 their own cost and charges, with the assistance of such as will con- 
 tribute to the same." Which privilege was granted. 
 
 The year previous, Joseph Reade had repaired this market-house, 
 at a cost of £28, 16s., lOd., upon which he had received ^£25, 10s., 
 
248 MEAL OR "WALL STREET MARKET. 
 
 8d., " raised by subscription and money received ; " leaving a bal- 
 ance of X3, 6s., 2d., which the Corporation agrees to make up. 
 
 William Cornell, on the 15th of May, 1739, petitioned for abate- 
 ment of rent for the ferry, and pleads, " That he has sustained very 
 considerable loss by the spreading of the smallpox, which deters 
 both strangers and travelers from comeing to town, and the country 
 people from coming to market as usual. That your petitioner's 
 family was very soon visited with the said distemper, and by it had 
 the misfortune to loose tioo fine negro men, for which he gave one 
 hundred and ten pounds, besides a young negro woman, born in his 
 own family, of great value. That when he first took the ferry, he 
 offered sixty-five pounds per annum rent more than the former ten- 
 ant had given, and had provided himself with boats, negroes, and 
 all other conveniences, at a very great charge and expense, in order 
 to perform his duty and gain a comfortable subsistence for himself 
 and family, which was all he expected thereby. But as it pleases 
 Almighty God still to suffer the distemper to spread, and continue 
 not only in the city, but also in many parts of the country, your 
 petitioner's loss does daily continue ; and unless he be relieved by 
 the charity of this Board, in an abatement of the great rent he is 
 to pay, he knows not when or where his losses will end," &c. The 
 Board, " upon mature consideration, ordered that the sum of sixty- 
 five pounds be abated out of this year's rent." 
 
 The small-pox was, no doubt, brought into the city the latter part 
 of the year previous, as the authorities were, in the month of June, 
 adopting such sanitary regulations as were then proposed, in conse- 
 quence of the "fears and apprehensions of the citizens that the 
 small-pox and malignant feavers being brought into the city from 
 South Carolina, Barbadoes, Antigua, and other places where the 
 same diseases of late have been attended with great mortality." 
 It was also stated at a meeting of the Council at " Fort George," 
 27th June, "That the ' small-pox ' was pretty rief at South Carolina, 
 and that a purpled or spotted feaver began to spread there." One 
 of the pilots for this port was ordered " to be constantly in waiting 
 at or near Sandy Hook, and go on board all vessels bound hither, 
 and acquaint all masters that it was the order of the Board, that 
 before they come within this harbour, they first anchor near Bed- 
 low's Island, to be examined by Doctor Roelof Kiersted, who was 
 appointed for that purpose." 
 
 This Doctor Kiersted was a descendant of Doctor Hans Kiersted,* 
 who emigrated from Holland about 1636, and died in the year 1666, 
 leaving several descendants who have followed his profession. The 
 • See " Market-Place at the Strand." 
 
MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 249 
 
 well-known and highly-esteemed citizen, General Heivry T. Kiersted, 
 is also one of the descendants, and one of the oldest and most popu- 
 lar druggists in the city. For forty years he has kept an excellent 
 store on the corner of Broadway and Spring Street, from whence he 
 lately removed to the corner of Broadway and Forty-sixth Street, 
 where yet he prepares a valuable ointment from a redpe left by his 
 ancient forefather, Doctor Hans Kiersted. 
 
 About this period (1732) the established ferry rates between Long 
 Island and New York were, " For transporting every person, two- 
 pence in bills of credit current in this colony ; and if after sunset, 
 double that rate. For every horse or beast, one shilling ; calf or 
 hog, four-pence; sheep or lamb, three-pence; dead hog, three-pence; 
 dead sheep, lamb, or calf, two-pence; bushel of grain, one penny. For 
 every waggon, ^^ve shillings; for every gammon of bacon, turkey, or 
 goose, one half -penny ; and for every hundred of eggs, three eggs" &c. 
 
 Interesting scenes are said to have been sometimes enacted at the 
 ferry; often in the payment of the ferriage. "Among the rates 
 fixed was one giving to the ferryman three eggs for every hundred 
 carried to market, which put the women and girls to no small in- 
 convenience,; in stopping, when on their way to market, to have their 
 eggs counted ; besides, it must have occasioned no trifling merriment 
 to travelers, to see the ferryman overhauling the eggs, and arranging 
 them in rows on the sand, where he and the females occasionally 
 disputed about the numbers and the amount of duty, which often led 
 to a second or third counting before the contested point could be 
 settled." 
 
 The accounts given of the winter of 1739 and '40 describe it as a 
 severe one, when the farmers on Long Island were "in so great 
 want of fodder for their cattle in several places, that 4 cows are 
 given to have one returned in May ; and that the cold has been so 
 severe that even deer, squirrels, and birds have been found frozen 
 to death. Great quantities of sheep have perished. Wood sold this 
 day for 40 shillings per cord." 
 
 The first regular butcher stands in this market were introduced 
 in the month of May, 1740, when Charles Dawson and Isaac Varian 
 leased two of them. The principal business done here, however, 
 was by the country people with their surplus grain, flour, and meal, 
 which they brought altogether in bags, when, if not sold on the first 
 day, the arrangements were so unsatisfactory, they were obliged 
 to store it in the neighboring shops until the next market-day; and 
 then, when sold, if the purchasers were not satisfied with the weight, 
 it must again be carried to these shops and reweighed at an addi^ 
 tional cost. This, however, was remedied in the month of Septem- 
 
250 MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 
 
 ber, 1740, by the Council, who " Ordered that Mr. John Marschalk 
 have liberty at his own expense to make such conveniences as he 
 shall think proper in the meal market, for storing meal brought to 
 market there, and providing scales and weights for weighing the 
 same, and to receive a reasonable reward for storing and weighing 
 the same." 
 
 Another affliction visited the city, both in the summers of 1742 
 and '43, which was then known as an epidemical distemper or plague, 
 no doubt the yellow fever. The population of the city was then 
 about 10,000 inhabitants, and so fatal was it in 1743 that an average 
 number of deaths, for three months, was 17 weekly, with large num- 
 bers out of the city. " An account of persons in the City of New 
 York, from the 25th of July to the 25th of September, 1743," is 
 given by the Mayor, John Cruger: '' Children 51, grown persons 
 114, in all 165. Prom the 25th of September to the 22d of October, 
 children 16, grown persons 36, in all 52. And do find by the best 
 information I have of the doctors, &c., of this city, that the late dis- 
 temper is now over."* 
 
 The fatality of the " Small-Pox," through the winter of 1742-3, 
 kept the usual supplies from the city, together with the necessary 
 wants of the increased number of shipping which visited New York, 
 caused provisions to advance very much in price. In the month of 
 February, 1743, a committee was appointed " to meet such of the 
 practitioners of the law as they think convenient to desire their 
 opinion, whether this Corporation can by any law, and in what 
 manner, prevent persons buying quarters of beef in the markets and 
 shipping of the same, which has greatly raised the price of beef to 
 the inhabitants." A continuation of high prices appears to have 
 ruled for several years. In fact, when prices are raised from 
 scarcity, a mere supply will not reduce them ; but it demands a con- 
 tinuous surplus or glut to bring them down again. 
 
 These high prices were again greatly assisted from the long cold 
 winter of 1746-7, which caused a great scarcity of fuel as well as 
 provisions. This fact is particularly noticed in the " Press," Feb- 
 ruary 9th, 1747 : " The deplorable circumstances this city is under 
 from a long series of cold and freezing weather is matter of concern 
 to all ; this now not only hinders our foreign navigation, but occa- 
 sions our fire-wood to be so scarce and dear as was never equaled 
 here before; the price being from 40s. to 58s. a cord, and almost 
 half of the inhabitants in want. Provisions also are excessive dear. 
 A good turkey, which scarcely ever before exceeded 3s. 6d., has 
 lately been sold for 5s. ; a fat fowl for 15d. ; a pound of butter for 
 14d., and many things proportionable." 
 
 * American Magazine, October 24, 1743. 
 
MEAL OR WALL STREET MARKET. 251 
 
 For several seasons high prices continued, and this (with the uni- 
 versal practice, as it is at the present day, of selling " small meats" 
 by the quarter, and especially when the quarters are very small and 
 light ; and also the meat from the large animals by the piece, when 
 a much smaller-sized piece was given for a sixpence, or a shilling, 
 than was formerly given,) gave considerable dissatisfaction, and no 
 doubt caused an addition to the market laws in the month of May, 
 1749 : " That from and after the first day of April next, no beef, 
 pork, veal, mutton, and lamb, shall be sold in any of the public mar- 
 kets of this city by any butcher, country people, or others, in any 
 other manner than by the pound, under the penalty of ten shillings 
 for every offence." The enactment of this law was thought expe- 
 dient and necessary, in order that the butchers and others might not 
 plead ignorance for want of information. 
 
 But a few months after this law was passed, when the following 
 was announced through the press : " It must at last give some ideas 
 of comfort to the poor people of this city, as well as to the honest 
 trading part, that provisions must soon fall from the exorbitant 
 price which they have been held at here for upwards of twelve 
 months past." 
 
 The legitimate business of this market-place after 1750 began to 
 fail, while another had arisen. Mercantile trading, with sales at 
 vendue almost daily, had begun to encompass it. The "fast" mer- 
 chants of that day were springing up, with little or no veneration 
 for antiquity in any form, (except the almighty dollar with very 
 plain pillars,) and more especially for this then old market-house, 
 which stood upon the grounds of their future wealth and prosperity. 
 Their peculiar looks when the old market-house crossed their obser- 
 vation, if interpreted into speech, would have been, that its absence 
 would be more agreeable than its presence. However, it stood 
 until 1760, when we find Gilbert Outen Bogert and Robert Croburn 
 were ordered to be paid "forty-three pounds and five-pence in full 
 for work done and materials found and provided to repair the Meal 
 Marlcet and the dock and drain." 
 
 This repairing, however, did not save it, as a strong petition was 
 before the Board, February 23, 1762, " from several persons living 
 near the Meal Market ask for its removal." They state, " that they 
 conceive the building called the Meal Market, in the East Ward 
 of this city, is of no real use or advantage, either to the community 
 in general, or with the inhabitants living near thereto ; that poultry 
 and other country produce being generally carried to other markets, 
 and no provisions are sold in the Meal Market, except by a few 
 butchers, who might be as well accommodated with standings in 
 
252 FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 other markets in this city. That the said building greatly obstructs 
 the agreeable prospect of the East River, which those that live in Wall 
 Street would otherwise enjoy — occasions a dirty street, offensive to 
 the inhabitants on each side, and disagreeable to those who pass and 
 repass to and from the Coffee-House, a place of great resort," &c. 
 The Board ordered it to be removed and affixed to the " Broadway 
 Market," which at this period was generally known as Oswego Mar- 
 l:et ; ''and to remove so much of the materials of said market as 
 will suffice to make a platform over the common sewer, which would 
 be uncovered by the removal" of the old building. 
 
 FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 1711. The establishment of this market-place was caused by the 
 seizure of all the market-houses in the city, except one, {Old Slip) 
 to build battoes in, by the order of Governor Hunter, in 1711, when 
 the English, being then at war with the French, were secretly or- 
 ganizing an expedition to surprise the French in Canada. 
 
 This order was placed before the Board on the 28th of June of 
 that year ; when they ordered, " That all the market-houses of this 
 city (except that at Burger's Path) be set apart for the conveniency 
 of building the said battoes, and for no other use or service whatso- 
 ever, until the same be compleat and finished ; any former law, order 
 or ordinance of this Corporation to the contrary hereof in any wise 
 notwithstanding." 
 
 This deprived the butchers, country people, and the inhabitants 
 of their usual accommodations for a period ; but their wants were 
 soon after supplied by the establishment of this then intended tem- 
 porary market-place, on the following 7th of September, when it 
 was " Ordained, that the north end of Broad Street, between the 
 City Hall of this city and the cross street which goes from the 
 Broadway to the Dutch Church, be and is hereby appointed, order- 
 ed, and established a public market-place of this city, in as full and 
 ample manner as other public market-places of this city," and " the 
 inhabitants in and about the Broad Street have liberty to erect and 
 build such stalls and sheds and other convenyences as shall be direct- 
 ed by the Clerk." 
 
 These battoes were flat-bottomed row-boats, and sharp at both 
 ends. , Kalm says, they were " made of boards of white pine ; the 
 bottom fiat, that they may row the better in shallow water ; they 
 
FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. £53 
 
 are sharp at both ends, and somewhat higher towards the end than 
 the middle. They are long, yet not all alike, commonly three and 
 sometimes four fathoms long. The height from the bottom to the 
 top of the board (for the sides stand almost perpendicular) is from 
 twenty inches to two feet, and the breadth in the middle about a 
 yard and six inches." 
 
 Regular companies of men were organized to take charge of them, 
 and for a particular description of the organization of these com- 
 panies reference may be made to an order from William Shirley, 
 Esq., General and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's forces, in 
 the year 1756, which says: "That the battoemen be formed into 
 companies of fifty men each, a captain and an assistant ; each com- 
 pany to take charge and navigate 25 battoes, in the most expedi- 
 tious and careful manner they can, in the stations they shall be 
 placed. Each man to furnish himself with a good fusee or musket, 
 and three pounds of suitable baUs. Each captain to be allowed eight 
 shillings New York currency per day ; each assistant, six shillings; 
 and each battoeman, four shillings per day, and to be found in the 
 provisions according to the allowance of the army, and to be fur- 
 nished with powder at the expense of the crown." They " are de- 
 sired to send in their names to Sir John Sinclair, Deputy Quarter- 
 master-General in New York."* 
 
 This market-place appeared to enjoy no particular name, either 
 in the laws, records, or "old papers," and its location being in Broad 
 Street, at the head of the Canal, near the foot of "Verlettenburgh 
 Hill," afterwards more generally known as " Flatten Barrack Hill," 
 or Street, I thought it not improper to designate it as the " Flatten 
 Barrack Market-Place." 
 
 The Laws of 1720, in noticing all the market-places, say of this: 
 "At the north end of Broad Street, between the City Hall of this 
 city and the cross street which leads from the Broadway to the 
 Dutch Church, be and are hereby appointed one of the publick mar- 
 ket-places of this city." 
 
 This hill or street is marked on Lyne's Map, 1729, as " Flatten 
 Barrack," and at various periods afterwards, with both Verletten- 
 burgh and Flatten Barrack, as the two following notices will show. 
 In an advertisement (N. Y. Journal) of a house for sale, in the month 
 of March, 1772 : " The neat convenient house and lot of ground at 
 the corner of Flattenbarrack Hill, near the old City Hall in Broad 
 Street, occupied by Mr. John Coghill Knapp, (Attorney at Law,) 
 and subject to the remainder of his lease, three years to come at 
 May-day next. The rent twenty-nine pounds per year, and the 
 taxes. A good title will be given by the executors to the estate of 
 
 • N. Y. Mercury, January 26, 1766. 
 
254 FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 Mary Lashby, deceased." John Jay, on the 3d of January, 1785, 
 ■writes to Mayor Duane, and says: "As I intend in the spring to 
 build on the east side of the Broadway, near VerlettenburgJi, it is 
 important for me to know whether the Corporation propose to leave 
 that street in its present state, or by lowering it, render the streets 
 leading from it to the river practicable for carriages. The present 
 condition of the Broadway affords an opportunity for such a regula- 
 tion which may never offer again, and the proprietors of the lotts in 
 it, from near the Church (Trinity) to the Bowling Green, are ex- 
 ceedingly interested in knowing what to expect on that subject, be- 
 cause their houses ought to be accommodated to whatever plan may 
 be adopted respecting the street. For my part, I am so fully con- 
 vinced of the utility of such a regulation, that although my lott lies 
 on the east side of the street, and I have no water-lotts to be filled 
 up or benefitted by it, yet I would cheerfully contribute towards de- 
 fraying any expense that might be occasioned by it. Yours, &c." 
 
 I am told that the name of Flattenbarrack Hill continued until 
 within the last fifty years ; and the Old Boys of New York, when 
 they happen to meet together in conversation of their youthful pas- 
 times, will eulogize the glorious sled-rides they ofttimes had down 
 this once famous hill. 
 
 The part of this street running from Broad Street easterly was, at 
 an early period, known as Garden Alley, Garden Lane, Church 
 Street, and Garden Street, which at an early period led to Mon- 
 tayne's Garden. In 1794 the whole street through, from Broadway 
 past the Dutch Church, was called Garden Street ; and since the 
 great fire of 1835, and the erection of the Exchange, it is known as 
 Exchange Place. 
 
 " The canal in Broad Street went up originally to the hill called 
 Verlettenburgh, since corrupted to Flattenbarrack Hill; the word 
 bergh implied a hill, and verletten meant to stop. The ferry once 
 there, at the head or stop of tide-water, furnished a means to bring 
 country folks and marketing from Brooklyn and Gowanus, &c., up 
 to the heart of the city,"* or rather to this market-place. 
 
 " This ferry-house," says Mr. Rammey, " was on the corner of 
 Broad Street, at the northeast corner of Garden Street, where flat- 
 bottomed boats used to come up to from Jersey." " To me," Wat- 
 son says, " I confess, it seems to have been a singular place for a 
 ferry ; but as tradition is so general and concurrent, I incline to 
 think it was so called from its being a resort of country boats com- 
 ing there to find a central place for their sales. I have heard the 
 names of certain present rich families whose ancestors were said to 
 come there with oysters."t 
 
 • Watson, Annals N. Y., p. 188. t Ibid., p. 182. 
 
FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 255 
 
 ""Mr. David Grim told his daughter of there having been a market 
 once held at the head of Broad Street. This agrees with what G. 
 N. Bleecker, Esq., told me, (Watson,) as from his grandmother, who 
 spoke of a market at Garden Street, which was in effect the same 
 place."* No doubt this market-place was pretty well attended with 
 market (ox) carts, country wagons, &c. ; and near by, at the head of 
 Broad Street, in front of the City Hall, were placed the imple- 
 ments of corporeal punishment — the Whipping-Post, Pillory, and 
 Stocks — where occasionally the citizens assembled to witness the 
 various punishments on certain individuals. Mr. Bbbets says: 
 " He has seen them lead the culprits round the town, whipping 
 them at the cart-tail."t "They also introduced the wooden horse 
 as a punishment. The horse was put into the cart-body, and the 
 criminal set thereon. Mary Price having been the first who had 
 the infamous distinction, caused the horse ever after to be called 
 ' the horse of Mary Price.' "J Many fashionable ladies of ques- 
 tionable character at that period gave the Public Whipper at times 
 some delicate trouble, as they then wore unusually large hoops; and 
 they were also worn by the negro slaves, and many other " slaves 
 to fashion" at various periods, of which the following are instances: 
 The first symptoms of the "hoop fever" appear to have broken out 
 in London in the year 1711, when we find the "Spectator," July 
 26, uses language quite as broad as the bottoms of the ladies' 
 dresses, and says : " The fair sex are run into great extravagances. 
 Their petticoats are blown up into a most enormous concave. The 
 women give out, in defence of these wide bottoms, that they are 
 airy, and very proper for the season. Several speculative persons 
 are of opinion that our sex has of late years been very saucy, and 
 that the hoop petticoat is made use of to keep us at a distance. A 
 female who is thus invested in whalebone is sufficiently secured 
 against the approaches of an ill-bred fellow, and might as well 
 think of Sir George Etherige's way of making love in a tub, as in 
 the midst of so many hoops. The first time I saw a lady dressed 
 in one of these petticoats, I could not forbear blaming her in my own 
 thoughts for walking abroad when she was so near her time ; but 
 soon recovered myself out of my err our, when I found all the modish 
 part of the sex as far gone as herself. Should this fashion get 
 among the ordinary people, our publick ways would be so crowded 
 that we should want street-room." The " Boston Gazette," in no- 
 ticing the London news, June 17, 1724, says: "We hear that a 
 young lady at Guilford, upon some discontent, took a lover's leap 
 into the river, (Wey,) with a design to cure or drown herself; but 
 • Watson, Annals N. Y., p. 185. f Ibid. J See Old Slip Market 
 
256 FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 her large Iwop keeping her above water, and she finding that ele- 
 ment too cooling and uncourtly, screamed out for help, which was 
 presently given her, and she was taken out alive."* Then the news 
 from Boston, November 13, 1727, says: "The late dreadful earth- 
 quake was felt at Guilford, in Connecticut Colony, 160 miles from 
 this place, where it was so violent that it shook down a chimney, 
 threw open the door of the minister's house, tolled a bell, removed 
 blocks in the chimney-corner and a chest about the floor, and shook 
 the houses to a great degree. The shock lasted about a minute. 
 A considerable town in this province has been so awakened by this 
 awful providence, that the women have generally laid by their hoop 
 petticoats." t "This great earthquake happened on the 29th of 
 October, about twenty minutes before eleven in the evening. The 
 noise was like the roaring of a chimney on fire ; the sea was vio- 
 lently agitated, and the stone walls and chimneys were thrown 
 down." "Another great earthquake took place on the 18th of No- 
 vember, 1755, at fifteen minutes after four in the morning, and con- 
 tinued about four minutes : walls and chimneys were thrown down, 
 and clocks stopped." "On the same day Lisbon was destroyed."^ 
 This earthquake of 1727, although sensibly felt in New York and 
 other States, did not discourage the continuation of wearing hoops, 
 and more especially by some of the negro slaves. As late as 1732, 
 I find one "Martin Jervis advertises his negro woman 'Jenny' as hav- 
 ing ran away."§ " She had on when she went away a purpled-colored 
 peticoat and a drab-colored waistcoat, a blue-and-white striped cot- 
 ton and linen peticoat, and a yellowish dest-gown, roobed with red, 
 a hooped peticoat, &c., and a bag of sundry linen." Some fifty years 
 after, we find the remarks of a dissatisfied individual noticed in the 
 Gazetteer, (January 4, 1785,) who says: "The article I mean to 
 take notice of is the hoop, which is so universally worn, that it is 
 impossible for a person to walk the streets without being frequently 
 turned out of the way, and exposed to the annoyance of carts, 
 coaches, &c. I think some method ought to be taken to check such 
 an epidemic inconvenience, or to turn it to the public advantage. 
 With this view, I would advise the Legislature to impose a tax 
 on all hoops, which would add to the revenue of the State, and 
 prevent the lower class from parading the streets enveloped 
 with a hoop wide enough for a princess." 
 
 About the year 1855, in a very fashionable city of Europe, a very 
 prominent individual again introduced the wearing of hoops, and it 
 was strongly hinted that she wore them to cover her figure ; but 
 
 * August 28, 1724. t Upcott's Collections. 
 
 X History of Lynn. § Weekly Mercury, Phila., June 11, 1732. 
 
FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 257 
 
 "wTiether bo or not, she wore them, and that was enough to set all 
 the ladies, or rather females, of every description in every civilized 
 country in the universe to wear them. If this be so, it will be with 
 her pleasure when lioops shall be out of fashion. 
 
 Reverting again to this market-place, we find, in the summer and 
 fall of 1731, the markets were poorly supplied with provisions, in 
 consequence of the great mortality of the small-pox. A September 
 number of the " Boston News Letter" of that year shows this fact, 
 from a letter written in New York, of which the following is an ex- 
 tract : " Here is little or no news in the place ; nothing but the mel- 
 ancholy scenes of little business, and less money ; the markets begin 
 to grow very thin ; the small-pox raging violently in town, which, 
 in a great measure, hinders the country people from supplying this 
 place with provisions." In the month of September, " 41 out of 69 
 persons died of the small-pox; and in the first week of October, 61 
 died out of 70." 
 
 In the "Upcott Collection" of clippings, in the Library of the 
 Newi York Historical Society, under date of September 27, 1731, 
 the following appears : " The small-pox, fever, and flux prevail very 
 much in this city, and many children die of the said distempers, as 
 well as grown persons ; and the country people are afraid to come 
 to town, which makes the markets thin, provisions dear, and deadens 
 all trade; and it goes very hard with the poor, insomuch that a 
 charitable contribution for them is promoted, and one gentleman has 
 given 20 pistoles, another £20 towards their relief, and other chari- 
 ties are thrown in, according to the circumstances of the benefactors." 
 " The following is an exact account of the burials in New York 
 for three weeks, viz.,^from September 20 to October 11 : 
 
 Of the Church of England, 108 Of Presbyterians, - - 5 
 Of the Dutch Church, - 99 Of Negroes,- - - 30 
 
 Of the French Church, - 6 (Total,) 248 
 
 Of those died of the small-pox, 185 
 
 Of all (other) distempers, only - - - - 63 
 
 And for the succeeding fortnight, viz., from October 11 to Octo- 
 ber 25, 1731, exclusive of negroes: 
 
 Of the Church of England, 58 Of Lutherans, - - 2 
 Of the Dutch Church, - - 56 Of Quakers, - - 1 
 
 Of the French Church, - 2 Of Jews, - - - 1 
 
 Of Presbyterians, - - - 5 125 
 
 " They write that most of these, and of the negroes, who were 
 bury'd in this fortnight, died likewise of the small-pox. As this dis- 
 temper, therefore, is so very fatal in most of our colonies on the 
 continent; where an increase of inhabitants is so very necessary. 
 Vol. L— 17 
 
258 FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 we can't but conceive, notwithstanding the casuistry of some, and 
 the prejudices of others, that the practice of innoculation, skilfully 
 introduced there, would be of no small benefit to prevent the ravages 
 made by it, which sometimes depopulates whole provinces there, and 
 frequently puts a stop to all manner of business, both public and 
 private." 
 
 The " General Assembly " had previously been driven from their 
 usual place of meeting, as appears from their proceedings on the 31st 
 of August, the same year, in consequence of the prevalency of the 
 small-pox. Their records say : " Upon information given to this 
 house by some of the members, rumor were spread that a person is 
 seized of the small-pox in the very house they now sit ; the mem- 
 bers who have not had the distemper (being about one-third of the 
 whole number) are determined not to appear any more in the house 
 during this session." They " Resolved, That the house be adjourn- 
 ed to the said City Hall accordingly." 
 
 Near this " market-place " was built the first engine-house to con- 
 tain the first two engines used in this city, which were ordered in 
 the month of May, 1731, through a committee, " to agree with some 
 merchant or merchants to send to London for two compleat fire- 
 engines with suction, and materials thereunto ; that the sizes thereof 
 be of the fourth and sixth sizes of Mr. Newsham's fire-engines." The 
 Committee reported in the following month, that they had agreed 
 with Mr. Stephen De Lancey and John Moore, merchants, at the rate 
 of one hundred and twenty per cent, on the foot of the invoice, ex- 
 clusive of commissions and insurance, and that the money be paid 
 within nine months after the delivery thereof." 
 
 After their arrival, a room in the City Hall was temporarily fitted 
 up to secure them ; and no doubt they were first used at a fire no- 
 ticed in the " Boston Weekly News," December 7, 1732, from the 
 news from New York, which states: "Last night, about 12 o'clock, 
 a fire broke out in a joyner's house in this city ; it began in the gar- 
 ret where the people were all asleep, and burnt violently ; but by the 
 help of the two fire-engines, which came from London in the ship 
 Beaver, the fire was extinguished, after having burnt down that 
 house and damaged the next." 
 
 On the 2d of January, 1733, a Committee was empowered "to 
 employ a person or persons forthwith to put the fire-engines in good 
 order, and also to agree with proper persons to look after and take 
 care of the same, that they may be always in good plight and condi- 
 tion, fitt for present use;" and in the month of April, 1736, instruc- 
 tions were given to a Committee to " cause a convenient house to 
 be made contiguous to the watch-house in the Broad Street, {which 
 
FLATTEN BARRACK MARKET-PLACE. 259 
 
 location was near this market-place,) for securing and well-keeping 
 the fire-engines of this city ;" and it was also " ordered to pay to 
 Mr. Anthony Lamb or order, the sum of three pounds three shillings 
 and i!/i'/ee-pence in full of a quarter of a year's sallary, as overseer 
 of the fire-engines, for oil, tallow, and mending an iron hinge for the 
 use of the said engines, as appears by his account." 
 
 After this period fire-engines were built and on sale here, as we 
 find: "A fire-engine that will deliver two hogsheads of water in a 
 minute, in a continued stream, is to be sold by William Lindsay, the 
 maker thereof. Enquire at the Fighting Cocks, next door to the 
 Exchange Coffee-House, New York."* 
 
 The appoinment of members, as well as the curious laws binding 
 them, soon after took place ; but the inefficiency of the power of 
 these engines is shown when the Trinity Church was on fire in 1753, 
 from a communication in the month of January, which says: "It 
 hath more than once been observed that our engines are incapable 
 of throwing water to such a height as is sometimes necessary. Of 
 this we had a dreadful instance when the steeple of Trinity Church 
 took fire. On that occasion, we observed, with universal terror, 
 that the Engines would scarce deliver the water to the top of the 
 roof. The spire, however, was far beyond its reach ; and had not 
 Providence smiled upon the astonishing dexterity and resolution of 
 a few men, who ascended the steeple within, that splendid and su- 
 perb edifice had in all probability been reduced to ashes. We are 
 therefore in want of at least one engine of the largest size, which 
 throws water about one hundred and seventy feet high. 
 
 "Another thing in which our present method of extinguishing 
 fires is capable of further improvement is this : It is usual for peo- 
 ple, in case of fire, to form themselves into two lines, the one to con- 
 vey the full buckets to the engine, and the other to return the empty 
 ones. Now it frequently happens that when the engine is full, word 
 is given to 'stop water.' This occasions a total cessation in the con- 
 veyance of more water to the engine, as well as the greatest con- 
 fusion in the ranks; the consequence of which is, that the engine is 
 empty before the ranks regain their former regularity, which creates 
 a considerable intermission in its playing, and gives the fire time to 
 resume its fury, and which, if often repeated, requires a much greater 
 quantity of water for its total suppression. This inconvenience 
 might be easily removed by supplying each engine with a large tub, 
 of at least the size of an hogshead ; which, being made of cedar, 
 might be sufficiently strong, and at the same time light enough to be 
 portable by two men. This vessel ought to be placed near the en- 
 * N. Y. Gazette, May 9, 1737 
 
260 THURMAN'S SLIP MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 giiie, and all th£ full buckets to be emptied into it. From this ca- 
 pacious tub three or four men might constantly and equally keep 
 the engine replenished, which would enable it to play an equable 
 and uniform stream."* 
 
 The success no doubt continued in this market-place, and the in- 
 habitants near petitioned, on the 4th of May, 1738, "for liberty to 
 erect a publick market-house, at their own cost and charge, in Broad 
 Street, between the 'Watch-House' and the dwelling-house of John 
 Lashby ;" which was granted, and a Committee was appointed " to 
 stake out the place." This Watch-House was located near the City 
 Hall, according to the report of a Committee on the 6th of August, 
 1731, in giving a description of the materials to build the Watch- 
 House, " at the upper end of the Broad Street, near the City Hall," 
 and also from a Map drawn by David Grim, of this city, as it was 
 in 1742. No doubt the " house and lot " for sale, noticed before, of 
 Mary Lashby's, was the one here noticed as John Lashby's, at the 
 corner of Plattenbarrack Street. 
 
 I am inclined to think that no market-house was ever erected 
 here, as we find no notices of it in the laws, advertisements, &c. ; 
 that if used as such after this period, it was principally as a market- 
 place where country people in their wagons and other vehicles stop- 
 ped to sell their produce. 
 
 THURMAN'S SLIP MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 1733. A PETITION before the Council, on the 6th of April, 1733, 
 from " divers freeholders and inhabitants of the West Ward of this 
 city, showeth, that great numbers of farmers and other persons from 
 the Jersey side and up the North River do frequently land (with 
 their grain and other provisions for the market) at ' Thurman's 
 Slip,' which is a very convenient landing, but for want of a public 
 market-house there, are very often put to considerable expense and 
 great inconvenience for entering and carrying their goods for sale, 
 which very much tends to the discouragement of trade in general. 
 The petitioners humbly pray the leave and lycense of the Board to 
 erect and build, by voluntary contributions, a public market-house in 
 some convenient place in said slip." Although their petition was 
 granted, yet it was not built, as will appear from further proceedings. 
 * Independent Beflector. 
 
THURMAN'S SLIP MARKET-PLACE. 261 
 
 The location of this intended market-place was between the 
 present Liberty and Courtlandt Streets, on the line of Greenwich 
 Street, and at that period just above Ellison's Dock, This was the 
 great landing-place for many years, in fact, until the Crown and 
 Bear Markets were established, for the market-boats of all sizes, 
 and on their arrival a great deal of trading in wood, provisions, &c., 
 was transacted, which in a measure made it a market-place, although 
 no market-house was built, nor was it recognized by law. 
 
 Professor Kalm, in his Travels, says : " As he was sailing up the 
 North Kiver," in the year 1748, '■ all the afternoon (June 10) we 
 saw a whole fleet of little boats returning from New York, whither 
 they had brought provisions and other goods for sale ; which, on ac- 
 count of the extensive commerce of this town, and the great number 
 of its inhabitants, go off very well." " During eight months of the 
 year this (Hudson) river is full of yachts and other greater and 
 lesser vessels, either going to New York or returning from thence, 
 laden either with inland or foreign goods." "The country people 
 come to market in New York twice a week, much in the same man- 
 ner as they do at Philadelphia:* with this difference — that the 
 markets are here kept in several places." 
 
 " The water-melons, which are cultivated near the town, grow 
 very large ; they are extremely delicious, and are better than in 
 other parts of North America; though they are planted in the 
 open fields, and never in a hot-bed. I saw a water-melon at Gov- 
 ernor Clinton's, in September, 1750, which weighed forty-seven 
 English pounds, and at a merchant's in town another of forty-two 
 pounds weight ; however, they were reckoned the biggest ever seen 
 in this country." 
 
 No doubt the wealthy baker, John Thurman, who owned consid- 
 erable property in Crown {Liberty) Street, wished to improve it by 
 having this market-place established near by. Prom his petition in 
 1735, asking for a water-lot in front of one of his on the North Eiver, 
 he says, " He was in possession of and in a certain messuage and lot 
 of ground in the West Ward of the City of New York, fronting the 
 North River, and extending to low-water mark, adjoining to Crown 
 Street Slip, and lying on the north side thereof, of the breadth of 
 one hundred and ten feet or thereabouts, and in consideration of the 
 custom which this Corporation has always been pleased to observe 
 in granting to the citizens and freeholders of this city the land or 
 water-lotts fronting the several lottsof land of which they have been 
 possessed." 
 
 Several years after, Mr. Thurman met with considerable loss here, 
 
 • See Philadelphia Markets, vol. ii. 
 
262 THURMAN'S SLIP MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 by having two lives and his dwelling-house destroyed by fire, which 
 is noticed in the N. Y. Mercury, March 24, 1760, as follows : "About 
 11 o'clock, on the night of the 17th instant, a terrible fire broke out 
 in the loft of a back kitchen belonging to and adjoining the house 
 of Mr. John Thurman, at the North River, in this city, occasioned 
 through the carelessness of a negro wench, by her sticking a candle 
 to a beam in the loft when she went to put her two children to sleep. 
 The fire got to a great highth before it was discovered ; soon con- 
 sumed the kitchen, a store-house contiguous thereto, and Mr. Thur- 
 man's dwelling-house, with the greater part of his furniture ; but the 
 flames were prevented from spreading further, though the wind was 
 pretty high, owing to the activity of the inhabitants. Mr. Thurman's 
 loss is very considerable ; the houses being his own property, as well 
 as two negro children that perished in the flames." 
 
 In the early part of the year 1738, another petition was presented 
 by divers of the freeholders and inhabitants of the West Ward, who 
 state: "On or about the sixth day of April, 1733, preferred a peti- 
 tion to the then Common Council, wherein they prayed leave and ly- 
 cense to erect and build, by voluntary contributions, a public market- 
 house in some convenient place in ' Thurman's Slip.' It was ordered 
 the prayer thereof should be granted, and that the then Aldermen 
 and Assistants of the said ward should direct a public market to be 
 made and erected in such convenient place thereabout as they should 
 judge most requisite for the publick good. Your petitioners cannot 
 assign reason for the neglect of the then Aldermen and Assistants 
 in not directing a convenient place in the said slip for that purpose. 
 Thurman's Slip is a very proper place, and hath a very convenient 
 landing ; that great numbers of country people, as well from Tappan 
 and other places up the North River, as from the Jersies, do fre- 
 quently land there with provisions and other necessaries for the mar- 
 kets, and we have great reason to believe that much greater num- 
 bers would frequent and come to it, if proper conveniences were 
 made and provided for them. Your petitioners further humbly pre- 
 sume to beg that a committee may be appointed to direct and ascer- 
 tain the place in said slip where a publick market-house may be 
 erected," &c. This was signed by the following persons; 
 Harmanuis Schuyler, Sarah Lyell, John Thurman, 
 
 James Ackland, Ann Huddlest Petrus Rutgers, 
 
 Jacobus Stoutenburgh, Elenor Morris, David Abeel, 
 Evardus Brouwer, Elizabeth Decay, Johannes Brouwer, 
 
 John Peers, Adam King, Harme Stout, 
 
 Jacob Brouwer, Matty s. Rack, Johannes Van Orden, 
 
 Johannis Boogert, Job Barle, Jacob Hoonik, 
 
 Jacobus Montanye, Benjamin Cain, James Kenneydy. 
 
BROADWAY MARKET. 263 
 
 A report on the above was made on the 12th of April, in the 
 words following : "We have viewed the said slip and street, and 
 find the same to be twenty-eight and a half feet wide. Unless the 
 owners of the land bounding on each side of the said slip will leave so 
 much land for the use of this Corporation, according to a draft made 
 of the said street and slip signed by us, and have the same recorded 
 accordingly, we find no conveniency there to build or erect a mar- 
 ket-house." These refusals did not deter the " neighborhood," but 
 caused them to look about for a new location, which they found at 
 the foot of the street above, which had become, in 1742, known as 
 Courtlandt Street. So in the month of July of that year, they again 
 petition, that they "haveing an inclination to build a publick markitt- 
 house, at their own cost and charge, in a slipp or street called and 
 known by the name of Cortlandes Street, being in the above said 
 ward, for the use of the inhabitants of this city. We humbly pray 
 your worshipps to grant and release to us, the petitioners, the pre- 
 velidge for bulding such markitt-house for the use above said." This 
 was also rejected on the 16th of July following ; but thirty years 
 after the Crown Market was introduced, to which the reader is 
 referred. 
 
 In the year 1754, "Thurman's Dock" was noticed in the N. Y. 
 Mercury, on the 16th of December, when " W. Wood " says: " The 
 Albany Post will set out on the I7th instant for the City of Albany 
 from his house on Thurman's Dock at the North River." 
 
 "BROADWAY MARKET." 
 
 1738. The petition for the erection of a market-house in the 
 Broadway, near Liberty Street, in 1738, is quite an original in 
 style, but no doubt it was drawn up to suit the age. It was 
 brought before the "Board" on the 13th of April of that year, of 
 which the following appears on record: "Upon a petition which 
 was presented by the chiefest part of the Inhabitants of the West 
 Ward, and also great numbers of the North Ward, live at a great 
 distance from any of the publick markett-houses, which makes it 
 very unconvenient, and occasions a great loss of time for them and 
 their servants to attend the marketts for their family provisions ; 
 and as there are great quantities of provisions frequently brought 
 from Hackensack, Tappan, and other parts up the North River, as 
 
264 BROADWAY MARKET. 
 
 ■well as from the Out-Ward. — The petitioners are willing and de- 
 sirous to erect and build at their own expense a convenient mar- 
 kett-house for publick use — of forty and two feet and twenty-five in 
 breadth, in the publick street of the Broadway, in the middle of the 
 same, fronting the street in which his Honor the Chief Justice lives, 
 and opposite Crown (Liberty) Street— to be called the 'Broadway 
 Markett-House ; ' that the same be a publick markett-place for all 
 sorts of Corn, Grain, and Meal that may be brought down the 
 Hudson Eiver, and to be sold at no other market-place in this City 
 except the publick Meal Market in Wall Street." It was ordered 
 that " the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and to be finished 
 within three months." 
 
 The position of this new market-place attracted all the produce, 
 such as grain and flour, that came down the North River, as well 
 as a great deal from Long Island ; and those millers and farmers 
 that came by water from a distance were obliged to have their 
 slaves to assist them, rowing down to the markets and back, al- 
 though they always took advantage of the tides. Many of these 
 slaves brought along their perquisites, which they retailed around 
 the streets, as it appears they had been in the habit of doing many 
 years before. This had introduced an illegitimate sort of traffic 
 with the Indians and many negro slaves of the city, who had spare, 
 or stolen, time enough to make a little spending-money. It finally 
 became so grievous to their masters, that a law was passed, in the 
 month of August, 1740, which provided, "After the ringing oi three 
 hells and proclamation made for silence, was published, 'A Law to 
 prohibit Negroes and other Slaves vending Indian Corn, Peaches, 
 or any other Fruit within this City.' Whereas, of late years great 
 numbers of Negroes, Indians, and Mulattoes, slaves, have made it a 
 common practice of buying, selling, and exposing to sale, not only 
 in houses, out-houses, and yards, but likewise on the publick streets, 
 great quantities of boiled Indian corn, peas, peaches, apples, and 
 other kind of fruit; which pernicious practice is not only detri- 
 mental to the masters, mistresses, and owners of such slaves, in re- 
 gard they absent themselves from their service, but is also produc- 
 tive of increasing, if not occasions, many and dangerous fevours, 
 and other distempers and diseases in the inhabitants : Therefore, 
 Be it enacted and ordained. That any negro, Indian, or mulatto 
 slave be convicted before the Mayor, Recorder, &c., of any of the 
 above acts, shall be publickly whipped at the whipping-post, unless 
 the master, mistress, shall pay to the person or officer informing of 
 such offence the sum of six shillings, current money of this Colony : 
 one-half thereof to such informer, and the other half to the Treas- 
 urer of this City." 
 
BROADWAY MARKET. 265 
 
 Many of these slaves had become otherwise troublesome, as they 
 held daily and nightly cabals, forming themselTCs into parties or 
 clubs, thieving, &c. Some called themselves "Free Masons;" oth- 
 ers after a liquor they were fond of — "Geneva Club;" others 
 "Smith Fly Boys;" and others, again, as "Long Bridge Boys." 
 We find their influence extended among the slaves of some parts 
 of the country, and no doubt this came from the fact that their 
 landing-place at the North Eiver was near John Hughson's, the 
 head-quarters, where originated the "great negrb'plot of 1741." 
 Hughson's residence was near (the Cooper's, Gerardus,) " Comfort's 
 Dock," and directly opposite Comfort's house. (The location now 
 is between Thames and Cedar, on the line of Greenwich Street.) 
 Near by was the' then famous well which supplied many of the 
 citizens with " Comfort's Tea-Water." 
 
 Hughson was a shoemaker by trade, says Horsmanden,'but "kept 
 a very disorderly house, and sold to and entertained negroes there" 
 with "playing at dice" — frolicking; a witness says, "he saw a 
 great many of them in a room, dancing to a fiddle, and Hughson's 
 wife and daughter along with them." His house was open for the 
 negroes, " and he entertained them at all times ; those that had no 
 money, at free cost." He employed " some of the head negroes as 
 agents under him, to decoy other negroes. Comfort's negro Jack, 
 one of the captains of these bands of fools, had so well appi'oved 
 his parts and capacity to Hughson and the rest, that he had a dep- 
 utation for swearing such converts as he made, either abroad or at 
 home ; and in both cases had great opportunities of caballing with 
 negroes ; for his master was frequently absent from home for sev- 
 eral weeks together, insomuch that Captain Jack looked upon the 
 house as his own, and himself as his own master. To this weUl 
 every morning and evening, resorted negroes from all the quarters 
 of the town, for ' tea-water,' " with whom he introduced this sub- 
 ject. There is no doubt but some of the country slaves, in their 
 almost daily visits to the city, while landing so near these head- 
 quarters, became acquainted with this contemplated conspiracy, as 
 "many cabals of negroes had been discovered, particularly in 
 Queens County, on Nassau (alias Long Island.) The negroes had 
 there formed themselves into a Company about Christmas last ; by 
 way of play or diversion, had mustered and trained with the bor- 
 rowed arms and accoutrements of their masters." These negroes 
 were found out, and punished. 
 
 Early in the month of May, (1741,) " at Hackensack, in New 
 Jersey, eight miles from this city, the inhabitants of that place 
 were alarmed about an hour before day, and presented with a most 
 
266 BROADWAY MARKET. 
 
 melancholy and affrighting scene! No less than seven barns in 
 that neighborhood were all in flames; and the fire had got such 
 head, that all assistance was in vain ; for in a short time they were 
 burnt down to the ground. Two negroes, the one belonging to 
 Derick Van Hoorn, the other to Albert Van Voerheise, were sus- 
 pected to have been guilty of this fact; the former having been 
 seen coming out of one of the barns with a gun laden, who pre- 
 tended, on being discovered, that he saw the person who had fired 
 the barns, upon which his master ordered him to fire at him ; and 
 the negro thereupon immediately discharged his piece; but no 
 blood was drawn from any mortal, that could be discovered. The 
 latter was found at his master's house loading a gun with two bul- 
 lets, which he had in his hand ready to put in. Upon these and 
 other presumptive circumstances and proofs, both negroes were ap- 
 prehended, and in a few days tried, convicted, and burnt at a stake. 
 The former confessed he had set fire to three of the barns; the 
 latter would confess nothing." (See "OM Slip Market") 
 
 This " Tea-Water Well" of Comfort's, as previously noticed, was 
 somewhat famous, and frequently referred to in Horsmanden's 
 Great Negro Plot. No doubt its water must have been superior 
 to all the other public wells, as it was sought after morning and 
 evening, and carried away in kegs by the slaves of many of the 
 principal citizens, many years before this great negro plot took 
 place. 
 
 The famous "Tea-Water Pump" which still lives in the recollec- 
 tions of some old citizens, was a different well, or rather a finei 
 flowing spring in a well, which no doubt originally assisted in 
 forming the "Fresh Water" or 'Kolch Pond." This was located 
 on or about the present northeast corner of Orange and Chatham 
 Streets. Professor Kalm, while visiting New York in 1748, first 
 notices this spring, and says : " There is no good water in the town 
 itself, but at a little distance there is a large spring of good wa- 
 ter, which the inhabitants take for their tea, and for the use of the 
 kitchen." This, no doubt, soon became their chief source of supply 
 for " tea- water ; " and when it began to be carried in hogsheads on 
 the carts, it was quite necessary to have a sort of engine to raise 
 the water high enough to run into these hogsheads ; and no doubt 
 this engine was about the first common pump introduced here. 
 Montressor, on his Map, (No. 6,) in the year 1775, notes it as the 
 " Fresh-Water Engine, from which the town is supplied." In the 
 Revolution it is advertised thus : " Proposals in writing will be 
 received by the Vestry, at the Aims-House, on Monday, the 2d of 
 April, (1781,) from such persons as may be desirous of renting the 
 
BEOAUWAY MARKET. 
 
 267 
 
 'Tea -Water Pump' for the ensuing year."* Three years after, 
 (1784,) "Abraham Revere committed suicide, who lately occupied 
 the 'Tea -Water Pump;"'t and about the same period, '"a corre- 
 spondent recommends to the attention of the magistrates a nui- 
 sance generally complained of in this dry, warm season. A number 
 of people assembled round the pond (Collect) from whence the tea- 
 water is raised, and wash their dirty linen. It is unnecessary to 
 expatiate upon the utility of preventing the continuance of a prac- 
 tice which has a manifest tendency lo affect the health of the inhab- 
 itants of this city."J Then we find — "Eight or nine lots of 
 ground, (to he sold,) of one hundred feet in length, and twenty-five 
 in width, situate behind the Tea- Water Pump, between that and 
 the fresh-water pond, ( Collect,) with the buildings thereon — an ex- 
 cellent stand for a still-house, brew-house, or sugar-house, as there 
 is the best of water all round it, and it is supposed the Tea-Water 
 Pump feeds itself through said lotts."§ 
 
 Winterbotham, in his general description of New York, written 
 about the year 1790, also notices the " Tea-Water Pump," as fol- 
 lows : " Most of the people are supplied every day with fresh water, 
 conveyed to their doors in casks, from a spring almost a mile from 
 the centre of the city. This well is about twenty feet deep, and 
 four feet (in) diameter. The average quantity drawn daily from 
 this remarkable well is one hundred and ten hogsheads, of one 
 hundred and thirty gallons each. In some hot summer-days two 
 hundred and sixteen hogsheads have been drawn from it ; and what 
 is very singular, there are never more or less than three feet of 
 water in the well. The water is sold commonly at three-pence a 
 hogshead at the pump." 
 
 A few years after, the Miiierva (December 10, 1796,) states — "A 
 report having been in circulation that the water of the 'Tea -Water 
 Pump' begins to fail, and also, that the proprietor will not allow 
 any more water to be drawn from it than is absolutely necessary 
 for the use of the citizens for tea and drinking, the subscriber begs 
 leave to contradict the said report, and inform the citizens that 
 notwithstanding the extremely dry season, the source of the tea- 
 water has not in the least diminished ; and so far from his refusing 
 any demand for water, he hereby offers the citizens a plentiful sup- 
 ply for washing or other family uses. Any order for one or more 
 hogsheads of water, directing the place where to be delivered, sent 
 to the pump, will be immediately attended to. The price of the 
 water is 4s. per hogshead, containing 140 gallons. 
 
 " William C. Thompson." 
 
 • Royal Gazette, March 31. t Penna. Packet, July 20. 
 
 X N. Y. Packet, August 19, 1784. § Ibid., Oct. 25. 
 
268 BROADWAY MARKET. 
 
 Two years after, (1798,) the reputation of this tea-water had 
 become decidedly bad, if we should judge by the following article, 
 which says : " The New Yorkers have no clear, cool water to slake 
 the thirst — yet they pretend their city water is very pure and nice. 
 The Collect behind the 'Tea-Water Pump' is a shocking hole, 
 where all impure things centre together, and engender the worst 
 of unwholesome productions. The water has grown worse, mani- 
 festly, within a few years. It is time to look out some other sup- 
 ply, and discontinue the use of water growing less and less whole- 
 some every day. Some affect to say the water is very cool and 
 refreshing. Everybody knows, from experience, the water gets 
 warm in a few hours, and sometimes almost before it is drawn from 
 the carter's hogshead. Can you bear to drink it on Sundays in the 
 summer-time ? It is so bad before Monday mornings, as to be very 
 sickly and nauseating ; and the larger the city grows, the worse 
 this evil will be. Already it has been whispered by some vigilant 
 travelers through our city, that the New Yorkers are like the dog 
 in the manger — they will not provide aqueducts themselves, nor let 
 anybody else do it. Take the matter into consideration, and re- 
 solve, every man for himself, to leave no stone unturned to have 
 this grand object of watering carried through."* It was but a year 
 or two afterwards when the "Manhattan Water" took its place. 
 
 Although this Broadway Market was originally ordained as a meal 
 market, yet we find, on the 7th of November, 1741, by a Law then 
 passed, " giving priviledge to country people to sell or expose to 
 sale in the Meal Market { Wall Street) and Broadway Market of 
 this city, beef, pork, veal, mutton, and lamb by the joint, or by 
 pieces, cut up the same in pounds or pound pieces, or in great or 
 small quantities or parcells, as they shall see convenient — paying 
 in the same manner and proportion that the butchers are to do." 
 That is, " for each head of cattle, one shilling ; for every hogg or 
 shoat brought into or cut out for sale in any of the market-houses, 
 the same ; and for every sheep, calf, or lamb, two-pence." 
 
 The increasing amount of business done here induced the inhab- 
 itants of the West Ward, in 1745, to ask for " liberty to make an 
 addition of twenty-one feet at the north end of the market in 
 Broadway;" and soon after the like addition was added to the 
 south end. 
 
 No doubt the city was in a prosperous condition at this period, 
 as many improvements are noticed, especially by Kalm, who says : 
 " In size it comes nearest to Boston and Philadelphia ; but with re- 
 gard to its fine buildings, its opulence, and extensive commerce, it 
 • Dally Advertiser, September 6, 1798. 
 
BROADWAY MARKET. 269 
 
 disputes the preference with them." Of the streets he says: "Most 
 of them are paved, except in high places, where it has been found 
 useless. In the chief streets there are trees planted, which in sum- 
 mer give them a tine appearance, and during the excessive heat at 
 that time, afford a cooling shade. I found it extremely pleasant to 
 walk in the town, for it seemed quite like a garden. Most of the 
 houses are built of bricks ; and are generally strong and neat, and 
 several stories high. Some had, according to old architecture, 
 turned the gable end towards the streets ; but the new houses were 
 altered in this respect. Many of the houses had a balcony on the 
 roof, on which the people used to sit in the evenings, in the summer 
 season. The roofs are commonly covered with tiles and shingles. 
 The walls were quite covered with all sorts of drawings and pic- 
 tures, in small frames. On each side of the chimneys they had 
 usually a sort of alcove ; and the wall under the windows was 
 wainscoted, and had benches placed near it. The alcoves and all 
 the wood-work were painted with a bluish-gray color. New York 
 sends many ships to the West Indies, with flour, corn, biscuit, tim- 
 ber, tuns, boards, flesh, fish, butter, and other provisions ; together 
 with some of the few fruits that grow here. Many ships go to 
 Boston, in New England, with corn and flour, and take in exchange 
 flesh, butter, timber, different sorts of fish, and other articles, which 
 they carry further to the West Indies." "The goods which are ship- 
 ped to the West Indies are sometimes paid for with ready money, 
 and sometimes with West India goods, which are either first 
 brought to New York, or immediately sent to England or Holland. 
 If a ship does not choose to take in West India goods in its return 
 to New York, or if nobody will freight it, it often goes to New- 
 castle, in England, to take in coals for ballast, which, when brought 
 home, sell for a pretty good price. In many parts of the town 
 coals are made use of, both for kitchen fires and in rooms, because 
 they are reckoned cheaper than wood, which at present costs thirty 
 shillings of New York currency per fathom." "New York has like- 
 wise some intercourse with South Carolina, to which it sends corn, 
 flour, sugar, rum, and other goods, and takes rice in return, which 
 is almost the only commodity exported from South Carolina." 
 " The goods with which the Province of New York trades are not 
 very numerous. They chiefly export the skins of animals, which 
 are bought of the Indians about Osivego; a great quantity of 
 boards, coming for the most part from Albany ; timber and ready- 
 made lumber, from that part of the country which lies about the 
 river Hudson ; and lastly, wheat, flour, barley, oats, and other kinds 
 of corn, which are brought from New Jersey and the cultivated 
 
270 BROADWAY MARKET, 
 
 parts of this province. I have seen yachts from New Brunswick 
 laden with wheat which lay loose on board, and with flour packed 
 in tuns ; and also with great quantities of linseed. At this time a 
 bushel of linseed is sold for eight shillings of New York currency, 
 or exactly a piece of eight. New York likewise exports some flesh 
 (salted meats) and other provisions out of its own province, but 
 they are very few ; nor is the quantity of pease, which the people 
 about Albany bring, much greater." 
 
 " There are several churches in the town, which deserve some 
 attention. 1. The English Church, built in the year 1695, at the 
 west end of the town, consisting of stone ; and has a steeple, with 
 a bell. 2. The new Dutch Church, (Nassau St.,) which is likewise 
 built of stone, is pretty large, and is provided with a steeple ; it 
 also has a clock, which is the only one in the town. This church 
 stands almost due from north to south. In this church there is 
 neither altar, vestry, choir, sconces, nor paintings. Some trees are 
 planted around it, which make it look as if it was built in a wood. 
 3. The old Dutch Church, which is also built of stone. It is not 
 so large as the new one. It was painted in the inside, though 
 without any images, and adorned with a small organ, of which 
 Governor Burnet made them a present. The men, for the most 
 part, sit in the gallery, and the women below. 4. The Pres- 
 byterian Church, which is a pretty large one, has but lately been 
 built. It is of stone, and has a steeple and a bell in it. 
 5. The German Lutheran Church. 6. The German Re- 
 formed Church.. 7. The French Church, for Protestant refugees. 
 8. The Quaker Meeting- House. 9. To these may be added the 
 Jewish Synagogue. There are many Jews settled in New York, 
 who possess great privileges. They have a synagogue and houses, 
 and great country-seats of their own property, and are allowed to 
 keep shops in town. They have likewise several ships, which they 
 freight, and send out with their own goods. In fine, they enjoy all 
 the privileges common to the other inhabitants of this town and 
 province. During my residence in New York this time, and in the 
 two next years, I was frequently in company with Jews. I was in- 
 formed, among other things, that these people never boiled any 
 meat for themselves on Saturday, but that they always did it the 
 day before ; and that in winter they kept a fire during the whole 
 Saturday. They commonly eat no pork ; yet I have been told by 
 several men of credit, that many of them, (especially among the 
 young Jews,) when traveling, did not make the least difi&culty about 
 eating this, or any other meat that was put before them; even 
 though they were with Christians. Both men and women were 
 dressed entirely in the English fashion." 
 
BROADWAY MARKKT. 271 
 
 We now turn to the Laws of 1748, and also those of 1762, where 
 we find one of the t's at the end of the word " markett," which 
 notices it " Broadway Market ; " but the citizens had dropped this 
 name, and adopted another, many years before. About the year 
 1740 the name of "Oswego" became one of the most prominent 
 subjects before the people, and in their councils. The name came 
 from a great trading-house and fortification, which Governor Bur- 
 net had erected in 1722, at the mouth of the then Onondagus 
 River, on Lake Ontario. In a speech made by Governor Hunter 
 to the " House," April 27, 1741, on the war with the French, he 
 says : " The preservation of Oswego and the fidelity of the Six 
 Nations (of Indians) is of more consequence to the province than 
 any other thing whatsoever ; and if we lose them, no part of the 
 country will be safe." 
 
 Great preparations were made in this city for the defence and 
 protection of that fortification. Enlistment of soldiers, battoes, pro- 
 visions, all were mustered together here at intervals, and sent to 
 the foot of "Crown Street," which was the general landing and 
 starting place. Every article prepared for the expedition was sent 
 or directed to the "Oswego Landing," at the foot of "Oswego 
 Street," and the name soon reached this market-place, as it were, 
 by acclamation of the citizens ; the same manner as when Lafayette 
 landed here in 1825 — everything afterwards had Lafayette prefixed 
 to it. " To be sold at public vendue, on Wednesday, the 7th of 
 November next, at 10 o'clock, on the premises, a dwelling-house, 
 bake-house, and lott of ground in Crown Street, commonly called 
 ' Oswego Street.' "* 
 
 Horsmanden tells us, in his " Negro Plot," of the many valuable 
 articles to be removed to Hughson's House: it " was become a mart 
 of so great note among the negroes, that with them it had obtained 
 the name of ' Osioego,' after the province trading-house.' "t 
 
 Among the numerous articles sent to the troops in the French 
 war, at a late period, were enumerated in the "Patriotism of Queens 
 County,":]: Long Island, dated "Jamaica, September 25, 1755. — 
 This day, 1,015 sheep, collected in three days in this county, were 
 delivered at New York Ferry, to be sent to Albany by water, 
 which were cheerfully given for the use of the army now at or near 
 Crown Point." " The good mothers, also, in a few hours collected 
 nearly 70 good large cheeses, and sent them to New York, to be 
 forwarded with the sheep to the army." Sir William Johnson ac- 
 knowledges, in the following month, that he had received " 69 
 cheeses and 200 sheep, being a part of 1,000 raised in Queens 
 
 * Gazette, Nov. 5, 1759. f P- 353. | Oaderdonk'8 "Olden Times," Hist. Lib. 
 
272 BROADWAY MARKET. 
 
 County as a present to the army. Though cattle and a few sheep 
 had been sent by some of the provinces to this troop, yet your 
 sheep were very seasonable, and highly beneficial. Your cheeses 
 were highly acceptable and reviving; for, unless among some of 
 the ofiScers, it was food scarcely known among us." 
 
 This example induced Suffolk County, also, to send " 50 head of 
 fat cattle ; of which a yoke of oxen was a special present for the 
 late famous Hendrickson and his Indian adherents." " The women 
 of the county are knitting several large stockings and mittens, to 
 be sent to the poor soldiers in garrisons." 
 
 The name of "Oswego Market" continued in the "papers," pe- 
 titions, &c., in connection with this market, until its final close. 
 The " N. Y. Mercury," April 29, 1754, notices — " Reading, writing, 
 and arithmetic are carefully taught at the corner house, near the 
 Quaker Meeting-House, in Crown Street, near Oswego Market, by 
 John Nathan Hutchins." This man was the first almanac-maker 
 here, which was a smoky, dingy-looking pamphlet, with a string 
 tied through the back and top ; always found hanging up alongside 
 of the old fire-place, in company with the bellows, iron-holder, a 
 goose's wing, and other ^xm^s belonging to the kitchen of all well- 
 regulated farm-houses. Then, in the same paper, May 1 — "Edward 
 Willet, who lately kept the ' Horse and Cart Inn,' in this city, is 
 removed into the house of the Honorable James De Lancy, Asq., 
 Lieutenant-Governor, at the sign of the ' Province Arms,' in the 
 Broadway, near ' Oswego 3Iarket.' " The " Gazette," April 25, 
 1763, notices — " Peter T. Curtenius, opposite the Osioego Market^ 
 has, besides hardware, a parcel of the best black wampum (Indian 
 money) to dispose of." Again, " Mercury," May 23d, 1768 — "John 
 Balthus Dash, tinman, acquaints his customers that he has moved 
 from the Osioego Market into the corner house where Nicholas 
 Stagg formerly lived." Marschalk, on his Map of New York, 
 (1755,) gives it also the name of Oswego Market, which had then 
 become the common one. 
 
 Grant Thorburn, in a letter to the Editors of the " Home Jour- 
 nal," says : " I have just parted with my old neighbor, Mrs. Van 
 Antwerp, now residing at No. 48 Maiden Lane, in the ninety-first 
 year of her age. She af&rms that the Oswego Market stood in the 
 very centre of Broadway. In her young days, her brother, Alder- 
 man Bogart, known as the best biscuit, tea-cake, and rusk baker in 
 the city, and who, in past generations, on the west corner of 
 Cortlandt Street and Broadway ; there he daily fed the hungry, and 
 yearly gave cookies to the Dutch Church charity scholars." In re- 
 lation to this market's removal into Maiden Lane, Mr. Thorburn'a 
 evidence is wrong, as will be seen in the following pages. 
 
BROADWAY MARKET. 273 
 
 Prior to 1762, hay was usually sold by the wagon, cart-load, or 
 half-load ; and it was found, by experience, the loads were very un- 
 equal, which brought many disputes and controversies between the 
 boatmen and cartmen, and then, again, by the buyer and cartmeu. 
 It was thought there should be fixed certain weights and certain 
 places to weigh the hay ; this law established one of the places at 
 this market. That " from and after the 20th of September, 1762, hay 
 shall be sold by the hundred weight of 112 lbs.;" and it was also 
 "Ordained, that proper and convenient machines, or engines, and 
 scales and weights for weighing carts and waggons, and hay, shall 
 be made, erected, furnished, and provided, at the three following 
 places in this city, to witt : one machine or engine, with scales and 
 weights, shall be made, erected, and set up and supplied, at or near 
 the south end of the market, commonly called the Broadway 3Iar- 
 kel, in this city ; one other at the White Hall Slip ; and the other 
 at or near the dwelling-house of the Widow Van Keuren, in Mont- 
 gomerie Ward. Isaac Van Hook is hereby authorized to take 
 charge of the one at the market; Richard Weston at White Hall 
 Slip ; and John De Peyster, Jun'r, at or near the house of Widow 
 Van Keuren. For the weighing of hay, one shilling and sixpence ; 
 one-half by the seller, and the other by the buyer. Carts and 
 waggons to be weighed without charge ; and the weight, in plain or 
 legible figures, upon the after part of the shaft, by the above offi- 
 cers. The rates to be charged, 4s. if pitched into a stable ; but if 
 thrown down in the street, 3s., and no more." 
 
 From the above, we find this market-place noticed as the "Broad- 
 way Bfarket;" and the next year, in a petition, it is found with 
 another name. This states, " That the Crown Market, (more com- 
 monly called the " Oswego Market,^) in the Broadway, is at so great 
 a distance from the North River, that the comitry produce brought 
 down and across the said river, to supply the markets of the city, must 
 be carried in carts from the different ships and wharfs on the North 
 River to the said Crown Market." They wish " a new market at 
 the foot of Courtlandt Street or Messier's Dock." 
 
 An unfortunate occurrence took place near this market three 
 years after, noticed in the "press" September 18, 1766. "On Mon- 
 day last, a negro man was driving a chair, in which was a nurse 
 and two small children of Mr. Verplank, of this city, merchant. 
 As they were passing Oswego Market, a dog flew out at the horse, 
 which occasioned him to start and fall down before, whereby the 
 driver was thrown off, and the nurse and two children fell on the 
 rump of the horse, and from thence to the ground. The eldest 
 child, a little boy, escaped unhurt; the nurse was bruised with the 
 Vol. I.— 18 . 
 
274 BROADWAY MARKET. 
 
 fall ; but unliappily, the little girl, about three years old, fell near 
 the hind feet of the horse, who, struggling violently to recover 
 himself, before the child could be taken away, gave it two mortal 
 strokes on the head, of which it died in less than half an hour."* 
 
 At this period (1770) this market was doing a large business; 
 but Broadway was so glutted up in business hours, that many vehi- 
 cles could not pass and repass : this caused many complaints. 
 
 Several butchers are noticed on a petition, occupying stands 
 here, from which we find the following : 
 
 William Norman, John Faulkner, Edw. Eack Wolff, 
 Jacob Otte, William Fray, Christopher Stamler, 
 
 Prantiz W. Cornell, Julian Pine, John Onderline. 
 
 The cost of the sweeping the Osivego llarket, from a bill pre- 
 sented, from 19th September to the 16th January, 1770 — 123 days, 
 at 6d. per day— by George Helbert, amounted to £3, Is., 6d. John 
 Hagelman also swept it at the same price. 
 
 In the early part of the next year, (1771,) the records show this 
 market was indicted as a nuisance. " It represents that a certain 
 street in the City of New York, commonly called the Broadway, 
 situated and being in the West Ward, is a certain ancient street 
 and highway of our sovereign Lord and the King, George the 
 Third, &c., and used for all the liege subjects of our said Lord the 
 King, their horses, coaches, &c., to go, return, pass, <fec., at their 
 will and pleasure. That in the middle of the said common street 
 and highway stands a certain building, &c., called the Oswego 
 Market, which obstructs the street." 
 
 The Attorney-General moved for a writ to the Sheriff to pros- 
 trate without delay the Oswego Market; but it was afterwards 
 " Ordered, that unless the said indictment is traversed within twen- 
 ty days, that a writ be ordered to abate the same." The Commit- 
 tee were ordered to employ Mr. Duane as counsel in defence of said 
 indictment. 
 
 The indictment against this market-place created a great sensation 
 with all classes, and more particularly with the owners of prop- 
 erty around it ; but, as they all thought it could not be retained in 
 that location, they wished to have another as near it as possible. 
 Some wished it near the North River; others, in Maiden Lane, 
 near Broadway ; but the largest number wished the location to be 
 in the present part. Broadway, at this time, from the Government 
 House (Battery) to Vcsey Street, was generally known as " The 
 Broadway" and "Broadway Street;" and from Vesey Street up to 
 sand-hill cross-road, (afterwards Art Street, now Waverley Place,) 
 
 • N. y. Gazette, &c. 
 
BROADWAY MARKET. 275 
 
 "St. George," or "Great George Street." This was, however, 
 changed on the 24th February, 1794, by the Board, and " ordered 
 one continued street, and that it be called 'Broadway.' " 
 
 In the month of March, (1771,) a petition from fifty-nine " of the 
 neighborhood" was presented to the Common Council, " praying to 
 grant them the priviledge to erect, at their own expense, a market- 
 house in the Fields, (Park.") And "if the Oswego Market should 
 be removed to the North River, it might be convenient for some few 
 inhabitants, and the particular interest of others." But " if a con- 
 venient market was erected in a proper part of the Fields, it most 
 certainly would answer many good and efficient ends — being more 
 in the centre of the city ; the city tenants residing at and about 
 Incklan Barrack, the farmers and others, from all parts of the Bow- 
 ery and Kingsbridge road, who pay considerable taxes, &c." 
 
 This was followed by another, signed by four hundred and forty- 
 one of the " principal inhabitants," who state that, " We, the sub- 
 scribers hereunto, join in humble petition, craving that if the Oswego 
 Market is to be removed, that there may be a market erected in the 
 Fields instead thereof." Among the signers were 
 
 Marinus Willet, Nicholas Bayard, Edward Burling, 
 
 Henry Kip, Corns. Roosvelt, William Ellsworth, 
 
 David Grim, David Waldron, John Minuse, 
 
 and others. 
 
 More than one hundred and twenty-five " carmen " also petition ; 
 and state, that " in case the Oswego Marhet should be removed, that 
 you will be pleased to grant liberty to erect a publick market at a 
 proper place in the Fields — being thoroughly convinced that it will 
 not only tend to their own maintenance, but to the benefit and con- 
 venience of the publick in general, and the poor in particular." 
 The "carmen" thought if the location was made at the "North 
 River," a large share of their business would be cut ofl" from carting 
 the large quantity of produce that came by the water. 
 
 The owners of property around this market-place finding they 
 were going to lose it, petitioned, on the 24th of April following, 
 for aid to assist in erecting a market-house in Maiden Lane, near 
 Broadway. They state that they " have purchased their estates at 
 an advanced price, in confidence that a grant from the Corporation 
 was a sufiicient security to them for the market remaining where it 
 now stands; but are fearful that the late indictment of the Grand 
 Jury will prevail against it. They have concluded to purchase one- 
 third of Conroe's lot, on Maiden Lane, to erect a market-house by 
 the assistance of the Corporation." The Corporation, however, 
 gave them no encouragement. 
 
276 WHITE HALL SLIP MARKET. 
 
 The question of the removal of the old ^'Broadway" alias "Oswego 
 Market," was at last settled, by Mr. Samuel Jones, who, on the 29th 
 of July following, " delivered his opinion, that it would be most ad- 
 visable to remove Osioego Market, as the indictment found against 
 it cannot be defended." The Board " therefore agreed to take down 
 or remove the same," and soon after they adopted the site of the 
 Bear Market, as the new location; but even after its erection we 
 find a petition was signed by two hundred and twenty-five of the citi- 
 zens, who had appeared on the 28th of October following, " who 
 wish to erect at their own expense a market in the Fields." If this 
 had been favorably received, and the erection of a building taken 
 place, the " Park" would have been graced with an institution more 
 useful than ornamental. 
 
 "WHITE HALL SLIP MARKET." 
 
 1746. The location where this market-house was erected in the 
 year 1746 was an old-established market-place. Near it, in 1656, 
 " The Market-Place at the Strand" was established; then followed 
 the " Custom-House Bridge Market," and a short distance above the 
 " Broad Street Market " had ceased to exist some few years before ; 
 and the inhabitants of this neighborhood in the South Ward, being 
 without a market-place near by, some one hundred and forty-six per- 
 sons petitioned for " priviledge to erect and build a market-house at 
 the east end of Pearl Street, and a slip at the west end, at their own 
 expense. A convenient slip may be made for the receiving boats 
 and canoes that may bring provisions to the same market." 
 
 Among the signers to this petition, we find 
 
 Paul Richards, Philip Cortlandt, Arch'd Kennedy, 
 
 Edward Holland, Isaac De Peyster, and others. 
 
 At this period Pearl Street at the west end commenced on the 
 shore, near where now runs State Street, and ran easterly, or at the 
 east end of Pearl Street ended in Whitehall Street; from this the 
 continuation was called Dock Street. The location of this market- 
 house, accordingly, was at the corner of Whitehall and Pearl Streets, 
 where it is seen on the original '■ South Prospect of y^ flourishing 
 City of New York," printed in London in 1746, (in the Society Li- 
 brary in this city,) and is also noticed in the Laws of 1748, as the 
 "Market-house at the end of Pearl Street." The next year the Ga- 
 
WHITE HALL SLIP MARKET. 277 
 
 zette (August 2A.th, 1749,) states : " At Mr. John Whiley's, the cor- 
 ner house almost opposite the ' White Hall Slip Market.' " 
 
 White Hall took its name from White Hall, London, and at an 
 early day this name became attached to Colonel Moore's large 
 •white house, or hall, which stood close by this market, and no doubt 
 gave this market-place the above name. 
 
 To further prove the fact, that the west end of Pearl Street be- 
 gan on or near the line of the present State Street, the N. Y. Mer- 
 cury, September 7, 1767, says: "Yesterday morning the Coroner's 
 inquest set on the body of one William Kieth, a soldier of the 16th 
 Regiment, who was found drowned near the end of Pearl Street, 
 under the wall of the Battery." 
 
 The " old landing-place at the Strand" was yet popular with the 
 Indians, although there had been the basins and a bridge made 
 there; and this part of the petition for a " slip at the west end" was 
 to draw them away, " it being sometimes much crowded." " Those 
 who knew," say : " I have seen in 1744, and after, several Indian 
 canoes one after another come down the East and North Rivers, and 
 land their cargoes in the basins near the Long Bridge, and take up 
 their residence in the yard and store-house of Adolphus Philips, 
 where they generally made up their baskets and brooms, as they 
 could better bring the rough materials with them than ready-made 
 baskets and brooms. They brought with them, when coming from 
 Long Island or other sea-shores, a quantity of dried clams, strung 
 on sea-grass or straw, which they sold or kept for their own pro- 
 visions, besides the flesh of the animals they killed." 
 
 Adolphus Philips appears to have been a prominent and popular 
 merchant, officer, and citizen in his day. Several years before this 
 market-house was established, an election had taken place here, but 
 it appears it had not been conducted as at the present time. The 
 New England Weekly Journal, September 12, 1737, says : " On 
 Saturday last came on the election of a representative to serve in 
 General Assembly for the City and County of New York, in the 
 room of Captain Garrit Van Horn, deceased. The electors appeared 
 in the Fields (Parle, the usual place of election then,) about 9 o'clock, 
 with drums beating and colors flying, trumpets sounding, and violin 
 playing. The two candidates put up were Mr. Adolphus Philips 
 and Mr. Cornelius Van Horn. Most of the merchants and gentle- 
 men of the place appeared for Mr. Philips, and seemed to be the 
 greatest number ; but a poll was demanded, and thereupon the candi- 
 dates and electors repaired to the City Hall, (Broad Street,) where 
 a poll was carried on all day, till about 9 o'clock at night, with 
 great warmth on both sides." Mr. Philips received 413, and Mr. 
 Van Horn 399 votes ; the former was declared duly elected. 
 
278 , BURLING'S MARKET. 
 
 This market-place stood about four years, when we find, on the 
 26th of April, 1750, a Committee was " empowered to agree with 
 several persons " " to remove the market-house near the Battery at 
 the corner of Pearl Street." 
 
 "BURLING'S MARKET." 
 
 1746. On the 28th of February, 1746, a petition was before the 
 Board, '' from sundry inhabitants of the Montgomerie Ward," pray- 
 ing " for leave to build a market-house in Rodman's Slip, at their 
 own expense, was again read, (it having been before them at a pre- 
 vious meeting,) and the priviledge granted." 
 
 Eodman's Slip had been previous-ly known as Lyon's Slip on 
 Lyne's Map, 1729 ; but is found with both names in the records ; and 
 as Rodman's Slip on Ratzen's Map in 1767. Prior to this it was 
 occasionally known as " Burlin's Slip," and afterwards they added 
 G to Burlin, to correspond with the surname of the old Quaker mer- 
 chant, Edward Burling, from whom this slip and market took their 
 names. I might also add here, that a part of this family moved to 
 New Jersey and settled " Burling-ton" in that State. He lived at 
 the corner of the " Smith's Fly," {Pearl Street,) and Golden Hill, 
 where '' Edward and James Burling sold iron, hardware, and New 
 York distilled rum."* 
 
 The law of 1748 notices this market-place as the " Market-House 
 at Rodman's Slip," and the N. Y. Gazette, June 1, 1752, says: "By 
 Samuel Bowne's, at Burling's Slip, near the 7iew market;" another 
 paper,t in 1754, notices " John Parsons, joiner, having lately set up 
 in his business, between the ww marlcet and Fly Market;" and 
 Maerschalck's Map of the city, 1755, marks No. 12 " Burlin's {Bur- 
 ling's) Market," and this was its general name, until it ceased to 
 exist. 
 
 It never appeared to be a popular market-place, if we should judge 
 from the contents of the following petition presented on the 4th day 
 of July, 1760, from " John Riker and others, to the number of sixty 
 and upwards, inhabitants on both sides of the slip, commonly called 
 ' Burling's Slip, in the Bast Ward,' which was read, setting forth that 
 notwithstanding the good intention of making or leasing that space 
 for a slip, and the erection and building a market-house, then at the 
 • N. Y. Mercury, July 25, 1756. t Ibid., April 29. 
 
EXCHANGE. 279 
 
 head of said slip, your petitioners conceive that not only the good 
 ends and purposes which were expected in making the same have 
 not succeeded for many years last past, chiefly from the almost dis- 
 use of the same." It had then been standing about fourteen years, 
 and although it is marked on the map of the city by T. Maerschalken, 
 1763, letter Z, I think it did not then exist, except on that map. 
 The Laws of 1762 do not notice it, nor can I find any further refer- 
 ence to it in the old papers, except a notice in the Weekly Gazette 
 and Post Boy, July 3, 1766, that " On the evening of the 1st of July, 
 Godfrey Haynes, who followed the business of lobster catching for 
 this market, went in the waters to swim, near ' Burling Slip,' and 
 soon after drowned." " This market" in the above, no doubt meant 
 the New York markets in general. 
 
 "EXCHANGE," (IN BROAD STREET.) 
 
 1752. This building, no doubt, when erected, was intended for 
 the principal use of the merchants and gentlemen of the neighbor- 
 ing vicinity, as an Exchange; but, as the lower part was used as a 
 market-place many years after, it was but right to claim it as such 
 for the time during which it was so occupied. The Exchange and 
 the "Exchange Market" were two separate buildings, and, at one 
 period, both existing at the same time, as will be shown. 
 
 In the month of June, 1752, several gentlemen subscribed to- 
 wards erecting this building, at the lower end of Broad Street, 
 near the "Long Bridge." "£100 was voted by the Common Coun- 
 cil to assist in so laudable an undertaking." This location would 
 now be nearly on a line of Water Street, in Broad. 
 
 The plan was proposed, and the building commenced ; but, on the 
 4th of October following, a resolution passed the Board, " That the 
 whole, or as much of the foundation on the east side of the Ex- 
 change now a-building and to be built at the lower end of Broad 
 Street, as is necessary, to be taken up ; and that five arches be 
 made on each side, instead of six, with two at each end." Its erec- 
 tion proceeded very slowly, as I find it was not finished until 1754, 
 when it was leased for one year to Oliver De Lancey, for £50 ; 
 the lower part was used by the merchants, and the upper rooms were 
 appropriated to various uses. 
 
280 EXCHANGE. 
 
 Notice was given on the 4th of February, in the " press,"* that 
 "The new 'Exchange' being to be opened as a Coffee-Room on 
 Monday, the 11th day of this present month of February. Keen & 
 
 LlGHTFOOT."t 
 
 '"The Beggar's Opera' and 'The Devil to Fay' to be performed 
 by a Company of Comedians, from London, at the new Theatre in 
 Nassau Street, this present evening, 18th March. To begin at 6 
 o'clock. Boxes, 6s. ; Pit, 4s. ; Gallery, 2s. Tickets to be had at 
 Mr. Parker's and Mr. Gaine's printing-offices, at the Boyal Ex- 
 change, at the King's Arms, at Scotch John's, and of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Love, at the play-house." 
 
 Then, on the 6th of May — " The Post-OflBce is removed to the 
 house wherein William Walton, Esq., lately lived, near the New 
 Exchange." X And then — "To be sold at publick vendue, to the 
 highest bidder or bidders, at the New Exchange, in the City of New 
 York, on Wednesday, the 29th of May next, at 11 o'clock in the 
 forenoon, two certain lots of land ; which said two lots lie three 
 miles from the German settlement on the Walkill."§ 
 
 Two years after, on the 19th of April, we find—" The proprietors 
 of the ' New York Society Library' are desired to attend with their 
 ballots at the Neiv Exchange, on the last Tuesday in April, for the 
 election of twelve Trustees."! Then, on the 10th of July, 1758— 
 " Roper Dawson, at the Long Room over the Exchange, continues 
 to sell green tea, coffee, &c."ir 
 
 In the month of February, 1760, the "Board" was informed that 
 " Mr. Watts and others had sent to Europe for a large clock, which 
 they intended as a publick one, and desired to know, that if the 
 Common Council would take charge of it and erect it in the 
 Exchange at their own expense, it was at their service;" which 
 was agreed to. In 1763, the N. Y. Mercury notices " Tickets for 
 the electrical experiments in the Exchange, which begins this day 
 at 11 o'clock, are sold at the 'Gentleman's Coffee-House,' and by 
 Hugh Gaine." 
 
 Trouble and hardship were now commencing, with business dull, 
 and a great deal of suffering ; which is first represented in a " com- 
 munication" in Holt's N. Y. Gazette, &c., January 4, 1765, as fol- 
 lows : " The declining state of business in the city, together with 
 high rents and prices of the necessaries of life, having reduced 
 very many families and poor people to great distress, especially 
 since the late severe weather, we hear several humane gentlemen 
 of this city have made contributions for their relief." 
 
 • N. Y. Mercury. t Ibid., March 18, 1764. J Ibid., 6th of May. 
 
 ^ Ibid., March 4, 1754. || Ibid. H Ibid. 
 
EXCHANGE. 281 
 
 The infliction of the " Stamp Act " soon folio-wed, which led a 
 Committee of several prominent merchants and others, who ad- 
 vised and directed that the English merchants should ship no more 
 goods to the Colonies until the repeal of the Stamp Act, and to 
 decline selling on commission any such goods after the 1st January, 
 1766 ; which was generally carried out. This led to the establish- 
 ment of a Fair or Market at the Exchange, for the sale of " home- 
 manufactured goods." The following notice appears in the "pa- 
 pers,"* dated October 17, 1765 : " We hear that the design of es- 
 tablishing a market, to commence on Wednesday, the 23d inst., 
 under the Exchange." And on the 24th appears — " Yesterday was 
 opened a market for home manufacture — supplied principally from 
 the country" — "to be held on every 1st and 3d Wednesdays in 
 each month." A notice on the 9th of December gives a more par- 
 ticular account of what was sold. "On Wednesday last was held 
 . the market for home manufactures ; and though so late an institu- 
 tion, we have already the pleasure to seq it attended with great 
 success. Both sides of the Exchange were crowded with a variety 
 of goods, which had a very quick sale, and many gentlemen fur- 
 nished themselves with good warm clothing, &c. Cloth will con- 
 tinue to be in great demand, as all ranks are zealous to wear it." 
 " To be clothed in homespun, or in garments which had been dis- 
 carded, was now honorable and fashionable." t Again, on the 30th 
 of the same month — " As the first Wednesday in January falls on 
 New Year's Day, we inform the publick that the market which was 
 designed for that day will be held on Friday, the third. There will 
 be a considerable quantity of cloths for men's winter clothes, be- 
 sides a variety of other articles — linens, stockings, mittens, men- 
 caps, woolen checks, striped stuffs, linsey-woolseys, handkerchiefs, 
 bellows, crockery-ware, combs, gloves, shoe-brushes, metal buttons, 
 &c. Happy country! that can supply itself with these articles." 
 Obadiah Wells was an agent for the sale of these goods, and re- 
 ceived five per cent, for sales and remittances.^ 
 
 The odious "Stamp Act" passed on the 22d of March, 1765, and 
 was received here with such a determined opposition, that the Gov- 
 ernment officers who had been appointed to distribute them were 
 compelled to resign this office, and "declare they will have nothing 
 to do with the stamps." It, however, was short-lived ; in fact, it 
 only existed, in a state of torpitude, one year, less four days, when 
 its convulsive struggles ceased, on the 18th of March, 1766; and as 
 soon as "the news of the repeal of the Stamp Act, caused a sudden joy 
 through all ranks of people in the whole city ; all the bells were set 
 • Weekly Gazette & Post Boy. ) Dunlap, p. iU. % Weekly Post Boy, April 24, 1766. 
 
282 EXCHANGE. 
 
 a-ringing, and continued till late at night, and the next morning 
 until nine o'clock."* 
 
 This resistance to the "Stamp Act" had the effect of leading the 
 farmers, mechanics, artisans, and others into more general habits of 
 industry and frugality ; in fact, it gave them a feeling of independ- 
 ence, that thereafter they could rely on their own resources. 
 
 "Puhlicola"-f congratulates the public on the patriotic and fru- 
 gal spirit that begins to reign in this province. " For, (he says,) 
 Istly. I observe that many of our most worthy citizens, and princi- 
 pal gentlemen, are clad in country manufacture or turned coats. 
 2dly. That spinning gets daily more in vogue, so that we rather 
 want materials than industrious hands." 
 
 Under this latter head, {2dly,) no doubt, its remarks were or be- 
 came true, if we should judge from the following: "On the 9th 
 instant, three young ladies at Huntington, on Long Island — namely, 
 Ermina, Liticia, and Sabrina — having met together, agreed to try 
 their dexterity at the spinning-wheel. Accordingly, the next morn- 
 ing they set themselves down, and, like the virtuous woman, put 
 their hands to the spindle, while their hands held the distaff; and 
 at evening they had 26 skaines of good linen yarn, each skaine con- 
 taining 4 ounces : all whicli was the effects of that day's work only. 
 N. B.— 'Tis to be hop'd that the Connecticut ladies, who are so 
 expert at their spinning-wheels, will not presume to think but that 
 their equals may be found on Long Island, if not in Huntington."| 
 
 Proceeding with " Publicola's" remarks, under the next head: 
 " 3dly. That the farmers are endeavoring to remedy this difficulty, 
 by the large quantity of flax-seed sown more than usual, and their 
 intention of keeping more sheep. 4thly. That little lamb now 
 comes to market, as no true lovers of their country, or whose sym- 
 pathetic breasts feel for its distresses, will buy it. 5thly. That 
 sassafras, balm, and sage are coming greatly into use instead of 
 tea, and are allowed to be more wholesome : this seeming trifling 
 article greatly increases our debt to England. Lastly. The fash- 
 ion of funerals and mourning is in general much altered from the 
 late troublesome, ridiculous, and expensive method ; for what could 
 be more absurd than for a person, when in affliction for their dear- 
 est relatives, to be teased about dress and ceremonial, and perhaps 
 involved in a large bill of costs, when their creditors are most apt 
 to call upon them?" He further says, in a postscript, that "an 
 effectual way to prevent lamb being brought to market would be, for 
 all the well-affected to their country not to buy any meat from such 
 butchers as killed any lamb." 
 
 • Weekly Post Boy, May 23, 1766. f Ibid., May 30, 1766. 
 
 t Weekly Mercury, Jlarcli 20, 17G9. 
 
EXCHANGE. 283 
 
 But these exciting times have drawn attention from the Exchange^ 
 which the " Chamber of Commerce," at a meeting, February 7, 1769, 
 were consulting about. They wished " to have a decent, large and 
 commodious room to meet in, and that the room over the Exchange 
 will be proper for that use." It was " Ordered, that a Committee 
 do wait upon the Mayor and Corporation, and apply to them for the 
 use of the room over the Exchange, and agree on such terms as they 
 judge reasonable." This " Committee " reported at their next meet- 
 ing, {Blarch 1th) that the Corporation " were pleased to say that 
 the Chamber should have the use thereof for one year, free of rent, 
 from the first of May next, if they would put it in such repairs as 
 they required, and after that to pay £20 per annum." 
 
 Here they met, and while they discussed the " topics of the day," 
 they also discussed their " bread and cheese, beer, punch, pipes, and 
 tobacco, provided (by the Treasurer) at the expense of the members 
 present, so that it doth not exceed one shilling each man, which each 
 person is to pay to the Treasurer." 
 
 These "topics of the day" were worthy of grave discussion, not 
 only by the members of this Board, but by all the patriotic inhabit- 
 ants. The Revenue Act, with its onerous duties and taxes, and many 
 others respecting domestic manufactures and foreign commerce, 
 with the quartering and providing of a large body of an obnoxious 
 and insolent soldiery, all tended to encircle them with rank oppres- 
 sion ; but again they arose, as with the " Stamp Act," and strike 
 such a blow as led to the separation of the Colonies from Great 
 Britain. The merchants, traders and others again entered into non- 
 importation associations ; but not with the same unanimity as before, 
 as we find several examples made of those who were not true to their 
 agreement. 
 
 "A parcel of earthen ware, wrought iron, and a few other pack 
 ages of goods, having been brought in here on Tuesday last, from 
 New Haven, lately imported there from Liverpool, it was found, on 
 inquiry, that they belonged and were consigned to persons in this 
 city, save only fifteen crates of the earthen ware, the property of 
 the master of the vessel in which they were imported, and by him 
 sent here for sale. But we have the pleasure to inform the public, 
 that the owners of said goods, so far from insisting on their deliv- 
 ery here, agreeable to the tenor of the bills of lading, did very cheer- 
 fully sign an order to the master of the vessel who brought them, to 
 take them immediately back again to New Haven ; there to lie in 
 store until the act of Parliament imposing duties on paper, glass, 
 &c., is repealed."* 
 
 " The Committee appointed to inspect into the importation of goods 
 • Penna. Chronicle, July 13, 1769. 
 
284 EXCHANGE. 
 
 in this city, contrary to the agreement subscribed by the merchants, 
 traders and others, are, in consequence of the trust reposed in them, 
 under necessity of advertising the public, that Thomas Charles Wil- 
 let, milliner, in Wall Street in this city, having been at Philadel- 
 phia about six weeks ago, and suspected of having brought goods 
 from thence, confesses t^at he did there purchase sundry goods to 
 the amount of thirty pounds, which he exposed to sale in this city ; 
 that he exchanged in, Boston, from whence he is lately arrived, some 
 unsaleable goods he nas had in his store, for others which were ab- 
 solutely necessary for his business. He alleges, in his justification, 
 that he did not know when he purchased the goods in Philadelphia, 
 that it was contrary to the agreement of the merchants here, and 
 that as those he brought from Boston were only in exchange for 
 others less valuable, he conceived no injury done by it to the colony. 
 How far these excuses will exculpate the conduct of the said Willet, 
 must be submitted to the important public and to the patriotic ladies 
 of this city, who will undoubtedly treat him accordingly." 
 
 " Saturday last, (says the same paper, July lith.) an amende hon- 
 orable was performed by Mr. Simeon Cooley, of this city, in the 
 presence of a numerous audience, for a contempt and opposition 
 shown the agreement of British America for non-importation of 
 goods. He begged pardon of all his fellow-citizens ; promised never 
 to offend again in like manner, and engaged to send all the effects 
 he had imported to the public store, there to remain till the revenue 
 acts were repealed." They were soon after repealed, all except 
 that on tea, which the people refused to use, or allow to be landed, 
 or imported. 
 
 Among the first to suffer for acts of resistance was one of the 
 prominent " Sons of Liberty," Captain (afterwards General) Alex- 
 ander McDougal, whose prominent history with the " War of the 
 Revolution" is not yet written, except in the pages of other histories, 
 newspapers, <fec. This patriot was arrested and imprisoned for a 
 long time, but was upheld by the " people," who daily visited him 
 in crowds; in fact, he was obliged to fix certain hours for visitors, 
 many of which were ladies. Gaine says : " Wednesday last, the 
 forty-ffth day of the year, forty-five gentlemen, real enemies to in- 
 ternal taxation, by or in obedience to external authority, and cor 
 dial friends to Captain McDougal, and the glorious cause of Amer- 
 ican Liberty, went in decent procession to the new goal; and dined 
 with him on forty-five pounds of beef-stakes, cut from a bullock of 
 forty-five months old, and with a number of other friends, who join- 
 ed them in the afternoon, drank a variety of toasts," " to the num- 
 ber of forty-five."* 
 
 * N. Y. Gazette, &c., February 19, 1770. 
 
EXCHANGE. 285 
 
 We again turn to the " Exchange," where we find, " On Monday, 
 the 14th inst., January, at six in the evening, will be held at the Long 
 Room in the Exchange, the Annual Meeting of the Marine Society 
 of the City of New York, in the province of New York in America, 
 of which the members and those who incline to become members are 
 desired to take notice. By order of the President. 
 
 " Robert Benson, Sec'y."* 
 Then, in the month of June following, it was found in the posses- 
 sion of several valiant soldiers, whose grand attack on two peaceable 
 countrymen is noticed, as follows: "On Tuesday, the 11th instant, 
 we, the subscribers, Jacob Mills and Jeremiah Mulford, of Brook- 
 haven, on Long Island, having taken lodgings at the house of Mr. 
 William Milner, near the Exchange in New York, about 9 o'clock 
 in the evening we went from his door into the piazza of the Exchange, 
 where three soldiers who entered immediately after us, and the cen- 
 try, who stood there before, without the least provocation on our 
 part, furiously attacked us with drawn bayonets, both by thrusting 
 and striking, whereby we were both wounded in many places and 
 one of us dangerously in the head, face, hands, and body, and then 
 forcibly carried us away to the guard-house, and there confined us. 
 We being at first ignorant of the cause of this outrageous behaviour, 
 inquired the reason of it, and entreated the soldiers not to murder 
 us, which we apprehended was their design, and which they often 
 threatened both on the way to the guard-house and while we were 
 there ; they accused us with throwing stones at the centry in the Ex- 
 change, (placed there, we understand, on account of an entertainment 
 made by the officers in the rooms above.) We declared and offer'd 
 to prove our innocence of the charge — or to give security for our 
 appearance to answer for our conduct the next day — but all in vain, 
 we were hurried to the guard-house; and after several hours' con- 
 finement, were told that if we would pay 45s., they would release 
 us ; we expostulated on the injustice of the demand, but one of us 
 being faint thro' loss of blood, and being in danger of bleeding to 
 death, in order to get our wounds dressed, and out of such hands, 
 we consented to deliver the money, which, when they had received, 
 they suffered us to depart. 
 
 • "Next day, being advised that the shortest means of redress 
 would probably be by trial before a court-martial, we applied ac- 
 cordingly to advice, and on Thursday the 13th, a court-martial be- 
 ing called, the four soldiers were brought before them for trial. 
 We had several witnesses to prove that we were not the persons 
 who threw stones at the centry ; that we had but just left the house 
 • N. Y. Journal, January 14 1771. 
 
286 EXCHANGE. 
 
 of Mr. Milner, and had not meddled or concerned ourselves -with 
 them at the time they attacked us. On the other hand, three or four 
 soldiers in behalf of the prisoners appeared as witnesses, who de- 
 clared that we had thrown stones at the centry, and that the money 
 paid for our release was not extorted from us, but voluntarily offer'd 
 and press'd upon the soldiers in order to induce them to release us, 
 that the affair might drop without further inquiry." " No oath was 
 administered to any of the witnesses on either side. Upon the 
 whole, we could obtain no manner of redress, and have since under- 
 stood that the soldiers were cleared."* 
 
 The next year, (1772,) the cupola of the Exchange being much out 
 of repair, an appropriation of X50 was voted for that purpose. The 
 lower floor at this period was no doubt used as a place of meet- 
 ing of the merchants, as the repeal of the Act on many of the "home 
 productions" had withdrawn this sort of trade from here ; however, 
 there appears to have been business enough in the neighborhood to 
 induce the Corporation to establish a ferry two years after at this 
 slip, " or from a stairs directly fronting the Broad Street, at the east 
 side of the Long Bridge, and on Long Island at a stairs built at the 
 Dock of Mr. Eemsen. This ferry will be called Saint Georgels 
 Ferry. Passengers on the New York side will find the ferryman, 
 if not at the stairs, attending either at the house of Mr. John Lee, 
 the corner below the Coenties Market, or of Mr. James Oobham." 
 Then " Jo.hn Cornell gives notice that he has opened a tavern at his 
 house on Tower Hill on Long Island, near the new ferry, called ' St. 
 George's Ferry.' Companies will be entertained, if they bring their 
 own liquor, and may dress turtle, Ac, at said house on the very 
 lowest terms."t In the month of August following he gives notice, 
 " that there will be a Bull baited on Tower Hill, at three o'clock in 
 the afternoon, every Thursday during the season." 
 
 The Corporation in the previous month of February had agreed 
 to establish ferries " from Coenties Market to the landing-place of 
 Philip Livingston, Esq., and Mr. Henry Eemsen on Nassau Island; 
 another from the Fly Market to the present ferry at Brooklyn, and 
 a third from ' Peck Slip' to land at the place last mentioned." 
 
 We turn to the Exchange, and find "Rivington" {March 24, 1774,) 
 says: "On Tuesday last the greatest and most respectable number 
 of the inhabitants of this city ever known to be assembled on such 
 an occasion, gave at the Exchange a very elegant entertainment to 
 His Excellency the Governor, (Tryon,) on his approaching depart- 
 ure for Great Britain. True harmony and convivial mirth filled 
 the heart of every one present, and the day and evening passed 
 * N. Y. Journal, June 30. f N. Y. Mercury May, 1774. 
 
EXCHANGE. 287 
 
 with the most uninterrupted concord and unanimity. When His 
 Excellency took leave of the company, he thanked them for their 
 genteel compliment; and added, that he went from them with re- 
 luctance, but that he expected soon to return, and hoped to find 
 them in the same happy union in which he then left them." 
 
 The general introduction in the colonies of the manufacturing of 
 woolen goods caused from the " Stamp Act" in 1765, no doubt tend- 
 ed to increase the breeding of sheep and lambs, but not to that de- 
 gree which the demand called for. Prior to this " Stamp Act," 
 sheep were raised more for exportation than for wool, as that article 
 was but little used, and consequently at a low price, and not in de- 
 mand. Mutton had but few admirers, and sheep were not allowed 
 to increase above the demand for exportation ; but in the " lamb " 
 state, thousands were exterminated as food ; and although associa- 
 tions were organized against the use of young lamb, yet this fact did 
 not assist in the large demand for wool.* The Provincial Congress 
 in 1774, however, passed a resolution prohibiting sheep from being 
 exported ; this, with the increased price of wool, gave more encour- 
 agement to the farmers, until destroyed by the " Revolution." 
 
 Soon after this resolution was passed by Congress, an attempt 
 was made to evade it by one of the trading vessels. " On Monday 
 last, {said Gaine,) a discovery being made that 18 sheep were in a 
 sloop in the harbor bound for the West Indies, a number of citizens 
 waited on the Captain, and informed him that the exportation of 
 sheep was contrary to a resolution of the Continental Congress, 
 and thereupon obtained his promise that they should be relanded, 
 and not carried out of the harbor. The people were satisfied, and 
 patiently waited till evening, when a report prevailing that the 
 vessel was to sail that night, about 200 inhabitants assembled on 
 the wharf, appointed and sent four persons to wait on the Commit- 
 tee of Correspondence, and request their advice concerning the 
 measures proper to be taken. By their advice, the merchant to 
 whom the vessel came consigned was sent for, and desired to cause 
 the sheep to be landed and delivered to one of the Committee ap- 
 pointed on this occasion by the people, which person gave his prom- 
 ise to return the sheep as soon as the vessel sailed. Accordingly 
 the sheep were landed, delivered, and soon after the vessel was sail- 
 ed, returned to the proprietor ; on which the people being well sat- 
 isfied, peaceably dispersed." 
 
 These proceedings wei-e not at all relished by "A Westchester 
 Farmer," who says : " Had the Congress attended in the least to the 
 farmers' interests, they never would have prohibited the exporta- 
 * See Fly Market, " Archives," p. 914, October 20, 1774, voL L 
 
288 EXCHANGE. 
 
 tion of sheep, after they came to a certain age. It is the exporta- 
 tion that keeps up the price of sheep ; it is the advantageous price 
 that encourages the farmer to feed them : take away the profit of 
 selling them, and the farmer will keep but few. For they are not, 
 and I am confident never will be, in this country, worth keeping 
 for their wool alone. However, right or wrong, the Congress have 
 passed the decree. Thou shall not export sheep was pronounced at 
 Philadelphia ; and, right or wrong, the Committee of New York 
 are determined to put it in execution ; and tliou shalt not export sheep 
 is echoed back from New York. How this decree is to be support- 
 ed in New York, may be learned from the following affair : A gen- 
 tleman, an ofiicer in the King's service, had purchased a number of 
 sheep to carry with him to St. Vincent's : Mr. Gaine's newspaper 
 says eighteen. The New Yorkers, probably afraid that they should 
 lose their share of the mutton, assembled on the dock, sent for the 
 Committee, and, in open violation of the laws of their country, 
 obliged the merchant to whom the vessel had been consigned to 
 have the sheep landed : the sheep were committed to safe durance 
 till the vessel sailed, and then were delivered to the proprietor. I 
 suppose to the person who had sold them to the officer ; though how 
 he could be the proprietor after he had sold them, I cannot see." 
 
 The next year, the subject of killing lambs in certain months of 
 the year was brought before the Provincial Congress, and on the 
 23d of June a resolution was introduced by Gouverneur Morris, 
 " That the inhabitants ought not to kill any lamb until the first of 
 November next." This was referred to a meeting on the 29th inst., 
 when " Mr. (Captain) McDougal offered a substitute, which was 
 carried;" and they "Resolved, therefore. That no person in this 
 Colony kill any lamb until the first day of August next." 
 
 In the month of August following, a public-house opposite the 
 Exchange was much injured from a cannon-ball, the particulars of 
 which are as follows : " On the night of the 23d of August, 1775, 
 while the Sons of Liberty were removing cannon from the Battery, 
 the Asia man-of-war began firing with cannon, and the balls struck 
 a house next to Roger Morris's and Samuel Fraunces', at the corner 
 of the Exchange : each had an eighteen-pound ball shot into their 
 roofs."* This firing was the first cannonading the city received in 
 the Revolution, and caused considerable alarm, especially among 
 the women and children, many of whom hurriedly left the city. 
 
 Some of the "Sons of Liberty" soon after turned their attention 
 to Rivington, whose "Gazette'' had become very abusive; when one 
 of their number, Captain Sears, brought into the city a small body 
 * Rivington's Gazetteer, August 31, 1775. 
 
KXCHANGE. 289 
 
 of Connecticut troopers, in the middle of the day of the 4th of De- 
 cember following, and demolished his press and printing materials, 
 which stopped his paper, and he soon after went to England. How- 
 ever, he returned after the British troops had taken possession of 
 the city, and his reception back again is thus noticed : " On Thurs- 
 day evening last (26i/i September, 1777,) the house of Loosley and 
 Elms, King's Head Tavern, was elegantly illuminated, to testify the 
 joy the true ' Sons of Freedom ' had on the arrival of Mr. Riving- 
 ton from England. This gentleman, with unparalleled fortitude, hav- 
 ing nobly disdained to usher to the world any inflammatory pieces, 
 which might be productive of introducing anarchy, instead of con- 
 stitutional authority, into this once happy country, felt in the sever- 
 est degree the rage of popular delusion. Liberty he always firmly 
 adhered to ; licentiousness from his soul he ever detested. A per- 
 son, in honor to free press, extemporary pronounced this : 
 
 ' Rivingtoa is arrived — let every man 
 
 This injured person's wortli confess: 
 His royal heart abhorr'd the Rebel plan, 
 And boldly dam'd them with his press.' " ' 
 
 He came with the appointment of King's Printer for New York, 
 and changed the former name of " Rivington's Gazette," to the 
 ' Royal Gazette," in which were afterwards found the Govern- 
 ment's proclamations and orders. 
 
 William Butler, a British officer, says : " The inhabitants, from 
 the arrival of His Majesty's troops till the evacuation of New York 
 in November, 1783, were free from the payment of taxes of every 
 kind, either for the purpose of lighting the lamps or cleaning the 
 city, repairs of the pumps, streets, or roads, or the public works, as 
 well as the maintenance of the poor." " The markets were raised 
 above eight hundred per cent, for the necessaries of life. The 
 landlords, from the demands for houses, raised their rents on an 
 average of four times the sum such houses rented previous to the 
 rebellion. And the vast number of merchants and others daily 
 arriving in the city, was the cause of a constant increase in the 
 article of house-rent, "t 
 
 Some details of the scarcity of provisions in the city at this pe- 
 riod are introduced in the history of Fly Market ; but out of the 
 city, the Rebels, as Rivington was much pleased to notice the Patri- 
 ots, in his Royal Gazette, November 17, 1777 — " By a flag of truce 
 which arrived on Tuesday evening, which left Albany on the 4th 
 inst., we learn that the necessaries of life have risen to such exor- 
 
 • N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, September 29, 1777. 
 t Tomliason's Papers, in Mercantile Library. 
 
 Vol. I.— 19 
 
200 EXCHANGE. 
 
 bitant prices as make them almost unattainable to those not con- 
 cerned in the Rebel Army." " The currency is reduced to the low- 
 est ebb, and barter is substituted in the place of money. Those 
 who have not one commodity to give for another, must pay the fol- 
 lowing prices, viz. : Port wine, 8 dollars per bottle ; rum, 12 dollars 
 per gallon ; salt, 30 dollars per bushel ; Bohea tea, 16 dollars per 
 lb. ; sugar, 10 shillings per lb. ; beef, 1 shilling and 4 pence per lb. ; 
 indifferent linen, when to be had, 12 dollars per yard ; and butter, 
 from 9 to 10 shillings per lb." The same, 24th inst., states that 
 such articles as " flour, rice, tea, and tobacco were brought by land 
 over the Middle Road, through York Town in Pennsylvania, and 
 Hartford in Connecticut, to Boston, where flour sells at 15 dollars 
 per hundred; shoes, 10 dollars; boots, 36 dollars; and trowsers, 
 (pantaloons,) such as are worn by negroes, 18 dollars a pair; a very 
 plain surtout coat, without lining, 60 dollars ; ordinary beef, 1 shil- 
 ling; prime do., 15 pence; pork, 18 pence; and not a single hat to 
 be purchased at any price." 
 
 We also find " Holt," the patriotic printer of the N. Y. Journal, 
 who, with the army under General Washington, had left the City 
 of New York, and afterwards was found publishing his paper along 
 at intervals, suffering with the rest, for want not only of means, but 
 also of the necessaries of life, which he proposes to take in the way 
 of trade. In the month of August he says: "And the printer being 
 unable to carry on his business without the necessaries of life, is 
 obliged to affix the following prices to his work, viz. : For a quarter 
 of neivs, 12 lbs. of beef, pork, veal, or mutton, or 4 pounds of butter, 
 or 7 lbs. of cheese, or 18 lbs. of fine flour, or half a bushel of wheat, 
 or one bushel of Indian corn, or half a cord of wood, or 300 wt. 
 of hay, or other articles of country produce, as he shall want them, 
 in like proportions, or as much money as will purchase them at the 
 time ; for other articles of printing work, the prices to be in pro- 
 portion to that of the neivspaper. All his customers, who have to 
 spare any of the above, or other articles of country produce, he 
 hopes will let him know it, and afford him the necessary supplies, 
 without which his business here must very soon be discontinued." 
 
 The situation of the Rebels on the 12th of June, 1780, at the 
 Highland Forts, and the detachments that were sent to the north 
 from there, were noticed as follows : " They are obliged to carry 
 even provisions with them, which they can ill spare, living, as they 
 do at the Highland Forts, from hand to mouth ; there being no 
 magazines anywhere, and the country already drained, and the 
 prospect respecting the ensuing harvest very discouraging."* "To 
 • N. Y. Gazette aud Weekly Mercury. 
 
EXCHANGE. 291 
 
 supply the deficiency of meat, they are employed, in all the upper 
 parts of the (North) river, in taking and salting fish for the Conti- 
 nental soldiers." From another source — " We are informed by a 
 gentleman who lately left Albany, that the chief Continental butch- 
 er there is ordered to employ a number of the other butchers in 
 catching fish, such as herring and sturgeon, for the use of the 
 Continental Army, as their money is reduced to so low an ebb, that 
 they cannot aiford beef, and that they have a guard at the farm of 
 General Schuyler at Saratoga, to prevent the inhabitants getting 
 any share of the fishery."* 
 
 The next year, (1781,) in the month of July, we find General 
 Washington at Dobb's Ferry, where he and his little army lay en- 
 camped ; and, to encourage the farmers and others to bring pro- 
 visions, clothing, &c., there for sale, he, by a " Proclamation," es- 
 tablished a market-place, as follows : 
 
 "Be it known, That every day during the time the army remains 
 in its present position, from daybreak until noon, two market- 
 places will be open for the supply of the army : one near His 
 Excellency's Head-Quarters, in the field first back of the house and 
 near the quarters of the Adjutant and Quarter-Master-General ; the 
 other in the French camp, near the house of Henry Taylor, which 
 is the Head-Quarters of His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau. 
 
 "All persons who will bring any article of provisions, and small 
 supplies for the use of the army, may depend upon being protected 
 in their persons and property ; and shall have full and free liberty 
 to dispose of the produce without molestation or imposition ; and 
 will receive no hinderance from the guards of the army on their pass- 
 ing to or repassing from the market-places. No person will be per- 
 mitted to take any article without the full consent of the owner. 
 
 " It is expected, however, and will be required, that every per- 
 son, on his or her first coming to market, will be furnished with a 
 certificate of recommendation, shewing their attachment to the 
 American cause and interest, signed by two civil magistrates, or two 
 other respectable persons, of known and approved character, that 
 no injury may arise to the army from the arts of designing and 
 evil-minded persons. If the army should take a different position, 
 other places will be named where the like liberty and protection 
 will be given. Given at Head-Quarters, near Dobb's Ferry, the 
 10th day of July, 1781. G. Washington. 
 
 " By His Excellency's command. 
 
 "Jonathan Trumbull, Jun'e, Secretary." 
 
 In 1778, says the " Royal Gazette" of the 2d of December, " Mrs, 
 * Royal Gazette, May 17. 
 
2<J2 EXCHANGE. 
 
 Treville has just returned from the country, and opened the ' Lon- 
 don Coffee-House' at the Exchange, where gentlemen may be en- 
 tertained with breakfasts, dinners, and suppers, tea, coffee, &c. 
 Those gentlemen who please to honor her with their company, as 
 she is provided with a gocd waiter and cook;" and on the 2d of 
 February, 1780, " the New York Marine Artillery Company are de- 
 sired to meet this day, at twelve o'clock, at their rendezvous in the 
 Exchange." 
 
 But the Exchange was not long after a rendezvous for the British 
 soldiery, either to meet or feast ; smiling feace stepped in and bade 
 them depart, and give place to the tired and tried soldiers of free- 
 dom, that they might rest in the arms of liberty. 
 
 The first news oi peace, says Butler,* in a letter, was " On the 6th 
 day of April, 1783 : a packet from England arrived at New York, 
 and brought over the preliminary articles of peace ; and on the 8th 
 of the same month, His Majesty's proclamation, declaring a cessa- 
 tion of hostilities, was publickly read by the Town Major at the 
 City Hall." The reception of this proclamation among the loyal 
 citizens is thus described : " We are informed by persons who were 
 present at New York when the proclamation for a cessation of hos- 
 tilities was read in the presence of a great number of people, that 
 at the conclusion, instead of the signs of approbation generally ex- 
 hibited on such occasions, nothing but groans and hisses prevailed, 
 attended by bitter reproaches and curses upon their king, for having 
 deserted them in the midst of their calamities. The greatest de- 
 spair is depicted in every countenance, and the little comfort they 
 can possibly experience in the deserts of Nova Scotia will tend to 
 heighten their distress. It is said that the number of persons last 
 embarked for that country amount to near four thousand. "t 
 
 This was followed with an " Order," dated " Head-Quarters, New 
 York, 16th of June, 1783. The proprietors of houses or lands late- 
 ly evacuated will apply to Lieutenant-General Campbell, for the 
 possession of those on Long Island ; to Brigadier-General Birch for 
 those on York Island, and Brigadier-General Bruce for those on 
 Staten Island. These general officers will be pleased to cause all 
 such estates to be immediately delivered up to the proprietors or 
 to their attornies, unless where they may see sufficient reasons for 
 retaining them some time longer, which reasons they will report to 
 the Cqmmander-in-Chief. In like manner, all estates which shall 
 hereafter be evacuated are to be surrendered up to the proprietors. 
 " (Signed,) Ol. De Lancet, Adjt. GeiieraV'X 
 
 * Tomliason's Papers, in Mercantile Library. 
 
 t Penna. Packet, April 17, 1783. J Ibid., June 21. 
 
EXCHANGE. 293 
 
 A correspondent describes the manner in which these estates were 
 delivered up to their rightful owners. He says : " On the publica- 
 tion of the ratification of the preliminary articles of peace, many of 
 the old citizens of New York, who had fled from that place at the 
 approach of the British, sold and disposed of their places in the 
 country, (thinking, as all the world thought besides, that it was 
 actually peace,) and went to New York, but to their utter astonish- 
 ment, even of the loyalists, those people were not permitted to go 
 into their own houses ; the keys of all empty houses, and such as 
 should be evacuated, being ordered to the Commandant's office, 
 who out of his very great goodness condescended to let such houses, 
 on the party hiring paying him down three months' rent. We need 
 not inquire who pockets this three months' rent, with all other rents 
 within the British lines, injustly detained from the rightful owners. 
 The Commandant, General Birch, will not tell us, nor will any con- 
 cerned in this very honorable traffick. Suffice to say, it has long 
 been, and still is, lost to all Whig proprietors of houses, to subjects 
 of the King of Great Britain."* Another says: "A number of 
 houses in New York being now empty, many of the former owners 
 have applied for leave to repossess them, but have in general been 
 refused, "t The wretched condition in which the houses, churches, 
 and other property wei;e also found, is thus described by another, 
 who " observes that he has lately viewed the churches and houses in 
 New York, and that all the churches are, except the Episcopal, the 
 Moravian, and the Methodists, converted into store-houses or bar- 
 racks, and appear in a very loathsome condition ; the fences which 
 encompassed the burying-yards being destroyed, the pews in all, and 
 the galleries in some of them, pulled down ; the windows broken and 
 otherwise much abused.":]: " A person recently from Staten Island, 
 relates that there is scarcely a pannel of fencing left in all that place ; 
 and others say the case is precisely the same on Long Island, the 
 rails having been burnt by the soldiery. It is with the greatest 
 difficulty the unfortunate inhabitants can keep a small inclosure for 
 their cattle and flocks at night, which they are obliged to watch 
 through the day to save their grain from destruction ;"§ and no 
 doubt, from the latter cause. "A melancholy accident happened 
 (April 17) at the house of Leffert Lefferts, Esq., in Bedford, Long 
 Island ; his daughter, a very accomplished young lady, having ob- 
 served to her mother that a loaded pistol, left by a drover who had 
 been ivatching his cattle with it the preceding night, upon a chest of 
 drawers, was rather dangerously placed, and that some of the chil- 
 
 * Penna. Packet, July 22, 1783. t Ibid., August 23. 
 
 t Ibid., May 27. § Ibid., July 3. 
 
294 EXCHANGE. 
 
 dren might be hurt by it, proceeded to remove and put it in a holster 
 that hung close by; but in the operation the pistol discharged, the 
 shot went through her body, and she expired immediately."* 
 
 Many other interesting facts are shown in a letter, dated "Hackin- 
 sack, August 30, 1783," of which the following is an extract: " This 
 month completes seven years my family and self have lived in a state 
 of exile from our wonted habitation in New York. What a scene, 
 or rather what a tragedy, has been acted in our country since that 
 time! I was lately over at New York, and though I did not meet 
 with any considerable personal insults, I had the mortification to 
 see some overgrown Tories stalking about, whose looks I did not 
 altogether approve of. There is one Tilton I saw there in particu- 
 lar, whose practice has been these six or seven years to burn grist- 
 mills and meeting-houses without the lines. This fellow walks con- 
 stantly with a spear-cane, and talks of nothing but rebels and rebel- 
 lion, and such like stuff. As to the British, they are tolerable civil 
 and polite ; and though there are Gentries placed at almost every 
 hundred yards distance, they molest no one who behaves himself 
 with propriety. The poor Hessians will soon be all embarked and 
 gone. In general, they have been very much inclined to desert, and 
 several boatmen and market people are in goal, upon an accusation 
 of having aided and assisted numbers of them in getting off. The 
 fire-wood, to the amount of several thousand cords, laid in by the 
 British army since last spring, at the expense of 50s. and <£3 a cord, 
 is now selling out at 25s. and 28s. per cord. I met with some of 
 my old acquaintances here, who were, some of them, formerly very 
 fat, stout men, that are now reduced to mere skeletons, at the pros- 
 pect of leaving this place with the army. A certain Tory gentle- 
 man, who lives not a very considerable distance from the Brookland 
 Ferry, will stay, in my opinion, without the consent of the Legisla- 
 ture, as I think he intends to fret himself into the grave in the 
 course of a few weeks. You may remember that in 1775, when you 
 and 1 were crossing over to Long Island, that we laughed to hear 
 him and Parson Inglis tete- -Me, talking about the 75,000 Russians 
 that were to come over to annihilate us, knits and lice. There is 
 no end to auctions and vendues ; everything is selling off, and I be- 
 lieve a great deal more than the venders can make a good title for. 
 Amongst other articles, there are immense of household furniture 
 exposed to sale, either new painted, or disguised in such a manner 
 as to prevent the former proprietors from knowing it again. Few 
 or no negro slaves are given up. My chief errand to town was 
 to look up one of mine, and I saw the rogue, but found he had 
 " Peaua. Packet, April 26, 1783. 
 
EXCHANGE. 295 
 
 formed such connections with a certain great personage that I could 
 no longer look upon him as my own. He told me he was going 
 to Novy Koshee. An American o£&cer was lately in town, (I believe 
 he was of the militia,) and having met with some ill-usage, com- 
 plained to David Mathews. This Father of the City, it is said, 
 treated him very roughly, and by way of shortening conversation, 
 wished all d — — d rascals in hell. The General then hurried away, 
 and by a speedy embarkation narrowly escaped a good pelting with 
 stones, with a volley or two of which he was complimented after 
 the boat left the wharff. The meeting-houses are in a most deplor- 
 able condition, the receptacles of filth and nastiness. Except theft 
 and pilfering, there is very little business carried on at present. 
 The boat we went to town in had her sails stolen away in the night, 
 although we lay on board purposely to watch them. We were thank- 
 ful, however, that we were not stolen boat and all."* 
 
 Another report soon after states, that " Some nocturnal incend- 
 iaries made a third attempt to destroy the City of New York by 
 fire. Six of the villians, we hear, are taken."t (The two first, viz., 
 1776 and 1778, are noticed in this volume.) 
 
 The communication on the rivers for market and other river craft 
 was opened to and from New York in the month of April, and " We 
 further learn that since the communication has been opened to New 
 York, the markets there have fallen considerably, and it is expected 
 that beef, flour, butter, &c., will be as low as ever in a short time."J 
 Then the arrival of two sloops at Albany in the month following, 
 from New York, is noticed, and before they were allowed to trade, 
 a meeting of the inhabitants was called, when they decided to grant 
 them permission to do so.§ 
 
 In the month of October following, the news from New York 
 states: "Last Monday (20th inst.) evening. Captain Stewart's ves- 
 sel, lying in our harbor, with the colors of the United States of 
 America flying, was boarded by the Canaille, who in a riotous man- 
 ner tore them down and carried them through the streets in triumph, 
 attended by a chosen band-itti of negroes, sailors, and loyal leather- 
 apron'd statesmen. The injudiciousness of this shabby outrage, and 
 the consequences that are likely to result from it, are too obvious 
 to need any corament."|| 
 
 It was not long after, however, when the patriotic citizens were 
 enabled to take down the last flag which had been flying above one 
 hundred years over the City of New York, and in its place was 
 hoisted the welcome Stars and Stripes, although some little difficulty 
 
 * Penna. Packet, Septembui- 18. 1783. t Ibid., October 7. 
 
 t Ibid., May 6. § Ibid., Juae 10. |i Ibid., October 28. 
 
296 EXCHANGE. 
 
 was experienced in doing so, as appears stated in a letter from New 
 York, dated 26th November, 1783 : " Yesterday gave us our city. 
 To the honor of Britain let it be published in every newspaper, that 
 to add to their name, (which has already been branded with every 
 kind of infamy,) they cut away the halyards from the flagstaflf in the 
 Fort, (formerly Fort George,) and likewise greased the post, so 
 that we were obliged to have a ladder to fix a new rope. Inven- 
 tions prevented any delay, for the glorious stripes were fixed in the 
 sod, and a discharge of thirteen (guns) fired. The city has been re- 
 markable quiet. A few days will, I hope, produce a little scrutiny, 
 when the Tories take care."* 
 
 Soon after the Council of Appointment " ordered that all persons 
 becoming inhabitants of this city do, within 24 hours after arrival, 
 report their names, former places of residence, and number of their 
 family to the Secretary of the Council ; and that all inhabitants re- 
 ceiving inmates or lodgers, do in like manner report their names 
 and former places of abode, &c."t , 
 
 " When I look around me," says another, " and see the contrast 
 between the Whigs and Tories, I am hardly able to contain myself; 
 these despicable beings are basking themselves in the sunshine of 
 affluence and ease, whilst those who have been wasting their consti- 
 tutions and spending their fortunes in the service of their country, 
 have hardly been able to support themselves with the necessaries of 
 life during the winter. The distresses that have been exhibited 
 here within the three last months are striking proofs of my asser- 
 tion. "J Another also writes, " that the distresses of the poor were 
 never so great as at present."§ Added to this, when the Hon. James 
 DuANE was appointed Mayor of the City, " Instead of giving a pub- 
 lic entertainment on the investiture of the mayoralty, as had been 
 customary with his predecessors, humanely reflecting on the want 
 and distress which are so prevalent at this severe season, he rather 
 chose to present twenty guineas towards the relief of his suffering 
 fellow-citizens, observing, on the occasion, that his liberality was 
 limited by the shock which had affected his private fortune in the 
 progress of the war."|| 
 
 Some two years after the evacuation, says Dr. Anderson, sheep 
 had become tolerable plenty again, when a number of agents from 
 the English manufacturers of cloths and other woolen goods came 
 here and bought up nearly all the sheep and slaughtered them, 
 stripped the wool from the skins, and sent it to England to be man- 
 ufactured and returned. This experiment in a measure failed, as 
 
 • Penna. Packet, December 2, 1783. t I'-d, December 4, 1783. 
 
 t Ibid., March 20, 1784. § Ibid., March 13, 1784. i| Ibid., March 20, 1784. 
 
EXCHANGE. 297 
 
 many of our farmers' wives had previously obtained the knowledge 
 of making the homespuns, which they yet, and many years after, pre- 
 ferred to wear. The carcasses of this mutton were sold so cheap 
 that thousands laid up their winter's provisions of this meat. 
 
 Not a mai-ket-house was found to have been altogether used for 
 market purposes, except the Fly and Oswego ; all below these were 
 destroyed. The lower part of the Exchange was the only place un- 
 occupied in a public building that could be used for a market, which 
 the " neighborhood ask that it may be temporarily used " for that 
 purpose. On the 14th of April, 1784, the authorities " do agree and 
 order, that the lower part of the building commonly called the Ex- 
 change be used (until further order of this Board) as a public mar- 
 ket-place." No doubt it was soon after taken possession of by 
 butchers and others, and established a market-place; or so it appears 
 in a notice for the sale of " that spacious, well-built freehold estate, 
 situate in Great Dock {Pearl) Street, well known as Fraunces's 
 Tavern. The premises are extensive and well adapted to the uses 
 of a numerous family ; its vicinity to the neiv market, and the proba- 
 bility that new and elegant houses will soon be built in that part of 
 the city."* The Hon. William A. Duer also notices the occupation 
 of the Old Exchange, which, he says, was " a brick building standing 
 upon arches in the centre of Broad Street, below Great Dock Street. 
 Here our merchants once used to congregate; but the space under 
 the arcade had been converted into a market of a different descrip- 
 tion, where, instead of uncurrent notes or fancy stocks, the more sub- 
 stantial articles of beef and mutton were bought and sold." Grant 
 Thorburn, in one of his letters, says : " As I entered Broad Street, 
 near its foot stood the old Royal Exchange. On the ground floor 
 a butcher was cutting beef-steaks ; a dozen or more of Bergen squat- 
 ters ' were trying to dispose of their stock of crabs, clams, and mus- 
 cles ; and all were talking together, and creating a compound jargon 
 of High-Dutch, Mowhawk, and African, accompanied with laughter 
 loud and long." 
 
 The butchers who resided in the city were obliged to use the old 
 public slaughter-house, which had stood on Bayard near (now) Mul- 
 berry Street, until the summer of 1784, when it was ordered to be 
 removed to Corlaer's Hook, and to be built over the water. Those 
 who stood in this market, being so far from the new location, peti- 
 tioned for liberty to kill their cattle in the slaughter-house at White- 
 hall, which had been used by the British troops while in possession 
 of the city. They also, in their petition, say : " That we often want 
 to slaughter beef, veal, and mutton in one day, and that the two lat- 
 ♦ N. Y. Packet, September S, 1784. 
 
298 EXCHANGE. 
 
 ter being allowed to be killed in the slaughter-house at the White- 
 Hall ; and if we are obliged to go to the Corlaer's Hook to slaughter 
 our beef, it will put us to a great inconvenience ; that we are will- 
 ing to make Mr. Blanchard (lessee) ample satisfaction for it, so that 
 ire may not be a loser." (Signed by) John Jeremiah, butcher ; Chris- 
 tian Miller, butcher ; John Oaple, butcher ; William Hunter, butcher; 
 and John McLaughlin, butcher. 
 
 John Jeremiah was very patriotic as well as somewhat remarka- 
 ble in his business, having been the only butcher who conducted his 
 whole business in the First Ward of the City of New York after 
 the Revolution. He was a native of Saxe Gotha, Germany, and 
 came to Philadelphia in the year 1773, where, on the breaking out 
 of the war, he entered into the service of the Pennsylvania Militia, 
 and was at the battles of " Mud Fort" and Trenton; after which he 
 entered on board of the American privateer Holcker, and served the 
 term of enlistment ; when he returned to Philadelphia and entered 
 into his business of a butcher for a short period, or until the close of 
 the Revolution, when he immediately removed and became a citizen 
 of New York. Here he again started into business, with a stand 
 under a large tree near Coenties Slip, which is still remembered by 
 some of the old citizens. The old market-house had been destroyed 
 during the war, and no other place could be then assigned. He 
 next moved in the Excliange, where we now find him ; five years 
 after the " Exchange Market" was finished, and he was transferred 
 on stand No. 1, where he continued business many years after. He 
 resided at No. 14 Water Street until his death, which occurred in 
 1816; having lived in this ward over thirty years. He was the 
 father of the well-known old butcher and highly esteemed citizen. 
 Thomas Jeremiah, whom we shall further notice in the "Washing- 
 ton Market." 
 
 The large rooms in the upper part were next taken for public pur- 
 poses ; the Legislature, Courts of Justice, and occasionally societies, 
 held their sessions there. Governor George Clinton, by a procla- 
 mation of the 16th November, 1785, " required the Senate and As- 
 sembly of the State to meet at the Exclmnge in this city on Friday, 
 the 6th of January next." To prevent the interruption from street 
 noises, ■' chains were ordered to be fixed across the street" on the 
 23d October, 1789. The following month " the Federal Court, for 
 the District of New York, met at the Exchange, and after forming 
 the Court, the Judge was sworn, and several Attornies admitted."* 
 
 The St. Tammany's Society or Columbian Order obtained, through 
 petition presented on the 10th of September, 1790, a privilege '" to 
 use the Exclmnge Boom, weekly, as a temporary accommodation." 
 • N. Y. Packet, November 5, 1789. 
 
EXCHANGE. 299 
 
 This was signed by a committee consisting of 
 
 Melancton Smith, James Ogden Hoffman, 
 
 "William W. Gilbert, James M. Hughes. 
 
 Three years after, the city (in fact, the whole country,) became 
 Tiolently agitated in consequence of the war between France and 
 England. Two parties appear here much interested : the Federals 
 for neutrality, and the Whigs for assisting the French. 
 
 The French Minister, Citizen Genet, arrived here and met with 
 an enthusiastic welcome, having been brought from France in the 
 French frigate-of-war Ambuscade, commanded by Citizen Bompard. 
 A British frigate, called the Boston, of 32 guns, commanded by Cap- 
 tain Courtney, soon after appeared on the coast, anxious to have an 
 engagement with the Ambuscade; and what follows is better told 
 by the " Press," noticed July 31st, same year : " On the Coifee-House 
 books on Monday, the 29th instant: last evening came up from 
 Sandy Hook the revenue cutter, Captain Dennis, who at 4 P. M., 
 two leagues E. by S. from Sandy Hook, spoke the British frigate 
 Boston, Captain Courtney, who informed Captain Dennis he would 
 be happy to see the Ambuscade. (Pinned under it immediately:) 
 Citizen Bompard will wait on Captain Courtney to-morrow, agree- 
 ably to invitation; he hopes to find him at the Hook."* 
 
 A number of parties of citizens (among which were several Whig 
 butchers, who carried down a liberal stock of fresh meats, vegeta- 
 bles, &c.,) in different boats, to be eye-witnesses of the battle, and 
 many bets are laid on the subject. (I am told by one of the party 
 that several butchers were on board of the Ambuscade, and took an 
 active part with them.) 
 
 " The action begun about half past five Thursday morning, at the 
 Hook, (2d of August,) and lasted one hour and three-quarters pre- 
 cisely, during which time each frigate behaved with the utmost bra- 
 very. One shot from the Ambuscade, about the middle of the 
 action, killed Captain Courtney and his first Lieutenant of Marines. 
 The Boston, in the end, sheared off and ran away, the Ambuscade 
 after her, but could not overtake her ; however, she captured a 
 British brig, and carried her into New York as a prize." 
 
 Prom an authentic translation I find ~" Our ship's (Ambuscade) 
 colors, torn as they were at the close of the action, have been pre- 
 sented to the Tammany Society of this city, as a token of that re- 
 spect which those virtuous patriots merit, in our opinion, from their 
 Republican brethren in France." 
 
 In 1795, " the Corporation generously granted the Exchange in 
 Broad Street for the use of a ' Museum,' to the Tammany Society;" 
 • N. Y. Journal, Sua., July 31, 1793. 
 
300 EXCHANGE. 
 
 and the latter, by a resolution on the 25th of June following, " re- 
 linquish and assign all their right in the Museum to Gardiner Ba- 
 ker, upon the following conditions : That the same shall forever 
 hereafter continue to be known by the name of 'Tammany Museum,' 
 in honor of its original founders and patrons; that each member 
 of the Tammany Society shall, with their wives and children, for- 
 ever hereafter have free access to the said Museum, free of any ex- 
 pense." " The room in which the Museum is contained is 60 feet 
 by 30, with an arch of 20 feet high, on which is elegantly painted 
 a sky-blue, and intermixed with various kinds of clouds, in some 
 of which are naturally represented a thunder-storm, with flashes of 
 lightning. The walls were covered with painted trees, animals, 
 birds, &c. The natural curiosity was ' a perfect horn between 5 
 and 6 inches in length, which grew out of a woman's head in this 
 city.' The living animals was a porcupine, from the East Indies ; 
 the ant-bear, from the coast of Patagonia; the American gray 
 squirrel, and other smaller animals; and living birds, was the 
 King of Vultures, from South America ; the American Eagle, very 
 large and gay ; and two beautiful doves, from the Bahama Islands ; 
 besides preserved animals, birds, fishes, and artificial curiosities, 
 coins, and medals."* 
 
 Gardiner Baker was a very eccentric, as well as a very small 
 man; somewhat enthusiastic, but industrious and good-natured. 
 At this early day he was the Winslcinshy of the Order of St. Tam- 
 many. The Hon. William A. Duert says of him: "The good 
 little fellow was not only a collector of curiosities, but himself a 
 greater curiosity than any in his collection. Not only his person 
 and manner singular, but so were his address and conversation ; 
 and the experiments he made upon the vernacular tongue were not 
 less cruel than ludicrous. He had been bitten, too, by a mad anti- 
 quary, and the unction with which he would descant upon some di- 
 lapidated vestige of local interest exceeded that of a monk in exhib- 
 iting an undoubted relic, or recounting some miraculous but well- 
 attested legend. How he would luxuriate in describing one of the 
 windows of his repository ; the former course of the creek down 
 Broad Street, under which it still ran; and pointing out the 'old 
 ferry-house' at the corner of Garden Street, with the pettiauger- 
 shaped vane on its gable I Then, as an object of special interest to 
 myself he would direct my attention to the house in which ' Old 
 Madam Alexander kept her crockery-shop on one side of the Hall, 
 and her husband, the lawyer, his office on the other.' " This nota- 
 ble couple (says Duer) were his (D's) great-grand-parents. 
 
 • Daily Advertiser, November 6, 1793. 
 From his Address before the St. Nicholas Society, December 1, 1848. 
 
EXCHANGE. 301 
 
 In the month of August, 1798, although the yello-w fever had com- 
 menced to devour its victims, yet our little friend Baker was pre- 
 paring a grand display at his Museum, which is thus editorially 
 noticed in the "press:"* "We are informed that an elegant trans- 
 parent view of Mount Vesuvius, showing the great eruption in 
 1779, will be shown to the public, this and to-morrow evenings, 
 from one of the windows of the Museum, pointing up Broad Street." 
 This, no doubt, was his last display at this Museum, as he was soon 
 after taken sick, and went to Boston, where his sickness proved to 
 be the dreaded fever, of which he died in the month of October of 
 that year. 
 
 In the month of July a most distressing occurrence, says the 
 Commercial Adveriiser, (July 20, 1798,) took place this morning, 
 at a French boarding-house on the corner of Pearl and Broad 
 Streets, just opposite this "old market-place," the "Exchange." It 
 appears that two persons were employed in the Theatre, one of 
 which was rather celebrated as an actress, named Madame Gardie, 
 and the other, represented as her husband, were, with her child, 
 about eight years of age, living here on rather slender means, and 
 no doubt, in consequence of pecuniary troubles, he murdered her 
 while asleep, and then committed suicide. 
 
 "Dunlap"t says: "The young man (Gardie) was in debt, and, 
 as he himself thought, without resource — he was helpless and 
 friendless. His wife importuned him to write to his father, (who 
 is represented ' as a nobleman, the King's Receiver-General at La 
 Rochelle.') He now resolved to return to him, and wished her to 
 return with him ; but she could not conquer her repugnance to the 
 family which had rejected her, and the people who had chased her 
 from the stage and the country. She refused to return. It ap- 
 pears a separation had been agreed upon, whether final or tempo- 
 rary, is not known. He had engaged his passage for France, and 
 she had been the evening before her death at Mr. Hallam's, con- 
 sulting as to the means of enabling her to return to St. Domingo. 
 On the fatal and horrible night, Gardie removed the boy from his 
 mother's bed into his own, in the same room, in Which he soon 
 again fell asleep ; but soon starting at the sound of a groan, which 
 he thought proceeded from his mother, the little lad, in great, terror, 
 called out, ' What is the matter, papa ? What is the matter with 
 mamma ? ' ' Hush ! ' was the reply : ' your mamma is not well — but 
 she sleeps — don't disturb her.' 
 
 "Again the child slept; but a noise of falling, struggling, and 
 groans, a third time awoke the boy ; his calls were unanswered — 
 
 • Daily Advertiser, August 24. t American Theatre, pp. 404, 405. 
 
302 PECK SLIP MARKET. 
 
 all was dark and silent. His terror increased when he found 
 that he received no answer. Wild with terror, the child reached 
 the door of the chamber, and by his cries awakened the mistress 
 of the house, who, not understanding him, ' sternly ordered him to 
 go to bed.' The child, not daring to return to the dreadful cham- 
 ber, sought the bed of one of the negro servants, and crept trem- 
 bling to his side. In the morning they found the miserable mur- 
 derer lying in the middle of the floor, weltering in his blood ; his 
 right hand above his head, still grasping the knife, with which he 
 had been forced to inflict several wounds on himself before he fell. 
 She had been killed by one blow, and lay as if asleep." 
 
 The Museum of Mrs. Baker in the Exchange was continued until 
 the year 1799, when this old building was ordered to be taken down, 
 in consequence of the complaints made against it. In a petition 
 dated 20th of February of that year, signed by more than 100 per- 
 sons, who stated : " Should it take fire, inevitable destruction and 
 utter ruin must to the adjacent building ensue ; it obstructs the pas- 
 sage of the streets contiguous thereto, and prevents the free circula- 
 tion of air ; and in short, to say the most of it, it is visibly a theatre 
 of obscenity, and, instead of being a benefit, it is in every sense of 
 the word a public nuisance, and that unless every nuisance is thor- 
 oughly removed, a return of the said malignant or yellow fever may 
 be expected." 
 
 The building " is ordered to be removed between the 20th day of 
 June next, (1799,) reserving for the public use the bell and stone- 
 flagging in and about the said building ; and that the Clerk notify 
 Mrs. Baker, {now widow,) the present occupant, of the determination 
 of the Board on this subject, and that she remove from the said build- 
 ing by the 20th of May next." 
 
 "PECK SLIP MARKET." 
 
 1763. This market-place was established by the action of the 
 Common Council, at a meeting held on the 8th of March, 1763, on 
 a petition from William Walton, Jacobus Roosevelt, Esq's, and sun- 
 dry others, for liberty to erect a public market-house, at their own 
 cost and expense, in or near Peck Slip, in Montgomerie Ward iu 
 this city, when it was unanimously resolved and ordered that their 
 prayer be granted. 
 
PECK SLIP MARKET. 303 
 
 The inhabitants " subscribed large and generously towards de- 
 fraying the expenses of erecting the brick market-house." This was 
 the first one built of brick in the City of New York ; it stood facing 
 Water Street, on the westerly side, at the head of Peck Slip, which 
 derived its name from Benjamin Peck, Esq., a wealthy and worthy 
 citizen, who died sereral years previous to its erection. 
 
 It being in the neighborhood of the most fashionable dwellings, 
 and the Hite of the city, it soon drew around it a large trade. Some- 
 times it was known as the new ''Jersey Market," but usually as "the 
 new market at Peck Slip," until after the Revolution, when it be- 
 came known as " Peck Slip Market." In 1767 we find, " to be sold 
 at public vendue, on Thursday, the 15th instant, a good new brick 
 house and lot^of ground in ' Montgomerie Ward,' in Queen Street, 
 facing the new Jersey Market at Peck Slip," &c.* Two years 
 after, " Arnout Cannon has opened a vendue-house at Peck Slip, op- 
 posite the market." Three years after, ''John Arthur, on ' Cow-foot 
 Hill,' near the new market at Peck's Slip, has just received a variety 
 of goods, &c."t 
 
 The trade continued good until the " Revolution," when the at- 
 tendants deserted it, but soon after it was taken possession of by 
 the British troops, who used it as one of their store-houses, &c., until 
 the 5th of September, 1783, when an order from the (British) Com- 
 mandant says : " The market at Peck's Slip is now clearing, and will 
 be reserved for the sole use of the country people, who may kill 
 their stock to bring to market." It also gave " permission to all 
 persons coming from any part of the country with live stock for the 
 use of the markets to kill and dispose of the same, provided the stock 
 is slaughtered at such places in this city as are set apart for that pur- 
 pose, or on board the vessels in which it is brought, and carried to 
 one of the public markets to be disposed of. 
 
 " New York, Sept. 5, 1783. J. Bluke, Secretary." 
 
 Soon after the " Evacuation" several butchers had stands assign- 
 ed to them there, and these, with the other occupants, did considera- 
 ble business, but it was never after so thriving as before the war. 
 From the height of the arches, it was a very cold market-house in 
 the winter, as will be perceived from a petition of the butchers on 
 the 19th December, 1784, who stated: " "That from the height of said 
 market, in the winter season it is impossible to stand the cold north 
 wind. We therefore pray that this Honorable Board would order 
 that a few feet of each side towards the northwest end may be in- 
 closed." 
 
 On the 1st of August, three years after, the Board " Ordered Al- 
 • N. Y. Mercury, January, 1767. t N. Y. Journal, December 10, 1772. 
 
304 PECK SLIP MARKET. 
 
 derman Hazard and Mr. Van Zant to be a Committee to examine 
 and direct such repairs to Peck Slip Market, and the street adjoin- 
 ing it, as was needful ; and on the 6th instant £15 was advanced for 
 that purpose." 
 
 Two years after, General Washington became President of the 
 United States, and soon after took up his residence near, in the old 
 Mansion House which stood (until a few years ago) at the cornpr of 
 Franklin Square and Cherry Street, one square from this market- 
 house. In the month of May following, his steward caused the fol- 
 lowing notice to be published, headed, "TAe President's Household. 
 "Whereas all servants and others employed to procure provisions or 
 necessaries for the household of the ' President ' of the United States 
 will be furnished with monies for these purposes. Notice is there- 
 fore given, that no accounts, for the payment of which the public 
 might be considered as responsible, are to be opened with any of 
 them. Samuel Fraunces, Steward of the Household."* 
 
 In the month of December following, "A Cook is wanted for the 
 President of the United States. No one need apply who is not per- 
 fect in the business, and can bring indubitable testimonials of so- 
 briety, honesty, and attention to the duties of the station." Then, 
 "A Coachman, who can be well recommended for his skill in driving, 
 attention to horses, and for his honesty, sobriety, and good disposi- 
 tion, would likewise find employment in the family of the President 
 of the United States."t 
 
 Washington was a rigid observer of punctuality, and he demand- 
 ed it from his household as well as all whom he had dealings with. 
 " It is also known that whenever he assigned to meet Congress at 
 noon, he never failed to be passing the door of the Hall when the 
 clock struck twelve." " A Captain Pease wished to dispose of a 
 beautiful pair of horses to the President, who he knew was an ex- 
 cellent judge of horses. The President appointed five o'clock in 
 the morning to examine them at his stable. The Captain, thinking 
 the hour too early for so great a man to be stirring, did not ai-rive 
 with the horses until a quarter after five, when he was told by the 
 groom that the President was there at five, and was then fulfilling 
 other engagements. Pease was much mortified, and called on Major 
 Jackson, the Secretary, to apologize for his delay, and to request 
 the President to appoint some new time" — when he was compelled 
 to wait one week for delaying the first quarter of an hour. 
 
 " His dining hour was four, when he always sat down to his table, 
 only allowing five minutes for the variation of timepieces, whether 
 his guests were present or not. It was frequently the case with 
 * N. T. Packet, Mny 7, 1789. t IWd., December 19. 
 
PECK SLIP MARKET. 305 
 
 new members of Congress, that they did not arrive until dinner was 
 nearly half over ; and he would remark, ' Gentlemen, we are punc- 
 tual here ; my. cook never asks whether the company has arrived, 
 hut whether the hour has.' "* His diet was also simple and plain, 
 seldom partaking of but one dish. Judge Wingate, who was one 
 of the guests, describes his first dinner after his inauguration. 
 " The guests consisted of the Vice-President, the foreign Ministers, 
 the heads of Departments, the Speaker of the House of Represent- 
 atives, and the Senators from New Hampshire and Georgia, the then 
 two most Northern and Southern States. It was the least showy 
 dinner that I ever saw at the President's table, and the company 
 was not large. The President made his whole dinner on a boiled 
 leg of mutton. It was his usual practice to eat of but one dish. 
 After the dinner and dessert were finished, one glass of wine was 
 passed round the table, and no toast. The President arose, and all 
 the company, of course, and retired to the drawing-room, from which 
 the guests departed, as every one chose, without ceremony."! 
 
 Another anecdote, from a respected friend, William J. Davis, Esq., 
 " is related of Sam, (as Samuel Praunces was familiarly called,) who 
 was always anxious to provide the first dainties of the season for 
 the General's table. It appears that Sam, on making his purchases 
 at the Old Fly Market, observed a fine shad, the first of the season ; 
 he was not long in making the bargain, and it was sent home with 
 his other purchases. Next morning it was duly served up in Sam's 
 best style, for the General's breakfast. The General, on sitting 
 down to the table, observed the fish, and asked Sam what it was : 
 he replied, that 'it was a fine shad.' ' It is very early in the season 
 for them,' rejoined the General. ' How much did you pay for it?' 
 ' Two dollars,' said Sam. ' Two dollars! I can never encourage 
 this extravagance at my table,' replied Washington. ' Take it 
 a^ay — I will not touch it I' The shad was accordingly removed, 
 and Sam, who had no such economical scruples, made a hearty meal 
 on the fish at his own table."t 
 
 Does not the mind of the honest reader naturally lead to some of the 
 following reflections? Will this high office ever again, from among 
 the millions of men, be filled with such a combination of examples — 
 Wisdom, Honesty, Simplicity, Frugality, and Temperance? (leaving 
 out the " Soldier.") No — would be the immediate response — al- 
 though we have not the tongue to say, we have them not; yet, that 
 class of men are not destined — cannot be placed in that exalted po- 
 sition — because the people are not the power; but there is the ma- 
 
 • Lincola's Lives of the Presidents, p. 66. 
 Watson's Annals New York, p. 352. | Valentine's Manual, 1854, p. 651. 
 
 Vol. I.— 20 
 
306 PECK SLIP MARKET. 
 
 chine power, high above the people— who grinds the many, to serve 
 a small and the worst portion of that people. If time would conde- 
 scend to make it once more fashionable to select such men to guide 
 and govern this nation, or any part or parcel thereof, what a happy 
 people that generation will be. — so filled with those feelings, so much 
 enjoyed by all who lived under Our Washington's Administration I 
 
 And as to the amusements — more especially to the public assem- 
 blies — instead of eleven or twelve o'clock at night before it was 
 fashionable to enter the ball-room, in "olden time" respectable peo- 
 ple, who valued health and a vigorous body for the next day's duties, 
 at these hours were preparing for rest. The hour then to be ready 
 on the floor is better described by — " Mr. Picken respectfully in- 
 forms the Ladies and Gentlemen of New York, that his public 
 Dance will be on Monday next, at the ' City Assembly Booms,' to 
 begin precisely at five o'clock in the evening. Price of Tickets, 
 (not two nor five dollars, but) six shillings, to be had at the City 
 Tavern."* 
 
 The hour for starting on a sleighing party was one o'clock, P. M., 
 when " away they went, animated by the jingle of one or two cow- 
 bells, to take a cup of hot tea and have a dance at Madame T 's, 
 
 at H . Caeser, on their arrival, tuned his three-stringed fiddle ; 
 
 the gentlemen appeared in their square-toed pumps, and the ladies 
 shook off their pattens, ( over-shoes, ) to display their little feet in peak- 
 toed, high-heeled slippers ; and at it they went, dancing and skipping 
 for dear life, until eight o'clock, when they hurried to town — for to 
 be abroad after nine o'clock, on common occasions, was then a sure 
 sign of moral depravity."! Reader! if both customs were now 
 fashionable, which would you prefer to enjoy, or wish your sons 
 and daughters to patronize ? But my reflections have carried me 
 from my subject. 
 
 In the month of November, at a meeting of the "Board" on the 
 2d inst., they " Ordered, that the Public Hooks and Ladders be 
 removed from the gangway of Mr. George Codwise to the market- 
 house at Peck's Slip ; " and the next year George Peck was paid 
 £7, 4s., 6d. for repairs to this market-house. 
 
 When the "Catharine Market" was finished, in 1786, this mar- 
 ket was almost deserted by its tenants ; but few stands were occu- 
 pied at that period, and it continued to grow worse, when, on the 
 7th of May, 1792, a petition was placed before the Board, stating it 
 as " useless, and tends greatly to obstruct the street, and praying 
 an order for its removal ; " and was followed on the 22d of July, 
 same year, with two petitions — one for and one against its removal ; 
 • N. y. Packet, Dec. 17, 1789. t Watson's Annals, p. 212. 
 
BEAE MARKET. 307 
 
 and filially, on the 26tli of August, 1793, the Treasurer " was or- 
 dered to sell, at public vendue, the materials of the market-house 
 at Peck's Slip ; the purchaser to remove the whole of the materials, 
 and fill up the street to a level, within fifteen days." 
 
 BEAR MARKET ' 
 
 1771. Within the recollections of the living, (1858,) this well- 
 known market-place and the " Ply Market" were the most prominent 
 public markets in the City of New York, although the " Bear Mar- 
 ket" was not known until the Fly Market was more than seventy 
 years old. 
 
 In the month of August, 1771, the question of erecting this mar- 
 ket-house was brought before the Common Council ; and after a 
 spirited opposition, it was decided to build it on the west side of 
 Greenwich Street, between Fulton and Vesey Streets, then known 
 " at the Corporation lotts, to the northward of Die's Dock." Some 
 wished its erection at Hosier's Dock, others at Die's Dock ; and others, 
 again, wished it to grace the present Park, the lower part of which 
 was then known as the " Fields," and the upper part the " Com- 
 mons." The following shows the proceedings in relation to this sub- 
 ject: "At a meeting of the Common Council on the 19th of August, 
 1771, several petitions were presented by sundry inhabitants rela- 
 tive to the erection of a market at the respective places, as follows : 
 Mesier's Dock, Die's Slip, and at the Commons; and some of the 
 members of the Board were of the opinion that it would be most com- 
 modious and beneficial for the publick to erect the said market on 
 some of the lots belonging to the Corporation, lying to the north- 
 ward of Die's Dock." The several places were respectively voted for. 
 First a motion was made, whether the market should be erected in 
 the Commons or at the North River, and after a long debate, the 
 question was put and carried against erecting it at the North River. 
 Then the resolution came up whether the market should be placed 
 in the Fields ; that was also lost — eleven voting in the negative and 
 four in favor. Several other resolutions were also put and lost at 
 the several places ; when the last resolution was put, " whether the 
 market should be erected at Mesier's Dock, or on the Corporation 
 lots, to the northward of Die's Dock, and carried for the ' Corpo- 
 ration lots,' viz., five voting for Mesier's Dock, and ten for the Cor'- 
 
308 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 poration lots." It was then further "Resolved and ordered by the 
 Board, that if a market be erected by the neighborhood at the place 
 now agreed upon, that the same do not exceed 210 feet in length and 
 30 feet in breadth ; that a stone foundation be Laid under the whole, 
 and that the building of the same be under the entire direction of 
 this Corporation." 
 
 The contemplated size was not satisfactory ; it was too long, as it 
 would, when built, interfere with the street and shore where the mar- 
 ket and other boats landed. The subject came up again three days 
 after, when a plan was shown: "Which is to contain agreeable 
 thereto 166 feet in length, and 28 feet in breadth, was exhibited to 
 this Board and approved of; and thereupon it was ordered that the 
 Aldermen andAssistants of the West, North, and Montgomerie Wards 
 be a Committee to superintend the building of the same, and see 
 that it be completed by the first of November next." One week 
 after, (29th August,) "it being represented to this Board that a 
 very considerable sum is already subscribed towards completing the 
 said market, and there being no persons properly authorized to re- 
 ceive the said subscription money when collected ; this Board there- 
 fore, at the request of a number of the subscribers, do hereby appoint 
 ' John Stagg,' of this city, bricklayer, to receive the same, in order 
 that it may be applied to the purpose for which it was subscribed." 
 
 Among the donors towards establishing this market-place, I find 
 "Trinity Church" contributed largely, as appears by the following 
 resolution : " Thereupon it is resolved and agreed that this Corpo- 
 ration will also contribute the sum of two hundred pounds towards 
 building the said market, and will release their right and claim to 
 the ground on which the same is proposed to be built for the use of 
 the market forever." 
 
 The building commenced, as appears from an editorial, which says: 
 " Saturday last, (30iA August,) the first stone of the ' Oswego Mar- 
 ket,' now erecting on the Corporation ground at the North River, 
 was laid by His Worship the Mayor, (Whitehead Hicks,) and the 
 second by Mr. Recorder, (Thomas Jones,) and the market is to be 
 finished with all expedition."* 
 
 From this we find it was first called " Oswego Market," which was 
 caused from the fact that part of the materials of the " Broadway 
 Market-House," (known in its latter years as the " Oswego Market,") 
 when torn down, was used to assist in the erection of this market- 
 house, and it is probable they thought, in moving the materials, they 
 would also move the name ; but whether so or not, it appeared to en- 
 joy this name in some of the proceedings for above two years after. 
 • Gazette, September 2, 1771. 
 
BEAR MARKET. 309 
 
 However, the main object in their moves did not immediately prove 
 successful. The trade was not moved, as will appear from the 
 various petitions, to introduce these facts. 
 
 Just after it was finished, (November 14,) a petition from George 
 Stanton and Abraham D. Revier, praying a lease of two lots on the 
 south side of the Corporation Dock, between the "Oswego Market 
 and the North River." 
 
 This was soon after followed with a petition from the butchers in 
 the " New Oswego Market," to be allowed to remove from it. They 
 state : " Being butchers, exercising their trade in the new market- 
 house, that on the removal of the Oswego (Broadway) Market and 
 the erecting of the other, procured stalls and standings therein, 
 hoping, in the honest exercise of tlieir trade there, to gain a comfort- 
 able maintenance ; that they have been greatly deceived in their ex- 
 pectation, but having usually exercised their trade in the western 
 part of the city, and unwilling to lose their customers, and therefore 
 have, to their great loss, hitherto continued their attendance in the 
 new market. That the trifling resort of customers to that market 
 frequently obliges them to carry their meat unsold home again, by 
 which it depreciates upon their hands. That being no longer able 
 to resist so manifest a loss and disadvantage without ruin to them- 
 selves and their families, are compelled to desert said market and 
 seek some other place in which they may exercise their trade with 
 some prospect of a subsistence, which they are confident they can 
 never gain in their present situation. That from their certain 
 knowledge of the supplies of provisions from the North River and 
 the great resort of consumers at the Oswego (Broadway) Market, 
 while it stood in the Broadway, they are convinced that a public 
 market-house directly below that place and adjoining the (North) 
 river will be attended with a great concourse of buyers and sellers, 
 and tend much to promote the public convenience. That the per- 
 sons who have erected, at their own cost, a large, convenient build- 
 ing there, (see ' Croivn Market,') are willing to devote the same to 
 the use of a public market. They therefore pray, as they are very 
 unwilling to abandon the western part of this town, that this wor- 
 shipful Board will permit them to erect their stalls in said market- 
 house." This was signed by 
 
 Nrs. Stakes, Henry Spingler, John Finck, 
 
 Francis Marmal, Christof Tamplar, Thomas St. Amore, 
 Jacob Ott, Baltes Spingler, Jacob Finck. 
 
 In the month of March, next year, was presented another petition 
 from the Owners of Land and Gardeners in the " Out Ward," who 
 bring their produce to the markets. They state, " That many of 
 
310 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 your petitioners, since the removal of the old Oswego Market, have 
 brought their greens and other produce to the new Oswego Market. 
 That upon tryal, they find, to their great loss, they are not able to 
 sell one half the quantity of their truck they used to do in the old 
 Oswego Market, which they conceive is owing to the remote situa- 
 tion thereof; it being no thoroughfare, and so far from the centre 
 of the city, that few people frequent it ; and those that do, come 
 chiefly from the Church ( Trinity) ground ; and the bulk of these 
 are of the poorer sort of people, who can't purchase much. Besides 
 this, many of them have also gardens : of course they have no occa- 
 sion to purchase any garden truck of us. Your petitioners have 
 attempted to get relief by going to the ' Fly Market,' but it is so 
 crowded that they can find no room to stand with their produce." 
 They wish relief, " by giving leave to erect a public market on the 
 lot commonly called Conroe's Lott, which they conceive would be 
 convenient for the public and for themselves." Among the sign- 
 ers — above seventy — were 
 
 Cornelius Cozine, Sen'r, Garrit Stryker, Jellis Mandevill, 
 John Horson, (Harsen,) James Stryker, Peter Bussing, 
 Cornelius Horsen, ' John Hopper, Sam'l Delamater, 
 
 John Webbers, Samson Benson, Petrus Waldron, 
 
 Mathew Buyce, and others. 
 Another followed from the farmers and others residing in the 
 Counties of Orange and Bergen, signed by more than one hundred, 
 which stated, they " bring to New York poark, butter, veal, and 
 other country produce ; all which they have brought hitherto (since 
 the removal of the old) to the ' new Oswego Market.' That they 
 find, by dear-bought experience, great loss and inconvenience in the 
 sales of their produce in the present market, which is owing, as they 
 conceive, to its standing in a place where there is no thoroughfare, 
 and of course very few people pass and repass. That the Oswego 
 (Bear) Market, which subjects us to great inconvenience and loss 
 of time if we can't find a ready sale for our produce, because stay- 
 ing only one hour later in the tide puts us back often a whole day 
 or more in our return home. Whereas, if the market stood in a 
 place where there are many people passing it, it would enable us to 
 make quick sales, and by that means it would save us time and ex- 
 penses ; all which we are convinced of by experience, having tryed 
 both the old market in the Broadway and the one down to the 
 North River." They wish the Corporation to give the inhabitants 
 of the neighborhood of the old market privilege to erect a new one 
 on " Conroe's Lott." (See Osicego Market, in Maiden Lavs.) 
 After the establishment of the new market in Maiden Lane, and 
 
BEAR MARKET. 3II 
 
 the Corporation nad accepted the " Crown Market," many of the 
 occupants of this were transferred into them, leaving but a few in 
 this, although several were afterwards added ; but a large part was 
 left unoccupied. 
 
 In consequence of this. Alderman Blagge obtained permission, on 
 the 26th of May, next year, to place a hay machine in the then called 
 " Corporation Market at the North River.'? But on the 17th of the 
 next month the Committee who were appointed to locate: this ma- 
 chine stated, "they had fixed on the south end of the 'OswegO 
 Market,'' opposite the middle part." 
 
 ■ However, the name of "Oswego" had been, by common consent, 
 transferred to the new one in Maiden Lane; which act left this mar- 
 ket without " name or fame ;" but fortunately, just above this mar- 
 ket, a fine large Bear, in attempting to cross the North-River from 
 the Jersey shore, was killed by a young butcher, from this market; 
 named Jacob Finok, and some others, who went afterhim in a boat; 
 they brought him to the market, where Finck dressed-him, and where 
 many went to see the '^ Bear down to the market." 
 
 These animals had been often seen and killed quite near the city, 
 either while crossing the harbor or North River; and, at an early 
 day, even in the city itself. " Woolley's Journal,"* written while its 
 author was a resident of New York, about the year 1679, says: "I 
 was one with others that have had very good diversion and sport 
 with them, in an orchard of Mr. John Robinson's, of New York, 
 (now located ' in tJie heart of the Second Ward') where we follow'd 
 a Bear from tree to tree, upon which he would swarm like a cat ; 
 and when he was got to his resting-place, perch'd upon a high 
 branch, we dispach'd a youth after him with a club to an opposite 
 boughy who knocking his paws, he comes grumbling down back' 
 wards with a thump upon the ground ; so we after him again." 
 
 Advancing to the year 1732, 1 introduce a difierent animal into 
 the city ; the account of which is found in the 2^. Y. Gazette, July 24, 
 which stated: " Last Thursday (20th) morning a creature of an uncom- 
 mon size and shape was observed to break through a window of a 
 store-house in this city, and jumpt into the street, where suddenly a 
 number of spectatorSj who followed it till it jumpt over several high 
 fences, and at last stuck between two houses, when they shot it. 
 Many has had the curiosity to view it, and say it was 7 foot long. 
 Most of them say it is a panther, but whence it came, or how it got 
 into the store-house, we are at a loss to know." 
 
 The same paper, November 26, 1759, also notices the killing of a 
 bear in the harbor as follows: "On Sunday week last past, a large 
 
 * Page il, published by Gowan. 
 
312 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 bear passed the house of Mr. Sebring on Long Island, and took to 
 the water at Red Hook, attempting to swim across the Bay, when 
 Cornelius Sebring and his miller immediately pushed off in a boat 
 after him. The latter fired and missed, on which Mr. Sebring let 
 fly and sent a ball in at the back of his head, which came out of his 
 eye, and killed him outright." 
 
 Some four years previous, a man was killed by persons looking 
 for a bear near this city. The account says: "Jacob Cole, an in- 
 habitant here, being out a-gunning, on his return home saw some- 
 thing stir in a parcel of weeds, where, 'twas said, a bear had been 
 seen that morning ; upon which he repaired to a house nigh at hand, 
 to get assistance in order to destroy him, when a white man and a ne- 
 gro, with a gun each, loaded with ball, came down to the place where 
 he supposed the bear was, and on his arrival, he first fired, and after 
 him the other two ; they then proceeded nearer, when, to their great 
 astonishment, they found one Cornelius Fonck shot dead on the 
 spot, who, it was supposed, had laid himself down there to sleep." 
 
 I am told that, previous to the introduction of this bear-flesh by 
 Mr. Pinck, these animals were seldom or never brought to our mar- 
 kets for sale, and that but few would partake of their flesh except 
 Indians, hunters, or slaves ; but this animal, no doubt, being a fine 
 one, and having been dressed and cut up nicely by Mr. Finck, in- 
 duced many to try it, who pronounced it good eating; and from 
 that time all the bear's meat that was brought to the city was car- 
 ried and sold in this market, and it became known by the popular 
 title of "J5ear Market." 
 
 Mitchell, Blunt, Hardie, and others, authors of Hand-Books of 
 New York City, give this market the name of "Bare Market," in 
 consequence of the sparseness of the population, business, and sup- 
 plies, occasioned by the great fire which happened on the 21st of 
 September, 1776. They state that, " in the progress of improve- 
 ment, it happened that the market-house was finished long before 
 the streets were rebuilt, or the generality of the inhabitants re- 
 established. As there were, for a considerable time, few purchasers, 
 so it was seldom that a person who had provisions to sell would 
 lose his time by exposing them there. In short, there was for a 
 year or two, or more, a spacious building, with very little produce. 
 This led the citizens, when they mentioned it, to distinguish it by 
 the name of ' Bare Market,' or ' the market at which there is nothing 
 for sale.' " 
 
 The name of " Bear Market," however, it bore years before the 
 Revolution, and no doubt the evidence would have convinced either 
 of those historians, were they now alive, or any others who may 
 
BEAR MARKET. 313 
 
 read the following advertisements from the " Press:"* "All sorts 
 of meat to be smoaked at Bennett, Cox and Bennett's Red Herring 
 Manufactory, near the ' Bear Market,^ near the North River, by John 
 Bennett, in a peculiar method to himself, at three-pence per piece," 
 «fec.t The next year, "Samuel Ellis has for sale fat shad, lean shad, 
 and fat herring, opposite the ^ Bear Market' at the North River." 
 Again, we iind — " Taken out of the corner house near the ' Bear 
 Market' on the 26th of June last, the book belonging to the hay- 
 scale at the said market, containing the weight of all the hay at 
 that scale. Whoever has got said book in their possession, and 
 will deliver it to me, the subscriber, or give information about the 
 same, shall be very well rewarded for their trouble, &c. Isaac Van 
 Hook, Jun'b."^ 
 
 The " War" soon after took place, and caused all the patriotic to 
 leave the several public markets ; and this became almost deserted, 
 except in the continuation of the sale of hay, as we find noticed a 
 loss, or rather was " Dropped in the ruins, {from the great fire of'TQ,) 
 between St. Paul's Church and the Hay Market, a plain silver watch, 
 with a double plain steel chain, and one red seal set in silver, (the 
 impression of a bird.) Two dollars reward will be paid by John 
 Cox, at the sign of the King, in Cooper Street."§ 
 
 We find that a great many of the public as well as private build- 
 ings were made use of for store-houses, barracks, &c. The city be- 
 ing under martial law, all proclamations and orders were usually 
 noticed in the press, and one in relation to the use of this market is 
 dated "Forage Office, New York, September 10, 1778. The 
 farmers on New York Island, Long and Staten Islands, are hereby 
 required immediately to thrash out their grain, as the straw is want- 
 ed for the use of His Majesty's troops, for which they will be paid 
 at the usual rates on producing certificates of the delivery from the 
 Deputy Commissioners at the different posts: at Brooklyn and 
 Flushing, on Long Island ; at Cole's Perry, on Staten Island ; and 
 at Kings Bridge, Marston's Wharf; and 'Bear Market,' on New 
 York Island, with the same allowance for transportation as they re- 
 ceived last year. George Brinley, Commissary Forage." 
 
 This agrees with what the centenarian, Mr. John Battin, told me 
 about this market. He said " it was used for a barrack and de- 
 pot for hay, grain, and straw, and part of the time a troop of cavalry 
 was stationed there." 
 
 The War of the Revolution stopped the wheels of prosperity for 
 
 • N. Y. Gazetteer, December 23, 1773. f N. Y. Gazette, 1774. 
 
 t Constitutional Gazette, July 20, 1776. 
 
 § N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, August 11, 1777. 
 
314 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 many a long year; but at last a glorious peace came, and with it 
 the oil of free government, which, after a time, set those wheels in 
 motion again, and caused them to move more rapidly than before. 
 A great change had taken place — many old faces had forever disap- 
 peared; the war, with its fruits — death — had driven and taken the 
 patriotic tradesman, mechanic, and farmer from their once happy 
 homes and prolific fields, while those who returned found almost 
 nothing to trade with ; their homes desolated, and their once beau- 
 tiful fields without fences and turned into a common ; and those who 
 had acted the loyal part were, in their turn, obliged to depart for 
 foreign shores, and some never again to behold the " land that gave 
 them birth." 
 
 This market-house was found in a " dilapidated state and almost 
 useless ;" but it was soon after repaired by the neighboring inhabit- 
 ants at their own expense. 
 
 The shore on the westerly side of this market-house ran almost up 
 against it, when it was built, but after a period the wharf was docked 
 out, so that " nine lots of 23 feet front, and from 60 to 90 feet in 
 length fronting the river and slip," were sold at auction in 1784 ; a 
 space of twenty-eight feet broad " should be reserved in the rear of 
 and extending in length parallel to the market, from Partition (Ful- 
 ton) to Vesey Streets." 
 
 About this period this market became usually known in the rec- 
 ords as the " Hudson Market," which continued for many years, but 
 the " press," in noticing the advertisements, still keep the name of 
 "Bear ilarkef." In the month of September, 1784, we find, " That 
 the ferry across the North River, from the Corporation Wharf to 
 Hoboken, be exposed to sale at public vendue to the highest bidder, 
 on Wednesday, the 6th day of October next, at X o'clock in the 
 forenoon, at the 'Bear Market.' "* 
 
 This ferry to Hoboken was established in the year 1775 from this 
 market, and by "Cornelius Haring, who begs leave to inform the 
 public that he intends on Monday, the first of May next, to open the 
 new established ferry from the remarkable pleasant and convenient 
 situated place of William Bayard, Esq^., at the ' King's Arms Inn,' 
 from which place all gentlemen travelers and others, who have oc- 
 casion to cross that ferry, will be accommodated with the best of 
 boats of every kind, suitable to the winds, weather, and tides, to 
 convey them from thence to the new (Bear) Market, near the Cor- 
 poration Pier at the North River, opposite Vesey Street, in New 
 York, at which place a suitable house will be kept for the reception 
 of travelers passing to and from his house, and will have his laoats 
 • N. Y. Packet, Sept«ml>er 27. 
 
BEA.R MARKET. 315 
 
 in good order. And as his boats "will always be ready to attend 
 travellers, and those gentlemen and ladies from the City of New- 
 York, as well as those of the province (New Jersey) he lives in. 
 The boats are to be distinguished by the name of the Hoobook {no- 
 ticed afterwards Hoehuck) Ferry painted on the stern."* 
 
 In connection with the above ferry, " the flying machine that used 
 to ply between Hackensack and Powles' Hook will, for the sake of 
 a better and shorter road, begin on Saturday, the 13th day of May, 
 and thenceforth continue to drive from Hackensack to Hoebuck, 
 &c. Abraham Van BusKiRK."t 
 
 The same paper, two years after, (January 13,) notices — "A chaise 
 was taken from the ferry near the Bear Market, about three weeks 
 since ; the body-carriage is painted cream color, with flower-pots on 
 each side and back ; in the latter is a cypher, 0. T. ; steel springs ; 
 the inside, light-colored cloth. Whoever gives information of said 
 chaise, or will bring it to James Hallet, coach-maker, in Broadway, 
 will receive five dollars reward, and no questions asked." 
 
 We turn again, and look in the N. Y. Packet of 1785, and find, 
 on the 20th of January, the following notice : " To be sold by Sam- 
 uel Ellis, No. 1 Greenwich Street, at the North River, near the 
 'Bear Market,' that pleasant situated Island, called Oyster (Ellis's) 
 Island, lying in York Bay, near Powles Hook." Greenwich Street, 
 at that period, ended in Courtlandt Street. 
 
 In the year 1784, a strong and an unsuccessful movement was 
 made to remove the " public slaughter-house," which stood upon a 
 part of Bayard's Farm, in consequence of its dirty condition. Some 
 butchers wished to kill in their own, or private slaughter-house, 
 above a certain line ; others, to the eastern part of the city ; and 
 Richard Deane, a distiller, then located just above this market, on 
 the North River, wished to erect a public one, on and near his dis- 
 tillery. " That he will convey warm water from his distillery to 
 keep it clean. The cattle can be landed at his dock from New Jer- 
 sey, which may probably be an encouragement for more cattle to be 
 brought from that quarter than has heretofore been done. That 
 for ..every beast killed he shall receive the sum of two shillings, 
 which is now the usual price paid; and that he shall have a lease 
 for the same for thirty-one years, giving him an exclusive right." 
 The following were the names of those butchers who signed the above 
 petition, and no doubt they were the principal ones of this period: 
 Jotham Post, John Perrin, John Lovell, 
 
 Henrich Astor, Henry Spingler, . Isaac Varian, Sen'r, 
 
 Jacob J. Arden, Adam Pinck, Joseph Varian, 
 
 George Thompson, Stephen Hilliker, Isaac Varian, Jun'r, 
 • Rivington's Gazetteer, April 27. f Ibid., Hay 4.. 
 
316 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 Joseph Mott, Jacob Hilliker, Michael Varian, 
 
 John Basley, George Messerve, John Pessinger, 
 
 Andrew Basley, William Wright, Nicholas Wethershein, 
 George Wilt, Samuel Ellis, James Manold, 
 
 Joseph Wilt, George Hopson, Edward Patten. 
 
 Among these, we recognize those who took a prominent part in 
 the "Great Federal Procession" in honor of the Federal Constitu- 
 tion to form these United States, which took place in this city July 
 23, 1788. The whole was under the direction of Mr. Richard Piatt, 
 assisted by Colonel William S. Livingston, Colonel Aguilla Giles, 
 Major Bleecker, Captains Fowler, Stagg, Dunscom, Morton, Messrs. 
 John R. Livingston, Daniel Le Roy, Thomas Dnrie, Edward Liv- 
 ingston, Staats Morris, and John Lefiferts. These gentlemen, by 
 way of distinction, were all clad in a conspicuous uniform ; that of 
 Mr. Piatt was designated by a blue coat, red sash, and white feath- 
 er, tipped with black. His assistants or aids wore white coats, 
 with blue capes and sashes, white feathers, tipped with blue, and 
 cari'ying speaking-trumpets. The procession paraded at 8 o'clock, 
 A. M., in and near the Park, then called the Fields. At 10 o'clock 
 a salute of 13 guns was fired from the small Federal ship Hainilton, 
 (which was in the procession on wheels,) as a signal to move. In 
 the second division (of which there were ten) the butchers of this 
 city were out in large numbers, and made a very fine display. They 
 were headed by Mr. Jotham Post, Alexander Fink, John Lovel, and 
 Jacob J. Arden. A flag of fine linen, neatly painted, displayed on 
 the standard the coat of arms, Viz., three bullocks' heads, tivo axes 
 crossway, a boar's head, and two garbs, supported by an ox and a 
 lamb, with the motto, 
 
 " SkiQ me well, dress me neat, 
 And send me aboard the Federal fleet." 
 
 A slaughter-house, with cattle dressed and killing ; a market, sup- 
 ported by ten pillars, and another " partly up," under which was 
 written, " Federal Market," supported by " Ten," in letters of gold ; 
 "Federal Butchers;" a ship, with smaller vessels. The standard 
 was carried on a stage drawn by four bright bay horses, dresasd 
 with ribbons ; a boy dressed in white rode and conducted each ; on 
 the stage a stall, neatly furnished ; two butchers and two boys on 
 the stage at work, splitting the lambs, cutting meats, and arranging 
 this stall. This stage was followed by one hundred butchers, 
 (mounted on fine horses,) with clean white aprons, and steels at- 
 tached to their sides. Then came a band of music, followed with 
 two banners appropriately painted, with their coat of arras and 
 motto — " Federal Butchers." The one in front w^as supported by 
 Mr. William Wright, and the one in rear by Mr. John Perrin. 
 
BEAR MARKET. 
 
 317 
 
 The several trades, societies, and other large and small bodies 
 were numerously represented in the procession. After leaving the 
 Park, they proceeded down Broadway into "Whitehall Street, turned 
 into Great Dock Street, (now lower end of Pearl,) up through Hano- 
 ver Square into Queen, (now the part of Pearl above Wall.) Here, 
 at the corner of Wall Street, they passed an emblem representing 
 the " Thirteen States," inclosed in a circle of about two feet in &{■ 
 a.meter— Thirteen Stars; ten of which were brilliant, one (designed 
 for New York) half illuminated, and two almost obscure, with the 
 initials of North Carolina and Rhode Island. On they went, 
 through Queen Street into Chatham, up Division into Arundel, 
 (Clinton;) turning to the left — 
 
 " A clattering noise now strikes the ear, 
 And lo ! tlie Cooper train appear ; 
 The busy workmen hoop the useful cask — 
 With hopes inspired, e'en toil 's a pleasing task. 
 Read on their flag their future views described, 
 In humble verse. But see the Butcher tribe ! 
 Choice meat, already drest, the stall supplies, 
 And many a figure on the canvass flies." * 
 
 into Bullock (Broome) Street, and through Bullock into Bayard's 
 Lane, to the high grounds known as Bunker's Hill or Bayard's 
 Mount, which lay east of Bayard's House, near Orange, Grand, and 
 Mulberry Streets. 
 
 On the eastern slope of this hill were ten extensive tables, load- 
 ed with provisions, waiting for these numerous guests. These tables 
 projected in direct angles from one common centre, which was a 
 little elevated, for the use of the members of the Congress, civil 
 and legislative magistrates, and strangers of distinction, who had a 
 complete view of the whole. The butchers on that day furnished a 
 capital bullock, weighing in the quarters onethousand pounds, which 
 they roasted whole, and presented to the procession in general. 
 
 Dr. Alexander Anderson, now eighty-six years old, who was then 
 a boy of some fourteen or fifteen years of age, told me " he then was 
 learning the art of engraving with Peter Maverick, who together 
 walked in this procession, each carrying engraved plates, and sat 
 down to the tables, which were filled with roasted beef, bread, besides 
 numeroits casks of beer. There was an ox roasted on this occasion 
 but a great part of it was unfit to be eaten, having become tainted 
 while in the process of cooking." 
 
 At the time of this procession, the Federal Constitution was be- 
 fore the Convention assembled at Poughkeepsie, and in two days 
 after was adopted by New York. Ten States had previously joined 
 under this Constitution, and the butchers in this procession, with 
 • New York Packet, August 8, 1788. 
 
318 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 their emblems, were representing New York as another pillar partly 
 up. The broad foundation-stone had been permanently laid on the 
 imperishable rock ; while the cautious and careful builders (among 
 whom was Hamilton) were examining every section of this mighty 
 constitutional pillar, which they in the end found perfect. These one 
 hundred patriotic butchers came forth as the common laborers to 
 assist, and did assist, in placing that pillar strong enough, that all 
 future ages and generations might stand and feel secure upon its 
 broad platform. And when the undermining, unconstitutional job- 
 bers or disunionists, with their drilling tools, attempted to bore, 
 break, blast, or divide a section or part of that glorious structure, 
 their stealthy noise was heard by the many patriotic descendants 
 and successors, who rose in their strength, and moved forward to 
 wipe them off from the face of our Republican soil. 
 
 There is another individual who has claims to notice, but whose 
 name does not appear in the preceding list of petitioners as his, 
 dated some two years after, from which I shall refer to, in sketch- 
 ing a few incidents of his life. It is no other than Ebenezer Win- 
 ship, usually known in his day as Colonel Winship, who, on the 
 first battle-field of the Revolution, volunteered his services for his 
 country, and they were accepted. In the affair of Lexington, he, 
 with his kin, Simon, Thomas, and John Winship,* all farmers, 
 shouldered their trusty muskets, and stepped forth to fight our 
 country's battles. He followed on after the British troops, and was 
 received by Washington at Boston, where soon after he was ap- 
 pointed to oflSce, and did his virhole duty through the war. In 1783, 
 after the evacuation, he found himself in the City of New York, 
 with the poverty so common to all the soldiers of the Revolution, 
 and a large family, from whom he had been long separated. Hav- 
 ing some knowledge of country butchering, he commenced selling 
 meat in this market from off the benches placed in it by the Com- 
 mon Council; and he continued until we find his petition, dated 
 January 16, 1786, before the Council, asking for certain privileges. 
 This petition " Humbly shews Ebenezer Winship, that being warmly 
 attached to the cause of America, in an early period took an active 
 part as an OfiScer in the American Army, and continued in the ser- 
 vice during the contest; the which, being accompanied with other 
 misfortune, hath obliged your petitioner to follow butchering for 
 his and his family's support, which your petitioner hath followed 
 for two years past, and hath found great difficulty in killing his cat- 
 tle at the (public) slaughter-house, agreeable to the Law of the 
 Corporation. As your petitioner lives two miles from the city, and 
 ofttimes his cattle being so wild it renders it difficult to drive them, 
 
 • Force's Archives. 
 
BEAK MARKET. 3lg 
 
 and as it cannot be a nuisance to the city to kill Ms cattle at his 
 house, your petitioner having no other alternative by his industry 
 to procure a support in this city for him and his family, and the 
 difficulty that attends his killing at the (public) slaughter-house, 
 must consequently oblige your petitioner to remove from the city, 
 unless your Honors, in your goodness, grant him this liberty, &c." 
 His wish was not granted. 
 
 With a lafge family, and limited means and space to do his busi- 
 ness, it required all his exertions to support them ; but in 1794 he 
 was successful in having a stall granted him, as will be shown in an 
 editorial, which states he "was Colonel in the Revolutionary 
 Army. He was in the affair of Lexington, and served his country 
 ably and satisfactorily during the war." 
 
 It happened that in the year 1794, during the Mayoralty of Mr. 
 Varick, a stall in Bear Market was given to Colonel Winship. This 
 stall was held by the Colonel until his death, which occurred in the 
 year 1799. It was somewhat remarkable that all six of his sons, 
 Ebenezer, John, Samuel, Daniel, Thomas, and Jonathan, were butch- 
 ers, and four of them were separately engaged in business in this 
 market at one time, and all at different periods. His son Ebenezer 
 was a " drummer-boy," and served imder his father during a part of 
 the war. 
 
 To give the reader an idea of the amount of fees collected at this 
 period from the several public markets, a sworn return is made to 
 the Mayor (who is known by the " Charter" as Clerk of the Markets) 
 by two persons, or deputy clerks : one was Assistant Alderman Abra- 
 ham Van Gelden, and the other Rynier Skaats. From the 1st of Feb- 
 ruary, 1786, to the same date, 1787, these fees amounted to £583, 
 4s., 8d. Then, " from the Oswego, Exchange, and Hudson (Bear) 
 Markets, from the 1st of February, 1787, until 31st January, 1788, 
 both days inclusive," Rynier Skaats reports - - - - £176 9 6 
 From the "Fly," Peck Slip, and Catharine Markets, - 490 10 6 
 
 Total, - - - £667 
 
 In 1793, the Mayor reports having received from Rynier Skaats, 
 
 for fees collected by him in the Oswego, Exchange, and Hudson 
 
 Markets, £ 404 14 10 
 
 From James Culbertson, collected in the Fly, Peck 
 Slip, and Catharine Slip Markets, the sum of - 938 15 2 
 
 Making, in the whole amount, £2,064 15 
 
 Meal and flour, after the Revolution, were sold in all of the 
 public markets; but there were yet stringent laws attached to 
 their sale, which perhaps can better be explained from the follow' 
 ing petition, presented in the month of March, 1788, from fourteen 
 
320 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 dealers out of the markets. They state that, " in consequence of a 
 law of the Corporation which prohibits our purchasing _/?oMr out of 
 the market before four o'clock in the afternoon, your Honors will 
 readily believe that it is but seldom to be bought at that time or 
 hour; and if ever it is, then it is of such of the country people 
 as stayes the night over, and tryes the market the next morning, 
 and in that case always asks an extravagant price the evening be- 
 fore ; so there is no chance for us to buy any at all, unless we pay 
 higher than market price, unless we live in breach of the law ; but 
 in that case a freeman's liberty is taken away by his oath ; and it is 
 well known that there are hundreds, if not thousands, in this city, 
 who cannot buy otherwise than by the retail; and whilst the huck- 
 sters are permitted to buy after eleven o'clock, who are no ways so 
 serviceable to the publick as our calling, we therefore think it a 
 hardship on us, and in some measure depriving us of getting a liv- 
 ing for our families, besides the service we are to many others. We 
 doubt not but your Honors will, after the considering the matter, 
 at least put us on a footing with the hucksters, by permitting us to 
 purchase after eleven o'clock, &c." 
 
 Two years after, (1790,) John Ackerman was " permitted to erect 
 a scale at his door for the weighing of flour brought to market in 
 bags," for which he was allowed a small fee. Six years after, (1796,) 
 this ofBce was sought after again, and at the same time the country 
 people were accused of " imposition and fraud," and it was thought 
 that another " weigh-master '' might prevent them. James Hearn 
 says in a petition : " The injury our fellow-citizens sustains by the 
 unjust proceedings, it can be proved by several persons that in 
 weight of meal a vantage of eight or ten pounds in the hundred 
 weight has frequently taken place." He wishes this appointment, 
 " furnishing himself at his own expense with just and lawful scales 
 and weights thereto to weigh meal and other articles which may be 
 brought to market, (upon oath.") He, however, was not appointed. 
 
 About this period, (1789,) Governor John Page, a delegate to 
 Congress from Virginia, compares New York with Philadelphia, in 
 a letter to his son. He says: "This town is not half so large as 
 Philadelphia, nor in any manner to be compared to it for beauty and 
 elegance. Philadelphia, I am well assured, has more inhabitants 
 than Boston and New York together. The streets here are badly 
 paved, very dirty and narrow, as well as crooked, and filled up with 
 a strange variety of wooden, stone, and brick buildings, and full of 
 hogs and mud. The College, St. Paul's Church, and the Hospital 
 are elegant buildings. The Federal Hall, (Wall Street,) also, in 
 which Congress is to sit, is elegant." 
 
 The hay machine or scale, which had been placed in the end of 
 
BEAR MARKET. 
 
 321 
 
 this market before the war, was reported on by Alderman Gilbert, 
 October 7, 1788, that it "is improperly situated and greatly ob- 
 structs the street, and ought to be removed into the passage leading 
 behind the ' Bear Market ^' " and it was done. 
 
 The next improvement here was the raising of the market-house 
 " one foot six inches, and that the leasing of the cellars under the 
 market be delayed until the said improvement be completed." The 
 bill for this work was presented by Isaac Mead, June 2, 1792, and 
 amounted to £69 18s. 6^d. The cellars were leased at auction on 
 "the 3d of September, at 12 o'clock in the forenoon, on the premises, 
 for a term of twenty-one years."* 
 
 At this period died at Brookfield, Mass., on the 3d of December, 
 (1792,) Sarah Noble, in the 102d year of her age. " She was de- 
 scended from the family of Drake in East Chester, State of New 
 York. She remembered the time when the first sermon was deliv- 
 ered in East Chester, by an Episcopalian clergyman, who is sup- 
 posed to have been the first missionary of that order in the State of 
 New York. She was able to recollect when knives and forks were 
 Jirst used in the City of New York. She was the first person who 
 brought teorcups, tea, and potatoes in the town of New Milford."t 
 
 The increase of business here had been steadily advancing for 
 many years, and the market-house on certain days of the week was 
 overrun, so that many were placed outside without shelter, which 
 gave much dissatisfaction. Petitions were presented for more shel- 
 ter, and the citizens of the neighborhood asked permission to enlarge, 
 by erecting another market-house of twenty feet in width in Vesey 
 Street, between Greenwich and Washington Streets, which was 
 granted. 
 
 The location on which this new building was erected is yet seen 
 in the irregularity of this part of Vesey Street ; the two market- 
 houses appeared as follows : 
 
 North River. 
 
 J 
 1 
 
 J 
 
 Alley. 
 
 J 
 
 Greenwich Street. 
 
 • N. Y. Journal, August 29, 1792. 
 Vol. I.— 21 
 
 f Phila. Daily Advertiser, February, 1792. 
 
322 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 With a passage between them. On the north of the straight line of 
 Vesey is the part which Trinity Church granted " for the use of a 
 market forever." 
 
 This new house was usually noticed in some of the records as the 
 " Upper Hudson," and the other the " Lower Hudson ;" but the 
 former was more generally known by the butchers and many of its 
 patrons as the "Buttermilk Market," in consequence of the great sale 
 of that article made into it, by the (Jersey) Dutch women, who daily 
 attended there. "Laurie Todd" says, in 1794, this market "was 
 supplied principally from Haverstraw, Hackensack, Bergen, and 
 Communipaw ; and unless you could talk a good portion Dutch, it 
 was little use to go there to traffic." 
 
 Here, too, as at Catharine Market, the Jersey negroes would meet 
 on their " holidays," of which Pause or Pinkster was the principal 
 one, sell their trifles, crack eggs, sometimes engage in a break-down ; 
 in this, however, they were not so early accomplished as their Long 
 Island friends, whom they occasionally visited at the Catharine 
 Market, as they were for many years placed " up head" in this great 
 and nimble art. 
 
 At this period the first notice of fat beef being offered for sale in 
 this market is placed to the credit of Samuel Winship, who says : 
 " Will be exposed for sale at the Hudson (No. 1 this) Market, by 
 Samuel Winship, on Friday and Saturday next, the finest beef now 
 in the city. It was fattened by Jonathan Varian. The connoisseurs 
 of this city and the citizens are requested to attend and partake of 
 the purchase, and please their tastes. Mr. Winship flatters himself 
 that a general and liberal attendance and purchase will be had on 
 those days."* Again, he says, in the same paper, on the 7th of June 
 following : " This day will be exposed for sale, by Peter Crawbuck, 
 at No. 5 Exchange Market, and by Samuel Winship, in the Hudson 
 Market, the finest beef now in the city. The bullock, in carved 
 meat, weighed 1,100 lbs., &c." 
 
 In the summer and fall of 1798, the yellow fever, as noticed be- 
 fore, was very fatal, more particularly on the eastern side of the 
 city ; the North River side was more healthy, and usually furnished 
 less nuisances, in the way of dirty slips ; but just at this market one 
 was found in a very filthy condition, and in the month of August it 
 was ordered to be filled up. Complaints were also made of several 
 venders of fruit and vegetables, who remained after market hours, 
 creating much noise until a late hour of the night. Among the com- 
 plaints was one from a physician, whose name will not appear, as no 
 doubt his communication will be satisfactory, when read as original- 
 
 • N. Y. Journal and P. R., May 21, 1794 
 
BEAR MARKET. 323 
 
 ly written. He addresses it to the Mayor, and says: "Sr — Our In- 
 tention is to show you the True State of bear Markett. We are 
 Buisy filling up below, in Order to Keep Clear of filth, & M. Mor- 
 rison Pays his attention in Seeing it Sweep. Mr. Culbertson (Glerk 
 of the Market) also Pays his attention in Plasing the Huxsters. 
 But when his Back is Turn"! they all Do as they think proper — they 
 Make a Costom, When the Butchers is Gon, to Move in the Markett 
 with their Coffee & Prute, and by that Means Collect Numbers of 
 Idol, Drunken, & Durty Men Seting and Lying on the Stalls, So 
 that the Butchers with Difiiculty Can Scarcely make them Even 
 Look Deasent, as the Huxsters, more or less of them, Stays until 9 
 or 10 O'clock at night, & their Frute Draws Large Gangs of unruly 
 Boys, Disturbing the Peasable Inhabitants ; this, S"", you may Relye 
 on as being Facts. New York, August 15, 1798." 
 
 The Deputy Clerks received orders to remove " all venders of 
 fruit and vegetables from the public market-places and streets ad- 
 joining at sunset every day, except venders of vegetables on Satur- 
 days." 
 
 This new (Buttermilk) market, after being finished, was wholly 
 used by the country people and fishermen until 1796, when we find 
 four stands in the end joining on Greenwich Street. The lower 
 (old) market-house had received two additional stands, the year be- 
 fore, which increased their number to fourteen. No further addi- 
 tions were made to either until 1800, when two were added to the 
 "Buttermilk Market," and soon after a Committee reported in favor 
 of "adding six more stalls, and moving the fourteen now in up to 
 the north end of the ' lower market.' " Making a total of twenty- 
 six stands, occupied by the following butchers : 
 In the Old Market- House. 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 Samuel Winship. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Francis White. 
 
 3. 
 
 William Chivvis. 
 
 4. 
 
 Daniel Spader. 
 
 5. 
 
 George Hutton. 
 
 6. 
 
 John Hopkins. 
 
 7. 
 
 Jonathan Spader. 
 
 8. 
 
 George Fash. 
 
 9. 
 
 Frederick Haws. 
 
 10. 
 
 Henry Merkel. 
 
 11. 
 
 George Goodheart. 
 
 12. 
 
 Lodowick Harpel. 
 
 13. 
 
 John Abeel. 
 
 14. 
 
 Geo. Wash. Varian. 
 
 15. 
 
 Cornelius King. 
 
 16. 
 
 Frederick Merkel. 
 
 17. 
 
 Christian Miller. 
 
 18. 
 
 Ebenezer Winship. 
 
 19. 
 
 Francis Spicer. 
 
 20. 
 
 Alexander Fink. 
 
 "Buttermilk Market." 
 21. John Winship. 22. Thomas Winship. 
 
 23. Adam Hartell. 24. John Graff, Sen'r. 
 
 25. Anthony Rawlings. 26. Charles Oilman. 
 
324 BEAR MARKET, 
 
 In 1802 the Market Committee, consisting of Philip Brasher, John 
 Oothout, Winant Van Zandt, Jr., " Reported the propriety of in- 
 creasing the number of butchers' stands, as follows : Catharine, 4 ; 
 Upper Hudson, 8 ; Lower Hudson, 2 ; and Oswego, 4." This in- 
 creased the number to thirty-six, and before they were removed, 
 the numbers in both were forty-eight regular stands. 
 
 The two market-houses were again crowded, and more room was 
 demanded, for the much-increased country visitors and the wants 
 of the fishermen, whose number had also increased ; they were ac- 
 commodated by the erection of a new fish market in 1805, which we 
 find " running at right angles with the lower (old) market, and on 
 a line with the other {Buttermilk) market between Greenwich Street 
 and the bulkhead." At the same time, " a bell of 60 to 80 lbs. 
 weight, about the tone of G, was ordered to be hung on the top of 
 the northwestern extremity of the " Hudson {old) Market, and to be 
 protected by a small cupola." 
 
 In the face of the increased business and improvements, a Com- 
 mittee (without the appearance of being asked) reported on the 1st 
 of July following, " That the ground on which Hudson {old) Market 
 now stands is too valuable to be appropriated for a market, and is 
 situated in a street too important for the purpose ; that it is in a 
 state of decay, and will be useless in two or three years. The Com- 
 mittee, therefore, are of opinion it will be for the public advantage 
 to run a new bulkhead across the slip, and proceed to fill up the 
 same, and to erect a substantial and commodious (brick) market on 
 the ground to be filled up." 
 
 Although this report was confirmed, yet it was not carried out, in 
 consequence of leases of several of the lots, which they proposed to 
 use or sell, not having expired. 
 
 In 1807 chains were placed across Greenwich Street, to prevent 
 interruption during market hours ; they, however, were soon found 
 to be more troublesome than useful, and the next year they were 
 taken down. 
 
 The stalls or stands which butchers' meats were sold off, in 
 " olden time," in many cases were mere rough-hewed benches, with 
 a coarse tow or linen cloth laid on them. One old butcher told me 
 that when his uncle (John Aimes) commenced business, he, with 
 another, took from his house his dinner-table, and carried it down 
 in the " Old Bear Market," from which he sold his uncooked meat 
 for many months. Others, who were longer in business, and who 
 felt themselves above a " bench or table," had a standing, which 
 consisted of a narrow (wooden) box, without a bottom, setting down 
 on the floor, with two upright posts, hewed (or ''axed" out) square, 
 
BEAR MARKET. 325 
 
 pinned or nailed to the back, on which were nailed two or three 
 bars across, filled with wrought nails as meat-hooks. These were, 
 however, soon much improved, when they began to saw and plane 
 the timber, and the blacksmiths to beat their hot iron into proper 
 hooks. At this period their stalls (as they were now known) still 
 were set on or very near the floor, and much filth collected under 
 and behind them, which could not be got at without removal. To 
 remedy this, the Board passed a resolution, " That each and every 
 butcher who occupies a stall in any of the public markets shall, 
 within six days from the date hereof, {August 28,) cause the said 
 stall to be raised eight inches from the floor of the market, so that 
 a broom may be admitted, to remove such dirt, filth, or rubbish. 
 Should any refuse to comply, they will be fined five dollars, and 
 also the further sum of two dollars for every day's neglect there- 
 after." 
 
 In the month of December of this year, Daniel Deavenport peti- 
 tioned for stand No. 8, occupied at this period by George M. Patton ; 
 and one of his strong claims for it, he says : " His father, who is 
 now an aged man, was in the service of his country during the 
 Revolutionary War, and that he feels it a pleasure as well a.s a duty 
 to support him." He was successful in obtaining No. 8. 
 
 Daily, though early in the morning, passing or among the crowds, 
 at a later hour, were the sellers of hot coffee and muffins, for the 
 tired and hungry marketmen ; and these became so numerous as to 
 draw a very large share of the trade from the victualing-houses 
 around the markets, who complained to the Common Council. The 
 report of a Committee on the subject, made on the 12th of March, 
 1810, is rather of a "flowery" nature, and deserves record here. 
 It reads as follows : 
 
 " They say that they draw a crowd around them, such as to ren- 
 der business altogether impracticable." " The houses in the neigh- 
 borhood of these markets are occupied principally by victualers, 
 who calculate in the custom to be derived from market people, and 
 have been induced to give very extravagant rents." " They are 
 well provided with every description of viands, and can satisfacto- 
 rily administer to the wants not only of the fatigued countryman, 
 but even to the dainty appetite of the most squeamish. Everything 
 appears inviting and nice, and the salutary beverage so much ap- 
 plauded for its vivifying efiicacy, here flows abundantly. The early 
 stirring and often chilled marketman can here quaff his ambrosial 
 coffee at as cheap a rate, and with infinitely more comfort. Four 
 cents a pint for coffee, and two cents for a muffin, is the usual price 
 taken at the stands in the markets. So, also, in these houses they 
 
326 BEAR MARKET. 
 
 sell this, as well as every nourishment, at the same reasonable ratio." 
 Which report was confirmed. 
 
 The subject of removing the market-house was often agitated, and 
 in 1811 the appearances were so strong, that the butchers in it, in 
 the month of June, petitioned the Board, " stating that, under- 
 standing a market-house was to be erected below them, praying that 
 they may have stands assigned to them in the new market-house." 
 Nothing, however, was done until the next year, in the month of 
 February, when a Committee stated the reasons assigned by Major 
 Fairlie, who was one of the Committee in 1805, why a new market- 
 house was not erected at that period. " From liim they learnt that 
 the lots belonging to the Corporation on the west side of the new 
 market, together with the ground in front of the line of Greenwich 
 Street, were then considered as appropriated to the object; but 
 that, in consequence of the leases on said lots having a long time to 
 run, the necessary funds could not so conveniently be then raised 
 therefrom as might be when said leases were about expiring. Your 
 Committee, however, find that this difficulty is now obviated, and 
 that the period is now arrived when this dormant subject ought to 
 be revived, and the ideas of our predecessors carried into opera- 
 tion." " The leases on those lots will expire on the first day of 
 May, 1813, and if it be intended to sell them, together with the 
 ground in front, up to the line of Greenwich Street, for the purpose 
 of erecting a new market-house, as was formerly contemplated, it 
 will be necessary to have the same finished in season, so that the 
 butchers who occupy stalls in the present market may transfer 
 themselves without auy interruption to that neighborhood.'' "They 
 recommend that the former proceedings in relation to this subject 
 be now carried into execution." 
 
 Before the new building was commenced, several claimants for 
 damages presented themselves, and stated in a petition, on the 1st 
 of February, 1813, that "Thomas Stagg and others had at their in- 
 dividual expense erected the market called Hudson (old JwvseJ 
 Market; that, understanding the Corporation was about selling the 
 property and removing the market, he prayed that the sale might be 
 delayed, until compensation was made to petitioner and those con- 
 cerned," which appears cost upwards of five hundred pounds. The 
 Comptroller reported to the Board on the 8th of the same month, 
 that " there was no reason to doubt the fact as stated. From in- 
 formation received from respectable sources, it was generally the 
 practice, in former times, for individuals to contribute towards 
 making public markets, thereby to increase the value of adjacent 
 property, as well as to obtain other benefits accruing from such estab- 
 
CROWN MARKET. 327 
 
 lishments. In a recent conversation with an old inhabitant in the vi- 
 cinity of the Hudson Market, he mentioned that, shortly after the 
 close of the Revolutionary War, the above-mentioned market was 
 in a state of decay, and almost useless; that himself and others 
 contributed to its repair, but that he did not expect the Corporation 
 were to make indemnification; as a large, convenient, and orna- 
 mental market is erecting near the river in the vicinity of the pres- 
 ent one ; as the benefits derived in the space of forty years have 
 probably equaled the advantages ever contemplated by the first 
 contributors ; as the precedent once made of refunding to individu- 
 als their voluntary donations, on similar occasions would open the 
 door for a great number of ancient claims, and be the source of 
 much difi&culty and embarrassment." " The lots have already been 
 sold, although this circumstance should have no effect on the merits 
 of the question." 
 
 This report was agreed to, and this ended the matter ; but be- 
 fore the new ( Washington) market was finished, the old market- 
 house was torn down, and the occupants were placed in or under a 
 shed thrown up on the east side of Greenwich Street, directly oppo- 
 site the former old market-house, until stands were assigned them 
 in the newly-finished building, called the " Washington Market." 
 
 "CROWN MARKET." 
 
 1772. Nearly forty years before the establishment of this mar- 
 ket-place, the neighborhood had attempted to establish the " Thur- 
 man's Slip Market" on the spot where the next generation, in the 
 year 1771, built this market-house. 
 
 We find on the 24th of January of this year a petition from the 
 residents in the neighborhood of Thurman's Slip, asking the priv- 
 ilege to erect a large market-house at or near the old intended 
 site, which was signed by Peter Mesier, John Thurman, Jr., Ralph 
 Thurman, John Van Dalsen, Marcellus Gerbrants, Robert Leake, 
 Abraham Bussing, Sering Lininseer, and Helena Rutgers. 
 
 The introduction of the Bear Market was then the prominent sub- 
 ject before the Board, but Thurman and Mesier, with the assistance 
 of Assistant Alderman Abraham Mesier, wished to introduce their 
 own instead of the "Bear" Market. They succeeded in obtaining 
 permission, but no Committee was appointed to select the location ; 
 
328 CROWN MARKET. 
 
 SO, on the 19th of February following, John Thurman, Jr., appeared 
 before the Board, and oifered sundry reasons to induce them to fulfill 
 their promise. The Board agreed to leave it to some future Com- 
 mon Council. The petitioners, however, concluded, as they had the 
 privilege granted before, to go on and erect a market-house; and 
 on the 7th of Jan'y, 1772, Assistant Alderman Mesier " informed the 
 Board that himself and others had erected a building as a market- 
 house at the North River, and were desirous of conveying the same 
 to the Corporation for public use." This was followed with another 
 petition from John Thurman and others, on the 1st of March, " re- 
 questing the Board to accept this market-house," " provided the pro- 
 prietors of the ground on which the said market stands do in some 
 short period release the said ground to this Corporation and their 
 successors." It was accepted by a large vote in favor, "and the 
 Board do hereby establish the same building as a publick market- 
 house accordingly." 
 
 After a time it became known as " Crown Market," after the 
 street which ran alongside of it, although occasionally it is noticed 
 as " Mesier's Market," and also " Thurman's Market." 
 
 In the following September, the election of the West Ward '' was 
 ordered to be held at the southernmost market, at the North Eiver, 
 commonly called 'Mesier's Market;'" and in the next year, same 
 month, among the places to hold the polls, " that in the West Ward, 
 at the ' Crown Market,'" which were the same. One other reference 
 in an advertisement is given of it, but no name ; this appears on the 
 14th of January, next year, as follows: "At publick vendue, on the 
 premises, on Monday, the 24th day of January, or at private sale 
 any time before, the dwelling-house and lot wherein Mrs. Helena 
 Eutgers lately lived, (being a brick house two stories high,) front- 
 ing Queen (Pearl) Street, near the Fly Market, and almost opposite 
 the Mayor's. Also, on the 26th January instant, three dwelling- 
 houses and lots belonging to them, and one other vacant lot, wharf, 
 and water-lot, (lately belonging to the estate of Petrus Rutgers, de- 
 ceased,) situate at the North River fronting Thurman's Slip, near 
 the new market. •' Adrian Rutgers, 
 
 " Richard Sharp, 
 " John Morin Scott, 
 " Benjamin Kissam."* 
 
 The name " Crown," after the emblem of royalty, the principal 
 head ornament worn by sovereigns, was given to this street, about 
 the year 1695, and afterwards to this market-place. The street con- 
 tinued with the name until about 1797, when it was altered to suit 
 
 * N. Y. Gazetteer. 
 
CROWN MARKET. 329 
 
 an " emblem of our Republic," known as Liberty, or rather the God- 
 dess of Liberty, as she is always represented with a head ornament, 
 too, but which usually has a more democratic appearance than that 
 of royalty in appearing in the form of a cap. The Goddess, no 
 doubt, in her excessive exultation after the victorious Revolution, 
 instead of putting the cap on her head, stuck it on a pole, in shout- 
 ing independence for these United States. 
 
 There is no regular butcher noticed in connection with it, and 
 there is no doubt that it never was much of a market-place. It 
 ceased to exist some time during the Revolution, with the strong pre- 
 sumption that it was burnt up in the great fire of 1776, of which the 
 following is a sketch : On the 21st of September, " the fire originated 
 at or near Whitehall, soon extended to the Exchange, took its course 
 up the west side of Broad Street, as far as Verlettenbergh Hill, (Flat- 
 tenbarrack Hill,) consuming all the blocks from the Whitehall up. 
 The flames extended across the Broadway from the house of Mr. David 
 Johnson to Beaver Lane or Fincher's Alley on the west, and carried 
 all before it, a few buildings excepted, to the house at the corner of 
 Barclay Street, wherein the late Mr. Adam Vandenbergh lived, 
 sweeping all the cross streets in the way. The buildings left stand- 
 ing on the west side of the Broadway are supposed to be Captain 
 Thomas Randall's, Captain Kennedy's, Dr. Mallat's, Mr. John Cort- 
 landt's sugar-house and dwelling-house, Dr. Jones's, Hall's Tavern, 
 St. Paul's (Church,) Mr. Axtell's, and Mr. Rutherford's."* From 
 Mr. David Grim's account : " The fire, he says, burned both sides of 
 Beaver Street to the east side of Broadway, then crossed Broadway 
 to Beaver Lane, and burning all the houses on both sides of the 
 Broadway, with some few houses in New Street to Rector Street, 
 and to John Harrison's, Esq., three-story brick house, which house 
 stopped the fire on the east side of Broadway ; from thence it con- 
 tinued burning all the houses in Lumbard Street, and those in the 
 rear of the houses on the west side of Broadway to Saint Paul's 
 Church ; then continued burning the houses on both sides of Parti- 
 tion, (now Fulton,) and all the houses in the rear (again) of the west 
 side of Broadway to the North River," which no doubt included this 
 "market-house," as Hill's map of 1782 also shows the "burnt dis- 
 trict" of 1776 as covering the part where the market-house stood. 
 * Philadelphia Evening Post, 1776. 
 
330 OSWEGO MARKET. 
 
 "OSWEGO MARKET." 
 
 1772. The "Old Swago Market," as it was usually called for 
 shortness, is still green in the memory of some of our citizens. It 
 stood for many years at the corner of Broadway, running down 
 Maiden Lane to about Little Greene Street, on the south side, cover- 
 ing a part of the ground now occupied by the lower corner houses, 
 with a wide carriage-way on the north side, and a narrow one on 
 the south and east sides. 
 
 The " Broadway Market," commonly known as the " Oswego Mar- 
 ket," in the last years of its existence, stood near this market-place, 
 and was, as before noticed, indicted as a nuisance and torn down in 
 the month of July, 177 L But a few months had passed when the 
 inhabitants of the neighborhood, feeling the inconvenience, petitioned 
 on the first of March (1772) following for permission " to erect a 
 market-house on the lots of ground formerly occupied by Mr. Canaro 
 (or Oonroe's) on the east side of Broadway Street," which permis- 
 sion was given, " provided the proprietors release the said ground 
 to the Corporation dnd their successors;" and this was the last mar- 
 ket-place established before the Revolution. 
 
 Immediately after its erection it took the name of " Oswego Mar- 
 ket," and the manner of raising the money to build it was by lot- 
 tery. The N. Y. Journal of the 25th June, same year, says: "For 
 raising the sum of three hundred pounds towards discharging the 
 expenses of a market lately erected at the corner of Maiden Lane, 
 near the place where the old Oswego Market stood in the Broad- 
 way. The lottery to consist of two thousand five hundred tickets, 
 at two dollars each. N. B. — Not two blanks to a prize. Tickets to 
 be had of Nicholas C. Bogert, Henry Roome, Jonathan Lawrence, 
 and all the neighbors about the market." 
 
 The purchase-money paid for the ground, however, was not all 
 raised in this manner, as we find several suits were commenced 
 against Nicholas Bogert, Henry Roome, and others, who set forth 
 in their petition in 1789, and say: " That the neighborhood, by sub- 
 scription, raised a sum of money to purchase the lot of ground where- 
 upon the Oswego Market is erected; that the monies raised fall 
 short of the sum of £50, that yet remains due on the said bonds, for 
 which a suit is commenced against some of the petitioners, who pray- 
 ed for aid from the Corporation," and no doubt they received it. 
 
OSWEGO MARKET. 33I 
 
 Before the war we find the mail-rider for Albany put up in a 
 "Taylor's shop," near this market. The " post-rider" states: " For 
 the benefit of the public. Inasmuch as many persons frequently 
 have business with the Albany post-rider, this is to inform them that 
 he puts up at Mr. Joel Holmes', Taylor, fronting the south side of 
 the Oswego Market, and is every body's very humble servant, if he 
 is paid for it. N. B. — The printers are desired for the future to send 
 all the papers as go by him to the above place."* 
 
 In the month of November, 1787, a butcher named Charles Daw- 
 son, in this market, " for having totally neglected his business at his 
 stall or standing," was by resolution deposed of his license. Then, 
 in the following month, the porters "stationed at the 'Oswaygo 
 Market' complain, through a petition, that they have given every 
 due attention to said place, with a desire to give satisfaction, but 
 are latterly much deprived of our rights by many intruders who are 
 not duly authorized, which prevents us of making a sufficiency to 
 support our families." They pray the interposition of the Corpora- 
 tion, who soon after report a law to regulate porters. 
 
 One of the principal market-women, who daily attended at this 
 market both winter and summer, was Mrs. Frances Banta, (usually 
 known as "Aunt Frankey,") one of the daughters of Philip Min- 
 thorne, and a sister to Mangle Minthorne. On some eight or ten 
 acres left to her by her father, near the present corner of Third 
 Street and Bowery, she lived, and grew her produce or market 
 truck. Her father, while living, had owned about 110 acres of land 
 running along the east side of the Bowery Road, commencing from 
 about First Street and running up to Fifth Street, thence in an 
 easterly direction to the Bast River, taking in a part of the present 
 " Tompkins Square," which then was a salt marsh. This property 
 old Minthorne divided up into nine parts, and bequeathed it equally 
 to his nine children, when it afterwards became known as the "nine 
 partners," giving each one a slice or small front on the Bowery, which 
 ran easterly, gradually increasing to a greater width, and ended in 
 a Lane that ran parallel with and a little east of the First Avenue. 
 The balance of this property on the east side of the Lane was at that 
 period divided by another Lane which ran easterly, and was prin- 
 cipally all meadow or marsh land. This was divided on the north 
 side of the Lane into " nine parts," and on the south side into nine 
 other parts, and these three divisions were numbered, so that each 
 had an equal share of both good and poor land. 
 
 The Bowery division commenced with the first division on the 
 south end, and the following will show who inherited them. No. 1, 
 
 * N. Y. Gazette, March 7, 1774. 
 
332 OSWEGO MARKET. 
 
 Nicholas Romaine, son-in-law, who married Margaret; No. 2, Viert 
 Banta, another son-in-law; No. 3, Philip Minthorne; No. 4, Samuel 
 Hallet, married Sarah ; No. 5, Paulus Banta, the husband of Frances, 
 or "Aunt Frankey;" No. 6, Henry Minthorne; No. 7, Mangle Min- 
 thorne ; No. 8, John Minthorne ; and No. 9, Abraham Cox, another 
 son-in-law. 
 
 In the month of March, 1775, Paulus Banta advertises, "To be 
 sold, a lot of ground containing about 8 acres ; one acre and three- 
 quarters is salt meadow, being in the ' Out Ward' of this city, in the 
 Bowery Lane, whereon is a good dwelling-house and barn, &c. If 
 not sold by the 18th of April, to be then sold by way of public ven- 
 due on the premises."* A week after, another notice of a house 
 and lot to be sold in " Dirick Dye's Street;" apply to Paulus Banta 
 at the said house. 
 
 Each market-day found " Aunt Frankey " ready for an early start, 
 with her produce placed in her market-cart over night, and before 
 daylight next morning she was on her way down the Bowery Road, 
 and into this market, ready to serve the then early risers, who were 
 anxious to get the choice. Her surplus vegetation was housed or 
 buried in the earth for the winter's sales and extra profits ; and she 
 raised a large family, two of whom were daughters, whom she taught 
 the same accom.pUshments, or rather habits of industry so peculiar 
 to those early days. No doubt one of these daughters even exceed- 
 ed the mother, as will be perceived in a sketch of her history in the 
 Union Market; the other is also noticed in the Centre Market. 
 
 The working ladies of that day, in their early rising, had but lit- 
 tle fear of an attack of rowdies or robbers ; and if so, they had self- 
 possession and the advantage of an active out-of-door life, which 
 assisted to give them strength enough to resist or conquer the as- 
 sailant. Incidents would occasionally occur to these early-rising 
 market-women, one of which is noticed as follows. The Press says: 
 " A market-woman a few mornings since was coming to market very 
 early, attended by a favorite dog. In passing the Bowery, the dog 
 strayed from the road into an adjacent field ; the woman repeatedly 
 called the cur, but to no purpose; this surprised her, as he had 
 hitherto been very obedient to his mistress's mandate ; she at length 
 left her cart, determined to see what attracted the dog's attention, 
 when, to her astonishment, she beheld a living infant lying on the 
 ground, apparently but a few hours old, with a bundle of clothes, 
 and a purse containing 50 guineas. The woman took the infant, 
 with its appendages, and conveyed it safely to her home, where she 
 will doubtless humanely treat the little unfortunate innocent, as well 
 • Eivington's Gazetteer. 
 
OSWEGO MARKET. 333 
 
 on account of the uncommon adventure as the reward which accom- 
 panied it."* 
 
 A few days previous, in the same month, a great excitement was 
 created in this city, afterwards known as the " Doctors' Mob." It 
 appears from the several accounts, that some persons, among whom 
 it was thought several students of medicine, or young doctors, had 
 at various times dug up from several of the cemeteries of this city a 
 number of dead bodies for dissection, which had been conducted in 
 so indecent a manner, that it raised considerable clamor among the 
 people. They had not only taken up the bodies of blacks and 
 strangers, but those of some respectable persons. These circum- 
 stances had considerably agitated the public mind; " and it was fur- 
 ther provoked," says Judge Duer, " by the reckless and wanton im- 
 prudence of some young surgeons at the Hospital, who from one 
 of the upper windows exhibited the dissected arm of a subject to 
 some boys who were at play on the green below. One of them, 
 whose curiosity was thus excited, mounted upon a ladder used for 
 some repairs, and as he reached the window, was told by one of the 
 doctors to look at his mother's arm. It happened, unfortunately, 
 that the boy's mother had recently died, and the horror which had 
 now taken the place of his curiosity induced him to run to his fa- 
 ther, who was at work as a mason at a building in Broadway, (no 
 doubt on Saturday, April 12,) with the information of what he had 
 seen and heard. Upon receiving the intelligence, the father re- 
 paired to his wife's grave, and, upon opening it, found that the body 
 had been removed. He returned forthwith to the place where he 
 had been at work, and informed his fellow-laborers of the circum- 
 stances : their indignation and horror at the relation were nearly 
 equal to his own. Armed with the tools of their trade, they 
 marched in a body to the Hospital, gathering recruits by the way, 
 in number amounting to a formidable mob." They could not have 
 attacked the Hospital that day, as the N. Y. Packet states : " Last 
 Sabbath (13th of April) afternoon, a number assembled and broke 
 into the Hospital, where, 'tis said, some mangled bodies of the dead 
 were found." " The mob attacked several young doctors present, 
 and mauled them considerably ; but the Mayor and Sherifif, with the 
 help of some other gentlemen, got the population dispersed, but 
 several of them were struck, and received much abuse and insult." 
 
 " On Monday morning, a number of people collected together, and 
 
 commenced to search the houses of the suspected physicians, where 
 
 they did much mischief and damage. The Governor, Chancellor, 
 
 Mayor, and others, finding the passions irritated, went among them, 
 
 • Packet, April 25, 1788. 
 
334 OSWEGO MARKET. 
 
 and endeavored to dissuade them from committing any excesses. 
 They promised them every satisfaction the laws could give ; this 
 tended to allay the excitement upon many, who retired to their 
 homes. But in the afternoon a mob of a different character, who 
 were more fond of riot and disorder, went to the jail, and demand- 
 ed the doctors who were there imprisoned. The magistrates were 
 obliged to order out the militia, to suppress the riot and protect 
 the jail. At dusk a party of armed citizens marched to the release 
 of the jail, and as they approached it, the mob, huzzaing, began a 
 heavy fire of stones, brickbats, &c. Several of the party were 
 much hurt, and in their defence were obliged to fire, which killed 
 three or four persons, and a number wounded, which finally dis- 
 persed the mob." 
 
 The Brigade under General Malcom and Colonel Bauman's Ar- 
 tillery were out several days and nights after in detachments; 
 but the mob did not again collect, and the peace of the city was 
 again restored. It appears from the following letter of General 
 Malcom to the Mayor and Corporation, that he had one (at least) 
 wounded man in his ranks. This was dated " Neiu York, September 
 2, 1788. — The bearer is Bphraim Totten. As a good citizen, he 
 turned (out) with me upon the volunteer party which rescued the 
 goal from the rage of the mob in April last, and among many oth- 
 ers who performed that unpleasant duty, received a severe wound, 
 which has not only prevented him from pursuing his trade since 
 that time, but has also involved him in considerable expenses. 
 Such a case, I dare say, will be deemed a proper one for the inter- 
 position of the Common Council ; and I am persuaded your Honor 
 will cheerfully present and recommend it to the Board, &c. W. 
 Malcom. Mr. Totten is a sergeant in the militia." 
 
 Then follows a certificate from some of the officers. " Being 
 officers of the Company in which Mr. Totten received his unhappy 
 wound, justice and humanity induce us fully to concur with General 
 Malcom in the preceding representation. Your Honor's most obe- 
 dient, humbl6 servants, Niciis. J. Roosevelt, Adj't 3d Reg't. John 
 Woodward, Capt. 4th Company, 3d Reg't." Two doctors' bills 
 are also presented for services rendered to Mr. Totten. From Dr. 
 William Moore : " For medicine, attendance, &c., from April 14 to 
 June 15, 1788, ,£9, 19s., Od." From Nic's Romayne, M.D.: "For 
 attendance and consultation with Dr. Moore, &c., £3, 4s., Od." 
 
 The business and growth of the neighborhood around this market 
 at this period appears progressing, and the neighborhood "were for 
 increasing the accommodations for the country people;" so, in 1792, 
 permission was given " to extend the roof of the 'Oswego Market' 
 over the side-walk, to shelter and accommodate them." 
 
OSWEGO MARKET. 335 
 
 Some two years after, Grant Thorburn appears to liave become 
 almost a daily visitor at this market, as will appear from his letters 
 published by General George P. Morris & Co. in the ITeio York 
 Mirror and Home Journal. He locates it with " the west end rest- 
 ing on Broadway, and the east end near No. 20 Maiden Lane; and 
 there it stood in 1794, when I first saw it. At that time I was 
 forging nails in Liberty, opposite Little Greene Street. At that 
 time peaches were cheaper than potatoes. I used to go round after 
 dinner, as the Bergen negroes were packing up, and get my apron 
 nearly full for a three-penny Corporation bill. I think it was in 
 1796 that Mrs. Jeroleman set a table in the market to sell hot coffee 
 for three-pence a cup, and dough-nuts for one penny each. Her 
 table was the first of this description that I remember to have seen. 
 She was a large woman, and reported to weigh two hundred and 
 twenty -five pounds — a genuine vrow from the heights of Bergen. 
 As she moved in the market with her broad Dutch face, the butcher- 
 boys sung out, ' There goes the large dough-nut.' " 
 
 In another letter he says : " I often spent part of the hour that 
 was allotted me for dinner in this market, in listening to the Ber- 
 gen farmers and freemen of the city bargaining in the Dutch lan- 
 guage. What a confusion of tongues 1 It appeared to me a perfect 
 Babel. I could hardly prevail upon myself to believe that the 
 Mynheers possessed a language ; that they had a medium whereby 
 they could exchange their sentiments, express their wants and 
 wishes, and give utterance to those feelings which form a part and 
 parcel of our nature ; or, if so, they had pretty much the same mode 
 of communicating their ideas as the wild-geese of my own country, 
 as well as using a somewhat similar language ;»little thinking that 
 my own native tongue must sound equally harsh and uncouth in the 
 ears of my honest Dutch friends, who then, by-the-by, had the as- 
 cendency in the city, in point of numbers. For the benefit of the 
 rising generation, be it known, at the time I am speaking of, there 
 were more arrivals from Amsterdam than from Liverpool ! " 
 
 " I have a distinct recollection of an ancient-looking colored man, 
 who rejoiced in the sobriquet of ' Coppie Gillie.' He used to hang 
 about the market, and perform such odd chores as were required of 
 him by the butchers. It was said that he was the last of that un- 
 fortunate company who were engaged in the Negro Plot of 1741-2, 
 and, from the participation in that affair, had acquired that nick- 
 name." 
 
 The additional accommodations, previously noticed, were soon 
 taken up, and the business appeared to be approaching to the high- 
 est point of its history, which no doubt was between the years of 
 
336 OSWEGO MARKET. 
 
 1795 and 1800; and there is no better sign than to find very many 
 persons naturally anxious to crowd into a crowd. Here we find, 
 in the month of November, 1797, a petition from the butchers of this 
 market, stating, " They have been informed applications has been 
 made by certain butchers for stalls in the said ( Oswego) market." 
 They humbly pray " that the upper end of the said market, above 
 the stalls of Alexander Fink and Adam Fink, may be reserved for 
 the country people resorting to the said market; and if any more 
 stalls are allowed in the said market, that they may be placed in 
 the lower part thereof." This was signed by 
 
 Alex'r Fink, Sen'r, Adam Fink, George Ship, 
 
 Jacob Appley, George Haws, Cornelius King, 
 
 Alex'r Fink, Jun'r, Adam Hartell, Francis Spicer, 
 John Boscawen, John Lyons, William Perrin, 
 
 and Peter Ritter. 
 
 The first name, Alex'r Fink, Sen'r, was an old butcher, who had 
 formerly stood in the " Broadway Market," as had also his brothers, 
 Adam, John, Jacob, and Abraham ; and no doubt their father before 
 them (who bore the name of Alexander) had there transacted the 
 same business. Before and shortly after the Revolution, the name 
 was spelled Finck, and so it was continued in some of the old Direct- 
 ories ; but about 1790 many of the family changed it to Fink, as at 
 present known. 
 
 Among the signers, also, is Alex'r Fink, Jun'r, a son of the above 
 Alex'r, Sen'r, who lived within my recollection ; in fact, they were 
 a large family, many of whom were butchers. The above Alex'r, 
 Sen'r, before he commenced business in the former " Oswego Mar- 
 ket," was admitted » freeman, (then Jun'r,) which took place in the 
 year 1765, and is noticed as follows : " By John Cruger, Esq., 
 Mayor, and the Aldermen of the City of New York. To all whom 
 these presents shall come, send greeting. Whereas Alexander 
 Finck, Jun'r, butcher, hath made application to be made a freeman, 
 and citizen of the same city. These are therefore to certify and 
 declare, that the said Alexander Finck is hereby admitted, received, 
 and allowed, a freeman and citizen of the same city ; to have, hold, 
 use, and enjoy, all the benefits, privileges, franchises, and immunities 
 whatsoever granted or belonging to the same city. In testimony 
 whereof, the said Mayor and Aldermen have hereunto caused the 
 seal of the said city to be afiixed. Witness, John Cbuger, Esq., 
 Mayor, the twenty-third day of October, in the fifth year of the reign 
 of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the grace of God, of 
 Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, &c., 
 and in the year of our Lord 1765. By order of the said Mayor. 
 
 "Aug. V. Cortland, Ol'k." 
 
OSWEGO MARKET. 337 
 
 George Ship, one of the butchers there, was somewhat a remark- 
 able business man ; although possessed of no education, or rather he 
 could not read nor write, yet, with tact, he managed to transact a 
 large business successfully. He was born in the Landgraviate of 
 Hesse- Cassel, and on the commencement of the Revolution, he, with 
 others of his Hessian countrymen, were hired to fight the battles 
 of the British ; but very early he left, or deserted, and entered into 
 the service of the Americans, in which he continued until peace, 
 first in the " Mrs. Washington Guards," a Regiment of Light Horse, 
 under Lieutenant-Colonel Baylor, the story of whose surprise and 
 massacre at Tappan formed one of the bloodiest episodes of the war ; 
 and then as wagon-master in the auxiliary French army. After peace 
 he commenced business in this market, with Jacob Appley, with whom 
 he continued several years: he, however, obtained stand No. 5, and 
 although he was, at times, somewhat eccentric, with some humor, 
 yet, by diligence and frugality, he obtained a large share of the 
 business. Ofttimes he became the butt of several of the other butch- 
 ers, of whom Haws, Appley, Fink, and King were most prominent 
 in working up some practical or other joke. Ship was always anx- 
 ious to hear the news, when a newspaper could be obtained, and 
 invariably called on his friend Haws to read for him ; which he 
 would do, with the paper likely upside down, some great or horrible 
 occurrence, which he knew would either surprise or annoy Ship, and in 
 the end create a hearty laugh. But Ship sometimes managed to get 
 even with them, when opportunity offered; and about the year 1802 
 a remarkable circumstance of an exciting nature did occur, when 
 he outgeneraled them for quite a period, although he was not aware 
 that he was the origin of what proved to be <a wonderful ghost 
 hoax, until preparations were made to " head the spectre off." 
 
 A watchman somewhat vigilant, as well as a strong believer in 
 supernaturals, had occasionally seen after the midnight hours a 
 swift-footed, mysterious-looking and noiseless phantom, which ap- 
 peared like a horse and rider, who almost flew over the ground, and 
 at every leap sparks of fire would be seen at both ends of this sin- 
 gular object while passing down Elizabeth Street, and disappear 
 somewhere below the Bull's Head yards, which extended through 
 to this street. In this neighborhood were also the residences and 
 slaughter-houses of several of these butchers who stood in this mar- 
 ket, as it was also Ship's. This watchman had told this marvelous 
 story so often, that many had watched with him, and believed it 
 was no other than a real live ghost. 
 
 Ship was the owner of an excellent swift racing mare, and, having 
 belonged to a cavalry company, he was an expert rider ; this animal 
 Vol. L— 22 
 
338 OSWEGO MARKET. 
 
 he used some two or three times a week when he went to visit a 
 very intimate friend, who lived in Spring Street, not far from the 
 " Manhattan Well,"* and when he did so it was universally late, 
 often in the small hours of the morning, when he started to return ; 
 his mare, then anxious to get home, would not allow the grass to 
 grow under her feet, while passing through Spring to Elizabeth and 
 down that street to her stable. After a time Ship found he was 
 watched, but he also discovered thafhe was the "great ghost" that 
 so many had seen, and not a few so much afraid of; and concluded 
 that so long as they did not molest him, he would not allow them 
 to grow the wiser ; so on every light night he was disguised with a 
 white sheet wrapped around him, and thus homeward he rode many a 
 night ; however, at last, some of his butcher friends got knowledge 
 of it, and waited one night to see this flying ghost, when they soon 
 came to the conclusion that it was Ship's mare. The next day they 
 accosted Ship, but he Tcnew nothing about it, and offered to assist in 
 taking or stopping the ghost, by placing a be.rrier across the street, 
 which was done. Ship, however, marked its lowest and weakest 
 spot, where he knew his gallant mare could clear without trouble ; 
 so midnight came, and soon after the white rider and mare came fly- 
 ing down, and over she went and disappeared. This established the 
 fact, when hundreds believed and reported all sorts of ghost stories ; 
 but Haws, Graff, and many other butchers, concluded to head the 
 ghost off and adopt something that would put a stop or an end to 
 many of the ghost-affrighted stories, which had now become quite 
 current in many parts of the city ; so they gathered together all the 
 old carts, boxes, timber, &c., and erected a barrier high enough to 
 stop Old Nick himself, if he should come that way. Ship had also 
 willingly lent his aid to build this grand barricade, and, this being 
 one of his visiting nights, he concluded not to disappoint anyhody; 
 so after dusk, all being yet quiet, he mounted his mare to take his 
 usual ride and keep the ghost's great reputation up which it had now 
 obtained. A little later hour than usual the clattering heels and 
 streams of fire were heard and seen, and the noble steed came rushing 
 down this haunted street, while many an eye and mouth stood open 
 wide enough to take in this fearful sight ; but just before the barri- 
 cade was reached, a sudden turn to the left was made across the lots 
 into the Bowery Lane, and down she went in Bayard Street and 
 quickly disappeared into her stable ; but some of the butchers were 
 there waiting in the dark, and as soon as Ship had dismounted, two 
 or three grabbed him ; when he, having the advantage of strength 
 and activity, slipped out of their grasp by leaving his coat and sheet 
 
 ♦ See Spring Street Market. 
 
OSWEGO MARKET. 339 
 
 behind, when he escaped to his house. The evidence, however, was 
 overpowering, and "George Ship's Ghost" was for many years a 
 laughing joke among the people of the neighborhood, and many of 
 the old butchers of New York recollect it to this day. 
 
 Continued changes in the occupancy of certain stands were also 
 taking place, as well in this as in every market-house in the city ; 
 in fact, it is the prominent trait in most of the human family usually 
 to "keep the stone rolling that never collects the moss ;" while a few 
 others, again, will settle themselves down and remain fixtures on 
 the spot once chosen, until forced by death to change. We find but 
 five of the above petitioners of '97 left in 1802, and but nine of the 
 stands occupied, as follows : 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 Alexander Pink, 
 
 Sen'r. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Adam Pink. 
 
 3. 
 
 Jacob Jeroleman. 
 
 
 4. 
 
 Jacob Appley, 
 
 5. 
 
 George Ship. 
 
 
 6. 
 
 George Haws 
 
 7. 
 
 Philip L. Luff. 
 
 
 8. 
 
 Jacob Tier. 
 
 9. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 
 10. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 11. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 
 12. 
 
 Henry Smith. 
 
 The occupant of No. 8, Jacob Tier, was in his day somewhat re- 
 markable for great strength, endurance, activity and fearlessness, 
 but withal of a quiet and amiable disposition. In an early day, for 
 a large wager, he had performed a remarkable feat, by wheeling a 
 common wheelbarrow from his house, corner of Bowery Lane and 
 Grand Street, all the way (and it was a rough way at that period) 
 up to Kingsbridge, within a given time, which he easily won. 
 
 He was always a friend to the aged or weak, and a foe to the 
 bully or braggart, whom he detested, when they attempted an im- 
 position. Perhaps this latter feeling was the cause of his having 
 engaged, although at an advanced age, in a desperate battle, which 
 is thus noticed : " A few days since, five or six armed soldiers took 
 a fancy to march abreast on the side-walk in the Bowery, sweeping 
 every man, woman, and child they met with into the snow. At 
 length, coming up to a poor man who was sawing wood and piling 
 it on the side-walk, they ordered him to remove his wood, that they 
 might march without impediment. The sawyer not readily com- 
 plying with the command, one of them struck him on the head with 
 the butt-end of his musket, and cut his hat through to his head. 
 They were proceeding to abuse him further, when Mr. (Jacob) Tier, 
 a butcher and an aged man, between 70 and 80, interfered ; on which 
 the soldiers began to ill-treat him also. At this moment a sleigh 
 with a number of butchers, friends of Mr. Tier, coming up, they im- 
 mediately landed, attacked the soldiers in turn, disarmed them in an 
 instant, and gave them such a drubbing that they soon ordered a 
 
340 OSWEGO MARKET. 
 
 retreat ; and it is not probable this party will again be found abusing 
 peaceable citizens."* I am told that William Vonck was one, and 
 the leader of this party, who, after disarming them, took their mus- 
 kets into the Bull's Head Tavern, where they remained until the 
 soldiers made a suitable apology. 
 
 In the month of August, 1804, John Pintard, the Inspector, rec- 
 ommended that " so much of the 'Oswego Market' as is unoccupied 
 by the butchers be taken down, and that the remaining part be re- 
 paired." The same year the Humane Society acknowledges the re- 
 ceipt of " 16 calves' heads from the butchers" of this market. 
 
 The building of a new and extensive market on the west side of 
 Washington Street (afterwards "Washington Market") had been 
 agitated for some years, and it was partially arranged that when 
 this was built, they would do away with the Oswego Market, as it 
 had now become old and dilapidated, although it had some repairs 
 in 1807. 
 
 In the month of March, 1810, "will be offered for sale to-morrow 
 (Saturday, 31st,) morning, at the stall of Alexander Pink, Sen'r, No. 
 1 'Oswego Market,' and at the stall of Alexander Fink, Jr., No. 
 22 Bear Market, the fattest beef that has been for sale this season, 
 being twins, a steer and a heifer, fed by Mr. Hezekiah Howell, of 
 Orange County, N. Y." 
 
 In the following month of May a resolution was passed to remove 
 the present Oswego Market-House into Vesey Street, below Wash- 
 ington Street, and to erect such part of it as they may think proper. 
 This, however, appears not to have been carried out at this time, as 
 I find on the 3d of June a petition from the butchers in this market 
 praying that stands in the new (Washington) market about to be 
 erected may be assigned to them, equally advantageous in point of 
 situation with those they now occupy ; which was conformed to ; and 
 the next year, (1811,) on the 6th of May, a resolution was passed, 
 " that the Street Commissioner ascertain the line of Mr. Binninger's 
 property, and that the markei-Jwuse and engine-house be immediately 
 removed ;" and no doubt the " Old Siuaga" Market's sound bones and 
 ribs were left in the present "Washington Market," which will in a 
 few short years be again disturbed. 
 
 * Evening Post, February 10, 1813. 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 341 
 
 "CATHARINE MARKET." 
 
 1786. In the year 1786, Mr. Henry Rutgers, with several of the 
 prominent inhabitants in the vicinity of Catharine Street, " prayed 
 permission to erect a public market-house at Catharine Slip, at 
 their own expense." They were to furnish the ground and put it 
 up forthwith. A Committee, however, was appointed " to determine 
 the place and the manner of building the market-house." They 
 located it on nearly the same spot where the present iron market- 
 house stands, with the west end facing Cherry Street; the south 
 side just cleared the north side of Catharine Street, and the east 
 end not quite down to Water Street. In less than a month (June 
 28) Mr. Rutgers informed the Board that the market-house was 
 ready for the reception and accommodation of butchers and country 
 people. It took its name from the slip and street, which were 
 named after the wife of Captain Harman Rutgers, whose residence 
 was near where Catharine Street now connects with the Bowery. 
 
 Several of the butchers remaining in the Peck Slip Market were 
 then, by their wish, removed into this market, when it soon com- 
 menced doing a good business, and yearly increased it; having a 
 great many country people visiting it, both from Long Island and 
 Westchester County, who were principally ranged on the north side, 
 under temporary sheds and awnings. 
 
 The first fisherman introduced at this market was in the year 
 1797, when Mathias Wessels petitions, in the month of May, " to 
 obtain liberty to erect a shed building on one side of Catharine 
 Slip Market, for the purpose of exposing to sale all kinds of fresh 
 fish brought to this city." The citizens in the neighborhood, to the 
 number of sixty-eight, petition, and " beg leave to observe, that we 
 should consider a fish market at Catharine Slip as a very great fa- 
 vor. The mode of establishing so desirable and valuable a privi- 
 lege to the inhabitants of this quarter of the city we submit to 
 your wisdom and discretion, hoping you will consider it an object 
 worthy your immediate attention." This privilege was soon after 
 granted. 
 
 In the following month of August a great commotion was cre- 
 ated, from the finding of several parts of a human body in the slip 
 at this market, by some of the market people, early on the morning 
 of the 19th inst. The following account gives more of the details: 
 
342 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 " Last Saturday morning, between seven and eight o'clock, the flesh 
 of the late unfortunate criminal (or some other man) was found 
 floating in Catharine Slip, which, with the last parts of his body, were 
 carried to Long Island, and there buried by John Bell. We are 
 credibly informed that this shameful exposure was not through the 
 wantonness of the surgeons, as supposed, but of the porters em- 
 ployed to sink them, being contained in a bag, with weights for that 
 purpose ; but it seems the porters conceived the bag of value, and 
 by this means the parts were set afloat."* This was proved to be 
 the body of the criminal, John Young, from the communication of 
 Drs. John B. Hicks and Richard S. Kissam, who say: " In order to 
 avoid any unnecessary injury to the feelings of the persons who had 
 assembled to see the execution, the body (of John Young) was con- 
 veyed to Potters Field, from whence, at a late hour of the night, it 
 was carried to the Anatomical Theatre, where we commenced and 
 finished the dissection, in as decent and secret a manner as the na- 
 ture of the business would admit of. We have to regret that the 
 persons to whom the remains of the body were committed to be in- 
 terred, being apprehensive that, if buried in the yard, it might be 
 discovered, and lead to disagreeable consequences, deemed it expe- 
 dient to commit the same to the bottom of the river. In their 
 alarm and confusion, they neglected to give the bag the necessary 
 weight to sink it, in consequence of which the following morning it 
 was found floating." 
 
 This "Young" had committed murder in the month of June pre- 
 vious, which was noticed in the "press"t as follows: "About sunset 
 last evening, (June 28,) as Mr. Robert Berwick, Deputy Sheriff, was 
 conducting one ' Young,' an English musician, (bassoon-player at the 
 Theatre,) to goal, Young shot him through the body, and he expired 
 immediately. He had him in custody for debt, and had been wait- 
 ing on him to several places for the purpose of procuring bail, but 
 had refused to go to any ' other place.' Young found that he must 
 go to prison, sprang away from Berwick, drew a pistol, and shot 
 him. He was immediately secured, shortly after tried, condemned 
 and executed." 
 
 The steady increase of business soon found the market accommo- 
 dations too small, and in the month of August, 1799, a petition from 
 thirty-five of the prominent citizens near by asked " for a new and 
 enlarged market-house at Catharine Slip;" and although the sub- 
 ject was postponed for a time, yet we find the market-house finished 
 in 1800. In the month of October, a Committee, consisting of Al- 
 dermen Richard Furman, John Bogert, Mangle Minthorne, Jotham 
 Post, and Philip J. Arcularius, reported, that they " are of opinion 
 • New York Journal, &c., August 23, 1797. f Md., June 29, 1797. 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 343 
 
 that siodeen stands for butchers should be granted in the said mar- 
 ket, and that the nine who held stands in the old market should 
 have the preference ; that the most proper disposition of the said 
 stands would be, to affix an annual rent, in preference to selling 
 them" at public auction. The public sale of stands in the Fly 
 Market, in 1796, had been much regretted by the Corporation, who 
 soon found out that, in departing from the old-established rule of 
 disposing of butchers' stands in the public markets, had and would 
 lead to favoritism or injustice, and in the end be extremely perni- 
 cious in its consequences. About two years after the sale of these 
 stands, the Corporation appointed a Committee " to repurchase 
 them, by refunding to the fourteen butchers the money they had 
 paid for them, together with interest, if they would reconvey the 
 stalls to the Corporation. The butchers, however, preferred to 
 part with their money, and keep their stalls in fee. They would 
 not reconvey ; they found themselves independent with their stands, 
 and they viewed them as estates for their children, &c." This fact 
 is proven by the following certificate, made by Daniel Winship, Au- 
 gust 15, 1806, who says: "The Corporation appointed a Committee 
 to confer with the fourteen butchers of the Fly Market who had 
 purchased stalls. I was one of the fourteen who had purchased : 
 the butchers appointed a Committee to confer with the Committee 
 of the Corporation. We met the Committee of the Board, who 
 made several proposals to us, all of which I do not remember; but 
 I recollect perfectly that they wanted to get the stalls back, but we 
 would not consent. They then wanted us to agree that, after hold- 
 ing the stalls twenty years, they should return back to the Corpo- 
 ration. To this we objected. We objected because, according to 
 the sale, we viewed them as our own property, and the property of 
 our heirs. Daniel Winship." 
 
 These no doubt were the prominent reasons that no more should 
 be sold at public auction, but that an annual rent should hereafter 
 be affixed to each butcher stand ; and the balance of these sixteen 
 stands in this market, after the " old nine" had taken their choice, 
 the other seven should be drawn for, which left them occupying their 
 stands in the following manner : 
 
 No. 1. Francis J. Dominick. No. 2. Jacob Varian. 
 3. Andrew PaflF. 4. Jacob H. Varian. 
 
 5. Mathew Goodman. 6. William Moore. 
 
 7. George Thompson. 8. John Lyons. 
 
 9. Smith Townsend. 10. Christian Kartell. 
 
 11, John Boscawen. 12. William Perriu. 
 
 13. John Waters. 14. Michael Nestler. 
 
 15. John Smith. 16. Isaac Wood. 
 
344 CATHARINE ILARKET. 
 
 Among these were several " regular jokers," full of life and fun, 
 and fun they would have sometimes at considerable cost. The first 
 introduction in this city of public " negro dancing " no doubt took 
 place at this market. The negroes who visited here were princi- 
 pally slaves from Long Island, who had leave of their masters for 
 certain holidays, among which "Pinkster" was the principal one; 
 when, for " pocket-money," they would gather up everything that 
 would bring a few pence or shillings, such as roots, berries, herbs, 
 yellow or other birds, fish, clams, oysters, Ac, and bring them with 
 them in their skiffs to this market; then, as they had usually three 
 days holiday, they were ever ready, by their " negro sayings or do- 
 ings," to make a few shillings more. So they would be hired by 
 some joking butcher or individual to engage in a jig or break-down, 
 as that was one of their pastimes at home on the barn-floor, or in a 
 frolic, and those that could and would dance soon raised a collection; 
 but some of them did more in " turning around and shying off" from 
 the designated spot than keeping to the regular " shake-down," 
 which caused them all to be confined to a " board," (or shingle, as 
 they called it,) and not allowed off it ; on this they must show their 
 skill ; and, being several together in parties, each had his particular 
 "shingle" brought with him as part of his stock in trade. This 
 board was usually about five to six feet long, of large width, with 
 its particular spring in it, and to keep it in its place while dancing 
 on it, it was held down by one on each end. Their music or time 
 was usually given by one of their party, which was done by beating 
 their hands on the sides of their legs and the noise of the heel. The 
 favorite dancing-place was a cleared spot on the east side of the fish 
 market in front of Burnel Brown's Ship Chandlery. The large 
 amount collected in this way after a time produced some excellent 
 " dancers ;" in fact, it raised a sort of strife for the highest honors, 
 i. e., the most cheering and the most collected in the " hat." Among 
 the most famous in their day was "Ned" (Francis,) a little wiry 
 negro slave, belonging to Martin Ryerson; another named Bob 
 Rowley, who called himself " Bobolink Bob," belonging to William 
 Bennett, and Jack, belonging to Frederick De Voo, all farmers on 
 Long Island ; (the latter owned a farm of 20 odd acres of ground in 
 the centre of what is now Williamsburgh, fronting on the river, 
 running easterly between 7th and 8th Streets.) Jack was a smart 
 and faithful man, and when he was set free by the laws, he became, 
 after a time, a loafer, and died at this market. He was brought up 
 by Mr. De Yoo, who thought a good deal of him, and on the day 
 when he was made free, he fitted him out in a new suit from " top 
 to toe," and then said to him: " Jack, if you go home with me, you 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 345 
 
 shall never want ; but if you leave me now, my home shall never 
 more know you." Jack could not be persuaded to return home by 
 many of the butchers and others, but would stay in the city. It 
 was not long before his former master was importuned by several 
 persons to take him back, but his answer was : " The laws set him 
 free and he left me — now let the laws take care of him." Many New 
 Jersey negroes, mostly from Tappan, were after a time found among 
 them, contending for the prize, and oftentimes successfully too ; they 
 were known by their suppleness and plaited forelocks tied up with 
 tea-lead. The Long Islanders usually tied theirs up in a cue, with 
 dried eel-skin ; but sometimes they combed it about their heads and 
 shoulders, in the form of a wig, then all the fashion. After the Jer- 
 sey negroes had disposed of their masters' produce at the " Bear 
 Market," which sometimes was early done, and then the advantage 
 of a late tide, they would " shin it" for the Catharine Market to en- 
 ter the lists with the Long Islanders, and in the end, an equal divi- 
 sion of the proceeds took place. The success which attended them 
 brought our city negroes down there, who, after a time, even exceeded 
 them both, and if money was not to be had " they would dance for 
 a bunch of eels or fish." I have been often told that much of this 
 dancing took place on Sunday mornings; but this was not so, although 
 there were always large collections on that day with their trifles to 
 sell, and their friends to meet or visit. 
 
 But few butchers at this period kept horses and carts, and only 
 those who were doing a large business and lived some distance from 
 the markets ; their meats were brought to the markets before day- 
 light, and after unloading the apprentice-boy was ordered to take 
 them home for the day, and bring down the boss's breakfast. Those 
 who had no horse or cart, and especially those who were known as 
 " small-meat butchers," brought their stock in trade in wheelbarrows. 
 
 Andrew Paff, the occupant of No. 3, did so, and, having no hoy, 
 his " wife brought down his breakfast, and while he was eating she 
 would attend, and after gathering up the gambrils and sets, with the 
 breakfast-kettle" and something for dinner, put all in the wheel- 
 barrow and trundle it home. 
 
 An apprentice had but little to do with carrying home the cus- 
 tomers' purchases, except now and then for a boarding-house, or the 
 captain of a vessel, when the wooden tray came into use. Those 
 private families who could afford to keep slaves, brought them along 
 for that purpose, and " the man in middling circumstances of life 
 never scrupled to carry home his marketing, or even his cwt. of 
 meal ;" he then, however, had the advantage of distance, as the city 
 was not so extended as at the present day. 
 
346 CATHARINE MAKKET. 
 
 Within my recollection, it was the fashion with many persons to 
 carry their marketing home ; as an example, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, 
 who lived in White Street near Broadway, (about the year 1825,) 
 generally carried from the Washington Market, almost daily, a well- 
 filled basket in one hand, with sometimes a large fish in the other, 
 or something else, to balance with ; and, if questioned about it, I 
 have heard him say : " The man who was ashamed to carry home his 
 dinner from market, did not deserve any." 
 
 I am told that the first introduction of the use of the horse and 
 cart for that purpose was made by Jacob Aimes, of Washington 
 Market, after it became established ; and at this market Smith Town- 
 send (noticed as the occupant of No. 9) followed on after him, but 
 it was not general until about the year 1820. 
 
 The whole business of a butcher was conducted quite different at 
 that time from what it is now, being on a much less expensive sys- 
 tem. Then the butchers calculated to bring to market just about 
 what could be profitably sold for the day, and have it all cut up, 
 sometimes hours before daybreak, ready for customers and others, 
 who made it a practice to go early to market to procure the choice 
 pieces, as at that time there was no reservation, and those who came 
 late had to take such as was left; by ten o'clock the market was 
 considered through, although many poor persons and others, who 
 were looking for bargains, would come after that hour or late on 
 Saturday nights to pick up the remnants ; sometimes, however, a had 
 market in hot weather would catch the butchers, and cause to be 
 sold " a big piece for a shilling," to have a clean stall, as meats were 
 usually less than half the price they now range, and the butchers had 
 no refrigerators or other convenient places to keep pieces over, as 
 they now have. 
 
 The modern retail butcher, in the first place, does not generally 
 rise so early in the morning, as the main business of selling seldom 
 commences earlier than eight o'clock, and usually lasts only until 
 ten o'clock ; then, again, it is not only the selling, but the receiving 
 and sending home the-various other articles purchased, which requires 
 two or three men around the stall, the same number of boys, with 
 horses, carts, and wagons to carry baskets upon baskets of vegetables, 
 poultry, fish, eggs, &c., which are usually sent to the butcher's stand, 
 where space must be found for them, so all these various articles can 
 be satisfactorily arranged before the purchasers will leave them. 
 All to be attended to in two short hours. Then follows the trouble 
 of sending all home correctly and in season, which certainly gives 
 more anxiety to the butcher than it does to dispose or make the sale 
 of his meats ; and if the boy loses a head of salad, breaks an egg, or 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 347 
 
 an apple gone, the master butcher is called upon to account for it, 
 and very likely a scolding with it ; and to sum all up, this modern 
 custom needs extra help, extra space, extra carts and wagons, extra 
 patience ; and with all, and the worst of all, extra expense. 
 
 The refrigerators so generally used now came into use by the 
 butchers and housekeepers about the year 1835, although I find 
 they were introduced, in fact invented, in the State of Maryland, in 
 the year 1801. 
 
 Thomas Moore, of Montgomery County, Maryland, says he " pro- 
 jected a refrigerator in 1801, for the purpose of carrying butter to 
 market in hot weather. The machine is very simple and cheap ; by 
 the proper arrangement of one conductor and several non-conduct- 
 ors of heat, a comparatively small quantity of ice made use of is 
 almost entirely prevented from receiving any heat, but what it ex- 
 tracts from the butter, and this it effects with great facility, without 
 being brought in contact with it. Butter may be carried in this 
 machine throughout the whole of a hot summer's day, and delivered 
 at market as hard as it is usual to see it in the middle of winter. 
 This, however, is only one of the uses it may be applied to ; every fam- 
 ily may be furnished with a vessel in their cellars, in which, by the 
 daily use of a few pounds of ice, fresh meat, milk, butter, liquors, or 
 any kind of provisions, may be cooled and preserved. It would be 
 very useful to butchers, who often lose considerable quantities of 
 meat in summer."* 
 
 Stands for the sale of coffee, cakes, and other eatables appear to 
 be one of the fixtures of every well-governed public market, unless 
 there are cellars under them for that purpose. This market having 
 none of these accommodations, Elizabeth Kline, in the month of 
 August, 1801, petitioned for "privilege of selling coffee and choco- 
 late in the Catharine Market, where nothing of this kind is at pres- 
 ent sold by any person ;" which no doubt was granted. 
 
 The market-house was nearly filled with butchers, leaving but a 
 small space remaining for country people and a few fishermen ; the 
 great demand for stands had induced the Common Council to con- 
 sent to fill all up with butchers' stands in 1802, and of providing 
 another market-house for the country people and fishermen. But 
 the citizens thought the Common Council ought to provide another 
 house first, and petition in the month of August, stating, "they were 
 informed the Board have in contemplation to permit the lower end 
 of said market-house, now made use of as a fish market and a shelter 
 for country people resorting there, to be filled up with stalls for 
 butchers ; which measure, if carried into effect, will prove a serious 
 * American Citizen, September 16, 1802. 
 
348 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 inconvenience, unless some convenient place near the said market 
 can be provided for the accommodation of fishermen and country 
 people." 
 
 This new market, however, was not then built, but in the month 
 of May, 1805, another was ordered to be erected, at an expense not 
 to exceed five hundred dollars : " the dimensions of which were 30 
 feet on Water Street, and 18 feet over the slip, that the market-boats 
 might lie under the market, and stairs to accommodate the fishermen." 
 
 About the time this market-house was erected the yellow fever 
 had made its fatal appearance, when the butchers of this market, on 
 the 9th of September following, present a petition, stating " that 
 there is a probability of the butchers of the Fly Market being per- 
 mitted to remove their stalls into Chatham {Square) Street, near 
 the new watch-house, in consequence of the appearance of the ap- 
 proaching sickly season, (and if so) it will considerably cut us off from 
 our profit and privilege in business; that on a former removal 
 of the butchers to the aforesaid place, we were placed at the lower 
 end of the arrangement, very much to our disadvantage and loss. 
 We pray on the ensuing removal to direct it so that we in our turn 
 may have the privilege of setting our stalls at the upper end of the 
 arrangement, next to the watch-house ;" which was granted. 
 
 The accommodations for fish-cars at the Fly Market had, at this 
 period, become objectionable, or at least many found fault with the 
 sewer that emptied out among the fish-cars, and would not purchase 
 their supplies there, but went up to this market, which produced a 
 great change in the fish, as well as the whole market ; and in a few 
 years it became known as the " great fish market," where fish was 
 brought from all quarters in wagons, boats, and skiff's from the Jer- 
 sey shore and Long Island, and smacks from the eastward. From 
 1812 to 1822 it was the wholesale as well as the best retail fish 
 market, and it still continues (in the latter trade) one of the best 
 " Sunday morning fish markets." " To get a bunch of fresh fish, you 
 must go to the Catharine Market," is an old saying ; and where so 
 much fish was kept, a great many were thrown into the slip, which 
 added another prominent feature to this market. 
 
 There was an old man engaged in the market about the year 1815, 
 by the name of Sam Way, a great '' shark-catcher." The dead fish 
 thrown out from the many fish-cars and smacks no doubt attracted 
 many shark in our then quiet waters around this slip ; and when 
 Sam heard the cry of "shirk around the slip," he would drop his 
 broom, have his " chain-hook" out and baited, and in a few minutes 
 the cry was, "Sam's got one hooked;" then, being a large, strong 
 man, he would soon lay the " shirk" on the dock; and he had been 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 349 
 
 known to take seven in one day, some of them fourteen feet in 
 length. One day he hooked " a big one," and he had got into a 
 skiff which lay tied at the end of the slip ; the shark took to pulling 
 and broke loose the skiff with Sam in, and away he went down the 
 river, at race-horse speed, nearly as far as Red Hook, before he tired 
 out, or Sam could hold him up; he, however, mastered him and 
 brought him back, and Sam after that concluded not to be run away 
 with again. So he stuck to the raft or dock when he fished for 
 " shirk." 
 
 Part of this new market-house after a time, in consequence of the 
 increasing business, was demanded, and six more butcher stands 
 added. A bell was fixed up on the market in 1810, and the year 
 after the cellars were leased for twenty-one years, and the chains 
 which had been placed across Cherry Street were complained of, 
 and ordered to be taken down. 
 
 The death of one of the butchers, Captain John Lovell, drowned 
 in the slip, who occupied stand No. 22, shows the manner which their 
 stands were disposed of afterwards for the benefit of their widows. 
 It appears the Common Council had, by mistake or misrepresntation, 
 granted this stand to John K. Floor, when the widow, Margaret 
 Lovell, petitions for them to reconsider their vote, and says: "That 
 usage had allowed her a claim on it, and that she wished to convey 
 her right to his brother, Robert Lovell," (who had worked for him ;) 
 also presents a petition recommended by several citizens in favor of 
 him. The subject was referred to a Committee, who reported in a 
 few days after, " That they had made due inquiry in relation to the 
 existence of a custom set forth in her petition, and are fully satisfied 
 that said custom has long existed, and which your Committee con- 
 sider as laudable and reasonable, and hope it may be continued. 
 They have also ascertained that Mr. Floor was still in possession of 
 another stand in Fly Market, and consider it will be unreasonable 
 and improper to permit him to hold two stalls at the same time, and 
 deprive the widow of the deceased Mr. Lovell of the benefit of the 
 one held by her husband so shortly after his decease." They there- 
 fore rescind the former resolution granting to Mr. Floor, and now 
 grant it to Robert Lovell, (it being understood that he shall make 
 her suitable compensation for the relinquishment of her right under 
 the said custom,) and a resolution was passed to that effect. 
 
 In 1816 another enlargement was asked for, and among the reasons 
 given are, " that a supply of butchers' meats cannot be obtained, and 
 particularly in the summer season, on Saturday evenings." So, on 
 the 11th March, a Committee reported in favor, and say: " The mar- 
 ket at present occupied as a fish market running east and west be 
 
350 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 turned so as to run north and south, and that an addition be built 
 of about 80 feet running north and south, and the cost not to exceed 
 five hundred dollars. This appears to have been finished on the 
 fourth of July following, and the stands for butchers all occupied, 
 many of which were represented by a Committee as doing business 
 without licenses, and they reported in favor of granting such to the 
 following persons : 
 
 No. 15. John P. Harmony. No. 16. James Taylor. 
 
 17. Samuel Martin. 18. Joseph Conklin. 
 
 19. Joseph Hyde. 20. Benjamin Lovell. 
 
 21. Walter Durbrow. 22. Isaac Wood. 
 
 23. Sylvanus S. Townsend. 24. John K. Floor. 
 
 25. Jacob Varian. 26. Jacob H. Varian. 
 
 27. William Shot. 28. Richard Piatt. 
 
 29. James Goodman. 80. Andrew Hutton. 
 
 31. Jonathan Skillman. 32. Thomas M'Cready. 
 
 33. James Cammell. 34. Jacob Odell. 
 
 35. George Stagg. 36. Andrew Smock. 
 
 37. William Messerve. 38. Albert Fisher. 
 
 39. James Reeves. 40. James Sullivan. 
 
 41. Jacob Acker. 42. Mathew Vogel. 
 
 43. John King. 44. William Appleby. 
 
 45. Nicholas Dean. 46. Thomas Marshall. 
 
 47. Thomas Place, Sen'r. 48. George W. Varian. 
 
 Some two months previous to the placing of the additional stands 
 in this market, "the Street Commissioner was authorized to have the 
 grounds round the new market raised, and a gutter to be paved on 
 each side ;" and at the same time the Clerk, Nathan Eizenhart, was 
 removed, and John Bremner was appointed. Several of the Clerks 
 were reported to the Board as having not settled their accounts of 
 fees for several months past. The Comptroller " suggested that an 
 order should pass, obliging all persons who have the receipts of pub- 
 lic moneys to render accounts, and make payments to the Treasurer 
 within a limited time." The former Clerk, Mr. Eizenhart, promised 
 to settle within the week, and the other delinquents were ordered 
 to be prosecuted if their accounts " remain unpaid at the beginning 
 of next week," and that all should pay the fees monthly hereafter, 
 to comply with the law. 
 
 Some six years previous, the fees collected and expenses for one 
 week for this market in the month of April, as furnished by the 
 Clerk, are shown as follows: "A return of the fees arising from the 
 Catharine Market, for six days past, commencing Monday 2d, and 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 351 
 
 ending Saturday, 7th of April, 1810, both days inclu- 
 sive, X7, 9s., lOd., or $18 72 
 
 Allowed for collection, commission of 10 per cent., 1 87 
 
 $16 85 
 To one week's sweeping, - - - $1 25 
 To two days' short change in last month, 42 1 67 
 
 Wm. Chevers. Balance, $15 18." 
 
 We advance now to the month of June, 1816, when the Clerk 
 
 reports the number of animals exposed to sale here, or at least those 
 
 which he received fees for, running through the months of January, 
 
 February, March, and April, 
 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Calves. 
 
 Hogs. 
 
 January, - - 
 
 - 391 
 
 880 
 
 79 
 
 9 
 
 February, - 
 
 - - 273 , 
 
 626 
 
 108 
 
 25 
 
 March, - - 
 
 - 255 
 
 161 
 
 480 
 
 27 
 
 April, - - 
 
 - - 180 
 
 28 
 
 1,114 
 
 32 
 
 1,099 1,695 1,781 93 
 
 I also find the total amount sold in the Washington, Fly, and this 
 market, for the above months, was, 5,018 beeves; 8,763 calves; 
 7,333 sheep and lambs; and 1,629 hogs; which produced a revenue 
 of $2,000 to the city. It will be perceived the month of April 
 shows a great decrease in the number of cattle, and scarcely one 
 sheep a day for the whole market; while the numbers of calves 
 have taken their place. The collection of fees in this manner were 
 always very small, especially in the spring months, when, also, but 
 little country produce was brought to our markets, and of course 
 much less fees was obtained from them ; but after the adoption of 
 letting butchers' stands for an annual rent, which appears to have 
 taken place in 1821, it was found much larger. The proceedings 
 show, in the month of April of that year, the passage of a resolu- 
 tion to " lease for one or more years the butchers' stands at the dif- 
 ferent public markets, the rent to be paid in advance ; and in any 
 case where the occupants are not disposed to pay the price assessed 
 on them, to sell them at public auction. This arrangement is in 
 lieu of the fees paid for the articles that were exposed for sale." 
 
 Soon after, each butcher here was served with the following 
 printed "Notice: — Sir: The Collector of the Corporation Revenue 
 will attend at John VanderUlt's store, No. 3 Catharine Market, on 
 the 4th day of May, between the hours of 10 and 12 o'clock, for the 
 purpose of receiving the first quarter's rent for the stalls or stands 
 occupied by the butchers in the Catharine Market. Such of the 
 
352 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 present occupants as wish to retain ttem are requested to be punc- 
 tual in calling upon him and paying the rent, as it will be presumed 
 that those who neglect so to do intend to relinquish their stalls. 
 New York, 3d May, 1821." 
 
 We will now travel back to the year 1817, and find the Clerk of 
 this market, also the Clerks of the Washington, Duane, and Spring 
 Street Markets, were placed on the same footing — " to be allowed, 
 in lieu of any other compensation, one dollar per day." 
 
 In the month of June, 1819, John Bremner, the Deputy Clerk, 
 addresses a note to the Market Committee, in which he says : " I 
 have been repeatedly requested by the drovers that sell cattle to 
 butchers of Catharine Market, that there should be a public scale ; 
 therefore, I hope that your Committee will grant the request that 
 will be communicated to you by the bearer of this." Communica- 
 tion read as follows : " To his Honor the Mayor, in Common Coun- 
 cil convened: The petitioner humbly sheweth, that this market 
 needs a public scale ; and the stall No. 43, occupied by me. I have 
 willingly consented to have it transferred for a public scale, and 
 satisfied with the compensation that the butchers have made me. 
 New York, June 11, 1819. Benjamin Davis." 
 
 The Market Committee reported favorably, and ordered " the 
 said petitioners to pay the expense of said publick scale; which 
 scale to be the property of the above-named market." 
 
 The next year, in the month of February, the fishermen, who 
 were quite numerous, petitioned to the Board to allow the grocers 
 to keep open their stores on Sunday mornings. They state, they 
 " are fishermen by occupation, and daily supply their fellow-citizens 
 with fish, and make their stand in the Catharine Market; that you 
 are well aware of the exposed situation at all seasons of the year, 
 and more particularly during the cold season suffering with cold, 
 clothes wet, and frequently frozen ; they can get no refreshment on 
 Sunday mornings, the grocers not being allowed to open their 
 shops. They pray to allow the grocers by said market to keep 
 their shops open until market-hours are over on Sunday mornings, 
 &c." (Signed by) 
 
 Jason Smith, C. Simmons, David Thomas, 
 
 William Chewick, Peter Patterson, S. Maynard, 
 
 Joseph Caywood, Thomas D. Gildersleve, Mace Adam, 
 Peter Ackerman, Samuel Butler, J. Gabriel Gantz, 
 
 Gideon Wonzer, Benedict Hazard, Thomas Harris, 
 
 Cornelius Bogert, John S. Avery, Joseph Keen, 
 
 Thomas Shard, John Williams, Jacob Monell, 
 
 James Woodruff. 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 353 
 
 In 1821, we again find no shelter for the accommodation of the 
 country people. A great many petitioners, in the month of October, 
 say : " There is sufficient room for extending in the slip from the 
 bulkhead ; as it now stands, there is upwards of thirty feet to the 
 permanent line, and, ninety feet running east and west, which may 
 be occupied for a fish market; and that part now used as a fish 
 market be appropriated to the use of country people. As the ' Ply 
 Market' is soon to be removed, a portion of it might be erected 
 here at a small expense." 
 
 As soon as the Fulton Market was erected and opened for busi- 
 ness, this market and several others felt its efi'ect, in the reduction 
 of the trade, but more especially this ; for about two years a great 
 many complaints were made, and petitions presented, and some with 
 cause. On the 11th of January, 1823, the butchers petitioned, and 
 complained that they "pay heavy rents for their stalls, but the 
 practice of vending meats both by the saddle, quarters, and the 
 whole of the carcass or body of such animals, are not permitted to 
 be sold, but at a public market ; and the practice in the Bowery, 
 opposite ' Clark and Lewis's, ( Tavern,) by speculators purchasing 
 hogs, sheep, and calves, and offering them for sale there, and other 
 places, contrary to the regular rules and laws of the Corporation, 
 and defrauding the Corporation of their regular fees— if they were 
 compelled to attend the regular and legal markets. Your petition- 
 ers therefore humbly pray that your Honorable Body will take this 
 case into serious consideration, as it not only operates against the 
 revenue of this city, as well as against the interest of your petitioners, 
 who are paying a high rent for their stalls, and compelled to endure 
 the grievance, unless your Honorable Body, by our humble prayer, 
 will enforce an ordinance to cause this infringement removed, and 
 the venders to attend with their produce at the public markets. It 
 is with diffidence we approach the Board, but confident your Hon- 
 orable Body will grant us such relief as the circumstances of the 
 case will require." 
 
 The Committee reported a suitable ordinance for their protection 
 on the 20th inst. following. Again, in the month of February, they 
 presented a petition for the reduction of the rent on their stalls ; 
 which was referred, or " laid down to sleep." But a perceptible 
 change was creeping on, as many of the old faces were turned again 
 towards this market; and soon after it became one of the best 
 country produce markets in the city. The testimony is of my own 
 knowledge, as I often visited this as well as others, with an esteem- 
 ed ufwle from Westchester County, who usually brought his produce 
 there, and sometimes as often as three times a week. The prefer- 
 VoL. I.— 23 
 
354 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 ence was given here for quick sales and good prices. The Saturday 
 night markets were again also crowded, sometimes almost to over- 
 flowing. 
 
 An interesting sketch, showing the large business of this market, 
 and the prosperity of the working classes, is noticed in the American 
 of April 6, 1825. It is headed, "Proof of the Comfortable Situation 
 of the Working Classes in our City. — I took a station at Catharine 
 Market, which is the great emporium for the mechanics and laborers 
 on Saturday evening, to offer a 'joint and trimmings' to any one 
 who appeared to be in want. At the end of two hours, I observed 
 but one individual whose external appearance warranted my offer- 
 ing the boon : he answered (in reply to my application) that he re- 
 ceived ten shillings per day wages, and that he had in his pocket 
 five dollars of the week's earnings to buy his Sunday dinner. I 
 counted upwards of 870 men and women who passed me to buy at 
 the market in the two hours." (Ten shillings per day at that time 
 would be equal to twenty now, (1857,) with the high rents, pro- 
 visions, and style of living.) 
 
 The next evidence of its increasing prosperity is in a numerously- 
 signed petition from the inhabitants in the vicinity of this market, 
 dated 20th June following, praying for better accommodations. 
 They say, in relation to a former report of the Committee : " Hav- 
 ing reported it so far decayed as not to be worth the expense of re- 
 pairing, and that a new one ought to be erected." " "We therefore 
 pray your Honors to direct and appoint that the market to be 
 erected be built oi brick, similar to the one adjoining it; the ground 
 where the decayed market stands being sufiBciently firm and com- 
 pact to sustain a building of that description." They also " submit 
 to the consideration of your Honorable Body the expediency of 
 building another market, for the better accommodation to the fish- 
 ermen than they enjoy on the site where the market now stands, and 
 to the butchers, as giving them more stalls, (the number of which 
 is at present quite inadequate to the demand,) but would materially 
 conduce to the public convenience and comfort." They conclude by 
 wishing the Corporation " to visit the fish market of a Sunday 
 morning, which, for the abundance and variety of its fish, is thought 
 to surpass any of the kind in the United States." The Committee 
 reported, on the 28th July following : " That the market established 
 at Catharine Slip has become one of considerable importance ; it is 
 frequented by a great number of respectable butchers, country peo- 
 ple, and fishermen, and supplies a large proportion of the inhabitants 
 of the eastern and northern sections of the city. The public derive 
 from it a larger revenue, in proportion to its cost, than from any 
 other market, and your Committee are disposed to give it a full 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 355 
 
 share of the disbursements now making by them." " On examina- 
 tion, it is found that the lower market is a mere shell, in a ruinous 
 state, and not worth repairing ; and its continuance in its present 
 state would not only be unjust as it respects the butchers, who pay 
 a liberal rent to the Corporation for their stands, but must become 
 a nuisance to the neighborhood." They ordered a new building. 
 
 After the new building was finished, a space was allotted in it for 
 country people, which was not satisfactory to all, as some would set- 
 tle on their old standing-places in Cherry Street, in spite of the or- 
 ders. However, the attempt to drive them in the lower market 
 drove them from the market. This brought forth a remonstrance 
 from the citizens, butchers in the upper market, and many of the 
 farmers who had supplied this market for many years. On the 11th 
 of August, 1828, they " wish the country people should not be con- 
 fined with their produce to the lower end of the lower market ; that 
 last summer an effort was made to confine them to the lower part of 
 the market, and the consequence was that the country people, who 
 had before frequented there, left the market, and many of them did 
 not return until the present system was adopted. That they are 
 now daily returning, and should they be prevented from selecting 
 their stands, they will no doubt again leave the same." Among the 
 signers the following farmers and gardeners are found, principally 
 from Long Island : 
 
 Frederick Devoo, 
 
 John T. Van Cott, 
 
 Jacob Bennet, 
 
 George B. Kelly, 
 
 William J. Bennet, 
 
 "William Melville, 
 
 Abr'm Boerum, 
 
 Evander Berry, 
 
 William Randell, 
 
 David Van Pelt, 
 
 James B. Colyer, 
 
 William Archer, 
 
 Isaac Trotter, 
 
 William Kelley, 
 
 Asa Remsen, 
 
 David P. Miller, 
 
 Abr'm Vandervoort, Cornelius Hubbard, 
 
 John M. Roberts, Henrick M. Heyer, 
 George R.Vandeveer, James Berrien, Peter Van Cotts, 
 John Vestavelt, Jacobus De Bevoise, Jervis S. Rockwell, 
 
 and John Skillman. 
 
 Jacob Van Alst, 
 Christopher Van Pelt, 
 Whinent Van Pelt, 
 John Van Pelt, 
 Tennis Van Pelt, 
 Henry Lewis, 
 Garrit Van Winkler, 
 Joseph Josline, 
 Samuel Van Brakle, 
 Daniel Van Cleve, 
 James Dunlap, 
 John Boyd, 
 John Meserole, 
 Walter Way, 
 David Van Alts, 
 William Boyd, 
 Peter Colyer, 
 Henry Stoolkeff, 
 
 Isaac Lowsbury, 
 Cornelius Van Cott, 
 Walter Van Pelt, 
 Stephen Weeks, 
 John Van Houten, 
 Jacobus Lott, 
 T. T. Cowenhoven, 
 Thomas H. Bassett, 
 A. B. Selover, 
 William G. Heyer, 
 Chas. Debevoise, 
 J. Randel, Jr., 
 William Paynton, 
 Henry Boerum, 
 Peter Bogert, Jr., 
 Benjamin Berrant, 
 
356 
 
 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 Jacob Van Alst, one of the above signers, was somewhat remarka- 
 ble as a regular and steady visitor for a great many years, (I am 
 told more than fifty,) and always came in a row-boat. His farm 
 was near a place called the Dutch Kills, on Newtown Creek, where, 
 at an early period, he was a large producer, but for the last ten or 
 fifteen years (prior to 1857) a very small boat carried his products; 
 habit, however, had made it necessary to present himself and cargo 
 at this market on certain days, while many occasions of severe storms 
 and rough sailing had given his old friends a thought of giving him 
 up, thinking he would not venture in his frail craft, or if so, that he 
 would be in great danger of being lost. He, however, seldom dis- 
 appointed them, as he well knew the tides, currents, the time and 
 place to cross, when to hug the shore, and at last the bow of his 
 boat would come poking in the slip, sometimes to the astonishment 
 of all present, when Uncle Jacob received an extra shake of his hard, 
 dry, but warm hand. His last load, however, has been carried, and 
 his /ra)7 craft is laid to rest. 
 
 At this period (1828) the market was doing an excellent and prof- 
 itable business ; the whole market well attended by country people, 
 and the butchers' stands all occupied by the following butchers : 
 No. 
 
 . 1. 
 
 George Dominick. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 John M. Smith. 
 
 3. 
 
 John P. Aimes. 
 
 4. 
 
 David Lyons. 
 
 5. 
 
 John Tier. 
 
 6. 
 
 George M. Hartell. 
 
 7. 
 
 William Phillips. 
 
 8. 
 
 Amos Wood. 
 
 9. 
 
 Christian Hartell. 
 
 10. 
 
 Samuel Martin. 
 
 11. 
 
 Isaac Valentine. 
 
 12. 
 
 Geo. W. Varian. 
 
 13. 
 
 William Messerve. 
 
 14. 
 
 Philip Romaine. 
 
 15. 
 
 John Moore. 
 
 16. 
 
 Caleb Conklin. 
 
 17. 
 
 Thomas Varian. 
 
 18. 
 
 Peter Wagner. 
 
 19. 
 
 John Scott. 
 
 20. 
 
 Jeremiah Tier. 
 
 21. 
 
 William Anderson. 
 
 22. 
 
 Henry Collins. 
 
 23. 
 
 John H. Tier. 
 
 24. 
 
 John K. Floor. 
 
 25. 
 
 Jacob Varian. 
 
 26. 
 
 Thomas Marshall. 
 
 27. 
 
 William Shoults. 
 
 28. 
 
 Richard Piatt. 
 
 29. 
 
 James Goodman. 
 
 30. 
 
 Orville Nash. 
 
 31. 
 
 William M'Cready. 
 
 32. 
 
 John Sharp. 
 
 33. 
 
 Owen Manahan. 
 
 34. 
 
 John P. Barker. 
 
 35. 
 
 Abraham Rhoades. 
 
 36. 
 
 Mathew Byrne. 
 
 37. 
 
 John Phillips. 
 
 38. 
 
 John Wallace. 
 
 39. 
 
 Jacob Pessinger. 
 
 40. 
 
 Gilbert GrifiSn. 
 
 41. 
 
 Thomas H. White. 
 
 42. 
 
 Nicholas Goodman. 
 
 43. 
 
 Scales. 
 
 44. 
 
 William Appleby. 
 
 45. 
 
 Gilbert Cromwell. 
 
 46. 
 
 Bethuel Howard. 
 
 47. 
 
 George Pessinger. 
 
 48. 
 
 Joseph Conklin. 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 357 
 
 Very many of the above I personally knew, ^nd although I hare 
 some knowledge of their general history, which no doubt would be 
 somewhat interesting, yet not sufficient for an historical sketch ; but 
 I live in the hope that I or some one else may obtain such from their 
 friends or relatives, that the merits of good men, and the examples 
 of usefulness, patriotism, and honesty may live after them. 
 
 Colonel William Appleby, once the occupant of No. 44, has many 
 years ago retired from active business, laden with years and a plen- 
 tiful store. He was brought up in this city on a part of what was 
 once kuown as Bunker Hill, or Bayard's Mount, a sort of fortifica- 
 tion or raised embankment, thrown up on a very high hill, (near the 
 corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets,) about the commencement of 
 the Revolution. An extract of a letter from New York, March 16, 
 1776, says : " One-third of the citizens were ordered out to erect new 
 works ; they began a fort upon Mr. Bayard's Mount near the Bowery, 
 and another all around the hospital. To-day another one-third is 
 gone out. Every street in the city is to be barricaded."* Before 
 this period, this mount was known as " Mount Pleasant," an attract- 
 ive resort in warm weather by many persons for the pleasant breezes 
 and fine views of the North River, the Kolch, and upper part of the 
 city. Perhaps a few incidents connected with its history would not 
 be out of place here, and the first to present was a fatal duel which 
 was thus noticed in the Press. On the 25th of September, 1787, at 
 11 o'clock at nigh*, says an editorial, "a duel was fought on the 
 ground near Bayard's Hill, in which the noted Monsieur Chevalier 
 de Longchamps was unfortunately killed. It is said that his antag- 
 onist was a Frenchman, (Captain Verdier, late an ojicer in Count 
 Pulaski's Legion,) who had served in the late American army ; he 
 had thought himself much injured by some assertions made by the 
 Chevalier, and meeting him in William Street on Tuesday (25th) 
 afternoon, an affray took place, which in the evening terminated in 
 the melancholy catastrophe above mentioned. The gentleman who 
 killed him has since sailed in a vessel for the West Indies." t 
 
 The next year, on the 23d of July, the " Great Federal Proces- 
 sion" took place, and ended their march on this hill or "mount," 
 where ten enormous tables laden with provisions were found ready 
 for the use of all. The butchers also had a large dressed "ox, 
 weighing one thousands pounds," which they had roasted whole and 
 presented to the patriotic and numerous body of men. 
 
 In the year 1795, we find a very strong feeling against the Fed- 
 eral Governor (John Jay) of New York, on account of his neutrality 
 treaty with England, which the Republicans looked upon as a repu- 
 • Penna. Journal, March 20, 1776. t Eaily Advertiser. 
 
358 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 diation of our county's obligation to France. The feeling ran so 
 high, that on the 20th of July, says the Press : "A body of war-worn 
 soldiers of the late American Army paraded the streets, bearing a 
 French and American flags, with the British flag reversed underneath 
 them. They proceeded to ' Bunker Hill,' where they burnt a por- 
 trait of John Jay, holding a balance containing American Inde- 
 pendence and British gold, the latter prepondering. They then 
 gave three cheers and returned in triumph through the city about 
 five o'clock, leaving behind a dozen Tories to snufif the ashes of the 
 bon-fire." 
 
 Colonel Appleby, while a boy, recollects that upon the top of this 
 "mount" was held bull-baits, flying-horses, and other exhibitions; 
 and it was also a great place where antagonistical boys met to 
 "fight streets," which occasionally took place between the "Broad- 
 way Boys and Bowery Bo}'s." Sometimes hard battles, as they were 
 considered by the actors, were fought by throwing stones at one an- 
 other ; and when it came to close quarters, the fists and sticks were 
 brought into play, and what was remarkable, that seldom any very 
 serious injuries were received on either side. Sometimes one party 
 would have possession of the '' mount," then again the other, but 
 usually the greatest numbers took possession after a few bloody 
 noses or bruised shins; both, however, were generally routed by the 
 dreaded appearance of one or two constables. 
 
 "They commecced leveling this 'hill' about the year 1802, and 
 in digging down, the earth was removed more than fourteen feet 
 lower than the bottom of the well, which no doubt had supplied the 
 garrison who quartered there during the Eevolution. In this well 
 were found old iron hoops and other relics, among which was an old 
 cannon, (a nine-poundcr)."* 
 
 Near the foot of this hill, on the southeasterly side, was the old 
 family burying vault of the Bayards — then known as Bayards' Vault, 
 which had been or was thought to be the last resting-ptace of the 
 former generations of that old family ; but in the march of improve- 
 ment, which had begun here soon after the year 1790, its occupants 
 were transferred to another resting-place, and the old vault became 
 empty, or at least only for a short period, as there came a singular 
 and miserable-looking specimen of humanity, and took possession of 
 this much-dreaded "tenement-house." The marks of time, however, 
 had left in it enough crevices and holes to insure ventilation, and 
 here this hermit or ragman, as he was generally known, lived several 
 years. He wore the cast-off clothing given him, and these he patch- 
 ed with pieces of various colored rags or carpet ; the rags hanging 
 * Cozzens' Geological History. 
 
CATHARIKE MARKET. 359 
 
 in every direction, which gave him a sort of hideous and frightful 
 appearance, which sometimes alarmed grown persons as well as the 
 neighboring children, who would seldom go near him. Many thought 
 he was an old robber or murderer ; and as he would not converse or 
 seldom answer questions, he was somewhat feared, and not much 
 troubled with visitors. Young Appleby often carried him cold vic- 
 tuals, sent by his mother, Mrs. Baisley, and Mrs. Hopkins, when the 
 hermit became quite friendly, and would occasionally talk of some 
 troubles or disappointments in England, and that his name was 
 Captain Dundas. Winter and summer he remained in this place, 
 sleeping on his bed of rags^ until at last he took his final sleep, 
 where he was found buried in his filthy bed, the last tenant of the 
 "Old Bayard Vault." 
 
 Young Appleby was apprenticed with Thomas Place, butcher in 
 the " Fly Market," and served him faithfully ; began business for 
 himself in 1811, and entered this market in 1816, where, by early 
 rising, diligence, prudence, and honesty, he became possessed of 
 abundance of this world's goods ; while he lived the life of a valua- 
 ble citizen, friend, and father, and although of a social disposition, 
 yet he enjoyed his family and fireside above all others. Public, office 
 had often sought him, but he invariably would not accept, as his 
 wish was not to be conspicuous, except it was in some old-fashioned 
 custom, in style of living, dress, and more particularly in the wear- 
 ing of his hair done up in a cue behind. However, occasionally the 
 strife of politics attracted his attention, when he would enter with 
 all his power, especially for a friend of either himself or government, 
 and his influence was considerable, as in the end he generally proved 
 successful. So strong was his feeling of friendship, that upon one 
 occasion, when his own interest was largely at stake in the passage 
 of a measure, that he publicly said, " My friendship and esteem for 
 Henry Eckford is superior to my interest, and I must drop my own 
 to succeed with his." He did so, and never after regretted it. 
 
 He was generally known as Colonel Appleby, which title he came 
 honestly by, although at a late period. Being somewhat patriotic 
 in his early days, he joined the Horse Artillery in 1816, under Capt. 
 Geo. G. Messerve, then attached to the 3d Regiment, was promoted 
 in 1821 to Cornet, and the next year as Lieutenant, which position 
 he held and performed the duty many years. About the year 1836 
 he removed on his farm in New Jersey, and in 1843 was elected 
 Colonel of the " Middlesex Regiment," in which county he still re- 
 sides, as one of the remaining " Gentlemen of the Olden School." 
 
 In the summer of 1830 the upper market-house was much com- 
 plained of, in consequence of the almost useless cellars under it ; and 
 
360 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 it was also much out of repair. Strong hints had been thrown out 
 by interested parties to change the location, and now was thought 
 the proper time to make the effort ; so they presented a petition, 
 praying to have this market-place removed, and a building erected 
 150 feet square, with fronts on South and Water Streets, between 
 Catharine and Market Streets. The butchers and others strongly 
 objected to its removal there, and also petitioned, " That they were 
 opposed to the contemplated removal of Catharine Market, in the 
 manner proposed in a petition heretofore presented to your Hon- 
 orable Body ; that the market, as at present located, is convenient 
 enough for every purpose. All that your remonstrants wish is to 
 have the upper market taken down and rebuilt on the same spot, in 
 a different way : that is, made lower, without any cellars under- 
 neath, so that the disagreeable smell arising from those cellars may 
 be done away in future." On the following 27th of December the 
 Market Committee reported, and the following resolutions were 
 adopted : " That that part of the Catharine Market lying between 
 Cherry and Water Streets be taken down, and that a new market, 
 conforming with the plan which has been made thereof, be erected 
 in the place thereof." " That the Market Committee receive pro- 
 posals for building of such new market, and that $4,000 be appro- 
 priated for the expense thereof." And in the month of February, 
 next year, the new market-house was ordered " to be placed 8 feet 
 easterly and 3 feet southerly from the old one." 
 
 In the month of September following, the butchers in the lower 
 market complained of the " hucksters and country people standing 
 on the side-walk opposite said market, between Cherry and Water 
 Streets," when the Clerk was directed to "order them in the lower 
 market which was assigned them." 
 
 In many of the markets about this period, the Market Committee, 
 when exchanging or transferring butchers' stands, it was usually 
 the practice to make them all "premium stands;" and if the stand 
 was a " corner," or otherwise valuable, a high premium or sum of 
 money was demanded, (see Johnson's, Centre Market, and others;) if 
 it was not, a low sum, besides all unpaid back rent, left due by a 
 former occupant. In the month of November, 1834, the " Committee" 
 reported on the transfer of stand No. 46 in this market, from William 
 N. Hedge to Edward Conklin ; and they state, " That said stall is not 
 a premium stand ; that the person for whom the transfer is sought 
 to be obtained is well recommended as a regular-bred butcher, and 
 the Committee think one hundred dollars would be the fair premium 
 value thereof." They offer a resolution to the above effect, and it 
 was adopted. Then, in the month of April, 1835, they report on the 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. ggl 
 
 petition of David Haight for stand No. 5, Goveneur Market, and 
 Michael Phelan for stand No. 10 this market, and say, "That the 
 petitioners come well recommended as regular-bred butchers, and 
 your Committee see no reason why they should not receive license, 
 although they do not wish to make a premium stand of No. 10 Cath- 
 arine Market." A resolution was passed to license both. Then, a 
 few days after, the Committee reported on several stands here, and 
 state, they "have consulted with the butchers in the several markets 
 as to the premiums to be paid by the petitioners, and report the re- 
 sult of their deliberations by the following resolution: Resolved, 
 That butcher stand No. 6, Catharine Market, be transferred to 
 George M. Hartell, on payment of i50 and back rent," (held pre- 
 viously by his father.) "Stall No. 38, do., be transferred to Lewis 
 Jolley, on payment of $15 and back rent," (formerly held by Jacob 
 Somerndyke.J " Stall No. 48, to Gilbert Underhill, on payment of 
 $50 and back rent," (formerly held by Joseph Conldin.) 
 
 The next year the " second market-house," between Water and 
 Front Streets, is reported as being in a dilapidated condition. Pe- 
 titions were again presented for its removal to Pike's Slip and other 
 places. The subject came before the "Committee" in 1837, when 
 Sylvanus Miller advocated that it should be located at Pike's Slip, 
 while Eldad Holmes brought forth the claims of those interested in 
 having it remain in the old location. The latter prevailed, as the 
 Committee reported in favor of the old site, and it was built accord- 
 ingly. In this year the Committee also made a report in favor of 
 appointing two suitable persons for " Superintendents of Markets," 
 and in this report they present the following remarks : " The public 
 markets are the resort of this whole community to procure the nec- 
 essaries as well as the luxuries of life, and a weighty responsibility 
 rests upon the Common Council to see that they are properly regu- 
 lated ; that such provisions only are exposed for sale there as are 
 sound and wholesome, and that every arrangement be made that can 
 contribute to the comfort, convenience, and health of the city. They 
 recommend a law to appoint two suitable persons, to be known as 
 Superintendents of Markets ; the one for the east, and the other for 
 the west side of the city ; and it imposes upon them duties that, if 
 faithfully discharged, will secure to our citizens well-regulated pub- 
 lic markets, and sound and wholesome provisions at reasonable 
 prices. The Committee have, in the proposed law, provided that 
 the Superintendents shall be appointed by them to hold their office 
 during their pleasure, with a view to the appointment of persons 
 known to be capable of faithfully discharging the duties, and that 
 in case they should not prove to be such, to substitute others in their 
 
362 
 
 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 stead. The compensation of these officers, in the opinion of the Com- 
 mittee, should be eight hundred dollars per annum. This sum will 
 enable them to devote their whole time to their public duties." 
 This law was adopted in the month of February of the above year. 
 Two suitable persons, in William Vonck and John Triglar, two old 
 respectable butchers, were strongly recommended by the butchers, 
 and received the appointment to these offices ; and I may say, without 
 fear of contradiction, that they performed their whole duty, accord- 
 ing to the binding oaths they took, and gave general satisfaction. 
 
 In the month of December, 1840, the Collector of the City Rev- 
 enue (Thomas Lloyd) made a return of the occupants of the stands 
 in this market, when we find them occupied as follows : 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 George Dominick. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Jacob H. Varian. 
 
 3. 
 
 Walter Anderson. 
 
 4. 
 
 David Lyons. 
 
 5. 
 
 Daniel Haight. 
 
 6. 
 
 William Pitman. 
 
 1. 
 
 William D. Floor. 
 
 8. 
 
 John Parigan. 
 
 9. 
 
 Henry Develin. 
 
 10. 
 
 Michael Phelan. 
 
 11. 
 
 George W. Martin. 
 
 12. 
 
 Samuel Cornell. 
 
 13. 
 
 William Messerve. 
 
 14. 
 
 Philip Romaine. 
 
 15. 
 
 John Scott. 
 
 16. 
 
 Edward McManus. 
 
 17. 
 
 Joshua M. Varian. 
 
 18. 
 
 John V. Eddy. 
 
 19. 
 
 Barnard Hanigan. 
 
 20. 
 
 John Conway. 
 
 21. 
 
 George W. Truss. 
 
 22. 
 
 Richard Conway, 
 
 23. 
 
 John W. Palmer. 
 
 24. 
 
 John K. Floor. 
 
 25. 
 
 Joseph C. Appleby. 
 
 26. 
 
 James Appleby. 
 
 27. 
 
 Orville J. Nash. 
 
 28. 
 
 Richard Piatt. 
 
 29. 
 
 James Goodman. 
 
 30. 
 
 Richard H. Piatt. 
 
 31. 
 
 Julius Johnson. 
 
 32. 
 
 John N. Hoofmin. 
 
 33. 
 
 Owen Monaghan. 
 
 34. 
 
 Mathew Byrne. 
 
 35. 
 
 John Davis. 
 
 36. 
 
 John L. Delahunt. 
 
 37. 
 
 Sylvester Pendleton, 
 
 38. 
 
 James Post. 
 
 39. 
 
 Unoccupied. 
 
 40. 
 
 James W. Cruise. 
 
 41. 
 
 Mathew W. Bird. 
 
 42. 
 
 Unoccupied. 
 
 43. 
 
 Scales. 
 
 44. 
 
 James Horton. 
 
 45. 
 
 Gilbert Cromwell. 
 
 46. 
 
 Joseph Conklin, 
 
 47. 
 
 Henry B. Taylor. 
 
 48. 
 
 Thomas Calhoun. 
 
 49. 
 
 Alexander Anthony. 
 
 50. 
 
 Benjamin Oakley. 
 
 51. 
 
 Andrew Lang, Jun'r. 
 
 52. 
 
 William Reynolds. 
 
 53. 
 
 Abraham Horton. 
 
 54. 
 
 Edmund Conckling. 
 
 55. 
 
 George Pessinger. 
 
 56. 
 
 William J. Omberson. 
 
 Nearly 
 
 two years after, this 
 
 " Collector of the City Revenue," 
 
 Thomas Lloyd, was a large defaulter, and became exposed from a 
 casual conversation of the occupant of No. 55 with a then prominent 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 353 
 
 Alderman. This Lloyd defalcated with the funds of the city to a 
 very large amount, and fled the city in a brig called the Hope, sup- 
 posed to belong to him, for Cape de Verds and a market. Says the 
 " Brother Jonathan," of that date : " If this is his own vessel, Lloyd 
 has certainly struck out a new path in defalcation; for a man's 
 swindling the public treasury, buying a brig with his plunder, and 
 sailing away in his own vessel, is something new under the sun, and 
 develops a skill in financiering which introduces a new variety into 
 the somewhat stale records of roguery." The Comptroller, in a re- 
 port of this defalcation, says : " Without surprise of the integrity of 
 the Collector, letters were sent, with my signature, to some of the 
 tenants largely in arrears, requiring them to pay up forthwith ; of 
 their being sent the Collector had no knowledge; only one tenant 
 made answer to me or my clerk, and he stated he had paid up; and 
 when Lloyd was spoken to on the subject, he referred to his book, 
 admitted he had received, and that he had omitted it, but would in- 
 clude it in his next return." He, however, was soon after fully ex- 
 posed, from a conversation that took place between Mr. George 
 Pessinger, a butcher in this market, and Alderman Elijah F. Purdy, 
 who remarked to Pessinger, that the butchers had paid no rent for 
 about three years past, and could prove it by the Collector, (Lloyd.) 
 Pessinger said that was not so — that he and others had paid up, 
 and would immediately produce receipts enough to satisfy him or 
 anybody else, which he did. This, indeed, was a surprise to the 
 Alderman, as well as to many of Lloyd's friends, he being such an 
 excellent and generous politician, and also a strong party man, that 
 it could scarcely be believed. The Alderman, however, immediate- 
 ly made it known to the Comptroller, Mayor, and others; but before 
 Lloyd could be secured, he was off in his " brig," leaving behind 
 him a letter, dated 28th March, addressed to the Comptroller, stating 
 that " he had abandoned the office;" taking with him, as shown by the 
 Comptroller, that he " should have returned, - $432,437 79 
 " Returned by him, - - - - 314,989 62 
 
 " Leaving the amount by him ' defalcated,' - $117,448 17." 
 This defalcation no doubt led to the adoption of a different mode 
 of collecting the rents and fees of the several public markets : " That 
 from and after the first day of March next, the butchers in all the 
 public markets pay the rent of their stalls daily to the Clerk of said 
 markets, and the Clerk pay over said fees and rents to the Comp- 
 troller on Monday of every week." 
 
 In 1844 a report was made and resolutions adopted to erect a new 
 fish market, to increase the accommodations here. The old fish 
 
364 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 market, the report stated, " has been built many years, very near a 
 half a century, and little or no addition has been made, while the 
 population has increased at least ten-fold in that section; during 
 which period commodious and spacious markets have been erected 
 in other parts of the city where the population in recent years has 
 been materially diminished. The Tpresentfsh market, in consequence 
 of the filling up of the slip, has become a nuisance, which can only be 
 obviated by erecting another to extend further in the river, as all 
 the offal would then be carried off with the tide, and the old market 
 could then be used for country produce, and would make ample ac- 
 commodations for that purpose ; the expense of its erection would 
 not exceed, in the opinion of your Committee, $1,300, as a consider- 
 able portion of Fulton Fish Market could be used to advantage on 
 its erection, that market being about to be torn down." 
 
 In the month of October, 1847, the " Committee" reported in favor 
 of repairing the market-house, and " to be done forthwith. It re- 
 quires new roof and other repairs indispensable to the wants of those 
 doing business there, which will require an appropriation of 2,500 
 dollars to complete." There is no doubt this appropriation was all 
 used ; but if on the market-house, it does not appear to have been 
 well applied, as we find but a very few years after petitions for a 
 new market-house, which some few of the Press strongly oppose, and 
 among the many objections, assert, (as appears, without any author- 
 ity,) " that the market was a great loss to the city." If this was so, 
 the " Committee on Markets," in the month of October, 1847, must 
 have made a great mistake when they reported the " Catharine Mar- 
 ket had been paying an interest of 40^er cent." on its estimated value. 
 Other portions of the " Press," however, looked at it with different 
 eyes ; among these is the following : " Statements have been made 
 in some of the city papers that the business of Catharine Market has 
 been declining for some years, and that some of the stalls are unoc- 
 cupied, from a general indifference to rent them. To our vision and 
 judgment these statements do the market injustice. It is true that, 
 like all our markets, it has suffered from the unfaithfulness and negli- 
 gence of the Common Council, but in every other respect it still 
 sustains its old rank among our best city markets. Many of those 
 who occupy stalls in it are among our oldest and most respectable 
 citizens. The rent paid for the past year amounted to |5,490, and 
 the receipts reached nearly a million of dollars. The market is a 
 great convenience to the neighborhood in which it is located, and 
 could not be dispensed with without great injury to the residents in 
 that quarter of the city."* Another account, from a military editor, 
 • N. Y. Sun, April 10, 1853. 
 
CATHARINE MARKET, 
 
 365 
 
 says :* " The old dilapidated, sombre-looking, rat-infested, and rat- 
 undermined market-house is a festering sore on that part of the city, 
 and yet it is a great place of thrifty business, where many of our 
 active business citizens have acquired great wealth rapidly, and 
 others are doing the same thing. A stranger visiting the street and 
 market-place after business hours could hardly be induced to believe 
 that it was a place of business at all. But yet it is one of the 
 greatest thoroughfares in the city. The ferry, at present a nuisance, 
 does a tremendous business ; however, in a few months there will be 
 two instead of one — they will be ornaments to the city. Notwith- 
 standing the unhandsome and inconvenient state of the market, we 
 find therein a most respectable, most thrifty, money-making class 
 of butchers, occupying most of them high positions in private life, 
 and we take pleasure in naming them. As we enter the upper 
 market from Cherry Street, we find arranged on either side, and 
 licensed, as follows : 
 "No 
 
 . 1. 
 
 William F. Warner. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Jacob H. Varian, Jr. 
 
 3. 
 
 William Forshay. 
 
 4. 
 
 Alfred Varian. 
 
 5. 
 
 George Tappan. 
 
 6. 
 
 Joshua Martin. 
 
 7. 
 
 C. W. Parrington. 
 
 8. 
 
 William Pittman. 
 
 9. 
 
 John Scott. 
 
 10. 
 
 Michael Phelan. 
 
 11. 
 
 William Messerve. 
 
 12. 
 
 William Nugent. 
 
 13. 
 
 Sidney Pish. 
 
 14. 
 
 Richard Conway. 
 
 15. 
 
 Jacob Varian. 
 
 16. 
 
 James ValcHtine. 
 
 17. 
 
 Joshua M. Varian. 
 
 18. 
 
 John V. Eddy. 
 
 19. 
 
 Abraham Vanderbeck. 
 
 20. 
 
 Michael Conway. 
 
 21. 
 
 George Levinus. 
 
 22. 
 
 Charles Conway. 
 
 23. 
 
 Silvanus Haight. 
 
 24. 
 
 (Messrs. James Ap- 
 1 pleby & Co. 
 
 25. 
 
 Joseph C. Appleby. 
 
 26. 
 
 
 In tlie Lower Market 
 
 . 
 
 27. 
 
 Edward Lynch. 
 
 28. 
 
 Washington Romaine. 
 
 29. 
 
 P. Samuel. 
 
 30. 
 
 Sylvester Pendleton. 
 
 81. 
 
 John P. Messerve. 
 
 32. 
 
 Edward Pendleton. 
 
 33. 
 
 Owen Monaghan. 
 
 34. 
 
 Mathew Byrne. 
 
 35. 
 
 John Monaghan. 
 
 36. 
 
 Edward Byrnes. 
 
 37. 
 
 William Pendleton. 
 
 38. 
 
 Joseph Zanger. 
 
 39. 
 
 Solomon Pearsall. 
 
 40. 
 
 Peter Bowers. 
 
 41. 
 
 Joseph Lawson. 
 
 42. 
 
 Jeremiah Dowling. 
 
 43. 
 
 Samuel Storms. 
 
 44. 
 
 Walter Appleby. 
 
 45. 
 
 Stephen Storms. 
 
 46. 
 
 John Appleby." 
 
 From 47 up to 58 were not licensed in the year 1854. In the 
 fish market are noticed Messrs. Allen Tinker, J. W. Masten, George 
 • Colonel William W. Tompkina. 
 
366 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 Gordon, "Wearing & Comstock, William Tucker, Seymour Brown, 
 Cyrus Bisley, Crofts & Houston, Wagner & Son, A. Lockwood & 
 Co., and William Clark. 
 
 Here we find the name of Varian strongly represented, and the 
 oldest name now known in the profession in New York City. 
 First, we have Isaac Varian, Sen'r, a butcher once in the Old Slip 
 Market, about the year 1720 ; then Isaac Varian, Jun'r, a butcher 
 in the Fly Market, about the year 1750 ; then his son, Richard Va- 
 rian, a butcher, about the year 1770, in the same market, and at the 
 same time keeper of the Bull's Head in the Bowery, and superin- 
 tendent of the " Public Slaughter-House," under Nicholas Bayard, 
 both before and after the Revolution, but not during that war, as 
 will be seen from his petition, dated April, 1784: " That he had the 
 superintendence of the said slaughter-house for several years before 
 the late war, and flatters himself he conducted the same in such a 
 manner that no well-grounded complaint was ever made of its being 
 offensive ; and if it had been otherwise of late, the same may be 
 wholly attributed to the state in which it was left by the British 
 at the Evacuation. That he has a large family to support, being 
 sixteen in number, and has been in exile during the late war ; and 
 without presuming on his own merit, he begs leave to say, that he 
 has ever considered it his duty to exert himself to the utmost of 
 his power in the service of his country." His exile, or at least a 
 large portion of it, was being engaged on board of a privateer, 
 which had been quite successful; but near the close of the war, 
 while bringing in a prize, they were overhauled by superior force, 
 and both privateer and prize were taken, when the prisoners were 
 sent to Halifax, where they remained in prison until peace was pro- 
 claimed, when he returned home to the Bull's Head, and found his 
 wife in full possession. Turning again to trace the name of Varian 
 down, we find the patriotic blood of Richard Varian is shown in 
 his son, George Washington Varian, who occupied, in 1828, stand 
 No. 12; who, in the war of 1812, was a Lieutenant in the "Colum- 
 bian Volunteers," organized about the year 1806, and composed 
 ivholly of butchers. In this war they performed three months' duty 
 on Staten Island, and then again three months more service in guard- 
 ing the steam frigate " Fulton the First," while building ; and then, 
 again, we find his son, Joshua M. Varian, on No. 17, this market ; the 
 present Captain of the " First Troop of Washington Greys," and 
 one of the best-drilled officers in the " First," or any other Division 
 of citizen soldiers, as the drill of that splendid and fearless body 
 of men can and have shown on several occasions, more particularly 
 on camp duty at the Quarantine (Camp Washington) on Staten Isl- 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 367 
 
 and, in 1859. The Captain has always been quite as prompt in 
 business as in the field ; gentlemanly, correct, and highly esteemed 
 by the many who know him, but none more so than those under his 
 command, who have on several occasions not only given him "votes 
 of thanks," but have left or presented to him so much, so valuable, 
 and so beautiful worked gold and silver, that must be hereafter an 
 incentive for his generations to follow on, and increase the fame as 
 well as the name of Varian. 
 
 The " Public Slaughter-House," noticed above, stood, at that pe- 
 riod, on the eastern bank of the Kolch, into which its drainings ran, 
 and the " House," from long and neglected use by the British troops, 
 had long been very unpleasant to some of the neighborhood. Al- 
 though many of the butchers, in a petition, state, " That the said 
 slaughter-house having by law been fixed and established for many 
 years, and they were precluded from killing cattle at any other 
 place to the southward thereof, they have purchased and built their 
 dwelling-houses in the neighborhood for their convenience ; and thn 
 said 'slaughter-house' being near the Bowery Lane, where droves 
 of cattle are usually brought ; that they have every reason to be 
 satisfied with the conduct of Mr. Richard Varian, the Superintend- 
 ent of said S. H., to render it of public utility, and from being offen- 
 sive to the neighbours." This was signed by 
 
 George Messerve, Stephen Hilliker, Henrich Astor, 
 Jotham Post, William Wright, Joseph Yarian, 
 
 Jacob Arden, Samuel Ellis, Michael Varian, 
 
 Nich's Wethershine, George Hopson, Isaac Varian, Sen'r, 
 Henry Spingler, John Lovell, Isaac Varian, Jun'r, 
 
 Joseph Wilt, Andrew Basley, George Thompson, 
 
 George Wilt, John Perrin, James Manold, 
 
 Edward Patten, Jacob Hilliker, Adam Van Derberck. 
 
 The " slaughter-house," however, was soon after removed to Cor- 
 kers Hook, and the right of slaughtering was purchased of Bayard 
 by James Blanchard, who soon found the business quite disagree- 
 able, and no doubt made so by the butchers, whom the law forced 
 into it. In a memorial dated October, 1785, Blanchard says : "That 
 George Messerve, a butcher, sued your memorialist before Alderman 
 Bayard for a cake of fat, he alleged to have lost last winter out of the 
 public slaughter-house; and last evening it was submitted to a 
 Juory, who awarded him damages to the amount of his charge, with 
 costs of sute. There was nothing alleged that the slaughter-house 
 was left unsecured, but that the slaughter-house keeper was answer- 
 able for all the beef, heads, tongues, hearts, liver, fat, and every- 
 thing whatever, to be delivered to the butchers when demanded, or 
 
368 CATHARINE MARKET. 
 
 pay for it if lost ; and for my own security, & until I could lay the 
 matter before the Corporation last evening, I directed the doors of 
 the Slaughter-House not to be opened 'till daylight, that every one 
 might distinguish his own property ; but about an hour before day 
 the butchers came as usual, & being told the door could not be 
 opened 'till daylight, they instantly broke the locks, & went in & 
 took what they said was their own. That under the present situa- 
 tion, your memorialist is subject to be sued for every mistake that 
 is made, whether designedly or inadvertently, and is informed that 
 the measure pursuing is to raise such disturbances as to oblige your 
 memorialist to abandon the Public Slaughter-House. Wherefore 
 your petitioner prayeth that such rules & regulations may be estab- 
 lished as to prevent the inconvenieaces he is exposed to, &c." 
 
 In the month of May following, Blanchard presented another 
 memorial, in which he stated: " That your memorialist's importuni- 
 ties to the magistrates have been incessant, but the uneasiness of 
 the butchers and their violence increases. That all the care ever 
 known in a public slaughter-house is constantly adhered to on my 
 part; notwithstanding, they frequently & wantonly injure the im- 
 plements, which I submit to, and make immediate repairs. They 
 now refuse to pay their duty established by your law. Joseph Mott 
 refuses, & when requested, returns indecent answers. Henry Ash- 
 dore (Astor) also refuses, and laments his being obliged to take li- 
 cense under a pack of rebel rascals, with many other enormities 
 and evil examples. Wherefore your memorialist begs leave once 
 more humbly to remonstrate and pray, that if there is no way to 
 compel a number of abandoned men to an observance of your laws 
 and a peaceable behavior, that I may have a reasonable compensa- 
 tion for the time of the slaughter-house yet to come." 
 
 The Public Slaughter-House was continued until the year 1789, 
 when the butchers bought out the remainder of the lease from Mr. 
 Blanchard, and the law was repealed. But, to prevent nuisances, 
 the Board appointed butchers who were willing to serve without 
 compensation, to act as Inspectors of the private slaughter-houses, 
 and these were continued for many years; and in 1806, when the 
 Board appointed the annual Inspectors, they gave them additional 
 powers, in the following resolution : " That William Wright, Daniel 
 Winship, Jacob Tier, William Chivvis, David Marsh, Jacob Varian, 
 and Christian Miller, (all butchers,) be appointed Inspectors, to in- 
 spect the slaughter-houses in the city, and to carry into effect such 
 parts of the law for preventing nuisances as regards butchers, and 
 to punish transgressors of such regulations as the butchers may 
 adopt among themselves for the purpose of conducting their busi- 
 ness with every possible propriety.'' 
 
CATHARINE MARKET. 369 
 
 We turn to this "market" again, and find, in the month of May, 
 1854, an appropriation was made, plans drawn and accepted, and a 
 contract entered into, to build the present substantial iron market- 
 house. The stalls were moved out in the month of June following, 
 the old market-house taken down, and the new one finished in the 
 month of September, when it became occupied with many new stalls 
 and stands, which added very much to its former unsightly appear- 
 ance. 
 
 One mistake was, however, made many years ago, when the at- 
 tempt to force the many country people who had so many years vis- 
 ited here, into the lower market-house ; for since that period they 
 have gradually left, until at last but a few visit it regularly ; al- 
 though occasionally it appears like olden times, when numerous 
 country wagons are seen standing with the horses' heads turned into 
 the front of the wagons, chewing the welcome fodder, and the walks 
 crowded with baskets of fruit and vegetation of all sorts, looking 
 so fresh and inviting. 
 
 One Sunday morning in the month of August (1859) I strayed 
 down there about five o'clock, and found the butchers just opening 
 their stands, to deliver their sold meats and dispose of their "odds 
 and ends," as they are allowed to do in this market. On the wharf 
 above the " ferry-house," alongside of the " fish market," were 
 drawn up several fish-wagons, which had come from along the 
 bays and shores of Long Island, containing, as appeared, the "week's 
 catch" of clams, muscles, eels, lobsters, shrimps, small sand-porgies ; 
 and mixed up among them, were seen several fishermen's boys and 
 "hangers on" from other markets, with the refuse pieces of stale 
 halibut, weak-fish, bunches of herring, &c.; the latter persons mak- 
 ing a considerable noise and bluster in the sale of their stock. 
 
 On the cross-walk were several stands of smoked eels, with heads 
 and skins on, smoked halibut, tripe, pigs' feet, plates of boiled lob- 
 sters, crabs, and other delicacies of that stamp. On the walk, hang- 
 ing on the awning-posts, were several cages of baby-robins, bobo- 
 links, and other birds, the owner of which was asking 12 shillings for 
 a young robin, which he guaranteed the buyer " he would not touch 
 $3 for in three months' time." Then, on a partial covered floating 
 scow, were two or three persons attempting to hold a sort of prayer- 
 meeting, which was now and then interrupted by an individual who 
 did not appear to admire their style of getting converts ; and direct- 
 ly opposite, while I stood listening to the address, a couple of white 
 loafers (if their faces had been washed) were pitching into each other 
 in the " rough and tumble" style. Close by and along the front of 
 two or three closed stores was represented the last of the " Long 
 Vol. L— 24 
 
370 EXCHANGE MARKET. 
 
 Island negroes," some of which had for the last fifty years visited 
 this market on Sunday mornings. I asked the oldest woman, who 
 had her roots and herbs displayed for sale on a cellar-door, " How 
 many of the old colored persons (once slaves) are there now left, who 
 yet come here?" Her answer was, that " there was only about four 
 who occasionally came — the rest are all dead;" and the last five 
 words came forth with a good deal of feeling. After a few moments 
 she began to name some of those who had died, disappeared, and 
 gone away, she did not know where. Knowing something of the 
 history of their former generations, although slaves, when all were 
 instructed, well-fed, and dressed, with the merry laugh, song, and 
 dance, and withal trusted with their masters' business and the pro- 
 ceeds of their sales— and then turn and look on these poor, squalid, 
 dirty, half-dressed, ill-fed and bred, and some no doubt with a strong 
 inclination to be thievish — by their looks— I felt that when Govern- 
 ment made them free, Government should have removed some of the 
 obstacles which interfered with the intellectual progress and the 
 domestic comfort of the newly liberated African race — that they 
 might have appeared not only here on a Sunday morning, but any 
 day and anywhere, and be a useful and respectable body of people. 
 
 "EXCHANGE MARKET." 
 
 1788. This appears to have been the fourth and last public mar- 
 ket-place established in Broad Street, and nearly on the same spot 
 where the "Broad Street Market-House" stood fifty years before, 
 extending across Front Street and ending at or near the slip. 
 
 The first movement made towards erecting this market-house was 
 in the month of Octo"ber, 1788, when a large number (121) of the 
 "neighborhood" asked for the privilege to erect a market-house 
 " on the Long Bridge, in the South Ward," leading from the Ex- 
 change to the river, " at their own expense." " That its dimensions 
 should be one hundred and thirty-three feet in length and twenty 
 feet in breadth." " That to erect a market in any of the streets now 
 unoccupied will darken, obstruct, and injure the city. But that the 
 Long Bridge, which is already taken up by oystermen and others, 
 only tends to increase the dirt, without benefiting any but individ- 
 uals." A committee of five reported in favor of building this mar- 
 ket-house, and the building progressed, but at a cost which exceed- 
 
EXCHANGE MARKET. - 371 
 
 ed their funds in hand, and they petition in the month of June, next 
 year, " for aid of the Corporation in the finishing of the market- 
 house lately erected; to which the Board granted £15 towards its 
 completion." 
 
 Soon after a Committee was appointed " to remove the butchers 
 out of the (old) Exchange in the new (Exchange) market lately erect- 
 ed ;" when the business was greatly increased, beyond what it had 
 been in the old market-place. The principal part of which was 
 with the shipping and other water craft. 
 
 Into the slip at the foot of this market came the sloops from Al- 
 bany and other places, with small boats from Staten Island, Bergen, 
 &c. ; and, after a time, it became known as the "Albany Basin," and 
 of later years as the " Old Albany Basin." In consequence of the 
 scarcity of small change at this period, the Common Council, in the 
 year 1790, began to issue " Corporation tickets," of which we learn 
 from a report of the " City Treasurer, Daniel Phoenix," that " from 
 the 16th of April, 1790, to March 5, 1798, there was emitted for 
 small change, .... - - £15,471 6 
 
 The amount canceled up to March 5, 1799, - 9,025 5 
 
 Leaving a balance of £6,446 1 0." 
 
 Grant Thorburn notices these Corporation paper bills in the fol- 
 lowing "sketches of the past." He says: "About the year 1794 
 the fire-engines in the city were of a very inferior quality ; we had 
 no water except from wooden-handle pumps, which stood on the 
 corner of every street ; by a law of the Corporation every owner of 
 a dwelling was obliged to procure a fire-bucket for every fire-place 
 in the house, or back kitchen; these buckets held three gallons, 
 made of sole leather ; they were hung in the passage near the front 
 door ; when the bell rang for fire, the watchmen, firemen, and boys, 
 while running to the fire, sung out, ' Throw out your buckets;' they 
 were picked up by men, women, and boys running to the fire. Two 
 lines were formed from the fire to the nearest pump ; when the pump 
 gave out the lines were carried to the nearest river ; one line passed 
 down the empty, the other passed up the full buckets ; if a person 
 tried to break through the lines, he was compelled to fall in or get 
 nearly drowned by buckets of water thrown over him ; the buckets 
 were marked with the name and number of the owner ; every morn- 
 ing after a fire, the Corporation carmen went to the streets near the 
 fire, picked up the buckets, and dumped them in the lobby of the 
 old City Hall, which then stood where now stands the Custom- 
 House ; people then sent their children or servants to bring home 
 the buckets, when they were hung up in the front entry to await the 
 
372 EXCHANGE MARKET. 
 
 next fire. At that time we had no water except what we procured 
 from the town pumps ; they were unable to wash clothes with the 
 pump water ; therefore every yard was furnished with a cistern or a 
 large hogshead to catch rain-water for the women to wash their 
 clothes; we were unable to make tea with the town pump-water. 
 In the rear of 126 Chatham stood a pump, denominated the tea- 
 water pump ; every day (Sabbath excepted) a carman called at our 
 door with a large cask full of tea-water, for which we paid him one 
 penny a pail ; (we had no cents in those days — our small currency 
 consisted of ' Corporation paper bills,' from owe to twelve pennies.) If 
 my memory is correct, I saw this tea-water pump in use in the store 
 126 Chatham — the water from the well was brought in the store by 
 leaden pipes, then mixed at the counter with Irish whiskey and 
 Yankee rum, and sold for six cents per half-pint tumbler. In 1798 
 the Manhattan Company was incorporated ; they dug a well deep 
 and broad near the Kolch, now denominated the Collect; here was 
 a well whom none could pump dry, being fed from the Kolch. A 
 large pump was placed in the well, which was kept in motion night 
 and day by a powerful steam-engine ; wooden pipes were laid from 
 this Manhattan well through every street between the well and the 
 Battery ; thus every householder had the water conveyed into his 
 yard or cellar, by paying a small sum annually. This Manhattan 
 water was soon found inadequate to supply the growing population, 
 so the Croton Eiver is brought to our doors, where it may rest while 
 woods grow and water runs. 
 
 "When digging to lay the pipes for the Manhattan water in 1798, 
 one day, in passi'ng the corner of Broadway and Wall Street, I saw 
 a number of people collected around the men who were laying the 
 pipes ; they were curiously examining a large log they had just dug 
 up ; it was ten feet round, though much decayed ; no one could tell 
 what could have been its use. Old David Grim, then over ninety 
 years, told me, when he was a boy, his father told him one of the 
 city gates stood there, and that a strong wooden wall, ten feet high, 
 ran from the Bast River up Wall Street, crossing the city and ter- 
 minating in the Hudson River. It was thus that Wall Street derived 
 its name. 
 
 "In 1807 I stood on the wharf at the foot of Cortlandt Street and 
 saw the first steamboat start for Albany ; after she left the wharf a 
 few minutes, she stopped ; the crowd began to murmur ; ' I told you so,' 
 said one ; ' I wish I had my money out of her,' said another ; she be- 
 gan to move upwards— the crowd gazing till she was out of sight ; 
 they dispersed, predicting she would never see Albany — she reach- 
 ed Albany in thirty hours." 
 
EXCHANGE MARKET. 373 
 
 We turn back to the year 1793, when the Philadelphia Daily Ad- 
 vertiser, August 7th, notices, "All sorts of provisions bear a high 
 price at our {New York) markets daily ; flesh and fish of all kinds, 
 poultry, butter, cheese, vegetables, &c. ;" and in the following month 
 the same paper (18th September) presents a proclamation from Gov- 
 ernor George Clinton, " to prevent market-boats and others going 
 on board or approaching too near vessels which may be performing 
 quarantine, below the point of Governor's Island. Notice is hereby 
 given that the Health OflBcers will cause a black flag to be constant- 
 ly displayed at the mast-head of such vessels respectively," who had 
 on board the yellow fever. 
 
 The visit of the yellow fever two years after (1795) drove the 
 butchers from this market, as well as from all the others located in 
 the infected district, when they obtained permission from the Com- 
 mon Council to remove anywhere above it, many of whom sold meat 
 at their residences. 
 
 From letters of Dr. E. H. Smith to Dr. W. Buel on the yellow 
 fever in this year, we learn that " Every one knows that the sum- 
 mer and autumn of 1795 were excessively sultry and excessively 
 wet. Meats spoiled in the market-place uncommonly quick, and 
 those which were brought home, apparently fresh and good in the 
 morning, were often found unfit to be eaten when cooked and brought 
 upon table. Esculent vegetables in general, and especially fruits, 
 were usually poor, tough, and tasteless. The peach, particularly 
 that of the clingstone, was scarcely digestible, and often occasioned 
 temporary illness, quite severe, while it doubtless aided in the pro- 
 duction or aggravation of the fever." 
 
 Of the /ever of '98, some account has been given in the history of 
 the " Ply Market," and that of '99 made its appearance early in the 
 spring, and continued until October, but not of so fatal character as 
 the year previous ; the butchers left the markets as usual, and ap- 
 peared not very anxious to get back again, as many of them staid 
 out after being ordered in by the Mayor. So on the 28th of Octo- 
 ber, the Common Council, by resolution, "ordered the butchers who 
 had not complied with the order of the Mayor, to do so on or before 
 the first of November next, or they will be suspended ; and to ren- 
 der accounts of the number of the cattle, hogs, calves, sheep, and 
 lambs they had killed during the prevalence of the epidemic, or be- 
 tween the 1st of May last and the 31st day of October inclusive, be- 
 fore the 15th day of November next." 
 
 In 1797, David Markler {Merkel) petitioned for a stand in this mar- 
 ket, which we find was granted ; but he was not noticed among the 
 occupants in 1800. At that period the stands were occupied: 
 
374 EXCHANGE MARKET. 
 
 No, 1. John Jeremiah. No. 2. Peter Crawbuck. 
 
 3. Isaac Beyea. 4. Vacant. 
 
 5. John Deavenport. 6. Vacant. 
 
 7. H. Conrad. 8. Godfrey Crawbuck. 
 
 9. Vacant. 10. Vacant. 
 
 In 1805, Nicholas Boyce was found on No. 4; and the year after, 
 James Bradley occupied No. 10. 
 
 In the month of May, 1804, Richard Smith, the Deputy Clerk of 
 several of the public markets, writes to the Common Council, solicit- 
 ing them "to add to the fees of John Butler, sweeper to the Exchange 
 Market, two shillings, as he receives but six shillings per week, and 
 receives no amoliment from the butchers and hucksters, as the other 
 sweepers do." They consent to allow the additional sum of two 
 shillings, making " 8s. per week to be given to Mr. Butler." 
 
 The continual changes in the occupancy of the stands showed the 
 business of the market at this period was not in a prosperous condi- 
 tion, and the merchants had been complaining of its being much in 
 the way ; these combined caused the City Inspector, John Pintard, 
 to recommend its removal, which no doubt would then have been ac- 
 complished, had not two hundred and seventy-eight petitioners on 
 the 28th of September following, " praying that the Exchange Mar- 
 ket may be removed near the slip, instead of a total removal." 
 Nothing, however, was done this (1804) year; but the next, the 
 dreaded /ewer again appeared, and the Board, on the 9th of Septem- 
 ber, "Resolved, That the butchers of the city be authorized to re- 
 move to such position south of the three-mile stone as may be as- 
 signed to them by the Market Committee." 
 
 After the fever had abated, and in the absence of the occupants of 
 this market, the market-house was sawed through into three pieces 
 or sections, and were separately moved on the spot where the " Old 
 Exchange" had stood several years before, between Water and 
 Front Streets. 
 
 The change of location was not much, but it somewhat enlivened 
 the trade for two or three years. Then, again, we find several of 
 the stands vacant, and an application made, and permission given 
 to John Butler, (who had changed his business,) in the early part of 
 the year 1809, to occupy part of the lower end of the market for a 
 grocery-store and stage-ofBce, for Amboy and New Brunswick, N. J. 
 
 At this period we find the price of beef, as made out by Peter 
 Crawbuck, butcher, of this market, against the Commissioners on 
 the Fortifications at the Narrows, from the month of July to Sep- 
 tember, 1809, ranged from eight-pence up to one shilling per pound. 
 
 The old inhabitants and many merchants, at this period, had be- 
 
SPRING STREET MARKET. 375 
 
 gun to -withdraw their residences and places of business up town : 
 the former in Broadway, Beekman, and other streets near the Park ; 
 and the latter in Pearl, Wall, Maiden Lane, &c.; which placed them 
 nearer the attractive "Fly" and "Bear" Markets; and the "Ex- 
 change Market" is represented, " That from the scanty supply of 
 meats, fish, and vegetables which is invariably found in that mar- 
 ket, and from its being situated so far on the southeast end of the 
 town, &c., it ought to be removed." This was not, however, accom- 
 plished until the 9th of May, 1814, when a Committee reported in 
 favor of removing it. They say " that said market is useless ; and 
 it appears that two-thirds of said market is generally made a de- 
 posit for coarse merchandise and lumber, to the annoyance of the 
 stores and merchants around said market." The Board ordered its 
 removal, under the direction of a Committee. 
 
 "SPRINa STREET MARKET." 
 
 1800. This public market-place, like many of the others pre- 
 ceding it, had several names attached to it, during its existence ; 
 the one at the head appears, after it had been erected several 
 years, to have been officially given to it, and which it enjoyed as 
 long as it stood. Several attempts had been made to introduce a 
 public market-house where this stood, prior to 1800, but all had 
 been unsuccessful. In this year, on the 22d of July, a report was 
 made, on the petition of Aaron Burr and others, on the subject of 
 a new market-house in Brannon Street. They state, " That Bran- 
 non Street is sixty-five feet in width ; that Lewis Lorton and Joseph 
 Watkins are the owners of the lots on the north and south sides of 
 said street ; that they propose, if leave is granted, to erect a mar- 
 ket; to throw in the street each two feet, making said sixty-nine 
 feet. The market-house they intend twenty-one feet wide and fifty 
 feet long." The Board concluded that the street would not be 
 wide enough, and therefore would not grant permission. So, on 
 the 22d September, Hugh Gaine offered, or rather solicited, " per- 
 mission to erect a market-house on his ground opposite Leonard 
 Lispenard, Esq's, (below Canal ixi Greenwich Street,) upon the same 
 terms and under the same restrictions they have done to those that 
 have lately applied." The next ^ay following, the first petitioners 
 " beg leave to say, that the street wherein the market was pro- 
 
376 SPRING STREET MARKET. 
 
 posed to be built, called Brannon Street, is made to the width of 
 eighty feet ; " and that they " have been favored with considerable 
 success from the Corporation of the Trinity Church, of the sum of 
 one hundred pounds." Consent was now obtained, and we iind the 
 market-house built, with the name of the " Market-House in Bran- 
 non (now Spring) Street." 
 
 " Brannon" was the keeper of a noted public-house and a beau- 
 tifuUy-laid-out garden, located at the present southwest corner of 
 Hudson and Spring Streets, where yet stands the old house. Here, 
 Judge H. Meigs told me, about the years 1803, '4, and '5, he used 
 to visit, when it was known as the "Washington Garden," kept by 
 a very clever comedian and his son, named "Tyler," which led 
 some to call it "Tyler's Garden." 
 
 In 1801, we find the name of this market-place changed, in a no- 
 tice of the butchers who first occupied the stands in " Greenwich 
 Market." On No. 1, Arnest Pink; No. 2, William Chivvis; and 
 No. 3, Henry Tenbrook. 
 
 Early in the year 1805, a bell was ordered to be hung in the 
 eastern end, and " to be protected by a neat temporary cupola." 
 The next year, the building was raised, and a cellar put under it, 
 and also three more butchers' stands placed into it. On No. 4, 
 Jacob Aims ; on No. 5, John L. Fink ; and on No. 6, Blaze Ten- 
 brook. 
 
 In consequence of changing the name of Brannon Street, the next 
 year, to Spring Street, the same resolution again altered the name 
 of this market-place, and it " be known hereafter as ' Spring Street 
 Market;' " named after the many springs on the line of the street, 
 which was known or laid out in 1797 ; but it then ran quite a 
 crooked course, leading from Broadway down to and past an excel- 
 lent spring, now located just above the present line of Spring 
 Street, between Greene and Wooster Streets ; then this street or 
 lane continued westerly, to about Sullivan Street, where it crossed 
 a ditch ; and on the other side was another large, fine spring, lying 
 at the foot of a hill ; then the lane turned north between two hills, 
 and ran down westerly into the "Road to Greenwich." 
 
 The first of these two springs became quite famous, a few months 
 prior to the establishment of this market-place. The "Manhattan 
 Company," in searching around the city and suburbs for water, 
 found this spring, when they caused it to be dug out several feet, 
 and made it into a well, with the intention of using it ; but they in 
 the end concluded it would not answer their purpose, so they left it 
 curbed and covered, and from that period it became known as the 
 " Manhattan Well." I am, however, informed from a highly re- 
 
SPRING STREET MARKET. 377 
 
 spectable source, that the other, near Sullivan Street, was the old 
 Manhattan Well. (The " Press" also notices it — see below — as "a 
 little east of Mr. Tyler's;" but then there were no other land- 
 marks near to designate it by.) This evidence comes so strong as 
 to almost shake me; but the evidence on the other side appears 
 stronger, and I must yield to the first " spring." This latter infor- 
 mation was obtained from five or six persons who often passed it ; 
 two others were brought up near it ; and one other, when a child, 
 was taken to it just after a most inhuman murder of a beautiful 
 young Quakeress was committed, on a cold winter's night, the 22d 
 of December, 1799, the last time this poor girl was seen alive. Al- 
 though she was missed the next morning, it appears there was but 
 little effort made to find her, as she had informed her friends and 
 family that she was going to be married privately, and it was sev- 
 eral days before any efforts were made to look after her ; no doubt 
 from the fact that the authorities and citizens were making great 
 preparations for the funeral procession of our "Washington," then 
 the all-absorbing topic, which took place in this city on the 31st 
 December — the last day of the last month, and almost the last year 
 of the last century. 
 
 Dr. Anderson's recollection also corroborates the "first spring," 
 as he says " he visited it, as did many hundreds, immediately after 
 the body of the murdered girl was found." 
 
 The missing girl was not noticed by the "Press" until the body 
 was found, when we find in the Mercantih Advertiser, 4th January, 
 1800: "On Thursday afternoon the body of a young woman by the 
 name of Juliana Elmore Sands was found dead in a well, recently 
 dug by the Manhattan Company, a little east of Mr. Tyler's, (who 
 then kept the Washington Garden, noticed before.) The circum- 
 stances attending her death are somewhat singular. She went from 
 her uncle's house in Greenwich Street last Sunday (week) evening, 
 with her lover, with the intention of going to be married ; from 
 that time until Thursday afternoon she had not been heard of. 
 Strong suspicions are entertained of her having been willfully mur- 
 dered." 
 
 Another account says: "As a young man {Levi Weeks) of respect- 
 ability residing in the house in which she lived, with a relative, had, 
 for a considerable time, paid his addresses to her, it was the general 
 expectation of her acquaintances that the celebration of their nup- 
 tials would shortly take place ; and this opinion was strengthened 
 by their seeming reciprocal attachment, and her telling a confidant 
 on the fatal day that terminated her existence, that that evening 
 was appointed by them for the performance of the ceremony, which 
 
378 SPRING STREET MARKET. 
 
 it was their wish to be done as privately as possible. The uncer- 
 tainty of her fate for so considerable a length of time naturally ex- 
 cited the solicitude of her connections, and the peculiar kind of un- 
 easiness of mind displayed by her lover, together with the supposi- 
 tion of their having went to be married, drew suspicion of his hav- 
 ing been the cause of her murder and consequent secretion ; inso- 
 much that some gentlemen, immediately on the discovery of the body 
 and before his knowledge of it, had him apprehended ; on which he 
 asked, Was he the man? He said it was hard to accuse him — and 
 asked whether she was found in the Manhattan Well. The body, on 
 first sight, bore evident marks of violent hands, and it was attested 
 to the inquest, that between eight and nine of the evening of her de- 
 parture, shrieks and cries had been heard near the fatal pit into 
 which she must have been most inhumanly hurled. The Coroner's 
 inquest, in order to obtain all possible evidence, prolonged their sit- 
 ting from Friday morning until Saturday night, when they brought 
 in their verdict. Willful murder."* 
 
 The trial of Weeks took place in the month of March following : 
 he having for his counsel Messrs. Alexander Hamilton, B. Living- 
 ston, and Aaron Burr; and for the people, Cadwalader D. Colden, 
 Assistant Attorney-General. It continued two days ; that is, from 
 Monday morning, (the 31st day of March,) at 10 o'clock, until half 
 past one the next morning, when it was adjourned until Tuesday, 
 1st of April, same hour. "At 25 minutes past 2 o'clock (Wednes- 
 day morning) the examination closed, seventy-five witnesses hav- 
 ing been sworn. The Counsel for the prosecution wished that the 
 Court would adjourn, as they had done the preceding night; he 
 stated that he had not slept since the morning that the cause opened, 
 and had then been without repose forty-four hours; that he found 
 himself sinking under this fatigue." " The Court, however, said it 
 would be too hard to keep the Jury together another night without 
 the convenience necessary to repose, and they therefore could not 
 think it proper." No summing up took place on either side, but 
 the Chief-Justice, Lansing, charged the Jury, who soon after brought 
 in a verdict of ''Not guilty." 
 
 This market in its early years seldom supported more than four 
 or five stands with butchers ; in fact, the population did not increase 
 in this part of the city so fast as in the eastern and central parts. 
 In the summer months a very good business was done here, while 
 many of the citizens were residing and boarding in this neighbor- 
 hood, (then known as the " lower village of Greenwich.") Many of 
 the old mansions were taken for this purpose, which were once 
 
 * N. Y. Journal, <fcc., January 8, 1800. 
 
SPRING STREET MARKET. 379 
 
 famous as country-seats for many of the old Knickerbocker families. 
 The cold weather, however, was sure to drive them into town again, 
 and in winter business became very dull here. 
 
 The cold winter of 1817 was unusually severe, or so it is repre- 
 sented in the Press; as late as the 15th of February, I find "The 
 North River is frozen over opposite the city, so that people pass and 
 repass on the ice from shore to shore." " Several gentlemen set out 
 for a sleigh-ride on the ice, from Flushing to Riker's Island, where 
 they arrived in safety. This was the first sleigh that was ever known 
 to visit the Island, and, as it passed down the Bay, drew forth num- 
 bers of people on the shore to view so singular an event."* The 
 next year, about the same time, " Long Island Sound was entirely 
 closed with ice between Cold Spring and the Connecticut shore."t 
 The North River was also so firmly frozen that teams crossed over 
 to the Jersey shore ; many tents were also pitched, where they sold 
 liquor, roasted clams and oysters, and, I believe, some persons at- 
 tempted to roast an ox, but it failed; from the heat in roasting 
 clams, &c., the ice became quite weak near the furnaces, which occa- 
 sioned their removal to new locations near by. Alongside of the 
 tent of Jeremiah Butman, the ice had become thin and quite rotten 
 from the effects of a furnace and several days of mild weather, which 
 led him and others to think it almost time to be off. However, 
 many were passing and repassing, which kept business good, and he 
 held on ; but a man happened to step upon a weak spot outside of 
 his tent, where the furnace had stood, broke through, and was strug- 
 gling in the water, when a friend put his head inside of Butman's 
 tent, saying, " Jerry, there is a man gone down your cellar!" " Is it 
 so ?" said Jerry ; " then it is about time for me to leave these prem- 
 ises." The man was got out, the tent struck, and with a sled all 
 were safely removed to terra firma. 
 
 In the month of December previous, the prices of provisions were 
 quoted as follows : 
 " Best Beef, per lb., 12^c. Butter, fresh, 33c. 
 
 do. per cwt., 7 to 12c. do. in firkins, 23 to 26c. 
 
 Pork, per lb., 10c. Potatoes, per barrel, 56c. 
 
 do. per cwt., $8. Turnips, do., 31c. 
 
 Veal, per lb., 10c. Cabbages, per 1,000, $6 to 7. 
 
 Mutton, do., 8c. 
 
 Turkeys, apiece, (good) fl.56. "Wood, oak, per load, |2.25. 
 
 Fowls, per pair, 56c. do. walnut, do., 3.50. 
 
 Geese, per piece, 50 to 56c. do. pine, do., 1.62.^."^ 
 
 * Evening Tost, February 15, 1817. f Long Island Star, February 16, 1818. 
 
 X Columbian, December 5, 1818. 
 
380 SPRING STREET MARKET. 
 
 On the following 14th of March a communication says : " The ex- 
 orbitant prices demanded for all description of provisions is a serious 
 and alarming difficulty, that has long occupied the attention of all 
 classes of citizens. Provisions are now sold at higher prices in this 
 city than in any part of the world."* 
 
 In 1819 the business in this market took quite a start, as many 
 new buildings had gone up around it, and others in the course of 
 erection. The market-house had become quite old and very much 
 out of repair as well as crowded, and a new one was asked for, or 
 the old one repaired and enlarged. This was followed on the 24th 
 of May (same year) with a report " to extend and repair the old 
 house," at a cost of about 160 dollars. This, however, answered 
 but for a short period, as the yellow fever of 1822 not only filled all 
 the houses, but many more, which were run up in a few days, and 
 greatly increased the business ; so much so, that the neighborhood 
 petitioned " to further enlarge the same with another extension." 
 The Market Committee, on the 28th of October, report, "That they 
 have examined said market-house, and find the whole occupied by 
 butchers and hucksters, to the entire exclusion of country people. 
 The expense of building an addition thereto being very small, as 
 nearly all the materials are now in the public yard from the ' old 
 Fly Market,' they recommend that an addition oi fftyfeel be built 
 from the present market towards Washington Street," not to exceed 
 two hundred dollars, which was by resolution adopted. 
 
 A few years previous several violators of the law had managed 
 to escape conviction, in the selling of meat in the markets without 
 a license or permit. John Jenkins, however, had been convicted in 
 the month of September, 1821, of selling " meat on the stall of Mr. 
 Jeroleman in Spring Street Market," and fined twenty-five dollars 
 and costs; and at the same time Isaac Varian had also been convict- 
 ed and fined for selling " sheep and lamb in the lower Fly Market 
 without a permit, and in consequence of not paying the fine, were im- 
 prisoned." They both petition for relinquishment of fine. Varian 
 states : " That he is in very impoverished circumstances, and has a 
 wife and two children (all of whom are sick) dependent on his daily 
 labor and industry for their support and maintenance. Should your 
 honorable body be pleased to release your petitioner from said fine 
 and judgment, it will be the means of rescuing himself from imprison- 
 ment and want, and his family from suffering, &c." The Market 
 Committee, in the following month of October, state, " That as the 
 conviction of persons is frequently attended with great trouble and 
 difficulty, and as the laws should not be violated with impunity, 
 * ColumbiaD, December 5, 1818. 
 
SPRING STREET MARKET. 381 
 
 your Committee report against both Varian and Jenkins;" when it 
 was resolved, " that it will be inexpedient to grant the prayer of the 
 petitioners." 
 
 This enlargement appeared to answer but few years, as it was 
 again reported as being crowded ; and we find in 1828 twelve butch- 
 ers' stands occupied by the following persons : 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 Arnest Fink. 
 
 No 
 
 -. 2. 
 
 Abraham Lozier. 
 
 3. 
 
 John A. Fink. 
 
 
 4. 
 
 Jacob Siler. 
 
 5. 
 
 Henry Cornell. 
 
 
 6. 
 
 John Miller. 
 
 7. 
 
 Charles Reeves. 
 
 
 8. 
 
 James Reeves. 
 
 9. 
 
 Aaron Woodruff. 
 
 
 10. 
 
 James H. Haws. 
 
 11. 
 
 Lawrence Martin. 
 
 
 12. 
 
 James Reeves, Jun'r. 
 
 The occupant of No. 1, Mr. Arnest Fink, deserves a much better 
 sketch of his life than I am able to give ; but a rough notice will, I 
 hope, keep his many virtues living after the present generation has 
 ceased to exist. He was one of the sons of Adam Fink, and first 
 entered in business on No. 1, where he remained until this market 
 was taken down. He then purchased a stand in the Clinton Mar- 
 ket, where his name will be noticed again. He was one of the really 
 good, honest, kind-hearted gentlemen, whose memory and examples 
 should always live ; never rough, boisterous, nor showy, but always 
 the plain, pleasant, smiling individual, whose heart, hand, and purse 
 (which was large) were always open to the unfortunate, or the young 
 business man, whose means were smaller than his character. To 
 such he would render assistance to start in the world; lend his 
 money, and when paid, he would have no interest, not a cent above 
 the principal — " it was not lent as a broker or a bank, but as a 
 friend," he would say ; and if they were behind or unfortunate — 
 ■' pay me when you can ;" and he was seldom taken advantage of. I 
 knew him, almost from the time of my first recollection, and his 
 memory still lives, respected, not only by his old associates, but by 
 all those who were fortunate enough to have dealings with him. 
 
 One of those yet living friends, universally known and respected, 
 says in a letter to me, of this gentleman : " I was intimate with another, 
 whose manners were gentle, habits of proper virtue and religion, 
 who, in a long period of steady industry, became wealthy — who 
 never displayed it in any mode of living — who lent money most lib- 
 erally, but thought it wrong to take interest on such loans, and never 
 did. A better man has never come to my knowledge than this — he 
 has been dead many years — his name was Arnest Fink." Such is 
 the evidence of the Hon. Judge Henry Meigs, and is worthy of 
 record on any page. 
 
 In the year 1829 Clinton Market, which was to take the place of 
 
382 STATE PRISON MARKET. 
 
 this market, appeared nearly finished, and the butchers in this mar- 
 ket petitioned for stands to be assigned to them in the new market. 
 They were told by the Corporation : " If you want stands in the new 
 market, you must buy in competition with others." They then, on 
 the 16th of February, remonstrate against having all the stands sold, 
 " as they consider that, as they are to be removed from the stalls 
 they at present occupy, they are entitled to a preference of the stands 
 in Clinton Market." They were, however, not noticed with their 
 remonstrance ; and those who had money were obliged to purchase 
 at very high prices. This, no doubt, was the cause of the establish- 
 ment of the "meat-shops" in our city, as the taking away of one of 
 the butchers' stands, (Henry Cornell's,) who was unable to purchase, 
 led him to establish himself in a " meat-shop," where he was sup- 
 ported -by many of the citizens, who thought the Corporation had de- 
 prived him of his just rights, encouraged him in his then unlawful 
 acts ; and although often convicted, yet his friends assisted him to 
 baffle the Corporation, and, in fact, to make it appear that our "pub- 
 lic markets," as then conducted, were a monopoly. This led on 
 others to open " shops;" and although some were fined and imprison- 
 ed, yet they succeeded, and a law was established in their favor in 
 1843. 
 
 This old market-house was cleared and offered for sale, and on 
 the 4th of May following (1829) the Market Committee reported 
 " the sale of the old Spring Street Market for $53 cash ;" after, how- 
 ever, appropriating 35 feet to be removed to the Greenwich Market 
 for a shed, and 35 feet more to the Grand Street Market for the 
 same purpose. 
 
 "STATE PRISON MARKET." 
 
 1806. In the early part of the year 1804, two butchers, by the name 
 of John Chivvis and Francis White, Jun'r, put up a shed under some 
 large trees on the Greenwich Road, just below Christopher Street, 
 where they commenced selling their meats ; it was not long before 
 several butchers in the Spring Street Market sent in a petition, and 
 on the 22d of April it came before the Board, " praying that the 
 butchers at the State Prison may be removed." This petition does 
 not appear to have been noticed ; so, on the 6th July following, the 
 " Spring Street butchers remonstrate against the selling of meats at 
 
STATE PRISON MARKET. 383 
 
 Greenwich." This was referred to a Committee, and with it a peti- 
 tion from several of the inhabitants, for the establishment of a pub- 
 lic market-place, and one also from the two butchers, to sell meat at 
 " Greenwich, near the State Prison." A favorable report was made 
 on the 6th of May, 1806, and the Alderman and Assistant of that 
 (8th) "Ward were empowered to assign the new market-place. They 
 removed these squatters from their first location, down below Chris- 
 topher Street, on the road leading to the Prison and De Klyn's Ferry 
 to Jersey. The ferry started from about the present corner of Ham- 
 mond and Washington Streets, where this road then ended, on the 
 north ; on the south it ran along the shore of the Hudson River and 
 entered into the old "Road to Greenwich," about where it crosses 
 Clarkson Street. 
 
 The butchers in this " shed market" occupied stands. No. 1, John 
 Chivvis, and No. 2, Francis White, Jun'r ; and as to vegetables and 
 fish, the first were plenty around among the gardeners when in season, 
 while potatoes, cabbages, dried herbs, and salt fish were retailed at 
 old " Tine (Valentine) Kettleman's grocery," just above the prison. 
 Fine fish were caught, sometimes in great plenty, off the prison, in 
 the Hudson River, or the villagers were obliged to go to the city, 
 at the Catharine or Fly Markets, to procure them at certain seasons 
 of the year. 
 
 In 1810, Henry Merkler, in a petition, says, "he lately held stand 
 No. 2 in the market at the State Prison, wishes a stand in the Duane 
 Market," which was granted to him. 
 
 Near by was also kept the " Greenwich Hotel," somewhat fash- 
 ionable as a summer resort, where the stages run several times a 
 day to and from the city. "A few gentlemen may be accommodated 
 with board and lodging at this pleasant and healthy situation — a 
 few doors above the State Prison. The Greenwich stage passes 
 from this to the Federal Hall and returns five times each day."* 
 
 The State Prison, from which this market-place derived its name, 
 was built, or rather it was begun in the summer of 1796 and finished 
 in 1797, as appears from a part of the Governor's (John Jay) proc- 
 lamation, dated November 25, 1797, in which he says : " That the 
 State Prison, to be built in the City of New York, shall be consid- 
 ered as the State Prison for the whole State;" "and whereas the 
 State Prison in the City of New York is ready for the reception of 
 prisoners." He also directs all Sheriffs to convey criminals to the 
 
 same. 
 
 The building and grounds occupied about four acres ; that is, it 
 took in the space commencing from the present corner of Christo- 
 pher, and ran up Washington Street to about half way between 
 * Columbian, September 18, 1811. 
 
384 STATE PRISON MARKET. 
 
 Charles and Perry Streets, and then ran -westerly to West Street, 
 (with a break in the north line,) down West Street to Christopher, 
 and up that street to the corner of the starting-point. The whole 
 being surrounded with a heavy, high stone wall, and on the corners 
 of this wall were always to be seen the guards in uniform, marching 
 to and from with guns at a " support ;" and for protection from storms, 
 small round sentry-boxes were so placed that the whole inside yard 
 was in view. 
 
 Part of the main building, with the cupola, may yet be seen from 
 West Tenth (formerly Amos) Street, below Washington Street ; there 
 is also a part of the north wing, which fronts on, and is known as 
 No. 676 Washington Street. The first prisoners admitted into it is 
 noticed in the Daily Advertiser, December 1, 1797, as follows: "We 
 announce the opening of the new State Prison. The prisoners, to 
 the number of 70, were removed thither last Tuesday (28th of No- 
 vember) night." Among the first State prisoners was one which 
 Grant Thorburn thus describes : " One day I went up to the Park to 
 see a man hung ; after gazing two hours at the gallows, the rope, 
 and the iron ring in the end of the rope, the Sherifi' announced a re- 
 prieve ; I must own I was disappointed ; the man's name was Noah 
 Gardner. He kept a large shoe factory in Maiden Lane ; he was 
 found guilty of forgery, at that time a capital offence ; as the State 
 Prison was nearly finished, the Society of Friends induced the Gov- 
 ernor to remit the sentence. So he was sent to the State Prison for 
 life. Being a shoemaker, they found him a stool, leather, wax, knives, 
 lasts, and aids. Here commenced the State Prison manufactory of 
 shoes, which threatened to fill the country with convict boots and 
 mouse-traps. The masters, journeymen, and apprentices petitioned 
 the Assembly at Albany, who forbid the boot and shoe making, and 
 commenced the making of birch-brooms and mouse-traps. 
 
 " Noah and I were on social terms when he kept store in Maiden 
 Lane ; after he had been three years in the prison, I paid him a visit ; 
 he remarked, the first month he was in prison, he sat alone — after 
 the first criminal court, he welcomed three apprentices ; he learned 
 them to work, as thsy could steal no more. Every court sent him 
 a fresh supply ; now there were over 300, they sat in ten large rooms. 
 Noah being boss, superintendent, and master, he walked from room 
 to room with a stout cane in his hand, up one row and down another 
 among the stools, punishing the evil-doer and praising them who 
 done well ; thus having served the public seven years, the Friends 
 induced the Governor to grant an unconditional pardon. 'Now,' said 
 they to the Governor, 'you have saved a useful life ; he is a reformed 
 man.' They hired a store for him in Pearl Street, near Peck Slip, 
 bought his shoes, lent him money, endorsed his notes, &c. ; his shoes 
 
STATE PRISON MARKET. 385 
 
 were made by men who wrought in their own houses. He joined 
 the society, said thee and thou with the best of them. He was now 
 in the full tide of successful experiment. One day he cut out a pair 
 of boots ; on handing them to the journeyman, ' Friend,' said Noah, 
 ' thee must bring them boots on second day evening ; I promised them 
 to a customer.' 'You shall have them,' said the man. The boots did 
 not come home till third day evening. Noah was wroth ; he put 
 forth a long lecture on the horrors of disappointment. Says the 
 culprit, ' I am a poor man, have a wife and three children ; my wife 
 is sick, I had to nurse her and cook for the children — I was unable 
 to finish them sooner.' Noah would hear no excuse, but continued 
 the lecture ; the man waxed wroth ; he struck his hand on the coun- 
 ter, and exclaimed, ' I know it is a terrible thing to be disappointed ; 
 I remember going up to the Park to see you hung ; when the Sheriff 
 read the reprieve I never was so disappointed in my life.' Noah was 
 dumb ; he opened not his mouth, he paid the man for the boots, gave 
 him another pair to make, and ever after treated him kindly. 
 
 " Noah went on prospering and to prosper ; one day he borrowed 
 some extra sums, and got a number of extra endorsements ; these he 
 cashed in Wall Street ; that night he fled to parts unknown, taking 
 with him (to cheer him on the way) a beautiful young sister, the 
 daughter of one of his Friends ; he left a wife and children in New 
 York. After fifty years' inquiries, I never could find that any one 
 knew whither he went. Thus ended the first specimen of State 
 Prison reform." 
 
 There were seldom more than 250 convicts during the first ten 
 years after the prison was built, many of whom were employed by 
 the city on the roads, sewers, &c. Their summer dress was a jacket 
 and trowsers, made of linen cloth, of a brown color. The dress 
 worn in winter was of the same color, and made of woolen and 
 linen cloth. These clothes were all made in the prison; and when- 
 a convict was imprisoned a second time, he appeared distinguished 
 by a dress one-half red and the other half blue. 
 
 The composition and cost of their daily meals may be seen in the 
 following tables. For breakfast in the month of August, 1800, for 
 235 persons : 
 
 Ingredients. Cost. 
 
 1 peck of rye, $0 25 
 
 6^ quarts of molasses, 1 02 
 
 130 lbs. bread, of rye and Indian, - - - 1 95 
 
 Fuel used in cooking, 08 
 
 $3 30 
 Vol. I.— 25 
 
386 STATE PRISON MARKET. 
 
 Dinner in July for 225 persons, same year : 
 
 17 ox hearts, 
 
 7 ox heads, 
 
 6 lamb plucks, 
 
 1 peck potatoes, .... 
 
 3 lbs. of Indian meal, .... 
 
 ^ lb. pepper, 
 
 Fuel and herbs, 
 
 Supper in August for 218 persons, same year: 
 
 B62 lbs. of Indian meal, for mush, 
 1^ lbs. salt, -;---. 
 
 61 lbs. bread, 
 
 2 gals., 3 qts., and 7 gills molasses, 
 
 Fuel, 
 
 $1 63 
 
 1 09 
 
 19 
 
 - 15 
 
 04^ 
 
 - 10^ 
 
 24 
 
 $3 45 
 
 $ c. m. 
 
 $0 54 7^ 
 
 3 
 
 91 5 
 
 1 79 
 
 8 
 
 $3 36 2 
 
 At its first opening, the convicts were principally employed in 
 making shoes, which were sold in this city at its warehouse, which 
 
 is thus noticed : " State Prison Warehouse, No. 1 Beekman Slip. 
 
 A large and general assortment of shoes, made in the State Prison, 
 are now ready for sale, and offered to the public, wholesale and re- 
 tail, at prices cheaper than have been common for many years 
 past."* 
 
 For several years after it was organized, several desperate at- 
 tempts were made to break out ; and the first noticed was attempt- 
 ed by the shoemakers, in 1799. The "Press" states: "On Thurs- 
 day {\Mh June) afternoon a most daring attempt was made by 
 some of the convicts in the State Prison to make their escape. It 
 •originated with the shoemakers, who, to the number of 50 or 60« 
 work in the room called the Mechanics' Hall. They seized upon 
 their keepers and some of the prisoners, who they found not dis- 
 posed to join in the attempt; but they were soon discovered by the 
 guards and fired upon, wounding several, and the rest gave up."t 
 
 The Gazette says : " The Companies of the First Battalion of 
 Artillery were forming for review ; information came that the pris- 
 oners were forcing the gates and making their escape. The Com- 
 panies formed instantly, marched out to the prison on the run, and 
 were soon followed by many other uniformed companies ; " but the 
 tumult was quelled before their arrival. 
 
 Three or four days after, seven prisoners, however, did escape, 
 • Commercial Advertiser, July 16, 1798. f Patriotic Register, June 15. 
 
CORLAERS HOOK MARKET. 337 
 
 " under the cover of the darkness and storm ; but by what means, 
 we have not learned. They were confined in separate cells, and we 
 are told were naked when they left the prison walls behind them." 
 
 A desperate attempt to escape was made by about 40 of them in 
 1803, in the month of April. They rose on their keepers, secured 
 them, and made their way into the main yard, where they attempted 
 to get over the wall by placing board and other material together, 
 something in the form of a scaffold ; and, to create a greater con- 
 fusion, they set the prison on fire. However, the sentry observed 
 them in time to give the alarm ; the bell was rung, the guards as- 
 sembled, and the prisoners persisting, were fired upon, when several 
 were killed and badly wounded, before they would retire in their 
 cells. The fire was in the mean time put out by the keepers."* 
 
 The next year, however, they succeeded in destroying the north 
 wing by fire. The " Press" notice this, from which the following 
 is taken: "On the 7th of May, 1804, the city was alarmed by fire, 
 which proved to be the State Prison, and was not got under until 
 the north wing had been burnt down to the lower story ; damages 
 laid at 25,000 dollars. It was set on fire by some of the prisoners, 
 who, after locking up the keepers, went to the garret and set it on 
 fire : however, one, more humane than the rest, released the keep- 
 ers. Many of them at this time escaped." t Several other at- 
 tempts were made, and some successful, before their removal to 
 " Sing Sing," which took place with the male prisoners in the year 
 1828, and the females in the spring of 1829. I am indebted for 
 much of the above information to Mr. Joseph Crowell, (since de- 
 ceased,) who bought part of this property, when it was sold in the 
 month of May, 1829. 
 
 We now turn to this " old market-house," to find that when the 
 "Greenwich Market" was erected, (in 1812,) the butchers and oth- 
 ers were transferred from this shed into it, and the " State Prison 
 Market" ceased to exist as a public market-place. 
 
 "CORLAERS HOOK MARKET." 
 
 1806. Although this market-place and house were named 
 " Grand Street Market" when it was ordered built, yet it was after- 
 wards commonly known as "Corlaers Hook MarJcet," and "Corlaers 
 Market;" and as there was another market-house built many years 
 • Evening Post. f Ibid. 
 
388 CORLAERS HOOK MARKET. 
 
 after near this place, generally called and known in the Records as 
 " Grand Street Market" I have adopted for the former market the 
 common name, instead of the proper one ; however, it may have 
 been altered to " Corlaers Hook Market" soon after it was built, 
 without that fact appearing in the Records. 
 
 Corlaers Hook took its name from Jacobus Van Corlaer, (some- 
 what famous as a trumpeter under Governor Van Twiller,) who 
 owned a plantation located at this point. 
 
 On the 19th of May, 1806, the Board gave permission to Abra- 
 ham Cannon and others to erect a market-house, at their own ex- 
 pense, at the foot of Grand Street, (facing the present Goerick 
 Street,) and to be called " Grand Street Market." A. cellar was 
 built under it, at an expense of three hundred dollars. 
 
 In consequence of the market-house being placed too far on the 
 north side of Grand Street, the line of this street was changed at 
 this place ; but it was done by the then owners of the property, who 
 were anxious to have a public market-place located there, even at 
 a loss of the most valuable portion of their lots, some fifteen feet 
 of their fronts. 
 
 When the market-house was finished, butcher stand No. 1 was 
 granted to Thomas Winship, Sen'r ; and a short time after, stand 
 No. 2 came in possession of his brother, Samuel ; and the proceed- 
 ings show, after this period, it enjoyed the name as above desig- 
 nated. We find, in 1808, another stand was allowed William Shott ; 
 and two years after, George Hepburn and Samuel B. Kline were 
 permitted to have stands in "Corlaers Market;" then, the same 
 year, a Committee reported " that it would be proper to fix a 
 bell in ' Corlaers Hook Market;' " and the next year, " stand No. 3 
 in Corlaers Hook Market was granted to Samuel Raymond." 
 
 On the 25th of May, 1812, hand-bells were, by a resolution of the 
 Board, introduced in all the public market-houses, and "the Deputy 
 Clerks of the several markets, who shall ring the same, one-quarter 
 of an hour previous to the time" (which was fixed at 2 o'clock, P. M., 
 each day throughout the year,) "for the butchers to leave their 
 stalls." 
 
 In 1814, permission was granted to James Hunter, William Vail, 
 and others, to erect a fish market — to be attached to this market — 
 at their own expense ; but to be done under the direction of a Com- 
 mittee, who had it placed, by the influence of Mr. Hunter, before 
 his property ; the west end on a line of Mangin Street, and the east 
 end on the shore of the East River." (See Grand Street Market.) 
 
 The business here, at that period, was not sufficient to profitably 
 employ these two market-houses, and for a length of time the occu- 
 
CORLAERS HOOK MARKET. 389 
 
 pied stands were reduced to two; and afterwards this old market- 
 house was leased to Samuel Winship, for many years, at a nominal 
 rent, where he sold his meats ; and in the cellar below (which was 
 almost level with the street at this period, which had been previously 
 dug down,) he kept a bison, or buffalo, for several years, principally 
 for " baiting." In those days bull and bear baiting was in favor of 
 the law, and quite fashionable among a certain class of citizens. 
 
 Mr. Winship had many years before introduced this cruel sport 
 on "Bunker Hill," which he had inclosed inside the fortification, a 
 very high fence, and arranged seats like a circus, capable of seating 
 two thousand persons, without a cover, and charging each person a 
 " quarter of a dollar for admittance ;" and it was always full, they 
 being regularly advertised. In the centre of this "circus" was a 
 large cleared circle, where the animal was brought into, and 
 chained or tied fast to a large swivel ring fastened in the ground, 
 with a rope long enough for him to run around this circle. Then 
 bull-dogs were brought forth to worry him, and ofttimes were imme- 
 diately killed by the bull. But enough of these halting particulars. 
 
 After Bayard's Hill was dug down, Winship built another open 
 "circus" at the northwest corner of Broome and First (Christie) 
 Streets, where he continued the same cruel performance several 
 years ; and finally he fitted up another near this market, where he 
 occasionally baited this buffalo. 
 
 Mr. Winship was one of the sons of Colonel Bbenezer Winship, 
 noticed in the Bear Market, and a very large man, seldom weighing 
 less than 250 pounds, very fond of sport, jovial and free-hearted, or 
 rather benevolent. 
 
 After the streets had become regulated around this quarter of the 
 city, this old market-house stood so as to interrupt the travel past it. 
 A petition from the owners of property near by, in the month of 
 August, 1819, wish it removed ; and others, again, petition for it to 
 remain, and state they " have, in consequence of the advantage of 
 this market, given up the front part of their lots in order to have a 
 wide space for that purpose." The Market Committee, after ex- 
 amining the whole matter, reported on the 6th of September follow- 
 ing: " That there were two small market-houses at the lower end of 
 Grand Street, near the East River ; that the old market-house near 
 Goerick Street, built long before the streets in the vicinity were 
 regulated, occupied a necessary part of the carriage-way, and was 
 useless, while the {Grand Street) market erected a few years since, 
 near the river, would accommodate the neighborhood." The Board 
 adopted the following resolutions, which were submitted by the Mar- 
 ket Committee: "Besolved, That the Street Commissioner be in- 
 
390 DUANE STREET MARKET. 
 
 structed to sell at public auction the old market-house; and that the 
 same be remoTed, and the street filled up and leveled on or before 
 the 10th day of September next. 
 
 "Resolved, That the butchers who are licensed for stands in said 
 market be permitted to occupy stands in the market near the river, 
 and that the Market Committee be instructed to designate such 
 stands." 
 
 The cupola and bell were taken down and placed in the other 
 market-house, and the old materials were sold for $43 ; " the pur- 
 chaser removing the same, and filling up the cellars by the 20th 
 instant ;" and so ended the " Corlaers Hook Market." 
 
 "DUANE STREET MARKET." 
 
 1807. In the early part of the year 1805, nearly two hundred of 
 the inhabitants and freeholders of the Fifth Ward subscribed to a pe- 
 tition to the Board, for a market at the foot of Duane Street. In their 
 petition they state, " That the Corporation of Trinity Church, hav- 
 ing some years ceded to your Honorable Board certain lots of ground, 
 with a view that a public market should be erected at the lower 
 end of Duane Street ; that when it should cease to be used for that 
 purpose, it should revert to the donors. The petitioners have for 
 some time past been in the expectation of seeing some measures 
 adopted towards the accomplishment of that object, but have been 
 disappointed. That the population of this part of the city having 
 of late years greatly increased and still continuing to increase with 
 great rapidity, your Honorable Board must no doubt see the pro- 
 priety of extending to the inhabitants of this district an equal facil- 
 ity of procuring the necessaries of life as their fellow-citizens enjoy 
 in the other wards. They beg leave to state that this vacant space 
 remains entirely unoccupied, and they can conceive no purpose to 
 which it can be applied with equal propriety as to that of a public 
 market." 
 
 On the 13th of May following a Committee reported in favor of 
 allowing the petitioners to erect a market ; and further say, that 
 " Trinity Church having declared and reserved this place for a mar- 
 ket, the present proprietors of the property around it purchased at 
 an advanced price in consequence, and the improvements in the 
 neighborhood will warrant a market to be erected — they recom- 
 
DUANE STREET MARKET. 39I 
 
 mend that the inhabitants be permitted at their expense, agreeably 
 to the plan to be adopted." But it was not until the early part of 
 the year 1807 when the Board concluded to have a market-house 
 built on the west side of Washington, between Duane and Reade 
 Streets, and " that five hundred dollars be appropriated for making 
 a cellar under it." 
 
 In the month of October of that year, the market-house was ready 
 for business, and the Market Committee placed eight butchers' stands, 
 which were occupied by the following : 
 
 No. 1. Jacob Jeroleman, (S. side.) No. 2. Jacob Tier, Jr.,(N. side.) 
 3. William Mooney, do. 4. John Ludlum, do. 
 
 5. Thomas White, Jr., do. 6. William Gibson, do. 
 
 7. Henry Hoffman, do. 8. James Owens, do. 
 
 Hoffman declined to accept, and No. 7 was granted to Caleb 
 Couklin. The cellars were leased to John J. Westervelt, for five 
 years and six months, at the rate of 300 dollars per annum, and the 
 exclusive privilege was granted to Joseph Page for twelve months 
 to sell fish here. 
 
 It was the intention of the inhabitants around here to have named 
 it the "Washington Market," but it was never recognized as such 
 by the authorities; however, John Low, in his "Tables" at this 
 period, gives it this name, and locates it "between Reade and Duane, 
 in Washington Street." This was several years before the present 
 Washington Market was built or located. 
 
 In the month of February, 1809, William Mooney said, in a peti- 
 tion, "That in December last (1808) he relinquished his stand in 
 Duane Market, with the intention of leaving the city ; that circum- 
 stances have since altered that intention, and he is now desirous to 
 resume his former occupation ; that understanding Mr. George Cuth- 
 bert has applied for permission to sell small meat in the Fly Market, 
 which, if granted, the stand No. 7, occupied by him in Duane Mar- 
 ket, will become vacant, he prays that it may be granted to him, 
 more especially as towards the building thereof (this market) he con- 
 tributed the sum of fifty dollars, as will appear from the receipt of 
 the Collector ;" which was reported in favor. 
 
 Sitsanna Brookins, in the mpnth of March, 1810, petitioned for per- 
 mission to sell coffee in this market, and said, " Previous to her being 
 burnt out of the house in which she then occupied near Duane Mar- 
 ket, she had a license (permit) to sell coffee, &c., in the said mar- 
 ket ; that from the conflagration, your petitioner had to save her 
 life by jumping out of a window, and lost every article she then pos- 
 sessed ; in consequence of which she was obliged to leave the said 
 market. That she has a large family to support, and prays for a 
 permit to sell coffee as heretofore ;" which was granted to her. 
 
392 DUANE STREET MARKET. 
 
 As a place of business, after the year 1813, this market almosi 
 proved a failure, as most of the stands were changing their occu- 
 pants, or were often empty ; and no doubt the cause was from the 
 erection of the Washington Market, which soon attracted a large 
 share of the public patronage. 
 
 In 1816 a bell was placed on the top of the market-house, a favor- 
 able report having been made some six years previous to that effect. 
 Then we find two years after, (1818,) in the month of August, one 
 John Varick petitions for the ofi&ce of Deputy Clerkship of the 
 Duane, Greenwich, Centre, Essex, and Goveneur Markets. He 
 says, "he has been a regular-bred, and accustomed to the employ- 
 ment of a butcher, for nine years." His petition was referred to the 
 Committee, who found him honest, sober, and fit for the office ; and 
 they reported in his favor. 
 
 Only imagine that one man should be satisfactorily performing the 
 duties appertaining to five public market-places, when a large busi-; 
 ness was done in them ; where now, in the same number of small 
 market-places, we have some eight or ten Clerks, Collectors, and also 
 two Superintendents, who are paid very high salaries for not doing 
 what they ought, but doing a very great deal what they ought not 
 to do! 
 
 Never were our public markets conducted in so expensive and dis- 
 graceful manner as they have been under the present system. But 
 I am straying from my subject, and stepping along too fast into a 
 more corrupt age. 
 
 The business in 1818 had so much decreased, that the returns of 
 this year showed but two butchers who occupied stands in this mar- 
 ke':: John R. Tier, on No. 1, and Robert his brother, on No. 2; the 
 latter remained with it until it ceased to exist. 
 
 The only part of the market in which any considerable business 
 was done was the grocery store under it, where a great deal of 
 spirituous liquors were sold, which the Common Council objected 
 to, and denied Mr. A. Buckman, the lessee, the privilege under his 
 lease to do so. He then petitioned to sell liquors, but a Committee 
 reported, "to return him his money, and in future no license be 
 granted for this purpose under any public market." 
 
 About the year 1825 bale hay was introduced in our city, and a 
 few years after William Civill, the keeper of the public hay scale, 
 then located at the foot of Duane Street, leased the under part of 
 this market-house to store bale hay, which he used until it was taken 
 down. 
 
 After the "Clinton Market" was established, the business grew 
 still less, and but one butcher is found occupying a stand, the mar- 
 
GRAND MARKET-PLACE. 393 
 
 ket-house in a state of decay ; and in the montH of February, 1830, a 
 communication from Thomas Hertell, Elbert Herring, and others, 
 owners and occupants of property in the vicinity, " consenting to a 
 removal of the market, and that the same should remain open as a 
 public square, until the Corporation should think proper to rebuild 
 a market there." This was acted upon, and a Committee " report- 
 ed, April 19th, same year, to remove the market-house, and the 
 ground be regulated and paved." 
 
 Soon after the market-house was removed, Trinity Church claim- 
 ed and took possession of the land, which, according to the terms, 
 reverted to them again ; and for the further disposition, I am much 
 indebted to the Rev'd Jesse Pound, formerly of " St. Matthew's," 
 (Christopher Street,) who writes me that Trinity Church then gave 
 it " to the Church of St. George the Martyr, then in charge of the 
 Rev'd Moses Marcus, and designed for the accommodation and ben- 
 efit of English emigrants. The Church edifice, which it was con- 
 templated to erect thereon, was never built. Mr. Marcus exchanged 
 the old market site in Duane Street, with the City Authorities, for 
 about 20 lots of city property, which that noble institute, St. Luke's 
 Hospital, now occupies." 
 
 "GRAND MARKET-PLACE." 
 
 1807. In the year 1807, a large, or " Grand Market-Place," was 
 laid out by the Commissioners, Gouverneur Morris, Simeon De 
 Witt, and John Rutherford, and enacted by the people of the State 
 of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, on the 3d of 
 April of that year. 
 
 This "Grand Market-Place" took in Tompkins Square, and ran 
 to the East River ; or bounded on the north by Tenth Street, south 
 by Seventh Street, east by the East River, and west by the First 
 Avenue. 
 
 The Commissioners, in their remarks, say: "Another large space 
 — which in no distant period will be required for a public market. 
 The City of New York contains a population already sufficient to 
 place it in the rank of cities of the second order, and is rapidly 
 advancing towards a level with the first. It is perhaps no unrea- 
 sonable conjecture, that in a half a century it will be closely built 
 up to the northern boundary of the 'Parade,' (thisf 'Parade' eoa- 
 * Map of the City of New York, by William Bridges, 1807. 
 
394 GRAND MARKET-PLACE. 
 
 tended from Twenty-first Street up to Thirty-fourth Street, west by 
 Seventh Avenue, and east by the Third Avenue,) and contain 400,000 
 souls." 
 
 Of the produce brought to our market, such as butchers' meat, 
 poultry, fish, game, vegetables, and fruit, they say: " The dealers in 
 those articles will also find it convenient, and so will those from 
 whom they purchase, to meet at one general mart. This has a tend- 
 ency to fix and equalize prices over the whole city. To a person 
 engaged in profitable business, one hour spent in market is fre- 
 quently worth more than the whole of what he purchases ; and he is 
 sometimes obliged to purchase a larger quantity than he has occa- 
 sion to use, so that the surplus is wasted. Moreover, the time spent 
 by those who bring articles of small value from the country, in re- 
 tailing them out, bears such great proportion to the articles them- 
 selves, as to increase the price beyond what it ought to be. In 
 short, experience having demonstrated to every great aggregation 
 of mankind the expediency of such arrangement, it is reasonable to 
 conclude that it will be adopted hereafter, and therefore it is proper 
 to provide for it now. The place selected for this purpose is a salt 
 marsh, and, from that circumstance, of inferior price, though, in re- 
 gard to its destination, of greater value than other soil. The mat- 
 ter dug from a large canal through the middle, for the admission of 
 market-boats, will give a due elevation and solidity to the sides ; 
 and m a space or more than S,000 feet long, and upwards of 800 
 wide, there will, it is presumed, after deducting what is needful for 
 the canal and market, be sufficient room for carts and wagons, with- 
 out incommoding those whose business or curiosity may induce them 
 to attend it." 
 
 On the 12th of March, 1812, a resolution was passed to petition 
 to the Legislature for power to reduce or discontinue this market- 
 place, which I think was not immediately done ; although we find 
 three years after, on the 6th of March, (1815,) " the bill for the al- 
 teration of this ' Grand Market-Place ' was approved, and directed 
 to be duly authenticated ;" which no doubt was to reduce it, by tak- 
 ing two avenues off of the west end. 
 
 In 1817, Poppleton's Map of the City shows this market-place as 
 laid out, where we find (which is also within my recollection) a nat- 
 ural creek ran up nearly to the First Avenue, directly through the 
 centre of it; the mouth of which lie between "Manhattan Island" 
 below it, and "Burnt Mill Point" above it. "Branda Munah 
 Point," we boys used to call it, was a great fishing, and also a 
 swimming-place. " Manhattan Island" was a small knoll, contain- 
 ing perhaps an acre of land, lying near Avenue D, just above 
 
COLLECT MARKET. 395 
 
 Houston Street. When I first knew it, several creeks were crossed 
 on small wooden bridges to reach it. 
 
 This "reduced" market-place now stood bounded on the west by 
 Avenue C ; the others remaining same as before. Nothing was 
 done with it until 1823, when we find, on the 7th of July, a peti- 
 tion from Thomas L. Ogden, Nicholas Fish, and others, before the 
 Board. " They wish the Corporation either to take the property 
 thus placed at their disposition, or to renounce altogether the right of 
 doing so. Justice requires that they should make the election, and 
 that private rights and interests should be no longer suspended and 
 sacrificed upon the mere speculative anticipations of the Commis- 
 sioners, without any ascertained benefit to the public. They pray 
 that the land designated as a public market-place may be taken by 
 the Corporation, upon a just equivalent to the proprietors, or that 
 the right to it may be removed and renounced. That your Honor- 
 able Body will be pleased to make such application for the purpose 
 to the Legislature as may be requisite." 
 
 A Committee reported, and in the end Resolved, "That all right 
 and claim of the Corporation to the land on the East River, be- 
 tween Seventh and Tenth Streets, appropriated for a market-place, 
 ought to be released to the owners of the said land." 
 
 This was followed, on the 15th December following, with a re- 
 port from the " Committee on Applications, to whom was referred 
 the draft of a memorial and law for regulating the market-place in 
 the meadows near Stuyvesant's land." They find it to agree with 
 the report of the Committee, and Resolved, " That the memorial be 
 executed ; that, together with the law, be forwarded to the Legisla- 
 ture, at their next session." 
 
 Their action deprived the people of this valuable market-place, 
 if it had been carried out as originally intended. 
 
 "COLLECT MARKE T." 
 
 1809. Not far from Broadway, near Cortlandt Alley, on the 
 south side of Walker Street, once stood a long wooden shanty, dig- 
 nified with the name of a market, established through the instru- 
 mentality of Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, who, with several of the citi- 
 zens, had early wished for a public market in that neighborhood, 
 but the Board had refused their sanction. However, in the year 
 
396 COLLECT MARKET. 
 
 1809, the Doctor induced two butchers, or rather one was a butch- 
 eress, with as many hucksters, to locate here. For further informa- 
 tion I am much indebted to that highly-esteemed gentleman, the 
 late Dr. John W. Francis, for the following communication : 
 
 "Associated with the origin of the ' Collect Market' may be cited 
 an instance of the zeal and efforts ef the late distinguished philoso- 
 pher. Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, in the furtherance of that undertak- 
 ing. He had announced to several of his friends the contemplated 
 project, and in order to facilitate the measure, he had engaged cer- 
 tain butchers and hucksters to occupy places on the selected site. 
 Thither he repaired at early morn daily, for the purchase of sup- 
 plies ; and, with that singular indifference to public remark which 
 so eminently characterized him, burdened himself with his basket 
 of vegetables and his meats, and proceeded through Broadway to 
 his residence in White Street, announcing to all inquirers the new 
 organization, and its admirable and ample accommodation for the 
 thrifty housekeepers of that section of the city. He was admitted 
 to have proved an excellent advertisement for the new institution. 
 At this time he was deeply engaged with his 'History of the Fishes' 
 which may be found in the bay and rivers of New York ; and public 
 curiosity being alive to his researches on that branch of natural 
 history, not then much explored, he enhanced the importance of the 
 Collect Market as a fish market. The learned Doctor unquestion- 
 ably drew many customers to that, as a convenient and responsible 
 mart." 
 
 The success of the butcher and butcheress — Joseph Blackwell 
 and Elizabeth Crawbuck — and others, induced the Common Council 
 to recognize it as a "public market;" and the introduction of other 
 butchers — the brothers William and Thomas Mook, John Graham, 
 Cornelius Vanderburgh, Mathew Bird, George Paff, and Mathew 
 Buchannan. 
 
 Unfortunately for the butchers. Dr. Mitchell was deceived as to the 
 ownership of the grounds chosen ; for, after the erection of the sheds, 
 the selected spot was found to belong to Peter Jay Munroe, who, as 
 soon as it was fairly established, demanded of the butchers " ten 
 dollars apiece for the use of the grounds, and threatened to prose- 
 cute them unless the sum was not forthwith paid ; " and they were 
 obliged to pay this sum, which at that period was considered a tall 
 transaction, when many owners of such kind of property would 
 have been glad to have given sufficient space for the benefits of 
 having a public market near them. Several of the occupants of the 
 stands left, whether in consequence of the demands of Munroe or 
 not, I do not know ; but other applications soon followed ; one of 
 
COLLECT MARKET. 397 
 
 which, named William Dusenberry, petitions "for stall No. 4," 
 near the Collect, or " Collect Market," and wishes to occupy it in 
 his own name. But the butchers " pray of your Honors not to 
 grant unto William Dusenberry a stand in the temporary market 
 by the Arsenal, as the said subscribers can prove he is no butcher, 
 nor ever was." Signed by 
 
 No. 1. John Parcells. No. 2. Joseph Blackwell. 
 
 3. Mathew Flagar. 4. Formerly Mrs. Crawbuck. 
 
 5. John Simonson. 6. Martin Lemon. 
 
 7. William Lowree. 8. John Fitzgerald. 
 
 9. Isaac Beyea. 10. William Mook. 
 
 We find this market-place is sometimes called the "Arsenal Mar- 
 ket," "Mosquito Market;" but usually known as the "Collect Mar- 
 ket." In an advertisement,* April, 1813, headed " Extraordinary I 
 To all Lovers of Fat, Beef. — Joseph Blackwell, 2 ' Collect Market,' 
 near the Panorama, Broadway, takes the liberty of informing them 
 that he will have on Saturday, the 10th inst., in said market, beef 
 of the most superior quality ever offered for sale in this country." 
 This animal proved to be the heaviest ever known before in New 
 York City — the weight of his four quarters, in beef, was near 1,900 
 pounds. 
 
 The next year, also, in the month of April, is found in the Press : 
 "To the Lovers of Fat Beef. — This is to inform the public that there 
 will be offered for sale, by Joseph Blackwell and Jeremiah Tier, at 
 No. 1 and No. 11, in the market, near the Circus, in Broadway, 
 {corner of White Street^ on Saturday, the 30th instant, beef of a 
 superior quality than any ever offered for sale in this city, and it is 
 believed never has been equaled in the United States. This steer 
 is only six years old, and was bred and fatted by Mr. John Seabright, 
 near Albany, in the State of New York. It is allowed by old ex- 
 perienced butchers that this steer will weigh eighteen hundred 
 weight, and have more fat than any beast has ever produced in the 
 United States. N. B. — This is the ox that was exhibited through the 
 streets on the 27th instant." 
 
 Many years before this market-place was established, Mr. Black- 
 well commenced business in a temporary shed in Broadway, near 
 the corner of White Street, but was induced to move by Dr. Mitchell, 
 as was also Mrs. Elizabeth Crawbuck. She, after losing her husband, 
 (Godfrey Crawbuck,) petitioned to the Common Council in 1809, 
 representing " she had permission to sell meat in a vacant lot fi'ont- 
 ing to Broadway, near Reade Street; that a building is shortly to be 
 erected on the ground ; she will have to remove. She can obtain 
 leave from the owner of a lot of ground above the Arch in Broad- 
 
 * Daily Gazette. 
 
398 COLLECT MARKET. 
 
 way (Leonard Street) to put her stall on, and she has no other means 
 of supporting her helpless family, among whom is a crippled son." 
 The Common Council granted her permission to remove ; but she 
 did not remain long here before she again removed in the Collect 
 Market. She was an excellent saleswoman, and succeeded in sup- 
 porting her family while in business. 
 
 The name of "Collect" originated from the Dutch of "Kalck 
 Hook,"* given to a point of land on the shore of the (Colleck, or 
 Kolck,) pond, the site of an old Indian village. This location was 
 near the Halls of Justice in Centre Street ; but all the low grounds 
 extending above to the " Stone Bridge," corner of Canal and Broad- 
 way, were filled in, and within my recollection was called the " Col- 
 lect," and this " The Market on the Collect." 
 
 In the month of March, 1817, a petition was before the Board 
 from more than seventy-five citizens residing in the vicinity of this 
 market-place, who wish to have it removed to some other part of 
 the Collect grounds, as the old market shed is in a falling-down con- 
 dition, and the grounds were wanted for other purposes. A Com- 
 mittee reported in favor of the above in the month of June fol- 
 lowing, and state, "That after due investigation, they have fixed 
 on a site along Collect (Centre) Street, from Anthony to Leonard 
 Streets, on the grounds belonging to the Corporation. This piece 
 of ground is in length on Collect Street 183 feet, averaging about 
 110 feet deep, and by taking 25 feet for a market and 25 feet for a 
 street or passage in front of the remaining grounds, will leave suffi- 
 cient depth for buildings adapted to the purposes for which they 
 would be occupied. It is believed a market-house of 75 feet in length 
 would answer all present purposes, leaving sufficient room to extend 
 it as circumstances may require. An area of 108 feet by 50 feet, 
 together with a part of Collect Street, (which is 60 feet wide,) pre- 
 sents ample room for the purposes of a vegetable market." 
 
 The whole cost to be about $2,000. The project was not carried 
 out, however, by the Board, as the majority were in favor of hav- 
 ing it established above Grand Street. The butchers, with several 
 others, were opposed to its removal above this street ; but when they 
 found the report and resolution in favor, they again petitioned for 
 stands in the new market. This was signed by 
 
 Thomas Harrison, 
 
 on No 
 
 . 1. 
 
 Joseph Blackwell, 
 
 on No. 2. 
 
 William H. Gross, 
 
 
 3. 
 
 John Hilliker, 
 
 " 4. 
 
 John Simonson, 
 
 
 r. 
 
 William Reeves, 
 
 " 6. 
 
 Thomas Mook, 
 
 
 7. 
 
 William Bowen, 
 
 " 8. 
 
 James Simonson, 
 
 
 9. 
 
 William Mook, 
 
 " 10. 
 
 John A. Besler, 
 
 
 11. 
 
 Mathew Boscawen, 
 
 " 12. 
 
 ' Valentine's New York. 
 
GREENWICH MARKET. 399 
 
 Some little changes were, however, made before they left the old 
 market ; but all were removed according to their wish, and the old 
 shell was soon after torn down. 
 
 "GREENWICH MARKET." 
 
 1812. In the month of April, 1812, a petition from the inhabit- 
 ants of the " Village of Greenwich," for a public market-place, was 
 presented to the Common Council, and this, with a proposition from 
 the Corporation of Trinity Church, and also a communication from 
 Mr. Garrit Gilbert, containing a liberal offer of a " lot of ground 
 25 feet on Greenwich Street and 50 feet on Henry {Perry) Street, 
 and the building of a market-house thereon," were all referred to the 
 Market Committee, who reported, on the 5th of October following, 
 on the proposition made by the Corporation of Trinity Church, which 
 met their approbation. "The Vestry of the Church oflfer to make 
 a cession of a piece of ground, to be used for a public market, 50 feet 
 wide on the south side of Christopher Street, extending in length on 
 a line of the said street from Greenwich to Washington Streets ; on 
 condition, however, that when said ground shall cease to be so used, 
 it shall then revert back again." The proposition was considered 
 very liberal, and recommended the acceptance thereof; and also an 
 offer of one hundred and fifty dollars, formerly made towards build- 
 ing on the property of Mr. Gilbert, be applied towards erecting a 
 market-house on the ground now offered to be ceded. This report 
 was approved, and the market was built, with the west end on a line 
 of Washington Street, running up on the southerly side of Christo- 
 pher Street towards Greenwich Street. On the 18th of June, 1813, 
 the building was reported finished, and the Market Committee rec- 
 ommended the following butchers for stands in " Greenwich Mar- 
 ket;" "but previous to taking possession thereof, they shall ascer- 
 tain by lot who shall be entitled to the choice," which resulted as 
 follows : 
 
 No. 1. James Reeves. No. 2. Adam Tenbrook. 
 
 3. Frederick Glasshorne. 4. Adam Fink. 
 
 5. George Patten. 6. John Tenbrook. 
 
 The name of " Greenwich," we find, was applied to " Spring Street 
 Market" at an early period; but as it was not the proper one, we 
 did not introduce the origin of the name in its history ; and as this 
 
400 GREENWICH MARKET. 
 
 market-place was never kno-wn by any other name than " Greenwich 
 Market," it was thought proper to introduce such evidence here. 
 
 The name of "Greenwich" is taken from a very old town, some 
 four or five miles from London, on the south bank of the River 
 Thames. Here are many public establishments, among which are 
 the famous and noble Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich Observatory 
 and beautiful parks, and where many families of wealth reside, be- 
 sides being a favorite resort of holiday seekers from the great City 
 of London. 
 
 Not less than eight towns in the United States have been named 
 after it: we have Greenwich in Hampshire Co., Mass.; Greenwich, 
 Fairfield Co., Conn.; (rreewwic/i, "Washington Co., N. Y. ; Green- 
 wich, Warren Co., N. J. ; another Greemvich in Gloucester Co., and 
 still another Greemvich in Cumberland Co., same State ; Greenwich 
 in Berks Co., Penn. ; and Greenwich in Huron Co., Ohio. 
 
 " Greenwich " was given here to a collection of country-seats on 
 the North River about the year 1750, which included "Lady War- 
 ren's,"* (the present residence of Abraham Van Ness, which origin- 
 ally comprised nearly the whole of the present 9th Ward,) J. Jeaun- 
 cey's, William Bayard's, and Oliver Delancey's estates, measuring 
 about one mile in extent, commencing from about Hamersley and 
 running up to Seventeenth Street. Greenwich Street was a part 
 of the old " Road to Greenwich," afterwards " Greenwich Road," 
 finally changed to " Greenwich Street." 
 
 The visits of yellow fever in 1798, '99, 1803, and '5, tended much 
 to increase the formation of a village, near the " Spring Street Mar- 
 ket," and one also near the "State Prison ;" but the " fever of 1822" 
 built up many streets, with numerous wooden buildings, for the uses 
 of the merchants, banks, (from which Bank Street took its name,) 
 offices, &c. ; and the celerity of putting up those buildings is better 
 told by the Rev'd Mr. Marcellus, who informed me, that " he saw 
 corn growing on the present corner of Hammond and Fourth Streets 
 on a Saturday morning, and on the following Monday ' Sykes & 
 Niblo' had a house erected capable of accommodating three hundred 
 boarders." Even the Brooklyn ferry-boats ran up here daily. 
 
 " Hardie," in his account of the fever of 1822, says, " Saturday, 
 the 24th August, our city presented the appearance of a town be- 
 sieged. From daybreak till night one line of carts, containing boxes, 
 merchandise and effects, were seen moving towards ' Greenwich Vil- 
 lage' and the upper parts of the city. Carriages and hacks, wagons 
 and horsemen, were scouring the streets and filling the roads ; per- 
 sons with anxiety strongly marked on their countenances, and with 
 * Her husband, Sir Peter Warren, died in Dublin, ^9th Jul;, 1752, aged 48 years. 
 
GREENWICH MARKET. 401 
 
 hurried gait, were hustling through the streets. Temporary stores 
 and offices were erecting, and even on the ensuing day (Sunday) carts 
 were in motion, and the saw and hammer busily at work. Within 
 a few days thereafter, the Custom-House, the Post-Of&ce, the Banks, 
 the Insurance Offices, and the printers of newspapers located them- 
 selves in the village, or in the upper part of Broadway, where they 
 were free from the impending danger ; and these places almost in- 
 stantaneously became the seat of the immense business usually car- 
 ried on in the great metropolis." 
 
 In order to designate these two villages or places, the one at the 
 State Prison was usually known as the " Upper Village of Green- 
 wich," and the one about Spring Street, near the North River, was 
 called the " Lower Village of Greenwich." 
 
 In the year 1819 this market-house was enlarged and a cellar wall 
 put under it, at an expense of $575, which gave those doing business 
 in it much more convenience, and the means of preventing their 
 meats and vegetables from freezing. 
 
 In 1822 Jacob Seller (Syler) petitioned for a butcher's stand in 
 this market, and the Market Committee reported in his favor ; and 
 they also " beg leave to represent that, in their opinion, the public 
 interest would be promoted by vesting His Honor the Mayor with 
 power to license all persons as butchers, who may be from time to 
 time recommended by the Market Committee. It frequently hap- 
 pens, as in the present (Seller's) case, that nearly a month elapses 
 after a petition is dated before the applicant is informed whether 
 the prayer of his petition is granted, during all which time the stall 
 remains unoccupied, and the public lose the rent; whereas, if the 
 power to license was in the Mayor, it would require but a very few 
 days to decide on every application;" and they offer the following: 
 "Resolved, That His Honor the Mayor be authorized to license all 
 such persons as butchers as may be recommended by the Market 
 Committee, and that he be requested to report from time to time 
 the names of all such persons as he shall have licensed ;" which was 
 adopted. 
 
 So particular were the Corporation in granting licenses to young 
 butchers, that they were not only required to serve a regular ap- 
 prenticeship, but their conduct and morals were also particularly 
 considered ; and I have met with but one case where a license was 
 granted under age, and this was a partnership in one stand. In the 
 case of Samuel S. Cornell and William P. Munson, who apply for 
 stand No. 52 " Fly Market," in the month of May, 1821, after they 
 had proved regular apprenticeships served, the father of one of them 
 stated, that " one of the above applicants is my son. As he is not 
 Vol. I.— 26 
 
402 GREENWICH MARKET. 
 
 quite twenty-one years of age, knowing that it is contrary to the 
 laws of the Corporation to grant permission to any butcher under 
 age, I take the liberty to state, that should the Committee give the 
 stall above alluded to, I shall consider it a favor particularly done 
 to me. Mr. Cornell is about three-and-twenty years old ; I know 
 he has served a regular time to the business. I will obligate my- 
 self to pay the rent of the stall, and to see that their conduct is 
 good." The Market Committee " Eesolved, Th&t they be licensed 
 for stall No. 52 Fly Market." 
 
 Prior to the year 1825, one Clerk of the Market attended to the 
 duties of collection of moneys, and in fact had the whole charge of 
 this market, and five others, without the aid of a " Superintendent 
 of Markets," viz.: Greenwich, Spring Street, Centre, Essex, Grand 
 Street, and Goveneur Markets. Peter Ammerman performed this 
 duty when a large business was done in all of them, but it was 
 found too much for the old man, and in the month of April of the 
 above year the Market Committee ^^ Resolved, That the office of the 
 Clerk of the six upper markets be divided, and that Peter Ammer- 
 man continue to perform the duties of Clerk of the Essex, Grand 
 Street, and Goveneur Markets during the pleasure of the Board, 
 and that a new Clerk be appointed for Centre, Spring Street, and 
 Greenwich Markets ; " and the pay less than one dollar per day, as 
 we find that the Market Committee, in the month of October, 1827, 
 reported in favor of allowing Mr. James Gilbert, of Spring Street, 
 Centre, and Greenwich Markets, one dollar per day — every day 
 commencing 1st of August of that year. 
 
 At this period we find six markets attended to by one man, at 
 likely less than one dollar per day — is 365 dollars; while at the 
 present day we are saddled with a Clerk to each market, besides 
 Collectors and a Superintendent, at a cost of not less than |8,000 to 
 the city, besides the enormous sums that are made — nay, demanded — 
 from occupants. Comment is unnecessary. 
 
 In 1828 this market-house was again enlarged, and soon after ten 
 butchers' stands are found occupied, and but one of the original six 
 is found among them. They appeared as follows : 
 
 No. 1. Dennis Valentine. No. 2. Hebron Hurd. 
 
 3. Bussing Valentine. 4. Joseph Jacacks. 
 
 5. William B. Mirrick. 6. William Searles. 
 
 7. Jeremiah Kilpatrick. 8. Caleb Angevine. 
 
 9. Charles Gilman. 10. Gabriel Duryea. 
 
 From the establishment of this market-place, the business was 
 generally good, more especially in the summer season, as many 
 persons moved and boarded in Greenwich Village ; and after 1822 
 
GREENWICH MARKET. • 403 
 
 it continued to grow better ; in fact, so much so, it increased to ten 
 stands in 1828 ; and in 1832 fourteen stands are found occupied, and 
 but one of those left, as noticed in 1828. They were then found on 
 No. 1. Daniel S. Hyde. No. 2. Henry Pray. 
 
 3. William B. Mirrick. 4. Milton Jacacks. 
 
 5. James Reeves, Sen'r. 6. James H.Houghtalin. 
 
 7. Thomas Reeves. 8. Jared Goodheart. 
 
 9. Weigh scales. 10. William Piercey. 
 
 11. Andrew Poshay. 12. George Goodheart. 
 
 13. Isaac Valentine. 14. William Goodheart. 
 
 The occupant of No. 1, Daniel S. Hyde, in an advertisement, 
 claims to have sold the first pair of Premium Cattle in Greenwich 
 Village. He says : " These oxen are six years old, and raised by 
 J. M. Meeker, Esq. They obtained the first premium at the Orange 
 Cattle Show, New Jersey ; and he feels a pride in having the honor 
 of presenting to the Village of Greenwich i]iQ first pair of ' Prize' 
 steers ever exhibited in this part of the Island." 
 
 After this period the trade began to fall off; and when the es- 
 tablishment of Jefferson Market took place, (in 1833,) the butchers' 
 stands began gradually to be unoccupied, and finally reduced down 
 to the number of two ; in fact, the business had fallen off so much, and 
 the market-house became so uninviting, in consequence of neglect and 
 its age, that the Common Council, on the 28th of May, 1835, or- 
 dered it to be taken down, and " the grounds paved, and appropri- 
 ated for market purposes;" fearing that, if it was not so '^appro- 
 priated," Trinity Church would claim possession, because of the 
 violation of the contract made with that "Church," that the 
 grounds should be always used for market purposes. 
 
 I feel, however, satisfied that if the inhabitants and owners of the 
 property in the neighborhood should, at their own expense, erect 
 thereon a small, neat market-house, petition to have it made a 
 public market, without the incubus of a public officer attached to it, 
 and allow butchers and others to go in free of rent, except so much 
 as to keep it in repair, it would tend greatly to increase the busi- 
 ness, as well as the value of their property. 
 
404 " GOVENEUR MARKET. 
 
 "GOVENBUR MARKET." 
 
 1812. At a meeting of the Board held on the 20th of July, 1812, 
 a Committee reported in favor of allowing Christian Berg and 
 several residents and owners of property in the vicinity of Goveneur's 
 Slip to erect a market-house at their own expense. They immedi- 
 ately proceeded with it, and in less than six weeks it was ready for 
 occupation. The Market Committee recommended stand No. 1 be 
 granted to William Mooney, in consideration of its being the wish 
 of all those who contributed towards building the said market ; and 
 that five next succeeding numbers be granted to the following ap- 
 plicants, as they may respectively draw them by lot, viz. : Eichard 
 Ford, Charles Myers, Stephen Smack, James Goodman, and Richard 
 Kennah." 
 
 This market-house was a small affair — in fact, the smallest in the 
 city at that period ; its location was a little north and east from 
 the present one, and its cost but $357. V/o ; two hundred and twenty 
 of, which was raised by subscription, and the balance was paid by 
 Mr. Berg; but who afterwards petitions to the Corporation to have 
 them refund the money. On the 29th of March, 1813, it was or- 
 dered that the Comptroller pay $137.yVo to Christian Berg, to re- 
 imburse him this payment. 
 
 The name of "Goveneur" was taken from a family of that name 
 who owned a large estate here, and which also gave the name to 
 " Goveneur Street," which ran through this property. 
 
 Its business commencement was rather flattering, but after a few 
 years it began to decrease ; the stands were vacated and occupied 
 alternately ; seldom above three stands of the butchers were occu- 
 pied or doing business there until about 1820, when that part of the 
 city had greatly increased with tenement-houses, ship-building, &c. 
 
 In 1824 a petition was before the Board from the citizens near 
 this location, asking for a new market-house, "or the old one moved 
 fronting the street and repaired ; for as it now stands it is too low, 
 and a considerable distance from the street;" "and a great incon- 
 venience, especially in the winter season." 
 
 Another and a more numerously signed petition was before the 
 Board on the 31st of July, 1826, which states : " That it is in a bad 
 situation, in consequence of the length of time it has been standing 
 without any repairs, and its situation on the slip. A part of the 
 
GOVENETJR MARKET. 405 
 
 floor is below the surface of the pavements ; the roof leaks ; one or 
 more of the corner posts are entirely gone; every heavy rain over- 
 flows the floor, and renders it almost impossible to stand in the mar- 
 ket ; holes are bored through the floor to drain off the water ; that 
 water collects under the market, stagnates, and becomes in warm 
 weather almost insupportable. The consequence is, butchers will 
 not locate there, and the inhabitants are put to great inconvenience, 
 and are obliged, in many cases, to go to Catharine Market for sup- 
 plies." The Market Committee reported: "They find it the same — 
 in a very decayed state, and totally unfit for use. That in conse- 
 quence of the rapid improvement in that part of the city, a new 
 market is very much wanted at that place, and the probable expense 
 of erecting about five hundred dollars." The Board resolved to 
 build accordingly, and the new market was finished in the month 
 of January of the next year. 
 
 On the 12th of February following, the Market Committee re- 
 ported the sale of four stands at public auction, and two by private 
 contract, as follows : " That on the second day of February, stands 
 Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6, in the new Goveneur Market, for the sum of one 
 hundred and fifteen dollars for the whole, for fifteen months, from 
 1st inst. ; and have, by private contract, let stand No. 1, at the 
 yearly rent of $60, and stand No. 2 at the yearly rent of $45, for 
 the same period ; making altogether two hundred and twenty dol- 
 lars per annum, or equal to eleven per cent, on the cost of the 
 market, estimated at $2,031. yVo ;" and when the grounds ceased to 
 be used for public market purposes, they were to revert back to the 
 original owners. The six stands were then occupied by the follow- 
 ing butchers: 
 
 No. 1. Henry Hyde. No. 2. "William P. Yarian. 
 
 3. Adolphus Odell. 4. Joseph B. Smith. 
 
 5. John Crawbuck. 6. Joseph Perdon. 
 
 The terms were, " the first quarter's rent on each stand paid in 
 advance;" and the old market building was soon after sold to 
 Henry Hyde, for the sum of forty dollars. 
 
 Although there were six stands leased, yet the business was not 
 again enough to support them, as the next year the returns showed 
 but two occupied, one by Henry Hyde, and the other by John Bos- 
 cawen. 
 
 Henry Hyde, the occupant of No. 1, was long established here, 
 and as a butcher he was among the best in his day, being an excel- 
 lent judge of stock, and while in business he always sold the best 
 and choicest meats. He was extensively known on Long Island 
 among those who raised and fatted stock, and they had so much con- 
 
406 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 fidence in Mm, that many fine animals were sent to him, without first 
 making the price, as he always gave them satisfactory returns ; and 
 of course '' there was no butcher like Henry Hyde," and they were 
 not far from the truth. 
 
 In the year 1834 the business was again quite promising; we, 
 however, find but one of those noticed in 1827. On 
 
 No. 1. Henry Hyde. No. 2. John Mills. 
 
 3. Alex'r J. Brown. 4. John Cornell. 
 
 5. Gabriel Duryea. 6. Christian Truss. 
 
 This reputation of prosperity was not of long duration, as the 
 trade was attracted to the numerous "meat-shops" in the neighbor- 
 hood, and the market became almost deserted, with, I believe, one 
 exception, for a long time. However, in 1848 four stands are occu- 
 pied by the following butchers : 
 
 No. 1. Henry Hyde. No. 2. Andrew Storms. 
 
 3. Stephen Storms. 4. John Cornell. 
 
 Soon after a petition for a new market was presented, and in 1852 
 the proper ofiicer was directed to have the new market at Gove- 
 neur's Slip completed forthwith ; but soon after the old market-house 
 was sold at public auction for the sum of $127, and immediately after 
 removed. 
 
 The new market-house is now occupied with two or three butchers, 
 one fisherman, and one huckster ; the upper part as a police station 
 for the Seventh District, with prison cells beneath. 
 
 "WASHINGTON" MARKET." 
 
 1812. The question of erecting a large market-house on the site 
 now occupied by the main market building, running along on the 
 west side of Washington Street, with wings down Pulton and Vesey 
 Streets, was strongly advocated in the year 1805, after certain im- 
 provements had been made in the making a bulkhead and filling it up. 
 Before they were finished, a Committee was appointed " to prepare 
 a plan of a substantial and commodious market to be built on the 
 said site, and to report the same to the Common Council without 
 delay." It was, however, delayed, and for nearly six years after- 
 wards, in consequence of the leases of several lots not expiring be- 
 fore the year 1813, and the unusually large but necessary funds to be 
 raised under the circumstances, it was concluded to defer it until a 
 more suitable opportunity. 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 407 
 
 On the 10th of February, 1812, the subject was again reported on 
 by a Committee, who " recommended that the former proceedings of 
 the Board in relation to this subject be now carried into execution, 
 and that the propriety of appropriating the ground above referred 
 to for building said market, as also the producing a plan on which 
 the same shall be constructed, be referred to some proper Commit- 
 tee ;" which were appointed, and the subject disposed of. 
 
 This Committee, on the 1st of June following, reported the plan, 
 which is still seen in the present old building, " forming a hollow 
 square ;" and the market-place was to employ the " whole block 
 bounded by Washington, West, Partition (Pulton,) andVesey Streets, 
 for market purposes." The building was immediately commenced ; 
 and on the 5th of October following a report from the Committee 
 stated, that " the plan as agreed upon by the Board has been sub- 
 stantially adhered to ; but as, in the opinion of your Committee, the 
 compleating of one-half of said plan will answer all purposes, their 
 contracts as yet have provided for laying this fall the foundation 
 only along Washington Street, and fifty feet thereon down Vesey 
 Street and Partition Street." They " moreover propose making a 
 contract for the stone pillars which may be required, in order that 
 the superstructure may without interruption progress early in the 
 spring." The next year, on the 31st of May, the Committee re- 
 ported, that " Washington Market" was not in a fit state to receive 
 the butchers from the "Old Bear Market," which had been torn 
 down, a/ud temporary sheds were ordered to be erected for that pur- 
 pose, near where the " Bear Market" had stood. 
 
 The name of "Bear Market " was applied to this new market, and 
 continued for many years ; I may say that it was so designated by 
 many of our old citizens, who could not consent to give up or change 
 the old association for the more modern one, although the latter, if 
 not so venerable, is more revered. 
 
 Before the close of the year 1813, the new market-house was fully 
 established ; the butchers from the old Bear Market were all placed 
 in on the stands allotted them with satisfaction, and business com- 
 menced with highly flattering prospects, although the prices of pro- 
 visions were very high, in consequence of the war with England. 
 The first victories by sea and land obtained over that great power, 
 by General Harrison and Commodore Perry, were the cause of a 
 general illumination throughout the city, which took place on Satur- 
 day evening, the 23d of October. The Evening Post of the 25th 
 instant says: "It deserves attention that the butchers of the city 
 distinguished themselves on this occasion, by illuminating their stalls 
 in the various markets, with a profusion of lights placed in such a 
 
408 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 manner as to produce the most striking eifect. They, too, had their 
 transparencies with ^ Free Trade and Butchers' Rights.' " 
 
 I have previously noticed that one part of the "Old Bear Mar- 
 ket" was called "Buttermilk Market," where the "Jersey Dutch" 
 women, dressed in linsey-woolsey short gowns and petticoats, came 
 in great numbers with their butter, pot-cheese, curds, and butter- 
 milk ; and great quantities of the latter were brought here in their 
 well-scoured (or boondered) churns and sold. This trade was trans- 
 ferred into this new or Washington Market, and continued until 
 about the year 1830, when the last one of these specimens of " Olden 
 Times" disappeared forever. Their last location was at the corner 
 of "Washington and Fulton Streets, at the corner of the market. 
 
 The " old Jersey Dutchmen," who came down with them in their 
 skiffs about this time, (1813,) usually divided their stock in trade; 
 they took the products of the farm and part of the dairy, i. e., the 
 butter, which was the most valuable part, into the country market, 
 where butter was a quick sale at 3s. and 3/6d. per pound ; and these 
 prices continued throughout the season. Great quantities were gath- 
 ered up in several of the counties along the North River by specu- 
 lators, as appears from the following " communication" in the Ga- 
 zette, November 1, 1813, headed " Winter Butter." — "It is certain 
 that full seven-eighths of the article is in the hands of a company of 
 speculators in Newburgh, and the different towns in the County of 
 Orange. It is therefore recommended to the citizens of New York, 
 who are to be the ultimate consumers, to suspend their purchases 
 for the winter's supply for at least one month, rather than to gratify 
 those gentlemea by giving them the moderate price of 2/6d. and 
 3s. per pound." 
 
 Many of the principal grocers held meetings in relation to this 
 subject, and passed certain resolutions; one of their meetings is 
 noticed in the Evening Post, as follows: "A large meeting of gro- 
 cers was held at Harmony Hall, on the 11th of November, (1813,) 
 in relation to the price of butter, when it was stated that large quan- 
 tities were held by several monopolizers and speculators in this city 
 and Orange County. They passed resolutions that they would not 
 purchase of them, but would purchase or give higher prices to others 
 from neighboring counties and sister States. They also recommend- 
 ed to all grocers not to take any of the notes of the banks in the 
 County of Orange, during the present season. Signed by ' James 
 Smith, Chairman,' and ' N. T. Hubbard, Secretary.' " 
 
 In 1820, the " Agricultural Society," for the purpose of encouraging 
 the making of choice butter, which was usually brought to market 
 in one and two pound rolls, gave notice to those who were in the 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 409 
 
 habit of bringing this article to this and the Fly Market, that they 
 would give premiums for the best brought on the first days of June 
 in each year. A Committee from the Society was appointed in 
 June, 1821, to examine the butter in these markets. In this mar- 
 ket, " the first premium, a silver cream pitcher," was awarded to 
 Mrs. Hopper, of Hackensack, N. J., and the second prize, " a silver 
 cup," to Mr. J. Coon, of Greenbush, opposite Albany, N. Y. In the 
 " Ply Market," the first prize was taken by Mrs. Stewart, of Jamaica, 
 L. I., and the second prize to Mrs. Morris, of Morrisania, Westches- 
 ter County, N. Y. In the same month, in the following year, at 
 this market, Mr. Cornelius Terhune, of Hackensack, carried away 
 the first premium, a silver pitcher, valued at $15 ; Mr. Josiah Austin, 
 Seconicus, the second premium, a silver pitcher, valued at $10; and 
 Mr. Thomas Brown, Westchester, the third premium, silver cup, 
 valued $5. This encouragement continued for several years, pro- 
 ducing, it is said, a decided improvement in that necessary article 
 of consumption. There were, however, a few countrymen, who had 
 the reputation of making the most they could out of their produc- 
 tions, whether honestly or dishonestly, they cared not ; but it gen- 
 erally fell under the latter head. 
 
 One morning a respectable-looking and quite a wealthy farmer, 
 who was generally known as a very close shaver, or, in other words, 
 as fond of cheating whenever he had a chance, brought his butter 
 handsomely done up in pound rolls. This was at a time when it was 
 scarce and worth 3s. and a quick sale at that price, which no doubt 
 had induced him to scant the weight in each roll. Unexpectedly 
 the weigh-master (whether he mistrusted the farmer or not) saw his 
 butter opened for sale, (which the farmer could not quickly cover 
 out of sight,) when he prepared his test scale to weigh it; while do- 
 ing so, the farmer, in his anxiety, quick as thought, slipped a guinea 
 out of his vest pocket, and while the weigh-master's back was turned, 
 thrust it into the top roll, as he thought unperceived by any one. 
 The roll was taken up, and it weighed full weight, which satisfied 
 him without weighing any other ; but while he was putting up his 
 scale, a Quaker gentleman, who had been standing off a little dis- 
 tance, and had seen the whole transaction, came up and inquired the 
 price of his butter. " Three shillings," said the farmer. " Put me 
 that roll in my kettle," says the Quaker, pointing to the " guinea 
 roll." Farmer. " I have that roll sold to a friend." Quaker. "No, 
 thee has not — thee can give thy friend another roll, if they are all 
 good and weigh alike ;" and turned to question the weigh-master ; 
 who said to the Quaker, " He was entitled to the roll, or any roll he 
 choosed to take, if they were priced to him." With this the Quaker 
 
410 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 took up the guinea roll and placed it in his kettle, then laid down 
 three shillings; and as he was going, he coolly told the farmer: 
 " Thee will not find cheating always profitable." 
 
 We will now look back in the year 1815, when we find the centre 
 part of this market on Washington Street was two stories high, on 
 which stand the cupola and bell. These upper stories were appro- 
 priated for a watch-house for the " First District Watch," which now 
 to look at would appear very small accommodations, but in those 
 days they were ample for the necessary numbers of " Night Watch" 
 required for the protection of this large portion of the city. Our 
 good citizens were not then annoyed with such numbers, both in and 
 out of public office, of drunkards, rowdies, rioters, thieves, garroters, 
 robbers, and murderers as are now out of such confinement as their 
 several cases would seem to demand ; and as for sellers of unwhole- 
 some provisions, they were immediately brought up to the bar of 
 justice, where political influence would not save them. We find one 
 John Panton, a blacksmith, petitioning to be released from the fine 
 and imprisonment in the month of November of this year. He says, 
 he " was committed to the goal of the City and County of New York, 
 for a breach of one of the Ordinances or By-Laws ; your petitioner's 
 son, a lad about thirteen years of age, for exposing unwholesome 
 provisions for sale, to wit, two geese, as was alleged, which the Clerk 
 of Washington Market said were bloivn. If they were blown, it was 
 not with the consent or knowledge of your petitioner. Further, 
 your petitioner is a blacksmith by trade, resides in Greenwich Vil- 
 lage ; he has a family consisting of a wife and ten children ; that he 
 has always supported his family heretofore ; but owing to misfortune 
 and losses, he has become reduced, and some time since his property 
 was sold on execution, and stripped of everything excepting what 
 the law allows him. Your petitioner is destitute of any ways or 
 means of paying the forfeiture or penalty, or any part thereof. 
 Further, if he should be confined for thirty days, your petitioner's 
 family will become greatly distressed, as the only support for them 
 is his earnings from day to day." He prayed a discharge from 
 prison, but his prayer was denied. 
 
 I have previously noticed the prices of provisions as being very 
 high on the commencement of tjie war of 1812; they continued so 
 for five or six years, and the price of neat cattle ranged from £5 to 
 £1 4s. per cwt. ; pork, X4 to X4 8s. per cwt. ; poultry, 12 to 15 
 pence per pound, and very scarce. 
 
 In the month of June, 1816, a report was made by Richard Smith, 
 Clerk of this market, of the numbers of cattle, sheep, calves, and 
 hogs which he had received fees for in the previous months of Jan- 
 
WASHINGTON MAEKET. 411 
 
 uary, Fefcruary, March, and April ; and it also shows the greater 
 amount of business done in the Ply Market during the same months, 
 by the larger numbers of animals reported. In this market they ap- 
 pear as follows : 
 
 
 Beeves. 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Calves. 
 
 Hogs. 
 
 January, 
 
 491 
 
 858 
 
 202 
 
 371 
 
 February, 
 
 394 
 
 575 
 
 296 
 
 242 
 
 March, - - - 
 
 447 
 
 319 
 
 948 
 
 102 
 
 April, - - - 
 
 312 
 
 222 
 
 ' 1,719 
 
 152 
 
 Total, - - - 1,644 1,978 3,165 867 
 
 The high prices of all kinds of provisions, and more especially 
 that of cattle, was the cause of introducing cattle from Ohio. The 
 first drove was brought on here in the month of June, 1817, by a 
 drover named "Drenning." The "Press" gives us the following 
 account: "They appear as fresh as if just taken off one of our 
 Long Island farms. "When it is recollected that they have been 
 driven nearly one thousand miles, this fact will be considered a very 
 remarkable one. Several of our leading butchers have made an offer 
 of tioelve dollars a hundred for the beef of this drove, which was 
 refused ; but it is supposed twelve dollars and a half will purchase 
 them." Mr. Drenning had started from Chillicothe, Ohio, with 
 about 200 in the drove, driving them very slowly, and only a few 
 miles per day ; he arrived here with more than 100, having sold 
 many of them on the way." The "old butchers" recollect them, and 
 say they looked well, having been strongly fed on whole corn daily 
 from the time they started. 
 
 I have previously noticed that the Common Council had regretted 
 the selling of butchers' stands at public auction. More than ten 
 years had now elapsed, and with the several changes of the mem- 
 bers of this body, these regrets had been forgotten, or they intended 
 to adopt another system of leasing these stands. The Market 
 Committee reported, December 2, 1816, on the stand No. 10 in this 
 market, and stated, that " it is now vacant ; and as there is a great 
 many applicants for the same, they recommend to the Corporation 
 
 the propriety of selling the same at auction, for years, to the 
 
 highest bidder, who shall be a regular butcher, and the purchaser to 
 be approved by the Board, at an annual rent, payable quarterly ; 
 and the rent shall be considered including all market fees." 
 
 This reported arrangement, the butchers thought, was, if anything, 
 worse than the former, and more than forty of them, from this mar- 
 ket, presented a memorial, and stated their reasons, on the 23d of 
 the same month. They stated, " That the petitioners are informed 
 
412 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 that this Honorable Board intend, in future, to sell all such stands 
 as may become vacant, for a number of years, at auction, to the 
 highest bidder ; which measure will be productive of great incon- 
 venience and distress to butchers who may purchase such stands, 
 and by their industry and attention establish a profitable trade to 
 the same, which they will probably have to quit at the end of their 
 term, not being willing to bid for the same perhaps more than it is 
 worth, and the same be purchased by some adventurer, who will 
 receive the benefits arising from the industry of the former holder 
 of said stand; and, as persons of capital can alone bid for the 
 stands, those butchers who are poor will not be able, during their 
 lives, to procure a stand to follow their business at ; and further, 
 persons who are not butchers may hire persons who are butchers 
 to hire such stands, and share the profits of the same, to which they 
 ought not to be entitled ; by which means, many regular-bred butch- 
 ers will be deprived of the means of getting a living for their fami- 
 lies," &c. This memorial, and several petitions on the same sub- 
 ject, from the butchers of other markets, were referred ; and finally, 
 these vacant stands were drawn for by lot, under certain restric- 
 tions, which gave general satisfaction. 
 
 The anxiety of butchers to procure stands in this market, at this 
 period, shows the fact that it was prosperous, and advancing in 
 favor with the citizens, who began to desert the Fly, and betake 
 themselves to this market; and in the year 1818, there appear to 
 have been fifty -five regular stands, which numbers commenced from 
 the centre of the market on Washington Street, and advanced or 
 counted to the right adjoining, (and not opposite.) They were oc- 
 cupied as follows : 
 
 No. 
 
 . 1. 
 
 John J. Fink. 
 
 No. 29. 
 
 Francis Spicer. 
 
 2. 
 
 John G. Graff. 
 
 30. 
 
 Christian F. Kartell. 
 
 3. 
 
 Chas. Weatherspoon. 
 
 31. 
 
 John Hutton. 
 
 4. 
 
 Thomas Starr. 
 
 32. 
 
 Corn's King, Jr. 
 
 5. 
 
 Nicholas Dean. 
 
 33. 
 
 Adam Kartell, Sr. 
 
 6. 
 
 John Shane. 
 
 34. 
 
 Doorway. 
 
 1. 
 
 George Haws. 
 
 35. 
 
 John Davenport. 
 
 8. 
 
 Simeon Travis. 
 
 36. 
 
 Lawrence Wiseburn, 
 
 9. 
 
 Charles Gwyer. 
 
 37. 
 
 Jacob Aims. 
 
 10. 
 
 Benjamin Davis. 
 
 38. 
 
 Henry Wicker. 
 
 11. 
 
 John Henning. 
 
 39. 
 
 John Brewer. 
 
 12. 
 
 Isaac Vaughn. 
 
 40. 
 
 George Hutton. 
 
 13. 
 
 George Vaughn. 
 
 41. 
 
 William Passman. 
 
 14. 
 
 William Vonck. 
 
 42. 
 
 William Chivvis, 
 
 15. 
 
 Jacob Flagar. 
 
 43. 
 
 John Chivvis. 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 413 
 
 No. 16. Michael Hillman. No. 44. Henry Owens. 
 
 17. James Owens. 45. William Hopkins. 
 
 18. J. L. Fink. 46. Jolin Hopkins. 
 
 19. Hugh Goble. 47. Jacob Acker. 
 
 20. Jacob Harriot. 48. James Chivvis. 
 
 21. Christian Harriot. 49. Philip L. Luff. 
 
 22. Charles Gilman. 50. Cornelius ChivTis. 
 
 23. Charles Gilman, Jr. 51. Ludowick Harpel. 
 
 24. Thomas Collister. 52. Ernest Keyser. 
 
 25. Bartholomew Granger. 53. Thomas Jeremiah. 
 
 26. John Pessinger. 54. Abraham Vermylia. 
 
 27. Isaac Boyce. 55. John Pink. 
 
 28. Samuel White. 56. Alex'r Pink, Jr. 
 Many of these, who were principally old butchers, had disap- 
 peared ten years after, when the occupants of these stands are 
 again noticed ; from among these were several whose memories are 
 worthy of further and future record. 
 
 The occupant of No. 42, William Chivvis, was born in Richmond, 
 Virginia ; and when the Revolution took place, he enlisted for thrte 
 years, or "during the war," under Captain Eno's, but was transfer- 
 red to Captain John Champe Carter's Company of Artillery, where 
 he became one of the gunners. He was in the battles of White 
 Plains, Saratoga, Monmouth, Stony Point, and Yorktown, and 
 served under Lafayette (when he came into command) until the end 
 of the war. While his Company lay encamped at Valley Forge, in 
 June, 1778, he became acquainted with Farmer Doty's daughter 
 •Jane, engaged himself to her, and as soon as the war was over, and 
 he discharged, he sought her, was married, and for a few years 
 turned farmer, until business began to move in New York, when 
 he proceeded there, and about 1790 commenced business as a butch- 
 er, of which he had gained some knowledge in the victualing de- 
 pa;i"tmcnt while in the service. In this market, on some benches, 
 he began the business, and continued it until 1819, when the Market 
 Committee had, or were about, depriving him of his stand. In the 
 month of March we find the following petition from him before the 
 Board. He stated : " That your petitioner is now seventy years old, 
 and by misfortunes has become destitute of property ; while he has 
 a large family to support. That he was a soldier engaged in his 
 country's cause the greater pari of the Revolidionary War, and during 
 that time was engaged in several of the most sanguinary battles ; 
 which facts are at this day in this city susceptible of proof. That 
 your petitioner, altho' almost borne down with age, & with the 
 troubles incident to his embarras'd situation, with a large family, 
 
414 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 & to seek daily for their support, has been informed that an order 
 or arrangement has been made by which the stall which he has oc- 
 cupied, No. 42 Washington Market, for upwards of tiventy-foiir 
 years, is about to be taken from him & given to another, while the 
 profits of said stall, through his own exertions & the aid of his 
 sons, who are butchers in the same market, is the only vestige of 
 hope for the support of himself & family in his declining years. 
 Your petitioner has been enabled for the last two years to carry on 
 his trade in a limited manner, but yet in a way to enable him to sus- 
 tain his family & himself. That the person who is seeking for the 
 stall occupied by your petitioner has, as your petitioner is informed, 
 represented that the stall has not been occupied by me in two years, 
 & that he served his time out with Mr. L. Harpell ; which repre- 
 sentation is totally untrue. The stall has been occupied to the best 
 purpose by your petitioner during the most of that time, with the 
 aid of his sons, to the accommodation of the public, & to produce a 
 revenue to your petitioner & his family, for their support. 
 
 " William Chivvis." 
 Numbers of merchants and others recommend him, " as an aged, 
 respectable citizen, believing, as we do, that the facts set forth in 
 the foregoing petition is in all respects true." This was signed by 
 A. Stagg, William H. Ireland, William Ross, 
 
 Joseph Ireland, John McKesson, Isaac Graham, 
 
 Jackson Haines, John Hunter, Benjamin Stagg, 
 
 M. Allison, James L. Bell, Francis V. Many, 
 
 Rd. Allison, John Salisbury, Benjamin Ferris, 
 
 Wm. Allison, James Hopson, A. Labagh, 
 
 James Warner, Chas. Denison, Eben'r T. White, 
 
 John Connor, Smith Cutter, Daniel D. Smith, 
 
 Samuel Burns, Jno. Neilson, Wm. Hardy, 
 
 John Disbrow. 
 Richard Smith, the Deputy Clerk, was directed to make a report 
 of the above case. He says, (May 3,) in a note to Alderman Buck- 
 master: "Sir — You sent by the bearer to know how long William 
 Chivvis has been absent from his stall. He has been absent near 
 two years, I believe, but am informed he has got his license by some 
 butchers, and had a side of beef this morning." On the 7th he says: 
 "One circumstance did not occur at the time I wrote it. I have 
 since recollected that he was at his stall with meat personally, 
 some time in December last. His stall has been occupied since, 
 more or less." His stall was restored to him. 
 
 He had a large family, among whom were several sons ; five of 
 them were butchers, viz., John, William, Cornelius, James, and 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 415 
 
 Peter. His children were brought up in a respectable manner, giv- 
 ing them a liberal education, which at that period was a large item 
 in the many family expenses. He, however, lived and died an hon- 
 est man, being called away in the year 1823, then eighty years 
 of age. 
 
 The occupant of No. 18, John Lawrence Fink, known as Captain 
 Fink, from the fact that he held that office during the war of 1812, 
 and gallantly performed his duty. Previous to the commencement 
 of this war, he was an officer in a troop of horse called the " Flying 
 Artillery," which was composed principally of butchers ; but, wish- 
 ing for more active service, he sought and was commissioned a 
 Lieutenant, with rank from 6th of July, 1812, in the 13th Regiment 
 of Infantry, Lieutenant- Colonel Chrystie, and was soon ordered to 
 the Canadian lines. In the battle of Queenstown, says an eye-wit- 
 ness, "Early on the morning of the 13th of October, 1812, Lieutenant 
 Fink commanded the advanced guard, "consisting of seven non-com- 
 missioned officers and twenty-four privates, who, at half past three 
 o'clock, embarked on two small boats to cross the river, accom- 
 panied by Lieutenant- Colonel Chrystie and Lieutenant Steakes. 
 When approaching the enemy's shore, within about forty yards, they 
 commenced firing upon the boat which contained Lieutenant Fink — 
 it being the first fire which had been made upon our troops — and 
 killed and wounded about half of the men in his boat. In a few 
 minutes the starboard oar was shot away, and several holes through 
 the boat, which rendered it useless. The current setting strongly 
 towards the American shore, and having but one oar left, it was 
 utterly impossible to effect a landing on the British shore, against 
 this current. They were forced to return to the American side, 
 when the boat sunk as they neared it. Lieutenant Fink found an- 
 other boat, and with Lieutenant McCarty and five men, again em- 
 barked, and soon effected a landing, and with a few others, to the 
 number of about twenty men, marched up the heights, where they 
 found Captains (afterwards General) Wool and Ogilvie, Lieutenant 
 Kearney, and other officers, with about sixty men, partly under 
 cover of a bank, (formed by cutting a road.) who were without am- 
 munition. They concluded to charge the enemy. Lieutenant Fink 
 charged the main body on the left, while Captains Wool and Ogil- 
 vie charged on the right ; which threw the enemy into confusion, 
 and they fled, when the heights were taken possession of by the 
 American troops. Lieutenant Fink had his epaulette shot away, 
 several shot through his clothing, one of which tore off the tassel 
 of his boot, and another through his hat." Lieutenant-Colonel Win- 
 field Scott having, meanwhile, crossed the river, and assumed the 
 
416 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 command, relieving Captain "Wool, in the latter part of the day an 
 increased reinforcement of the British and their Indian allies moved 
 against the little party. At the same time information vi^as received 
 from General VanRensselaer, on the American side, that he could not 
 give them any assistance, but would cover their retreat, and furnish 
 boats for them to recross the Niagara River, and induced them to 
 resolve upon a retreat ; which they performed in good order, with- 
 out losing a man, to the margin of the river; but, to their extreme 
 mortification, not a boat was there, nor did any arrive; and they 
 were surrounded with five times their number, and taken prisoners. 
 They were sent to Quebec, and after a confinement, sent to Boston 
 on parole ; whence Pink was brought sick, by his friends, to New 
 York — he being yet on parole. 
 
 The Adjutant-General wrote to Fink, on the 24th of March, (1813,) 
 " It has been determined by the Secretary of War, that comnjission- 
 ed officers ou parole may be employed on the recruiting service, and 
 I am instructed by him to order you to report yourself to the super- 
 intending Field Officer of the district in which you reside, for this 
 duty." This remarkable order, however, was countermanded on the 
 14th of April following, by the Secretary of War, who said: "You 
 are released from the orders of the 24th of March ultimo, and the 
 orders you may have received in consequence. You will not enter 
 upon any military duty until your exchange be duly notified." 
 
 Governor Daniel D. Tompkins took quite an interest in Lieuten- 
 ant Fink, and intimated to him, that he would intercede to have him 
 exchanged or promoted, if it was his wish. Lieutenant Fink an- 
 swered him on the 31st of May following : " I beg leave to state that 
 nothing but an earnest wish to serve my country ever induced me to 
 accept the appointment (of Lieutenant) Avhich the President {of the 
 United States) has conferred upon me, and it is the same considera- 
 tion that now induces me to wish that I might be exchanged, should 
 it be possible. My present inability is not suited to my disposition, 
 and I feel anxious to assume my station in the army, in order to en- 
 deavor to retrieve the mistakes of Queenstown, in which affair I had 
 the misfortune of being taken. My wishes also are, if such arrange- 
 ment can be made with propriety, to be transferred to the cavalry,* 
 it being a corps with which I have for years been in the habit of do- 
 ing duty, from which circumstance I am attached to it in preference 
 to the infantry." 
 
 His wish, however, was not gratified, for we find the Adjutant- 
 General, in a note to him, dated 9th of November following, detail- 
 
 * He had previously belonged to the -'Troop of Horse" known as the "Flying 
 Artillery." 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 417 
 
 ed Mm as a " Commissary of Prisoners of War :" " You will collect 
 all the prisoners of war, who have been furloughed to remain in the 
 district. Quarters will be provided for them on Staten Island. 
 You will have them provisioned with every article of clothing and 
 provisions which they may be entitled to ; they must not be allowed 
 to leave the Island, but under a written pass, and that given but to 
 those you can depend upon." 
 
 Here he remained until the month of July, when he received a 
 commission for captain, dated 25th of July, 1814, and soon after en- 
 rolled a company, which he marched on to Plattsburgh. While on 
 the march several officers had spoken slightingly of his conduct at 
 Queenstown, and had also cast certain imputations upon his char- 
 acter ; he mistrusted who it was by their keeping aloof from him ; 
 finding they were the individuals, he marched into their quarters, 
 and demanded immediate satisfaction ; they, however, in effect de- 
 nied they were the originators. The subject began to assume a 
 serious aspect — challenges were sent and accepted; but the com- 
 manding officers had become in possession of the whole facts, and 
 immediately took such measures as to bring satisfaction to all. 
 Captain Pink refuted it from witnesses who took part in the battle, 
 and the officers offered such apologies as were satisfactory. Cap- 
 tain Pink's appeal was answered by General Scott as follows: "On 
 the road near Batavia, August 14, 1814. — Lieutenant J. L. Fink : Sir 
 —By a letter I have received from you, it appears that certain imputa- 
 tions have been cast upon you, in relation to your conduct at Queens- 
 town on the 13th October, 1812. Though I knew not your name 
 at the time, your person was familiar to me on that day, and during 
 the period of my command, your deportment appeared equal to that 
 of any other subaltern of your regiment. In passing by water from 
 Queenstown to Boston, in company with the officers captured with 
 me, you were frequently the subject of their conversations, and I 
 heard not from either of them a syllable to your dispraise, I am, 
 sir, respectfully, your most obed't, W. Scott; M. General" 
 
 Captain S. W. Kearney says, on the same subject, " The part you 
 bore on that day was creditable to you as a soldier, and assisted to 
 reflect honor upon our old regiment and country. It was in char- 
 acter with your conduct whilst we served together in the regiment, 
 and, I believe, was so considered by all who belonged to it." 
 
 At the close of the war, he was entreated by many of his military 
 associates to remain in the service ; but he replied, " that inasmuch 
 as his country no longer needed his services in the field, he could 
 not become a pensioner on the Government." 
 
 He soon after became possessed of a farm on the great bend of 
 Vol. I.— 27 
 
418 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 the Susqiiehannah, in Pennsylvania, wtere he turned his attention to 
 agriculture, and afterwards changed his location into the State of 
 New York ; but not succeeding, he came to the city about the year 
 1836, when he was appointed keeper of the " Magazine," in 64th 
 Street, near 5th Avenue ; then, afterwards in the Custom-House, and 
 then again at the City Hall. In 1850, his death was thus announced 
 in the Press : " Died, on Friday last, the 1st (November) inst.. Captain 
 John L. Fink, formerly of the Thirteenth Regiment United States 
 Infantry, commanded by Colonel Chrystie, in which, during the war 
 of 1812, he ranked as the bravest of the brave of New York's gal- 
 lant sons, who composed the oflBicers and privates of that regiment, 
 and whose heroic deeds at Queenstown Heights, Plattsburgh, &c., 
 are matters of our country's history." His funeral took place from 
 his late residence at Greenpoint, Long Island, on Sunday, the 3d 
 inst., with military honors, as will be perceived by the following: 
 " First Brigade New York State Militia : Special Brigade Order. 
 New York, November 2d, 1850. Colonel Spicer, of the Second 
 Regiment, is hereby directed to detail Captain Darrow, Company 
 D, Washington Continentals, to perform funeral honors to the re- 
 mains of a gallant soldier of the war of 1812, J. L. Fink, to-morrow 
 [Sunday) at two o'clock, P. M., from his late residence, Greenpoint, 
 Long Island. By order of Heney Storms, Brig. General.'" 
 
 After the month of August, 1814, specie payments had been sus- 
 pended by all the banks, and the Corporation, for the purpose of 
 facilitating trade, had again issued paper bills for small change, 
 representing 6|, 12^, 25, and 50 cents, signed by John Pintard, 
 Thomas Franklin, and William McNeal, to the amount of one hun- 
 dred thousand dollars. 
 
 They were currently passed until February, ISlT, when the banks 
 resumed paying specie, and the "Press" says: "The butchers, and 
 those who sit in the vegetable market, will sell for one week tivelve 
 per cent, cheaper than they have done, by way of welcoming the re- 
 commencement of the silver age. Silver is silver, and chaff is chaff, 
 say they." 
 
 But they, as well as other tradesmen, were at times annoyed with 
 another evil ; country bank bills, some of which stood upon very 
 weak foundations, flooded the city, and at intervals, the butchers and 
 others were caught with printed paper representing bank bills, which 
 were much like the Western " Wild Cat" of the present day. Meet- 
 ings were held by many tradesmen, who denounced this kind of 
 money. 
 
 The Press notices a general meeting held by the butchers, at the 
 house of S. Raymond, Bowery Road, on Tuesday evening, 22d, when 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 419 
 
 they resolved, " That after the 30th day of the present month, we 
 ■will receive no country bank-notes that are below par in New York," 
 and " that all who feel an interest for the prosperity of the city and 
 the protection of the poor, be requested to assist in carrying the 
 above resolution into complete effect, by refraining from offering 
 any of the above description of notes, and by promptly refusing to 
 take them. David Seaman, Cha'n. T. G-ibbons, Sec'y."* 
 
 The butchers of this market met the next day at " Robbins's" pub- 
 lic-house, in Vesey Street, and subscribed to the above. 
 
 Two years after, (1821,) in the month of March, some little excite- 
 ment was occasioned by the introduction of 64 head of fat cattle at 
 the spring show of the New York County Agricultural Show, held at 
 a place called " Mount Vernon," on the Bast River, just above Cato's 
 and the Shot Tower. Twenty, which took the first premium, were 
 taken to the " Fly Market," and noticed in that market. 
 
 Thirty-two, part of which had taken the second premium, were 
 fattened by Mr. Philip Fink, of Orange County, New York, who 
 was much disappointed in not receiving the first premium, as it 
 would have made considerable difference in their sale; but as he 
 found there was a spirit of rivalry between the butchers of this mar- 
 ket and the Fly Market, he concluded he would arrange with the 
 butchers here to have the thirty-two head to be disposed of as they 
 pleased, and none should be the loser ; all but two or three accepted 
 the proposition, and arranged their business accordingly. 
 
 The " Press" says this lot of cattle (64 head) " was finer than any 
 collection of the like number that have ever been seen in this coun- 
 try, and it may safely be said that Philadelphia cannot furnish at 
 this season 64 head of fat cattle superior to those now offered at our 
 fair." The judges on fat cattle at this fair were Messrs. David 
 Marsh, Arnest Fink, James Owens, George Hawes, Sen'r, and 
 George Thompson; and on fat calves and sheep, Messrs. John 
 Doughty, Thomas Starr, and James Perrin. 
 
 We also find, from a " card," Mr. Philip Fink informs the citizens 
 of New York, that he will expose for sale at the Washington Mar- 
 ket, on Saturday next, [lltfi inst.,) the beef of thirty-two head of 
 cattle which he yesterday exhibited at the fair, and which obtained 
 the second and third premiums. Mr. Fink requests his friends to 
 view the beef to-morrow, from 2 to 6 o'clock, P. M., at slaughter- 
 houses No. 166, 172, and 174 Mott Street, where he will be ready 
 to attend them. 
 
 "P. Fink hereby offers Mr. Ebenezer Stevens, of Dutchess County, 
 a bet of 1,000 dollars, on the production of 20 head of the largest 
 • Columbian, June 23, I8I9. 
 
420 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 and best cattle at the next March fair in New York. The cattle to 
 be raised and fatted in the State of New York, and to be kept at 
 least eight months on our respective farms." Two days after, " Mr. 
 Ebenezer Stevens begs leave to inform Mr. P. Pink, that he is no 
 gambler, but does not apprehend any difficulty in beating him at any 
 future time, as he has done in his twenty premium cattle ; and be- 
 sides, he does not believe that the New York County Agricultural 
 Society was established for the encouragement of that art ; and he 
 further begs leave to say, that if Mr. P. Fink thinks that his rage 
 will influence any wise man in his favor, and by that means insure 
 him a market for his opposition cattle, he may pei'haps find himself 
 mistaken. Another thing Mr. Stevens thinks, that if he had acted 
 towards Mr. Fink as Mr. Fink, has done towards him, he would have 
 expected to have been excluded by the Society from offering cattle 
 again for any premium. E. Stevens." 
 
 The carrying of this beef to market was the finest and largest 
 display of the kind that ever took place in this city. The " Press" 
 says : " About 60 carts, accompanied with music, and flags and stream- 
 ers, conveyed through the streets the 32 head of cattle fatted by 
 Philip Fink, of the Washington Market." These cattle averaged 
 188\ pounds of rough fat each. Those of Stevens, 182| pounds each; 
 showing that Fink's cattle yielded the best. 
 
 The various stalls and meat were beautifully dressed, and the mar- 
 ket for it was satisfactory. Then, to close the affair, the prisoners 
 in the debtors' prison acknowledged " a donation of excellent steaks 
 from P. Fink, Esq., of Washington Market They also offer sincere 
 thanks to Jonas Humbert, Esq., (baker,) for repeated supplies of 
 bread. ' He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.' Debtors' 
 Prison, March 17, 1821." 
 
 The next year, in the month of March, (30th,) the " Press" notices 
 "Fat Beef. — The beef of the twelve cattle which were exhibited 
 through the city on Monday last will be offered for sale by the sub- 
 scribers, on Saturday, 30th instant, (exclusively in Washington 
 Market ;) the south wing, fronting on Fulton Street, will be appro- 
 priated for that purpose. Lawrence Wiseburn, John Brewer, Daniel 
 Spader, John Trigler, and Christian Harriot." An editorial says : 
 " We were much gratified yesterday on viewing the procession of 
 butchers' carts containing the quarters of the 12 cattle raised liy 
 Mr. {Philip)' Fink, of Orange County. There were in all thirty 
 carts, which were ornamented with flags, containing appropriate de- 
 vices. The beef will be for sale this morning in the Washington 
 Market, and we have no doubt the whole of it will be sold at hand- 
 some prices." Another grand display of " fat beef," mutton, Ac, 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 421 
 
 occurred in the Fulton Street wing of this market on the 20th of 
 March, 1824. In this lot of superior cattle, two were fattened by 
 William Slocum, of Rensselaer County ; five oxen and one calf by 
 Ebenezer Stevens, of Dutchess ; four oxen by Philip Fink, of Orange 
 County, New York. Six of these cattle were sold by Messrs. Wise- 
 burn, Harriot, and Burtnett ; and five oxen, one calf, and three sheep 
 by Messrs. Spader and Hill. Messrs. Burtnett and Harriot were 
 located on the Washington Street side, but on this occasion they 
 changed, to have the show together. Since that period, " fat beef" 
 exhibitions have often taken place, and some of them were got up in 
 the most imposing, as well as the most expensive manner. 
 
 The sale of stands at public auction in the new Fulton Market, a 
 few years before, had taken place ; the year after, the Common Council 
 had the subject under serious consideration of disposing of the stands 
 in this market in the same manner, which soon after brought forth 
 the following, and I may say truthful, petition, dated April 15, 1822, 
 from the licensed butchers of this market. In it they state: " That 
 understanding that it is in contemplation by your Honorable Board 
 to dispose of the stalls now occupied by your petitioners, as has been 
 done with those in Fulton Market, and humbly conceiving that the 
 situation of their respective markets is different from that alluded 
 to, they have ventured to submit, with all due deference, the pro- 
 priety of adopting another system, which would be equally product- 
 ive to the revenue of the city, more consistent with that equity which 
 should exist in every department of society which has been attached 
 to public markets. On these points they would urge that the col- 
 lection of the revenue arising from public markets would be always 
 more certain when imposed in manner and degree consistent with 
 justice, and equal to the value of the privileges enjoyed ; and when 
 this is not so, industry is paralyzed, and the inclination, as well as 
 ability to be punctual, taken away. With this view, your petition- 
 ers, full aware that by exposing their stands to puhlic sale, by suffer- 
 ing an unrestrained competition where neither the character nor 
 circumstances of purchasers are tested by security, and by having no 
 recourse to your petitioners, should they not purchase under these 
 disadvantages, you will oblige them to hold their stands at a rate 
 beyond their real value, and ultimately to abandon them altogether. 
 And your petitioners would further respectfully urge, that the in- 
 terests of the community cannot require the sacrifice of any particular 
 part thereof, but that its true interest consists in the equal support of 
 all ; and they humbly conceive, that should your Honorable Board 
 persevere in the nale of stands at auction, no permanency, society, 
 nor character will ever attach itself to the profession. Justice also 
 
422 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 requires that your petitioners, who are established in business, and 
 whose whole dependence is on that business, should be permitted to 
 pursue it. But can they, when opposed by men who care not what 
 they bid for stalls, because no guarantee is required, and they have 
 neither character nor property to sacrifice — can they, if defeated 
 in purchasing stands in a public market, buy elsewhere, and of whom 
 they please? No — for the law confines them to public markets, and 
 they must act agreeable to that law. Under all these circumstances, 
 your petitioners trust that they have not presumed too far in address- 
 ing your Honorable Body, and they confidently hope that this sub- 
 ject, which has only been proposed, will receive your deliberate at- 
 tention; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c." 
 
 This petition satisfied the well-disposed of the '' Council," who 
 successfully opposed the contemplated measure, and there it rested. 
 
 The small shed in the rear of the main building, which accom- 
 modated the country people and fishermen, had now become much 
 decayed, and altogether too small for its increasing trade ; so, in 
 the month of July, the Market Committee recommended, and the 
 "Board" resolved, "That that part of the 'Washington Market' 
 called the country market be rebuilt and enlarged, so as to accom- 
 modate the country people and fishermen resorting to that place;" 
 but before it was finished the yellow fever again visited the city 
 with great severity, and drove all the residents from the lower or 
 infected portion of the city, which was fenced in. All the occupants 
 of the stands in the infected parts were, by a resolution passed in 
 the month of August, ordered from them to certain designated places. 
 Those from this market were placed at " Hudson Square," or rather 
 St. John's Park, in Hudson Street; those on the east side made 
 Chatham Square their market-place ; but in consequence of the great 
 diminution of the population, there were but few who remained, and 
 they required but few to serve them. Some idea may be formed of 
 the desolation of the infected district from the following : " We have 
 seen green beans at Mr. Bruce's store, which were plucked this morn- 
 ing, by one of the watchmen, from vines growing in Liberty Street, 
 which had not been touched by the frost. Mr. Bruce has some 
 musk-melons, of from two to three inches in length, which grew upon 
 the pavements in Greenwich Street. The beans, which are about 
 three inches in length, grew also in the street, and, as in the case of 
 the musk-melons, are the product of the seed thrown out by the in- 
 habitants before they were driven thence by the pestilence, and 
 which took root in the scanty soil between the paving-stones. What 
 a striking evidence is this of the utter desertion of that part of the 
 city by all human beings and domestic animals! And what a pic- 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 423 
 
 ture of desolation and germ does it exhibit 1" Cold, frosty weather, 
 however, at last appeared, when the butchers and others returned to 
 the markets. 
 
 In the month of November following, " Jane Simpson," an old 
 huckster, complained, through petition, of being overcharged ; she 
 says, " That she is now seventy-eight years of age and upwards, and 
 that she has for twenty-five years of that period been a vender of 
 fruit and vegetables in said market, and has always punctually paid 
 her fees. She pays a tax of about nine shillings weekly, whereas 
 others in said market, many years younger, occupying, perhaps, 
 double the space, and perhaps having fifty tijnes more wealth, pay 
 but three shillings weekly. She wishes to have the stands equalized." 
 The next year, (1823,) in December, all the hucksters ask for a 
 reduction to six cents per day, instead of 12^. This was signed by 
 " Mary Rose, Barbary Wiseburh, Jane S. McColleck, 
 
 Elizabeth Gilman, Margaret Sharp, Susan Palmer, 
 Mary Mills, Mary Folar, Bridget Banks, 
 
 on behalf of all the hucksters ;" but their request was not acceded 
 to. Several of these women I well knew, when an apprentice, and 
 must notice one or two of them. 
 
 Mrs. Barbary Wiseburn, or rather "Aunty Wiseburn," was a very 
 close neighbor ; her stand being just behind my boss's, where I oc- 
 casionally held conversation with her, and now am almost ashamed 
 to confess that at times I was guilty of playing some joke upon her. 
 To hear — yes, I can yet remember her scolding me in her croolied 
 English, " You debil, Tom!" — especially when her favorite "pussey 
 cat" was suffering from an extra pinch or a pulled tail. But I 
 thought a great deal of her, as she was a good, motherly, honest 
 woman, who had no doubt seen a good deal of trouble, as well as 
 hardships, in her early days. She was once the wife of Daniel 
 Wiseburn, who came to this country with the return of Lafayette 
 in 1780, then joined the army, afterwards transferred to the " Light 
 Infantry Company" under Lafayette's command, fought in several 
 battles, and closed with Yorktown ; and when the General took 
 leave of them, he said, " be wished once more to express his grati- 
 tude to the brave corps of Light Infantry, who for nine months past 
 have been the companions of his fortunes." 
 
 After peace, Wiseburn returned to Germany, married Miss Bar- 
 bary , and remained some five years, when they both, with 
 
 their infant child, " Lawrence," came and settled in New York. 
 The business of his trade at this period did not afford him a living y 
 and having leased a house, which then stood near the corner of 
 Fourth (Allen J. and Rivington Streets, with several acres of ground 
 
424 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 attached, they commenced raising garden truck for market. The 
 wife attended the Bear Market, when they had truck to sell, while 
 he worked at his trade, (tailor,) or the raising of vegetables. In 
 this way they succeeded in laying up a small store; but unfortu- 
 nately, in the year 1799 Wiseburn died, and left this widow with 
 several small children ; although one or two of her boys were now 
 large enough to assist her in the gardening, and she became obliged 
 to daily attend this market, until it was torn down, when she moved 
 into the new Washington Market, and there remained until she 
 died, in 1837. 
 
 Next to her sat quite a young, rosy-cheeked girl, who is yet liv- 
 ing. At that time she appeared a sober, sedate person ; always 
 known for strict business habits, combined with integrity and fru- 
 gality; and the result has been, a success. She last year (1858) 
 made an excellent as well as an elegant show of the various sorts of 
 pickles, &c., at the Fair of the American Institute, held at the 
 " Crystal Palace," which, with all the other very many valuables, 
 were destroyed in that "public calamity." Jane S. McColleck & 
 Go's pickles, &c., are seen for sale in numerous places throughout 
 the country. 
 
 Previous to the petition of the hucksters, the fishermen from this 
 market asked, through the same source, for a law to restrain fish- 
 peddling in the streets ; and this gives us the following names of 
 those who occupied those stands at that period, viz. : 
 
 Reuben P. Wells, Jeremiah Haley, Aaron Carter, 
 Samuel Chappell, Nathan Rathbuu, Ira Darrow, 
 Samuel Hiscox, Thomas Jeffray, Daniel Eldridge, 
 
 Percer W. Grant, Rufus W. Main, Thomas Wells, 
 Benedict Wells, William Rogers, Thomas Avery, 
 Lodowick Latham, William Oliver, Francis Sison. 
 From another petition presented the next year, (1824,) " to have 
 a plank floor laid, instead of brick, to the Fish Market," the following 
 additional fishermen's names appear, viz. : 
 
 Samuel Chappell, A. Hicks, James Jeffray, 
 
 Wm. G. Cochran, Robert Wilson, John Washington, 
 
 Ebenezer Fisk, Robert Jeffray, Erastus Mitchell, 
 
 L. P. Morris, Asa Willis, William Grant, 
 
 Henry Wallace, Ben'n S. Penniman, James Annett. 
 Smith Hicks, 
 The new country market, after its erection, was almost daily filled 
 with those who pretended to be agents for farmers and country 
 people, but who were in reality forestallers ; and, as the laws Avere 
 then carried out, when the individuals were caught, it was a very 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 425 
 
 difficult matter to fasten it on them. They were not then allowed 
 a regular location, but they usually managed to take up the best 
 stands before the arrival of the country people, who, with their 
 produce, were driven into the street. The "Press" often notice 
 these facts; and among the cases reported, says the Evening Post, 
 was the following: "A few days ago, a woman from the counti'y 
 with a basket of ducks, not being able to get a stand in the poultry 
 market, set her basket down on the side-walk, out of the run of the 
 market custom. Here she was met by one of these great fat he- 
 forestallers, and offered three shillings a pair for her ducks. Not 
 being able to get any nearer the market, and despairing of a better 
 offer, she consented that he should have them. The basket, with the 
 ducks, were immediately taken to the forestaller's stand in the poul- 
 try market, and while he was in the act of removing the ducks from 
 the basket to the coop, a gentleman came up and inquired the price 
 of them. ' Four shillings a pair,' was the answer, and the gentleman 
 agreed to take the whole ; much to the mortification of the poor 
 countrywoman, who stood by waiting for her pay at three shillings 
 a pair." 
 
 Several months after, an especial invitation was given, through 
 the " Press," to the "Authorities," to pay a visit to this market on 
 a particular morning, where, it was said, " they will iind nearly the 
 whole of the spacious building lately fitted up at the public expense, 
 for the accommodation of the country farmers and market people, 
 occupied by hucksters and forestallers, while the others are driven 
 on the streets." 
 
 There are many who think that all who have regular stands in 
 our markets are forestallers ; but such is not the fact ; many of them 
 sell on commission, or have their agents North, South, East, and 
 West, procuring many early or rare productions. The forestaller 
 of former days is he who kept or occupied a regular stand, under 
 the disguise of an agent, with an assistant or partner, while he was 
 prowling around the market, watching every article brought to it 
 by the country people, or to meet them coming to it in their wagons 
 on the roads or boats, and from them purchase all he could ; and if 
 the producer, in his anxiety to ask price enough, or more than the 
 forestaller could get or sell it for, the forestaller's plan was then to 
 " set him," by not offering, but ask him if he won't take — maybe a 
 trifle less. Then the producer imagined it to be a genuine offer ; 
 and often it had the effect of having him think he had not asked 
 price enough ; so he refused, and proceeded on to the market, where 
 he held his produce until his chance of even getting "market 
 price" was gone; and he told all who inquired his prices, that hp 
 
426 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 had been offered this (fictitious) price for his produce. If, however, 
 he concluded to take the false price first offered, he was told by the 
 forestaller that he " hoped he would find somebody fool enough to 
 give it to him." This was but a small part of their operations: 
 their "arts and sciences" were, and are still, numerous, and some- 
 times almost indescribable, as they work all together, both men and 
 women, in this unlawful practice ; and after a successful bargain, 
 they divide the spoils. I must say it is not so common now as it 
 was several years ago ; not because there are no forestallers left, 
 but because there is not so much opportunity. Our markets would 
 not be half so well supplied with early vegetables, fruits, &c., if it 
 were not for speculators, who enter into it because they find it profit- 
 able ; as we find them in everything else where capital can be ad- 
 vantageously used. 
 
 About the year 1830 the Market Committee attempted to stop 
 forestalling by the male hucksters, by imposing very high fees on 
 each. To get over this, they turned, or represented themselves, 
 as agents for countrymen ; and what made it worse, some country- 
 men lent their names to shield them. The Clerk of the Market, in 
 his report in July, states, " That the men-hucksters have all turned 
 agents for the countrymen, by which means there is a decrease of 
 market fees." The Market Committee directed the Clerk "to allow 
 the womeu-huuksters to purchase vegetables, &c., at any time of day 
 from country people." " That no person be permitted to sell vege- 
 tables as agents in this market, unless the owner or owners of the 
 property first apply to and procure from the Chairman of the Mar- 
 ket Committee a permit for such agent." The regular commis- 
 sioned dealers, however, soon after came in, and now many farmers 
 and producers from the North, East, South, and even the " Far 
 West," consign their productions to them, with a great deal of sat- 
 isfaction. 
 
 Forestalling, and many other unlawful practices, is, however, 
 known to many of the public ofiicers, who are sworn to prevent 
 them, but who either do not understand the nature of the oath they 
 took with their oflBce, or they are so much engaged in " political 
 patriotism," that they have barely the spare time to at-tend to any- 
 thing but make what " pocket money" they can, or, I should have 
 said, pocl^ets, as their general rule is to keep two — a venj small one 
 for the use of the city, and an exceedingly large one for themselves ; 
 and I believe there are sometimes conditions made, when a division 
 must necessarily be made with some of the "appointing powers" 
 from the large pocket, when it becomes suddenly " well filled." 
 These, with other onerous duties, a fast horse or team to exercise 
 
WASHINGTON MAEKET. 427 
 
 every day, is as much as could be expected by our good-natured cit- 
 izens, who are so willing to pay heavy rents, taxes, assessments, 
 &c., for the very worst help they could possibly secure; and I sup- 
 pose all that can be said on this subject will hardly create even a 
 wish to» have better men ; instead of a determination to stop this 
 collusion or peculation, by placing good, honest, practical men, or 
 such as you, Mr. Reader, would trust to conduct your own business, 
 where thousands upon thousands of untold or uncounted dollars 
 were received by them, or passed through their hands, as is the case 
 in this market. 
 
 There were exceptions at an early period, when men were recom- 
 mended by the stand-holders of the various markets for their honesty, 
 fitness, &c., and were chosen or appointed by the authorities. Such 
 a man, the first Deputy Clerk I knew in this market, was Leonard 
 Baum. The Market Committee, in a report made March 15, 1824, 
 tends to prove this fact by the following : " That the salary of this 
 officer was fixed, before the building of the new country market, at 
 $312 per year ; that since that time the business of that market has 
 greatly increased ; indeed, so much so, that since the appointment of 
 the present Clerk, {Leonard Baum) the collections made by him 
 has been about equal to those of Fulton Market, and nearly double 
 what was received last year in the corresponding months." They 
 recommend that his salary " be increased to that received by the 
 Clerk of the Fulton Market, viz., $500 per year." 
 
 One month previous, the Superintendent of Repairs was directed 
 to fit up the centre building, (where was formerly held the watch- 
 house,) " as a dwelling for Mr. Baum, the Clerk." He held this 
 situation until the month of September, 1836, when he resigned it, 
 " an honest man," after holding the situation about thirteen years. 
 
 In the year 1824, on the 13th of December, the Market Committee 
 recommended, " a suitable fish market be erected immediately in the 
 rear of the country market, over the head of the slip, in conformity 
 with the plan," being thirty feet wide and forty long, on a line of 
 Vesey Street, some forty feet west of the country market, on the 
 river — the whole expense not to exceed seven hundred dollars; 
 which was adopted. 
 
 In the erection of this fish market, the passage-way for carts, 
 wagons, &c., had been stopped on the west side of the market, and 
 caused a great deal of travel, and at times crowding, through Wash- 
 ington Street. West Street had not been opened, or rather the slips 
 had not been filled to form that street. A report in the early part of 
 the year 1828 had been before the Board, and laid on the table, upon 
 this subject, which kept growing worse every day. However, on the 
 
428 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 17th of November, in the same year, it was again called up and read ; 
 part of which is as follows : " The said street now extends from the 
 AlbanyBasin to the State Prison in oneunbroken line, except atSpring 
 Street Basin, across which it has been ordered to be continued, and 
 at Washington Market Basin, and it will shortly be extended from 
 the State Prison so as to unite with the Tenth Avenue above Fort 
 Gansevoort ; when that shall be done, and the street continued across 
 the Washington Market Basin, and the Tenth Avenue be opened, it 
 will form a direct and uninterrupted communication from the Albany 
 Basin to Kingsbridge, at which place the said avenue terminates. 
 
 " Washington Market Basin, in its present state, is a great impedi- 
 ment to the free intercourse which ought to exist between the upper 
 and lower parts of the city along the North River, as all persons 
 passing from one to the other, along Vv^'est Street, are under the ne- 
 cessity of going round Washington Market into Washington Street, 
 which, during the business hours of the day, is so much obstructed 
 by market carts and wagons as to render the passage of other car- 
 riages almost impracticable. 
 
 " The proposed improvement is, in the opinion of your Committee, 
 necessary for the accommodation of the Washington Market. At 
 present there is but a few feet of street between the market and the 
 bulkhead, on the west side, which is barely sufiBcient for the passage 
 of a cart, and that only as far as the middle pier ; there being no pas- 
 sage whatever for carts or passengers from the middle pier to the 
 north side of the basin. The basin, if West Street should be ex- 
 tended across it, would still be sufficiently large for the accommoda- 
 tion of market-boats, as well as such others as would have occasion 
 to resort to this place — there would remain of said basin a space of 
 327 feet by 192." A resolution was passed " to cause West Street 
 to be extended across the slip at Washington Market, between Ful- 
 ton and Vesey Streets." 
 
 In this year the cupola was also ordered to be built on the mar- 
 ket-house, at a cost of $425, according to the original plan, in place 
 of the temporary shed previously built. 
 
 We have shown the occupants of all those who occupied regular 
 butchers' stands ten years previous; they are introduced again at 
 this period, and those who then are noticed are marked with a star 
 at the end of their names : 
 No. 
 
 1. 
 
 William Vonck. 
 
 No. 
 
 29. 
 
 Jesse T. Spicer. 
 
 2. 
 
 John G. Graff.* 
 
 
 30. 
 
 Cornelius Y. Gibson, 
 
 3. 
 
 John A. Graff. 
 
 
 31. 
 
 Mathew Harpel. 
 
 4. 
 
 John L. Starr. 
 
 
 32. 
 
 Thomas Jeremiah.* 
 
 5. 
 
 Andrew Seaman. 
 
 
 33. 
 
 James W. Hartell. 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 429 
 
 No. 6. Nicholas Dean.* 
 
 7. John F. Haws. 
 
 8. Simeon Travis.* 
 
 9. Charles Gwyer.* 
 
 10. William Hanshe. 
 
 11. Christopher Gwyer, 
 
 12. James Wood. 
 
 13. George Vaughn.* 
 
 14. George Camerden. 
 
 15. Hugh Goble. 
 
 16. George Goodheart. 
 
 17. Joseph Leviness. 
 
 18. Thomas W. Stanton. 
 
 19. John Shain (Shane.)* 
 
 20. Jacob Harriot.* 
 
 21. Christian Harriot.* 
 
 22. John Keyser. 
 
 23. Garrit Sentis, Jun'r. 
 
 24. Martin Borowsan. 
 
 25. Bartholomew Granger.' 
 
 26. Francis Granger. 
 
 27. James Byrnes. 
 
 No. 34. No stand. 
 
 35. John Deavenport. 
 
 36. Lawrence Wiseburn.* 
 
 37. Jacob Aims.* 
 
 38. Philip L. Luff.* 
 
 39. Henry Wicker.* 
 
 40. George Hutton.* 
 
 41. Adam Hartell, Jun'r. 
 
 42. Owen Geary. 
 
 43. Ernest Keyser.* 
 
 44. Effingham W. Marsh 
 
 45. John D. Spader. 
 
 46. John Andarise. 
 
 47. George W. Ewen. 
 
 48. Joseph Hill. 
 
 49. William Moore. 
 
 50. Joseph Pell. 
 
 51. Lodowick Harpel.* 
 
 52. Jacob H. Ridabock. 
 
 53. David Brown. 
 
 54. William Webber. 
 
 55. Robert Gwyer. 
 
 56. Daniel Burtnett. 
 
 28. John Harvey Lyon. 
 At this period I became an apprentice witli the occupant of No. 
 48, Joseph Hill, a driving business but a generous man, and withal 
 a practical Christian, one of the few who " do unto others as they 
 would wish them to do unto themselves," and he was prosperous ; with 
 him I labored many long days, and never worked for any other in 
 the same business. His benevolence and charitable doings Avere 
 proverbial ; he was almost daily called upon, either by the unfor- 
 tunate, or those who were engaged in assisting them ; it was either 
 meat or money at market, in the morning, or his personal attend- 
 ance on the sick or meetings, in the evening. My recollections re- 
 call an instance which happened at a time when, I may truly say, 
 that friend deserted friend, and, in some instances, even the ties of 
 relationship appeared to have no claim to humanity. In the first 
 cholera, in the ye-ar 1832, when it appeared in its most fatal char- 
 acter — when thousands had left the city — when I have repeatedly 
 rode in my employer's cart, in the broad daylight of an early sum- 
 mer morn, from Houston Street down Broadway to Fulton Street, 
 and on several occasions met but one or two persons, and those were 
 watchmen; although some mornings, in glancing up and down the cross 
 streets, there were occasionally to be seen a butcher's or milkman's 
 
430 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 cart ; and on one occasion a near relative, who lived in Amity Street, 
 went out and returned twice, at the breakfast hour, to get milk, and 
 after waiting some time, looking up and down, not a cart to be seen, 
 and but few persons in the street. 
 
 It was at this time when my employer said to me one morning : 
 " Thomas, I am much wearied, and need some rest; last night has 
 
 quite overcome me, in sitting up with a Captain ■ , who has the 
 
 cholera ; and being a very large, heavy man, his situation requires 
 strength and attention, although I have been assisted by his two 
 affectionate daughters, who have attended him day and night, but 
 are unable to lift him. He is a Christian friend of mine, without 
 any others, except these two devoted daughters,"' &c. 
 
 Quite near the " Methodist Church," in Allen Street, I went the 
 same night, and sure enough found a large, heavy man, who had re- 
 ceived that unmeasured attention and careful nursing, which no 
 doubt was the means of saving him ; either one or the other of these 
 daughters, through the night long, was on a continued watch, to 
 perform the slightest wish of their only parent, while the other, in 
 a chair alongside, was taking repose, and my assistance was only 
 occasionally wanted. 
 
 That Methodist Church lost one of its best members when Mr. 
 Joseph Hill died, which took place the next year, leaving an inter- 
 esting family and many friends behind. 
 
 In or through the course of five years, I became intimately ac- 
 quainted with many of the other butchers here, and have never for- 
 gotten the impressions which some of them left on my memory — the 
 mirror of a well-spent life cannot be looked at too often — their 
 several histories would be interesting and instructive, but too volu- 
 minous for me to attempt ; however, a brief notice of a few of them 
 cannot be out of place here. 
 
 Thomas Jeremiah, once the occupant of No. 32, held a stall in this 
 market twenty-two years, or until the year 1835, when he was elect- 
 ed, " County Clerk ;" since which time he retired from the business, 
 and is yet living, the respected President of the " Bowery Savings 
 Bank.'' He was elected Assistant Alderman of the 10th Ward for 
 the years 1828, '29, and '30; Alderman in 1831; then, again, in 
 1838 of the I7th Ward, and in 1844 a representative to the Legis- 
 lature. In all these public offices he never represented the partisan, 
 but the mem, for the good of the whole; and to place his name be- 
 fore the people, he was sure to be elected on any ticket, always re- 
 ceiving the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 In his business he always found something to emplov himself with: 
 if not cutting up or selling meat, he was informing his mind ; and a 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 43I 
 
 singular fact was, that he learned the French language perfectly 
 while attending at his stall in this market. 
 
 The PIou. Judge Meigs says of him in a letter to me, of which the 
 following is an extract: " With his occupation one hardly expected 
 the best traits of a gentleman with literary accomplishments — my 
 comrade, a man of delicate frame, and yet unvarying health and 
 temperament — was well read in French literature as well as Englis^h 
 — as fine manners as any Parisian gentleman — of unstained reputa- 
 tion, public and private — it was Thomas Jeremiah." 
 
 Jacob Aims, recently the venerable President of the Butchers' 
 and Drovers' Bank, occupied stand No. 37 from the year of the erec- 
 tion of this market until about 1840, when he was called to preside 
 at this bank. From a poor and almost uneducated boy, he has, with 
 determination, industry, integrity, and promptness, accumulated a 
 fine property ; and we might also add to these, great sagacity and 
 financial abilities, which have rendered him one of the most success- 
 ful of our bank presidents. 
 
 The same I may say of Daniel Burtnett, the President of the Citi- 
 zens' Insurance Company, whose stock now ranks with the very best. 
 He also has lately (1860) had additional honors as well as duties 
 placed upon him, by being elected the President of the " Citizens' 
 Bank," which duties he is now performing so well and with great 
 satisfaction. His ready mind, quick perception, and gentlemanly 
 manners have given him great advantages, and placed him foremost 
 in the profession, while doing business on stand No. 56. 
 
 While young and an apprentice, the war of 1812 called forth his 
 patriotism, as well as many other butchers, both old and young : this, 
 however, is shown in the following graphic and interesting sketch 
 furnished by him in answer to questions on this subject. In the 
 month of May, 1858, he says : " Aware that you are actively engaged 
 in compiling a history of the public markets of the City of New 
 York, together with the leading men of the profession that occupied 
 them, I deem it a duty, as much as I feel it a pleasure, to give you 
 a little, though gratifying, incident that occurred during the late war 
 with England, showing not only the patriotism of the master butch- 
 ers, but parallel with them the spunky national feeling that pervaded 
 the ranks of the apprentice?. 
 
 " The master butchers held a general meeting, at which it was re- 
 solved to tender their services to the General Government, for the 
 purpose of aiding in the erection of fortifications — at that time deem- 
 ed necessary at various places, both for harbor and inland defence : 
 the old gentlemen selected Brooklyn Heights as the field of their 
 labor, and a right good jolly time they made of it. 
 
432 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 "The apprentices, not to be outdone by their masters, held a meet- 
 ing in Bayard Street, at which the attendance was very large and 
 enthusiastic ; your humble friend was elected to preside, and in pre- 
 senting to the meeting for their consideration the exposed situation 
 not only of our inland passes, but seaboard towns, the necessity for 
 prompt action, &c., &c., my suggestions were not only met by out- 
 bursts of applause, but boy speeches were made in profusion, which, 
 if they wore not of the Clay and Webster order, the terrific cheers 
 more than atoned for the absence of oratory in the speeches. 
 
 "The meeting resulted in the appointment of a Committee of three, 
 consisting of the following boys : Valentine Merkle, Henry Spurling, 
 and Daniel Burtnett, who were clothed with full power to make such 
 arrangements as would not only meet the demands of the Govern- 
 ment officers stationed here, but exhibit (to what was then called 
 the ' War Committee,' Avho met daily at the City Hall,) the fact that 
 if it was necessary to drop the shovel and grasp the musket, they 
 might find one hundred boys who were ready at the beat of drum. 
 
 " The Committee accordingly met on the following morning, and, 
 after deliberating on the course to be pursued, called on Major Horn, 
 who then had charge of the working parties, who very cheerfully 
 accepted our service, and g,ssigned us a location on the right of 
 ' Mc 'rowan's Pass.' 
 
 " Oar next important object was to furnish such quantities of edi- 
 bles as would satisfy the appetites of those who never declined a 
 good dinner or refused a hearty supper. A fine horse and tasty 
 wagon was obtained, which was filled with hams, tongues, roasted 
 beef, etc., etc., and an early day was fixed for a start ; and at 6 o'clock 
 in the morning away we went, with a fine band of music, colors fly- 
 ing, hearts beating, and in one and a half hours we were on the 
 ground. (The prompt action on the part of the boys allowed them 
 six more working hours than other parties, who left the dock in the 
 city in old boats, which very seldom reached the place of operations 
 before 12 at noon, and left at a very early hour by the same convey- 
 ance, in order to reach their homes before night.) 
 
 " Wo then adjourned to a beautiful green field in the immediate 
 neighborhood, partook of a hearty breakfast, and went to work with 
 a good will ; and you, my dear Colonel, know enough of our physical 
 capacity to admit, at least, it was such a day's work as the present 
 boys of the profession might attempt, but would not likely perform. 
 At tliis time the militia from the upper counties, that were mustered 
 into the service, were encamped on the heights at Yorkville, to guard 
 that and other passes to the city. I merely mention this well-known, 
 although unimportant fact, to show the military gallantry of the ofificers 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 433 
 
 in command on our return to the city. We quit -work about sun- 
 down, after having thrown up a breastwork of about one hundred 
 feet in length, twenty in breadth, and four feet in height, sodded 
 complete ; the material for which was carried in hand-barrows from 
 the foot of the hill and adjacent grounds. 
 
 " After having received the thanks of Major Horn, together with 
 'three times three' from idlers, non-combatants, &c., we formed in 
 order of march by sections of three, and on reaching the heights, 
 t]je whole command stationed there turned out to receive us, with 
 Qolors flying, drums beating, and every other demonstration of ap- 
 proval. After passing the heights, we marched quietly but rapidly 
 down to the Bowery, where we were met by a delegation of butch- 
 ers from one of the public markets, who had prepared a sumptuous 
 supper, which was tendered to us in a few appropriate remarks by 
 the chairman of the delegation, but very respectfully declined on 
 our part, solely on account of excessive fatigue. After arriving at 
 head-quarters, the boys were dismissed to their respective homes, 
 where, in the arms of Morpheus, they sought the much needed repose. 
 
 " Thus ended the first patriotic demonstration on the part of the 
 butcher boys, many of whom, soon (by age) to become men, were 
 called on to man the defences they had so recently aided to con- 
 struct ; among the number, your humble friend was drafted, and, he 
 trusts, done his whole duty as a soldier, until honorably discharged. 
 But afterwfirds served ten years in the military, and is now almost, 
 if not quite, the only survivor of that little band of boys who gave, 
 as an humble offering on the altar of their country, one hard day's 
 work at least. 
 
 " I had almost forgotten one little event that caused much merri- 
 ment, with any quantity of enthusiasm, viz. : a flag with a white 
 ground and black letters, with this inscription : 
 
 ' Free trade and ButcberB' rights, 
 From Brooklyn's Fields to Harlem Heights.' 
 
 When the pole of the flag was stuck in the adjoining breastwork, 
 and its folds wafted to the breeze, it was hailed with nine hearty 
 cheers. Having thus performed my promise, to give you some idea 
 of the butcher boys of that day, permit me to offer you my sincere 
 congratulations, &c." 
 
 If the reader will enjoy the same amount of information and 
 pleasure that I have in reading the above historical sketch, then my 
 respected friend will not only receive my hearty thanks, bi;t I hope 
 many thousands more. 
 
 But I must now turn to speak of an old gentleman, and a most 
 valued friend, who greatly assisted me when I most needed it : a 
 Vol. L— 28 
 
434 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 plain, quiet, unpretending, honest, and truly a Christian man ; with- 
 out display, he frequently assisted many unfortunate and deserving 
 poor, who will miss his benevolence and kindness when his pleasant 
 face and words shall no more be seen or heard here. Such a man 
 was Henry Wicker, mapy years the occupant of No. 39. 
 
 Lawrence Wiseburn, another, whose varying fortunes has pro- 
 duced no change — the same honest, and also the Christian man to- 
 day, as when the occupant of No. 36 ; but not now so rugged, or 
 capable of battling with the more modern times. In former years, 
 patriotism, inherited through a father who fought in the Revolution, 
 was somewhat strongly developed in him ; as the duties of a private, 
 then non-commissioned officer, were by him performed prior to and 
 during the war of 1812, and since that period was many years Cap- 
 tain of a fine troop of horse. Two or three times he has been chosen 
 and faithfully performed the duties of public office with satisfaction, 
 and not one man can say aught against him. 
 
 Then Ernest Keyser, on stand No. 43, who became one of the 
 largest dealers in this city. He commenced in the Bear Market, in 
 1802, with John Graff, and from strict attention to business, he suc- 
 ceeded in establishing a large trade before that market was torn 
 down; this was further increased in this market, and for many years 
 he did one of the largest and most successful butchering businesses 
 in New York, which he continued until the year 1844, when he re- 
 tired from active duties. He was also one of the pioneers in the 
 ice-trade in this city ; through hot and cold, night and day, he was 
 ever busy at work, and by promptness and frugality, he has filled 
 his "cream-pots" (as he called his earnings) full to overflowing. 
 
 His brother John, or Captain Keyser, (on No. 22,) as he was usu- 
 ally known, from the fact that he was Captain of the "Old Blue 
 Troop," once called the " Flying Artillery," and composed princi- 
 pally of butchers, (and it is now the oldest military organization in 
 the city,) in 1825, and many years after; then he was among. the 
 first exempts to assist in organizing the First Troop of Washington 
 Greys, and in 1837 became its Captain. His social qualities were 
 extraordinary — always full of pleasant wit and humor, and occa- 
 sionally curious, practical jokes ; one of which I shall here intro- 
 duce. One of the other butchers in this market, who belonged to 
 the latter " Troop," had forgotten to pay, as promised, for a small 
 article, valued at about ten cents, purchased of the Captain early in 
 the morning. After the morning's business was through, the Cap- 
 tain sent for his " Orderly," who also stood in this market, and 
 ordered him to notify every member present (about twenty) to ap- 
 pear at his stand in five minutes' time, with whatever weapons they 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 435 
 
 could lay their hands on. They all appeared punctually, with 
 knives, choppers, gamtarils, &c., when he at once, without any expla- 
 nation, ordered them into line, and put them on the march to the 
 front of this individual's stall, where he halted, and faced them ; 
 then stepping in front of the culprit, who was greatly surprised at 
 this unusual and strange visit, the Captain addressed him by 
 name, in a loud but determined tone of voice, proceeded with a 
 lecture on a soldier's first duty — the importance of punctuality and 
 promptness — and closed by demanding the immediate payment of 
 ten cents for the. kidney, and the taxable costs ! The gathering and 
 marching of this body through the market caused a large collection 
 of outsiders ; then followed the sober character of the address, and 
 its final conclusive demand almost " brought down the (market) 
 house." Such a laugh had not been enjoyed by the market people 
 in many years. 
 
 Still living is Bartholomew Granger, once the occupant of No. 25, 
 who, in his day, was one of the neatest and the cleanliest butchers, and 
 also one of the best salesmen in this market. His meats were al- 
 ways of the best quality, cut up with remarkable skill, very smooth 
 and handsome ; and his stalls, fixtures, and tools showed that they 
 were daily attended to, with plenty of "elbow grease." 
 
 Then there were the Graffs, (both father and son,) on Nos. 2 and 
 3 ; both gentlemen of modest and retiring habits. The Gwyers, 
 Harpels, and many more excellent men, who have followed on, 
 some of which, and their generations, are now prominent before the 
 citizens who visit there. 
 
 On the 16th of December, 1833, a report was made, and a resolu- 
 tion adopted, " to erect a building, in extension of this market, on 
 a line of West Street," at an expense estimated at about three 
 thousand dollars, which was approved by the Mayor, on the 1st of 
 January of the next year, (1834;) and in the following month of 
 March an appropriation was made, showing the cost of this building 
 at $3,325. This is the present market-house, directly on the east 
 side, and adjoining West Street, running from Vesey to Fulton 
 Street, afterwards known as the Country and Fish Market ; as the 
 fishermen were moved out of the old fish market, (built in 1824,) 
 in the south end, and country people in the north end of the new 
 one. The old fish market being now much out of repair, and dis- 
 connected from the old market buildings, it was concluded in the 
 month of July following, that, as its " removal and repairing would 
 cost more than the sum of five hundred dollars," which was the ex- 
 tent of authority for repairs as fixed by law, the Board therefore 
 "Resolved, That the Superintendent of Buildings be, and he is 
 
436 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 hereby, authorized and directed to cause the Washington Pish 
 Market to be removed and repaired, at an expense not exceeding 
 the sum of fourteen hundred dollars ; the amount to be paid out 
 of the general appropriation for markets, and the application for 
 money to designate this particular object." The removal and re- 
 building of this old market-house caused a connection of the old 
 market-houses with this new " Country and Fish Market" only on 
 the Vesey Street side ; and on the Fulton Street side a large vacant 
 space, for country wagons, carts, &c., was left for their accommo- 
 dation. 
 
 About the year 1825, the system of making "premium," or stands 
 which the proprietors or their families, in case of death, would have 
 the right to dispose of, commenced. These were not those which 
 had been sold at public auction, but the many in the old markets 
 which had been either drawn for or gifted.. Many butchers wished 
 such right of disposal, so that they might get some value for their 
 fixtures, as well as for the trade, custom, and business. 
 
 By introducing several instances, no doubt the system will be 
 better understood. In the month of January, 1825, the Market 
 Committee reported in favor of the following transfers, on certain 
 conditions : Stand No. 52, this market, held by Daniel D. Tomp- 
 kins, be transferred to George W. Campbell ; and that stand No. 
 36, same, held by John H. Tier, be transferred to James Valentine. 
 " That the petitioners are well recommended, and that the stalls 
 (stands) have never been sold for a premium. Your Committee 
 have consulted with the butchers and others as to the premium 
 value of said stalls, and have come to the conclusion that stand 
 No. 52 is worth $100 'premium,' and stand No. 86 is worth $300 
 premium, which the petitioners are willing to pay." They offer a 
 resolution " to grant the above, on their paying the amount into 
 the City Treasury." 
 
 Several other cases of the same character followed in some of the 
 other public markets, one of which will be noticed in the history 
 of Centre Market, as demanding of a very large sum, under pecu- 
 liar circumstances. However, we will introduce a few more, which 
 took place in this market in the year 1834. 
 
 On the 1st of January of that year, a report was adopted " on 
 the petition of William Hutton, for John L. Heyer's stand, No. 53, 
 this market." They state, " It is not a premium stand, but Mr. 
 Hutton has agreed to pay the Corporation one hundred dollars, 
 which is supposed to be a fair compensation for the right of said 
 stall." 
 
 Then, on the 7th of the same month, a petition from Mr. Joseph 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 4.37 
 
 Hill (presented after his death) was before the Committee, who 
 state, " That they have examined the state of this case, and find it 
 to be one of a peculiar character, owing to the death of the peti- 
 tioner subsequent to asking leave to transfer said stall. Your 
 Committee, therefore, under existing circumstances, deemed it prop- 
 er to have the said stand appraised, (hy butchers, ) which appraise- 
 ment amounts to $700." They offer the following resolution: 
 ''Resolved, That the butcher's stand No. 48 Washington Market, 
 lately in the occupation of Joseph Hill, deceased, be transferred to 
 Samuel Hill, on payment of $700 to the Corporation, &c. ;" which 
 was complied with, and his brother took possession. Then, in the 
 month of July, the following resolution was also passed : "Resolved, 
 That stand No. 21, (this marJcet,) now occupied by Christian Har- 
 riot, be transferred to Thomas P. Way, on his paying into the City 
 Ti-easury $700 as premium for said stall, and on his complying with 
 the law to regulate the public markets in this city, &c." In the 
 same month they again "Resolved, That a butcher's license be 
 granted to William Harrington for stand No. 5, (this market,) on 
 his paying $300 to the Collector of the City Revenue, for the use 
 of the city." 
 
 Another peculiar case (where the occupant had died) is that of a 
 petition from the wife of Robert Gwyer, before the Board, in the 
 month of October, which shows, " That the deceased, husband of your 
 petitioner, was a licensed butcher, occupying stand No. 28, {iliis mar- 
 ket;) that application was made a short time previous to his death 
 for the traiisfer of his stand in the usual way ; that said application 
 was withdrawn, by consent of parties, on the ground that there was 
 no actual necessity for it at that time. Circumstances have since 
 occurred in the death of my husband, as to make it a matter of ne- 
 cessity ; and your petitioner therefore humbly prays your Honora- 
 ble Body will transfer said stand to John S. Boyce and Samuel Hol- 
 den, &c." This was referred to a Committee of butchers, selected 
 by the Market Committee, who report : " We, the subscribers, being 
 a Committee appointed by the Honorable the Market Committee to 
 fix on a premium for stand No. 28, have duly considered the sub- 
 ject, and unanimously agreed on five hundred dollars. Daniel Burt- 
 nett, Ernest Keyser, Jacob Aims, Thomas Jeremiah, Jesse T. Spicer, 
 and George Vaughn." The Market Committee accepted this report, 
 and " Resolved, That his Honor the Mayor be requested to grant 
 butcher's license to John S. Boyce, for stand No. 28 Washington 
 Market, on exhibition of a receipt that five hundred dollars has been 
 paid into the City Treasury for premium for said stall, and on his 
 complying with the market laws, rules, &c." This was approved by 
 the Mayor, November 4, (1834,) following. 
 
438 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 The action or proceedings of the Market Committee, since the year 
 1831, were made legal by a law then passed, which read as follows : 
 " A Law constituting a Market Committee of the Common Council. 
 Be it ordained by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City 
 of New York, in Common Council convened, that from and after 
 the passage of this ordinance, the members of the Board of Alder- 
 men who now are or who may hereafter be appointed members of 
 the Market Committee of said Board of Aldermen, and the members 
 of the Board of Assistants who now are or who may hereafter be 
 duly appointed members of the Market Committee of the said Board 
 of Assistants, be, and they are hereby, jointly constituted the Mar- 
 ket Committee 'of the Common Council for all legal purposes." 
 " Passed the Board of Aldermen November 14, 1831 ; passed the 
 Board of Assistants November 21, 1831, and approved by the Mayor 
 November 22, 1831." 
 
 This Committee had been greatly assisted in their various duties 
 by consulting with some of the principal butchers of the several pub- 
 lic markets, who were ever willing to give such information or pro- 
 pose such measures as would tend to the general good. The Com- 
 mittee, in view of these advantages, in the month of June, 1835, sent 
 notes of invitation to the following butchers to appear before them : 
 " Messrs. Aims, Burtnett, Reeves, Scott, Phillips, Pessinger, Win- 
 ship, Hanshe, Pray, and De Voe."* When it was mutually agreed 
 that the licensed butchers in the several public markets should meet 
 and appoint an " Executive Committee," to consult with the " Mar- 
 ket Committee" on all important subjects relating to markets, which 
 may be referred to them, by petition or otherwise. 
 
 Soon after a meeting was called, and one from each of the thirteen 
 markets was elected, who were called together at the house of An- 
 drew C. Wheeler, 261 Bowery, when he was elected the Chairman, 
 and ourself the Secretary. From this body the " Executive Com- 
 mittee," consisting of three, viz., Daniel Burtnett, Andrew C. Wheeler 
 and George Pessinger, were appointed to meet with the Market Com- 
 mittee at their regular meetings. 
 
 Some of their proceedings will be noticed in the histories of other 
 markets, and their assistance was politely requested from year to 
 year, until those market laws were abrogated in 1843. 
 
 The many changes in the occupancy of the butchers' stands, from 
 1828 to 1840, has induced me again to give them at the latter date: 
 those marked with two stars were occupants in 1818, and with one 
 star of 1828. 
 
 No. 1. William Webber. No. 29. Jesse A. Marshall. 
 
 2. John C. Chamberlain. 30. Pierson S. Halsted. 
 
 * See Union Market. 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 439 
 
 No. 3. John A. Graff.* 
 
 4. John L. Starr.* 
 
 5. William Harrington. 
 
 6. Alfred Smith. 
 
 7. Ernest Fink, Jun'r. 
 
 8. William W. Bennett. 
 
 9. Christopher Gwyer.* 
 
 10. Freeman P. Bird. 
 
 11. Dennis Valentine. 
 
 12. William J. Valentine. 
 
 13. Edward Roblin. 
 
 14. George Camerden.* 
 
 15. Hugh Goble.* 
 
 16. George Goodheart.* 
 
 17. Joseph Levinus.* 
 
 18. John Phillips. 
 
 19. Benjamin Jacacks. 
 
 20. William Smith. 
 Thomas P. Way. 
 John Keyser.* 
 Garrit Sentis, Jun'r.* 
 William H. Halsted. 
 Bartholomew Granger.** 
 
 26. Francis Granger.* 
 
 27. Charles Cadwell. 
 
 21. 
 
 22. 
 23. 
 24. 
 25. 
 
 No. 31. Jacob Hanshe. 
 
 32. James S. Halsted. 
 
 33. Mathew H. Chase. 
 
 34. No stand. 
 
 35. Walter Durbrow. 
 
 36. James Valentine. 
 
 37. Jacob Aims.** 
 
 38. John P. Aims. 
 
 39. Henry Wicker.** 
 
 40. John Harris. 
 
 41. Edward Revere. 
 
 42. Bethuel Howard. 
 
 43. Ernest Keyser.** 
 
 44. Effingham W. Marsh.* 
 
 45. John D. Spader.* 
 
 46. John Andarise.* 
 
 47. William Moore. 
 
 48. William Mook. 
 
 49. Samuel Hart. 
 
 50. Peter Valentine. 
 
 51. Ludowick Harpel.** 
 
 52. George W. Campbell. 
 
 53. Adam R. Palmer. 
 
 54. George Jacacks. 
 
 55. James Stewart. 
 
 56. Daniel Burtnett.* 
 
 28. Samuel Holden. 
 
 Many of these, as well as a large number of the licensed butchers 
 of the City of New York, have histories which would be interesting 
 and instructive, but as they could not be condensed in this volume, 
 I have concluded to give sketches of their history, or at least such 
 as I am in possession of, and what I expect will be furnished me, will 
 be ample to form a separate volume. There is one, however, among 
 the new occupants, since the last period of their being noticed, who 
 appears to have been quite prominent in and about the period of the 
 war of 1812, as well as one of the many sufferers of the once well- 
 known " Dartmoor Prison Massacre." 
 
 Bethuel Howard, for many years the occupant of No. 42, when 
 about 20 years of age, in the year 1812 enlisted for one year in the 
 " New York Volunteers," under the command of Colonel Andrew 
 Sitcher, when he received the bounty money of $34, and after being 
 in service about nine months the regiment was disbanded, on account 
 of some informality. Soon again he entered aboard the privateer 
 " Governor Tompkins," Captain Shaler, which vessel carried 15 
 
440 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 guns and 115 men for a three months' cruise, taking several valua- 
 ble prizes, burning some, and sending others into the various ports. 
 
 On one occasion they discovered what they thought a large mer- 
 chant vessel in the evening of one day, and thought she would be a 
 valuable prize; they bore down upon her, and by daylight next 
 morning found themselves almost in the clutches of a British frigate, 
 who, on seeing the movement of the " Tompkins " to get out of her 
 way, began to send several unpleasant messengers to bring her to. 
 The wind being very light. Captain Shaler concluded not to stop, 
 but ordered out his ten sweeps on each side, and five men to each 
 sweep put so much life into the " Tompkins," that a safe distance was 
 soon made between them. 
 
 The fife and drum also much assisted in enlivening the motion as 
 well as the spirits of the men, although the sailing-master, John At- 
 kinson, was sometimes very generous and liberal with the latter, in 
 another form, when the occasion demanded ; then an extra allow- 
 ance was presented them in a more acceptable form, i. e., the liquid 
 state. But usually the sailing-master was rather unpopular with 
 those who were not fond of duty — they called him " Speaking Trum- 
 pet Jack," which name he enjoyed, from the fact that whenever he 
 found a man asleep on his post, or neglectful of duty, he invariably 
 placed his trumpet somewhat heavily over the head of the culprit, 
 which generally led him to believe that it was not done in fun. 
 
 Mr. Howard, with three others, after taking the " Young Hus- 
 band" as a prize, were put on board to run her into the nearest 
 port, but being overtaken by a severe storm, were obliged to lay- 
 to three days at Block Island, watched by the British cruisers; 
 however, they got away and made for the shore, and succeeded in 
 reaching Newport. After reaching New York, three other prizes, 
 the "Myriad," valued at £75,000 ; the brig Henry, valued at £50,000, 
 and another not recollected, were the spoils of this cruise; and 
 Howard's share amounted to about 1600 — and the " Governor 
 Tompkins " never returned ; many supposed she foundered at sea. 
 
 Again Mr. Howard, in the month of August, 1814, entered aboard 
 the Baltimore clipper schooner "Amelia," Captain Adams, who took 
 several prizes, among which was the brig " Nancy Howard," into 
 which Howard, with three other Americans and four of the British 
 crew, was placed aboard to be sent in ; but this prize was unfor- 
 tunately retaken, with these men as prisoners, by the frigate "Ham- 
 adryad," Captain Chatham, where Howard and the others were kept 
 about two months, then taken to St. Johns, N. B., placed on board 
 the frigate " La Loin," thence sent to Plymouth, England, and put 
 on board the prison ship " Impregnable ;" from thence, after a short 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 441 
 
 period, to "Dartmoor Prison," which lies about 17 miles from 
 Plymouth, where he was kept from the month of October, 1814, to 
 July, 1815. 
 
 In this prison they were stowed among the thousands of both 
 French and American prisoners ; many of the latter were American 
 seamen, taken from merchant vessels ; all kept in a filthy and dirty 
 condition, often on short allowance, through the instigation of 
 Captain Shortland, the keeper, who gave orders to the contractors 
 to serve them with bad bread, sour meat, &c. ; but the worst is yet 
 to be told. On the 6th of April, while a number of American pris- 
 oners were playing ball in yard No. 7, where a small hole, the size 
 of a large pane of glass, sufficiently large to admit a boy or small 
 man to pass through, had been made by some persons for the pur- 
 pose of obtaining the ball, when it flew over the wall into a large 
 yard inclosed by high walls, wherein the soldiers or guards were 
 stationed in their barracks. 
 
 The ball happened to pass over the wall, and they were trying to 
 get it, when Captain Shortland entered the gate with about 300 
 soldiers, and ordered them to fire on the prisoners and those who 
 came out of the prison to learn the cause of the firing. The soldiers 
 pursued and shot down the flying prisoners, and also fired through 
 the windows and doors inside of the prison. Some seven or eight 
 were killed on the spot, and thirty-eight wounded, three of whom 
 died two days after. Howard was released and conveyed from this 
 murdering hole on board of a cartel, and arrived in New York, 
 where he commenced his business again, and in 1821 obtained stand 
 No. 46 Catharine Market, which he held until 1832, when he re- 
 moved to the above stand in this market. Several years ago he re- 
 tired from the active duties of his business, but he occasionally is 
 found at the Bull's Head, procuring stock for his son, who has taken 
 bis place on No. 42. 
 
 Ao-ain we refer to the mai'ket-houses, which we find in 1842 well 
 filled, in fact, overflowing, as numerous complaints were made by 
 the country people of the want of room under shelter. The large 
 market space, both in the Vesey and West Street sides, which had 
 been appropriated and used by the country people so many years, had 
 at this period been all taken up by the forestallers, agents, &c. So 
 many individuals wanted stands just among the country people — 
 and when certain people want there is always a way to get ; honest- 
 ly if they can, but whether so or not they must have them ; and those 
 very lionest officers in charge allowed them to get and get, until the 
 countrymen were again driven or got out. They had been driven 
 out so often, that many of them gave up bringing their produce 
 
442 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 themselves, but employed agents to sell for them ; while others, more 
 persevering, would set down their produce in the gangways, in front 
 of these individuals, where sometimes warm words would be used by 
 both parties. However, the "country people" concluded to try 
 what effect another petition, showing the whole facts, would pro- 
 duce in the Board, which we find before them in the month of Octo- 
 ber, next year, reading as follows : " The petitioners, farmers, bring- 
 ing the produce of their farms to ' Washington Market,' would re- 
 spectfully call the attention of your Honorable Body to the incon- 
 venience to which we are subject there ; if we go into the market, 
 called the country market, with our things, we are in danger of be- 
 ing assailed, and our things upset, and in some cases destroyed by 
 the speculators, who occupy every spot with their boxes, and will 
 not allow us to stand them on or before them, as they say that they 
 have to pay for their stands ; if we go on the side-walk opposite the 
 market, we are liable to be driven off by the occupants of the stores; 
 and if in the street, we are in danger of being run over by the carts 
 and exposed to all kinds of weather, after riding fifteen or twenty, 
 and some of us thirty miles at night ; it is vain that we apply to the 
 Clerk of the Market, as he says there is no room, and we must find 
 a place whei-e we can. These are the inconveniences, to say the least 
 of them, under which we labor ; and we humbly trust that your 
 Honorable Body will remove them as far as you may deem it neces- 
 sary ; all. we ask is a place to ourselves, where our things are not 
 liable to be destroyed, and ourselves threatened with personal vio- 
 lence if we take them in the market, &c." New York, May, 1843. 
 Peter C.Westervelt, Jr. Peter Huyler, Jacob J. Hopper, 
 
 Jas. H.Brinkerhoflf,Jr. Richard Berdan, . Teunis Van Pelt, 
 Jacob J. Brinkerhoff, Sam'l P. Demarest, Gilbert D. Blauvelt, 
 John G. Speer, William A. Bogert, Jacob A. Brinkerhoff, 
 
 John J. Bantaj Mathew M. Bogert, John Ackerman, Jr. 
 
 John J. Van Wagonen, John G. Banta, Nicholas A. Voorhis, 
 
 Andrew C. Colman, Isaac D. Demarest, Albert Voorhis, Jr. 
 John S. Demarest, Cornelius R. Haring, Cornelius J. Haring, 
 
 John Wanamaker, Philip Brinkerhoof, George Vreeland, 
 Jacob Van Winkle, James Herring, William H. Zabriskie, 
 
 Peter P. Westervelt, Peter R. Terhune, Garret H. Zabriskie, 
 John M. Hopper, Henry H. Voorhis, Jr. Cornelius Vanvale, 
 
 John P. Westervelt, James Y. Demarest, Abram Debaun, 
 Cornelius Van Winkle, John Voorhis, Garret Oldis, 
 
 John A. Demarest, Jasper Cadmus, Jr. John P. Cutwater, 
 John S. Berry, Lomas Bickell, Peter T.Wortendyke, 
 
 John H. Ackerman, Benj. Bogert, George C. Demarest, 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 443 
 
 Richard Van Winkle, Henry A. L. Voorhis, Stephen Vreeland, 
 Lawrence Vreeland, John Van Buskirk, Garret Vreeland, 
 James H. Brinkerhoff, Simon Van Antwerp, John D. Peack, 
 Aaron H. Westervelt, Albert J. Terhune, Chas. A. Fellows, 
 Lawrence Mann, Peter H. Ackerman, Jacob M. Meescles, 
 
 Daniel J. Haring, John R. Romaine, Mathew Demarest, 
 
 C. A. Debaun, Frederick Croute, Jas. P. Westervelt, 
 
 John N. Hoppin, Oliver P. Smith, George Vreeland, Jr. 
 
 Martin Sishhult, Jacob P. Mowerson, William D. Haring, 
 
 William Sexon, Richard Terhune, Peter S. Bogert, 
 
 Cornelius C.Holdrom, Levi Sherwood, David J. Christie, 
 
 Christian Van Horn, Henry Ferdon, Ab'm J. Van Voorhis, 
 
 Isaac J. Haring, Frederick B. Mabie, Alb't A. Brinkerhoof, 
 
 Abraham Vreeland, Martin Hennion, Peter Howard. 
 
 John A. Hopper, Mindert Van Home, 
 
 The Committee on Markets reported on the above petition, viz. : 
 " That they have long been impressed with the necessity of provid- 
 ing more extensive accommodations at the above-named market, and 
 have only been deterred from suggesting the present proposed addi- 
 tion in consequence of their anxious desire to lessen as much as possi- 
 ble the expenses of the city ; but, upon a thorough investigation, they 
 find that, by inclosing the vacant space on Fulton Street adjoining 
 the fish market, which is now used only as a receptacle for rubbish 
 of every description, the fees arising therefrom will in one year 
 more than pay the whole expense of the outlay, and at the same 
 time be a very great accommodation both to the buyer and the 
 seller, as at present many of the farmers, for the want of room in 
 the market, are obliged to occupy the side-walks, a long distance 
 above the market. As an evidence of the propriety of erecting the 
 addition proposed, your Committee would state, that an offer has 
 been made to erect the shed, and to pay $2,000 per annum for its 
 use. With these facts before them, they feel that they would not 
 be doing justice to the public did they not urge the commencement 
 of the work. With this view, they offer for adoption the following 
 resolution : Resolved, That the vacant space at Washington Market 
 fronting on Fulton Street, and adjoining the fish market, be inclosed 
 with a proper roof, and a floor laid down, under the direction of the 
 Committee on Public Offices and Repairs, and that twelve hundred 
 and fifty dollars be appropriated for that purpose. The same to be 
 done by contract." 
 
 This shed was put up accordingly, and gave accommodations only 
 for a short period to the country people, as other individuals again 
 wanted; and their having but the Superintendents of Markets 
 
444 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 (after this period) and a Clerk or two to convince of their superior 
 rights to take the countrymen's allotted space, they were usunlly 
 successful, especially if their arguments were weighty; and thou 
 one stand after another were give7i away to these "proper persons,^' 
 as the law directs, until at last the countrymen had again to fill the 
 gangways, side-walks, and streets. Even on these places they were 
 followed by others, who wished to represent or be considered 
 " countrymen," to those citizen purchasers who sought for the orig- 
 inals; and when any petitions, reports, or other movements were 
 made for additional room, it was always presented as being for the 
 accommodation of that wronged class — the country people. The 
 following resolution and report, made in the months of May and 
 June, 1847, in making additions on the West Washington Market 
 ground, on the west side of West Street, will show this fact: 
 
 ''Resolved, That the Committee on Markets report to this Board 
 the propriety and expediency of erecting a suitable market on the 
 ground vecenily filled in, and now being filled in, between Fulton and 
 Vesey Streets, and fronting on West Street, with a vicAv of afford- 
 ing more market accommodations for country jjeople and others at- 
 tending the Washington Market, and also of removing the sheds 
 and other obstructions on the side-walk of said streets adjoining 
 the said market, and adjacent thereto, so that the free and proper 
 use of the said streets may be enjoyed as of right appertains, to- 
 gether with the cost of said building and improvement." This 
 Committee reported, on the 7th of June following, " That they have 
 had this subject under consideration, and, with a view of obtaining 
 correct information as to the necessity of the proposed improve- 
 ment, your Committee personally examined the premises, and are 
 fully satisfied of the necessity which exists of some improvement 
 being immediately made. This plot of ground is at present occu- 
 pied by a few wooden shanties, which pay to the city only about 
 three or four dollars per day, and is otherwise used as a place of 
 general deposit for all kinds of rubbish, filth, &c., and is conse- 
 quently an intolerable nuisance, not only to those doing business in 
 the vicinity, but to our citizens who may have occasion to pass 
 through this section of the city. Your Committee deem it inexpe- 
 dient to recommend the erection of a permanent market-house on 
 this ground at the present time, inasmuch as the same having been 
 but recently filled in, is constantly settling, and therefore renders 
 the same impracticable; but to obviate this objection, and to af- 
 ford the required facilities for the constantly increasing business 
 done in and around this market, would recommend that two sheds 
 be built thereon, which your Committee estimate can be done at an 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 445 
 
 expense of from three to four thousand dollars, and, according to 
 the plan on which your Committee propose building them, will pro- 
 duce a revenue to the city of from twelve to fifteen dollars per day, 
 this almost paying the construction in one year." A resolution was 
 passed to comply with the above, and appropriating $4,000 for their 
 erection. 
 
 The erection of these two market sheds, and the continued filling 
 up of the slip, gave cause to the captains of the regular market-boats 
 to present the following petition, which appears before the Board in 
 the month of August following : " The undersigned, doing business 
 in and about Washington Market, and engaged in bringing produce 
 to said market, respectfully represent, that, in consequence of the 
 extension of the pier at the foot of Vesey Street, and the filling up 
 of the slip between Vesey and Fulton Streets, immediately in front 
 of said market, they are apprehensive that vessels, other than those 
 engaged in bringing produce to the Washington Market, will use 
 and occupy the pier and slip in front and adjacent to the same, to 
 the exclusion of the market-boats. 
 
 " The undersigned therefore beg leave to state, that vessels bring- 
 ing produce to the said market have heretofore enjoyed the exclu- 
 sive use and occupation of the piers and slip immediately in front 
 and adjacent, and they respectfully request that the said vessels, in 
 view of the new arrangement now in progress, may be continued in 
 the exercise of their rights and privileges, to the exclusion of all 
 other vessels. The undersigned regard a compliance with this re- 
 quest as of the highest importance to the jnarket as well as to the 
 undersigned, and as in no respect interfering with the just rights of 
 other vessels. (Signed,) 
 
 Thomas Morford, sloop Cyrus. W. S. Horner, sloop Oregon. 
 
 Amos Tilton, schooner Columbus. Clarkson Price, sloop Herald. 
 
 John Price, sloop Merchant. James Seely, sloop Tribune. 
 
 Hiram Seeley, sloop Exchange. Haddock Whitlock, steamer .Srgo. 
 
 Jncob W. Fountain, sloop Ware. Jas. M. Walling, s\oop Wa/ee. 
 
 William Lee, sloop Fashion. William Smith, sail-boat Major Ringold. 
 
 .Tnhn Jacobs, sail-boat Telegraph. John Bennett. Jr., pettiauger Washington. 
 
 William Wayman, sloop Mary Elizabeth. Rich'd R. Bennett, pettiauger Ocean Child. 
 
 William C. Wilson, schooner Jersey Blue. Tbos. M. Leonard, sch'r George Sc William. 
 
 John T. Walling, ploop General Taylor. John Seely, sloop Exceed. 
 
 Charles H. Miles, sloop Varice. Thomas Adams, sloop Suffolk. 
 
 Joseph Ketcham, sloop Revenge. James Bowne, sloop President. 
 
 Daniel Van Brunt, sloop Cybele. John Holmes Van Brunt, Sop of the Dread. 
 
 John Gould, Captain of sloop Trader. Abraham Bogart. 
 
 Bernard Saryelere, Capt. sloop C. Whitey. Simon Wardell. Capt. of sloop Sylphide. 
 
 John Dubois, sail-boat Gazelle. Abel Sammis, Captain P. R. Herald." 
 
 Early in the year 1849, a favorable report was acted upon by the 
 Board, who wished authority from the Legislature to erect a large new 
 
446 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 market-house on these new-made grounds ; which Mayor Havemeyer 
 vetoed, and gave the following reasons for so doing. This is dated 
 March 5, and reads as follows: "After a careful consideration of 
 the resolution of your Honorable Body, directing the Counsel of 
 the Corporation to apply to the Legislature for authority to build 
 bulkheads in the Hudson River, from the pier foot of Dey Street to 
 the pier foot of Vesey, a short distance of 362 feet from the present 
 line of West Street, to fill in the space behind said bulkhead, and 
 to erect upon the ground there to be made a building or buildings 
 for public market purposes, I am unable to give it my approval, and 
 therefore respectfully return it, for reconsideration. 
 
 " The law makes West Street the exterior street along this portion 
 of Hudson River, and prohibits the making of any additional ground 
 or the erection of any additional buildings west of said street. 
 
 " It appears, however, that in 1844 the Common Council built a 
 bulkhead across the slip, between Fulton and Vesey Streets, about 
 200 feet west of the exterior street, and filled in the space thus in- 
 closed, without having obtained the authority from the Legislature, 
 and that the ground has since been occupied for market purposes. 
 It is now proposed to obtain the authority to enlarge this ground, 
 so as to enable the Corporation to dispense with the block of ground 
 between Washington and West Streets, now occupied by the Wash- 
 ington Market. 
 
 " The report of the Committee does not allege the want of an 
 additional market accommodation as the ground of the reconsider- 
 ation, but urges the proposed improvement with the (expectation) 
 of realizing, by the disposal of the ground on which the present mar- 
 ket stands, a considerable sum above what the improvement will 
 cost. My objection to the proceedings recommended is, that it is 
 partial in its character, and not designed with reference to any 
 given plan of improvement along the Hudson River ; and although 
 in this particular instance it might result in pecuniary benefit to the 
 city, it is calculated prospectively to interfere with the adoption of 
 a proper general system of improvement beyond the line of West 
 Street, and also to affect injuriously the large pecuniary interest 
 which the city has in its numerous wharves and piers along said 
 river. If it should be deemed necessary to make provisions for a 
 new exterior street, beyond the line of West Street, a proper and 
 general plan should be adopted for that purpose, not only to insure 
 the best arrangement for commercial accommodation, but to indem- 
 nify the Corporation for the loss of property in wharves and piers 
 which they would thus sustain, and also to define the relative rights 
 of the Corporation and private owners to the wharves and piers to 
 be made beyond or along said exterior line. W. F. Havemeyee." 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 447 
 
 This put a stop to the erection of a market-house on this new- 
 made ground. Then we find some good suggestions made by the 
 Comptroller, in his report in 1853. He says: " In the course of the 
 last year or two land has been gained from the North River by con- 
 structing a bulkhead from pier No. 20 to No. 23, between Vesey 
 and Dey Streets, and covering an area equal to ninety full lots. The 
 new land is entirely outside of West Street, which at that point is 
 the exterior line of the 400 feet granted to the Corporation by the 
 Charter of 1730, usually called the ' Montgomerie Grant.' The bed 
 of the river, beyond the line of West Street, and of the four hundred 
 feet embraced in the Charter, belongs to the people of the State of 
 New York, and before the land is sold, or any erections made on it, 
 it is advisable to have the title settled by an act of Legislature. 
 This will undoubtedly be granted on a memorial from the Common 
 Council. The duty assigned to the Comptroller to take charge of 
 the real estate of the city, and prevent encroachments thereon, has 
 convinced him that rigid measures should be taken to prevent en- 
 croachments on the water as well as on the land. The great value 
 of lots in the lower part of the city is such, that instead of dredging 
 out the slips, they are allowed to fill up, and when complaints are 
 made in regard to the want of water, a bulkhead is constructed 
 across the slip, the piers are extended out, and land is made ; and 
 whether the fee of the soil is in the Ciiy, the State, or ' unknown 
 owners,' is not material to the manufacturers of land, provided a 
 few lots can be gained out of the rivers or the bay." 
 
 The Common Council, however, instead of applying directly to 
 the Legislature, as suggested by the Comptroller, placed it in the 
 hands of a Committee, who after a time caused it to be used for mar- 
 ket purposes, by allowing it first as stands for country wagons, and 
 soon after certain individuals were able to obtain " permits" to erect 
 permanent sheds, until at last we find the whole of this new-made 
 land covered over with such structures, and the country wagons 
 crowded ofl". The manner in which these permits were obtained led 
 to some unpleasant exposures of the market ofiScials, of which the 
 following will give some idea. 
 
 A correspondent in the " Leader," of March 13, 1858, gives more 
 "fact than fancy" in the financial collection of this market by the 
 officials, who says : " There is a fortune sufficient to sustain a New- 
 castle or a Cornwall in the revenue derived from a three years' term 
 of the market property. To manage the matter properly it requires 
 a degree of dexterity and shrewdness that is possessed by a few on 
 their entrance into office; but an accommodating conscience will 
 soon adapt itself to the necessities of the position, and become as 
 
448 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 imaginative in corruption as the elder Dumas or Charles Dickeng 
 are in composition. They are gallant fellows, too, these expert 
 Clerks of Markets ; clever — aye, generous in their hospitality ; and 
 their professed friendship to men in position can only be equaled 
 by the devotion of Damon and Phythias." " They are cautious, too 
 — so cautious that the world cannot ' say they did it,' and, when 
 questioned, are dumb — ' dumb as a clam.'" 
 
 There are nearly if not more than five hundred stands in the old 
 Washington Market, the lowest rental of which is two dollars per 
 stand, and advancing from that figure until it reaches eight, and 
 perhaps ten dollars per week. This is only for stands in the mar- 
 ket proper, while on the side-walk a weekly rental of one dollar and 
 a half is exacted from every person exposing goods for sale. It is 
 generally fully occupied, and on my visit during the past week, in 
 the coldest weather we have had this winter, I found the side-walks 
 crowded with dealers in every description of merchandise. In my 
 judgment, it would be a safe calculation to set down the amount re- 
 ceived from the old market proper in round numbers at twenty-five 
 hundred dollars weekly. This is rather below the mark, but I de- 
 sire to keep within bounds, and speak only what I conceive to be 
 the truth. 
 
 " There are over four hundred stands erected on the made ground 
 known as West Washington Market, each of which pays nearly a 
 like amount, and consequently it may be called, say two thousand 
 dollars weekly — not to lead the public to believe that I exaggerate 
 in the most remote degree. This will make, in the aggregate, /or%- 
 five hundred dollars weekly from stands alone in both markets. 
 
 " At this season [March) of the year the market wagons from the 
 surrounding country are of course not as plenty as during the sum- 
 mer and fall months, but it can be safely estimated that even now at 
 least three hundred market wagons can be found every morning at 
 Washington Market. During the business season, when garden prod- 
 uce is sold by every man who raises it for the city, there are no less 
 than sixteen hundred to two thousand wagons which pay daily for the 
 privilege of selling their vegetables, &c. The rate charged by the 
 Clerk of the Market for this permission is twenty-five cents per day ; 
 and I do not think it at all extravagant to suppose that twelve hun- 
 dred dollars is received weekly throughout the year from this source. 
 There are other parties who occupy any vacant space they can find 
 in the vicinity, who pay a daily rent ; but of this I will not speak, 
 as no definite amount can be approximated to such floating trades- 
 men and operators. It must be large, nevertheless, as numbers are 
 engaged there daily to my knowledge. Let me reflect, and see how 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 449 
 
 much this would amount to annually, as the revenue of Washington 
 Market. The gross amount I have estimated 0,1 fifty-seven hundred 
 dollars weekly. I will call lifve thousand dollars ; and at this rate, 
 which I know is far below the real figure, the amount annually re- 
 ceived from Washington Market alone is over two hundred and fifty 
 thousand dollars. It is astonishing — it is almost beyond belief — 
 that this immense sum is collected ; but I am prepared to show that 
 it is not only a stern reality and fact, but that it is beyond the 
 amount I have named. How much of this finds its way into the 
 City Treasury, let me examine and see. 
 
 " The returns from Washington Market for stands and fees for 
 the past six months, as appears from the Comptroller's books, is as 
 follows : For butchers' stands, - - - - $1,665 64 
 For market fees, - - - 25,862 36 
 
 127,528 00 
 " Ticenty-seven thousand five hundred and twenty-eight dollars, in 
 round numbers, for six months' receipts of Washington Market, 
 making for the whole year, at the above ratio, fifty-five thousand and 
 fifty-six dollars! A singularity exhibits itself in the returns made 
 to the Comptroller, that the amounts for fees are the same in Janu- 
 ary that they are in September and October. Curious, very, that 
 the same amount of business is done weekly throughout the whole 
 year, the only variation in the weekly returns not amounting to over 
 ten dollars in the average. The facts which I have presented are 
 not all the sources of revenue derived from Washington Market. 
 During the past five years, the large block of vacant land now known 
 as West Washington Market has been built over with sheds to ac- 
 commodate the increased business drawn to that neighborhood. 
 There cannot be a shed erected unless by permit from the City In- 
 spector, (through and under the direction of the Superintendent of 
 Markets,) and the sheds are erected and paid for in a very peculiar 
 way. It is said that only one man has the patent right for this work 
 at the present time, and the remarkable appearance of his edifices 
 have christened them with the euphonious name of Ca,ta.-3Ioran. 
 
 "The sheds and permits included are sold to whoever will give the 
 highest price ; and instances have been known of eight hundred dol- 
 lars having been paid to secure an eligible location. At this, or 
 even a much less figure, what an amount of money has the city been 
 swindled out of by corrupt and thieving officials 1" 
 
 Additional testimony to the above I find in the columns of the 
 Neiv York Atlas, April 4, 1858, which appears quoted from a petition 
 presented to the Common Council, in which the names given I have 
 Vol. I.— 29 
 
450 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 excluded, as my object is to present one of the plans by which large 
 sums of money are collected never finds its way into the City Treas- 
 ury. This sets forth : " That (a certain person) has been allowed 
 to erect about seventy stands upon the grounds west of Washington 
 Market, originally set aside for the occupancy of farmers' wagons, 
 which have been sold for upwards of $35,000, no part of which was 
 paid to the city. That within the last six years about five hundred 
 stands have been erected in connection with the public markets, which 
 have been sold for several hundred thousand dollars! not a penny of 
 
 which has been paid into the City Treasury. That Mayor 
 
 commenced an investigation into the abuses connected with the mar- 
 kets, and that after he had obtained positive evidence that upwards 
 of six thousand dollars had been illegally paid ior permits and stands, 
 he mysteriously abandoned the investigation. That while only about 
 $1,000 a week is paid over to the Chamberlain of the City for stand 
 fees collected at Washington Market, there are upwards of one 
 thousand stands in the market and upon the grounds around it, 
 which pay a rent to the Clerks of from two to six dollars a week, 
 besides a large amount collected from persons who sell produce on 
 the side-walks in West Street, and the streets adjacent, who pay 
 from twelve to sixteen shillings each per week. In addition to all 
 this, market fees to the amount of twenty-five cents each are col- 
 lected from about five hundred farmers and gardeners daily. That 
 while the market managers profess to have a rule that no person can 
 have more than one stand, Mr. , Clerk of the Market, swore be- 
 fore the Market Committee, last fall, that he gave (a certain jier- 
 son) ff teen permits for stands. He states that (this person) is only 
 an agent of the market plunderers to erect stands at a cost of about 
 $30 each, which are afterwards sold at prices ranging from $400 to 
 $1,000." 
 
 To continue the history of this " new-made ground," we find in 
 the month of May, 1858, in Board of Councilmen, a message was re- 
 ceived from the Mayor, announcing the lease of the West Washington 
 Market property in the following language : " I am informed that a 
 lease has been executed by the people of the State of New York to 
 James B. Taylor and Owen W.Brennan of the property situated on the 
 westerly side of that street, north of Dey and south of Vesey Street, 
 in this city ; being the ground now used by the Corporation for mar- 
 ket purposes, west of the ground on which Washington Market 
 stands. In pursuance of this lease, notices have been served on the 
 lessees and tenants of the Corporation now occupying portions of 
 this property, similar to the annexed : ' Nottce. — All persons in 
 possession of lands owned by the State, situated on the westerly 
 
.WASHINGTON MARKET. 45I 
 
 side of West Street, north of Dey, and south of Vesey Streets, in 
 the City of New York, and now leased to Messrs. Taylor and Bren- 
 nan, (and being on these without any right from the State,) are no- 
 tified to surrender possession of said land and premises immediately, 
 or legal measures will be at once taken to remove them therefrom. 
 
 ' Lyman Tremaine, Attorney- GeneraV 
 
 " James B. Taylor and 0. W. Brennan, No. 48 Pine Street, New 
 York, Lessees. Albany, April 24, 1858." The matter was referred 
 to a Special Committee of the Board of Councilmen. 
 
 " Taylor and Brennan soon after commenced a suit of ejectment 
 against the city, and one hundred and eighty-six persons, tenants of 
 the Corporation, who occupied stands for market purposes on the 
 land, as well to recover the possession thereof, as for the rent of the 
 premises. The proceedings were, however, afterwards amended by 
 adding the people of the State as complainants. 
 
 "An application was also made by the complainants before Jus- 
 tice Davies for the appointment of a receiver of the rent of the ten- 
 ants. This was opposed on the part of the city ; but the motion was 
 successful, and the receiver, (Cyrus Curtiss,) who was thereupon ap- 
 pointed, subsequently took charge of the rents. 
 
 " Prom the decision thus made by Justice Davies, an appeal was 
 taken to the full Bench of the Supreme Court, which, as I am (says 
 Mayor Tiemann) informed, reversed the decision of the Justice ; but, 
 as Taylor and Brennan afterwards discontinued their action as 
 against the city, no formal order was entered of such reversal. 
 
 " The suit having been discontinued against the city, their tenants 
 were left as the only defendants therein. In consequence of this, 
 they requested, in a letter to me, which I transmitted to the Com- 
 mon Council in the month of January last, that the city should 
 take upon itself their defence. In this communication, deeming the 
 city the only party actually interested, I recommended that the 
 Counsel to the Corporation be directed to take charge of such de- 
 fence, and a resolution to that effect was promptly adopted by your 
 Honorable Body. Before, however, the Counsel to the Coi'poration 
 was substituted in the suit, a default was taken about the 12th of 
 May last against all these tenants, and a judgment was entered 
 against them for over sixty-nine thousand dollars. A writ of pos- 
 session was thereupon delivered to the Sheriff, who proceeded, about 
 the 23d of May, to remove the parties in occupation. It was only 
 then that the Counsel to the Corporation learned of the rendering 
 of the judgment. He at once took vigorous measures to open the 
 ■default, and set aside the judgment; and after an able argument 
 by him, on the motion made for this purpose, assisted by William 
 
452 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 Curtis Noyes and John McKeon, Esq's, as associate Counsel, a de- 
 cision was rendered on the 9th instant, (July,) by Justice Roosevelt, 
 setting aside the inquest, and all the subsequent proceeding's of the 
 complainants." He '' also shows that the lease of the State to Tay- 
 lor and Brennan was entirely void, as the State officers had no au- 
 thority to make the same. The learned Judge, besides, orders that 
 the Receiver shall account for all the sums received by him, and 
 that they be paid over into the City Treasury. He also orders that 
 an injunction issue to prevent the tenants from paying to, or the Re- 
 ceiver from collecting any rents from the premises. They are to be 
 paid, as heretofore, to the agents only."* 
 
 While this portion of the market property was agitated by law, 
 a destructive fire took place, which consumed and destroyed nearly 
 all the sheds that covered the entire space. The fire broke out 
 about fifteen minutes to eleven o'clock on Wednesday night, July 
 11, 1860, in a shed occupied by Thomas Waterman, a dealer in 
 eggs, located at the corner of (what is called) Centre and River 
 Row. The wind at the time was blowing strongly from the west, 
 and in consequence of the inflammable nature of the small wooden 
 buildings, or sheds, the flames spread with great rapidity. Appre- 
 hensions were at one time entertained that the flames would extend 
 to the old market buildings on the east side of West Street, but, by 
 the energetic exertions of the firemen, it was confined to those on 
 the west side. About twelve o'clock the fire was at its height, when 
 the whole number of sheds (nearly two hundred) were blazing 
 away, which presented a brilliant illumination, and could be seen at 
 a great distance. Above two hundred agents, commission, and 
 other dealers in produce sustained losses, which it was thought 
 would average about $400 each, on their stock and buildings; and 
 but three are reported as being insured. The origin of the fire 
 was not known. About two weeks after the burnt space was again 
 covered with sheds, but of a more attractive appearance than their 
 predecessors, and business appeared as thriving as ever. 
 
 In the early part of January, 1861, an adjustment of the long- 
 standing controversy between the city and the State authorities, 
 concerning the ownership of what was called the "West Washington 
 Market property," which appears in the form of a compromise, be- 
 tween the Comptroller and Corporation Counsel on the part of the 
 city, and Messrs. Taylor and Brennan, lessees of the State. The 
 latter are to be paid $300,000, in consideration of which they agree 
 to discontinue the suit which has been so long pending, and also all 
 claims for rent in the past and present. The question of title to be 
 settled between the city and State. 
 
 * Communication from the Mayor, July 11, 1859. 
 
WASHINGTON MARKET. 453 
 
 "The result," says The World, January 9, 1861, "to Messrs. 
 Taylor and Brennan cannot be set down otherwise than as an emi- 
 nently profitable speculation. Their net profits may be deduced 
 from the following figures of receipts and disbursements : 
 Rent collections from Dec. 29, 1859, to Sept. 23, 1860, $ 53,000 
 Premiums for stands, " " " " 10,000 
 
 Paid as compromise by city, 300,000 
 
 $363,000 
 Salaries, .... . . $ 5^000 
 
 Legal expenses, 20,000 25,000 
 
 Net profits, 1338,000 
 
 " Who will not say that this has been a brilliant speculation for 
 Messrs. T. andB.?" 
 
 About eight years ago (1851) a strong effort was made to dis- 
 place the old market-house, by the erection of a splendid new 
 structure ; as we find a resolution in favor of advertising for propo- 
 sals to build the Washington Market had passed the Board of Al- 
 dermen on the 4th of June, 1851. This advertisement read thus: 
 
 " Sealed proposals will be received at the office of the Commission- 
 ers of Repairs and Supplies until Saturday, August 9, 12 o'clock M., 
 at which time they will be publicly opened, for the erection, in sec- 
 tions, of a new market on the site of the present Washington Mar- 
 det, according to and in pursuance of the plans, &c." 
 
 Among the estimates for doing the entire work complete, 
 John B. Corlies appears the lowest, viz., $375,500 
 
 Benjamin F. Camp next, " - - 433,933 
 
 Peter J. Bogart next, " - 443,693 
 
 And here it rested until the next January, when it was again agi- 
 tated, or shaken up a little ; and then again, in the month of Octo- 
 ber following, a resolution was offered to have the market built 
 according to a plan prepared by Frederick A. Peterzen, and the 
 contract be given to John B. Corlies, the lowest bidder. This, in 
 the end, was laid on or under the table, where it was found again 
 in 1854, and brought forth in a favorable report from a Committee 
 to rebuild the whole market according to the former plans and esti- 
 mates. However, the contracts were ordered not to be signed, as 
 the Mayor had vetoed it ; and so they stand at the present day. 
 
 The present old dilapidated market-houses here are certainly a 
 disgrace to the City of New York, and have been for the last fifteen 
 years, and there is now no encouragement even to attempt to better 
 them, in the erection of new buildings, while we have inefficient 
 
454 WASHINGTON MARKET. 
 
 public officers to direct or superintend. Nothing can be done to 
 accommodate the public, without there is a chance to make something 
 out of it; as these public ofifices, when obtained, cost large sums, 
 and the mere salary of a thousand or two of dollars is no considera- 
 tion at all, as either amount would hardly pay for a nomination. ' 
 If a movement for public accommodation is suggested, out comes 
 the conseryative or opposition press to show that what would legit- 
 imately cost 150,000 dollars would, if conducted by these inefiBcient 
 officers, cost the city 250 or 300,000 dollars. 
 
 The Grand Jury has, within a space of three months, presented 
 this market-place a nuisance no less than three times : once in the 
 month of November, then in December, 1858, and the last time in 
 January, 1859, when they state, they "also endorse the action of a 
 former Grand Jury, in presenting as a nuisance Washington Mar- 
 ket, and the grounds attached thereto, with a recommendation that 
 those in favor give the matter immediate attention." 
 
 This market is without doubt the greatest depot for the sale of 
 all manner of edibles in the United States ; it not only supplies 
 many thousands of our citizens, but, I may say, many of the sur- 
 rounding cities, towns, villages, hotels, steamers, (both ocean and 
 river,) and shipping vessels of all descriptions. The great business 
 done here certainly demands better accommodations for both buyer 
 and seller, and they should have them. Here we find almost an end- 
 less variety and vast amounts of meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, 
 &c., which daily concentrate here, and not room enough to receive 
 and properly display them for sale, much less room enough to ac- 
 commodate the thousands who purchase here. There is, however, 
 one great advantage and relief here — that the greater part of the 
 business is principally done by wholesale, between the hours of 
 twelve and seven o'clock in the morning ; and those who generally 
 purchase here go well prepared for any and every emergency. 
 
 In concluding the history of this market, no doubt many will 
 think, and think truly, that the great mass of confusion and corrup- 
 tion, the crowded state, and especially the want of system, which 
 now, and for a long time, have disgraced some of our public mar- 
 kets, and more especially this one, has been produced by the selec- 
 tion and appointment of inefficient public officers to govern them ; 
 who have no idea of the demanded duties, or the wants of a public 
 market. In an unlawful manner, they have taken possession of and 
 allotted all the stands or spaces reserved for the country people ; 
 encroached on the passage or gangways, and so reduced the room 
 for the necessary business transactions of both buyer and seller, that 
 it has driven a great portion of the retail trade from this market. 
 
GRAND STREET MARKET. 455 
 
 Ofttimes the small passage-ways are so obstructed, that to pass 
 through is almost impossible ; and if the attempt be made, the per- 
 son must be prepared to receive a greasy, dirty, or torn coat or 
 dress, besides being crowded or pushed, or the danger of having his 
 pocket or basket relieved of anything valuable. But on the other 
 hand, if all the display was made in proper market-houses, where 
 every article was systematically arranged and kept in proper order, 
 what a sight 1 an attraction ! an accommodation, and an ornament 
 to our city, would be the great " Washington Market 1 " 
 
 "GRAND STREET MARKET." 
 
 1814. We have sold and removed the " Corlaers Hook Market," 
 in the year 1819, and in another location, at an earlier period, 
 (1814,) erected the Fish Market, (see " Corlaers Hook Market") 
 which afterwards became known as " Graiid Street Market." 
 
 No doubt the object Mr. Hunter had in view, in erecting this 
 market-house, was to draw the business of the Corlaers Hook 
 Market near, and to benefit his property. He succeeded in getting 
 two butchers, George Pas' and Joseph Bull, with several other 
 stands, besides those who sold fish in it ; but the butchers and many 
 others left, after a short stay, as they could not succeed ; but as 
 soon as the "Corlaers Hook Market" was torn down, the occupants 
 were transferred into this, and after a time it became a good, al- 
 though a small, market for business. 
 
 After the transfer, the following butchers occupied the following 
 stands: On No. 1, Henry Hoffman; on No. 2, Thomas Winship; 
 and on No. 3, John Winship. 
 
 " Grand Street." took its name from a grand, wide street laid out 
 in 1767,* to connect on the east and west sides of the "Great" or 
 " Delancey's Square," bounded on the north by the present Broome, 
 on the south by Hester, on the east by Orchard, and on the west by 
 Eldridge Streets. Grand Street commenced from the Bowery Lane, 
 (on the west side it was called Judith Street,) and ran to this 
 Square; then, on the east side, it continued on to Mr. Jones's coun- 
 try-seat, ^^ Mount Pitt;" and when the high hills were dug down, it 
 ran to the East River. 
 
 This market-house was very poorly built, with but few accommo- 
 * Ratzaa's Map City of New York. 
 
456 GRAND STREET MARKET. 
 
 dations, and no cellar under it; as one of its patrons (James P. 
 Allaire) induced several of the butchers to petition for privilege to 
 place an ice-house under it; which was before the Board on the 7th 
 of August, 1820, and leave obtained; so Mr. Allaire, at his own 
 cost, built it, and filled it with ice, that he might, he said, " now 
 and then have a good piece of corned beef through the warm 
 weather." 
 
 The next winter produced more ice than was needed ; in fact, it 
 was the most steady cold weather that had been known for many 
 years. The Press says : " The weather, after 21 days of steady cold, 
 began to moderate on Saturday afternoon, (the 20th.) On Saturday 
 morning Long Island Sound Avas crossed upon the ice from Sands' 
 Point to the opposite shore, distance eight miles. The price of oak 
 wood was up to $5 a load on Saturday."* Three days after: "The 
 cold still continues intense ; both the North and East Rivers were 
 crossed on the ice, and the bay is nearly filled with floating ice, 
 which will probably be closed by another cold night, and our harbor 
 shut up for the first time in 40 years. "t The next day: "The 
 North River continues to be crossed with safety on the ice ; the dis- 
 tance between the two shores has been measured, and found to be a 
 mile from Cortlandt Street to Powles Hook. The Hoboken ferry- 
 boat, with 57 persons and 23 horses on board, drifted on Wednesday 
 evening below Governor's Island and was inclosed in the ice, where 
 she now remains. The people suffered much from the cold during 
 the night, although none were frozen." 
 
 The news from Bridgeport, dated 24th, said : " On Thursday night 
 last the cold was so excessive that Long Island Sound, opposite the 
 west chop of this harbor, was completely closed over by ice ; the dis- 
 tance at this place is about 30 miles. Such an event, it is believed, 
 has not taken place during the last 40 years." 
 
 The Press of the 27 th says : "More than a thousand persons crossed 
 the North River yesterday on the ice ; produce of every kind was 
 taken over in sleds, &c., and hundreds were seen skating in the mid- 
 dle of the river." I well recollect the sight, as an elder brother and 
 myself were enjoying a walk on the river at the same time, but it 
 was the first and last walk on this river the latter ever cared for. 
 
 Then, there " came up from Staten Island yesterday, on the ice, 
 a boat and seven men, viz., John Vanderbilt, A. Lawrence, William 
 Drake, Robert Davis, Lewis Farnharm, and Mr. Wainwright." 
 " The mail for Staten Island was yesterday taken down over the ice 
 by Daniel Simonson and Joseph Seguine. Many persons • walked 
 yesterday from Long Island to Staten Island — such a circumstance 
 • American, January 22, 1821. \ Ibid., January 25. 
 
GRAND STREET MARKET. 457 
 
 has not been witnessed before since the year 1780, when heavy ord- 
 nance were conveyed on the ice from New York to Staten Island." 
 
 This long and severe cold weather caused much suffering among 
 the poor, and led to the establishment of soup-houses, through the 
 generosity of many of our butchers. Collections were also taken 
 up in the churches for their benefit, one of which is noticed on the 
 30th as amounting to $2,106.46. 
 
 In the month of February, 1829, " the Bast River was completely 
 closed with ice, from Hiker's Island to Sands' Point, a distance of 
 about 18 miles. Six gentlemen who left New Haven on Sunday 
 morning at 10 o'clock reached this city at 10 next morning, almost 
 exhausted, having labored very hard for 24 hours to get here. They 
 were obliged to walk the greatest part of the way, the snow drifts in 
 many places being so formidable that no vehicle could surmount or 
 work through them."* 
 
 A most remarkable long winter and deep snow, more especially 
 in the Eastern States, took place in the year 1836. In the early part 
 of April the Neiu Hampshire Courier says: "At the close of March 
 the snow was not only two feet deep, but it is as solid as ice, and 
 the Merrimack is passable on the ice for sleighs and teams, the snow 
 being about as thick on the ice as it is on the land. We learn that 
 in many parts of the State great want of hay, and the dying of al- 
 most whole stocks of cattle, attending the winding up of the winter. 
 It is now going on five months since the snow first covered the 
 ground, and we have had constant and pretty good sleighing all the 
 time. Such a winter as the past, or perhaps we should say present, 
 has no man living among us ever before seen, and the like he prob- 
 ably never will see again." At this time, " the ice on the River 
 Schjiylkill, Pennsylvania, is said to be from 22 to 24 inches thick." 
 
 In the month of March, " oak wood was selling in New York at 
 $16.50 per cord, and pine at $11.25," with a small supply. 
 
 We turn to this market, and find a petition from the butchers and 
 sellers offish, on the 16th of September, 1822, ''requesting a plat- 
 form and shed at the east end of the market," which was granted. 
 
 The arrangement of stands in this market in 1824 was somewhat 
 different from other markets ; the vegetable and fruit stands came 
 first, or on the west end ; the eight butchers next, and the fish stands 
 on the east end. The butchers stood : 
 
 No. 1. William Degraw. No. 2. Thomas Winship. 
 
 3. John Varick. 4. Alexander Brady. 
 
 5. Benjamin Ward. 6. Walter Byrnes. 
 
 7. Stephen Doan. 8. Hugh Harrigan. 
 
 9. Vacant. 10. Vacant. 
 
 * Evening Post, February 25, 1829. 
 
458 GRAND STREET MARKET. 
 
 Many of the above butchers were business men and of good repu- 
 tations, which, no doubt, gave character and a successful trade here 
 for many years. The occupant of No. 1, William Degraw, succeed- 
 ed John A. Martin in 1820, and held it until his death in 1826, when 
 his widow, Susan Degraw, in the month of March, petitions and 
 says, that " she has been left nearly destitute and without any means 
 of supporting herself, and prays the Board would grant her a license 
 for the said stand during pleasure." The Market Committee report 
 in favor on the 24th of April following ; when the Board "Resolved, 
 That a license be granted to Susan Degraw for stall No. 1 Grand 
 Street Market." 
 
 Thomas Winship, on No. 2, was also a very prominent man, not 
 only in this market, but in his (13th) Ward, of which, as an Alder- 
 man, he served his constituents both faithfully and honestly, and his 
 vote was always cast conscientiously on all subjects which came be- 
 fore him. 
 
 In the year 1827 this market was represented as having become old 
 and much crowded, from the fact that it was doing an excellent busi- 
 ness ; some wished it removed out of the street ; and others, again, 
 that a large plot should be purchased to erect a very large market- 
 house. The butchers, with above one hundred of the inhabitants of 
 that district, petition for stands in the new Manhattan Market, then 
 erecting close by. They state, " It will be injurious to have two 
 markets so near together, as there is one at present building on 
 Manhattan Island. They wish to resign their stands which they at 
 present occupy, and allow them to report back to your Honorable 
 Body." This was signed by the following: 
 
 No. 1. William Shelton. No. 2. Thomas Winship. 
 
 3. George Nash. 4. Alexander Brown. 
 
 5. Benjamin Ward. 6. Walter Byrnes. 
 
 7. David Perrin. 8. Edward Smith. 
 
 9. John Kent. 10. John Varick. 
 
 In the month of May, next year, a numerously signed petition was 
 before the Board, asking for a new large market. " They represent 
 that the population of this part of the city has increased with great 
 rapidity, so much so, that the present market cannot long afford the 
 necessary accommodation for vidualers in proportion to the increase 
 of inhabitants ; and, therefore, that additions will have to be made 
 to the present market, or a new one erected. They would further 
 observe, that the number of stalls regularly occupied is ten; while 
 the number occupied in the Spring Street Market is tiuelve; and as 
 it has been deemed necessary to purchase ground at a great expense 
 for the purpose of removing and replacing the market at the foot of 
 
GRAND STREET MARKET. 459 
 
 Spring Street, your memorialists hope and believe that your Hon- 
 orable Body will purchase a piece of land in the vicinity of the 
 Grand Street Market, in order that it may be removed and a more 
 convenient one erected," &c. 
 
 On the 19th instant following a formidable remonstrance appeared 
 before the Board, which suggested the " impropriety of building a 
 market as petitioned for, there being now three markets, besides the 
 present one, in the vicinity of from one-half to three-quarters of a 
 mile ;" " that the Manhattan Market, distant not to exceed three hun- 
 dred yards from the Grand Street Market, is conveniently located 
 on thirty-tivo lots, which cost about forty thousand dollars, and that 
 a market cannot be built as petitioned for in Grand Street for less 
 than from twenty to thirty thousand dollars." The Market Com- 
 mittee, on the 11th of August, report, "The present market at the 
 foot of Grand Street is old and in a very decayed state, and ought 
 to be removed, and a new one built in its place, at a cost ' estimated 
 at one tliousand' dollars. They therefore resolve to erect one seven- 
 ty-five feet in length and twenty-seven in breadth." 
 
 The next year the new market-house was finished, and the old 
 building sold for $49.75, when the former occupants o-f the butchers' 
 stands were informed by the Common Council, that they intended 
 to sell the ten stands at public auction, which drew a petition from 
 a large number of the inhabitants of the 7th and 13th Wards, and 
 one also from the butchers, which was before the Board on the 26th 
 January, (1829,) " praying that the stands may not be sold at pub- 
 lic auction, but renewed to- the old occupants." Before, however, 
 they had advertised the sale, the butchers came forward and oifered 
 them large and liberal rents, much more than they had paid before ; 
 the Committee, however, would not accept, but on the day of sale, 
 which took place at the new market-house, these ten butchers had 
 agreed among themselves to purchase their several numbers as oc- 
 cupied in the old market-house. Many other butchers who had come 
 to bid, on heai'ing the facts, agreed not to interfere or bid. The 
 first stand set up, the original proprietor bid SplO, and not another 
 bid could the auctioneer get, so it was knocked down to him ; the 
 next was started, when some person bid against the original; he 
 was seized and hustled out of the market, and came near being thrown 
 into the dock. The Committee stopped the sale, and agreed to ac- 
 cept the liberal terms offered. Here, at least, was one instance where 
 the butchers assisted each other in an attempt to deprive them of 
 their rights in equity, if not in law. 
 
 The rapid growth of this neighborhood began soon after 1830, 
 when this market felt its effects, and soon all the stands were filled, 
 
460 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 and an excellent business continued there up to the period when the 
 old market was displaced for a new one. 
 
 In the year 1835 we find many changes in the occupancy of the 
 butchers' stands, which appears as follows : 
 No. 1. Andrew Storms. No. 2. Thomas Winship. 
 
 3. John Pendergast. 4. George Scott, Jun'r. 
 
 5. Mathew Bird. 6. Walter Byrnes. 
 
 "7. George Cummings. 8. Samuel J. Pittman. 
 
 9. John Kent. 10. Benjamin Ward. 
 
 The business of the market, with that of the street and ferry, de- 
 manded more accommodations than there was room in this (Grand) 
 street to give, without blocking it up. So the authorities purchased 
 a plot of ground upon which the Monroe Market was built in 1836, 
 into which the occupants of this markst were transferred, and the 
 old " Grand Street Market-House" disappeared. 
 
 "CENTRE MARKE T." 
 
 As early as 1812 a proposition was made to establish a public 
 market on a piece of ground between Orange and Rynders {Centre) 
 Streets, fronting on Grand Street. This location, before the earth 
 of a very high hill was removed, had been known as "Bunker Hill," 
 and " Bayard's Mount," and it was the highest and steepest eleva- 
 tion on the south end of New York Island ; supposed to be about 
 100 feet higher than the present level of Grand Street. 
 
 The proposition to establish a market-place here, at the above 
 period, was referred to a Committee, but as the war of 1812 became 
 the all-absorbing topic, the matter was laid over until it was again 
 revived by the inhabitants of the Sixth, Eighth, and Tenth Wards, 
 who presented a formidable petition to the Common Council on the 
 14th of July, 1817, for the above location and object; and on the 
 25th of August following, a Committee reported in favor of buying 
 this plot, bounded by Grand, Orange, Rynders {Centre,) and Broome 
 Streets, which, they state, " could be purchased much below its 
 value." Mr. Morris Martin, the owner, agreed to sell it to the Cor- 
 poration, if it was to be always used for public market purposes, for 
 the sum of five thousand dollars. The Committee also proposed to 
 build a market-house, measuring eighty feet by twenty-five, running 
 along Grand Street, at an estimated cost of one thousand dollars. 
 This report was accepted and passed by the Board. 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 461 
 
 In the month of November it was reported ready for occupation, 
 when a resolution passed, " that it be called ' Centre Market,'" and 
 the butchers holding stands in the Collect Market were, with several 
 others, recommended to be licensed ; when they were placed in the 
 new market, in the. following order: 
 
 No. 1. Asa W. Wesson. No, 2. Joseph Blackwell. 
 
 3. William H. Gross. 4. John Hill'iker. 
 
 5. Jacob Tier. 6. William Reeves. 
 
 7. Stephen Hilliker. 8. John Fash. 
 
 9. Thomas Mook. 10. William Bowen. 
 
 11. James Simonson. 12. John A. Beslar (Basely.) 
 
 13. William Mook. 14. John Triglar. 
 
 The market was opened with a good business, and the first meat 
 sold in it was by Thomas Mook, the occupant of No. 9, who claimed 
 to have sold a fine steak to Daniel Spader, an old butcher of Wash- 
 ington Market, who resided in Mulberry, near Spring Street. Mr. 
 Mook was (and is yet) a true type of this family, of which several 
 were butchers ; all were gentlemen of good education, but of retiring 
 disposition, and most worthy, honest men. 
 
 Among the other occupants removed from the "Collect Market" 
 into this were two remarkable sisters, daughters of Mrs. Frances 
 Banta, (noticed in the " Oswego Market,") who early taught them 
 to know how to earn their livelihood, instead of not to knoio hoiv, 
 as is the fashion of the present day. They were early in life left 
 widows, with families to support on small incomes; and although 
 they had wealthy relatives, they felt not like receiving dependent 
 charity, but rather preferred to call their early teachings into action, 
 and earn an independent livelihood. 
 
 A sketch of the life of one of the daughters will be found in the 
 " Union Market," and the other, Mrs. Fanny Watson, or rather " Aunt 
 Fanny," was long known in this market; in fact, until her death, 
 which occurred in 1841. She was a large, well-formed, as well as a 
 well-informed woman, very sprightly, quick, and a general favorite 
 here, where she spent many years in accumulating a property, of 
 which a part was unfortunately destroyed by fire. She, however, 
 succeeded in bringing up her family in such a manner as to give her 
 pleasure ; and when she died, she left a snug property and a good 
 name for industry, intelligence, and honesty. 
 
 In the month of May, 1821, a petition was before the Board, sign- 
 ed by Philip C. Ruckel, foreman, and thirty other firemen belong- 
 ing to fire-engine No. 40, then located in Mulberry, below Broome 
 Street, " stating that they were residing in a thickly populated part 
 of the city, and wish to have a bell placed on the steeple of this 
 
462 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 market-house, at a cost of $55," to which a favorable report was 
 made and afterwards adopted. 
 
 A successful trade continued here, and it being the only central 
 marhet in the city, (from which no doubt it took its name,) it was 
 continually adding to its business as the neighborhood increased. 
 This increase demanded more room, especially for country people 
 and the fishermen, which led a Committee, in the month of July, 
 1822, to report on building an addition with the materials from the 
 '■ old Ply Market," which had been taken to the public yard, and 
 which it was thought were suflScient for that purpose, so they rec- 
 ommended the following : " Resolved, That a market-house be built 
 on the public square at Centre Market, not to exceed seventy-five 
 feet in length." In this addition, after it was finished, we find two 
 additional butchers' stands placed, and but few changes in the occu- 
 pancy of the other stands are found in the year 1824. Nicholas 
 Goodman then occupied No. 3; Francis O'Neil, No. 4; William 
 Borden, No. 7 ; Thomas G. Harrison, No. 12 ; and on the new stands 
 George Clinch, No. 15, and John B. Smith on No. 16. 
 
 About this period there were several butchers in this as well as 
 one or two other markets engaged in, or who at least encouraged 
 an affair which perhaps was one of the most ridiculous as well as 
 one of the most perfect "hoaxes" ever introduced to the public, 
 originating in a few playful remarks made by a near relative, in a 
 joking conversation. 
 
 In the neighborhood of Mulberry and Spring Streets almost every 
 afternoon congregated a number of butchers and others, to learn and 
 talk about the current news of the day. Among the number was an 
 old retired carpenter, whom we shall call Lozier, (a name that he 
 afterwards assumed in carrying out his " hoax,") who was full of fun 
 and " dry sayings," and his equal was seldom found in carrying a 
 long face with them. 
 
 In the year 1823 or '4, one fine afternoon, this old carpenter, as 
 usual, sought the current news of the day of this relative, whom we 
 shall call Uncle John. " Well," says Uncle John, " we have had a 
 long conversation about New York Island, and have come to the 
 conclusion that the island is getting too heavy on the Battery end, 
 where it is altogether too much built upon, and we therefore con- 
 sider it dangerous ; so our intention is to have it sawed off at Kings- 
 bridge, and turn that end down where the Battery is now located. 
 But the question is, how shall it be done, as Long Island appears in 
 the way? Some think it can be done without moving Long Island 
 at all ; that the bay and hai-bor are large enough for the Island of 
 New York to turn around in ; while others say, Long Island must 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 463 
 
 be detached and floated to sea far enough, then anchored, until this 
 grand turn is made, and then brought back to its former place." 
 "Lozier" at once took hold of this enormous job, and daily he was 
 in consultation with the many visitors in relation to it, which gen- 
 erally took place before strangers, who, of course, overheard the 
 conversation, usually appearing to be carried on in great earnestness ; 
 and, poor frail human nature!, they would believe, and ofttimes 
 suggest an opinion on some difl&cult point. 
 
 This subject, for some two or three months,, appeared to be the 
 ■question of the day — ''sawing the- Island off;" and " Lozier" having 
 the job, was waited upon by numerous persons, and among them 
 were several mechanics. Some were engaged to build barracks, 
 which were to accommodate the hundreds of workmen ; others to 
 make the large sweeps, about twenty-four in number, of 250 feet 
 in length, which were to be used on the opposite sides of the ex- 
 treme ends of the Island, to sweep it around after it was sawed off. 
 The iron-work on these sweeps was to be made in a peculiar but 
 substantial manner, and an excellent neighboring blacksmith was 
 very anxious to do the work, as he said, "There was no work in his 
 line that he could not do ;" and although his wife had no faith in this 
 job, he every few days presented himself to Lozier to receive the 
 dimensions of each part or piece, that he might properly estimate 
 on it. Laborers and others who were seeking work, and happened 
 to meet those who were acquainted with this job, and more especially 
 with some of the butchers in this market, sent them to " Lozier," 
 who questioned them particularly as to their being long-winded, as 
 he wanted a good many " pitmen," or those who could go helow, to 
 saw; he having engaged sufficient sawyers for the work above. 
 They very generally would engage, and even assert that they could 
 stay helow as long as they might be wanted. 
 
 In this manner a great many were engaged, who soon became 
 anxious to be set at work; but "Lozier" had not engaged a suffi- 
 cient number, and he could not think of going on with this large 
 job until he had. This led those who were engaged to seek others, 
 and at last the numbers became so thick and pressing, that it got 
 too warm for " Lozier." He was forced to name a certain day, and 
 thought it best to divide them ; and on this particular morning one 
 party were directed to be at the " forks of the Broadway and 
 Bowery," near the present Union Park ; and the other portion to 
 be at No. 1 Bowery, corner of Spring Street, where a large number 
 of live hogs was expected to be ready, which they were to drive up. 
 Others were to carry provisions, tools, <fcc., in wagons and carts; 
 and a few wagons were to carry up the wives of several of the 
 workmen, who were to do the cooking, washing, &c., for all. 
 
464 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 The day came, -when great numbers presented themselves, but 
 "Lozier" was nowhere to be found, and more particularly at No. 1 
 Bowery, corner of Spring Street. Soon, however, some of the more 
 knowing ones got hold of the merits of this great job, and felt as 
 if they had been " handsomely sold." Yet they desired to appear 
 as if they had not engaged in it, and began to cast ridicule upon the 
 excited and angry ones, and vei-y soon there were but few who 
 would confess they had been engaged " to saw the Island off." 
 " Lozier," in the mean time, lay quietly housed up ; and so he staid 
 several weeks, not daring to venture forth even to the " rendez- 
 vous;" and when he did so, he was disguised into the general ap- 
 pearance of a different person, and assumed his proioer name; as 
 some of the most excited had not only used hard words, but also 
 threatened, if they ever got hold of " Lozier," they would " saw 
 him off." 
 
 Previous to the year 1825, the Common Council usually sold the 
 street manure or sweepings at public auction, which yielded to the 
 city a pretty round sum. This year, however, when the time ar- 
 rived to offer it again, which was on the 25th of April, says the 
 press, " It seems that yesterday, when the sweeping and cleaning 
 the city was offered at public sale, it was found that a combination 
 was formed among those who were presumed to stand ready to bid 
 a fair price for the privilege, and instead of paying anything, they 
 demanded to be paid ; and the least they would consent to take was 
 $5,000 for the first district, and $10,000 for the second, and so on; 
 thus prostrating the whole plan." 
 
 This combination or company had the " sweeping" years before, 
 and were prepared with horses and carts, which a new party or 
 company would have to furnish; and therefore they could dictate 
 terms. 
 
 Street cleaning, however, was not so profitable then, as a few 
 thousands would satisfy; but now a few hundred thousands are 
 taken or got rid of; the politicians now-a-days being of a more 
 hungry set. 
 
 In 1826, on the 4tli of August, another addition or extension to 
 this market was ordered to be built on Rynders (Centre) Street, 
 and four new stands, Nos. 15, 16, 17, and 18, were reported sold at 
 auction on the 19th of March of the next year, (1827,) and the 
 stands previously known as 15 and 16 were moved up, and changed 
 to Nos. 19 and 20. The numbers began on the Orange Street side, 
 or east end of the market-house, on Grand Street. On the north 
 side stood No. 1, occupied by John Triglor ; on the lower side, next 
 to Grand Street, No. 2. William Mook. 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 465 
 
 No. 3. Thomas G-. Harrison. 4. James Simonson. 
 
 5. William Bowen. 6. Thomas Mook. 
 
 7. John Fash. 8. William Borden. 
 
 9. William Reeves. 10. Jacob Wiggins. 
 
 11. James B. Dominick. 12. George Deitz. 
 
 13. John M. Seaman. 14. Joseph Blackwell. 
 
 15. Sold to John Lyons, for 16. Sold to John Valentine, 
 
 $1,355. for $1,410. 
 
 17. Sold to Bphraim B. Bo- 18. Sold to William P. Va- 
 
 lander, for $1,476. rian, for $1,400. 
 
 19. George Clinch. 20. William A. Smith. 
 
 For several years past the market people had become annoyed, 
 and had also petitioned against "allowing persons from the country, 
 who were daily in the practice of bringing down provisions in 
 their wagons and selling the same in the Bowery, between Division 
 and Bayard Streets:" they considered that this produce ought to 
 be sold at the public markets. Then, again, in 1828, several butch- 
 ers had located themselves in the Bowery, above Prince Street, 
 which was the cause of a memorial being presented from the butch- 
 ers in this market, who state : " That for some time past there is a 
 number of men that have located themselves in the Bowery as 
 butchers, very much to the annoyance of your petitioners, as it is 
 from that quarter that they draw their chief support." They wish 
 to have their stalls removed. 
 
 These butchers referred to were John Deavenport, Daniel S. 
 Hyde, Joseph Townsend, and John Flock, who reply soon after, and 
 state : " That they have been regularly brought up to the butcher's 
 trade, and duly licensed. They have hired situations in the upper 
 part of the Bowery, which they have occupied for some time past, 
 and where there is no public market near them." Several of the 
 inhabitants also petition for them to remain, which was followed up 
 by another from this market, recapitulating the same grievances ; 
 and they also say : " That some of your petitioners have had fre- 
 quent conversations with some of the members of the said Market 
 Committee," and have understood from them, " that a law had been 
 passed" " to remove said stands north of Tenth Street, to take effect 
 on the first day of the present month, (May;) but on referring to 
 said law, they find the same does not compel the occupants of the 
 said stalls to remove, although well convinced that the meaning, 
 spirit, and intention of said law is to remove said stalls beyond the 
 limits." A law was passed to have them removed on the first of 
 November following. However, before they were removed, the 
 inhabitants were before the Board with the subject of erecting a new 
 Vol. L— 30 
 
466 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 market on the corner of Second Street and tlie Bowery, which the 
 butchers of the Centre Market strongly opposed with a petition, 
 asking the Common Council "to keep their promises with them." 
 " That about two years since, some of your petitioners purchased, 
 stalls (stands) in the Centre Market, and owing to an understand- 
 ing between them and the Chairman of the Market Committee that 
 there should be no meats sold by certain butchers in the Bowery 
 after said stands were disposed of, they were induced to pay a very 
 great price for said stands, fully believing that the market limits 
 were to be extended. That your petitioners sent a petition to your 
 Honorable Body, requesting the limits might be extended. That 
 your Honorable Body saw fit to grant their prayer, and passed a 
 law to extend said limits, but owing to some mistake made in de- 
 scribing such limits, they were only extended one street, when your 
 Honorable Body meant that they should be extended ten streets. 
 That your petitioners, seeing the error, petitioned to have the same 
 corrected, and extend said limits as originally meant and intended ; 
 and that such petition was granted, and a law passed to extend said 
 K7nits to Tenth and Thirteenth Streets, northward. That certain 
 butchers, who stand on the corner of the Bowery and Second 
 Street, are daily exposing meats for sale, contrary to said law, and 
 have been so doing since the first day of November last. That they 
 have complained over and over again to the Corporation Attorney 
 to prosecute said butchers, but your petitioners can get no redress 
 in that way." 
 
 " Your petitioners most ardently ask of your Honorable Body to 
 protect them in their rights. Many of your petitioners are young 
 men, just commencing business, with nothing to depend upon but 
 their stands for their livelihood. They therefore pray that your 
 Honorable Body will take it into mature deliberation before they 
 conclude where to locate a market ; and though the inducements to 
 build it on the spot proposed may be great, your petitioners beg 
 your Honorable Body also to take into consideration the great and 
 irreparable injury will be to your petitioners, as well as your 
 Honorable Body, &c." 
 
 This petition, and the unwearied efforts of several of the promi- 
 nent butchers, among whom were John M. Seamen, George C. 
 Clinch, and John Triglar, had the effect, at least, to change the loca- 
 tion farther above the site of the Tompkins Market, and to accept 
 the liberal proposition of Charles Henry Hall, noticed in the history 
 of that market. 
 
 The occupants of the butcher stands, as they appeared in the 
 month of March of this year, appear to have been changed consid- 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 467 
 
 erably since the last notice made of them. They were occupied as 
 follows : 
 No. 1. John Triglar. No. 2. William Mook. 
 
 3. Thomas G. Harrison. 4. James Simonson. 
 
 5. William Bowen. 6. Thomas Mook. 
 
 7. John Fash. 8. William Borden. 
 
 9. William Reeves. 10. Jacob Wiggins. 
 
 11. James B. Dominick. 12. George Deitz. 
 
 13. John M. Seaman. 14. Joseph Blackwell. 
 
 15. John Lyons. 16. John Valentine. 
 
 17. Ephraim B. Bolander. 18. William P. Varftin. 
 
 19. George Clinch. 20. William A. Smith. 
 
 Soon after, a somewhat remarkable incident took place with the 
 butchers here, which proved there was a strong unanimity of feel- 
 ing for the general advancement of business here, which perhaps 
 seldom or ever occurred before in this city. In their anxiety to 
 establish or keep up the reputation in the sale of the choicest 
 meats, all promised to withdraw from business on a certain day, if 
 either one or two of them would purchase the celebrated ox 
 "Fresident," and have his beef sold in this market. George Clinch, 
 on No. 9, and William P. Varian, on No. 18, concluded to pur- 
 chase this then wonderful animal, estimated to weigh above 4,000 
 pounds alive; they had him slaughtered, and found his dressed 
 weight less than 1,900 pounds. This, with several other fine cat- 
 tle, (one pair of which, called the " Mitchell Steers," from Long 
 Island, yielded 651 pounds of rough fat,) were dressed and paraded 
 through the streets in procession, with numerous banners, &c. The 
 principal motto was, " Centre Market against the World," which took 
 place on Friday, the 6th of February, 1829, and the next day it was 
 offered for sale. All the stalls were not only gayly dressed with 
 banners and flags, &c., but their usual occupants gave their services 
 gratis on this occasion. 
 
 A large quantity of the prime parts was sold at one dollar 'per 
 pound, which produced an excellent market for the whole, and gave 
 general satisfaction. A very choice piece of the Ox President was 
 sent " to Andrew Jackson, President elect of the United States," 
 with the following letter : 
 
 " New York, February 10, 1829. 
 " Sir — The undersigned Committee, in behalf of the butchers of 
 Centre Market, of the City of New York, take the liberty of pre- 
 senting you with a piece of the Ox President, lately slaughtered at 
 this market, (said to be the fattest ever raised in this country,) which 
 they beg you to accept as an humble tribute of their gratitude for the 
 
468 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 eminent public service you have rendered our country, and as a mark 
 
 of their esteem for your private virtues. 
 
 " We are, very respectfully, your obedient servants, 
 
 " George Clinch, 
 " John M. Seaman, 
 
 " J. B. DOMINICK." 
 
 The reply of President Jackson read as follows : 
 
 "Washington City, February 16, 1829. 
 
 " Gentlemen — I have received the piece of beef of the large and 
 fat ox lately slaughtered by the butchers of the Centre Market, of 
 the Cify of New York, which you have been pleased to present as 
 a token of their respect for my character. I accept it with pleasure, 
 and promise to-morrow to give it a place on my table, as not an in- 
 appropriate emblem of the hospitality and solid prosperity of your 
 citizens. Have the goodness to accept for yourselves, gentlemen, 
 and offer to the butchers of the Centre Market, assurances of my 
 grateful regard. Your ob'dt servant, 
 
 "Andrew Jackson." 
 
 In the month of February, 1831, the brick pavement in the butch- 
 ers' market was ordered to be replaced by a wooden one, and the 
 crowded state of the market induced an appropriation of $300, in 
 the month of September following, " to erect an addition of 48 feet 
 to the east end immediately." Then, in the following month of Jan- 
 uary, (1832,) a resolution was passed to sell four additional stands 
 at a " premium," at public auction, for cash, which took place on the 
 15th of February. Four stands, from 17 to 20, were moved up and 
 numbered 21, 22, 23, 24, and Nos. 17, 18, 19, and 20 were sold 
 to the following persons, and at the following prices: No. 17 to 
 Thomas Varian, at $1,725; No. 18 to Charles De Voe, at $1,480; 
 No. 19 to George A. Fink, at $2,150 ; and No. 20 to William Hays, 
 at $1,850. At the same time there were sold Nos. 11 and 12 in the 
 Essex Market, Nos. 3 and 6 in Tompkins Market, Nos. 8 and 48 in 
 Fulton Market, No. 27 in Catharine Market, No. 27 in Washing- 
 ton Market, and No. 5 in Grand Street Market, which netted a pre- 
 mium of $12,510. 
 
 On the 28th of May following, the Joint Committee ordered 
 licenses to be granted to all those who purchased stands ; " and they 
 take this occasion to say, that owing to the indefatigable industry 
 and perseverance of Mr. Smith, the Collector of the City Revenue, 
 they have brought the markets to what they deem a healthy state, 
 whereby the city revenue has been much enhanced, and the butchers 
 fully protected in all their rights and privileges." 
 
 A petition was before the Board in the month of June, in the next 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 469 
 
 year, from Frederick Jolinsoii, stating that he was a " native of the 
 City of New York, and has served a regular apprenticeship with 
 Joseph Blackwell, a butcher, and for some time has conducted the 
 business — for the account of Mr. Blackwell in this market — and he 
 is willing and desirous of transferring his stall No. 14 to your peti- 
 tioner." Mr. Blackwell signs his willingness, and also states, " he 
 has occupied this stand ever since the erection of this market-house. 
 That he has now living with him a young man named Frederick 
 Johnson, who has been regularly brought up to his own calling, most 
 exemplary in his deportment, of most industrious and strictly moral 
 habits ; and as he is without natural protectors, having early lost both 
 of his parents, and has a brother and sister looking to him for protec- 
 tion, he is desirous of placing him in a situation where he can be use- 
 ful to himself and become a valuable member of society." However, 
 before action had been taken by the Market Committee, Mr. Black- 
 well died, and the Committee soon after reported in favor of selling 
 this stand at public auction ; but the Chairman of the Committee 
 gave Johnson permission to occupy it until the 1st of May. John- 
 son felt disappointed, as were many others in the market, who thought 
 the decision of the Committee had been chauged after the death of 
 Blackwell had taken place ; as they expected it would be transferred 
 by paying a fair premium, as was done in the other markets. 
 Mr. Johnson then addressed them the following communication : 
 " Gentlemen — Having learnt, with much surprise, that it was con- 
 templated to sell my late uncle's stall by auction, I have considered 
 it prudent to lay before your Committee some facts which I trust 
 will induce you to report favorably, and relieve me from a suspense 
 which tends greatly to paralyze my efforts in business. That stall 
 was obtained by my uncle in like manner with those formerly held 
 by John Triglar, William Gross, Asa Wesson, John Fash, John Hil- 
 liker, and others, in the same market, all which have been sold or 
 transferred by authority of the Corporation : that of Mr. Hilliker 
 being disposed of by his widow ; permit me, then, to suggest,- that 
 after so many precedents, I could entertain no doubt of obtaining 
 the conveyance applied for, especially under the facts which I now 
 detail, and which, I trust, you will see presents a stronger claim to 
 your favor than even the case of John Hilliker. In the year 1829, 
 my uncle, by reason of divers responsibilities for others, became in- 
 solvent ; this soon rendered him unfit for business, so that I took 
 
 charge of his stall, assumed his debts, then amounting to about 
 $1,000, which I have since paid to the uttermost farthing ; took upon 
 myself the support.. ..of his family, — who were dependent upon him, 
 and who are to this day maintained by me. I have paid faithfully the 
 
470 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 rent of the stall, and kept it so supplied as to do my full share in 
 keeping up the reputation of the market. I think, gentlemen, these 
 facts -will convince you that the prayer of my petition ought to be 
 granted ; and that in contrast with those to whom the same favor 
 has been extended, I present a claim upon your liberality and justice 
 too strong to be passed by. In addition to the assurance of my state- 
 ments being correct, given below by my friend P. W. Engs, I can, 
 if necessary, prove to you the truth of them by numerous other per- 
 sons, &c.'' Mr. P. W. Engs vouches for all the above facts, after 
 stating that he had " resided for about fourteen years near Centre 
 Market, and during all that time have dealt at Blackwell's stall. 
 He could by verbal statement add further evidence of the justice of 
 Mr. Johnson's claim." 
 
 The report of the Committee was made, and finally adopted on 
 the 5th of November, same year; in which they state they were "of 
 opinion that said stand should be transferred to said Frederick John- 
 son, and that he should be duly licensed for the same, on his paying 
 into the City Treasury the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars;" and 
 they ''Resolved, If the Board of Assistants concur, that the butcher's 
 stand No. 14 Centre Market, lately occupied by Joseph Blackwell, 
 be transferred to Frederick Johnson, on his paying into the City 
 Treasury $2,500, and in all other respects conforming to the laws 
 regulating our public markets." Johnson's many friends assisted 
 him, and he became the occupant of his uncle's stand. 
 
 At this period this market was among the best in the city, the busi- 
 ness profitable, and the patrons numerous, but with many complaints 
 of not having room enough to transact the ordinary business in a 
 satisfactory manner ; with many it was useless to attempt an increase, 
 because the Common Council had placed them in such a compass or 
 space, that a business or enterprising man must stop there ; in fact, 
 it was saying, "You may do so much — but no more," even if you are 
 willing to pay for further accommodations. These oft-repeated com- 
 plaints induced the Market Committee, on the 6th of June, 1834, to 
 report, " that the public markets should be sufficiently capacious to 
 accommodate all who resort to them, both buyer and seller, with 
 ample room for their mutual accommodation." " The Centre Mar- 
 ket and ground cost the public $10,000, and is now paying 30 per 
 cent, on the investment, as appears by the Comptroller's books; it 
 is contemplated to enlarge this mai'ket by taking 14 lots of ground 
 in the centre of the adjoining block, which is bounded by Orange, 
 Broome, Mulberry, and Grand Streets ; which space being 175 feet 
 by 200 feet, will not cost over $60,000, which is about one-half of 
 the sum that any other location could be had for in the vicinity of 
 the present market. 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 471 
 
 This contemplated " scheme," however, did not take place, and 
 some few did not line their pockets, as they expected to have done ; 
 nor did any relief accrue from this truthful report of the enormous 
 per centage it exposed ; which, however, was exceeded in another 
 report, made in the following November, on the same subject, showing 
 that it " pays the Corporation, on the present investment, between 
 thirty and forty per cent." 
 
 Some little temporary relief was given by the addition of a shed 
 on the outside, and as a new building had been promised and would 
 soon be erected, it had the means of somewhat quieting the stand- 
 holders ; but the Market Committee, in the mean time, had resolved 
 to crowd four more stalls in, and to have them sold at auction on 
 the I7th of March, 1835, for a " premium." This was more than the 
 butchers could bear, so they employed " Counsel," and obtained an 
 injunction from the Vice-Chancellor, restraining the Comptroller 
 from selling them. This was followed with a report in the month 
 of April, from the Counsel to the Corporation, R. Emmet, stating, 
 " that a bill was filed in the Court of Chancery, by George C. Clinch, 
 William P. Varian, John Phillips, Ephraim B. Bolander, William 
 Spencer, and George A. Pink,- to that eifect. The Common Council 
 passed a "resolution, that the Counsel of the Board be directed to 
 answer, that the same be discharged." He, however, on the 23d of 
 July following, advised a settlement; and the Committee "directed 
 him to settle the same according to the terms proposed by the Coun- 
 sel for the butchers," and the stands were not sold. 
 
 The butchers' stands at this period were occupied as follows : 
 No. 1. Henry Rosier, Jun'r. No. 2. William Mook. 
 3. Thomas G. Harrison. 4. James Simonson. 
 
 5. William Bowen. 6. Thomas Mook. 
 
 7. James I. Titus. 8. William D. Borden. 
 
 9. William T. Ryer. 10. Jacob Wiggins. 
 
 11. James B. Dominick. 12. Moses B. Arment. 
 
 13. John M. Seaman. 14. Frederick Johnson. 
 
 15. Joseph Hill, Jun'r. 16. John Valentine. 
 
 17. Thomas Varian. 18. Charles De Voe. 
 
 19. George A. Fink. 20. William Spencer. 
 
 21. Ephraim B. Bolander. 22. John Phillips. 
 
 23. George Clinch. 24. William P. Varian. 
 
 The building of the present brick market-house had been some time 
 under consideration, but it was not favorably reported upon until 
 the early part of May, 1838, when resolutions were passed to re- 
 build this market-house on the grounds intended for its occupation; 
 these were represented as being " 88 feet, 6 inches, on Grand 
 
472 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 Street ; 35 feet, 7 inches, on Broome Street ; 389 feet, 6 inches, on 
 Orange Street; and 382 feet, 10 inches, on Centre Street." An ap- 
 propriation of $50,000 was made for its erection; the estimates 
 adopted, however, were made by John Thompson, on the 18th of 
 June, for $39,390 ; although an additional sum of $980 was added, 
 to " strengthen the truss-girders, change the cellar-doors, alter the 
 steps, &c., which, with the original estimate, was equal to $40,370." 
 In the month of January following the new building was ready 
 for its occupants, and the opening of it for business was celebrated 
 by a grand ball and supper, given by the butchers belonging to this 
 market, in the large rooms now occupied by the military. This 
 was announced in an advertisement, as follows : 
 
 'M Butcher Ball and Supper, 
 
 " In commemoration of the opening of the new Centre Market, 
 will take place on the 17th of January, in the spacious rooms over said 
 market. Tickets, $5, to admit a gentleman and two ladies, can be 
 had on application to either of the following Committee, at the 
 market or their residences : 
 
 " James B. Dominick, 93 Mercer Street. 
 
 James Whinney, 184 Ludlow Street. 
 
 William H. Mock, 3d Avenue, near 24th Street. 
 
 T. H. Mock, 3d Avenue, near 24th Street. 
 
 H. J. Ryer, 145 Centre Street. 
 
 Moses E. Arment, 171 Rivington Street. 
 
 Frederick Johnson, 28 Second Street. 
 
 Frederick Clinch, 56 First Street. 
 
 Joseph "W. Clinch, 56 First Street. 
 
 William T. Ryer, 145 Centre Street. 
 " The New York Brass Band is engaged. Leader of the Cotillon, 
 Mr. Brown. Leader of the Brass Band, Mr. Lothian."* 
 
 Two days after, an editorial says : "The whole world — that is, the 
 eating world — will be there, and a great affair it will be. Not sir- 
 loins or rump steaks only, but all the delicacies of the season will 
 be displayed in the most tasteful and fashionable style. "t The 
 tickets were soon disposed of, and before the ball took place $25 
 apiece were offered and refused for them. The ladies' tickets were 
 beautifully got up, with an engraving representing the new market 
 building, with Terpsichore, Cupid, wreaths, and the names of the 
 Managers — all printed in gold. 
 
 The day after the ball an editorial says of it: " The ball in honor 
 of the opening of the new Centre Market was quite a brilliant affair 
 * Evening Star, January 8, 1839. Ibid. 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 473 
 
 last night, and all the ceremonies of reception, ladies' saloons, gen- 
 tlemen's retiring-rooms, &c., &c., were arranged with as much taste 
 and fashion as they could have been at Almack's. It should be 
 known that this market, after the design of Mr. ( Thomas) Thomas, 
 the architect, is the first in this country which may be deemed a 
 complete building. Faneuil Hall, Boston, is something like it, but 
 the London markets of the first class come nearer to it. The sa- 
 loon fronting Grand Street was fitted up with much taste with ban- 
 ners, portraits, and various decorations. Not having time to intro- 
 duce the coal-gas, the saloon was lit up with spirit-gas, which burnt 
 but dimly, owing to the heat of the rooms. 
 
 " The dancing to a splendid band, which played all the fashion- 
 able airs and waltzes, was kept up with great spirit ; the ladies, who 
 were numerous, and splendidly dressed, entered fully into the spirit 
 of the scene ; but the supper, or banqueting-rooms, created surprise 
 and admiration. The long corridors over the market, from Centre 
 to Broome Street, were thrown open, and brilliantly illuminated ; 
 each saloon had four tables, covered with all the delicacies of the 
 season, in the very best style, by Mr. and Mrs. Niblo, who, with an 
 army of waiters, were in attendance ; and, when a thousand persons 
 were seated at the tables, with all the brilliancy of dress and joyous 
 hilarity, the coup d'eeil was really beautiful. His Honor the Mayor, 
 and the members of the Corporation, were of course all present, 
 with a number of invited guests ; and when it is recollected that 
 giving a grand ball by a Committee of the Butchers is not an every- 
 day affair, they deserve great credit for the manner it was carried 
 through."* 
 
 There were very many handsome ladies present, and the greatest 
 order and decorum were observed. They are a class of rich, sub- 
 stantial citizens, and all have received good educations, with the 
 usual accomplishments. 
 
 On each plate was the following, printed on vellum paper : 
 
 "Butchers' Ball— Januakt 17, 1839. 
 "In Commemoration of the Opening of Centre Market. 
 "Music and Mirth, and beaming eyes While fitly, 'neath this festive dome. 
 
 Of peerless Beauty, here unite, Circe and Plenty shall provide, 
 
 To gild each hour as it flies. To dedicate her chosen home. 
 
 And every joyous heart delight ; Our City's ornament and pride." 
 
 I might also add another incident or two which took place at this 
 
 ball. The saloon being lighted, as above stated, with spirit-gas, 
 
 created so much heat, and the window-frames worked so badly, that 
 
 they would neither shove up or down ; when the President of the 
 
 * Evening Star, January 18, 1839. 
 
474 CENTRE MARKET 
 
 Board, who was present, ordered the panes to be knocked out, which 
 soon gave relief. About twelve o'clock, P. M., when all were on 
 the floor, many of whom were dancing, some of the Committee 
 heard a creaking noise, and discovered the floor in one end of the 
 room had settled some three or four inches ; they quietly went down 
 in the market-room, and put up a few studs or timbers, to make sure 
 that it should not settle further, at least that night. 
 
 The excellence of the supper and arrangements called forth a 
 letter of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Niblo ; and one of the Committee 
 thought he never saw before, or since, so much taste, elegance, and 
 tempting luxuries displayed, as was shown on those tables. 
 
 This ball was so successful, and gave so much satisfaction, that 
 another was finally agreed upon, to take place in the month of Feb- 
 ruary, 1842, which appeared in the advertisements as follows:* 
 
 "Butchers' Ball. 
 " The butchers of Centre Market will give their second grand 
 ball and supper at the four snacious rooms of the Apollo Saloon, on 
 Tuesday evening, 15th February, 1842. Those wishing tickets are 
 requested to make early application, as the number is limited. 
 Tickets to be had at Centre Market, or any of the following Com- 
 mittee : 
 
 Joseph W. Clinch, Moses E. Crasto, Frederick Johnson, 
 William Wood, Henry J. Eyer, Sam'l L. Arment, 
 
 Samuel H. Denton, Thomas H. Mook, Wm. D. Kirschbaun, 
 William T. Ryer, James S. Egbert, Cornelius M. Cregier, 
 John E. Dean. James B. Dominick, Chairman. 
 
 Joseph C. Pincknby, Secretary." 
 
 The ladies' tickets bore the same engraving as those of the first 
 ball, except the date. The Managers on this occasion were : 
 J. B. Dominick, Joseph W. Clinch, William T. Ryer, 
 
 Thomas H. Mook, Joseph C. Pinckney, James S. Egbert. 
 This also was a well-arranged and conducted ball, but not quite 
 so successful as the first. The supper and arrangements were not 
 so satisfactory, although quite as good as were usually given. 
 Each gentleman, on sitting down, found the following verses on his 
 plate, which he was expected to digest first : 
 
 " To the Apollo the butchers have come one and all. 
 To enjoy the delights of an Annual Ball ; 
 They have /are for the palate, and /air for the heart. 
 And a bumper they '11 drink to the fair, ere they part. 
 
 Sure Apollo of old was a pattern of grace, 
 While modern ApoUos wear a round, jovial face : 
 He of old was unsocial ; while these relish life, 
 Feast, drink, and make merry, love home and a wife. 
 * Evening Post, February 15, 1842. 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 475 
 
 While we draia, then, the bowl, filled with nectar divine, 
 And enjoy the rich feaet, and quaff the red wine, 
 We '11 live in the love, and rtgoioe in the light 
 Of bright sunny eyes which beam on us to-night. 
 
 Our host, the' but one, sure a host we may call, 
 For a host of good cheer has he given us all : 
 Let the host, then, partake of the host we have here, 
 And cheer the good host, for hia host of good cheer." 
 
 Previous to the finishing of the new market-house in 1838, the 
 question came up before the Board about the occupancy of the 
 large rooms, and in the month of December the subject was brought 
 before the Board, of appropriating the large rooms over the market 
 for the use of the military ; when the following resolution was passed : 
 ''Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Public Offices 
 and Repairs to inquire into and report the propriety of appropriat- 
 ing a suitable portion of the second story of Centre Market, now in 
 progress of being built, for the use of the several uniform military 
 companies of the city." This Committee reported as follows: 
 
 " Petitions have heretofore been presented to the Common Coun- 
 cil, asking to have a building erected for the purpose of accommo- 
 dating the militia. The project has been favorably spoken of, 
 though no report has been made on the subject. The Committee 
 have had several interviews with the officers commanding the differ- 
 ent Divisions of Militia, for the purpose of ascertaining whether 
 the rooms are large enough to accommodate the whole. Prom in- 
 formation thus derived, the Committee is satisfied that they are 
 sufficient for all the purposes for which they are intended to be 
 used. There are four rooms connected together, by openings of 
 twelve feet, which can be closed at pleasure, and used separately or 
 otherwise, as may best suit their convenience. There are two sep- 
 arate entrances from the street, which will permit the Artillery and 
 Infantry to occupy separate apartments, without incommoding each 
 other. The arrangements made by the Committee have been sub- 
 mitted to the officers, who have expressed themselves as being per- 
 fectly satisfied. The Committee propose the following resolutions : 
 
 "Resolved, That the room fronting on Grand Street, in the sec- 
 ond story of Centre Market, and the room next adjoining, be given 
 to (Major- General SandfordJ the officer commanding the Division 
 of Artillery of this city, for the purpose of drilling. and exercising 
 the men under his command, under the following regulations, viz.: 
 no arms, ammunition, or accoutrements shall at any time be kept 
 in these rooms ; meetings for any other purpose than those men- 
 tioned above shall not be allowed. 
 
 "Resolved, That the use of the two remaining rooms, extending 
 
476 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 up to the keeper's apartments, be given to (Major -General Dovghty, 
 Major -General Stryker, Major -General Jones, and Major-General 
 Lloyd,) the officers commanding the several Divisions of Infantry 
 in this city, for the accommodation of their several Divisions, for 
 the purpose and under the restrictions mentioned in the preceding 
 resolution. 
 
 " Resolved, That the rooms referred to in the two preceding reso- 
 lutions may be occupied for the purposes therein named until other- 
 wise ordered by the Common Council." Adopted and approved. 
 
 These "rooms" were divided up among the several Regiments 
 composing the eight Brigades, to be used as drill-rooms, meetings, 
 &c. The necessary arrangements were made by a Committee called 
 the " Drill-Room Committee," consisting of one Colonel from each 
 Brigade, organized as follows : 
 
 Colonel George H. Biddle, 
 Thomas P. De Voe, 
 
 " William Mitchell, 
 
 " H. M. Schieffelin, 
 
 " John Bwen, 
 
 " S. Jones Mumfobd, 
 
 " Nicholas Carroll, 
 Robert C. Morris, 
 For several years the commandants of regiments ordered their 
 officers and non-commissioned officers to drill on certain evenings 
 assigned to them, which tended much to increase their efficiency and 
 usefulness. 
 
 On the 27th February, 1839, three fish-stands were drawn for in 
 this market, viz.: No. 1, Willis Hall; No. 2, James Linsey; and 
 No. 3. Elstein Tucker; and in the month of June following a shed 
 was '' ordered to be built at Centre Market, to accommodate coun- 
 try people." 
 
 In the previous month of April, after the Harlem Railroad Com- 
 pany had laid down their track along Centre Street, it was found to 
 interfere with the butchers' carts, whose owners could not back to 
 the curb-stone. They ask, through petition, to have the curb " set in 
 for this purpose;" and " that they do not wish to be considered as 
 unfi'iendly to the laying down of the railroad track, by presenting 
 their petition." The Committee, in their report, state that they 
 " have examined the premises, and are of opinion that public ac- 
 commodation will be promoted by setting in the curb-stone six feet, 
 which will then leave twelve feet for side-walk next the market, a 
 width ample for all purposes. The width proposed to be taken 
 from the side-walk is now occupied in some places by fish-cars, 
 
 59th B; 
 
 rigade. 
 
 63d 
 
 
 45th 
 
 
 58th 
 
 
 10th 
 
 
 6Bd 
 
 
 3d 
 
 
 64th 
 
 
CENTRE MARKET. 477 
 
 which in such situations have not the merit of ornament or utility. 
 The Committee have conferred with the officers of the Railroad 
 Company, who express their willingness to go to the expense of 
 altering the curb-stone, and to lay the space between the rails and 
 the curb with wood pavement, for the benefit of the horses standing 
 at the market. The Committee offer the following resolution: 
 Resolved, That the curbstone on the easterly side of Centre Street, 
 in front of the market, be set six feet into the walk from its present 
 line : Provided that the same be done at the expense of the Harlem 
 Railroad Company ; and provided that the said Railroad Company 
 pave the space between the rails and the said curb-stone with 
 blocks of loood; the value of stone pavement to be allowed to their 
 credit, in the assessment for paving the street, on so much of the 
 said pavement as does not legitimately belong to them to make." 
 
 In the month of May following, what was formerly known as 
 Orange Street, on the east side of this market, was changed by the 
 following: "Resolved, That the new street east of and adjoining 
 ' Centre Market,' and between Grand and Broome Streets, be known 
 and designated as ' Centre Market Place.' " 
 
 At this period the heaviest and finest ox then known in the States 
 was sold by the occupant of No. 27, Joseph W. Clinch, in company 
 with Mathew H. Chase, of No. 33 Washington Market, who together 
 had purchased this extraordinary animal of Brastus Jeffers, Esq., 
 of Waterville, Oneida County, N. Y., by paying :-600 for him; and 
 this amount, with other numerous expenses for advertising, ribbons, 
 music, help, &c., ran up his cost to a large amount. But being well 
 sold, they made, instead of losing money, as is usual on these occa- 
 sions. About one-third of the beef of this animal was sold at one 
 dollar per pound, and all the other parts were also well sold, clean 
 off, on Saturday, the 25th of January, 1840. 
 
 Since that period several other fine animals have been sold here, 
 and no doubt the largest and heaviest bullock ever produced in the 
 United States (perhaps in the world) was exhibited and sold in this 
 market by William Lalor, who gave general satisfaction by having 
 this monstrous animal fairly weighed alive, rightly dressed, and the 
 quarters weighed under the supervision of some of the best and most 
 reliable men ; although I must admit the quarters were hung drying 
 too long (10 days) in the slaughter-house before the beef was weigh- 
 ed, which no doubt was a loss of some 50 pounds — the usual time 
 being from two to four days. 
 
 This enormous animal, called Union, was purchased of E. Haxton, 
 Esq., Beekman, Dutchess County, N. Y., by Mr. Lalor, for the groat 
 sum of I 850. He weighed at home 3.452 lbs. ; the day before he 
 was killed he weighed 3,419 lbs., and after his beef had been hang- 
 
478 CENTRE MARKET. 
 
 ing ten days, the four quarters -weighed 2,319 lbs. It was, with 
 several other line cattle, displayed in carts, forming a large proces- 
 sion, which proceeded through many of the principal streets to this 
 market. The prime cuts were sold at one dollar a pound, and the 
 other portion at high prices ; the whole of the sales amounting to 
 above $1,000, which, after deducting expenses, left a fair profit, but 
 a great deal more credit to the purchaser, for the manner in which he 
 conducted the whole exhibition, and the taste he had displayed in 
 dressing his stall and meats. 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1853, an addition of an average of 
 thirty feet wide and thirty-five feet high was inclosed and joined to 
 this market, on the street or "Centre Market Place" side, at an ex- 
 pense of about $5,000. 
 
 Some of the rooms in the upper part of the market-house were 
 several years occupied as a station-house for the Fourteenth Ward 
 Police, and afterwards as the Fourteenth Patrol District, which the 
 police held until the year 1857, when the military again obtained 
 possession of all these rooms, and since have repaired and made 
 them more safe, by raising and strengthening the floors, which had 
 been in a dangerous situation many years. This has been followed 
 by introducing additional rooms in the place of the shed erected in 
 1853, the ceilings of others raised, partitions and walls removed ; so 
 that it now accommodates the Sixth, Eighth, and Seventy-first Regi- 
 ments for drill and company meeting rooms. 
 
 Since 1850 the occupants licensed for butchers' stands in this 
 market have been as follows: 
 
 No. 
 
 . 1. 
 
 William Hays. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 William Kinner. 
 
 3. 
 
 Samuel T. Williams. 
 
 4. 
 
 William D. Borden. 
 
 5. 
 
 Thomas Mook. 
 
 6. 
 
 James Wilson. 
 
 7. 
 
 Mook & Sheldon. 
 
 8. 
 
 Mook & Sheldon. 
 
 9. 
 
 Charles Hellen. 
 
 10. 
 
 Jacob Lettice. 
 
 11. 
 
 William Seal. 
 
 12. 
 
 William Mook, Jun'r. 
 
 18. 
 
 Timothy Lawrence. 
 
 14. 
 
 Bryan Lawrence. 
 
 15. 
 
 Frederick Johnson. 
 
 16. 
 
 David Kehoe. 
 
 17. 
 
 James Keating. 
 
 18. 
 
 William Reid. • 
 
 19. 
 
 James Reid. 
 
 20. 
 
 Henry Dififenbach. 
 
 21. 
 
 Philip Reid. 
 
 22. 
 
 John E. Dean. 
 
 23. 
 
 Joseph Jantzen. 
 
 24. 
 
 John B. Jantzen. 
 
 25. 
 
 Joseph W. Clinch. 
 
 26. 
 
 Frederick Clinch. 
 
 27. 
 
 Joseph Flynn. 
 
 28. 
 
 James Simonson. 
 
 29. 
 
 Widow Harrison. 
 
 30. 
 
 Augustus Fink. 
 
 31. 
 
 William Lalor. 
 
 32. 
 
 Andrew Reid. 
 
 33. 
 
 Widow Varian. 
 
 34. 
 
 John M. Seaman. 
 
 35. 
 
 David Seaman. 
 
 
 
ESSEX MARKET. 479 
 
 "ESSEX MARKET." 
 
 1818. The wants of the inhabitants of the Tenth Ward, in the 
 year 1818, for a market-place near the present location of the Essex 
 Market, were, by a petition, laid before a Special Committee, who, 
 on the 29th of June, reported in favor of the accommodation re- 
 quested, in which it was stated that " a large proportion of the in- 
 habitants of this section are mechanics and laboring men, who re- 
 side from half a mile to one mile and a hUf from any of the markets 
 now established; the inconvenience experienced by these citizens, 
 whose time is of the utmost importance to them, may be easily con- 
 ceived; that more accommodations of the kind can be afforded at a 
 moderate expense ; they ought to be granted, and which will only 
 cost about seven hundred dollars." The Board adopted a resolu- 
 tion to build " a market-house 40 by 20 feet, in the centre of Grand 
 Street, between Ludlow and Essex Streets," which was finished in 
 the month of September, and the Market Committee reported in 
 favor of placing the several butchers on the following stands : 
 
 No. 1. Thomas Place. No. 2. Henry Spicer. 
 
 3. Henry N. Disbrow, (1819.) 4. Samuel Piercy, Jr. 
 
 5. Thomas Bockover, do. 6. Andrew Van Dusen. 
 
 7. Stephen Doan. 8. John Ackerly. 
 
 This was followed in December with a resolution, " That the mar- 
 ket lately erected in the centre of Grand Street be known by the 
 name of ' Essex Market.' " The name Essex was no doubt taken 
 from the street on the east side of this market-house, laid out and 
 known about the year 1765,* then running on the east side of the 
 " Great or Delancey's Square,"t located near the centre of Delancey's 
 Farms, which extended from Division (the line of Division between 
 this and Eutgers' Farms) up to about Stanton Street, and from the 
 Bowery to the East River. 
 
 The street no doubt received its name from the county of that 
 name in England, and likely the giving of this name to this market- 
 place may have had an impetus from the victorious career of Com- 
 modore Porter in the frigate Essex, in which he swept the Pacific 
 Ocean during the war with Great Britain, as it also had in giving 
 the name to several counties and towns in several of the United 
 States. 
 
 • Ralzan's Map, 1766. t See " Grand Street Market." 
 
480 ESSEX MARKET. 
 
 The business of this market began with more than ordinary good 
 prospects, and having been well conducted, it soon drew numerous 
 patrons to it, as well as to assist in the erection of numerous build- 
 ings on the large quantities of vacant ground, some of which had 
 to be leveled from a great height before it could be used for that 
 purpose. 
 
 On the east side of this market-place, before the hills were dug 
 down, was the favorite place on which the well-known and eccentric 
 Johnny Edwards, the '' scale-beam maker," held forth to sometimes 
 large numbers of persons about once a week. Prom his residence, 
 in Greene below Prince Street, he rode over to this place in his busi- 
 ness cart, and getting on his favorite rock, he would entertain hia 
 hearers by his singular audt^sometimes pointed remarks. 
 
 About the period of the establishment of this market-place, a color- 
 ed girl, named Rose Butler, was convicted and sentenced to be hung, 
 for setting her master's house on fire, with the intention of burning 
 her mistress to death. Johnny Edwards exerted his whole energies 
 in her cause ; in the streets, markets, and churches his whole saying 
 was, " Blood for blood — but not blood for fire." On one occasion, 
 being in a meeting-house of the Baptist Church, of which the Rev, 
 A. McClay was pastor, situated in Mulberry Street, near Chatham, 
 Johnny arose and commenced aloud with his exhortations; the sex- 
 ton requested him to be quiet, as it disturbed the congregation ; to 
 which Johnny answered, " Glad on it— they ought to be disturbed." 
 
 Rose Butler appears to have been convicted of arson by the ver- 
 dict of a jury, at an Oyer and Terminer, held on the 19th of Novem- 
 ber, 1818, before Justice Thompson, and sentenced to be hung on 
 the 11th of June, 1819. The "Evening Post" of that date says: 
 " This morning there were collected a concourse of two or three 
 thousand people to witness the execution ; but the Sheriif received 
 a respite from the Governor till the 9th of July, stating one of the 
 reasons, as I am informed, to be the insanity of the prisoner ; but it 
 is said that the inducement is the hope that she may make a dis- 
 closure of the names of some accomplices. That she had accom- 
 plices is pretty certain, though she denied it to one of the clergy- 
 men who attended her ; for, after she was confined in prison, the 
 house was again set on iire, and burned to the ground ; and we hear 
 that threatening letters (of the rising of colored people) have lately 
 been sent to the Mavor, if the execution should be carried into 
 effect." 
 
 " On the day when the execution took place, a large crowd of peo- 
 ple, with the guard, assembled at the Bridewell, from whence she 
 was taken in a carriage to then Potters Field, ( Washington Parade 
 Ground or Square.) 
 
ESSEX MARKET. 481 
 
 " Mr. Bell, the Sheriff, performed his duty in person, in his ofiScial 
 full dress. She made no disclosures of accomplice?, and her last 
 words were, ' 1 am satisfied as to the justness of my fate — it is all 
 right.' 
 
 " We are happy to learn that the colored people of this city, be- 
 ing convinced of the enormity of the crime, are generally reconciled 
 to the fate of Rose Butler, and it is hoped that no offence of a similar 
 nature will ever again occur."* The witnessing of this execution 
 still remains in my memory, as being one of the most prominent 
 transactions of my boyhood. 
 
 Three years had hardly passed, when complaints were presented, 
 in petitions, of the narrowness of the street on the sides of the 
 market-house, which much interrupted the increased business, and 
 praying for the removal of the market, " when another one shall 
 have been built in that vicinity." 
 
 Several reports were made for relief, but nothing was done until 
 the month of October, 1823, when a Committee reported in favor 
 of purchasing seven lots, and soon after seven additional lots were 
 added to the first, lying on the north side of Grand Street, opposite 
 this market, belonging to Nicholas Goveneur ; all of which were 
 purchased, and the Corporation Counsel reported as having ob- 
 tained a deed for them in the month of December. 
 
 The erection of a new one-story building, extending from Ludlow 
 to Essex Street, was commenced in 1824, and finished in the early 
 part of the next year, when the stand-holders in the old were re- 
 moved into the new market-house. The Market Committee, in an- 
 swer to a petition of Henry Marsh for a stand in this market, in the 
 month of April, state: "The number of stands at present is ten, 
 which were leased for the ensuing year, with an express reservation 
 of the right to establish four new ones, if, in the opinion of the 
 Common Council, the convenience of the public should require it." 
 They are now of the opinion that " it ought to be done, but that 
 the new stands should be sold at auction, in the usual way;" 
 and recommend the following resolution: "Resolved, That four new 
 stands be erected in Essex Market, and the leases sold at auction." 
 
 On the first of August, 1825, these four stands were sold, for a 
 premium of $1,790; which money was paid in, and licenses ordered 
 for the following purchasers, in the month of July : 
 
 No. 5. Stephen Jordan. No. 6. Philip H. Underhill. 
 
 7. John Palmer. 8. Henry Resler, Jun'r. 
 
 The city a few months after was relieved of a nuisance, which had 
 been a great eye-sore to many of the citizens, and more especially 
 * Columbian, 9th aad 10th July, 1819. 
 
 Vol. L— 31 
 
482 ESSEX MARKET. 
 
 on the public thoroughfares. This was done by the introduction of 
 the "hog-cart," as the laws appeared not sufficiently stringent to keep 
 those animals out of the streets. Many scrimmages have I seen in 
 some of the localities where the negro hog-catchers, and also the 
 officers who attended them, were either cheated out of their prey, 
 or obliged entirely to desist, especially in the neighborhood of St. 
 Patrick's Cathedral, where almost every woman, to a man, was 
 joined together for common protection in resisting their favorites 
 from becoming public property. 
 
 In the month of November, (1825,) the Press appears pleased to 
 notice this fact, when one says : " We are glad to learn — and the 
 reader will be both surprised and gratified at the information — that 
 the hog-cart, so long a desideratum here, is making a tour of seques- 
 tration through the city, and collecting the unsightly and ferocious 
 quadrupeds which have hitherto enjoyed free commons on our streets. 
 Since the task is undertaken, we trust that, although they amount 
 in all to squadrons, a general gathering will be made, and that none 
 will be left for the annoyance of the public hereafter." 
 
 "The efforts of the ' catchers,' however, have occasioned several 
 ludicrous scenes. Among the rest, the passengers in Broadway, th* 
 thoroughfare of fashion, taste, and beauty, were on Wednesday en- 
 tertained with a well-contested, and for some minutes doubtful, race. 
 A good-sized pig was observed to be quietly discussing the remains 
 of some offals, which not unfrequently adorn our principal prome- 
 nades, when the cart, of course, stopped, and the catchers, four stout 
 blacks, approached the animal with hostile intent and fearful note 
 of preparation. They had ' clipped him round about,' and one had 
 actually laid violent hands on his ears, when the creature, disap- 
 proving of their proceedings in toto, wheeled about, and held his 
 course down the street ; the three ' darkies,' yet on their legs, pursu- 
 ing at a round pace. The animal now began to pull harder, and 
 the hunters stretched themselves to their utmost, so that the trial of 
 speed became every moment more and more interesting. The bi- 
 peds, however, succeeded in overtaking the quadruped ; but just as 
 they were again laying ungentle hands on his body, he bolted, turn- 
 ed, and steered ' bock again ' in full cry. Finally, the pursued, al- 
 most exhausted, was taken by the pursuers, seized by all-fours, and 
 introduced, to the tune of his own music, into the car. The vehicle 
 moved onward to get other, and, we trust, less difficult prey." 
 
 The "hog-cart" was not at all a popular "institution" with a 
 good many, and it only occasionally appeared in the streets, when 
 it was sure- to attract a crowd of leaders or followers, who were 
 ready to assist in depriving it of animal occupants. " If the laws 
 
ESSEX MARKET. 483 
 
 are to be put in force (says an editorial) in relation to hogs, the 
 driver of the cart must be protected in discharging his duty. Yes- 
 terday afternoon, as some dozen of the swinish multitude were driven 
 in the vehicle appropriated for the accommodation up the Bowery, 
 a mob of perhaps four or five hundred sympathizing individuals, who 
 thought the hogs were ill-used, followed the equipage, with a de- 
 termination to effect their deliverance. It may be proper to state, 
 that the hog-cart is a kind of Noah's Ark, upon small wheels, with 
 interstitial apertures, to give the pigs a free circulation of air, and 
 enable them to look out, and enjoy the prospect on their route to 
 the Aims-House. It was driven yesterday afternoon by one person, 
 and followed by an out-rider on horseback, as an escort. Against 
 this unfortunate guard the attendant company of ragamuffins, idle 
 boys, and sweeps, hurled all the rotten apples, pears, and other mis- 
 siles they could muster. They knocked off his hat two or three 
 times, and rendered the color of his jacket, which had been white, 
 altogether unintelligible. The man, of course, was clamorous, and 
 the porkers squealed terribly. 
 
 " The assailants at last exhausted their ammunition, upon which 
 some of them rushed into a fruit-shop and laid unlawful hands upon 
 its contents, not without the violent remonstrance of an old lady, 
 who was the proprietor. With this supply, the poor protector of 
 the hogs was again pelted sadly. The determination of the mob 
 was to upset the cart ; and very probably they may have eventually 
 succeeded, as we did not mark their further progress. As this sort 
 of mischief may be always anticipated, it is surprising that a more 
 efficient escort is not provided for the removal of these nuisances."* 
 
 The continuation of the hog-cart was not of long duration, and in 
 the latter part of its existence it was forced to adopt an early hour 
 in the morning when it appeared in the streets, or it was sure to be 
 attacked. 
 
 In this market-house, at this period, the fourteen butchers' stands 
 were placed in the centre part, and the fish and vegetables in the 
 ends; this arrangement, however, was changed in 1832, when four 
 more stands were added, and the end on Ludlow Street was filled 
 by them, by moving the original stands down to the corner, where 
 the numbers began, and occupied as follows : 
 
 No. 1. William Winter. No. 2. William Graham. 
 
 3. William Neilson. 4. John Singer. 
 
 5. Adam H. Chappel. 6. Philip H. Underbill. 
 
 7. William Kellinger. 8. William L. Eeeves, 
 
 9. Thomas K. Kellinger. 10. Jacob Patterson. 
 
 * Evening Post, September, 1826 
 
484 ESSEX MARKET. 
 
 No. 11. William De Forest. No. 12. John Tier. 
 
 13. Samuel Piercy, Jr. 14. John Monaghan. 
 
 15. Alexander Brown. 16. Peter Valentine, Jr, 
 
 17. Gilbert Graham. 18. Walter Briggs. 
 
 In the month of February, 1834, a resolution was adopted rela- 
 tive to the extension of this market, Grand Street and Centre Mar- 
 kets, and the taking of a piece of ground in the 11th Ward for a 
 Union Market-Place. The " Joint Committee on Markets" reported 
 the estimated cost of 
 
 Grand Street Market, $32,000 Essex Market, - $50,000 
 Centre Market, 60,000 Land in 11th Ward, 8,000 
 
 for Union Market. Making a total of $150,000. 
 
 " By a law, making provision for the redemption of the city stocks, 
 all market fees and market rents are appropriated for the extin- 
 guishing of said stocks. 
 
 " The annual receipts from the markets, and applied to this pur- 
 pose, have been very large, and it is believed there is no property 
 held by the Corporation netting so large an amount on its cost as 
 that derived from the rents and fees of the markets. The follow- 
 ing are the receipts during the last year : 
 
 For premiums on butchers' stands, - - $10,857 28 
 
 Interest on premium stands, ■ ■. ■ ■ 1,951 83 
 
 Market fees, - - - - ' - - - 19,484 17 
 Market rents, ... . . 30,218 65 
 
 Making a total, - - - s!62,511 93 
 
 " There are thirteen markets in this city, from the rents and fees 
 of which the aforesaid income is derived. The cost of these several 
 markets in the aggregate, according with a calculation entered into 
 by your Committee, amounts to the sum of 1640,000, consequently 
 the receipts of the last year was nearly ten per cent, on the cost." 
 
 In the following month of October, Alexander Brown petitioned 
 for a transfer of his stand, No. 15, to Samuel N. T. Kellinger. Both 
 of these gentlemen desired that this stand should be made a " pre- 
 mium stand," to which the Market Committee agreed, that if, "in 
 case a new market shall be built next to the Essex Market, on the 
 grounds lately purchased by the Corporation, the proprietors of this 
 stall, and all other stalls in the Essex Market, which have paid a 
 premium to the Corporation, shall be allowed the amount of pre- 
 mium so paid on any purchase they may make in the new market; 
 but in no case shall any amount of premium be paid back, either 
 when a purchase is made for a less sum than the premium paid in 
 the present market, or where a proprietor or proprietors of stalls 
 sold for premium in the present market." 
 
ESSEX MARKET. 485 
 
 The grounds purchased by the Corporation, noticed in the above, 
 were additional grounds adjoining, formerly belonging to Robert 
 Tillotson, which had been purchased in the month of June previous, 
 with a view of erecting a much larger and more commodious mar- 
 ket-house. 
 
 In the month of October, 1836, the old market-house was ordered 
 to be taken down and the materials to be used in building a mar- 
 ket for country people at the "Tompkins Market," and another more 
 commodious market-house erected, which was commenced and com- 
 pleted in the month of January, 1837, when 44 butchers' stands w^ere 
 resolved upon to be let for that purpose, and those who occupied in 
 the old market were allowed to appoint a Committee to select their 
 stands in the new one. This left twenty-six to be drawn for by 
 ballot. The " Executive Committee of Butchers," after exam- 
 ining the numerous applications, selected those who were entitled 
 to draw. On the 2d of Febi'uary following the Committee proceed- 
 ed to draw, when the following were the successful butchers : 
 
 No. 3. William Dunham. No. 4. George Leviness. 
 
 5. Andrew C. Wheeler, Jr. 6. Thomas Sybert. 
 
 7. William Lawrence. 10. John Kling. 
 
 9. Cornelius M. Cregier. 16. John H. Nash. 
 
 17. William A. Jackson. 18. Stephen Jordan. 
 
 19. Marvin R. Underbill. 20. James Waters. 
 
 21. Jacob Boyce. 26. James Valentine. 
 
 27. William Carstang. 28. William H. Halstead. 
 
 29. William Winter. 30. Samuel Compton. 
 
 32. Levi Duryea. 36. John Brewer, Jr. 
 
 39. Robert Piercy. 40. Cornelius F. Borden. 
 
 41. James Leach. 42. Nicholas Cromer. 
 
 43. Richard Miller. 45. Samuel Arment. 
 
 The numbers ran to 46. Two of the stands, Nos. 10 and 38, were 
 afterwards taken for the public scales. 
 
 In the month of June, 1839, the Board adopted the following: 
 ''Resolved, That the Superintendent of Buildings advertise for esti- 
 mates for the construction of a cupola on the Essex Market, now 
 fitting up for the accommodation of the Second District Watch, 
 agreeable to the plans and specifications, &c. ; and that $1,100 be 
 appropriated for the same." This year also was first introduced 
 "ice-boxes or refrigerators" into the public markets, and in 1843 
 the Croton water. 
 
 In the year 1840 we find many changes in the occupancy of the 
 butchers' stands, but all are full, and occupied as follows : 
 
486 
 
 ESSEX MARKET. 
 
 No, 
 
 , 1. 
 
 John Singer. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Thomas K. Kellinger, 
 
 3. 
 
 William Dunham. 
 
 4. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 5. 
 
 Stephen Brower. 
 
 6. 
 
 William Rhoades. 
 
 7. 
 
 Daniel Lawrence. 
 
 8. 
 
 John Hickey. 
 
 9. 
 
 John Finn. 
 
 10. 
 
 Scales. 
 
 11. 
 
 Francis M. Dominick. 
 
 12. 
 
 Charles Campbell, 
 
 13. 
 
 William Graham. 
 
 14. 
 
 Hugh Killin. 
 
 15. 
 
 Philip H. Underhill. 
 
 16. 
 
 George I. Manolt. 
 
 17. 
 
 William A. Jackson. 
 
 18. 
 
 William H. Cornell. 
 
 19. 
 
 John Brewer. 
 
 20. 
 
 Jacob Boyce. 
 
 21. 
 
 William N. Hedge. 
 
 22. 
 
 Levi Duryea. 
 
 23. 
 
 E. Harrison Reed. 
 
 24. 
 
 David M. Tier. 
 
 25. 
 
 John W. Tier. 
 
 26. 
 
 George W. Hopkins. 
 
 27. 
 
 Harman Baisly. 
 
 28. 
 
 Daniel Harmony. 
 
 29. 
 
 William Winter, Jr. 
 
 30. 
 
 William H. Hopkins. 
 
 31. 
 
 Samuel Piercy. 
 
 32. 
 
 Jacob R. Reed. 
 
 33. 
 
 Jacob L. Dodge. 
 
 34. 
 
 Walter Briggs. 
 
 35. 
 
 Samuel Kellinger. 
 
 36. 
 
 William L. Reeves. 
 
 37. 
 
 Alexander Brown. 
 
 38. 
 
 Scales. 
 
 39. 
 
 James L. Leach. 
 
 40. 
 
 John W. Hyde. 
 
 41. 
 
 Richard Miller. 
 
 42. 
 
 Mathew Bird. 
 
 43. 
 
 Samuel Arment. 
 
 44. 
 
 Nicholas Cromer. 
 
 45. 
 
 William Lawrence. 
 
 46. 
 
 Jacob Pessinger. 
 
 For several years a very fair business was done in this market 
 for about 30 butchers' stands, and, of course, there were but few of 
 the 46 which were those who did well ; this kept continual changes 
 on some of the other stands; in fact, after 1844 many were unoccu- 
 pied, and so remained many years, when the authorities, anxious to 
 have rents for them, gave to those who occupied adjoining stalls, 
 permits to occupy them, if they paid the rents ; which is the caiise 
 why so many butchers occupy two stands, not only in this, but in 
 many others of the public markets. 
 
 This market-house remained until the spring of 1852, when it was 
 decided to erect a large, handsome brick building, at an estimated 
 cost of about $50,000, for market and other purposes. In the month 
 of December following the exterior was completed, but the interior 
 was not finished until the 23d of March, 1853, when it was opened 
 for business. The second and third stories were to be occupied by 
 the Police Court, Justice's Court, Eastern Dispensary, and the Tenth 
 Ward Station-House. It stands on the old site, with a front reach- 
 ing the entire length of the block, 175 feet on Grand Street; the 
 depth on Essex and Ludlow Streets is 83 feet, 4 inches. The rear 
 building is one large room, lighted by several windows on the sides 
 
ESSEX MAEKET. 487 
 
 and roof, intended for fish, poultry, vegetable, and other stands. The 
 front building has three stories and a deep basement ; the latter appro- 
 priated for stores. The upper rooms are used for public purposes. 
 Police Station and Prison, offices for the Superintendent of Streets 
 and Lamps, and Markets, and for the drill-rooms for military. On 
 the market floor there were appropriated 24 butchers' stands, 20 
 vegetable and poultry stands, 8 butter and cheese stands, 6 fisher- 
 men stands, 2 for smoked meats, 2 for coffee and cakes, and one 
 tripe stand. 
 
 The butchers who occupied them in 1853 were as follows: 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 William H. Graham. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 William Graham. 
 
 3. 
 
 Conrad Briel. 
 
 4. 
 
 Thomas H. Brown. 
 
 5. 
 
 Daniel Briel. 
 
 6. 
 
 Joshua Mesur. 
 
 7. 
 
 Charles Campbell. 
 
 8. 
 
 Jacob Straus. 
 
 9. 
 
 Leopold Lederer. 
 
 10. 
 
 E. A. Wheeler. 
 
 11. 
 
 J. C. Palmer. 
 
 12. 
 
 Levi Duryea. 
 
 13. 
 
 Philip R. Haight. 
 
 14. 
 
 David M. Tier. 
 
 15. 
 
 Aaron Haslacker. 
 
 16. 
 
 B. Krouse. 
 
 17. 
 
 Thomas T. Hudson. 
 
 18. 
 
 William H. Hopkins, 
 
 19. 
 
 John'C. Hooper. 
 
 20. 
 
 Stephen Carpenter. 
 
 21. 
 
 Philip Friedman. 
 
 22. 
 
 William Craft. 
 
 23. 
 
 "Walter Briggs. 
 
 24. 
 
 Henry S. Carpenter. 
 
 This market has been most fortunate, for more than twenty years, 
 in having an honest and most worthy man for a Clerk. Mr. Allan 
 Thomas has been that man, and through the whole of that period he 
 has never missed but one Saturday night (that night he was sick) in 
 being the last man to close the market doors after business hours. 
 It is a remarkable instance of one man being held in office where 
 the changes of party deem it necessary to remove the worthy as well 
 as the unworthy. His returns in the collection of market fees and 
 rents have never been questioned ; in fact, I heard it said by re- 
 spectable men, that he returned to the Corporation more than he 
 collected ; it was, however, explained that he made good all that 
 he could not collect from the delinquent stand-holders. He had 
 otherwise strong claims on the public, he having lost one of his legs 
 in the performance of his duty as a fireman. 
 
 However, at last, in the winter of 1858, an attempt, whether suc- 
 cessful or not, was made to displace him, at the instigation of a man 
 who, it was said, was much better qualified to keep a " grog-shop," 
 as he always carried a suitable sign, than to be a public officer. He 
 wanted to palm off upon the stand-holders and the citizens a man, 
 or a being in the shape of a man, who had enjoyed prison quarters 
 for quite a term ; but whether so or not, we find the following in 
 
488 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 the Express, January 13, 1859 : "This morning Mr. Allan P. Thomas, 
 twenty years Clerk of Essex Market, was presented by the butchers 
 of that market with an elegant gold-headed cane, valued $50, in 
 testimony of his general integrity, urbanity, and obliging conduct 
 during the period of his incumbency." I have since learned that 
 this worthy man was turned out. 
 
 "FULTON MARKET." 
 
 1821. The subject of establishing a market-place in the vicinity 
 of the present Fulton Market was before the Board as early as the 
 year 1815; it was also strongly agitated the year after: and finally, 
 by an act of the Legislature, passed on the 14th of March, 1817, the 
 Common Council was authorized to take possession of the land 
 which is now occupied by that edifice. The land, however, lay in 
 an uncertain state, until 1820, when it was decided to sell it; but the 
 resolution was afterwards rescinded, no doubt from the following 
 circumstances. Early in 1821, a large fire took place in Fulton 
 Street, Front Street, and Crane's Wharf, which destroyed all the 
 wooden buildings on this site. This induced the Mayor to call a 
 meeting of the Board on the 29th of January of that year, for the 
 purpose of deciding the question, " Whether or no a public market 
 shall be erected on this site." The Gaxelte of that date says : " The 
 late conflagration has exposed to view this beautiful spot of ground, 
 which has so universally been considered as the most eligible situa- 
 tion for a market, and which has already been actually vested in the 
 Corporation for the purpose of a market. Its vicinity to the ferry, 
 by which the marketing from Long Island will be saved the expense 
 of cartage, a basin for smacks and fish-cars, unequaled in its 
 purity, from its depth of water and the rapidity of its current, being 
 decidedly in its favor for keeping and having good fresh fish, which 
 the waters at the Fly Market could not furnish, in consequence of 
 the large sewer entering the slip, and, in the summer season, so of- 
 fensive as to be prejudicial to health." 
 
 Several petitions, editorials, and letters appeared in favor and 
 against it. The Long Island Star, February 7, 1821, says: "The 
 people of Brooklyn are interested in the removal of the Fly Market 
 to Fulton Slip. We despair of obtaining on this side of the water 
 a concentrated market, where should be sold meats, vegetables, and 
 
FULTON MARKET. 489 
 
 poultry in all their varieties. It appears to suit the genius of this 
 people to have little ' meat-shops' scattered throughout the village; 
 and the eating part of the people must submit to ' Hobson choice ' in 
 the selection of their meats. Hence many of our people go almost 
 daily to Ply Market. The new location, being situated adjoining 
 the (Fulton) ferry, will be to us a great convenience." 
 
 The farmers and marketmen were also strongly in favor of a new 
 market at this place, and, in a petition, they represent " numerous 
 circumstances which make it important not only to us, but to the 
 citizens of New York, that a new and convenient market-house 
 should be built there, as there would be a great saving in not hav- 
 ing to cart our truck, nor pay frequently from four to six cents on 
 a bag or basket of vegetables to get it carried from the ferry to the 
 present (Fly) market, which we must add to what would otherwise 
 be our price, and the citizens must pay it. We could afford to sell 
 cheaper if we had better accommodations, for it cannot be expected 
 that we should go to the present (Fly) market, remain out all night, 
 without shelter to protect our marketing, and to obtain a stand, with- 
 out being well paid for it. Many of us bring our truck to market 
 in boats, and are obliged, on account of the tides, to come in the 
 evening ; and on this account we are obliged to remain out until 
 morning, without covering or shelter. And we contribute, gentle- 
 men, to a large amount in fees to the Clerk of the Market. Some 
 of us pay one-fourth of a dollar for the privilege of standing in the 
 street unprotected, and selling a single calf or sheep, and on other 
 things in proportion ; and we ask if we are not entitled to some lit- 
 tle accommodations from this payment to the Corporation." 
 
 " We hope, gentlemen, that in your deliberations, you will give 
 particular consideration to our want of shelter and other comforts 
 in the present Fly Market, and erect a new and spacious market at 
 Fulton Slip." 
 
 A favorable report from a Special Committee was made on the 
 12th of March following, on the subject of erecting this market, and 
 it was favorably received and adopted ; when a Committee of fire 
 was appointed'to procure plans and estimates, and superintend its 
 building. The contracts were made with Messrs. Gideon Tucker, 
 Thomas S. and Philetus H. Woodruff, who commenced its erection. 
 In the mean time the Common Council had given notice to the 
 butchers of the several markets that they intended to dispose of all 
 vacant stands in the several markets, and also a large number in 
 this would be sold at public auction ; the latter of which they ex- 
 pected would be wanted and eagerly sought after; but in their 
 avarice or anxiety, or rather want of practical knowledge, they had 
 
490 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 adopted such stringent terms and conditions as were anything else 
 but acceptable to the butchers or the future prosperity of this mar- 
 ket-place. 
 
 In answer, however, to the proposed terms and conditions, several 
 of the Fly Market butchers held a meeting, and appointed a Com- 
 mittee to present their views in a petition through their chairman, 
 Thomas Gibbons, who was authorized as " a Committee to confer with 
 such Committee as in your wisdom you may deem proper to appoint, 
 relative to the report of the Committee on the subject of publicly 
 selling the stalls of the several markets. We, in compliance with 
 our instructions as well as our own impressions, do herein humbly 
 solicit such attention to our prayer, and the prayer of our constitu- 
 ents at large, as may lead to some further explanations on the part 
 of your Committee, and that a reciprocal interchange of sentiments 
 may be allowed, (fee." A Committee from the Board met with that 
 from the butchers, but it had no effect, as the Market Committee 
 had determined to sell, as before reported ; but they concluded to 
 wait until the sale of the stands in the new or Fulton Market were 
 made. 
 
 The new market building was rapidly progressing, and by some 
 much admired, but by the old butchers it was thought it would be 
 very inconvenient, on account of the high steps. This no doubt led 
 to an article in the Gazette, September 1st, headed: '' Premium. — 
 The butchers in the Fly Market, who expect to remove to the new 
 market at the foot of Fulton Street, about the first of November 
 next, desirous of doing all in their power to accommodate their cus- 
 tomers, particularly the aged and infirm, hereby offer to supply with 
 meat for one year, any person who may construct the most easy and 
 best method of hoisting from the street up into the market all such 
 as find it inconvenient to ascend the lofty steps of said market. The 
 inventor is requested to submit a model of his machine to a Com- 
 mittee of butchers, on or before the first of October next, as it would 
 be desirable to have at least two erected before they commence busi- 
 ness in said market." 
 
 We find the market-house so far finished in the month of Decem- 
 ber as to have the bell hung, and the publication of the stringent 
 " terms and conditions," noticed before, which read as follows : 
 
 " 1st. The stands shall be rented at public auction, on the 18th 
 December instant, at 10 o'clock, on the premises. 
 
 "2d. No person except a regular licensed butcher can be per- 
 mitted to rent any of the said stands. 
 
 " Zd. The stands will be rented on a lease of five years from the 
 first day of January next, for the highest rent per annum they will 
 
FULTON MARKET. 491 
 
 bring ; but no stand shall be disposed of at a less rent than one 
 hundred dollars per annum. 
 
 " 4:th. The rent of the said stands shall be paid quarterly in ad- 
 vance, as follows : the first payment to be made on the first day ox 
 January aforesaid ; the second on the first of April thereafter ; the 
 third on the first day of July thereafter, and the fourth on the first 
 day of October following ; said payments to be made at the times 
 aforesaid in each and every year during the continuance of the lease. 
 
 " 5th. Should default be made in any of the aforesaid payments, 
 and the rent remain unpaid ten days after it shall become due, the 
 stands on which such default is made shall revert to the Corpora- 
 tion, and the lease for the same be null and void. 
 
 " Qth. The persons renting the aforesaid stands are to be exempt 
 from the payment of all fees for all permitted articles sold at the 
 same. 
 
 '■ 1th. No stand can be transferred from one person to another ex- 
 cept by a written permit from the Common Council ; and no person 
 can sell at any stand except the one for which he is licensed. 
 
 " 8th. The stalls to be placed on the aforesaid stands must be con- 
 structed agreeably to the direction of the Market Committee. 
 
 " 9th. Every person who may rent any of the aforesaid stands 
 shall in all things conform to the rules and regulations prescribed 
 by the ordinances of the Corporation which now are in force, or 
 which may hereafter be passed for regulating the said market ; and 
 also to the provisions and conditions of the lease to be given, a copy 
 of which may be examined by those concerned at the Comptroller's 
 ofiice, City Hall. 
 
 "Besolved, That the Market Committee be authorized to lease the 
 butchers' stands in Fulton Market, subject to the above terms and 
 conditions. 
 
 "Besolved, That his Honor the Mayor be authorized to license 
 such butchers as may be recommended to him by the Market Com- 
 mittee, previous to the next meeting of the Board. 
 
 "Any butcher holding a stand under the Corporation, in any of 
 the other markets, shall be at liberty to relinquish the same, in case 
 he should rent a stand in the Fulton. If Fulton Market is not 
 completed and ready for the reception of the butchers by the 1st of 
 January next, the rent of the stands will not commence until such 
 time as the Market Committee shall decide that the market is in a 
 situation to be occupied." 
 
 These "terms and conditions" became known to the butchers im- 
 mediately after they had passed the Board, who at once called a 
 meeting, when the following resolutions were passed : 
 
492 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 "At a numerous and respectable meeting of butchers, held at the 
 Bull's Head, (Bowery,) on Tuesday evening, 11th inst., (December,) 
 the following resolutions were passed unanimously : 
 
 "Besolved, That the sum of $100 a year for the stands in the 
 Fulton Market is more than many butchers will be able to pay, and 
 consequently will not only disgrace them, but make them objects of 
 perpetual prosecution. 
 
 "Besolved, That the method adopted by the Corporation, in fixing 
 a yearly rent on the stands, and at the same time selling them at 
 public auction, is novel, without precedent, and prejudicial to the 
 peace and harmony of society. 
 
 "Besolved, That the resolutions now passed by the Corporation 
 are calculated to set one butcher against anotJier, and finally to make 
 them the instrument of their own persecutions. 
 
 "Besolved, In our opinion, that after a butcher has purchased a 
 stand, and by an honorable conduct has improved it, that at the end 
 of every five years the Corporation should, for their own benefit, 
 sell those improvements to the highest bidder, is a scheme so repug- 
 nant to every principle of justice, that none but the most abject 
 could submit to. 
 
 ''Besolved, That these resolutions are not the offspring of a pre- 
 meditated and wicked opposition to the Corporation, but an honest 
 expression of our feelings for our violated rights and privileges. 
 
 " William Messerve, Chairman. 
 
 " T. Gibbons, Secreta,ry." 
 
 The butchers had, through committees and individuals, advanced 
 every honorable means and arguments to convince the Corporation 
 of the injustice and wrong they were about entailing upon them, 
 but the majority would not be convinced ; so the butchers made up 
 their minds not to bid on any stand offered for sale, and several of 
 them, from the injustice and illiberal usage of several of the most 
 prominent members of the Board, when approached with petition or 
 otherwise, had reason and just cause to feel not only indignant, but 
 to harbor a spirit of retaliation. 
 
 In this position, they went to the sale, which took place on Tues- 
 day, the 18th of December, 1821, at the Pulton Market, conducted 
 liy James Bleecker, Auctioneer. The stands were offered for sale. 
 The Gazette the morning after, in an editorial, says: "Yesterday 
 was the day fixed on for the sale of the stalls (stands) in the Fulton 
 .Market, and a considerable crowd was assembled on the occasion, 
 drawn together, no doubt, by the late contention between the Hon- 
 orable the Corporation and the butchers. We do not pretend to 
 be judges of the existing differences, but we are sorry to learn that 
 
FULTON MARKET. 493 
 
 but few of the stalls were sold, in consequence of the adherence of 
 the butchers to the late determination not to purchase agreeably to 
 the fer)ns <>/ sale. "We still hope that some arrangement will be 
 made, satisfactory to the parties, and beneficial to the public." 
 
 At the sale, the butchers stood their ground ; but one individual, 
 named Leonard^ (a dealer in cigars,) who, not being a regular 
 butcher, and in opposition to the announcement made by the butch- 
 ers, bid and bought the first stand offered ; but when his name was 
 announced by the auctioneer, he was seized, and dragged or hustled 
 towards the dock, when he was thrown in the river, and came near 
 being drowned. A few more stands were offered, and sold, at such 
 offers as the butchers had arranged should be given for them, when 
 the sale was stopped, and postponed. 
 
 The butchers again petitioned, which came before the Board on 
 the 24th, (of the same month,) "praying that the three first sections 
 of the law passed on the 10th December, inst., be so altered and 
 amended," " that instead of selling the stands at auction, the Cor- 
 poration should affix a rent upon their respective stands as they 
 should deem just, and that the numbers of the stalls be put into a 
 box, and be drawn for by the butchers ; and the number each one 
 draws, let him occupy during the will and pleasure of the Corpora- 
 tion. We humbly pray that you will see that it is calculated to 
 place the poor butcher upon a nearer footing to his more prosper- 
 ous neighbor ; Avhile selling the stands at auction, and a repetition 
 of sales, must, in our opinion, in its very nature, have a direct con- 
 trary operation. Another very important consideration in our plan 
 is its moral tendency, by preventing those angry feelings, the natu- 
 ral offspring of violent opposition ; and by preventing the wealthy 
 from obtaining a dangerous influence over the poorer part, which a 
 repetition of sales must undoubtedly produce," &c. The Board, 
 however, laid this petition on the table, and adopted the following 
 coercive resolution: "Besolved, That the Market Committee be au- 
 thorized to rent the butchers' stands in Fulton Market, at auction 
 or otherwise, to any person who will give the highest rent for the 
 same, ivhetJier they be licensed butcher or not ; but no stand shall be 
 rented/or a less sum than $100 ^e?' annum: Provided, however, that 
 if the licensed butchers shall, on or before the 29th day of Decem- 
 ber, instant, either personally, or by a deputation from their body, 
 signify to the Market Committee that they will bid for the said 
 stands, and comply with the regulations of the Common Council on 
 that subject, that the said stands shall be rented to none but li- 
 censed butchers." 
 
 This caused another meeting of the butchers, on the 27th inst., 
 
494 
 
 FtTLTON MARKET 
 
 when they appointed a committee of seven, viz., Messrs. Thomas 
 Gibbons, Jacob Aims, Thomas Jeremiah, Cornelius Schuyler, David 
 Marsh, James Eeeves, and David Seaman, who were instructed to 
 confer with the Corporation, and to " use all honorable means to 
 remove the difficulties between them and the Corporation." They 
 met together, and after a consultation, some of the worst features 
 were stricken off; and as they could not accomplish all, the Com- 
 mittee of Butchers agreed to report favorably at their next general 
 meeting, which was held on the following Wednesday. At this 
 meeting, after their report, a resolution was adopted, "that the diffi- 
 culties being removed between them and the Corporation, they were 
 ready to rent the stands at the place and time appointed." . 
 
 The second sale was held on the 3d of January, 1822, in a "large 
 Court-room in the City Hall, in the presence of the Mayor and 
 Market Committee, and a great number of citizens ; which was 
 conducted with good order and propriety." The sales commenced 
 with No. 1, located at the corner of South and Fulton Streets, and 
 reached to No. 88 ; although but 86 were sold, to the following pur- 
 chasers, and at the yearly rents : 
 
 No. 1. George Manolt, 
 
 3. Albert Fisher, 
 
 5. Cornelius Schuyler, 
 
 7. Mathew Byrnes, 
 
 9. John Rudman, 
 11. Joseph 0. Bogart, 
 13. Lanning Ferris, 
 15. Jacob Fisher, 
 17. Stairiuay. 
 19. David Tier, 
 21. Cornelius V. Gibson, 200 
 23. Elnathan Underhill, 240 
 25. "William Reynolds, 
 27. George W. Varian, 
 29. Thomas McCready, 
 31. Samuel Larned, 
 33. Christian Stamler, 
 35. Daniel Winship, Jr., 265 
 37. Andrew Smock, 230 
 
 39. John D. Kent, 260 
 
 41. Michael Crawbuck, 220 
 43. John Stamler, 300 
 
 45. Thomas G. Harrison, 300 
 47. William Patten, 250 
 
 $455 
 410 
 275 
 240 
 200 
 200 
 220 
 305 
 
 100 
 
 340 
 230 
 375 
 110 
 400 
 
 No. 2. Eliphalet Wheeler, $400 
 
 4. William Ponsford, 290 
 
 6. Daniel Burtnett, 225 
 
 8. David Marsh, 205 
 
 10. Andrew C. Wheeler, 165 
 
 12. Andrew Fisher, 200 
 
 14. John Perrin, 205 
 
 16. George G. Messerve, 310 
 
 18. George Messerve, 
 20. J. D. Crawbuck, 
 22. William Messerve, 
 24. Wm. Messerve, Jr., 
 26. Isaac Rhoades, 
 28. George S. Messerve, 
 3.0. Daniel Winship, 
 
 32. 
 34. 
 36. 
 38. 
 40. 
 42. 
 
 J. McCready, 
 John Fisher, 
 Daniel Rhoades, 
 
 300 
 220 
 175 
 205 
 225 
 260 
 480 
 250 
 210 
 205 
 
 Thomas M. Jenkins, 205 
 
 M. Lemmon, 200 
 
 James Titus, 210 
 
 44. David Seaman, 325 
 
 46. Peter Valentine, 300 
 
 48. G. Messenger, 200 
 
FDLTON MARKET. 
 
 495 
 
 No. 49. Christian Truss, $200 No. 50. 
 
 51. Joha Harriot, 180 52. 
 
 53. William P. Munson, 150 54. 
 55. Effingham W. Marsh, 215 56. 
 
 57. John Carpenter, 290 58. 
 
 59. George Thompson, 320 
 
 61. John Lyons, 230 
 
 63. Francis O'Neil, 250 
 
 65. Mathew Smith, 165 
 
 67. William R. Batt, 140 
 
 69. William Messerve, 200 
 71. Reserved. 
 
 73. William Graham, 230 
 
 75. John Fearnley, 135 
 
 77. G. C. Goodwin, 135 
 
 79. David Perrin, 140 
 
 81. J. R. Striker, 130 
 
 83. Frazier Broadway, 125 
 
 85. Frederick Hawes, 145 
 
 87. Jonathan Skillman, 235 
 
 Edward Fitzgerald, |200 
 Valentine Merkel, 150 
 John Simonsou, 160 
 
 Carman A. Simonson, 150 
 Nathaniel Underhill, 155 
 
 60. Thomas Gibbons, 330 
 
 62. Isaac Schuyler, 150 
 
 64. William Foster, 145 
 
 66. Peter Wilt, 145 
 
 68. John Doughty, 135 
 
 70. Thomas Dunning, 135 
 
 72. Nicholas Stael, 195 
 
 74. Richard Dark, 170 
 
 76. John Bridle, 120 
 
 78. E. C. Pell, 115 
 
 80. Burdet Striker, 120 
 
 82. R. Ten Eyck, 115 
 
 84. Mathew Vogel, 115 
 
 86. William Warlow, 130 
 
 88. Bphraim Bolander, 220 
 
 The sale of these stands figured up to the large sum of $18,865; 
 and this was followed with a resolution by the Board to sell the 
 cellars under the market, on the following Monday, the 7th inst., 
 for three years, viz., from the 1st of February, 1822, to 1st of May, 
 1825. Twenty-one cellars were offered, and the following sold. 
 (No. 1 commenced at the same corner as the butchers' stands.) 
 
 2. 
 4. 
 6. 
 
 10, 
 12, 
 14 
 
 No. 1. Wm. L. Degraw, $1,060 No, 
 
 3. Isaac Fairchild, 325 
 
 5. Joseph 0. Bogart, 360 
 
 7. Smith & Maintain, 810 
 
 9. Stewart Elder, 300 
 
 11. Henry J. Hassey, 490 
 
 13. Francis Ogsbury, 280 
 
 15. John D. Keating, 550 
 
 21. Abiel Brown, 900 
 
 Whole amounting to $7,775. 
 
 On the 15th the poultry, yegetable, and fruit stands were also sold 
 at auction, on a lease of three years. Thirty-four stands, which 
 were under cover, with the conveniences of a cellar to each, brought 
 a yearly rent of $1,320. The lowest brought $30, and the highest 
 $60. Sixteen outside stands brought $365, at an average of $23 
 each ; and four sausage-stands brought $83. 
 
 Besides the above, a very large sum was expected to be collected 
 from the stands reserved for country people. 
 
 Catharine Miller, $510 
 Joseph W. Howard, 500 
 Thomas Gentle, 450 
 
 Abner H. Parker, 350 
 Serval Cutting, 300 
 
 Daniel Vanduestir, 300 
 John Crowley, 290 
 
 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, fronting 
 
 " Crane's Wharf," not sold 
 
 then. 
 
496 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 The Gazette of the 21st January says: " The public are informed 
 that Fulton Market will be opened on Tuesday, the 22d instant, 
 and that the sales at the 'Fly Market^ will be discontinued after 
 Monday, the 21st instant. J. Morton, Clerk, (C. C.J" 
 
 The editor also says: " The Fulton Market, take it in the whole, 
 is the most spacious and costly one in the country ; and as it is to 
 be a productive one to the city, may it also be so to the butchers, 
 and other occupants of this market, in proportion to their respect- 
 ive merits." To ike butchers this afterwards proved rather an un- 
 fortunate speculation for many of them, as will be hereafter shown. 
 
 The same newspaper of the 23d again says : " This market was 
 opened yesterday, and it was ornamented with the handsomest ex- 
 hibitions of beef, mutton, pork, &c., ever presented to the public. 
 We passed through it in company with several gentlemen from 
 Europe, who were unanimous in the opinion that they had never 
 seen anything of the kind to equal it, in all respects. One man 
 appeared in market with ninety-two pairs of fine canvas-back ducks, 
 which he brought in a wagon from the Susquehannah. They were 
 selling from 16 to 18 shillings a pair." 
 
 " It is gratifying to learn that those miserable wretches, com- 
 monly called ' Fly Market sharks,^ (shirk butchers,) will not be per- 
 mitted to infest the Fulton Market." 
 
 In the month of November previous, Ezra Frost was appointed 
 the Deputy Clerk, and allowed a salary of $500 per annum, with 
 privilege to occupy the upper part of the eastern front of the 
 market ; and in the following month of February Isaac Asten, pre- 
 viously appointed the sweeper, petitions for an increase of pay. 
 
 The Market Committee say, " That the pay allowed by the Cor- 
 poration was $4 per week ; that he also received, in addition to this, 
 one cent per day from each butcher and huckster who occupied said 
 market." They agree to allow him 75 cents per day for his own 
 attendance and duties, and $15 per month for the payment of an 
 assistant sweeper, and $9.37 per annum to defray the expenses of 
 shovels, hoes, brooms, &c. 
 
 The five reserved cellars under this market were offered and sold 
 on Saturday, the 26th of January, (inst.,) for a period of fifteen 
 months from the 1st of February following, viz. : 
 
 No. 16. Isaac Pairchild, .... $330 
 
 17. Abigal Blakely, ... - 285 
 
 18. Prior & Bayard, - - • - 415 
 
 19. John O'Bryan, ... 32O 
 
 20. Abel Brush, 450 
 
 Making a total sum of .... $1,800 
 
FULTON MARKET. 497 
 
 Four hucksters' stands were also sold at the same time, for a 
 term of three years: Nos. 56 and 57, at $24 per annum; Nos. 58 
 and 59, at $26 do. These several amounts would add the receipts, 
 so far, to about $30,000 ; then the fees from the country and outside 
 stands, about $15,000 more, would make a total annual income of 
 about $45,000 ! I 
 
 However, the attempt to collect this large income, by the wrong 
 system adopted by the Common Council, in the disposition of more 
 stands than wanted by the public, then forcing the many into 
 "promises to pay," that they might become the possessor of a 
 stand, was the sure means of not only breaking down the business 
 of the market, but also of the many who had ventured and lost 
 their all. If the Common Council had been guided by the knowl- 
 edge they obtained, and placed about one-half the number of stands, 
 with the terms of encouragement then presented to them, how easy 
 it would have been to have gradually increased the number and the 
 future prosperity of this market I But their course was a death- 
 blow, from which it never recovered. The butchers had truly said, 
 in their resolutions adopted at a meeting held on the 11th of De- 
 cember, 1821, but a few months before, that the amount was " more 
 than many butchers will be able to pay, and consequently will not 
 only disgrace them, but make them the objects of perpetual perse- 
 cution." 
 
 But few months had passed when the butchers of this market 
 petition "for a reduction of rent," which was barely noticed. 
 However, when the second monthly payment (1st of April) became 
 due, it was found that many of the butchers had deserted their 
 stands, and others of them unable to pay their rents. The Mayor, 
 on the 29th of April, laid before the Board a list of stalls vacated 
 and unpaid; the Comptroller also reported a list of the lessees 
 " who had failed to comply with the terms of their leases, several 
 of whom, in the opinion of the Comptroller, icere unable to pay;" 
 and a resolution passed, " that the stalls of such persons as were 
 unable to pay should be vacated." This "resolution" had also the 
 effect of driving several more out. 
 
 When the Common Council were about to inflict on the other 
 public markets the same system as they had adopted with this, as 
 previously noticed, these butchers, with an uhselfish view, arose, and 
 
 through petition " Certify, that they are not averse to having 
 
 the stands in the other different markets placed under regulations 
 different from those of Fulton Market. But they perfectly acqui- 
 esce in the propriety of departing from such regulations, as they 
 conceive them, notwithstanding their own situation, to be pernicious, 
 Vol. I.— 32 
 
498 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 and destructive of all regularity and equality in the profession, and 
 therefore impolitic." 
 
 Petitions from several of the other markets, on the same subject, 
 led the Common Council to reconsider their former acts, and on the 
 10th of June following they "Resolved, That the stalls in all the 
 markets of this city, except the Fulton and Old Slip Markets, be 
 leased at private contract." 
 
 In thia month, a Committee of the "Agricultural Society" 
 awarded premiums for the best butter brought to this market. 
 The first premium, a silver pitcher, valued at $15, was awarded to 
 Mrs. Commodore Morris, of Morrisania ; the second, a silver milk 
 pitcher, valued at $10, to Mrs. Edward Leveridge, of Newtown, 
 L. I. ; and the third, a silver cup, valued at $5, to Mrs. Ray, of 
 Westchester. And about the first of July, " twenty thousand, four 
 hundred and forty-five baskets of raspberries are certified by the 
 Deputy Clerk of Pulton Market as having been sold in one day." 
 Also, on the 11th of this month, " the poor debtors in prison were 
 enabled, by the generosity of the butchers, fish-dealers, and sellers 
 of vegetables in this market, to partake of an excellent dinner." 
 " It affords the editor of the Long Island Star great pleasure to 
 state, that the butchers sent them 200 lbs. of the finest beef, the 
 fish-dealers 100 lbs. of fresh fish, and the women four baskets of the 
 best vegetables." 
 
 Several of the prominent butchers were doing a good business, 
 and could well afford relief to the poor prisoners ; but very large 
 numbers were not even paying expenses, and were obliged to ap- 
 peal to the Common Council for relief " . . . . from their said leases, 
 and placed in said market on such principles that they can pay their 
 fees and maintain their families." And the next month after, they 
 again are "praying they may be permitted to give up their present 
 leases." At last, the Comptroller was " authorized to cancel all 
 leases of those who should pay up back rents, and surrender their 
 stands, on or before the 1st of September ;" which but few were 
 able to conform to, especially the paying up. 
 
 The yellow fever at this time was raging in the lower parts of the 
 city, especially in the vicinity of the Fulton Market, which put an 
 end to business there ; so leave was granted the stand-holders to 
 remove to the vacant space in Chatham Square. There they staid 
 until the cold weather set in, when they returned ; but many of the 
 stalls were deserted by their former occupants, in consequence of 
 the decreased trade, the effect of improper management. Some of 
 these persons were prosecuted and thrown into prison, where every- 
 thing of value was squeezed out of them or their friends, before 
 
FULTON MARKET. 499 
 
 they -were allowed to depart from the prison walls ; but the unfor- 
 tunate and friendless were kept closely confined during the pleasure 
 of the Common Council. 
 
 John McCready petitioned for relief, saying, he " lately held the 
 stand No. 32 Pulton Market, and is in debt to the Honorable Board 
 for rent to the amount of one hundred dollars or thereabouts, for 
 which he has been sued; and being unable to pay the same, is now- 
 confined in jail, by which means he is entirely thrown out of his 
 business, and his mother, who is dependent on him, is left destitute 
 of support." That " he is willing to give his promissory note for 
 the sum, payable in two years, in quarterly payments, with an en- 
 dorser, if this Board will be pleased to liberate him from con- 
 finement, &c." The Board accepted his proposition, and released 
 him. 
 
 Then we find, in the month of November, (inst.,) several butchers 
 also praying for relief, in .... " being confined in the City Jail, and 
 on the jail liberties, at the suit of your Honorable Body, beg 
 leave to represent to you our situations, and pray that we may be 
 enabled to do something for the support of ourselves and families. 
 The majority of us have large families dependent on us for their 
 daily bread, which we are unable to give them, in our present situ- 
 ation, except by the charitable assistance of our friends. By grant- 
 ing the petitioners their discharge from imprisonment, you will con- 
 fer, &c. (Signed,) 
 
 " Mathew Vogel, Edward Fitzgerald, John Hyde, 
 
 Wm. P. Munson, David Perrin, Geo. S. Messerve, 
 
 Robert P. Denike, Frazier Broadway, John D. Crawbuck." 
 Previous to the opening of this market, the hucksters were not 
 allowed to sell certain articles, among which were eggs. Here, 
 however, they had obtained consent to sell eggs with their fruit and 
 vegetables, through petition ; and they, as well as the butchers also, 
 petitioned for a reduction of rent, which was not allowed them. 
 Many of them had widow attached to their names, as appears from 
 their petition. 
 
 Margaret Knapp, 
 
 Elizabeth Arnold, 
 
 Margaret Boyce, 
 
 Mary Holly, 
 
 Mary Hoxey, 
 
 Catharine Briskow, loidow. 
 
 Mary Ackerman, widow. 
 
 The disposition of the vacant butchers' stands, and the lessening 
 
 of their numbers, with further accommodations for the fishermen, 
 
 widoio. 
 
 Catharine Simonson, widow. 
 
 widow. 
 
 Mary Leyack. 
 
 widow. 
 
 Abbey Moore. 
 
 widow. 
 
 Hannah Valentine. 
 
 widow. 
 
 Elizabeth Gansey. 
 
 widow. 
 
 Mary Singer. 
 
500 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 were before the Board in the month of October, (inst.,) when that 
 " body" concluded " that the east wing (Beekman Street) be appro- 
 priated for the use of the sellers of fish ;" " that the Comptroller 
 
 be authorized to receive a surrender of the butchers' leases, without 
 payment of rent, provided it will not prejudice our claims on them ;" 
 and " that the Market Committee dispose of such number of butch- 
 ers' stands, by auction or otherwise, until the first day of May next, 
 as they may deem proper ; not, however, to exceed sixty." 
 
 Among the first fishermen here, I find the names of 
 
 Elisha Baker, Samuel Coit, Daniel Baker, 
 
 William Latham, William Young, Daniel Maynard, 
 Joseph Potter, John Williams, David Loper, 
 
 William S. Wright, Palmer Clark, Jonathan Smith, 
 
 Thomas Eldredge, Cyrus C. Curtis, William Carter, 
 Elisha Lyman. 
 
 In relation to the " surrender of the butchers' leases," forty-five 
 stands were surrendered on the 1st, and tiuelve on the 11th of No- 
 vember; heing fifty-seven of the stands, which were rented iovfive 
 years, on the 3d of January previous. 
 
 The manner afterwards adopted for disposing of the " sixty 
 stands" was usually by private contract, some few by auction, and 
 others, again, as follows : When a vacant stand was wanted, or an 
 exchange or transfer called for, the applicants were informed that 
 all the back rents were to be paid, and in some instances a premium 
 besides ; so that in the end the Common Council lost nothing by 
 their forcing operation of — what one can't pay, another must. 
 
 In the latter part of the year 1823 all the butchers' stands on the 
 east or Beekman Street wing were vacated, except one, which was 
 removed, as will appear from the report of the " Committee" made 
 on the 15th of December, upon the application of John Bridle, the 
 occupant of No. 76, who wished to be transferred on a vacant stand 
 on the Front Street side. The report states, " That the above is 
 the only stand occupied in the east wing, and that a portion of the 
 main market on Front Street is also unoccupied. It is probable 
 that the west wing and the main market will be as much as ever 
 may be wanted as a butchers' meat market. It is therefore thought 
 advisable to recommend that a surrender of the above stand be re 
 ceived, and that a stand be granted as requested, at such rent as 
 may be deemed just." 
 
 After the removal of all the butchers' stands from the " east 
 wing," it was taken for the use of the fishermen. 
 
 In the month of August previous, the Market Committee made 
 several additional regulations, which were somewhat onerous to the 
 
FULTON MARKET. 501 
 
 Deputy Clerk, by -whicli he was called upon to perform "watcli 
 duty" at this market. As a conscientious man and Christian, he 
 ■would rather worship his Maker than watch this market on the 
 Sabbath-day, a-nd preferred to resign his post, in the following sin- 
 gular communication: " To Stephen Allen, Esq., Mayor of the City 
 of New York, and President of the Common Council. — Exodus, 
 20th chapter, 8th verse, it is written, 'Bemember the Sabbath-day, 
 to keep it holy.' First Samuel, 15th chapter and 22d verse : 'Behold, 
 to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.' 
 In the new law of the Common Council, they have made it my duty 
 to watch Fulton Market after the closing of said market until 10 
 o'clock at night, and every Sunday till 10 o'clock, P. M. ; which 
 duty I cannot, on any consideration, consent to comply with. How 
 can I do such work on the first day of the week, and sin against 
 God? Under these considerations, I forthwith hasten to inform 
 the Corporation of the City of New York that, if I may continue 
 as I was when first appointed Deputy Clerk of said market, I have 
 concluded to remain, and serve the public to the best of my abili- 
 ties ; but, if I cannot hold the office as Deputy Clerk without serv- 
 ing as watchman, as the law directs, I beg leave to return my war- 
 rant, with thanks to the members of the Common Council for favors 
 past, and pray them to accept the same, and to appoint some other 
 person to fill my place as soon as it is convenient. Pardon this 
 your servant's freedom of communication, as I hope I am dictated 
 by conscience, in the love of truth and righteousness. 
 
 "New Yobk, Sept. 1, 1823. Ezra Frost." 
 
 The Market Committee had this communication before them, and 
 reported : " That the salary paid was sufficient compensation for all 
 the duties demanded ; and the Board Besolved, That the resignation 
 of Ezra Frost be accepted." Soon after appeared a " communica- 
 tion" from some person, who thought "the Honorable Corporation 
 are entitled to the thanks of the butchers and inhabitants in the 
 vicinity of Fulton Market, and the citizens generally, for appointing 
 to the Clerkship of Fulton Market that industrious and worthy 
 man, Mr. George Duryee, whose unremitted attention, both as to 
 cleanliness and good order, far surpasses any market in this city."* 
 (See Franklin Market.) 
 
 In the year 1825, a sensible change for the better appeared in the 
 business here, which gradually kept improving, and for the follow- 
 ing ten years it continued to do an excellent and profitable busi- 
 ness ; every article of a choice and superior quality could be ob- 
 tained here in its season. Then we had no " Southern steamers" 
 * Americaa, March 23, 1824. 
 
502 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 or " iron horses" to bring the early products from the sunny South; 
 but we had Long Island and Southern Jersey, who were rivals, that 
 strove for the fabulous prices paid for their first larities and finest 
 productions, which they invariably brought to this market. Occa- 
 sionally, however, a late or poor season found the market poorly 
 supplied in the spring months. 
 
 In the month of June, (1826,) next year, vegetables are noticed 
 as being very high and scarce. The press says : " For several days 
 past the prices of vegetables in our markets have been as follows : 
 Potatoes, 15 to 25 cents per half peck; peas, 25 to 37^- cents per 
 do. ; turnips, 12 to 20 cents per bunch of about 6 ; onions, equal to 
 12^ cents per pound ; cabbages, containing 3 or 4 leaves, without 
 any head, 10 to 15 cents each; beets, radishes, cucumbers, &c., 
 none; lettuce, 4 to 5 cents per head; cherries and strawberries 
 scarce, dear, and of poor quality. At these exorbitant rates, the 
 market is not half supplied, and every green thing it contains is 
 bought up at an early hour in the morning." This was before the 
 introduction of early vegetables from the South. 
 
 In 1828 every butcher's stand was occupied, many of them doing 
 a good business ; but we find only about one-half of those who com- 
 menced in 1822, Some had withdrawn to other markets, others 
 broken down, disheartened, with debts due to that poiver who, by 
 their wrong policy in the outset, had assisted in the overthrow of 
 many of them ; and when those who attempted to lift their heads 
 again, in seeking to obtain a stand in some other market, the city's 
 officials were in readiness with a demand for the old hack rents, 
 which must be paid before a license could be granted to them for a 
 new location. 
 
 Among the occupants of these " sixty stands," we find but ten of 
 the eighty-six purchasers occupying their original stands, although 
 there are many more on other stands who were among the original 
 purchasers. In the following list, these ten are marked with a star : 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 James Johnson. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Gilbert Underhill. 
 
 3. 
 
 Mathias Smith. 
 
 4. 
 
 William Wells. 
 
 5. 
 
 Joseph B. Smith. 
 
 6. 
 
 Jacob Vogel. 
 
 7. 
 
 Richard Hunt. 
 
 8. 
 
 Charles Kent, 
 
 9. 
 
 Simon Seaward. 
 
 10. 
 
 Tobias Boudinot. 
 
 11. 
 
 Abraham Valentine. 
 
 12. 
 
 Elias B. Messerve. 
 
 13. 
 
 Lanning Ferris.* 
 
 14. 
 
 George Brown. 
 
 15. 
 
 Jacob Fisher.* 
 
 16. 
 
 Nicholas W. Messerve. 
 
 17. 
 
 Stainoay. 
 
 18. 
 
 David Marsh. 
 
 19. 
 
 Andrew C. Wheeler. 
 
 20. 
 
 John Rudman. 
 
 21, 
 
 Peter Wilt. 
 
 22. 
 
 Robert Elder. 
 
FULTON MARKET. 
 
 503 
 
 To. 23. 
 
 Cornelius Schuyler. 
 
 No. 24. 
 
 John Perrin. 
 
 25. 
 
 Elnathan Underhill. 
 
 26. 
 
 Isaac Rhoades.* 
 
 27. 
 
 George Haws, Jr. 
 
 28. 
 
 George Beck. 
 
 29. 
 
 Thomas Gibbons. 
 
 30. 
 
 Bliphalet Wheeler. 
 
 31. 
 
 Daniel Winship. 
 
 32. 
 
 William Foster. 
 
 33. 
 
 Christian Stamler.* 
 
 34. 
 
 William P. Woodcock, 
 
 35. 
 
 John Evans. 
 
 36. 
 
 Daniel Rhoades.* 
 
 37. 
 
 William Jenkins. 
 
 38. 
 
 Thomas M. Jenkins.* 
 
 39. 
 
 John D. Kent.* 
 
 40. 
 
 John Post. 
 
 41. 
 
 Jonathan Wilt. 
 
 42. 
 
 William S. Callender. 
 
 43. 
 
 Carlysle Weeks. 
 
 44. 
 
 Jacob A. Stamler. 
 
 45. 
 
 William Patten. 
 
 46. 
 
 Peter Valentine.* 
 
 47. 
 
 William J. Boyce. 
 
 48. 
 
 David Reynolds. 
 
 49. 
 
 John Brewer. 
 
 50. 
 
 John Henning. 
 
 51. 
 
 George Hoyt. 
 
 52. 
 
 John Slote. 
 
 53. 
 
 Henry Smith. 
 
 54. 
 
 James Van Arsdale. 
 
 55. 
 
 Joseph Alden. 
 
 56. 
 
 Carman A. Simonson.* 
 
 57. 
 
 James I. Titus, 
 
 58. 
 
 Nathaniel Underhill.* 
 
 59. 
 
 John Bridle. 
 
 60. 
 
 John Chappel. 
 
 61. 
 
 Elias De Forest. 
 
 
 
 Among these were several usually known as " small-meat butch- 
 
 ers," who slaughtered and sold only sheep, lambs, and calves ; and 
 at this period, in consequence of the market laws giving the coun- 
 try butchers, or rather " shirks," more advantages than they pos- 
 sessed, a petition for relief was presented in the month of April, 
 when they state, " Butchers that have served regular apprentice- 
 ships to the business, residing in the City of New York, are prohib- 
 ited selling meat by the quarter in the country market, and have 
 been entirely excluded from that part of the market, while the 
 butchers from every part of the country, residing in the country, 
 are permitted to stand in the country market to vend their meats, 
 at the rate of one shilling per day. The inequality existing be- 
 tween the country butchers above mentioned and the licensed butch- 
 ers of New York are these: First, That the country butchers have 
 to pay only when they come to market, while the licensed butcher 
 has to pay whether he has meats in market or not. Secondly, That 
 the country butcher does neither fireman's, military, nor jury duty; 
 or subject to any tax whatever to the City of New York— only one 
 shilling per day when they attend market; while the tax of licensed 
 butchers is very great, perhaps more so than any other mechanics in 
 the city. To exercise our profession, to vend our vieats, to procure 
 a livelihood, we are compelled to go to market." They state, "On 
 Saturday, March 29, 1828, there were one hundred and sixty-three 
 
504 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 calves offered for sale in the country market by the country butchers 
 before mentioned, which would occupy twenty-four stands, at one 
 shilling per stand, which would amount to three dollars. A li- 
 censed butcher, selling the same quantity of calves, would pay at 
 least twenty dollars to the Corporation of New York, while the 
 country butchers only pay three dollars. In speaking of the above 
 country butchers, we do not mean the country farmer that raises his 
 own produce ; we only refer to those who buy their stock, slaughter 
 and vend it in the market, and sell their skins by the season, and 
 keep a regular tally, (account on wood,) the same as licensed 
 butchers." 
 
 The Board laid the ma'tter over, through the influence of a few of 
 the prominent members. The butchers felt they were not properly 
 treated, and they concluded they had strength enough to have a 
 representation in the Board. So at the next election, from the 
 Tenth Ward, in 1828, they elected Thomas Jeremiah Assistant 
 Alderman ; and in the two next following years David Marsh was 
 elected Alderman, while Jeremiah was continued in the lower 
 Board. Their combined assistance brought forth a repeal of the 
 ordinance, which is shown in their report made in the month of 
 April, 1830, just two years after the date of the above petition. 
 This report states, after reviewing the petition and the " ordinance," 
 " The Committee have carefully considered how tha alleged griev- 
 ance to the city butchers should be remedied, and after much deliber- 
 ation, they have arrived at the conclusion that the law, as it existed 
 previous to the passage of the amendatory ordinance above men- 
 tioned, was -sufficiently liberal, and that neither the convenience of 
 our own citizens, nor any other consideration, requires that the 
 privilege which farmers and countrymen have of selling meats in 
 our markets should be extended by the express terms of an ordi- 
 nance, beyond their own produce ; and when it is considered that, 
 under color of the amendatory ordinance, an abuse of the intended 
 privilege has crept in, highly injurious to a meritorious class of our 
 citizens, and which cannot, in the opinion of the Committee, be 
 effectually restrained, but by confining this privilege within its orig- 
 inal limits, no better remedy can be applied than the repeal of such 
 ordinance ; by which measure, every farmer will still be allowed to 
 sell in our markets such small meats as he may have raised and 
 slaughtered himself, while country butchers will no longer be sanc- 
 tioned in buying stock wherever and in whatever quantities they 
 may think fit, and by exposing it for sale in this city, rival our li- 
 censed butchers upon very unequal, and, to the latter, very disad- 
 vantageous terms. 
 
FULTON MARKET. 505 
 
 " In this view of the subject, the Committee beg leave to submit 
 the draft of an ordinance, hereunto annexed, and they offer the fol- 
 lowing : Resolved, That the ordinance, entitled ' A Law to amend a 
 Law to regulate the Public Markets,' passed 7th May, 1827, be re- 
 pealed, and that an ordinance, of which a draft is hereunto annexed, 
 be passed for that purpose." {Passed April 19, 1830.) 
 
 At this period an English traveler, by the name of Fowler, in his 
 " tour," paid a visit to this market, and thus speaks of it, and of the 
 prices of provisions : "••••! have repeatedly visited, and have no 
 hesitation in saying, that for the richness and abundance of its sup- 
 ply, it surpasses any I ever saw, especially in fruits and vegetables ; 
 and in fish, flesh, and fowl there is every profusion and excellence. 
 I have been frequently asked by my American friends whether I 
 considered their tee/" equal to 'the roast beef of Old England' — 
 but I would confess myself not epicure enough to tell the differ- 
 ence." 
 
 The prices of provisions of the following kinds are as follows :■ 
 For beef, (best cuts,) from 8 to 12 c. Do., common pieces, 4 to 8c . 
 Mutton, lamb, and veal, 6 to 8 c. Pork, " " 5 to 7 c. 
 
 Turkeys, 75 c. to $1.25. Geese, per piece, 50 c. to |1. 
 
 Ducks, per pair, 75 c. to $1.25. Chickens, per pair, 50 to 63 c. 
 
 Butter, per lb., 15 to 18 c. Eggs, per dozen, 12 c. 
 
 Apples, per barrel, $1.50 to $2. Potatoes, per bushel, 30 to 38 c. 
 Turnips, per bushel, 25 to 38 c. 
 
 In this market, at this period, were many butchers who are wor- 
 thy of more than a passing notice ; and as my intention is to still 
 further collect such information as may be both interesting and 
 profitable as examples, I shall defer it for some future period. 
 Perhaps, however, a few words of one or two who passed away soon 
 after will not be out of place here. 
 
 David Marsh, once the occupant of No. 18, was an old " Fly 
 Market" butcher, very much respected for his public and private 
 worth. In 1822 and '23 he held the of&ce of Assistant Alderman 
 of the Eighth Ward; and again, in 1829, '30, and '31, the office of 
 Alderman of the Eleventh Ward, and gave general satisfaction. 
 He was a gentleman of the " old school," plain, unpretending, of a 
 most pleasant and social turn, and strictly an honorable man. In 
 the Fly Market he was patronized by many of the leading men of 
 the day, some of whom, for a joke, succeeded in perplexing and an- 
 noying him. They had previously agreed to meet at his stall at a 
 certain busy hour on a Saturday morning : they came on him suddenly, 
 and all claimed to be waited on first. It was Uncle David here, 
 and Uncle David there ; we want our meat, and we want to pay for 
 
506 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 it. They bothered him so, that at last he went and sat down on 
 his chair. " Now, (says he,) if you don't all leave the market 
 immediately, not one of you shall have an ounce of meat from my 
 stall." It was said that it was the first time they ever saw him an- 
 noyed. 
 
 Thomas Gibbons, the occupant once of No. 14 Fly Market, and 
 of No. 29 this market, was another most worthy, generous, and 
 public-spirited gentleman. A man of decided talent, which he often 
 displayed in defence of the profession ; always on the lead to en- 
 courage agriculture, more particularly that of breeding fine stock, 
 in getting up fairs, offering premiums, paying liberal prices for pre- 
 mium cattle. In public or private meetings, benevolent societies or 
 celebrations, Thomas Gibbons was always found, or placed in the 
 front rank; and perhaps no event was so conspicuous with the 
 butchers (except the "Federal Procession" in 1788) as that of the 
 " Canal Celebration," when his skill and liberality stood out boldly 
 and bountifully, although greatly assisted by many other leading 
 men. The following sketch will give the reader some idea of it, 
 and of those butchers prominently engaged in carrying out its 
 parts : 
 
 In the months of September and October, 1825, the butchers held 
 various meetings, when they appointed for "Managers" Messrs. 
 Arnest Fink, Thomas Gibbons, Jacob Aims, James Reeves, and John 
 Trigler ; and for the " Committee of Arrangements," 
 
 Thomas Gibbons, Thomas Jeremiah, Lawrence Wiseburn, 
 Eliphalet Wheeler, Frederick Hawes, John Trigler, 
 Daniel Spader, Robert Tier, Albert Fisher, 
 
 Joseph Blackwell, Earth. Granger, Walter Durbrow, 
 
 Philip Luff, Jun'r, Elias De Forest, John Varick, 
 
 James Simonson, John Perrin, Jacob Ridabock, 
 
 Thomas Syberts, Jacob Syler, James Weeden, 
 
 Joseph Jacots, John Wallace, Christian Harriot. 
 
 The "Delegates to confer with the Corporation" were Messrs. 
 Walter Durbrow and John Perrin, who, on the 6th of October, re- 
 ported the butchers ready to parade with the procession, which took 
 place on the 4th of November, 1825. 
 
 The several societies were ordered to form a line at 9 o'clock, 
 A. M., on the west side of Greenwich Street, with the right resting 
 on Marketfield Street. "At 11 o'clock the procession, under the 
 direction of Major-General Fleming, who acted as the Grand Mar- 
 shal, began to countermarch, or wheel and pass; the whole line 
 moving at the same time, so that all might see each other ; it then 
 passed up Greenwich Street to Canal Street and Broadway, up 
 
FULTON MARKET. 597 
 
 Broadway to Broome Street and to the Bowery, down the Bowery 
 to Pearl Street, down Pearl Street to the Battery."* 
 
 The whole line marching six abreast, except the butchers, who 
 were on horseback, and (being No. 6) formed and marched four 
 horses in front, headed by Thomas Gibbons as Marshal, assisted by 
 Lawrence Wiseburn, John Perrin, John Trigler, and Daniel Spader. 
 Then came two trumpeters mounted, followed by "a car handsomely 
 decorated with laurel, drawn by four horses ; on the car a farmer 
 represented with his stock, consisting of a live calf and several 
 sheep ; in front of the car two boys, in appropriate dresses, support- 
 ed a banner, exhibiting on one side the emblem of the profession — 
 a knife and steel crossed ; above, the poll-axe ; below, on one side, 
 the saw, on the other the chopper ; in thQ«circle, an ox and sheep : in- 
 scription, ' We preserve by destroying.' On the reverse a pastoral 
 scene, flocks and herds grazing, the plough, harrow, and other im- 
 plements of husbandry, grain, &c., &c. : inscription, 'Agriculture 
 our Nation's Wealth.' Twenty boys followed the car ; they were 
 dressed in white frocks, and carried in their hands the different im- 
 plements of the trade. A white standard, inscribed ' The Butchers' 
 Benevolent Society,' followed by fifty of the profession in white 
 aprons and check sleeves, mounted on gray horses. Next, a large 
 car, drawn by six horses ; on a platform in the centre was a stall, at 
 which a handsome white ox was feeding ; the ends of the platform 
 were inclosed by white palisades, and sodded, intended to represent 
 a field and shrubbery, sheep feeding, &c. Another palisaded plat- 
 form surmounted the stage, in which was placed the full form of an 
 ox, handsomely prepared for the occasion, dressed with ribbons and 
 other appropriate embellishments, attended by four boys in white 
 frocks, decorated with ribbons — the whole intended to represent the 
 process of grazing and feeding, until the animal is prepared for the 
 knife. 
 
 " One hundred and fifty of the profession, dressed as before, with 
 four standards, at equal distances, followed on black horses : on the 
 first standard a heart is represented — inscription, ' Is devoted to our 
 Country ;' on the second, the form of an ox-head — inscription, ' Lib- 
 erty is our Head ;' on the third, the figure of a steak — inscription, 
 ' To all we divide a part ;' on the fourth was inscribed the words, 
 ' Internal Improvements are Chains to strengthen the Union of the 
 States.' Then followed the ' Butchers' Benevolent Society,' headed 
 by its President, Lawrence Wiseburn ; John Perrin, Vice-President ; 
 John Grafi', Treasurer ; Thomas Jeremiah, Secretary ; Christian H. 
 Sartell, Assistant Secretary." 
 
 * Colden's Account. 
 
508 PULTON MARKET. 
 
 When the procession passed the corner of Broadway and Canal 
 Street, where I, then quite a boy, stood, it appeared to me to be 
 wonderfully grand and imposing, especially that part which was rep- 
 resented by the butchers. This was several years before I had any 
 idea of becoming one of the profession, and I may say, I much less 
 thought of recording the above incident ; more especially that part 
 relating to Thomas Gibbor , who at this period was considered very 
 wealthy, but his generosity afterwards to a false friend, named Syltes, 
 ruined him, and struck him down even to death's door. One who 
 knew him intimately thus speaks of him in a " Communication," 
 found in the press, at the time of his death : 
 
 " Died on the 17th {November, 1832,) instant, of a short but severe 
 illness, Thomas Gibbons, ajjold and respected butcher of this city. 
 As an old friend, we cannot permit his name to go down to the tomb 
 without paying a small tribute to one whose acts of benevolence 
 when living were calculated to draw forth the admiration and praise 
 of society at large. But a few years since, possessed of an ample 
 fortune, his only ambition was that of bestowing it on the needy 
 without distinction, and it may be truly said, that owing to his ex- 
 treme liberality may be attributed his misfortunes; and we may add, 
 that his fine feelings of humanity led him into acts that prudence for- 
 bade, or self-preservation could not justify, which eventuated in pov- 
 erty, but not dishonor ; and we can bear testimony that he bore up 
 against accumulated difficulties with that spirit of Christianity that 
 truly belonged to him. Persecution alone would occasionally com- 
 pel poor frail nature to yield, but it was momentary. To say aught 
 that could be said against this good man's life, it was only tarnished 
 by misfortune. — B." 
 
 In the month of October, two years after, a petition was before 
 the Board, praying for a new fish market to be erected at the head 
 of the slip opposite the main market. The Market Committee re- 
 ported in favor of it, after stating their " opinion that the fish mar- 
 ket (or stands in the east wing) should be removed," " as it had be- 
 come necessary by the increase of people frequenting said market." 
 The water and other nuisances from the fish market descend into 
 the stores below, causing it to be a nuisance. The estimated ex- 
 pense for building one 195 feet long was about $3,000. They offer 
 a resolution to that effect, and it was adopted. In the month of 
 May of the next year, a report from the Superintendent of Build- 
 ings shows that this new fish market cost $3,223.63, although con- 
 tracted for $2,847.75 to James Phillips. 
 
 By the removal of the fishermen from the east wing it was again 
 left vacant, except occasionally when the country market was crowd- 
 
FULTON MARKET. 
 
 509 
 
 ed, and country people were placed in there. As the system of sell- 
 ing butcheys' stands for a premium had been discontinued, and that 
 of " drawing by lot" had been adopted, a great many applications 
 had been made, and continued until the Market Committee, in the 
 month of May, 1836, reported in favor of placing eighteen stands in 
 the east end again, which were drawn by the following butchers : 
 No. 62. Elias B. Messerve. No. 63. Marsden Shapter. 
 
 69. Wm. Van Benschoten. 70. Thomas Kirkpatrick. 
 
 71. "Wm. H. Hopkins. 72. F. S. Flander. 
 
 73. James King. 74. Daniel Rich. 
 
 75. Robert Shark. 76. John Chappel. 
 
 81. Francis Dupont. 82. Edward Youngs. 
 
 83. George Winship. 84. Cornelius Kent. 
 
 85. Francis Degez. 86. Josiah Reynolds. 
 
 87. Albert Fisher. 88. Jacob Acker. 
 
 They then "Resolved, That the Collector of the City Revenue be 
 directed to collect the rent from the above-named persons from the 
 date of the passage of this resolution, the first day of August, the 
 usual quarter-day." 
 
 It was not long before several of these began to vacate their stands; 
 in fact, before one year had passed but four or five were occupied, 
 and finally they were all deserted or exchanged for some other in 
 the market. 
 
 A few years after the occupant of No. 35 was sued for debt, when, 
 among other things which he assigned, was this stand, in the month 
 of November, 1839. The Court of Chancery ordered it to be ad- 
 vertised and sold, which was done at public auction on the 31st of 
 December of that year, to Christian Stamler, for |350, who paid 
 down the auctioneer's fees and ten per cent, of the purchase-money, 
 and as soon as the assent for transfer from the Corporation took 
 place, he would pay the rest. This subject was before the Board, 
 who referred it to a Committee, of which were Aldermen Caleb S. 
 WoodhuU and James Ferris, who reported that " there are two kinds 
 of butcher stands in the markets of this city : those which are known 
 and distinguished as premium stands, and those which are not — this 
 is a premium stand." They further state, " In conclusion, your Com- 
 mittee are constrained to admit that these stands have always been 
 recognized by the Corporation as salable property. The Corpora- 
 tion have themselves in the first instance sold them for large sums 
 of money, and have been in the constant practice of assenting to 
 and approving of their sale and transfer to others. It is a practice, 
 therefore, that it cannot be controverted or disguised, that subject 
 to certain rules and regulations necessary to be observed in con- 
 
510 
 
 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 ducting the business, these stands have been constantly sold for a 
 valuable consideration, and that the Corporation have always been 
 in the constant practice of giving effect to such sales by assenting 
 to the same." 
 
 They offer a resolution, which was adopted, " That his Honor the 
 Mayor be requested to issue a butcher's license to Christian Stam- 
 ler for the transfer of butcher stall No. 35 Fulton Market, on his 
 complying with the market laws and the regulations of the Market 
 Committee." 
 
 In the month of December, 1840, many of the butchers' stands 
 were found deserted, and others again only occasionally occupied, 
 but of which the rents were paid by those whose names are found op- 
 posite to them. Those deserted are noticed as unoccupied in the 
 following list: 
 
 No. 
 
 . 1. 
 
 James Johnson. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Carlisle T. Weeks. 
 
 3. 
 
 Eugene McCarty. 
 
 4. 
 
 Denton Pearsall. 
 
 5. 
 
 Peter Mencilliot. 
 
 6. 
 
 David H. Gould. 
 
 7. 
 
 Richard Hunt. 
 
 8. 
 
 Benjamin Mathewson. 
 
 9. 
 
 Unoccupied. 
 
 10. 
 
 Unoccupied. 
 
 11. 
 
 Abraham Valentine. 
 
 12. 
 
 David W. Piercy. 
 
 13. 
 
 Lanniug Ferris. 
 
 14. 
 
 Ebcnezer G. Ferris. 
 
 15. 
 
 John Perrin. 
 
 16. 
 
 Albert W. Smith. 
 
 17. 
 
 Entrance. 
 
 18. 
 
 Charles Gwyer. 
 
 19. 
 
 Andrew C. Wheeler. 
 
 20. 
 
 Francis Godine. 
 
 21. 
 
 Benjamin B. Ewen. 
 
 22. 
 
 Robert Elder. 
 
 23. 
 
 George W. Schuyler. 
 
 24. 
 
 Thomas Eicleton. 
 
 25. 
 
 Elnathan Underbill. 
 
 26. 
 
 Isaac Rhoades, Jun'r. 
 
 27. 
 
 George Haws. 
 
 28. 
 
 Jacob H. Ridabock. 
 
 29. 
 
 William Warner. 
 
 30. 
 
 H. H. Valentine. 
 
 31. 
 
 George Montgomery. 
 
 32. 
 
 Wm. B. Woodcock. 
 
 33. 
 
 Francis Spicer. 
 
 34. 
 
 William Chivvis. 
 
 35. 
 
 John McCarty. 
 
 36. 
 
 Daniel Rhoades. 
 
 37. 
 
 Marvin R. Underbill. 
 
 38. 
 
 Thomas M. Jenkins. 
 
 39. 
 
 John D. Kent. 
 
 40. 
 
 John Post. 
 
 41. 
 
 Jonathan Wilt. 
 
 42. 
 
 G. W. Vandenburgh. 
 
 43. 
 
 Benjamin T. Weeks. 
 
 44. 
 
 Jacob A. Stamler. 
 
 45. 
 
 Charles Kent. • 
 
 46. 
 
 Peter Valentine. 
 
 47. 
 
 Cornelius Kent. 
 
 48. 
 
 B. W. Valentine. 
 
 49. 
 
 John B. Wilt. 
 
 50. 
 
 John Henning. 
 
 51. 
 
 William Hayward. 
 
 52. 
 
 John Sloat. 
 
 53. 
 
 Henry Smith. 
 
 54. 
 
 John Simonson. 
 
 55. 
 
 Joseph Alden. 
 
 56. 
 
 Carman A. Simonson. 
 
 57. 
 
 Stephen Williams. 
 
 58. 
 
 William Myers. 
 
FULTON MARKET. 511 
 
 No. 59. Peter T. Valentine. No. 60. John Chappel. 
 
 61. Elias T. De Forest. 62. Mathew Harpell. 
 
 63. Joseph L. Henning. 64. Unoccupied. 
 
 65. Unoccupied. 66. do. 68, 70, 72, do. 
 
 67. do. 69. do. 74. do. 76, 78, 80, do. 
 
 71. William Myers. 82. do. 84, 86, do. 
 
 73. Rufus Rowe. 88. Jacob Acker. 
 
 75. Unoccupied, also 77, 79, 81, 83. 
 
 85. James P. Stanton. 87. Francis Degez. 
 
 For many years this market had been constantly increasing in the 
 sale of fish, principally at wholesale, which led to the gathering of 
 great numbers of fishing smacks in the slip at certain seasons ; these, 
 with other market craft, occasionally crowded so much as to be the 
 cause of great complaint. 
 
 On the 28th of March, 1842, a petition was before the Board, 
 stating, that " Your petitioners, boatmen, fishermen, marketmen, 
 and others, trading to and with said city, beg leave respectfully 
 to represent to your Honorable Body, that Fulton Market Slip 
 has for a long time past, and until recently, been set apart for the 
 sole use oi fishing smacks and market-boats, and that during the 
 business seasons of the year the whole of the said sliji) is barely sufiS- 
 cient to accommodate the numerous craft of the above description ; 
 that soon there will be from ten to fifteen vessels daily laden with 
 shad for this market, and during the season vessels are plying from 
 Long Islaiad and the country adjacent laden with vegetables for the 
 supply of the city daily. 
 
 " That it is absolutely necessary that that portion of your peti- 
 tioners occupying the fish market, now yielding a revenue to the 
 city, in order to be able to supply the market with fresh and healthy 
 fish, that they should enjoy the uninterrupted use of a part of the 
 slip adjoining the market for fish-cars, thus keeping their fish in the 
 water until required for use. 
 
 " That, as your petitioners are informed and believe, a lease was 
 granted of the west side of said slip, restricting the occupancy 
 thereof to two steamboats; instead whereof, the lessees have three, 
 and ofttimes /o«r steamboats there at a time; and in addition to 
 that, introduce other large vessels, to the great detriment and en- 
 dangering of the smaller craft of your petitioners. That as the 
 steamboats lie blocking up nearly the whole entrance to said slip, 
 when the smaller craft are endeavoring to effect an entrance into 
 the slip in a strong ebb-fide, they are inevitably borne by the cur- 
 rent under the steamboat guard, breaking their stanchion, and car- 
 rying away their chain-plates, and otherwise injuring them ; and in 
 
512 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 many instances the slip has been so much occupied with steamboats 
 and other large vessels, that the smacks are unable to obtain en- 
 trance, and are compelled to go elsewhere and discharge. 
 
 " That great inconvenience and ofttimes great damage are expe- 
 rienced from steamboats, in this : that inasmuch as a long time be- 
 fore starting their wheels are put into motion, by which the small 
 boats are driven against each other with such force as sometimes to 
 damage them, the mud is raised in such quantities from the slip as 
 to kill the fish, and not unfrequently the cars are turned over, and 
 the fish lost out. They therefore pray that your Honorable Body 
 will be pleased to exercise the power in you vested, in restraining 
 the lessees of the west side of the slip, during the time said lease 
 has to run, to the occupation of the same according to the terms 
 thereof; and that after the expiration thereof, they pray that no 
 steamboat, registered or sea vessels, be suffered to use the said slip." 
 The deserved relief, after a time, was granted to them. 
 
 The removal of the fishermen from the "east wing" to the shed 
 built for the fishermen along the slip had given some reason to 
 think that the business, or rather the rapid decline of it, was the 
 consequence ; but no doubt the high prices of provisions along in 
 the years 1837, '8, and '9; then followed the introduction of the 
 "meat-shops" over the city, with the "hue and cry" of the press 
 against the public markets, was the main cause. However, a numer- 
 ously signed petition, dated August 2, 1843, asked the Common 
 Council to remove the fishermen back into the "east wing;" and 
 further state, that " the immediate removal of the fish market over 
 the head of Fulton Slip, as being the only means by which the 
 business of Fulton Market can be restored. We are satisfied, from 
 facts that we can produce, that the building of the fish market has 
 been the entire cause of the loss of the business of Fulton Market, 
 and that its removal will be the means of restoring it, in a measure, 
 to its former prosperity. 
 
 " We would call the attention of your Honorable Body to the 
 fact of the almost entire neglect of the public authorities to our 
 market, while we have been unable to get the needful repairs done ; 
 and we would now respectfully ask that some favors may be grant- 
 ed us, if only to preserve the value of the public property ; for if 
 some measures are not taken, the income of the Fulton Market 
 property must be largely reduced every year." 
 
 The fishermen then followed with a remonstrance, dated April 
 1st, 1844, and say : " The undersigned, being fishermen and oyster- 
 men, doing business in the Fulton Fish Market, understand that 
 your Honorable Body contemplate removing them to the east wing 
 
FULTON MARKET. 513 
 
 of the Fulton Butcher Market, -which to them would be a serious 
 inconvenience. 
 
 " They wish your Honorable Body to take into consideration why 
 they were first removed from that east wing — which was on account 
 of the nuisance they were said to create, by their being compelled 
 to use a great quantity of water, &c. They cannot now see any 
 advantage they can have more than they had then, to obviate such 
 complaints. They therefore do trust that your Honorable Body 
 will take their case into serious consideration, and not remove them 
 from their present location until they can have a permanent loca- 
 tion, and that for their better accommodation," &c. Signed by 
 Willard Phelps, Charles Royael, John Purie, 
 
 Daniel Fowler, Walter Pearsall, Jared Baker, 
 
 Blisha Baker, Albert Rogers, Aaron Kingsland, 
 
 Elisha A. Baker, Silas Manwaring, Bbenezer Cutler, 
 
 Anson Ryno, Thomas Mansfield, William B. Storer, 
 
 Jeremiah H. Racket, S. Dayton, P. S. GriiSn, 
 
 S. B. Tuthill, Z. Moon, John Comstock, 
 
 Daniel H. Racket, Maxen Rogers, Truman Lamphier, 
 
 Geo. F. Rogers, William Brown, Charles Rankins. 
 
 On the 25th of March. the Report of the Committee on Markets 
 upon this subject appeared before the Board of Aldermen, stating : 
 " That upon an examination of said fish market, they find it in a 
 very dilapidated state, and requiring a considerable amount to be 
 expended for repairs, which amount can be saved by transferring 
 the fishermen to the east wing of Fulton Market, that portion hav- 
 ing been originally intended for that purpose, and was so occupied 
 for some years after the market was erected. The business of said 
 market has been declining since the fishermen have been removed 
 to their present location, owing to the great inconvenience experi- 
 enced in crossing the street from the meat to the fish market, on ac- 
 count of vehicles of every description being continually congregated at 
 that place ; and the result has been, that many persons (especially fe- 
 males) who formerly purchased at this market, in order to obviate 
 this difficulty, have gone to Washington and other markets, and it 
 consequently has tended materially to affect the business of those 
 who are located at this place, while the object for their removal has 
 never been accomplished, which was, to have the places thus vacated 
 occupied by butchers. The trial has frequently been made, but, after 
 occupying a stand for a short time, finding no business could be 
 done, it has been abandoned ; and there are now but two butchers 
 in that wing, both of whom can have their choice of the vacant 
 stands in other parts of the market. 
 Vol. I.— 33 
 
514 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 " Your Committee have had this subject a long time under con- 
 sideration, and, after mature deliberation, are convinced that, by 
 transferring the iishermen from their present location to the east 
 wing of the meat market, will be a great convenience to the cus- 
 tomers of that market, will benefit both butchers and fishermen, 
 and tend to increase the revenue from said market. They there- 
 fore offer for adoption the following resolution : 
 
 ''Resolved, That the fishermen holding licenses for the sale offish 
 at Fulton Market be transferred to the east wing of the meat mar- 
 ket, and the present fish market be appropriated to country people 
 bringing produce for sale." This report was adopted and approved. 
 
 In the month of April following the fishermen were removed into 
 the east wing of the main market ; the shed which had been used 
 by the fishermen, although it had been appropriated to the use of 
 the country people, was not so used, and was taken down ; and the 
 slip was ordered for the use of the fishing-smacks, market-boats, 
 and fish-cars. 
 
 For several years a rapidly-growing wholesale fish-trade had been 
 established from off the " smacks " on their arrival, and when the finny 
 tribe were not in demand, they were emptied into the large cars, 
 where they awaited the demands of ofttimes buyers, who then began 
 to pack them for other cities ; which, after a time, established a 
 large trade in this manner. 
 
 In the month of September of the next year, a petition for inclos- 
 ing and repairing the inside or country market was before the 
 Board. It stated, " That the country part of the market is ex- 
 tremely dark ; and if sky-lights were placed in the roof, it would 
 be a great benefit to those coming to and doing business in the 
 market." 
 
 This was reported on, on the 21st of the following month, as fol- 
 lows : " That they have considered the same, and had plans and 
 estimates made of the expense of said inclosure and sheds. They 
 find that Fulton Market is the only market in the city that is not 
 inclosed. The expense will be about $3,000 for inclosing the mar- 
 ket in a proper manner. Your Committee feel satisfied that the 
 outlay will be a good investment for the city, as the fees that will 
 be collected from the part inclosed cannot be less than ten per cent. 
 They would further state, that if the market is not inclosed, there 
 will be considerable expense, as the market is old, and wants con- 
 siderable repairing. They would therefore recommend that the 
 prayer of the petitioners be granted, and offer the following resolu- 
 tions for consideration : 
 
 "Besolved, That Fulton Market be inclosed, according to the 
 plans herewith presented. 
 
FULTON MARKET 515 
 
 "Resolved, That the Superintendent of Repairs advertise for esti- 
 mates to have the above inclosure completed, under the direction 
 of the Market Committee, at an expense not to exceed $3,000." 
 
 Two years after, (1847,) in the month of June, another new shed 
 was ordered to be constriteted, extending along the whole width 
 of the market on the South Street side, from Beekman to Fulton 
 Street, and projecting " eight feet outside of the side-walk," which 
 it was thought would " improve its appearance and increase its 
 revenue." This shed was erected, and for a short period it was le- 
 gitimately occupied ; but now we find a part, at least, is converted 
 into small eating saloons, while many other sheds have been put up 
 on the walks around on the other sides, from which are sold shoes, 
 stockings, hats, knives, pistols, flashy jewelry, books, pamphlets, 
 papers, pictures, cigars, &c. In establishing these sheds, no doubt 
 liie revenue of some of the ofiice-holders was much increased, who 
 by this means put large sums of money, which should have gone 
 into the City Treasury directly, into their own. A great many 
 honest people may say that the manner of obtaining this money is 
 unlawful and dishonest ; but the unscrupulous politician, or rather 
 the workers of the political machine, claim that " to the victors be- 
 longs the right to plunder." 
 
 The same Committee who reported on the erection of this shed 
 on the east side of the market also reported ofi the necessity of 
 making suitable accommodations for wholesale dealers in fish, 
 which, at this period, had grown into a very large business. 
 
 Great quantities of fish were now brought by the Long Island 
 Railroad daily to this as well as the Washington Market — (the lat- 
 ter yet sold considerable at wholesale.) The Pulton, however, had 
 the natural advantage of being more favorably located ; having 
 much better water and slip accommodations. Favorable reports 
 had been previously made for erecting suitable accommodations, 
 but had not been carried out. This Committee, however, wished 
 to erect it on the bulkhead where the old fish market stood, front- 
 ing on the main market, extending nearly the whole length of the 
 same,' at an expense of not exceeding two thousand dollars. Reso- 
 lutions were passed to that effect, and the present fish market was 
 soon after built. 
 
 This wholesale fish market is separated from the principal build- 
 ing by South Street, on which it fronts, and is merely a wooden 
 shed ; in length from dock to dock, with the rear over the basin, 
 into which are the cars floating, usually full of live fish ; and out- 
 side of these lie the smacks, which have just arrived, or are pre- 
 paring to depart. 
 
515 FULTON MARKET. 
 
 The lower end of this fish market is occupied by dealers in all 
 kinds of live poultry, (and other animals,) which are used or sold 
 principally for shipping, to adorn the farm-yards, or to ornament a 
 park; and I have occasionally seen here some of the choicest 
 breeds and the most beautiful poultry I ever saw on sale. 
 
 The wholesale fish-trade, for many years, has been constantly in- 
 creasing, and now, hours before daylight every morning of the 
 week, may be found here fish-wagons, carts, and other vehicles, from 
 the various public markets, meat-shops, and street peddlers, from 
 this and the neighboring cities, towns, and villages, for their daily 
 supplies; which part of the business is generally over by seven 
 o'clock, A. M. Tlien large quantities of salt-water fish are packed 
 in boxes, and sent to the interior cities and towns. 
 
 The stands at which fish are sold by retail are located in the 
 main building, on the north or Beekman Street wing, where large 
 quantities are disposed of daily. 
 
 Since the year 1850, the butchers' stands have had many changes 
 in their occupancy ; several of which were occupied only for short 
 periods ; others, again, have been totally deserted ; and, again, there 
 are some who have done a very large business, but principally in 
 supplying large steamers, packets, and other vessels, large hotels 
 and boarding-houses. Private residences have almost deserted this 
 part of the city, and there are but few families who now patronize 
 this market; I may, however, except several from Brooklyn. Be- 
 tween the years 1850 and 1855, the butchers' stands were occupied 
 as follows : 
 No. 1. James Johnson. No. 2. Bbenezer Kline. 
 
 3. Benjamin Mathewson. 4. Denton Pearsall. 
 
 5. Jacob Fisher. 6. Zophar Pearsall. 
 
 7. Richard Hunt. 8. Charles H. Hawkins. 
 
 9. Lawrence Clinton. 10. Unoccupied. 
 
 11. Abraham Valentine. 12. John C. Valentine. 
 
 18. Unoccupied. 14. Oliver Valentine. 
 15. John Perrin. 16. Henry Smith. 
 
 17. Stairway. 18. "William A. Smith. 
 
 19. Arnest Aims. 20. Frederick Robertson. 
 21. Albert Fisher. 22. William Fisher. 
 
 23. Elnathan Underhill. 24. Thomas Eicleston. 
 
 25. George Haws. 26. John Ketchum. 
 
 27. George Haws, Jr. 28. James Tilby. 
 
 29. Charles Cooper. 30. "William H. Valentine. 
 
 31. Isaac Anderson. 32. Cornelius Cooper. 
 
 33. Joseph Hayward. 34. "William Sager. 
 
FEANKLIN MARKET. 517 
 
 No. 35. William A. Remer. No. 36. John C. Chamberlain. 
 
 37. Pearson S. Halsted. 38. James Parr. 
 
 39. George Castell. 40. John Post. 
 
 41. Samuel Weeks. 42. John Stamler. 
 
 43. Benjamin T. Weeks. 44. Jacob A. Stamler. 
 
 45. Abraham Leggett. 46. Peter Valentine. 
 
 47. Cornelius Kent. 48. Peter Valentine. 
 
 49. John B. Wilt. 50. John F. Henning. 
 
 51. William Hayward. 52. John F. Henning. 
 
 53. John Alden. 54. John Simonson. 
 
 55. Joseph Alden. 56. Carman A. Simonson. 
 
 57. Stephen Williams. 58. Stephen H. Cornell. 
 
 59. William H. Cornell. 60. John Chappel. 
 
 61. Elias De Forest. 62. Charles Brower. 
 
 63. Joseph Henning. 64. J. P. Stanton. 
 
 From No. 64 to 68, which composes principally all the Beekman 
 Street wing, is taken up with retail fishermen ; and, to sum up in a 
 few words, the Fulton Market is capable of being made much more 
 convenient, cleanly, attractive, and profitable, both to stand-holders 
 and the city. 
 
 "FRANKLIN MARKET." 
 
 1821. The inhabitants in the neighborhood of Old Slip were 
 about to lose the " Fly Market," which had accommodated and sup- 
 plied them with provisions since the " Old Slip Market," that stood 
 above forty years before in this Old Slip, at the corner of Pearl 
 Street, was taken from them ; and they wished for a nearer market- 
 house than the new "Fulton;" so they petitioned, and the Board, 
 on the 1st of October, 1821, agreed to the report then presented 
 to them by the Market Committee, in which they state : " That it 
 will be found necessary to erect a market somewhere in the lower 
 part of the city ; that it can be done at much less expense when the 
 Fly Market is taken down than at any future period, as the mate- 
 rials may be so advantageously used, that for a very small sum a 
 Tiew market may be built, whereby a public revenue will be derived, 
 as well as great convenience afforded to the inhabitants of that part 
 of the town." They recommend the prayer of the petitioners for a 
 market to be erected at Old Slip be granted, and therefore offer 
 the following resolutions : 
 
518 FKANKLIN MARKET. 
 
 "Besolved, That whenever, the Corporation shall deem it .expe- 
 dient to remove Fly Market, that part thereof known as , the _^sA 
 market be carefully taken down, and the materials removed to the 
 Old Slip. 
 
 "Besolved, That a marJcet be built at Old Slip, between Water 
 and Front Streets, under the direction of the Market Committee, 
 and that such part of the above materials as are suitable be used 
 in the construction thereof." 
 
 In the month of February following, George Duryea applied, 
 through petition, for the "Clerkship" of this market, in which he 
 says : " That he is an old citizen of this place, in reduced circum- 
 stances, from misfortune, and unable to procure a maintenance for 
 his family by manual labor, from the loss of one of his arms. That 
 he was in the service of the United States, employed as a wagoner, 
 during the late war ; but having taken a load on his own account, 
 was at that time wounded, and deprived of his arm, and therefore 
 not entitled to a pension from the Government. He understands a 
 new market is to be erected at Old Slip, for which a Deputy Clerk 
 will be wanted," and he solicits the appointment. It was granted. 
 
 This market was reported finished in the month of June, when 
 the inhabitants were anxious to have a fire-bell on the market. In 
 consequence of its being a considerable distance from any church or 
 fire bell, they " solicit that a cupola may be erected — as there is a 
 gentleman in the neighborhood willing to present a bell suitable for 
 the same ;" which was ordered to be carried into effect, and a resolu- 
 tion soon after was passed, that this market be hereafter known by 
 the name and style of " Franklin Market," after the great philoso- 
 pher, Benjamin Franklin. 
 
 The Gazette of the 27th of June, 1822, says : " The market, though 
 small, is still neat and airy. The stalls are, or will be, all taken 
 up ; and as it is situated in the centre of a wealthy neighborhood, 
 it will be well attended. The market in that vicinity will be a 
 benefit to the property, and those old wooden rookeries on the right 
 of the market should be pulled down, and a row of neat houses and 
 shops built, which would bring a good interest." 
 
 On the 8th of July following, eight butchers' stands, with two cel- 
 lars, were rented at public auction, for a premium, during a period 
 of nine months, with the privilege of renewals, to the following 
 butchers and others, for the sums set opposite their names : 
 No. 1. Peter Crawbuck, $'535 No. 2. Eufus Gilbert, $570 
 
 3. Blias B. Messerve, 295 4. Jacob H. Ridabock, 280 
 
 5. James "Weeden, 265 6. Jacob Manolt, 270 
 
 7. George Merckle, 445 8. Charles Hopper, 430 
 
FKA'NKJdN MARKET.. 619 
 
 No. 1. Cellar, Samuel W. Kelly, $150 
 
 2. " MeadDarrow, .... igo 
 
 Whole amount, - $3,420 
 
 The -whole cost of erecting this market was - - 2,070 
 
 Which shows the city overpaid, on its cost, - - $1,350 
 
 The "market" opened for business on the 27th of the same month, 
 with flattering compliments from the "Press." They say: "The 
 general display of meats was as handsome as anything we ever saw, 
 in the early part of the morning. It was sold rapidly, and the 
 bijitchers had no cause to complain of their first day's work ;" and 
 " there can be no better stand than the ' Franklin Market' for the 
 sale of choice articles." 
 
 This encouragement, however, was of short duration, as the much- 
 dreaded yellow fever, a few weeks after, made its appearance, and 
 drove the stand-holders from its shelter ; a few of whom located 
 themselves in Chatham Square; but the others quit business for 
 about two months, when they all again returned to the market. 
 The butchers, in the month of November, petitioned for a remission 
 of rent of stands for the time which had not been used by them, but 
 the Board laid their claims to rest. This, with a decreasing busi- 
 ness, as the same amount had not returned with the occupants, w:as 
 anything but favorable to their future prospects. 
 
 Again, in the month of February, 1824, the butchers petition for 
 a reduction of rent. They say: "They have been obliged to pay 
 heavy rents therefor, which were enhanced by the existence of the 
 yellow fever, (they being thrown out of employment,) and for which no 
 allowances were made." The Committee laid the subject over, to 
 be considered at the time of renting the stands for the next year. 
 Several of the butchers became much dissatisfied after this period 
 with the small amount of business done, which caused them to dis- 
 pose of their stands, some of which were sold or exchanged" sev- 
 eral times, in. the course of a few years. In the vear 1828 , the 
 stands were occupied: 
 
 No. 1. Peter Crawbuck. No. 2. Rufus Gilbert. 
 
 3. Orman Broadway. 4. Thomas Glover. 
 
 5. James Weeden. 6. James Ferdon. 
 
 7. George Merkle, 8. Charles Hopper. 
 
 The number of butchers appeared to be more than was required 
 for the business here, and several of them, after a time, began to drop 
 off, one by one, until four or five were able to accommodate all that 
 visited there. The principal inhabitants began deserting and tear- 
 
520 FRANKLIN MARKET. 
 
 ing down then old, but once fashionable, dwellings, and fine large 
 stores were erected in their places. This soon increased a large 
 mercantile business about here, and with it came complaints against 
 the market-house, of blocking up the street. Petitions for and 
 against its removal were presented, and considered, but no action 
 was taken imtil the year 1833, when we find, in the month of De- 
 cember, a report from a Joint Committee on Markets, with the 
 Wharves, and Public Lands and Places," relative to filling up the 
 "Old Slip" to South Street, the removing of this market-house, and 
 erecting a new one in lieu thereof; which was finally adopted. In 
 this report it is stated : "First — In respect to filling up Old Slip as 
 far out as the line of South Street. The Committee have had no 
 difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that the measure is a proper 
 one. South Street is by law the exterior line of the city on the 
 East River, and the expediency of filling up all the slips inside of 
 that line as soon as may be practicable under the circumstances 
 cannot be doubted ; and Secondly — On the subject of removing the 
 present Franklin Market, there appears a diversity of opinion. It 
 is undoubtedly true that many families have removed their resi- 
 dences from the First Ward into the upper parts of the city, but the 
 number of those that remain, and that will hereafter reside in that 
 section of the city, is far too great to have their rights or conven- 
 iences disregarded ; and perhaps no better argument could be ad- 
 duced in favor of continuing a market in this location, than the fact 
 that Franklin Market has been a source of profitable income to the 
 city, and that the occupants of it, from whom such income has been 
 derived, are desirous of remaining, and continuing their business 
 there. The Committee, therefore, are of opinion that the remon- 
 strance against the removal of the market ought to prevail to a cer- 
 tain extent: that is to say, that if the Common Council should di- 
 rect the slip to be filled up to the line of South Street, and should 
 think fit to take away the present market-house between Water and 
 Front Streets, they ought to erect a suitable market-house on the 
 ground to be so filled in fronting on South Street, in like manner 
 with Fulton Market." The Committee submit resolutions, agreeing 
 with the above ; among which were, " That a new market be laid 
 out and established on the ground to be filled in," between Front 
 and South Streets ; " that after the completion of such new market, 
 the old market-house now fronting Old Slip be removed." 
 
 However, before the grounds were filled in and prepared for the 
 new site, the " great fire" of 1835 took place, and saved the city the 
 expense and trouble of removing this old market-house, as it left not 
 a vestige of this wooden building behind. 
 
FRANKLIN MARKET. 521 
 
 This terrible calamity commenced in Comstock & Andrews' store, 
 in Merchant Street, on the night of Wednesday, the 16th of Decem- 
 ber, when it spread in every direction, and burned furiously for sixteen 
 hours before it was stopped, and this was done by blowing up sev- 
 eral buildings with gunpowder ; although the firemen worked like 
 heroes, yet the weather was so freezing cold that the water con- 
 gealed in the hydrants and fire-hose, rendering them useless. Several 
 fire companies from Philadelphia, Newark, Elizabethtown, Jerpcy 
 City, Brooklyn, &c., came promptly to assist, and did good service. 
 Nearly six hundred buildings, with the ancient Dutch Church in 
 Garden Street, the splendid edifice known as the Exchange, with 
 the fine statue of Hamilton, placed a few months before in the centre 
 of its rotunda by the merchants, were all destroyed. The shipping 
 near the line of the fire were quickly forced to leave the dock?, as 
 the devouring element soon reached the wharves and destroyed tlie 
 wharf logs, posts, and timbers, and caught and injured several of the 
 flying vessels. The whole loss was variously estimated from tivelve 
 to seventeen millions of dollars. 
 
 ^ Public thanks were tendered to several officers of the army and 
 navy, among which were Commodore Ridgely, General Swift, Cap- 
 tains Mix and Walker, Lieutenants Temple and Nicholls, with the 
 seamen and marines under their charge, who performed various 
 efficient services ; they were afterwards relieved with the old Third 
 (now Eighth) Regiment, under then Colonel George P. Morris, and 
 other military bodies, who were several days on guard duty. 
 
 On the 21st of the same month, the Board of Assistant Aldermen 
 brought before them and adopted the following : " Whereas the 
 Franklin Market at Old Slip has been destroyed at the late fire, and 
 the butchers having stands therein been deprived of the same ;" there- 
 fore it was resolved, that " a temporary shed be erected in the Old 
 Slip or Broad Street, for the accommodation of" all stand-holders, 
 " until other provisions shall be made." 
 
 In the month of January, next year, it was ordered to be built on 
 the site of the old one, and the following October the Market Com- 
 mittee reported on rebuilding this market as follows: "That your 
 Committee deem that it is due to the inhabitants of the First Ward 
 that an accommodation of this description should be granted to them, 
 as the same has existed for several years past, and its existence at 
 Old Slip has been a public convenience, and it is required by many 
 individuals residing in the neighborhood." They recommend the fol- 
 lowing resolution, which was adopted: "Besolved, That Franklin 
 Market shall be rebuilt at Old Slip on a line with South Street, and 
 extending not exceeding one hundred and twenty-five feet towards 
 
522 FRANKLIN MARKET. 
 
 Front Street, with a width not exceeding thirty feet, to be so form- 
 ed as to accommodate on the ground floor or basement a hose-cart 
 or engine, and the second story to be adapted to a sub-watch-house, 
 if it should be found necessary." The plan was reported, and " the 
 estimated cost, it was said, will not diifer much from nine thousand 
 dollars, and will not exceed ten thousand dollars:" so said Charles 
 B. Tappan, then the Superintendent of Buildings; and the Com- 
 mittee on Markets, who were composed of the following, John B. 
 Schemelzel, William Hall, and Isaac Merritt, recommended such an 
 appropriation, which was adopted. However, before the commence- 
 ment of its erection a suit was brought against the Corporation, to 
 oppose its rebuilding, which was not decided until the summer of 
 1837, when petitions and reports were before the Board again, favor- 
 able to its completion. They state, " that strong but selfish doubts 
 were entertained by a few touching the right of the Corporation to 
 rebuild said market in any part of Old Slip, and a powerful opposi- 
 tion was consequently maintained and prosecuted, which resulted in 
 a late decision in the Court of Chancery in favor of the Corpora- 
 tion. Your petitioners were always aware that the plan finally 
 adopted of said market was entirely inadequate to the wants of the 
 community who were to be benefited by it, inasmuch as it is to be 
 six feet shorter than the old one; and in addition to which, sixteen 
 feet is very properly set apart and appropriated for an engine and 
 hose company, leaving a space to be occupied for market purposes 
 some 20 feet less than the old market. Your petitioners have learn- 
 ed, with pleasure, that in addition to the great public necessity of 
 an engine and hose company in the burnt district, a sub-watch-house 
 is to be established, all of which is highly necessary in the midst of 
 a district where so much valuable property is nightly exposed to the 
 torch of the incendiary and the wiles of the burglar. Your peti- 
 tioners are strongly impressed with the opinion that the present plan 
 is entirely too circumscribed to answer the objects intended ; and 
 also, that since the decision of the Chancellor in favor of the Cor- 
 poration, no reasonable objection exists even among those who for- 
 merly opposed it in toto. Your petitioners would therefore pray your 
 Honorable Body so to alter said plan as to extend said market north 
 upon a line with Front Street, or at least so far as may be deemed 
 expedient or necessary for the object desired ; believing, as before 
 stated, that no reasonable objection now exists to such extension, 
 and believing also that such enlargement is imperiously demanded 
 by the public wants ; that it will increase the public revenue in a 
 ratio beyond the expenditure thus incurred ; and they would further 
 beg leave to state, that the ground proposed to be occupied for said 
 
FRANKLIN MARKET. 523 
 
 addition will ever be entirely useless for any other public purpose,! 
 the street being 50 feet wide on either side of the proposed addition. 
 All of which is respectfully submitted," &c. 
 
 On the 30th of July following the Committee on Markets reported, 
 that " since the passage of the resolution by the Common Council, 
 directing the rebuilding of Franklin Market at Old Slip, it has ap- 
 peared that a large number of the inhabitants of the First Ward are 
 desirous that said market should be extended, in order to afford suf- 
 ficient accommodations to the inhabitants of said Ward, as well as 
 the supplying of the wants of the large shipping interest that must 
 be necessarily supplied with provisions, &c., in that vicinity; and 
 whereas by complying with the request of the inhabitants of said 
 Ward it would afford an opportunity of furnishing several stands to 
 many enterprising butchers who are anxious to commence business 
 in any of the public markets. 
 
 " Therefore, be it Besolved, That the Superintendent of Buildings 
 be authorized to contract for the extension of the Franklin Market 
 fifty feet from the northerly end thereof, running towards Front 
 Street ; such addition to be built agreeable to the present plan, un- 
 der direction of the Market Committee. 
 
 "Resolved, That the sum of $4,700 be appropriated therefor." 
 
 The present brick market-house was soon after erected; the 
 butchers and others removed into it, where but few succeeded, as its 
 day for furnishing private families had gone by ; and but little other 
 business was done than the supplying the increasing vessels which 
 crowded the various slips in that vicinity. Here the occupants 
 were prepared to furnish every article of human food, whether 
 " fish, flesh, or fowl," animal or vegetable, in the living, dressed, or 
 cured state ; and much of this kind of business is now conducted 
 here. 
 
 In the month of June, 1838, we find the butchers' stands occupied 
 by the following persons : 
 
 No. 
 
 1. 
 
 William Granger. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 George Merkle, Jr. 
 
 3. 
 
 Abraham Warner. 
 
 4. 
 
 Thomas Glover. 
 
 5. 
 
 James Weeden. 
 
 6. 
 
 William Glover. 
 
 7. 
 
 Unoccupied. 
 
 8. 
 
 James King. 
 
 9. 
 
 George Merkle. 
 
 10. 
 
 Charles Hopper. 
 
 The basement under the market was leased to John E. Hunt, at 
 $1,500 per annum, and the large room above was appropriated for 
 the use of the " Society for the Promotion of the Gospel among the 
 Seamen of the Port of New York." 
 
 Since this period the business has gradually left this market, and 
 with it, of course, its occupants. In 1853 there were but three 
 
524 MANHATTAN MARKET. 
 
 butchers licensed: on No. 1, Thomas Glover; No. 2, "William 
 Watts ; and No. 3, Thomas Merkle, whose business is principally 
 with the shipping. 
 
 "MANHATTAN MARKET." 
 
 1827. The proceedings of the "Council" show that on the 26th 
 of March, 1827, the following resolution was adopted: "That the 
 square or block of ground, bounded by Goerick, Rivington, Stanton, 
 and Mangin Streets, belonging to the Corporation, be appropriated 
 for a public market-place, and that the Market Committee erect 
 thereon a market, (hmscj not to cost over 52,000." 
 
 Perhaps there was no individual who worked harder to have this 
 market established here than Colonel Ajjpleby, who, although never 
 an " office-seeker," yet his political influence at this day with many 
 of the public officers was of the most successful kind. He was a 
 personal friend of Henry Eckford, the once great ship-builder, who 
 owned a large property around here ; and although it was the in- 
 terest of the Colonel to have the market near his own property, yet 
 his particular intimacy with the wish of Eckford prevailed, and he 
 worked with a will, although, to be confessed, it was of the most 
 trying kind. Step by step, it was interest against friendship ; he 
 was, however, successful ; friendship continued through life — even 
 the grave has left no change in the yet active mind of Colonel Wil- 
 liam Appleby. 
 
 In the following month of September, the " Committee" reported 
 its completion, at a cost of $1,975, and recommended it to be called 
 " Manhattan Market;" and also to fix an annual rent for six butch- 
 ers' stands, which were sold at public auction for the highest pre- 
 mium, on the 23d of October following, to the following persons: 
 No. 1. John Vandewater, ^'505 No. 2. Hyatt Lyons, f510 
 
 3. David Johnson, 340 4. Leonard Smith, 315 
 
 5. Nathaniel Cromer, 350 6. Mathew Vogel, 360 
 
 The name "Manhattan" was in this instance taken from a high 
 knoll of land which, within my recollection, existed at that place, 
 usually known and called Manhattan Island, it being surrounded 
 with creeks and salt marsh ; and at very high tides it was partly cov- 
 ered with sea-water. Its location was between Houston and Third 
 Streets, and Lewis Street ran about through the centre of it. 
 
MANHATTAN MARKET. 525 
 
 In the montli of July, 1829, an ordinance was before the Board 
 creating a law for the inspection and measurement of vegetables 
 and fruits, which was referred to a Committee, who afterwards re- 
 ported in its favor. In the mean time, several applications for the 
 offices were presented, through petitions. The first, Obadiah New- 
 comb, said, " He is a native of the United States ; has been a resi- 
 dent of this city for twenty years past, and assisted, in the latter 
 part of our Revolutionary War, in establishing the independence 
 which we now enjoy." He appears to have been unsuccessful. 
 
 Samuel L. Feeks also represents, " That at the commencement 
 of the late war, he entered the service of his country as a private 
 soldier, in the regiment commanded by Robert Bogardus, Esq., and 
 when peace took place obtained an honorable discharge. Subse- 
 quent to which, your petitioner obtained two several commissions 
 in the regiment commanded by Samuel S. Dunscomb, Esq., and 
 actually performed the duty pertaining to such office until his means 
 conipelled him to resign." He was also unsuccessful. 
 
 Isaac B. Van Duzen makes still a stronger appeal, through sev- 
 eral citizens, who set forth, " That they have known him for a long 
 time, and put the utmost confidence in his abilities and integrity. 
 He is a gentleman, a native of this city, and a son of J. Van Duzen, 
 Esq., one of the strugglers for our independence. Ambitious, in his 
 youthful days, to defend his country's flag, he entered on board of the 
 American bi'ig Catharine Bay, and on the 1st of May, 1812, off 
 ' New Rochelle,' was captured by the British squadron, and in the 
 engagement had the misfortune to lose his leg. After having re- 
 mained a prisoner six months, was exchanged, and on his arrival 
 at this city was appointed a master's mate in the flotilla under the 
 command of Commodore Lewis; remained in that situation until 
 the Corporation accepted of his services on board the gun-boats 
 provided by them for the safety of the harbor, and remained in that 
 situation until the steam frigate (Pulton) was launched, when his 
 services were no longer required." He, also, was not successful. 
 
 In the month of September, 1831, permission was given to James 
 Dobbs, Isaac Hadden, and associates, to erect and inclose a frame 
 sufficient to suspend a large bell, at their own expense, at the north- 
 western part of this market square. 
 
 This market-place, however, proved a failure in business, it being 
 not sufficiently patronized to support one-half of the stands placed 
 in it. The butchers were deceived by the acts and promises of the 
 Common Council made at the time of the sales of the stands, which 
 fact is fully shown in a petition before the Board in the month of 
 January, 1832, from the butchers, who ask for relief, and state, "That 
 
526 MANHATTAN MARKET. 
 
 Abraham M. Valentine, then one of the Aldermen and Market Com- 
 mittee, with the auctioneer, did expose for sale and sell the stalls in 
 said market, from one to six inclusive ; and further, that Abraham 
 M. Valentine and the auctioneer did avov and declare, as an induce- 
 ment to purchasers at that sale, that said ' Manhattan Market' was 
 to be the only market in that section of the city, assigning as a 
 reason that the Common Council had that square of ground on which 
 the market stands ceded to them for that purpose only, and that a 
 branch of the Williamsburgh Perry should come to said market, 
 which representation induced your petitioners to pay for said stalls 
 sums of fi^-e hundred dollars and upward each ; and further, that 
 said A. M. Valentine and the auctioneer did at the above sale state 
 that the 'Grand Street Market' was an obstruction in the public 
 highway, and should be removed in one year and done away with ; 
 but, to the astonishment of your petitioners, the said A. M. Valentine 
 did in a very short time after use all his influence to have the said 
 Grand Street Market rebuilt within about 300 yards from said Man- 
 hattan Market, which renders the custom in said market about suf- 
 ficient for the living of two butchers, and after all this duplicity 
 did assist and effect the replacing the butchers of said Grand Street 
 Market on their original stands for the simple sum of ten dollars 
 each, and to the destruction of your petitioners. Now your peti- 
 tioners humbly pray your Honorable Body that as we, your peti- 
 tioners, were poor when we commenced, and did involve our friends 
 as our surety, under prospects from assured authority, that your Hon- 
 orable Body would relieve us, by such reductions as in your wis- 
 dom and justice may think proper, and place us on equality with our 
 brother butchers ; and as to the truth of the above statements, we 
 have the affidavits of two respectable citizens of this city, namely, 
 E. Townsend, Teller of Butchers' and Drovers' Bank, and Abraham 
 Hatfield, 11th Ward Inspector." This was signed by 
 No. 1. William Wells. No. 2. Hyatt Lyon. 
 
 - 3. David Johnson. 4. Leonard Smith. 
 
 5. Nathaniel Cromer. 6. Mathew Vogel. 
 
 The Board recommended the taking off the back rent, which 
 amounted to S. 394.50 up to May 1st, 1832. 
 
 After this period but two changes were made in the occupancy of 
 these stands ; they were on No. 3, Felix Quin, and on No. 6, William 
 D. Atkins. 
 
 In 1835 a Committee reported the completion of the "Union Mar- 
 ket," and soon after the stand-holders of this market were transferred 
 into the Union Market, and this market building was taken for 
 other public purposes until taken down. 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 527 
 
 'CLINTON MARKET." 
 
 1827. The building of a market-house on the present site of the 
 " Clinton Market" was strongly agitated many years before it was 
 consummated. In 1821 an unfavorable report was presented to the 
 Board from a Committee, which, for a time, allayed the hopes of 
 many memorialists who wished it established at that early date. 
 This report stated, " that the Common Council had lately been com- 
 pelled to take measures for the removal of the ' Ply Market,' at the 
 enormous expense of $200,000, exclusive of the expenses which may 
 arise out of that measure other than the cost of the market ;" and 
 that one of the principal reasons assigned for that removal was, 
 " that it stood over a sewer." ''Your Committee cannot perceive 
 why the presence of the mammoth sewer of Canal Street should not 
 be as valid an objection against building a market on the site al- 
 luded to as the little sewer under the Fly Market was a good reason 
 for removing it." They " cannot but think it would be the most ex- 
 treme folly to carry into effect the project of the memorialists, that 
 individual speculations ought not to be encouraged by misapplica- 
 tion of public money, and the building a market in the Canal Street 
 Basin would be, under existing circumstances, any other than a wan- 
 ton waste of public treasure ; they therefore recommend the follow- 
 ing resolution : That it is inexpedient to comply with the prayer of 
 the memorialists." 
 
 In the early part of the year 1826, at a meeting of the Board, a 
 Committee reported in favor of locating a new market-house on the 
 present site of the " Clinton Market;" but it being intercepted by a 
 numerously signed petition of about 650 citizens, who wished it to 
 be erected near the North River, at the foot of Hubert and Laight 
 Streets, was the means of deferring it, as the latter place was not 
 favorably received. However, in the end, the present site was 
 adopted, after the Legislature had passed a law to take possession 
 of these grounds. The next year the plans were reported and adopt- 
 ed. They " propose to erect a new market-house between Spring, 
 "West, Washington, and Canal Streets, embracing 190 feet on Wash- 
 ington, 191 feet 10 inches on Spring, 50 feet on West, and 280 feet 
 on Canal Streets, containing 2.3,154 square feet." " The cost will 
 not be one-fourth of the cost of Pulton Market, and the income de- 
 riving from this market will doubtless justify all the expense that 
 
528 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 will be required in its erection ;" and they resolve " that from and 
 after the establishment of the said proposed market, the old (Spring 
 Street) market be discontinued and taken down." In the month of 
 August of that year a jury was summoned by the Sheriff, consisting 
 of Joseph Ireland, A. P. Maybie, and James N. Wells, to value the 
 property taken for the erection of this market. They reported the 
 total amount to be ■■'38,400 ; and the next year, in the month of April, 
 the proposed cost (of $20,450) was presented, but it was thought it 
 could be built by contract for a less sum, when it was resolved to 
 advertise for contracts, to be built under the direction of the Market 
 Committee. This was done, the mai'ket-house commenced, and on 
 the 8th of December a resolution was adopted, giving it the name 
 of " Clinton Market," after the former Governor, De Witt Clinton. 
 
 Early in 1829 it was finished, and a resolution was passed "to sell 
 at public auction twenty-four butchers' stands, beginning at No. 15 
 and ending at No. 38, to be advertised as follows: "Public Sale. — 
 On Tuesday next, April 14, 1829i at twelve o'clock, in one of the 
 public Court-rooms in the City Hall, under the direction of the 
 Market Committee, twenty-four stands in the new market recently 
 erected on the North Eiver, known as Clinton Market. Terms 
 and conditions made known on the day of sale." 
 
 These "terms and conditions" were stated by the auctioneer, who 
 commenced the sale ; and after the sale of the first stand, no bids 
 of any amount could be obtained; one stand stood at $15 a long 
 time." The butchers were anxious to know what they were buy- 
 ing — " whether a lease of a stand for one year, or a right, which 
 shall be now guaranteed to them for their disposal, or, in case of 
 death, be for the benefit of his family; and also to be protected in 
 their business?" 
 
 Alderman Cebra, the Chairman of the Market Committee, got 
 upon the platform with the auctioneer, and stated, " that if the 
 butchers did not bid freely the sale would be stopped, as the stands 
 must sell for sufficient to pay for building the market." He at the 
 same time stated, " that they need have no fear in bidding liberally, 
 as no meat was hereafter to be sold south of Fourteenth Street, ex- 
 cept in the public markets ; and by purchasing a stand, it would be 
 a living for them, and their children after them." 
 
 Upon this announcement being made, all the stands were bid off 
 very rapidly, at prices varying from $700 to $3,000 each, to the fol- 
 lowing purchasers : 
 
 No. 15. Samuel Hill, $1,220 No. 16. Charles Lozier, $1,510 
 17. Isaac Valentine, 840 18. James H. Haws, 810 
 
 19. James Reeves, Sr., 810 20. William Haight, 700 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 529 
 
 No. 21. Tho.E.Broadway,$l,000 No. 22. James Reeves, Jr., $1,090 
 
 23. Abraham Lozier, 2,700 24. Jacob Sjler, 3,000 
 
 25. Arnest Fink, 2,600 26. John A. Fink, 3,000 
 
 27. Jacob Vogel, 1,010 28. Thomas Varian, 1,600 
 
 29. Samuel Piercy, 940 30. John Sharp, 1,130 
 
 31. William Austin, 900 32. John Miller, 1,010 
 
 33. Solomon Kipp, 1,000 34. Alex'r Underbill, 950 
 
 35. Adolphus Odell, 95^0 36. James Boyd, 1,020 
 
 37. Lawrence Martin, 2,150 38. William Hyatt, 2,310 
 
 The total amount adding up to the enormous sum of $34,250 
 
 All the purchasers paid down the ten per cent, oi premium money, 
 as was required by the terms of the sale, and were allowed to com- 
 mence business on the following Saturday, (18th of April.) Several 
 of the butchers soon after gave acceptable notes for the balance of 
 the premium, while others could not ; others, again, were not satis- 
 fied with the Common Council in not immediately performing their 
 promises, among which was the stopping the sale of meats below 
 Fourteenth Street. So that, at the meeting of the Board held June 
 15 following, the Market Committee reported that but " thirteen of 
 the butchers have complied with the terms of sale ;" and the Board 
 "Besolved, That butchers' licenses be granted to the above thirteen 
 butchers, upon the usual terms, and to such others as comply with 
 the terms of sale." 
 
 We find several of them forfeited their ten per cent, paid down, 
 and vacated ; and some, again, transferred their rights to others, 
 which was made acceptable to the Common Council. 
 
 It, however, appeared that the business was not really sufficient 
 to sustain so large a number, being double the number that occu- 
 pied the "old Spring Street Market;" so, on the 7th of December 
 following, the butchers petitioned for relief, and the Committee re- 
 ported in favor of a reduction of twenty-five per cent, from the 
 premium notes. This proved no relief; the Corporation had not 
 fulfilled their promises, and the butchers claimed that they had no 
 right, in equity, to ask them to fulfill theirs. Thus matters stood 
 for two years, when several had left their stands ; and others could 
 not pay up, or even twenty per cent., when demanded. The City 
 Collector, however, by threats of prosecution, succeeded in collect- 
 ing from some in full; others renewed their notes; and others, 
 again, declined paying, until the Corporation performed their prom- 
 ises. The latter were proceeded against, and obliged to settle up, 
 or were deprived of all which they had paid, which in some in- 
 stances was of large amounts. 
 Vol. I.— 34 
 
530 CLINTON MAEKET. 
 
 In the month of April, 1830, the following persons received per- 
 mits to occupy stands as hucksters : Ann Parkman, Mary Shears^ 
 Elizabeth Anderson, Elizabeth Allison, Eliza Hunt, Sarah Murphy, 
 Eliza Young, and Ann Bray. 
 
 Soon after, a building for a country market had been petitioned 
 for, which brought a report from a committee, which was adopted, 
 on the 22d October, 1833, to use the triangular block of ground 
 bounded by Canal, Hoboken, West, and Washington Streets, for 
 that purpose. It was the property of the city, having been filled 
 up and gained from the North River many years before, and at this 
 period it was used for public purposes. A part for a place of de- 
 posit for fuel, to supply the necessities of the poor during the win- 
 ter, and the other part with paving-stone. 
 
 A resolution was passed to appropriate this ground for a country 
 market, " for the accommodation of persons bringing articles, the 
 produce of their farms, for sale." But the building of the market- 
 house was not proceeded with until the latter part of the next year, 
 as we find a resolution passed in the month of September, " that a 
 market-house be built on these grounds, to extend the whole length 
 of the Canal Street line, in conformity to the plans ;" and " that the 
 sum of three thousand five hundred dollars be, and the same is 
 hereby, appropriated for carrying the foregoing resolution into 
 effect." A further sum of nine hundred and fifty-five dollars was 
 appropriated for the same purpose on the 24th of November follow- 
 ing. It was soon after erected, and for many years after, on cer- 
 tain days of the week, was filled with country people and their pro- 
 ductions, with great satisfaction to its patrons ; and no doubt this 
 addition, with the performance of the duties of that energetic Cor- 
 poration Attorney, the late N- B. Blunt, had much improved the 
 business here. He was ever successful, and all delinquents feared 
 his sudden and overpowering attacks in sustaining those laws. 
 He honored the ofiice more than the office honored him. 
 
 Previous to the erection of this country market, in the month of 
 April, a resolution was passed to sell at public auction, on the 29th 
 inst., stands Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and possession of them on the 1st 
 of May following. The sale took place, and stand No. 1 was sold 
 to William Anderson, for the sum of $4,200, with a rent of $100 ; 
 No. 2 to Walter Anderson, for ^13,600, rent $100; No. 3 to Arnest 
 Fink, Jr., $2,000, with $60 rent ; and No. 4 to William Lawrence, 
 for $1,380, with a rent also of f60— making a total of $11,180 cash 
 paid for four stands, was certainly a large amount, although Nos. 1 
 and 2 were thought to be the best stands in this or any other mar- 
 ket, being both corners on Canal Street, and the nearest to the 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 53I 
 
 country market. This amount, added mth the first Sale, would 
 make a total of $37,470 paid for twenty-eight stands, with a fixed 
 yearly rent on each stand besides. This amount, within a trifle, 
 would pay what the whole grounds cost ; leaving nothing but the 
 interest of the cost of the buildings and repairs, to be annually paid, 
 to keep it from being a tax on the city. 
 
 There were yet ten vacant stands left, between Nos. 4 and 15, lo- 
 cated on the Washington Street side, which numerous applications 
 were made for through petition, and the Market Committee had the 
 subject up before them at various intervals, of the propriety of dis- 
 posing of them by auction ; the matter, however, was deferred until 
 the premium system had become unpopular, and in 1837, on the 2d 
 of February, they made arrangements to have them drawn for; 
 " which was done openly, and in the presence of such of the butchers 
 as wished to be present, and, as the Committee believe, to their en- 
 tire satisfaction." In the month of June they ^^ Resolved, That his 
 Honor the Mayor be requested to issue butchers' licenses to the fol- 
 lowing persons in Clinton Market, viz. : 
 " No. 5. Daniel Sammis. No. 6. William H. Crary. 
 
 7. John H. Groshon. 8. Alexander Berryman. 
 
 9. George Starr. 10. Edward Norris. 
 
 11. Samuel Pheasant. 12. James Day. 
 
 13. James Darby. 14. Richard Valentine. 
 
 "Resolved, That the above-named butchers pay two months' rent 
 forthwith ; such renting to be for one year only, from the 1st of 
 May, 1837." 
 
 In 1840 the stands were occupied by the following persons: 
 No. 1. Thomas E. Broadway. No. 2. Jacob R. Reed. 
 
 3. Robert Beaty. 4. Henry M. Valentine. 
 
 5. Christopher Allen. 6. William H. McCreery. 
 
 7. Morris Haight. 8. Alexander Berryman. 
 
 9. George Starr. 10. Vacant. 
 
 11. Samuel Pheasant. 12. James Day. 
 
 13. James Darby. 14. James Valentine. 
 
 15. Samuel P. Patterson. 16. Charles Lozier. 
 
 17. Isaac Valentine. 18. Edwin Roblin. 
 
 19. William Valleau. 20. George Gillet. 
 
 21. Edmund Broadway. 22. James Reeves, Jun'r. 
 
 23. Henry Cook. 24. Theodore L. Pink. 
 
 25. Arnest Fink. 26. Jacob H. Fink. 
 
 ^7. Alexander Underhill. 28. Edward Phillips. 
 
 29. Lawrence Wiseburn. 30. George H. Keyser. 
 
 31. George A. Wilt. 32. Alfred Smith. 
 
532 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 No. 33. Charles Eeeves. No. 34. Lyman Seely. 
 
 35. Adolphus Odell. 36. William Haiglit. 
 
 37. Lawrence Martin. 38. "William E. Hyatt. 
 
 The market laws, for many years, had attracted considerable at- 
 tention, both for and against them ; and although the premium sys- 
 tem of selling stands had been given up, and the gift or drawing 
 of stands had been established, yet some of the principal public offi- 
 cers thought or concluded it unpopular to prosecute the offenders, 
 and would not perform their duty. This, no doubt, assisted in call- 
 ing forth the following petition from the licensed butchers, dated 
 January, 1837 : 
 
 " That your petitioners hold and occupy stands or stalls in the pub- 
 lic markets of the City of New York, which have been heretofore 
 granted to them by the Corporation of the City, and for which 
 stands your petitioners have paid large sums of money into the City 
 Treasury in rents and premiums. 
 
 " That your petitioners, iu the occupancy of said stands, and in the 
 conducting and management of their business as licensed butchers, 
 are subject to various laws, ordinances, and regulations which the 
 Corporation of the City has from time to time found it necessary or 
 expedient to establish for the public benefit and convenience, and 
 which your petitioners are bound to observe under heavy penalties, 
 and the risk of forfeiture of their stands and licenses. 
 
 " That believing these laws and ordinances, although in many in- 
 stances subjecting your petitioners to great expense and inconven- 
 ience, are calculated and intended to promote the interests of the 
 public and to secure the citizens an abundant and reasonable sup- 
 ply of sound and wholesome provisions, your petitioners have at all 
 times submitted thereto without complaint. 
 
 " That the most prominent of these laws forbids the sale of butch- 
 ers' meat at any place or places in the city except the public mar- 
 kets ; upon which law the whole of our system of public markets de- 
 pends, and upon faith of the observance and enforcement whereof 
 many of your petitioners were induced (under the former regulations 
 for the sale of stands) to pay large sums to the Corporation for the 
 stands they still occupy, and to embark their means in their present 
 business. But your petitioners have seen with the utmost astonish- 
 ment that this salutary law has been permitted to be evaded from 
 year to year, with so little attention on the part of the constituted 
 authorities of the city, notwithstanding the repeated remonstrances 
 of your petitioners, that it is at length openly violated and disre- 
 garded, and meat-shops are now established in almost every part of 
 the city with perfect impunity. That these shops, being out of the 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 533 
 
 control and in open defiance of the public authorities, and not under 
 the inspection of public officers, or the wholesome restraints of com- 
 petition, are calculated to become the vehicles of vending bad and 
 unwholesome provisions, and the flesh of animals which have died 
 from accident or disease, and which could not be exhibited in the 
 public markets and exposed to experienced observers without detec- 
 tion. And your petitioners further show, that an attempt has been 
 made to enlist the sympathies of the public on behalf of the occu- 
 pants of these shops, by the allegation that all butchers who are un- 
 able to purchase stands are excluded from the public markets, al- 
 though it is well known to all engaged in the business that the sell- 
 ing of butchers' stands has been discontinued by the Corporation, 
 and that all the new stands in the public markets, appropriated 
 during the last year, according to the system now established, were 
 granted to the holders without premiums, and that all butchers of 
 respectable character were given an equal chance for the vacant 
 places. 
 
 "And your petitioners further show, that the occupants of the meat- 
 shops prefer their illicit trade to an open and fair competition in the 
 public markets, where the quality of their meats and the fairness of 
 their dealings would be subject to inspection, and be brought into 
 comparison with others; and if these shops were suppressed, the 
 vacant stands, of which there are a great number in the public mar- 
 kets, could be filled without injury to your petitioners, and with in- 
 creased benefit to the public. And your petitioners further show, 
 that inasmuch as these vacant stands would be granted, according 
 to the present system, without premiums, the occupants would not 
 be under as heavy expenses as the keepers of shops who pay rents ; 
 the rent of the market stands being from ten to one hundred dollars, 
 while the shop rents vary from one hundred to four hundred dollars 
 per annum. And your petitioners further show, that they have 
 viewed with the deepest regret the encouragement given to these 
 open violations of the law by individuals in our public bodies, who 
 have in many instances interposed to prevent the enforcement of the 
 law, while the individuals complained of were still setting the insti- 
 tutions of the city at defiance. 
 
 " That your petitioners, while engaged in the lawful exercise of 
 their business, and submitting to those regulations which the Fathers 
 of our City have seen fit to establish for the public good, have been 
 assailed with obloquy and abuse by those who have grown bold 
 enough in their impunity to claim as a right what they first practiced 
 by stealth, and who stigmatize as aristocrats and monopolists those 
 citizens who respect the laws which they are daily violating. Your 
 
534 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 petitioners do not deem it necessary to answer tliesc absurd charges ; 
 if they are monopolists, so are all our citizens whose occupations are 
 the subject of regiil i tions for the benefit of the whole community. 
 
 " Neither do your petitioners deem it necessary to set forth the 
 advantages derived by the community from the establishment of 
 public markets, in opposition to private shops. The open and direct 
 competition of the whole trade, as well as the incidental competi- 
 tion of the country people, and the variety of supplies of all kinds 
 which the public markets bring together, have always been consid- 
 ered as best calculated to keep down the prices of provisions to the 
 lowest state which the general demand and supply of the whole city 
 will admit, and no possible advantage can be gained by the com- 
 munity in destroying the public markets, and preventing this whole- 
 some competition. Nor can any just ground of complaint be set 
 up by the keepers of shops, that they are excluded from the mar- 
 kets, while a large number of vacant stands could be filled advan- 
 tageously if these shops were suppressed, and which can be obtained 
 upon much cheaper terms than the shops themselves, by any persons 
 of good character, who are qualified for licenses. Your petitioners 
 therefore pray that the laws and ordinances of the Corporation to 
 regulate the public markets, and the sale of butchers' meat, may be 
 enforced, and that the meat-shops throughout the city may be sup- 
 pressed ; that Superintendents of the Public Markets may be ap- 
 pointed, whose duty it shall be to enforce the market laws generally, 
 and more particularly those relating to the sale of butchers' meat 
 out of the public markets; and that these Superintendents may be 
 compensated by a suitable salary, but not by any portion of the 
 fines and penalties to be received upon prosecutions, of which, in the 
 opinion of your petitioners, they should be entirely independent; 
 and that, upon the suppression of such shops, that the unoccupied 
 stands in the public markets may be granted to such persons as may 
 be duly qualified, without premiums, in the manner recently pursued 
 by the Market Committee — giving all applicants of good character 
 an equal chance." 
 
 No relief however, was obtained by the licensed butchers. Some- 
 times some of the members of the Board would attempt assistance, 
 but it was either for show, or they were not encouraged by their 
 associates. Several resolutions were introduced before the Board, 
 by different members, on the 16th of December, 1839, which were 
 intended for relief; they were, however, laid over; they appear as 
 follows: " Besolved, Tha.t it is expedient to amend the ordinances 
 relative to public markets in such manner as to permit meat to be 
 sold in other places than the public markets, and so that persons 
 
CLINTON MAEKET. 535 
 
 may bring into and sell in any of the public markets meat, beef, 
 mutton, veal, or lamb not killed in the city, although not raised or 
 slaughtered on their own farms, subject to such inspection or regu- 
 lation as may be prescribed. 
 
 "Resolved, That such provisions shall be made as may be reason- 
 able and just for the repaying of those butchers who may have paid 
 premiums to the Corporation for stalls within the last ten years, 
 such parts of said premiums as they may be justly entitled to." 
 
 "Resolved, That the Market Committee be requested to report 
 such amendments to the ordinances relative to the public markets 
 as will extend the privilege to licensed butchers to sell at other 
 places than the public markets, under suitable regulations, and as 
 shall give just and adequate relief to such butchers as may have 
 paid premiums to the Corporation for stalls purchased by them." 
 
 " Resolved, That the Comptroller be, and is hereby, authorized to 
 refund all money, with interest, which has been paid into the City 
 Treasury for premiums on butchers' stands in the public markets, 
 and that one hundred and fifty tlvousand dollars be, and is hereby, 
 appropriated for that purpose." 
 
 " Resolved, That it is expedient so to amend the market laws as 
 to permit sales of meat at private stalls ; and that the amount paid 
 by the licensed butchers for the purchase of their stalls be refunded 
 to them, and said stalls be rented yearly, by public auction." 
 
 These were referred, reported upon, and again, in the month of 
 January, 1840, at another meeting, it was 
 
 "Resolved, That the report of the Market Committee of the 2d 
 inst., together with the accompanying documents, and the resolutions 
 presented to this Board on the 16th inst., on the subject of markets, 
 be referred to a Select Committee of five members from each 
 Board." 
 
 "Resolved, That it be referred to the Joint Special Committee, 
 appointed in relation to the market laws, to inquire into and report 
 upon the expediency of submitting the repeal of the existing mar- 
 ket regulations to the people at the ensuing election, with a condi- 
 tion of fully indemnifying the butchers for the amount of moneys paid 
 by them into the City Treasury for premium stands, and that the 
 question be decided by the electors, by voting yes or no." 
 
 This Select Committee of ten from both Boards, on the 2d of March 
 following, reported on the above resolutions as follows : 
 
 " Report. — The subject referred to your Committee is one that 
 seriously affects the interests of our constituents ! The public health, 
 the comfort and convenience of our constituents, and the revenue of 
 the city, are matters of too much importance to be subjects of care- 
 
536 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 less or hasty legislation. Your Committee have therefore maturely- 
 considered the whole question in its leading aspects, and respect- 
 fully state the following as the facts which have appeared before 
 them, and the conclusions to which they have arrived. 
 
 " The whole number of markets in the city is twelve ; the value 
 of which in fee is about one million of dollars. The revenue annual- 
 ly accruing from market rents, butchers* licenses, and sources of a 
 similar character, may be safely estimated at about the sum of sixty 
 thousand dollars. It is true that the whole amount of these rents 
 is not regularly or punctually collected, and that many of the oc- 
 cupants of stalls have refused the payment of their rents in conse- 
 quence of the numerous violations of the market laws, which they 
 state exist to such an extent as to deprive them of their usual and 
 ordinary business, whereby they have heretofore been enabled to 
 pay their rents; and that the officers under the Corporation, whose 
 especial duty it is to complain of such violations and prosecute the 
 same to judgment, have either neglected or refused to protect them 
 against these violations. The greater part of the sum thus accruing 
 from markets either has, or (there is reason to believe) in a short 
 period of time will be collected into the public treasury. 
 
 " The annual expense of maintaining the present markets, in- 
 cluding the salaries of the officers charged with their superintend- 
 ence and other necessary expenses, may be stated at about eighteen 
 thousand dollars, Avhich will leave the net revenue of the markets 
 about forty-two thousand dollars per annum. 
 
 " The questions to which the Committee particularly directed their 
 attention were the following : Have the Common Council, under the 
 Constitution of the State and the Charter of the City, any right to 
 enact laws similar to those now in force for the regulation of the 
 public markets? How would the repeal of the existing laws affect 
 the public health and convenience, or pecuniary interests of the city? 
 
 " The first question raised by this Committee has been fully and 
 ably discussed in the report of the Market Committee of December 
 2d, 1839. With the views of that Committee the undersigned (after 
 a careful investigation, and under the impression that the arguments 
 therein contained might be found untenable,) are constrained fully 
 to concur. The exercise of the power is almost universally admitted 
 in this country, as in other enlightened governments, to be necessary 
 for the protection of the public health, by preventing the nuisances 
 of badly-regulated slaughter-houses in crowded parts of a large city, 
 and by preventing the sale of unwholesome meats. 
 
 " It is unnecessary to enter into a full discussion of the effect on 
 an unregulated pursuit of the business of butchers upon the public 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 537 
 
 health and convenience. The experience of many cities has given 
 rise to the creation of legal restraints upon the exercise of that busi- 
 ness, (which in themselves considered appear arbitrary,) but have 
 proved the necessity of some judicious restraints in all densely-pop- 
 ulated communities. The restraints upon the exercise of any busi- 
 ness should not be greater than public necessity requires. In this 
 case some restrictions are undoubtedly necessary; and could an 
 amendment to the existing system be proposed which would ade- 
 quately secure the public interests in this material respect, and at 
 the same time increase the accommodation of the public and give a 
 greater opportunity to others to enter into the business of butchers, 
 it would meet the approval of your Committee. No amendment, 
 however, that fully meets the views of your Committee has been pro- 
 posed, and the subject is surrounded with so many diflSculties that 
 your Committee are not prepared to suggest one to the Common 
 Council. 
 
 " Your Committee entertain no doubt that the existing market 
 laws are not in violation of the Charter of the City, or the Consti- 
 tution of the State, although in some particulars they appear to be 
 oppressive ; yet it is confidently believed that the Common Council 
 and all good citizens will agree with the Committee, that under the 
 existing diificulties in which this subject is involved, and by a care- 
 ful perusal of the arguments to which your Committee would re- 
 spectfully call their attention, so far as it relates to the public finances, 
 that no material alteration can now be made without a violation of 
 the faith of the city to the public creditors. 
 
 " The debt of the City of New York is at this time large, and, by 
 necessity, must be gradually increased, until the final completion of 
 the Croton Water-Works. Under these circumstances, your Com- 
 mittee believe it to be the duty of the Common Council to take all 
 legal and proper measures in their power to protect ihe public 
 from further burdens. The taxes of the city are now sufficiently 
 onerous to create much anxiety in the public mind. The ordinary 
 revenues of the city, independently of taxation, are not adequate to 
 the payment of its current expenses, and will not be sufficient for 
 that purpose for many years. Whatever portion of the revenue 
 other than the annual taxes is taken away, a deficiency in the an- 
 nual receipts will be created, which can be supplied only by a resort 
 to new loans, or to taxation. The annual net revenue from mar- 
 kets, as hereinbefore stated, amounts to about forty-two thousand 
 dollars. That a repeal of the existing market laws will have the 
 effect of greatly diminishing, and perhaps entirely destroying that 
 branch of the public revenue, your Committee entertain no doubt. 
 
638 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 " Independently of the necessary evils of a diminished revenue, to 
 which your Committee have already adverted, it is a matter of great 
 doubt whether the Common Council have not placed it beyond their 
 power to repeal the existing market laws. By reference to Title 2 
 of Chapter 17 of the Laws and Ordinances of the Common Coun- 
 cil, entitled 'A Law providing for the Redemption of the City 
 Debt,' it will be seen that ' the net proceeds of all sales of real 
 estate which belonged to the Corporation on the first day of Janu- 
 ary, 1825, and sold since that date, or hereafter to be sold, and all 
 moneys heretofore received, or hereafter to be received, for market 
 fees and market rents, are pledged, appropriated, and applied to, 
 and constituted and form, a fund, called " The Sinking Fund of the 
 City of New York," until the whole of the present stocks of the 
 city shall be finally and fully redeemed.' Also, by reference to 
 Title 3 of the same Chapter, amendatory of the aforesaid law, it 
 will be seen that ' the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund are au- 
 thorized to invest so much as may be necessary of the balance of 
 the said fund standing to their credit, or which may stand to their 
 credit hereafter on the books of the Comptroller, in the purchase 
 of a piece of land in the Eleventh Ward, between North and Second 
 Streets, and in the purchase of land for extending and improving 
 the Grand Street, Essex, and Centre Markets; and the whole of the 
 rents, fees, and income of the said markets, in their improved state, 
 and land thus purchased, is hereby appropriated and pledged for 
 the payment of principal and interest of the sum that shall be thus 
 drawn from the said fund.' 
 
 "As these ordinances were severally passed prior to the creation 
 of the stocks, the Committee deem the faith of the city as pledged 
 to the holders of the stock ; and that all the proceeds of the sales 
 of real estate, and the, moneys received for premiums, rents, and 
 fees of the several markets, should be applied to the extinguish- 
 ment of the debt; and that no part of these revenues can be taken 
 from that fund, justly or legally, for other purposes. 
 
 " If this view of the subject is correct, no premiums can be re- 
 funded to the butchers from the revenues of the markets, and no 
 portion of the premiums received can be withdrawn from that fund, 
 as it has been expended in the purchase of other lands, and the 
 erection of other market-places ; and this, again, pledged back to 
 the sinking fund. Whatever amount it may be necessary to repay 
 them, in case the present market laws are repealed, must be pro- 
 cured by loan or taxation ; none of the public property can be sold 
 for that purpose, as it is all pledged to the public creditors ; and 
 until their claims are satisfied, no money can or ought to be raised 
 
CLINTON MARKKX. 539 
 
 from that source for other purposes. Your Committee believe that 
 it is generally admitted that, provided the present market system is 
 abolished, the butchers ought to be paid the whole, or a fair and 
 equitable proportion, of the amounts they have severally paid into 
 the City Treasury. If the Corporation would not legally, they 
 would in equity, be bound to refund some portion, if not all, the 
 moneys received in that way. If this be so, to effect the proposed 
 repeal, or make any important amendments to the law, in which 
 damage would be sustained by the butchers, a new debt must be 
 created, or additional taxes must be imposed upon the people. 
 
 " The market revenues and real estate of the city, including mar- 
 ket-houses and the ground on which they stand, are pledged, as here- 
 inbefore stated, by a solemn act of the Common Council, as security 
 for the public debt. "With the wisdom or propriety of this course 
 your Committee have nothing to do. The contract has been made, 
 and your Committee have only to inquire at this time how far that 
 contract is binding on the city. 
 
 " The debt secured by this pledge of real estate and the revenues 
 of the markets was contracted in the exercise of the ordinary and 
 legal powers of the Common Council. This debt cannot be repudiated 
 by the Common Council, nor can they in justice to themselves, with- 
 out the consent of the public creditors, withdraw the security which 
 has been offered on the one part and accepted on the other, nor do 
 your Committee believe the Corporation can equitably do any act 
 which will tend to decrease the value of the security. That a re- 
 duction in the amount of revenue from markets, and a decrease in 
 the value of the real estate devoted to market purposes would have 
 that effect, is evident. The faith of the city cannot be violated with- 
 out the consent of the people. 
 
 " These are important considerations, and your Committee have no 
 doubt that the public, upon a full consideration of the matter, will 
 submit to any inconvenience which many of them deem they suffer 
 under the existing system, rather than cause an additional burden 
 of tax to be imposed upon themselves, or submit to a violation of 
 any contract with the public creditors made by their former repre- 
 sentatives. 
 
 " Some members of your Committee were informed that the jour- 
 neymen and apprentice butchers were advocates for a repeal of the 
 market laws. This Board and the public will be enabled to judge 
 of the correctness of this information from the petition hereunto an- 
 nexed, received by your Committee while in session, signed by three 
 hundred and eighteen of the journeymen and apprentice butchers, 
 (being all in the city, with the exception of two or three, as your 
 Committee are informed,) which is as following, to wit: 
 
540 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 " ' The petition of the journeymen and apprentice butchers respect- 
 fully represents — That your Honorable Body, some fifty or sixty 
 years since, enacted laws regulating the public markets, and under 
 the authority of that law established such rules and regulations as 
 were deemed necessary to their perfect operation; one of which 
 rules exacted an apprenticeship of seven years, but since modified to 
 four years, to qualify your petitioners to obtain a stand in any of 
 the said markets ; and your petitioners have been further assured 
 by every consecutive Board, that said rules and regulations should 
 be continued, have been seriously induced by said assurances to 
 learn the business, and have now arrived at that time of life at which 
 they had a right to believe, under said assurances, their rights would 
 not be violated ; and although we are now without stands, we are not 
 without hope that the time is fast approaching when we can obtain 
 them honorably, and commence our business, either without asking 
 your Honorable Body to violate or abolish, as we believe, the best- 
 regulated public markets in the world, or feel a disposition to do so 
 ourselves ; and we further believe that those who are now engaged 
 in shops, and are continually soliciting your Honorable Body to 
 abolish said laws and regulations, would not hesitate to ask you to 
 break down every barrier and destroy every guard that the law has 
 erected for the preservation of peace, health, and morality, to con- 
 summate their wishes. 
 
 " ' "We therefore respectfully request your Honorable Body to sus- 
 tain the market laws as they now are, believing that the public good 
 would be best served thereby. New York, 5th February, 1840.' 
 
 " The Committee deem it proper to state, that when they first en- 
 tered upon the discharge of the duty assigned them, a majority of 
 their number were of the opinion that some amendments might be 
 made to the existing system, which would be satisfactory to our citi- 
 zens, secure the public interests, and be acceptable to the butchers ; 
 under the peculiar circumstances of the case, however, and in view 
 of all the arguments presented, your Committee deem it advisable 
 to recommend to the Common Council, that until some other ar- 
 rangements can be made to pay the existing public debt, they will 
 refrain from any legislation which may be construed as a violation 
 of the public faith, or which may expose our citizens to new and un- 
 expected burdens, and possibly endanger the health of our city. The 
 system of disposing of stalls in the public markets for premiums 
 your Committee believe to be erroneous. Had markets been erect- 
 ed of a less size, and at less expense than those now in existence ; 
 had they been increased in number and more equally distributed 
 throughout the city, the public convenience would have been greatly 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 541 
 
 advanced ; and in addition to this, had the stands (instead of being 
 sold for premiums) been disposed of at short intervals, by leasing 
 them at public auction to the highest bidder, more opportunities 
 would have been offered to those desirous of procuring stalls for the' 
 transaction of business, greater competition in the sale of meats, and 
 the revenues of the markets increased rather than diminished. 
 
 "Your Committee would call the attention of the Common Council 
 to this branch of the subject, if any legislation in relation thereto, at 
 the present time, would result in any improvement without materially 
 affecting the public treasury, or violating the faith of the city to the 
 public creditors, or the holders of the premium stalls. The Com- 
 mittee, in conclusion, respectfully recommend the adoption of the 
 first and second resolutions accompanying the Report of the Market 
 Committee, hereunto annexed. Signed by the Committee." 
 
 Two years after (1842) the subject of paying back to the butchers 
 the amounts by them paid as premiums came up again, but this time 
 it was referred to the then Comptroller, D. D. Williamson, who not 
 only reported unfavorably to the paying back of the premiums, but 
 also -says, the butchers " have no claim on the city, either in law or 
 equity, for a reduction of rent, or for a return of money heretofore 
 paid by them as premiums for a choice of stands in any of the public 
 markets." 
 
 This report of Williamson's was deemed both unreasonable and 
 illiberal, according to the evidence presented. However, one of the 
 occupant butchers on No. 28, Edward Phillips, prepared the follow- 
 ing in answer to the Comptroller's Report, which was read by Al- 
 derman Davis at a subsequent meeting of the Board. This appears 
 addressed: 
 
 "To Alderman Davis: 
 
 "Dear Sir — In the interview I had the pleasure of having with 
 you on the subject of the memorial adopted at a meeting of the 
 butchers, in relation to presenting the same to the Honorable the 
 Board of Aldermen, you then stated to me that the subject of mar- 
 kets and market laws was a subject on which you had thought but 
 little, but was desirous to hear all that could be said for and 
 against, that you might be better enabled to make up your opinion 
 understandingly ; and believing the Report of the Comptroller cal- 
 culated to prejudice your mind against the memorialists, above re- 
 ferred to, unless some of its absurdities should be pointed out, is the 
 only apology I shall offer for troubling you with this scrawl at 
 present. 
 " What the Comptroller says in relation to the reduction of 
 
542 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 rents I should pass by in silence, were it not for some statements, 
 whicli I am at a loss to account for the manner in which they found 
 their way in said Report, unless they have been received through 
 second hands. But then, sir, from the high opinion I have enter- 
 tained for the Comptroller, I am still at a loss to account for the 
 use of language as follows : ' It is well known that the butchers 
 have refused, and still refuse, to pay rent,' &c. Now, sir, when this 
 Eeport made its appearance, the butchers of Clinton Market were 
 called together for the purpose of hearing said Report read ; and 
 among that whole assemblage there was none found who had re- 
 fused to pay rent, while many are ready to testify that the former 
 Collector — and far he it from me, sir, to disturh the ashes of the dead 
 — repeatedly told them they ought not to pay while shops were per- 
 mitted unmolested. He then goes on to say the Attorney of the 
 Corporation had often been foiled in his efforts to sustain the mar- 
 ket laws, and assigns the causes that produced the failure, and then 
 proceeds with an attempt of odium on the butchers for not leaving 
 their business to become informers against violators of the market 
 laws, by asking, with some degree of triumph, as it appears, who 
 ever saw a licensed butcher in evidence against meat-shops, &c. 
 Now, sir, the fact is notorious, and I am surprised at such a state- 
 ment coming from the Comptroller, that butchers have time and time 
 again, not only individually, but collectively, complained of these 
 violations of laws, and have appeared in court as witnesses in be- 
 half of the city — but, sir, the Attorney has been foiled, this we 
 acknowledge — but deny that his failures are attributable to the 
 causes stated in the Report. The facts in the case are notorious, 
 and I would refer you to Mr. Tomlinson, who has tried the most 
 of these cases for the last three years, who will state to you, as he 
 has to me, that the causes which have created prejudices in the 
 public mind against markets are, first, by the selling of stalls in 
 the manner as the public understand it. The Comptroller's opinion 
 to the contrary notwithstanding — your markets have become private 
 instead of public markets, and as such ought not to be sustained. 
 This, sir, together with the custom long in practice, that all persons 
 must first serve an apprenticeship at the business before they were 
 permitted to hold licenses for the purpose of carrying on the same, 
 are the monopoly features connected with your market laws ; and I 
 think the Comptroller might have informed himself, had he taken 
 a little trouble to inquire what public sentiment is on this subject. 
 But the Report goes on to say that the butchers have not taken out 
 licenses for the last four years, and are therefore not in a situation 
 to claim protection. Now, sir, what are the facts in this case ? It 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 543 
 
 is true that the first license receired costs one dollar, and but 
 twenty -five cents for every renewal : whilst it was for many years 
 customary for the Superintendents of Markets to come to the diifer- 
 ent markets at the expiration of each license year, with a renewal 
 of the same; and I think, yea, I know, the Comptroller can point to 
 no period when such renewal, presented as above stated, has been re- 
 fused. Then, sir, it is not the fault of the butchers that they have 
 not had their licenses renewed, but the fault of the city authorities^, 
 whose duty, it appears to me, was first to continue the custom es- 
 tablished by themselves, or to give notice of the adoption of some 
 new regulation. The Report goes on to say that the age has gone 
 by when a market monopoly will be tolerated. This, sir, I fully 
 agree with, and would only refer you to the memorial adopted at 
 the meeting of the butchers, to show you that such is the opinion 
 of a large majority of them. But the Report recommends a change 
 in the manner of collecting the revenue from the markets. This, 
 sir, I also believe to be preferable, for two reasons : 1st. In order 
 that your markets should be what they ought to be — public mar- 
 kets'—where all and every person may go to vend their meats, and 
 by the adoption of this system will pay in proportion to the amount 
 of business they do ; and 2d. That this system, carried out, will pro- 
 duce a greater amount of revenue than ever has yet been received 
 from public markets. But the Comptroller now, sir, assigns a rea- 
 son for the payment of fees — that all persons vending meats should be 
 amenable to the city authorities, in order that the community should 
 have good and wholesome meats, and should not be liable, as he 
 more than intimates, to the imposition which is now practiced, in the 
 manner meat-shops now exist. But it strikes me, sir, that the 
 Comptroller did not, when he penned that part of his Report, sec 
 that he was advancing one of the strongest arguments in favor of 
 public markets, or he would, judging from the general spirit of his 
 Report, have omitted it. But here, sir, there is not a hint dropped 
 as to how this security, which he admits to be so necessary, shall 
 be preserved to the community, by the system of shop-butchers. 
 No, sir, not even a suggestion ; and, as I think, sir, wisely, too ; for 
 if the health of the community requires all the security contained in 
 the Report here referred to — and I.knowing something of the business 
 of a butcher, believe it does — I would ask, and ask, sir, with some 
 emphasis, how it is possible to receive it with so much safety as by the 
 system of public markets, where the public have not only the secu- 
 rity of a public officer, whose duty it is to inspect all that is there 
 exposed for sale ; but, my word for it, they have still a better secu- 
 rity in the fact that it is there brought in competition with whole- 
 
544 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 some meats — which fact alone would deter any who are base enough 
 to vend meats, died of disease, privatel3', as they have now an op- 
 portunity to do. Here they could not escape detection; while it is 
 here, and here alone, sir, that the community has what the Comp- 
 troller thinks they stand so much in need of, and which I can, from 
 facts within my knowledge, subscribe to. 
 
 " But, sir, perhaps all that I have said in relation to reduction of 
 rents might have been omitted, as such reduction was not asked for 
 by the memorialists, and I assure you, sir, would have been, were it 
 not, as I stated in the outset, for some statements there made cal- 
 culated to mislead a mind, as, sir, I have every reason to believe 
 you was honestly seeking for truth on this subject. But, sir, in re- 
 lation to refunding the amount paid into the City Treasury for pre- 
 miums, we have from the Comptroller strong language, by saying, 
 1st. Has the Corporation sold any stall or stand to the butchers ? 
 I answer, No. And 2d. Has any butcher ever paid for any stand 
 in the public markets ? I answer, No. And finally conclude the 
 whole by giving his OPINION that they have no claim on the city, 
 either in law or equity. Now, sir, to propound a question of law, I 
 acknowledge my entire incompetency, and will therefore leave that 
 with the learned Comptroller. But, sir, when some of the facts in 
 relation to the matter, now pending before the Honorable the 
 Board of Aldermen, are stated — and facts, sir, which the Comp- 
 troller himself could not be ignorant of — I am at a loss to account 
 for the school of morals in which the Comptroller learned the 
 meaning of the word ' equity.' For Walker defines it justice, 
 right, honorable. And now, sir, I will confine what few remarks I 
 have to make to Clinton Market, believing this will be sufficient to 
 give you a general idea of the whole. Then, sir, to the facts. 
 Some fifteen years ago — for I shall not be particular about dates — 
 there stood at the foot of Spring Street, in the centre of the street, 
 one small market-house, running from Greenwich Street to the 
 river, built by the inhabitants, and ceded to the Corporation, which 
 afforded ample accommodation for twelve butchers and hucksters; 
 but it is true these butchers went in said market by having their 
 stalls granted them prior to the passage of that law for the putting 
 up at public auction. Well, sir, in this state, the wants of the 
 neighborhood, in the wisdom of the Common Council, required a 
 larger market, which resulted in the erection of Clinton Market. 
 Now, sir, when this was completed, the butchers then standing in 
 the old market-house asked for places to be assigned them there to 
 do their business ; but they were told that the old market-house 
 would be torn down, and if they wanted to carry on their business 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 545 
 
 they must buy a stand in competition -with others ; that the law 
 prohibited the sale of meats south of Fourteenth Street elsewhere 
 than in public markets, and that said law would be enforced. And 
 now, sir, for the result : these twelve butchers, with twelve others, 
 making twenty-four, bought the number of stalls that was then sold, 
 when, some three years after, the Common Council sold four 
 more, making in all twenty-eight stalls. Now, admitting the bills 
 then posted did state that the good-will or choice of stands, as the 
 Comptroller understands it, would be sold for one year, for it is so 
 long since I read them, I have forgot how they did read. I say ad- 
 mit, and what is proved, for certainly it appears to me, first, that 
 the butchers were driven out of the place where they were doing 
 business by the very power that placed them there. 2d. They were 
 compelled to purchase a stand, in order to carry on their business, 
 on such terms as the Common Council pleased to propose, as the 
 law prohibited them from selling meat south of Fourteenth Street 
 except in public markets. And, sir, I think you will perceive, from 
 this simple statement, that the butchers have been, in all this pre- 
 mium business, mere creatures of the power of the Corporation, 
 and in no instance were permitted to act their own will, if they 
 would carry on their business. And now, in the face of all these 
 facts : 
 
 " 1st. Being driven from their place of business; 
 
 " 2d. Compelled to go to another place under such rules and reg- 
 ulations as the Common Council pleased to propose, and these terms 
 involving the amount of money now asked to be refunded; 
 
 " 3d. After selling 28 stalls in Clinton Market for more than one- 
 half of the whole amount received in the City Treasury for pre- 
 miums; and, 
 
 " 4th. After such sales, to place 10 stalls in said market without 
 paying any premiums, and these better stalls than many that were 
 sold, thereby bringing those who were compelled to buy in unjust 
 competition, as the rents of the stalls thus given away were no more 
 annually than those who paid large premiums were compelled to pay: 
 
 " I say, sir, with these simple facts staring the Comptroller in the 
 face, and they are not half that might be told, I am at loss to know 
 the school of morals he was educated in, when he asserts we have 
 no claim in equity. But, sir, it is not to the Comptroller that we 
 are now looking for a redress of our grievances long complained 
 of; it is to the Honorable the Board of Aldermen that we look. Yea, 
 I may say that all eyes are looking for an honorable adjustment of 
 this matter, and for a prominent disposition of your markets and 
 market laws. Yours, with respect." 
 Vol. I.— 35 
 
546 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 " When the above letter -was read in the presence of the butchers 
 of Clinton Market — for it was in compliance with their request it 
 was written — they resolved unanimously that Alderman Davis be 
 requested to cause the same to be read in the Board of Aldermen 
 this (Monday) evening, December 12th, 1842, if the same be in accord- 
 ance with his feelings, and not in violation of the rules of the Hon- 
 orable the Board of Aldermen. 
 
 "After the above had been read before the Honorable the Board 
 of Aldermen, at their meeting on Monday, 12th instant, the author 
 regretted his omission to etate one fact among the many he omitted, 
 which should have been stated as a reply to another part of the 
 Comptroller's Report, which deserves a passing notice, viz. : On 
 page 413 of said Report, after asking, Has any butcher ever paid for 
 any stands in the public markets? and answering it negatively, he 
 goes on to state that the choice of stalls has been sold, and the pre- 
 mium for such choice has been received by the city and placed to 
 the credit of the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, and says, ' I 
 challenge any butcher in the City of New York to show any right 
 or title whatever, that he derived from such payment, except it was 
 a license from the Mayor to occupy said stall for a year or a part of 
 a year — it is all idle for any one to say that the city is to pay back 
 or return any moneys thus received ; it cannot come out of the Sink- 
 ing Fund, and I trust the citizens will not allow themselves to be 
 taxed $80,000 for this purpose.' Well, prior to the passage of the 
 law before referred to, of selling the good-will or choice of stands, 
 as the Comptroller understands it, it was the custom, as it now is. 
 to grant stalls gratuitously ; now, under these laws, A had a stall 
 granted to him, or A held a license from under the Mayor to sell 
 meat at a certain number Washington Market, at a yearly rent of 
 $70. Well, B is compelled, under the laws that then existed, to buy 
 a stall in Clinton Market, or to buy the choice of stands, as the 
 Comptroller understands it, at a cost of $4,000 premium, subject to 
 a rent of $100 per year. Well, B receives the same kind of a license 
 as A received ; after a lapse of a few years, from the general ex- 
 pression of public opinion, strengthened by the acts of the Common 
 Council in relation to premium stalls such as B holds, A feels a de- 
 sire to have his stall made a premium stall, and makes application 
 to the Market Committee to know what amount of money they will 
 charge to make his a premium stall ; the Market Committee, after 
 taking the matter into consideration, agree to take $500 or $1,000, 
 as the case may be. Well, A pays the above-mentioned sum, the 
 amount is handed over to the Comptroller, and A rejoices to him- 
 self that he now holds a premium stall. Well, does A receive any 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 547 
 
 new right or title from that which he held before? Most certainly 
 not ; he held the license from the Mayor before he paid the above 
 sum. Well, does he pay the above sum for the choice of stands? 
 No, for he was in quiet possession before ; but does he pay any less 
 rent in consequence? No, his rent is the same; well, perhaps some 
 person may be ready to ask, For what, then, did A pay $500 or $1,000? 
 Kind reader, if I answer you in the words of the Comptroller, I 
 must say — for nothing! And yet the Comptroller says ' it is all idle 
 for any one to say that the city is to pay back or return any moneys 
 thus received — it cannot come out of the Sinking Fund ; and I trust 
 that the citizens will not allow themselves to be taxed $80,000 for 
 that purpose.' But this case of A's I would not have the reader be- 
 lieve an individual case, by any means ; for many such might be 
 stated. Nor yet would I have undertaken a task to which I am so 
 incapable to do justice, had not the public mind, in my opinion, at 
 this particular time, while the subject of markets and market laws 
 appears one of the most exciting topics of the day, needed some light, 
 however feeble the effort might be to diffuse it." 
 
 In the month of January, 1844, we find again a report of the 
 Committee on Finance and Markets, on a petition from the butchers 
 of this market, for a return of the premiums, which stated as fol- 
 lows: They " considered the subject one of much importance ; they 
 have given it a careful and thorough investigation ; but feeling satis- 
 fied of the impropriety of allowing the butchers of any one market 
 to receive back the amount paid by them for premiums, without ex- 
 tending the benefit to all who are disposed to comply with the terms 
 required, they have endeavored to ascertain what amount has been 
 paid into the City Treasury from its source, and find that 137 stands 
 have been sold, and the amount paid is seventy-seven thousand, five 
 hundred and eighty dollars and seventy-six cents, in the following 
 markets, viz. : 
 
 51 in Fulton Market, - - - $2,222 88 
 
 12 in Washington, - - 4,362 00 
 
 7 in Greenwich, 550 00 
 
 11 in Catharine, .... 2,274 88 
 
 8 in Centre, 15,721 00 
 
 8 in Essex, - ... 4,500 00 
 
 28 in Clinton, 37,170 00 
 
 6 in Tompkins, 4,065 00 
 
 6 (9) in Jefferson, - - - 6,715 00 
 
 $77,580 76 
 " From an examination of the books in the Comptroller's ofiace. 
 
548 CLINTON MARKET. 
 
 no stands appear to have been sold for a premium in either Monroe, 
 Franklin, (a mistake,) or Union Markets. It is impossible, how- 
 ever, to state with precise accuracy the amounts received, in conse- 
 quence of the imperfect manner in which these accounts have been 
 kept." To my knowledge, there were many others made premium 
 stands not noticed in the above. 
 
 Another set of resolutions on the same subject were passed in the 
 Board of Assistant Aldermen, in the month of May, 1845, as fol- 
 lows : ''Resolved, That the Comptroller be directed to notify all per- 
 sons owning stalls in the various markets for which premiums have 
 been paid to the city to present the several amounts paid for the 
 same, and when purchased. Resolved, That the Comptroller and 
 Finance Committee of both Boards be directed to ascertain the 
 amounts for which these various claims can be settled, and report 
 the same to the Common Council." 
 
 All these reports, resolutions, &c., tend to show the justness of the 
 claim of the butchers who paid premiums for these stands ; which 
 question is yet to be settled, and it is a large amount the Corpora- 
 tion obtained from the butchers by promises which they have never 
 performed, although I admit they have tried ; but failing to do so, 
 they are bound in honor, equity, and law to appropriate immediately 
 a sum large enough to pay this righteous claim back, that all stand- 
 holders may be placed on the same footing with others who occupy 
 stands in our public markets. 
 
 In 1848 it was represented that the business in this market had 
 considerably increased in consequence of several market sloops 
 making it their depot, which formerly landed their produce at other 
 places. They wished more shed-room. " The open space on the 
 southwest side, from the outer edge of the present inclosure, should 
 be shedded over to the line of Canal Street." " They have ascer- 
 tained that these can be erected at an expense not exceeding the 
 sum of one thousand dollars ;" which was passed, and the money ap- 
 propriated. 
 
 This shed, after being finished, attracted the country people un- 
 der it, and they quite deserted the country market on the other side 
 of Canal Street. The Hudson River Railroad Company, who had 
 been waiting to procure this country market for its purposes, had 
 now an opportunity, and in the latter part of the next year it leased 
 it and the grounds for ten years, at an annual rent of fifteen hundred 
 dollars. 
 
 The next year the Superintendent of Streets and Lamps, (Heman 
 W. Childs,) in a report, states, "We have filled up every stand, and 
 have numerous applications for more ; I would recommend building 
 
CLINTON MARKET. 549 
 
 a shed on the side-walk, on Spring Street, adjoining the market, 
 about two hundred feet in length by fourteen or eighteen feet in 
 width, which can be erected for about one thousand dollars, and 
 would pay a good interest, and is indispensably necessary in order 
 to accommodate the business that will centre at that market." This 
 was done, and the flagging replaced with a plank " floor" in the 
 month of October, 1852. 
 The next year, 1853, licenses were given to the following butchers : 
 No. 1. Thomas B. Broadway. No. 2. Jacob R. Reed. 
 3. Thos. B. Broadway, Jr. 4. Jacob R. Reed. 
 
 5. Ellis D. Eddey. 6. Harman Bazley. 
 
 7. Ellis Bddey. 8. John A. Bennett. 
 
 9. Abraham Brewer. 10. Isaac Valentine, Jr. 
 
 11. Samuel Farren. 12. John Black. 
 
 13. James White. 14. James Valentine. 
 
 15. John Kinner. 16. Charles Lozier. 
 
 17. Isaac Valentine. 18. Samuel Valleau. 
 
 19. John Rice. 20. William Valleau, Jr. 
 
 21. William Valleau, Sen'r. 22. James Haywood. 
 
 23. B. Rice & H. Cook. 24. James Haywood. 
 
 25. Jacob H. Fink. 26. John Fink. 
 
 27. John Akley. 28. John Vanice. 
 
 29. Henry Keyser. 30. Zophar Hawkins. 
 
 31. James Hawkins. 32. Zophar Hawkins. 
 
 33. James Hawkins. 34. Charles Reeves. 
 
 35. Adolphus L. Odell. 36. William Hanshe. 
 
 37. Lawrence Martin. 38. William B. Hyatt. 
 
 There is considerable business done here in selling meat by the 
 quarter, and at wholesale ; and there is also a large trade in oysters, 
 clams, &c., in the slip adjoining. 
 
 The lease of the Hudson River Railroad Company for the building 
 known as the "country market" having expired, we find in the 
 Tribune, May 5th, 1860: "The Old Clinton Country Market— the 
 old rotten building in the centre of the triangle of Clinton Market, 
 at the foot of Canal Street, for many years a landmark — has become 
 too dilapidated to answer the purposes of the marketmen, and yes- 
 terday the work of tearing down was begun. The space left is to 
 be appropriated as a stand for the wagons of country marketmen." 
 
550 TOMPKINS MARKET. 
 
 "TOMPKINS MARKET." 
 
 As early as 1826 a report was made in favor of locating and erect- 
 ing a laarket-house at the juncture of the Bowery and Third Avenue, 
 but it was not sanctioned by the Board. On the 15th of December, 
 1828, however, it was decided to establisli one on the present loca- 
 tion, from the favorable report presented before them by a Com- 
 mittee, of which the following is a part : " That in the opinion of 
 your Committee, a market is much wanted in that vicinity, and they 
 have been some time in search of a proper site for the purpose ; they 
 have at length fixed upon one which, in their opinion, combines more 
 advantages than any other in the neighborhood. It is situated on 
 the east side of the Third Avenue, nearly opposite to its intersect- 
 ing with the Bowery Road, and is bounded in front by the (Third) 
 Avenue, on the north by Seventh, and on the south by Sixth Street. 
 It comprises eight lots of twenty-two feet eight inches each, making 
 a front on the Third Avenue of 181 feet 8 inches by 100 feet in 
 depth along Sixth and Seventh Streets. Mr. Charles Henry Hall, 
 to whom the property belongs, offers to sell to the Corporation for 
 : 2,500 per lot, making an aggregate sum of $20,000 ; should the 
 Corporation purchase, he will cede to them a street 40 feet wide, in 
 the rear, running from Sixth to Seventh Street, (now called ' Hall 
 Street f) he will also cede to them so much of the triangular piece 
 of ground between Third Avenue and the Bowery Road (lying di- 
 rectly opposite to these lots) as belongs to him, which is the whole 
 of the said triangle, with the exception of one lot of 50 feet in 
 breadth on the Third Avenue ; the same to be kept open as a public 
 square forever. The site above mentioned is situated opposite two 
 great leading avenues to the city ; and as it is probable that this 
 market will be principally supplied by country wagons, the square 
 opposite to it will afford greater accommodations for them, as well 
 as hay wagons, than any place in the neighborhood." 
 
 The contract was ordered to be made with Mr. Hall by a Com- 
 mittee, who reported on the 22d instant following, that he had 
 " given 50 feet (instead of 40) on the east side for a street, and a re- 
 linquishment of a lease of 23 years in favor of the Corporation, and 
 the contract agreed and signed." 
 
 In the month of September, in the next year, the Committee were 
 
TOMPKINS MARKET. 55I 
 
 empowered to erect a suitable market-house, not to exceed 100 feet 
 in length and 30 in breadth, on this plot, which was commenced and 
 finished early in the year following, when six stands were reported 
 sold to the following butchers, at the prices set opposite their names, 
 viz. : 
 
 No. 1. John Flock, $400 No. 2. John Deavenport, l?400 
 
 3. Jacob Evans, 250 4. Asa W. Wesson, 250 
 
 5. John Boscawen, 350 6. Romeo Thompson, 350 
 
 Which amounted to the total sum of |2,000, with an annual rent of 
 $280. The market opened for business on the 8th of May, 1830, 
 with prospects of being one of the best up-town markets in the city, 
 as its position was excellent for intercepting country wagons, and 
 at that period it was thought the Harlem Railroad Company would 
 have a turn-out near by, and make a depot for the reception of coun- 
 try produce. It attracted but few country wagons, however, and 
 the Railroad Company concluded to establish a market depot be-' 
 tween 27th and 28th Streets, in the Fourth Avenue, where it was 
 afterwards held many years. 
 
 In the month of August following, the Superintendent of Repairs 
 was directed to build a small shed on the side of this market for the 
 use of the fishermen, who had become already necessary from its 
 numerous patrons, no doubt in consequence of its excellent location, 
 and also from the fact that its occupants furnished the best quality 
 of provisions — two important points to secure patronage. 
 
 In the month of December, 1831, two new stands were ordered to 
 be sold at a premium, which, however, did not take place until the 
 15th of February following, (1832,) when they were sold at public 
 auction for cash. No. 3 to William J. Valentine, at H25 ; and No. 
 6 to Jacob L. Dodge, for f 800. Two years after, in the month of 
 April, two additional stands were sold at public auction for cash to 
 the following butchers: No. 5 to William Harrington, at |365; and 
 No. 6 to John C. Perrin, at ?475. These were placed on those oc- 
 cupied by the old numbers, which were moved up and their num- 
 bers changed ; when all the stands were found occupied as follows : 
 
 No. 1. John Flock. No. 2. John Wallace. 
 
 3. William J. Valentine. 4. Charles L. Carpenter. 
 
 5. William Harrington. 6. John C. Perrin. 
 
 7. Nicholas Romaine. 8. George W. Peterson. 
 
 9. John Boscawen. 10. Romeo Thompson. 
 
 Near this market, which was about opposite the " forks of the 
 road," was for many years the termination of the once famous "Third 
 Avenue Trotting Course," where every fine afternoon (Sundays in- 
 cluded) the tired, panting, and foaming steeds, before all sorts of 
 
552 TOMPKINS MARKET. 
 
 vehicles, came rushing in from Harlem, or Cato's, in two's, three's, 
 fire's ; and I have seen more than twenty, often appearing as if they 
 were " all in a heap." There was no such road in the United States 
 as the Third Avenue for a " trot." From almost one end to the 
 other, through the centre of it, a smoothlj^-graded Macadamized road 
 was laid, while on each side appeared a well-beaten track, usually 
 preferred by the "knowing trotters," and the whole kept in the 
 most perfect order. It was, however, a dangerous one for a pleasant 
 family ride, as there were many — especially when quite late in the 
 day — half-drunken fast men and boys, in their crazy excitement to 
 get ahead, who made no bones (or rather, sometimes broken ones,) 
 of driving a shaft into your horse, or their wheels against or even 
 over you, and curse you in the bargain for being in their way. 
 
 Some distance above this market, at an early period, was a regu- 
 lar standing-place, where many went towards evening to see the " fast 
 ones come in." Then, on looking up towards the rising ground, 
 now about 28th Street, a cloud of dust suddenly rising denoted the 
 coming of the " steeds," and it was not long before a well-known 
 butcher of Fulton Market, having, well in hand, a gallant black 
 horse, usually before a sulky, could be seen ; and on the opposite 
 side, a large, heavy man, who (some called " Larry") sat in a low, 
 light, Brooklyn-built cart, before which was an excellent stepping, 
 short-tailed bay horse; both teams head-and-head usually a long 
 way before the "' crowd," which was trailing on after them. Soon 
 afterwards they all came in a body with such a shouting or halloo- 
 ing of "Heigh!" "Heigh!" "Go-a-long!" "What are you about!" 
 " Now-I-got-you !" "No-you-aint!" "Get out of the way!" with 
 many like expressions, all commingled together as they rushed by, and 
 which appeared as if a thunder-gust, or all the furies, were let loose 
 at once. Some on a full run, sawing and pulling their horses first 
 on one side, then on the other ; others plying the whip most unmer- 
 cifully on all sides; others, again, yelling like demons, who were 
 trailing on behind ; and these exciting scenes were repeated at in- 
 tervals, until darkness closed the " trot" for the day. 
 
 Not many years passed before the "cobble-stone"" pavement began 
 to creep up ; then followed, to Yorkville and Harlem, the heavy- 
 ladened omnibus — to tear up; and finally appeared the "Third 
 Avenue Railroad," which entirely used up, and totally exterminated, 
 the far-famed "Third Avenue Trotting Course." 
 
 In 1836, a resolution was passed " to take down the old Essex 
 Market building, and with the materials build a country market- 
 house on the east side of Tompkins Market, and an appropriation 
 of one thousand dollars be used for that purpose." This addition 
 
TOMPKINS MARKET. 553 
 
 was soon after completed, which added much to its appearance, as 
 well as the facilities and accommodations. 
 
 Then followed an accession of stands, among which were six to 
 be occupied by butchers. These, under the new system, were drawn 
 for in a fair and satisfactory manner ; but, at this period, these ad- 
 ditions were found too numerous, as several were destined to either 
 break down or quit their stands, which again reverted back to the 
 city. 
 
 There were several in this, as well as other markets, who claimed 
 the same right to dispose of gift or drawn stands, as those who held 
 premium stands. 
 
 About this period,* Kichard Valentine petitioned for transfer of 
 stand No. 14 Clinton Market, but was denied "the same, not being 
 a premium stand." This case, and ons or two more, settled the 
 question. The Committee, in the month of March next year, also 
 passed a resolution, "That whenever any stall or stalls in the 
 different markets become vacant hereafter, it shall be the duty of 
 the Clerk, together with the Superintendent of Markets, under the 
 direction of the Joint Market Committee, to cause a written notice 
 to be placed on said stall or stalls, for at least one week, giving 
 notice that said stall or stalls are vacant." Then followed, on the 
 12th of April, a resolution, " That stall No. 5 Tompkins Market be 
 declared vacant ;" and on the 8th of May following, Ambrose P. 
 Rikeman drew this vacated stand. The next year, in the month of 
 April, William Webber drew No. 15 ; and in the month of December, 
 same year, (1840,) the butchers' stands were found occupied by the 
 following persons : 
 
 No. 1. John Flock. No. 2. John Wallace. 
 
 3. Lemuel Valentine. 4. Charles L. Carpenter. 
 
 5. Ambrose P. Rikeman. 6. John Rikeman. 
 
 7. Nicholas Romaine. 8. George W. Peterson. 
 
 9. Norris Hicks. 10. Romeo Thompson. 
 
 11. William V. Leggett. 12. Joseph Churchill. 
 
 13. Philip Webber. 14. John C. Perrin. 
 
 15. James Webber. 16. John C. Perrin. 
 
 About this period a very good business was found to be estab- 
 lished here ; so much so, that but few changes in the occupancy of 
 stands were made for several years. To be sure it was in a meas- 
 ure somewhat paralyzed by the opening of the " meat-shops," but 
 it did not last long, nor was it so much affected as soite of the 
 other public markets, as there were only two or three vacant 
 stands at any one time, and these remained so but a short period. 
 
 * November IB, 1838. 
 
554 TOMPKINS MARKET. 
 
 Its patrons generally stood by the market, and those who left 
 afterwards came back, with many others, who began to occupy the 
 many firstrclass buildings which jrere so rapidly improving the 
 neighborhood. Those butchers who remained and attended to their 
 business received an excellent, as well as a successful, trade ; and 
 in times of scarcity of "small stock," they had peculiar advantages 
 over all other butchers, being in view of principally all the stock 
 driven to Browning's Bull's Head, (located just below, on Sixth 
 Street,) which passed this market ; when these butchers, of course, 
 were there in time to meet, and obtain their supplies. 
 
 In advancing to the year 1850, some changes in the occupancy 
 of the butchers' stands, since those last noticed, appear. We, how- 
 ever, find them all occupied, or licensed, as follows : 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 Lemuel Valentiiys. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 William P. Woodcock, 
 
 3. 
 
 Do. 
 
 4. 
 
 John H. Woodcock. 
 
 6. 
 
 George Hirleman. 
 
 6. 
 
 William Corbitt. 
 
 7. 
 
 James Kent. 
 
 8. 
 
 Nicholas Romaine. 
 
 9. 
 
 William Doubleday 
 
 10. 
 
 Romeo Thompson. 
 
 11. 
 
 Philip O'Neil. 
 
 12. 
 
 George W. Martin. 
 
 13. 
 
 John Doane. 
 
 14. 
 
 Joseph H. Parrington. 
 
 15. 
 
 Geo. A. Vogel. 
 
 16. 
 
 Geo. W. Parrington. 
 
 Nearly opposite this market soon after was erected the magnifi- 
 cent edifice known as the " Cooper Union," by one of the most hu- 
 mane, generous, and benevolent of men. His object in this enormous 
 building is fully described in the Pirst Annual Report of the Trus- 
 tees, which says : " Peter Cooper, a mechanic and merchant of the 
 City of New York, having become satisfied early in life that the 
 working classes of this city required greater opportunities for in- 
 struction and rational recreation than were afforded by existing in- 
 stitutions, determined, if he could command the means, to found an 
 institution desjgned especially to supply the needs, of which he him- 
 self had been conscious. Having by industry and enterprise gained 
 the necessary funds, he purchased the entire block of ground at the 
 intersection of the Third and Pourth Aveniici, and proceeded in 
 1854 to erect thereon a massive building of stone, brick, and iron, 
 six stories in height, and completely fire-proof, at a cost, as shown 
 by his books, of over $630,000 for the land and building." An act 
 of incorporation having been procured from the Legislature at their 
 last session, Mr. Cooper, in accordance therewith, on the 29th of 
 April, l!?59, executed a deed in fee simple of this entire property to 
 the undersigned trustees, without reservation of any kind upon the 
 trust specified in the act of the Legislature, the first of which is, 
 " that the above-mentioned and described premises, together with 
 
TOMPKINS MARKET. 555 
 
 the appurtenances, and the rents, issues, incomes, and profits thereof, 
 shall be forever devoted to the instruction and improvement of the 
 inhabitants of the United States in practical science and art." 
 
 This princely donation of Mr. Cooper, under all the circumstances, 
 is destined to become — in the annals of philanthropy and benevo- 
 lence—one of the greatest events of historical interest and example ; 
 and long may he live to enjoy the fruits of his opulence and benev- 
 olence. 
 
 In the month of May, 1858, a Committee waited upon Mr. Cooper 
 to seek a room in this building suitable for an address. After hear- 
 ing who the parties were, and the nature of the address, he said " he 
 had dealt with the butchers for the last forty years, and felt under 
 some obligations to them," and he finally concluded that " this ad- 
 dress must be read in his room without any charge." The room, 
 however, had not been seen by one of the Committee until the liberal 
 offer had been made and accepted ; and when the spacious hall was 
 opened and entered by the expected and uncultivated orator, its 
 enormous size and grand appearance somewhat changed his idea of 
 holding forth ; but Mr. Cooper was not to be changed ; so he de- 
 sired this orator to go to the extreme end and hold a conversation 
 in a moderate tone of voice, which was done and distinctly heard, 
 which of course settled the reading and the acceptance of the gen- 
 erous liberality of Mr. Cooper. 
 
 I must here repeat what was said on that occasion of Mr. Cooper: 
 that " wealth has not added to his height, changed his appearance, 
 nor affected his conversation ; and in the erection of this immense 
 and magnificent building, he has erected a monument and bequeathed 
 his name to the future generations, who will bless and revere him 
 for having given them a refuge from the many and severe storms of 
 an early life." 
 
 In the month of December, 1856, the Common Council adopted a 
 resolution to advertise for plans and specifications for building a 
 three-story iron market ; the upper part to be made suitable for the 
 use of the Seventh Eegiment, for drill-rooms, armories, &c., during 
 the pleasure of the Common Council, and that premiums be allotted 
 therefor, in three classes, viz.: first class at $200, second at $100, 
 and third at $50. Several plans were presented, but those of Bo- 
 gardus & Lafferty were adopted, and on the 31st of December a 
 contract was concluded with Theodore Hunt, by which he was to 
 erect the market-house, according to the plans, for the sum of 
 $155,371. 
 
 The work of demolishing was commenced, the old building was 
 torn down, and a range of low wooden sheds were put up around 
 
556 TOMPKINS MARKET, 
 
 " Hall Square," in front of the " Cooper Union," for the accommo- 
 dation of the stand-holders of the old market-house. 
 
 The foundation of the new building was proceeded with, and the 
 walls and columns of iron began to show themselves on its four sides 
 above the level of the street, when the Common Council, in the 
 month of April following, came to the conclusion that the building 
 as it was then progressing would not be strong enough for the use 
 intended and the support of its great weight ; when they ordered it 
 to be stopped. Some wished different materials to be used in its 
 erection ; and thus, I may say, it stood for more than two years be- 
 fore matters could be arranged, and the last contract be completed, 
 by which iron was to be used in certain parts, instead of brick and 
 stone. 
 
 The building, or at least the market part, was promised to the 
 stand-holders in the course of the summer of 1860; but before this 
 event took place, there had been some intimations and hints thrown 
 out that it was the intention of the City Inspector to deprive some 
 of the old stand-holders of their rights, or crowd them into smaller 
 spaces. What this was done for there were various opinions ; how- 
 ever, a few days before the opening an unfit ofiBcial, who kept a pub- 
 lic-house near hy — and whether officially or not — informed the stand- 
 holders that such was the fact. This appeared to them to come 
 straight enough ; but not being satisfied, they sought Mr. Irving, the 
 Superintendent of the Markets, when he informed them, that all of 
 them should have their rights, and plenty of room to transact their 
 business ; which he appears to have fully and satisfactorily carried 
 out, as we find noticed in the Neio York Atlas* " The New Tomp- 
 l:in& 3Iarl-ef. — The market portion of this building is so far com- 
 pleted as to admit of occupancy by the butchers and others doing 
 business therein. On Monday last (6th) the occupants of stands re- 
 moved from the unsightly building which they have occupied during 
 the construction of their new quarters, to the new market. The re- 
 moval was made under the superintendence of James Irving, Esq., 
 Superintendent ot Markets, whose magnanimous and disinterested 
 allotment of positions has given the utmost satisfaction to all those 
 having stands in the market. We are pleased at this manifestation 
 from those citizens who have business connections with Mr. Irving, 
 and congratulate him in thus executing impartially the trust imposed 
 on him. Mr. Irving, having been a butcher, made the allotment 
 with a view to priority of claim and possession while in the old 
 market.'' 
 The floor used for market purposes presents a space of nearly 180 
 
 * August 12th, 1860. 
 
TOMPKINS MARKET. 557 
 
 feet long by 96 wide. The side front, facing the Third Avenue, is 
 entirely devoted to the sale of butchers' meat, on two ranges of stalls, 
 between which runs a fine passage-way of about eighteen feet wide, 
 left for the accommodation of those who go to market, that they may 
 not be in danger of having their clothes spoiled, or of being crowd- 
 ed against greasy blocks or corn-beef trays, which are usually drawn 
 too far out into these passage-ways in most of our market-houses. 
 
 The middle of this floor is used for the sale of vegetables, poul- 
 try, and game, and the other portions for the sale of hams and 
 bacon, butter and cheese, fresh fish and shell-fish, &c., and a portion 
 reserved for country people. One or two other stands will bear 
 particular notice, on account of being something new in our public 
 markets. 
 
 Under the south stairway are located stands Nos. 43 and 45, kept 
 by two Frenchmen, (F. A. Bailly and J. G. Torrilhon,) who keep, 
 besides, pork in every conceivable form, boned turkeys, capons, 
 larded bird-game, filet de bceuf, &c., many of which are cooked 
 ready " for parties, breakfasts, dinners, or suppers, cold or warm." 
 
 Then, on the eastern side of the same stairway, on stands Nos. 
 46, 48, and 50, are found L. Bonnard & Co., displaying numerous 
 canisters, containing " Alimentary Preserves " — such as beef, mut- 
 ton, veal, poultry, game, fish, &c., besides vegetables, truffles, fruits, 
 and the celebrated pates defoie gras, or large geese-livers. 
 
 The two rows of butchers' stalls number twenty-eight, of which 
 eight have a front of 12 feet each ; eight more, a front of 11 J feet; 
 and twelve a front of 9 feet ; all of which I found occupied, or rep- 
 resented as being in the possession of, the following persons : 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 Lemuel Valentine. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 William P. Woodcock. 
 
 3. 
 
 Do. 
 
 4. 
 
 Do. 
 
 5. 
 
 Diefi'enbach & Co. 
 
 6. 
 
 Alonzo Osborne. 
 
 7. 
 
 John McChain. 
 
 8. 
 
 J. M. Farrington. 
 
 9. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 10. 
 
 James Larkins. 
 
 11. 
 
 John Byrnes. 
 
 12. 
 
 Landers & Co. 
 
 13. 
 
 James Irving. 
 
 14. 
 
 Isaac D. Hammond. 
 
 15. 
 
 Do. 
 
 16. 
 
 Do. 
 
 17. 
 
 James Mooney. 
 
 18. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 19. 
 
 John Donovan. 
 
 20. 
 
 James S. Hall. 
 
 21. 
 
 Do. 
 
 22. 
 
 Do. 
 
 23. 
 
 "William Doubleday. 
 
 24. 
 
 "William T. Blair. 
 
 25. 
 
 George A. Vogel. 
 
 26. 
 
 George "W. Farrington, 
 
 27. 
 
 Do. 
 
 28. 
 
 Do. 
 
558 JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 "JEFFERSON MARKET." 
 
 1832. Several years prior to the establishment of a public 
 market on the grounds where the Jefferson Market now rests, the 
 inhabitants of the neighborhood were anxious to have such an ac- 
 commodation ; and were willing to give the ground, mi fee, neces- 
 sary for that purpose, in a certain location near, but their offers 
 were not accepted by the Corporation. 
 
 One location, however, had been selected, which it was thought 
 would be accepted, by the encouragement given to those most 
 active in the enterprise, and also the small amount of cost that 
 would be required to erect a suitable market-house, by using the 
 old materials of the " Duane Market," which was about being re- 
 moved. Under these circumstances, these inhabitants, in the month 
 of October, 1829, presented a petition, in which they state: "The 
 undersigned understand that it is contemplated by your Honorable 
 Body to remove the market-house at Duane Slip. They therefore 
 pray your Honorable Body to direct the same to be placed on the 
 gore of ground corner of Greenwich Lane and Twelfth Street, 
 (on Seventh Avenue,) which, they are authorized to state to your 
 Honorable Body, will be granted gratuitously for that purpose by 
 the proprietors thereof. Your petitioners respectfully state, that 
 the population thereabouts, and far above it, will be greatly ac- 
 commodated thereby; and your petitioners are ever bound, &c. 
 Signed by 
 
 "John Rodgers, Caleb Cole, George P. Sogers, 
 
 John F. Adriance, John Harris, Wm. C. Rhinelander, 
 
 Charles Oakley, Frederick Naugin, Thos. P. Vanderhoff, 
 Moody Cummings, John Devlin, Peter Blondell, 
 
 Freeman Cole, Richard Cromwell, Thomas M. Blakely, 
 
 and many others." This liberal offer, however, was not accepted, 
 which disappointed many of the property-owners. 
 
 In the month of July, 1831, " sundry of the inhabitants of the 
 Ninth Ward were again asking for the establishment of a public 
 market in or about the centre of said Ward." 
 
 They then represented, that " the Ward, comprising a population 
 of near 25,000, has at present no market within its bounds, except 
 one at the foot of Christopher Street, on the borders of the North 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 559 
 
 River, with six or eight stalls; and no other near it except 'Tomp- 
 kins Market,' on Third Avenue, which has but six stalls, and the 
 access to which is cut off from a thickly-settled part of the Ward, 
 by there being no communication between Broadway and the Bow- 
 ery from Fourth to Eighth Street." They request " your Honor- 
 able Body to cause a public market to be erected on the Sixth 
 Avenue, at or near its junction with Greenwich Lane." 
 
 The subject was laid over until the month of September, when a 
 remonstrance was presented against its erection here, and again it 
 was postponed until the next month, (October,) when a Committee 
 was appointed to treat with the owners of this property. In the 
 month of January, 1832, this Committee reported that they could 
 purchase the whole grounds for $30,500 ; and after several meet- 
 ings, a Sub- Committee, in the month of February, were instructed 
 to close the bargain, at this large sum. 
 
 The procurement of this plot of ground appeared to have given 
 considerable trouble, as it was owned by several parties who were 
 anxious to get a round sum for it, and the course they adopted 
 with the Committee appeared to succeed. The sum of ?32,500, 
 in the year 1832, was paid for this gore of about twelve lots of 
 land, when several thought it ought to have been purchased for a 
 much less sum. 
 
 In the following month of June, the subject of building a brick 
 market-house according to a plan then proposed was presented, 
 which, after its approval, was ordered to be advertised for con- 
 tracts. The estimate for its building was awarded to Messrs. 
 Smith & Roome, for the sum of $6,576 ; and the building was com- 
 menced, and finished in the month of November ; when a resolution 
 was passed, " that the new market in Sixth Avenue be called 
 ' Jefferson Market,' after the third President of the United States, 
 Thomas Jefferson." 
 
 Six butchers' stands were also ordered to be sold at public auc- 
 tion, on the 14th of December following, at premiums, for cash ; they 
 were offered, but only two were sold on the 14th, and the other four 
 on the 19th instant, to the following persons and prices : 
 No. 1. James C. Lyons, $1,250 No. 2. Alfred Lyons, $1,405 
 3. Benjamin Oakley, 575 4. Benjamin Ward, 510 
 
 5. Jas. H. Houghtalin, 980 6. Thos. F. De Voe, 880 
 
 There appears a considerable difference in the prices paid for 
 these six stands; those four, Nos. 1, 2, 5, and 6, brought the highest 
 prices, were sold as corner stands ; the first two as " outside corners," 
 and the last two as " inside corners." 
 
 The market was opened for business on Saturday, the 5th of Jan- 
 
560 JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 uary, 1833, but the anxiety of one person in making the first sale in 
 this new building, led him to be guilty of making that sale the night 
 before. The business, however, opened with bright prospects as a 
 retail market, especially i.i that of coarse meats, as there were but 
 few in proportion in that neighborhood then who purchased the 
 prime cuts. Many of the wooden buildings in the neighborhood 
 were those so suddenly put up in 1822 to accommodate bankers, in- 
 surance, and other companies, merchants, &c., who left them tenant- 
 less, after the dreaded yellow fever had subsided, which were at this 
 period filled with weavers, laborers, and others who sought low 
 rents. 
 
 The next year, (1834,) two more stands were ordered to be sold, 
 to take place on the 15th of April, and to be placed between Nos. 
 3 and 5, and 4 and 6, and the old Nos. of 5 and 6 were to be altered 
 to Nos. 7 and 8, which were then to be known as the inside corners. 
 These two inside stands were sold as above, to the following : 
 
 No. 5. Samuel Sims, $550 
 
 6. Samuel Van Wart, - - - 565 
 
 Which swelled the whole amount of cash paid to $6,715. 
 
 Soon after the establishment of the market, on a part of this mar- 
 ket ground, on Amos Street, near Sixth Avenue, a large well was dug 
 and a steam-engine was put up to pump and force a supply of water 
 into the building called the " New York City Eeservoir," which had 
 been erected in the year 1829, by the Corporation, for the purpose 
 of supplying the city with water in cases of fire. 
 
 It stood in Thirteenth Street, between the Third and the present 
 Fourth Avenues. The large tank or cistern was formed of cast-iron 
 plates united by screws and cement, resting on a foundation of solid 
 stone masonry, forming an octagon of forty-four feet diameter and 
 seventy-five feet above the ground to the top of the tank, surmount- 
 ed by a cupola, making in all one hundred feet high. The well of 
 this reservoir was bored through a rock one hundred and thirteen 
 feet in depth by seventeen feet in diameter, with two shafts extend- 
 ing in opposite directions. 
 
 It was calculated to furnish about eight hogsheads of water per 
 hour, which was raised into the tank by a steam-engine of fifteen 
 horse-power. This water was conducted through pipes and dis- 
 charged through hydrants. 
 
 In the month of April, 1835, by resolution, "this public ground 
 and building at the new well at Jeiferson Market, not used or occu- 
 pied for the purpose of the well and water-works," were appro- 
 priated to the water purveyor for a work-shop. " The size of the 
 ground unoccupied is 180 feet on Amos Street, 119 feet on Sixth 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 561 
 
 Avenue, and 75 on Greenwich Lane ; room for storage of ■water- 
 pipes, gas lamp-post, and also the hydraulic press for proving pipe, 
 which, with the steam-engine there, he would be enabled to prove 
 three pipes in the same time that it now takes to prove one." This 
 space of ground has always been used for public purposes, and has 
 never been a loss to the city. 
 
 In the month of March, 1836, was adopted and approved the Re- 
 port of the Committee on Markets, on the subject of building a 
 country market on the public ground adjoining this market-house, 
 in which they state, that " they have carefully examined this subject, 
 and find a market for country people and country produce is much 
 needed there. Buildings are rapidly erecting in that vicinity, and 
 a large population are now supplied from this market, and it is con- 
 stantly increasing. It lacks a place where the producers of the soil 
 can be accommodated, and when done it will be as good a market 
 to procure supplies at as any other which is not on the water. Your 
 Committee are of opinion that a country market should be built 
 north of the present market, twenty feet distant therefrom, of one 
 story in height, ninety-eight feet, four inches, in length, and thirty 
 feet in width. The cost of which is estimated at a sum less than two 
 thousand dollars.'' This market-house was built, and the fishermen, 
 poulterers, and hucksters were removed into it from the old or butch- 
 ers' market, where they had occupied just one-half of it. This space 
 being now vacant, the next year, on the 10th of March, the Market 
 Committee concluded to fill it with eight more butchers' stalls ; but, 
 as the system of selling stands at public auction for premiums was 
 abolished, they were drawn for, beginning from No. 9 to 16, by the 
 following butchers, with the yearly rents set opposite their names : 
 No. 9. James Watts, rent $100 No. 10. Henry Wiseburn, $90 
 11. Dan'l Lawrence, " 60 12. John Hanshe, 60 
 
 13. Henry T. Krowl, " 60 14. Ger xrd P. Hopper, 50 
 
 15. Samuel Jaques, " 100 16. Peter B. Marks, 90 
 
 The rent placed on these drawn stands was considerable more 
 than that of the other eight " premium stands ;" it being intended by 
 the Corporation, as the owners of these drawn or gifted ptands had 
 paid no purchase-money down for the benefit of the city tliey should 
 pay an equivalent in this shape ; and also to restrict them from the 
 right to sell or dispose of their stands when they left them, either by 
 death or otherwise, these stands should revert to the Corporation ; 
 while those who bought theirs at public auction, years before, had 
 such rights and privileges guaranteed to them by the Corporation 
 as to amount to property in fee in these premium stands. 
 
 On the 31st of March, 1836, a resolution was adopted directing 
 Vol. I.— 36 
 
562 JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 the Superintendent of Repairs " forthwith to make a passage Way 
 for a thoroughfare in Jefferson Market, between Nos. 7 and 9, and 
 8 and 10, for the accommodation of the butchers." These eight 
 drawn stands were placed with the ends on a line with each brick 
 pillar, from the centre, in the same manner as the old or premium 
 stands were originally placed. 
 
 The same year these stands were added to this market, Mr. Charles 
 Oakley erected a long wooden shed fronting on Jones Street, be- 
 tween Bleecker and Fourth Streets, expressly for the accommodation 
 of those persons who at that period had no regard for the market 
 laws and ordinances. Mr. Oakley promised all who rented stands in 
 his market, that he would protect them from all suits brought against 
 them ; but before one year was passed they all were forced to vacate, 
 and his market was closed up by the prompt and energetic action 
 of the Corporation Attorney. One of his tenants, by the name of 
 John Hilliker, resisted for some time, upon the assurance of Mr. 
 Oakley that he would protect him ; but his petition and a report on 
 the subject showed that the promise was not fulfilled. Hilliker's 
 petition was before the Board in the month of October, when he so- 
 licited " to be released from a penalty obtained against him in the 
 Marine Court, on the 8th of September last, for selling fresh meat 
 in Mr. Oakley's market in Jones Street; that he has and did stop 
 selling after the said date ; that he has a family to support, and is 
 unable to pay the said penalty, and that it was on Mr. Oakley's word, 
 pledged to him, that he did sell fresh meat, after your Honorable 
 Body put the market laws in force." The Committee reported, in 
 the month of November, " that Hilliker has shown no disposition to 
 contest this matter, except for the purpose of testing the legality of 
 the s&id fine, and was prompted to do so by the positive assurance 
 of Mr. Charles Oakley that he would indemnify and save him harm- 
 less against the same, which he has thus far failed to do," &c. A 
 resolution was passed that the judgment be canceled, on Hilliker's 
 paying the costs and fees. 
 
 The two (Jefferson) market-houses being separated by an unpaved 
 space of a little less than twenty feet, was at times, especially in 
 stormy weather, so as to be unfit to pass and repass from one mar- 
 ket-house to the other ; which called forth a petition to have it cov- 
 ered with a shed, which was done in October, 1839, and also a floor 
 of flagging laid ; but it still continued to be a nuisance until it was 
 partially floored with plank, at private expense, when a few stands 
 were introduced on the north side of this space ; and finally it was 
 wholly floored over, the sides of the two market-houses taken out, 
 and inclosed in one, as it now stands. 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 553 
 
 In the month of December, 1840, these sixteen stands were occu- 
 pied by the following butchers : 
 No. 1. Daniel S. Hyde. No. 2. Edward N. Romaine. 
 
 3. William H. Farrington. 4. Henry Goodhue. 
 
 5. Samuel Sims. 6. John De Voe, Sr. 
 
 7. James H. Houghtalin. 8. Thomas F. De Voe. 
 
 9. Michael Cox. 10. Moses De Voe. 
 
 11. Frederick M. Silber. 12. John Hanshe. 
 
 13. Henry T. Krowl. 14. George Glashan. 
 
 15. George Fink. 16. Peter B. Marks. 
 
 Many of those who attended to their business did very well for 
 several years; but the agitation and the licensing the "meat-shops" 
 appeared, and for a time it was almost a death-blow to many of the 
 public markets. Those who occupied stands in them, finding their 
 business deserting them, gave up their stands, and engaged in 
 "meat-shops," where' some prospered, whose rents and expenses 
 were not large ; but soon an indiscriminating licensing of all who 
 applied (and great numbers did business who were not licensed, 
 through the neglect of the city officers,) caused but few to succeed. 
 However, in a few years a reaction took place, after the meat-shop 
 system had been pretty thoroughly tried by many of our citizens, 
 who found, in the end, that their wants could be better supplied 
 where the public markets were within a reasonable distance, and 
 they returned to them ; and now those same markets, (or nearly 
 all,) so nearly deserted at that time, are again fully occupied, al- 
 though some have since had extensive additions. 
 
 I may say here, that this market has been unfortunate in its late 
 additions, by the improper arrangements of some of the public 
 ofiBcers ; who, when a shed was added to the country market on the 
 north side, made it cost the city about C2,200, when the author's 
 carpenter estimated it would cost less than f 500. Then, instead of 
 having the stands (to the number of about twelve) drawn for, or 
 some other fair disposition made of them, they were otherwise dis- 
 posed of. Now, I will not state how they were disposed of, but 
 how they and many others could be, if our Superintendents and 
 Clerks of Markets were inclined to be dishonest, and wanted to 
 make a great deal of money out of them. 
 
 New additions in buildings or sheds, in any of our public mar- 
 kets, will of course create additional stands, when these dishonest 
 officers, not wishing their acts seen, or their conversation over- 
 heard, could meet at such market on a Sunday, lay out the size, 
 number, and location of such stands, put certain prices on each, 
 according to location ; and then, as these genteel men have always 
 
564 JEFFERSOX MARKET. 
 
 some willing friends, who are either bailsmen, keepers of prisons or 
 rum-shops, or those who " travel on their muscle," ready to render 
 any assistance for a small share of the income, they are put in pos- 
 session of all such " stands," and instructed what prices to ask and 
 take, when applications are malie for them. In the mean time, 
 some may have been sold, or, I should have said, given away, (as 
 the law strictly forbids the selling for money, or receiving any val- 
 uables, as a consideration for market stands, by the Superintendent, 
 Clerks, or other public officers,) prior to the finishing of such addi- 
 tions, &c., to such persons as would wish to engage in business as 
 soon as possible. The other stands, however, may remain idle, 
 until some anxious person, with a little money, seeing the vacant 
 stands, naturally will inquire of the Clerk if he cannot give him 
 one. " No," the Clerk can say, " they are all given away long ago; 
 but (in a whisper) he guesses that Jack Cox, the prison-keeper, will 
 sell his stand" — so off the anxious person can go to see Mr. Cox. 
 Mr. Cox, however, can talk offish; he expects he will put his cousin 
 on it, when "he comes to the city" — as it is one of the best in the 
 market, and worth at least $1,000 cash — any how, he won't'sell it, 
 without he gets its worth ; and he cautions our anxious person not 
 to let any person know he has offered it for sale. Well, if our 
 anxious person is at all bright, he begins, by this time, to mistrust 
 how the game is playing: he knows that this prison-keeper has no 
 business with a stand, as " a proper person;" and he also knows that 
 a stand cannot be obtained in our markets, under the present system, 
 without it is got in this rascally manner. So an offer is made of 500, 
 600, 700, or 800 dollars in cash, and with it promises of secrecy ; which 
 is received, or passed, very likely by another party, who hands him 
 & permit .o occupy such stand; and when this anxious person, who, 
 before this transaction, had worn a clear and quiet conscience, is 
 accosted by some intimate friend with " How did you get your 
 stand?" " Why, I got it fairly," he would say; but his conscience 
 would say, " I got it foully." Then, again, if this transaction is 
 noised about, or becomes known, our anxious persoTi is waited upon 
 by those engaged, or some of the public officers, who inform him, 
 if he is called under oath, he must deny the whole, or he will have 
 his permit revoked, or suffer some bodily harm. But to introduce 
 all the improper acts which have, or could have, been transacted 
 here, and at the other public markets, by such oiBcers, would not 
 reflect any credit on the citizens who elected those who appointed 
 these inefficient and dishonest officers to these important trusts, 
 where none ought to be placed but such practical, honest men as 
 would be sought after and employed in a person's own business, 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 565 
 
 and who also knew more of the duties required of them than they 
 knew of political knavery. 
 
 The present laws regulating public markets are most injurious, 
 expensive, and inefficient for the city, citizens, or stand-holders, and 
 open to many abuses, impositions, &c., as I have previously shown. 
 The whole system should be changed ; and no doubt many would ask. 
 How can we make it better? My answer would be, that you would 
 not employ a shoemaker to make you a watch, nor a dishonest poli- 
 tician to conduct your affairs, or a business he knew nothing about, 
 let alone the collection of large sums of uncounted money. No, you 
 would go and get the assistance or knowledge of honest, practical 
 men, who would give such services or information as could be em- 
 braced into proper laws to govern either mercantile, maritime, pub- 
 lic markets, or any other subject demanding them. 
 
 Several years ago I, with several other stand-holders, were called 
 upon to assist the authorities in the better conducting of the public 
 markets; when an organization was perfected, which represented 
 principally the business of every department in them, but before it 
 was called into action several of&ce-holders became incensed at the 
 idea of having their rights or perquisites interfered with, and by 
 their superior influence and oft-repeated threats (on a few) rendered 
 this organization ineffectual. 
 
 The most prominent feature was to establish a law to do away 
 with all paid officers attached to them, except so far as the appoint- 
 ment of a few collectors, whose time would be fully occupied, and of 
 whose honesty there should not be the least doubt, and to be wholly 
 under the direction of a " Board of Trustees." Perhaps, however, 
 the following will give the reader some idea of a law which was 
 then drawn up, but which now could be improved upon : 
 
 " An Act to repeal part of the ordinance organizing the depart- 
 ments of the municipal government of the City of New York, passed 
 (1849,) known as ' the Bureau of Markets,' and also to establish a 
 Board of Trustees, (or delegates,) who shall undertake the duties of 
 conducting and superintending the several public markets in the 
 City of New York. 
 
 " The Trustees or Delegates from the several public markets, who 
 now are, or may be hereafter elected, shall be the occupants of stands 
 lawfully licensed, or the holders of permits properly granted, shall 
 give their services gratis, or without pay or reward, in superintend- 
 ing the public markets of the City of New York. They shall be 
 elected from the several or such public markets as they represent, 
 by the several occupants of stands also lawfully licensed, or the hold- 
 ers of permits properly granted to them in their several public mar- 
 
666 JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 kets, every one or two years, beginning from the third Monday in 
 March, 18 — ; which election shall take place on that day every 
 second year thereafter, in the following manner: Four Delegates 
 from Washington Market, consisting of one butcher, one poulterer, 
 one fruit and vegetable dealer, and one fisherman. Three from Pul- 
 ton Market : one butcher, one poulterer or vegetable dealer, and one 
 fisherman. Two from Catharine Market : one butcher and one fish- 
 erman, or other. Two from Centre Market: one butcher and one 
 fisherman, or other. Two from Clinton Market : one butcher and 
 one fisherman, or other. One butcher each from Essex, Jefferson, 
 Tompkins, Union, Gouveneur, Franklin, and all other public mar- 
 kets which may be hereafter established, which shall contain not less 
 than twenty occupied stands. They shall be known as a Board of 
 Trustees of the public markets of the City of New York, and shall 
 elect from their body a Chairman, Secretary, and an Executive Com- 
 mittee, who shall represent their body when empowered so to do, 
 and who, in case of vacancy, either by death, resignation, or expul- 
 sion, shall have the power to order an election from the occupants 
 of stands of such unrepresented public markets to fill such vacancy ; 
 but for such other public markets which may not be represented, 
 shall be under the supervision of such Delegates as may be appoint- 
 ed from the Board of Trustees. 
 
 " They shall from time to time examine the condition of the several 
 public markets, and also advise and direct the Clerks or Collectors 
 with respect to the regulation of the same; to examine the pro- 
 visions, vegetables, and all other articles of food brought in and 
 around their public markets respectively, and any article which may 
 be suspected to be unwholesome; stale, blown, stuffed, or diseased 
 meat or measly pork, or young, poor, and unfit veal or calves, or the 
 flesh of animals died by accident or disease, or known or suspected 
 to be diseased at the killing of the same, or spoiled poultry, game, 
 fish, or stale vegetables or fruit, or any improper article of food, 
 shall be taken and examined by these practical dealers, (where there 
 is doubt,) which may be called on by either Delegate, Clerk, or Col- 
 lector, (who may be present ;) and if the article or articles prove to 
 be unwholesome and unfit for human food, then the same shall be 
 destroyed, and the seller conveyed before the nearest police magis- 
 trate, to be there dealt with according to law. And no person or 
 persons shall hinder, obstruct, or molest any Clerk or officers of the 
 police from seizing and causing the same to be removed and destroy- 
 ed, or any duties which may be enjoined on them, under the penalty 
 of not less than ten, nor more than fifty dollars for each offence. 
 
 " They shall rccouimend for license, as butchers, such persons as 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 557 
 
 may be proper ; and upon such recommendation the Mayor may from 
 time to time issue licenses under his hand and seal to the persons 
 named therein to exercise and carry on the trade and business of a 
 butcher, in such places as may be designated, but not elsewhere. 
 They may grant permits in writing to such persons as may be proper 
 to sell meat by the quarter, who shall be known as permit hutcliers; 
 and also permits to such other proper persons whose occupations are 
 suitable for the public markets, who shall personally occupy such 
 stands in and around the several public markets as may be desig- 
 nated, (within ten days) after receiving such permits, ki such daily 
 rates to be mentioned therein. And they may also, for good and 
 sufficient reasons, annul such permits. They may transfer butcher 
 stalls, or grant permits to allow licensed butchers, or permit stand- 
 holders to combine their stands and business together for their mu- 
 tual benefit and the accommodation of the public ; but no stalls or 
 stands, or any improper thing, shall be allowed on, or be so placed 
 as to obstruct or infringe on the rights of another, or on a public 
 passage-way. All permits granted shall, after having been fully 
 examined and sanctioned by the Board of Trustees, be signed by 
 their Chairman and Secretary. They shall have the power to ap- 
 point honest, practical, and suitable persons for Clerks (not more 
 than three) for the large public markets, and one Collector for the 
 small public markets, who shall, before entering upon the duties of 
 their offices, execute a bond with sureties satisfactory to the Board 
 of Trustees, and also approved by the Comptroller, in the penal sum 
 of two thousand dollars, conditioned for the faithful performance of 
 the duties of their respective offices. And they may also have the 
 same power to remove either Clerk, Collector, or other persons un- 
 der their direction, from their offices or places, if found guilty of neg- 
 lect or dereliction of duty, after having their cases examined before 
 the Board of Trustees. They may appropriate certain parts either 
 in or outside of the several public markets for the use of country 
 people for their produce, and also designate places for market 
 wagons, carts, &c., that may bring proper marketable prbducts to 
 the several public markets. They may, with the like consent, when 
 placing new or other stands in the new public markets which may 
 hereafter be built, or others which may be enlarged, altered, or re- 
 arranged, charge such additional fees or rents as shall be an increase 
 to the present revenue (18 — ) from the public markets as shall be 
 deemed just and proper for the interest of the city and the pros- 
 perity of the public markets. All stands which may be kept vacant 
 ten days (except in consequence of sickness, death, or other good 
 and sufficient reasons,) shall be declared vacant, of which notice of 
 
568 JEFFERSON jMARKET. 
 
 such vacation (and the amount of fees due, if any, to the city rev- 
 enue,) shall be placed or posted on such vacant stands for the space 
 of three days ; and if more than one proper applicant shall present 
 themselves for the same, then the same shall be drawn for; the 
 drawer shall pay the back fees due, and also a fair valuation for 
 fixtures, (if left on;) and in case the drawer of these and all other 
 new stands which shall be hereafter drawn for shall cease to occupy 
 for the space of ten successive days, then they shall be declared va- 
 cant ; and such stands, whether new or old, shall, in the above same 
 manner, be drawn for the benefit of the former occupant or heirs, 
 and the good-wiU or right of custom, if any there be. They may ap- 
 point proper persons to remove all dirt, filth, shells, garbage, or any- 
 thing considered a nuisance, daily, and to perform such other services 
 about the public markets as are necessary to cleanse the same, at a 
 specified compensation ; and may, for cause or neglect, at any time, 
 remove them, and appoint others in their stead. They may cause 
 and superintend the removal, building, or rebuilding, enlarging, 
 repairing, alteration, and addition of the public market buildings, 
 where it would be an advantage to the city revenue and the accom- 
 modation of the public. They may recommend suitable compensa- 
 tion to the Clerks, Collectors, Weighmaster, or Weighmasters, (if 
 more than one be required,) and such other persons as may be em- 
 ployed to keep in order and cleanse the several public markets, 
 who shall be subject to the control and supervision of the Board 
 of Trustees. For the purpose of defraying the expenses to be 
 incurred in pursuance of the last section, the Board of Trustees 
 may, by a requisition, draw upon the Comptroller for a sum 
 not exceeding two hundred dollars. They may in like manner 
 renew the draft as often as may be necessary; but no such re- 
 newal shall be made until the money paid upon the previous 
 draft shall be accounted for to the Comptroller by satisfactory 
 vouchers for the expenditure of the money paid thereon; and when 
 such draft or drafts shall be made upon the Comptroller, in con- 
 formity with the last two sections, he shall draw his warrant in 
 favor of the Board of Trustees for the amount thereof. The Clerks 
 of the large public markets shall collect the market fees and rents 
 daily which shall become due in their respective markets ; and the 
 Collector shall collect the fees and rents weekly from all the small 
 public markets respectively; and both Clerks and Collectors shall 
 on Thursday in each week render a full account thereof, under oath, 
 of the several individual names, amounts of fees and rents received 
 by them from each numerically numbered stand under their appro- 
 priate heads, which shall also contain the whole amount received, 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 569 
 
 and when paid ; and shall thereupon pay over the amount so receired 
 to the Chamberlain. They shall also thereupon respectively re- 
 ceive from the Chamberlain a voucher for the payment thereof, which 
 they shall forthwith, on the same day, exhibit to the Comptroller, 
 and shall at the same time leave with him a copy thereof. The 
 Clerks or Collectors may for good and sufficient reasons have the 
 power to suspend any person having a stated stall or stand in a pub- 
 lic market, to which they are respectively attached, or occupying a 
 part thereof, or of the street adjoining the same, from occupying or 
 using any part of the market or street, whether a licensed butcher or 
 not; and immediately upon such suspension the Clerk or Collector 
 shall report the same to the Board of Trustees, who shall hear the 
 same, upon sufficient notice to the person suspended, and an oppor- 
 tunity afforded him to be heard in his defence, and whose decision 
 upon the matter shall be final. 
 
 " The provisions of Chapter 12 of the Eevised Ordinances re- 
 specting the duties of Deputy Clerks of the markets* shall apply 
 to the Clerks and Collectors ; and the duties of the Weighmasters 
 shall also apply to those hereby created, except where they are in- 
 consistent with this act. The private markets (commonly known as 
 meat-shops) shall not be under the supervision or direction of this 
 Board of Trustees, but shall be under such laws, ordinances, and 
 resolutions as may be recognized or passed by the Common Council. 
 The Board of Trustees, Clerks, and Weighmasters are specially 
 charged with the enforcement of all laws of this State, and all ordi- 
 nances and resolutions of the Common Council not inconsistent 
 with this act regulating the public markets ; and they are also re- 
 quired forthwith to report to the Corporation Attorney all viola- 
 tions thereof." 
 
 We will now turn back again to the history of this market, and 
 find, in a report made in the latter part of the year 1849, by 
 Colonel Heman W. Childs, then "Commissioner of Streets and 
 Lamps," in which he stated an estimated loss by the public markets 
 in 1848 to the city, over and above receipts; and that this (Jeffer- 
 son) market lost some $3,984.14— with "no prospect of business in 
 the place, and its appearance of falling off." 
 
 After reading this report, I thought it could not be possible ; but, 
 to satisfy the public and myself, I set to work, and from the various 
 public officers obtained the whole value of this property, including 
 the various buildings ; then the amount of lawful interest on the 
 whole ; from this was deducted the amount of receipts, charging 
 the city such rents for the use of such buildings, &c., as were 
 placed upon them by the officers in charge — that is, for the accom- 
 
670 JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 modations for tlie "Ninth "Ward Police;" the "Police Courts;" the 
 Prisons ; two places to test water-pipes ; yard-room for these pipes ; 
 the tower for the fire-bell; three stores, and a large hall above 
 them, &c. These receipts having been cast up, left an income 
 above seven per cent, advantage to the city, of $2,915.86. And as 
 to the decrease of the business, I quoted from the reports of 1844, 
 which stated, that the "butchers' stands and market fees were 
 $1,048.04, and in 1848 $1,425.44;" showing a gain in four years of 
 nearly $400, and the amount of business one-third more. This ac- 
 count was prepared for the " Press," as the " Press" had published 
 this unlooked-for report. Being, however, intimate with Colonel 
 Childs, I waited upon him with this evidence, and satisfied him 
 that there was not such a loss, or any loss, but a large gain. He, 
 however, wished it not to be answered by the " Press," but would 
 refer to it in his next Annual Report ; and I became satisfied that 
 it would be best to assume this form ; but it was not acknowledged. 
 
 So it rested until the early part of the year 1854, when Mr. A. 
 C. Plagg, then Comptroller, again brought forth this same, I may 
 call it, false report, and gave it to the public in a printed docu- 
 ment. To counteract it, I soon after prepared an article on " The 
 Public Markets," which was printed in the New York Daily Times, 
 January 23, 1855, in which, in detail, is proven that this market 
 paid " the snug sum of seven thousand, Jive hundred and eighteen 
 dollars and seventy-eight cents above lawful interest, and all its 
 expenses." 
 
 Now we turn to notice a report of the " Police Committee," 
 made on the 3d of June, 1851, to allow the use of a part of this 
 market property on Amos Street for prison purposes. The Boards 
 "Mesolved, That permission be given to the Governors of the Aims- 
 House Department to erect a prison upon the vacant lot of ground 
 belonging to the Corporation, situated in Amos (West Tenth) 
 Street, adjoining the Second District Prison ; being twenty-five feet 
 front on Amos Street, and between the present prison and the 
 engine-house." 
 
 The large fire-bell tower, built of wood, several years ago, which 
 stood nearer the point of Sixth Avenue and West Tenth Street than 
 the present one, was destroyed by fire on the afternoon of the follow- 
 ing 29th of July, 1851. The large bell, weighing about 9,000 pounds, 
 was cracked and ruined by the heat and fall. Another tower was 
 soon after erected, of the same material, but nearer, and adjoining 
 the country and fish market-house, on the northwestern end ; this, a 
 few years ago, had an addition made to its height, and much beau- 
 tified ; with also a fire escape-ladder, running from the upper floor 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 571 
 
 or lookout to the roofs of the three-story building, containing two 
 energetic fire companies : one, the Guardian Engine Company, No. 
 29, who have lately procured a fine steam-engine ; and the " Gulick 
 Hose Company," No. 11. 
 
 Next to this building stands the prison, which has been much 
 enlarged and improved, as are also the court-rooms over the large 
 building on the corner of Greenwich Avenue and West Tenth 
 Street. In this are several stores and offices, and a communication 
 with the large hall over the old market building, which had pre- 
 viously been used by the Ninth Ward Station-House, but now by 
 several military companies, and other public purposes. While in 
 the possession of the Police, in the year 1851, this Hall was the 
 scene of a most heart-rending character, when near fifty little chil- 
 dren lay upon the policemen's beds, bunks, and floor, nearly all 
 dead or dying, occasioned by the terrible calamity which befell 
 Ward School No. 26, in Greenwich Avenue, (located just above this 
 market,) on the 20th of November, 1851, on a Thursday afternoon, 
 about two o'clock. 
 
 One of the teachers in the female department was suddenly at- 
 tacked with ■' a stiffening of the tongue, and a contraction of the 
 muscles of the face," which frightened some of the children, who 
 commenced screaming. Water being called for to use on the 
 fainting teacher, raised the supposition of fire, and the next mo- 
 ment the cry of "Fire!" was echoed through the building. Sub- 
 ordination was at an end; the children rushed to the stairways, 
 which were soon filled, arid the pressure against the balustrades was 
 so great that they gave way, and down, down the "deep well-hole" 
 they were hurled to the bottom, where hundreds continued to follow 
 and fall on those below, until they were piled up — a mass of chil- 
 dren — eight feet square and about twelve feet high, principally lit- 
 tle girls. In the boys' department, the resolute teacher, Mr. 
 McNally, stopped the boys by placing his back against the door, 
 and forbade any one to go out, which no doubt was the means of 
 saving many lives; but the excitement was so great, that one 
 bright, smart boy, (who I knew,) in trying to jump from the window 
 to the roof of the house adjoining, fell short, and down he went, to 
 be immediately killed. Being deeply interested, I hastened to the 
 school-house, to see the last of these little ones carried to this 
 Station-House Hall, where I quickly followed, to behold — Oh! what 
 a dreadful scene ! 
 
 The first person I saw was a friend, the father of a beautiful 
 little lifeless girl, whom he was holding, while sitting on the floor, 
 and calling to her by name. We hurried on, and stopped a mo- 
 
572 JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 ment to pick up a poor suffering boy, who, in his painful delirium, 
 had thrown himself off the hunk upon the floor. On we went, twice 
 around that Hall, to examine each one a second time, to find those 
 whom we thought, at the time, were lost. 
 
 The Press of the day, however, gave all the names, residences of 
 the dead and severely injured, with the evidence taken before a Coro- 
 ner's Jury, and other particulars ; and we will leave this intensely 
 painful subject to one of humanity. 
 
 On the Sixth Avenue side, under the eaves of the country market, 
 may be daily found the " Blind Man of Jefferson Market," Henry 
 McNerney, once an assistant clerk in the Navy Department at Wash- 
 ington, under the Honorable James K. Paulding. 
 
 Every morning, except the Sabbath, may be seen the little prat- 
 tling daughter leading her blind father, threading her way through 
 the carts, wagons, baskets, &c., to his little inclosed stall, where she 
 leaves him with a " good-morning," and back home again she returns 
 for her school ; in the evening the same duties are regularly per- 
 formed by her to take him home again, and on Saturday night late, 
 between ten and eleven, his wife or son performs that duty. As 
 soon as he arrives at the market he opens his small store of goods, 
 by taking down the shutters, dusts off his exposed wares, and taste- 
 fully, as well z.?, feelingly, puts all in order ready for his scanty sales. 
 Behind and before him are arranged his crockery, candies, cake, and 
 cord ; shoe-strings, sewing-thread, suspenders, sugar-plums, and many 
 other little articles,' make up his stock in trade, where all can be 
 reached, cases opened, any article selected,- and change given; and, 
 I believe, but few have been heartless enough to steal or take ad- 
 vantage of him. 
 
 His trade, however, is quite slow, but patiently he waits for the 
 sometimes few shillings, and then again an exceedingly good busi- 
 ness day will bring him in a few dollars : he says, " I did pretty well 
 when I first came here ; then I took in three, four, and five dollars — 
 now I seldom take in as many shillings." 
 
 So well do his eyes appear, that fifty persons might pass him and 
 with a casual glance at him would not suppose those orbs were sight- 
 less — that he was a blind man ; but if they drew near and looked 
 at him a moment, they would discover the vacant stare, which for 
 twenty long years have not been able to discover the least glimmer of 
 light — all is darkness — one long dark night has he had, and so it 
 will continue, no doubt, until his life's end. 
 
 He has been located here^ since 1852, by the kindness and inter- 
 cession of some of the authorities who gave him a stand here, with- 
 out rent ; but I am sorry to record that at times, when any amount 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 573 
 
 of sales were made by Mm, one of the Clerks demanded fees ; how- 
 ever, within the last five years business has been so dull with him, 
 that no fees have been collected from him. Year after year he has 
 faithfully striven to obtain an honest living for his little family of 
 five — and with the assistance of his wife, who occasionally performs 
 house-labor, they have lived on — their joint earnings, however, were 
 sometimes not sufficient to keep this little household together, if some 
 kind friend had not assisted them. 
 
 About the year 1840, while engaged in his duties at Washington, 
 which he well aiid faithfully performed, he became suddenly almost 
 blind, and was obliged to come to this city for assistance. Hav- 
 ing some means, he sought the best physicians, but with little im- 
 mediate success ; unfortunately, however, he, in his anxiety to get 
 well soon, changed for a famous quack oculist, who with caustic burnt 
 and killed the main nerve of the eyes, and no doubt it also for a 
 time shattered the intellect. So anxious was he to obtain assist- 
 ance, that the quack took advantage of it, and increased and re- 
 ceived his enormous demands at every operation, which soon found 
 all his means expended. But his former services and good character 
 were not forgotten ; his old employer sought him out, and on him 
 displayed his kindness and benevolence : " As long as I have you 
 shall not want." James K. Paulding never allowed him to suffer 
 while he lived, nor will his generations, some of whom he has dan- 
 dled on his knee while children — they never, nor have they, forgot- 
 ten the " Blind Man of Jefferson Market." 
 
 To the year 1856 we turn, to introduce a sort of serio-comic arti- 
 cle from the Press on some of the daily occurrences and sights which 
 at that time took place at this market. It may appear somewhat 
 egotistical in these pages ; yet its pleasantry may assist to subdue 
 this reflection, when the attention of the reader is drawn to one to 
 whom the American people owe so much for the many brilliant and 
 successful services which have been lavished upon them by the wis- 
 dom, gallantry, and generalship of Lieutenant-General Winfield 
 Scott, and which have placed his name among the great men of the 
 world. 
 
 The article, after alluding to a specimen of military nobility of the 
 " mother-country," turns to introduce the following : " On any morn- 
 ing of the five days out of the six of our weekly calendar, Jefferson 
 Market— in this emporium of the New World— represents a lap of 
 luxury — the glory of a bountifully supplied and plenteous land. 
 Here are gorgeous avenues of flesh, all garnished with masses, and 
 quarters, and ribs, and loins of the finest beef, in streaks of mellow 
 meat imbedded in layers of golden fat. Interspersed are columns 
 
574 JEFFERSON MARKET. 
 
 of the whitest marbled-fatted mutton. In beautiful relief milk-white 
 veal and porcine carcasses fill up the intervals, with flowers and 
 greens of our forest lands, arching the roof — all so pure, clean, and 
 inviting that the poor man sighs, from the deepest depth of his 
 empty stomach, as he wonders why such plenty so persistingly hangs 
 so far beyond his reach ; while the rich man's eyes feed with epi- 
 curean delight, and his mouth streams with watery, luscious ecstasy 
 as he casts his longing and far-reaching sight down these inviting 
 vistas of ' animal food,' and contemplates them in connection with 
 his own culinary department of his household. Oh either side are 
 other avenues gracefully festooned with wreaths of 'Christmas ivy' 
 and of ' evergreens,' pendent from which full swelling-breasted tur- 
 keys droop their heads in melancholy nuidity ; by their side, in cold 
 death's embrace, hang innocent ducks and sinless chickens, and fowls 
 of every size, form, and hue, with fore and hind quarters of game, 
 with clean bushy tails, all so beautifully and gracefully with succu- 
 lents interlaced, and so temptingly presented. All looking so in- 
 vitingly entreating to be purchased, sent home, dressed and eaten, 
 that any man must be a perfect monster Graham-misanthrope that 
 could resist such an appeal as here is made upon his senses and 
 gustatory nerves by this Cornucopia of the meats, the fruits, and the 
 granaries of this fructiferous land. 
 
 " In the recess of one of the avenues we speak of is situated the 
 excellent and abundantly supplied stand of Colonel De Voe — a noble 
 specimen of an American citizen, military as well as civil — whose 
 stall emphatically teams with the ' fat of the land.' 
 
 " On the opposite side to the Colonel's position is a young isolated 
 Cornucopia of the fruits of the earth, mixed with wild-fowl of the 
 air, all belonging and under the imperial sway of the ' Queen of the 
 Market,' a very smart and pretty woman, named ' Mrs. Mingay.' 
 Between these two stands a cane-bottom stool, especially devoted to 
 a distinguished American chieftain, upon which every morning seated 
 may be seen the martial, giant figure of General Winfield Scott. By 
 his side stands Colonel De Voe, respectfully conversing with his dis- 
 tinguished friend, and taking his orders for the finest and best cuts. 
 At a respectful distance, with military submission, are the General's 
 two male servants, his aids-du-marJcet, who ever and anon bring 
 tidings of their success from the distant portions of this camp of sup- 
 plies. This completed, the greatest military chieftain living sits 
 with classic dignity, like a martial Colossus of Mars, quietly smiling 
 to his friends, and patiently waiting for the attention to his wants 
 on the part of the renowned Mrs. Mingay. 
 
 " Butcher-boys pass and repass the General with no more thought 
 
JEFFERSON MARKET. 575 
 
 of the Hero of Mexico than they do of the lambs they have slaugh- 
 tered. Old women and ragged children brush against the old gen- 
 tleman, and, treading on his cloak, thrust their wares of tape, black- 
 ing, matches, &c., in his face, and shout in his ear, demanding of him 
 to become a purchaser of their merchandise. Gaunt men, with awk- 
 ward baskets of oranges, bawl in his face, '0-rangis!' and the folks 
 pass heedless on, thinking of nothing but their business, and paying 
 no more attention, courtesy, or respect to tJie presence'oi the greatest 
 of American warriors, than they would were he plain Mr. Scott, 
 ship-chandler. 
 
 " But there sits the General, with his martial person, with his 
 calm but eagle eye, as indifl'erent and as unconcerned as if he were 
 no more than a living statue erected there by the love of the people, 
 but whose accustomed presence had destroyed all novelty or in- 
 terest in the living being. During all this time, the celebrated Mrs. 
 Mingay aforesaid has been serving some dozens of ' biddies,' niggers, 
 gentlemen and lady housekeepers and boarding-house keepers, when, 
 breathless with exertion, she hails the General with, ' Now, General, 
 what can I do for you?' The General, with stately humility and 
 deference to the queen of esculents, through his aids-du-mm-ket, gives 
 his orders, which being executed with alacrity and smiles, the fair 
 Mrs. Mingay coquets with the money she is receiving, and the Gen- 
 eral replies to her pleasantries with unmixed affability. This com- 
 pleted, the Colossus Mars rises to his feet — no salutation, no look, 
 no wonderment, no nothing greets him from the busy crowd, and, as 
 plain Mr. Scott, the Lieutenant-General Scott, of the United States, 
 quietly takes his departure for his home. But in case of war? Ah ! 
 then 23,000,000 of people would be at his feet — a les Anglais — shout- 
 ing forth his praise, and calling upon him to destroy Columbia's 
 foes, to be again dropped when the work was done, and refused back 
 pay, and again represent the picture we have drawn, representing 
 Mars on a market-day, smiling at the call of Mrs. Mingay, ' Now, 
 General, what can I do for you?' Democracy is ungrateful — sich 
 is life — and long life to Lieutenant-General Scott!"* 
 
 The last licenses for butchers' stands in this market appear on 
 record as follows : 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 John Hanshe. 
 
 No 
 
 . 2. 
 
 Bartlett Smith. 
 
 3. 
 
 John De Voe. 
 
 
 4. 
 
 George S. Starr. 
 
 6. 
 
 George W. De Voe. 
 
 
 6. 
 
 John De Voe & Son. 
 
 7. 
 
 Frederick De Voe. 
 
 
 8. 
 
 Thos. F. De Voe. 
 
 9. 
 
 William Leary. 
 
 
 10. 
 
 Moses De Voe. 
 
 11. 
 
 James Waters. 
 
 
 12. 
 
 Alexander Van Wart. 
 
 ' N. Y. Mercury, March 9th, 1806. 
 
576 WEEHAVVKEN MARKET. 
 
 No. 13. John Davidson. No. 14. Robert Fleming. 
 
 15. David B. Reed. 16. Jacob Bernheim. 
 
 There are several other butchers in this, as well as in many other 
 of the public markets, who have not been regularly " licensed " for 
 the stands they occupy ; having obtained them under another head, 
 and also in another manner, by the alteration of the Market Law : 
 these are usually known as "permit butchers." 
 
 The business here has much increased within the last ten years, 
 and now, no doubt, it will rank among the best of the up-town 
 markets ; the buildings, however, are much out of repair, and the 
 supposition is that it will require the influence of a Seventh Regi- 
 ment, or a chance for a large speculation, to obtain a new market- 
 house on the present site of the Jefferson Market. 
 
 "WEEHAWKEN MARKET." 
 
 1834. This market-place, although known in the "Records" 
 and "Maps" as the "Greenwich Market," was commonly called, 
 and it was known, as the " Weehawken Market," by way of differ- 
 ence, when spoken of, from the old Greenwich Market building, 
 which stood some time after this was erected. The name " Green- 
 wich Market" had also been applied to the old " Spring Street 
 Market," in its early years; besides this, the new street on the 
 easterly side of this new market-place was named Weehawken 
 Street. These several facts led me to adopt the name of " Wee- 
 hawken," after an Indian name of " Weehawk," which gave the 
 name to a place nearly opposite, on the " Jersey shore," from 
 which, years before, a ferry-boat went to and fro, landing on this 
 side, just above this market-place. 
 
 The first notice of the want of a market-house at this place was 
 by a resolution made on the 23d of March, 1829, " that the front 
 ground on West Street, between Christopher and Amos Streets, to 
 the depth of thirty feet, be, and the same is hereby, reserved for 
 the purpose of erecting a public market-house thereon." In the 
 month of May following, the " State Prison grounds " were ad- 
 vertised to be sold, reserving and displaying on the maps this 
 " market-place," which it was represented would soon after be es- 
 tablished ; and when the sale took place, this fact was again par- 
 ticularly noticed by the Corporation, which induced the buyers to 
 
WEEHAWKEN MARKET. 577 
 
 advance the prices for portions of tliis property near this market- 
 place. 
 
 Among the numerous buyers was the lamented Stephen Allen, 
 once the Mayor of the City of New York, who lost his life by the 
 burning of the steamboat Henry Clay, just below Yonkers landing, 
 on the afternoon of the 28th of July, 1852. Two years the ex- 
 Mayor had waited, without any signs of the erection of this mar- 
 ket-house, although petitions and communications had been sent to 
 the Common Council; but, as the "Jefferson Market" was in con- 
 templation, some of the members thought it would accommodate 
 this part of the city without this market, and they put in a plea 
 that they were not bound, by word or print, to erect this " Wee- 
 Jiaiuken Market." 
 
 The ex-Mayor soon after sent in a communication, in which we 
 find the following : " Can any good reason be urged why the Cor- 
 poration should not perform their implied contract with the pur- 
 chasers of these lots ? It will not merely be urged that the desig- 
 nation of the market on the 'map' did not imply a promise to 
 erect one, and that no written stipulation was entered into. Rea- 
 sons like these may answer when bargaining with individuals of a 
 proper cast, but not with the agents of a public body like the Cor- 
 poration of the City of New York." 
 
 In another petition, at the same time, from Abraham Van Nest 
 and others, who " remonstrate against any market being erected in 
 Greenwich Village, before the ( WeehawkenJ one alluded to, and to 
 which we are entitled by a public promise." " If the rapid growth 
 of this city, and the increasing population, call for a market in the 
 Sixth Avenue, (Jefferson,) we cheerfully say, grant it, but not until 
 the one is erected which has actually been promised us." 
 
 Their communications and petitions were unheeded by the Com- 
 mon Council; the "Jefferson Market" was erected, and this subject 
 was staved off until the month of November, 1833, when another peti- 
 tion was before the Board; and again they state, "At the time of 
 the sale of sundry lots formerly belonging to the State, they con- 
 sider the public faith was pledged to erect a market on the site as 
 marked on the map." The Report of the Market Committee was 
 also before the Board now, favorable to the petitioners, in which 
 they state, " that many persons were induced to purchase lots front- 
 ing the said market square at a considerable advance over other 
 lots in the neighboring streets, owing to an implied pledge that a 
 market-house would be erected thereon." This Report was adopt- 
 ed and approved in the month of January, 1834, and a resolution, 
 some time after, was passed to build " on Christopher Street 30 
 Vol. I.— 37 
 
578 WEEHAWKEN MARKET. 
 
 feet, on West 197 feet, 10 inches, on "Weehawken 197 feet, 10 inch- 
 es, and on Amos Street 30 feet." Then followed an appropriation 
 of $3,475 for that purpose. The market-house was erected, when 
 fourteen butchers' stands, and the necessary vegetable and fish 
 stands, were ordered to be placed in it. From No. 5 to 14 were 
 designated to be occupied by the butchers of the old ("Greenwich") 
 market, reserving Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, on Christopher Street, to be 
 sold at public auction, which took place on the 21st of October 
 following, to the following persons and prices : 
 No. 1. Adam H. Chappel, $170 No. 2. Orville Toby, $120 
 
 3. Laban C. Style, 30 4. Milton Jacacks, 25 
 
 The premiums were reported paid in, and the purchasers had pro- 
 duced a recommendation from licensed butchers of " their being fit 
 and proper persons to receive butchers' licenses." 
 
 The other ten stands were occupied in the month of July, 1835, as 
 follows : 
 
 No. 
 
 , 5. 
 
 James Reeves, Sen'r. 
 
 No 
 
 1. 6. 
 
 James Ford. 
 
 7. 
 
 Thomas Reeves. 
 
 
 8. 
 
 Jared Goodheart. 
 
 9. 
 
 Scales. 
 
 
 10. 
 
 "William Tallet. 
 
 11. 
 
 Andrew Forshay. 
 
 
 12. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 13. 
 
 Mat'w Van Benschoten. 
 
 
 14. 
 
 William Goodheart. 
 
 James Reeves, Sen'r, the occupant of No. 5, was somewhat re- 
 markable looking as eccentric, especially (in his latter days) while 
 doing business on this stand. About this period I became acquaint- 
 ed with him; then a very large, stout, but active man. He stood 
 quite erect, except the head inclined a little forward, with a pro- 
 fusion of long, white silken hair hanging around his shoulders, and 
 when at business in market he went usually without a hat, which 
 gave him a peculiar and venerable appearance. Of a social dis- 
 position, and a large fund of varied information, his conversation 
 was attractive, agreeable, and interesting, and in business he was an 
 excellent salesman. 
 
 About the year 1818-19, he was doing business in the Catharine 
 Market, when a " hue and cry " broke out against Jacob Barker's 
 money, the Exchange, and Washington and Warren Banks, which 
 money was at this period largely in circulation. An extract from 
 a letter, dated June, 1819, will give the reader an idea of the excite- 
 ment: "Jacob Barker's Bank {Exchange) is shut up this day, in con- 
 sequence of a heavy run upon him yesterday to meet the Washing- 
 ton and Warren Bank notes, which he met in specie at 30 per cent, 
 discount ; there is a great mob around his closed bank, and consta- 
 bles are fixed to prevent its being gutted, as many fear will be the 
 case. The people, however, dispersed peaceably, and several store- 
 
WEEHAWKEN MARKET. 579 
 
 keepers and others advertise that they will receive Mr. Barker's 
 notes in payment for goods." 
 
 Mr. Reeves, however, had so much confidence in Mr. Barker's 
 honesty, that he continued taking his money until he had in posses- 
 sion $1,000, and finding he could not buy stock or pay it away, he 
 began to think it was about time to do something with it ; but as he 
 had become somewhat excited in consequence of having his whole 
 means in money that he could not use, he wished one of his sons to 
 write Barker a note, informing him that " all he possessed, in fact, 
 the earnings of years of labor, was in his money." His son waited 
 on Mr. Barker at his house, and presented his note, when Mr. Bar- 
 ker told him to come to his of&ce the next day. Reeves went him- 
 self, and Mr. Barker said, he knew him {Beeves) as a poor but honest 
 man ; that his confidence in him should not be changed, and forth- 
 with drew him a check for the whole amount, at the same time told 
 him to put over his stall — " Jacob Barker's money taken at 50 cents 
 on the dollar for meats" — and all he took in that way he would re- 
 deem for the value it represented. Reeves done so, and Barker kept 
 his word, by which Reeves made a large business, and in a short 
 time money enough to buy a small property in Jane Street, which he 
 held until its rise in value gave him enough to live comfortably upon, 
 and something for his children after his decease. 
 
 This market-place was never a successful one, although for three 
 or four years business enough was done there to have supported 
 about four or five butchers ; but after that period the " meat-shops " 
 attracted certainly one-half of its trade, which left plenty of un- 
 tenanted stalls and stands, although several paid the rents for them 
 and did business elsewhere, in hope that the market laws would be 
 enforced, when they might return, but that period never came. 
 
 Several changes had taken place in their occupation in the course 
 of five or six years, and in 1840 these stands are found not all oc- 
 cupied, but in the possession of the following butchers : 
 
 No. ■ " " 
 
 . 1. 
 
 William 0. Ford. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 James Ford. 
 
 3. 
 
 Laban C. Styles. 
 
 4. 
 
 Unoccupied. 
 
 5. 
 
 John B. Reeves. 
 
 6. 
 
 do. 
 
 7. 
 
 James Reeves. 
 
 8. 
 
 Robert Piercy. 
 
 9. 
 
 Thomas Reeves. 
 
 10. 
 
 Samuel Piercy, Jun'r. 
 
 11. 
 
 Unoccupied. 
 
 12. 
 
 William Tallet. 
 
 13. 
 
 Henry Pray. 
 
 14. 
 
 William C. Goodheart. 
 
 In the month of March, 1842, a resolution was passed to lease this 
 market to " George M. Buel for the term of three years, from the 
 first of May next, at an annual rent of three hundred and twenty- 
 five dollars, payable quarterly. Said Buel to reserve twenty feet of 
 
580 UNION MARKET. 
 
 the south end of said market for the accommodation of two hutchers, 
 two hucksters, a fish and clam stand." 
 
 These remained only about three years longer, when it became at 
 times deserted, and at last wholly so, when several of the owners of 
 the property on Weehawken Street petitioned for leave to purchase 
 this market property, which brought forth a favorable report from 
 the Finance Committee in January, 1846, in which it was stated 
 that these grounds were "sold under an implied pledge that a mar- 
 ket was to be established in front, which induced them to give a 
 much greater price for the property than they otherwise would have 
 given ; that the market was built and their property improved by 
 the erection of buildings, and the petitioners in the receipt of a fair 
 income, but that for the last year or two the market has been aban- 
 doned, and the market-hou.^e occupied for other pui'poses ; in conse- 
 quence of which their property has become greatly depreciated, and 
 is much exposed to damage by fire, from the nature of the business 
 conducted in said market-house. They pray to have it removed or 
 sold to them at a moderate price, in order to be remunerated by the 
 loss sustained." 
 
 About half of the old market building is yet (1857) standing, oc- 
 cupied with a depot for the Hudson River Railroad Company, small 
 stores, and " dram-shops," and the other half with other buildings 
 for various other purposes. 
 
 "UNION MARKET." 
 
 1835. On the 6th of January, 1834, a Committee reported in 
 favor of a site, which, they said, they " have selected for the erection 
 of a market in the 11th Ward: is bounded by North (now Houston 
 Street) and Second Streets, at the junction on Avenue D, and com- 
 prises a plot of ground containing 198 feet 6 inches on North Street, 
 202 feet 10 inches on Second Street, 46 feet 6 inches on the west 
 end, and 21 feet 3 inches at the east end on Avenue D, which plot 
 has been appraised at $8,000, which your Committee think is a very 
 reasonable price, as it is situated in a very commanding position for 
 the public market, and that it is a primary duty of the Common 
 Council to render every facility to their constituents in the enlarge- 
 ment of the public markets in the upper and rapidly increasing por- 
 tion of the city, as our public markets most unquestionably produce 
 
UNION MARKET. 
 
 581 
 
 much the largest revenue to the City Treasury of all public proper- 
 ty. For example, take the Fulton Market, which cost $200,000, the 
 annual revenue arising from which is $19,077.10 ; or, in other words, 
 over 9J per cent, on the investment." 
 
 This truthful report, however, was not acted upon until the next 
 year, in the month of March, when we find a Resolution, " To con- 
 tract with Charles Overton for building a ' market' on the ground 
 lately taken for market purposes in the 11th Ward, of the same di- 
 mensions as the .Jefferson Market, for the sum of $5,961," which was 
 passed, and in the following month of May it was named the " Union 
 Market" no doubt from the fact that the Corporation intended to 
 unite the Manhattan Market with this, as that market-place had 
 proved a failure. 
 
 As soon as this market-house was finished, the Market Committee 
 decided to place the six butchers who had purchased stands in the 
 " Manhattan Market " in this new building, and giving them from 
 No. 1 to No. 6 inclusive. Then, on the 23d September following, 
 they " Resolved that six new stalls be put in the upper end of 'Union 
 Market.' The stands to be drawn for hy lot; none but regular 
 butchers be allowed to draw. No butcher having a stall in the mai- 
 kets, nor any butcher who may have within three months disposed of 
 his stand in any of the markets, will be allowed to draw. Persons 
 wishing to draw for a stand will make application to the Market 
 Committee in writing, with the proper recommendations appended, 
 &c." 
 
 Numerous petitions with recommendations were, on the 8tli of 
 October, put into the hands of the '^Executive Committee of Butch- 
 ers " for examination ; and before proceeding further, it would be 
 well to state how this " Executive Committee of Butchers " became 
 recognized by the Common Council. 
 
 On the 16th of June previous the Market Committee invited the 
 following licensed butchers to meet with them for consultation: 
 Messrs. Jacob Aims, Daniel Burtnett, James Reeves, John Scott, Ed- 
 ward Phillips, George Pessinger, Thomas Winship, William Hanshe, 
 Ebenezer Pray, and Thomas P. De Voe. " It was mutually agreed, 
 that the licensed butchers in the several markets should meet and 
 .appoint an Executive Committee to consult with the Market Com- 
 mittee on all important subjects relating to markets which may be 
 referred to them or otherwise." The butchers held an election, 
 when it appeared that all the public markets returned a representa- 
 tive, and from these representatives an Executive Committee of Three 
 was elected to meet with the Market Committee. These consisted 
 of Messrs. Andrew C. Wheeler, Daniel Burtnett, and George Pes- 
 
582 UNION MARKET. 
 
 singer, who were in attendance at their meetings for many years. 
 Although changes were made at the annual election of the members 
 of the Common Council, yet the assistance of this Executive Com- 
 mittee was of so much importance or assistance to them, that they 
 yearly ''Resolved, That the Clerk of this {Market) Committee give 
 notice to the ' Executive Committee of butchers,' requesting their ac- 
 tion as formerly;" and so it continued until just previous to the 
 adoption of the laws of 1843, licensing the " meat-shops." 
 
 On the 8th of October seventy-nine petitions for chances to draw 
 by lot these six stands in this market were approved of, and Daniel 
 Burtnett, the Chairman of this Executive Committee, was appointed 
 to draw the tickets. The prizes and blanks were all put together, 
 and drawn by their numbers, and the numbers put on each ticket 
 when drawn by the Comptroller ; after the whole was drawn, the 
 numbers and tickets were opened by the Chairman, and were com- 
 pared with the numbers on the petition by him and the Comptroller. 
 This was the first drawing of butcher stands by lot. The result was 
 as follows : 
 
 No. 7. Jacob Vogel. No. 8. John Trigler, Jun'r. 
 
 9. John Palmer. 10. Duncan Campbell. 
 
 11. Henry Cornell. 12. David Jaques. 
 
 The market was opened for business on Saturday, the 24th of the 
 same month, {October^ with excellent prospects; but it was soon 
 found there was not space enough to transact the business without 
 interfering with each other. So a Committee reported to the Board 
 on the 9 th of November following, recommending that an open mar- 
 ket of 63 feet in length by 21 feet one end and 30 feet at the other, 
 be built at the east end of the present brick market, at an expense 
 not exceeding $450. 
 
 In the month of May following (1836) a fire broke out in a cabinet- 
 maker's shop, in a large building located in the centre of the block 
 north of the market. The fire spread in every direction with great 
 rapidity, burning aud destroying some twenty buildings on Avenue 
 D, Second and Third Sireets. It crossed Second Street and reached 
 this market-house, totally destroying the roof and interior, leaving 
 the walls standihg. The stalls, fixtures, and meats, &c., were saved, 
 and for a day or two the occupants were obliged to remain out- 
 doors. However, they set to work, cleared the rubbish out of the 
 burnt market-house, and again located themselves on their stands, 
 using canvas for covering ; but the watchmen, who occupied the up- 
 per part, were obliged to seek other quarters until it should be 
 rebuilt. 
 
 It was at this fire, while it was raging, the firemen in a body 
 
UNION MARKET. 583 
 
 turned their " fire-caps," by wearing the front to the rear, and re- 
 fused to perform duty. The Herald says : " "While the firemen were 
 engaged in suppressing the fire, accounts were brought them of the 
 removal of Mr. James Gulick, the Chief Engineer, by the Corpora- 
 tion. This caused an extraordinary sensation in the corps, and they 
 struck in the midst of the raging element, which caused an extra- 
 ordinary excitement in the neighborhood. The people were highly 
 exasperated, and hard words wcro bandied about. 
 
 " When it was known that the firemen had struck, the Mayor start- 
 ed in his gig to the spot, and remonstrated with the firemen, but it 
 would not effect their return to duty till Mr. Gulick was reinstated 
 provisionally. When this was announced the firemen cheered, as 
 if victory had been obtained, and then went to work. About dark 
 the fire was subdued, but not till about $300,000 worth of property 
 had been utterly lost by this quarrel between the Corporation." 
 
 It appears, previous to this, the firemen had the privilege of 
 choosing an Engineer who would suit them, and the Common Coun- 
 cil sanctioned it ; but in the appointment of one of their own selec- 
 tion, they not only took away this right, but also took from them a 
 man whom they all respected, and who was considered the best En- 
 gineer who had ever held the ofiBce. 
 
 On the same night of the fire, " near ten o'clock," says the 
 Herald, "J. R. Biker was appointed Chief Engineer, in the place 
 of Mr. Gulick, who is now removed entirely. The Corporation 
 justify their conduct on the insubordination of the firemen during 
 the engineership of Mr. Gulick." 
 
 Another fire broke out on the evening of the 6th inst., in Prince 
 Street, when " a number of engines were not .taken out at all, and 
 every fireman had his 'cap turned;' " and this continued for quite a 
 period, or until Mr. Gulick was elected to a public ofBce. 
 
 To rebuild this market-house, an appropriation of $3,000 was 
 made, in the month of June following. 
 
 Some five months after, a report was adopted relinquishing one 
 quarter's rent, on account of the loss and damage sustained by this 
 fire. It stated, that " this market was greatly damaged by fire, in 
 such a manner as to greatly injure the interests of the butchers 
 occupying said market, although every exertion was made to repair 
 the same, notwithstanding a considerable time did elapse before it 
 was completed. Under the circumstances, your Committee believe 
 it to be just to allow a deduction of one quarter's rent to the butch- 
 ers in said market." 
 
 In the month of December, 1840, the following persons occupied 
 the butchers' stands, or were licensed for them, as follows ; 
 
584 UNION MARKET. 
 
 No. 1. "William Wells. No. 2. Felix Quin. 
 
 3. Felix Quin. 4. Charles S. Glover. 
 
 5. Henry Lang. 6. James Shaff. 
 
 7. Cornelius V. Borden. 8. Peter H. Stagg. 
 
 9. John Cromer. 10. William D. Atkins. 
 
 11. Jacob Vogel. 12. John Trigler. 
 
 13. John D. Farrington. 14. Nathaniel Cromer. 
 
 15. Paul Laundry. 16. Arnold Smith. 
 
 17. John Marshall. 18. David Johnson. 
 
 19. Henry Cornell. , 20. Henry Latham. 
 
 For several years this market proved to be an excellent up-town 
 market-place, until the " meat-shops '' began to gather around its 
 neighborhood, in defiance of the laws, although they were, in an 
 early period, promptly prosecuted ; but these prosecutions appeared 
 to have become distasteful, either from political or a manufactured 
 opinion, to many of the public authorities, whose immediate duty it 
 was to uphold the laws, and consequently these violations remained 
 unnoticed. Not only the occupants of this market, but the neigh- 
 borhood, felt aggrieved, and once more appealed through petition, 
 in the month of November, 1842, in which they state, " that the 
 violations of the market laws have become so general — meats, fish, 
 &c., being sold in shops, groceries, &c., and hawked through the 
 streets, by persons of all descriptions and occupations, many of 
 whom are not even citizens — that it has become imperatively 
 necessary for the undersigned to appeal to your Honorable Body 
 for redress, and to ask for the enforcement of those laws in relation 
 to the public markets which were made and adopted for wise and 
 salutary ends. In consequence of the general infringement of those 
 laws, the sale of meats, &c., in the public markets is reduced to that 
 degree as not to be sufficient to meet the expenses incident to the 
 same, and is continued to the daily loss, and in many cases to the 
 ruination, of the regular butchers." 
 
 After the licensing of the "meat-shops" became a law, this mar- 
 ket was at intervals almost deserted, and so it remained until about 
 the year 1845, when a change began to be perceived; the better 
 class of citizens returned slowly to the market, and of course busi- 
 ness sensibly increased. The vacant stands were gradually being 
 taken up ; some by old occupants, and others by new faces, and all 
 were in hopes of better times. 
 
 Among these new faces here was one, a most remarkable charac- 
 ter, previously noticed in the " Old Fly Market," in connection with 
 her husband, John Barr, who died of yellow fever in the year 1798. 
 "Aunt Katy Barr" was known to many of our old citizens for 
 
UNION MARKET. 585 
 
 the last half-century : first as an occupant of the " Collect Market," 
 when that first opened for business in 1810, in which she sold her 
 vegetation for seven years, or until the occupants were transfer- 
 red into the "Centre Market," in 1817, where I, while going with 
 my mother to this market, became acquainted with her and her 
 sister, "Aunt Fanny Watson," both market-women, or hucksters, 
 whom I thought, in my boyhood, stood in that relative relation to 
 me, and everybody else who addressed these remarkable women. 
 I lost sight of, and had forgotten her, from about 1825 to 1857, 
 when I heard of the "old market-woman" in the "Union Market," 
 whose recollections of the past were most wonderful ; and when I 
 visited her, and first heard the sound of her voice, and quick an- 
 swers, told me it was the same "Aunt Katy Barr." Then, although 
 almost ninety years old, she recollected my mother and her ''wild 
 hoys." She had stood in the "Centre Market" from its first open- 
 ing, when, soon after, she received a printed 'permit, with an en- 
 graved "Arms of the State" on the top, and which read: 
 
 " To the Deputy Cleric of Centre Market : 
 
 " In virtue of the authority given to the Market Committee by 
 the ordinance of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City 
 of New York, entitled, 'A Law to regulate the Public Markets,' 
 permission is hereby given to Catharine Barr to occupy a stand in 
 said market, for the sale of vegetables, and the Deputy Clerk of said 
 market is authorized to assign a suitable place for such purpose. 
 New York, 12th day of May, 1818. By order of the Market Com- 
 mittee. G. BuCKMASTER, Chairman." 
 
 About the year 1835 she removed into one of her houses in Second 
 Street, near Avenue C, with her married daughter, (her only child,) 
 which created a longer distance to travel, at an earlier hour in the 
 morning. She was, however, among the first in the market, always 
 ready for business; and on Saturday nights, after a long, tiresome 
 day's work, sometimes as late as twelve o'clock, found her traveling 
 through deep snows and cold storms towards her welcome home. 
 This active life she continued up to 1850, when she in sorrow parted 
 from the old associations in the Centre Market, and entered again 
 upon new ones in this ( Union) market. Here she passed eight years 
 in her business, and on Saturday night, the 17th of October, 1858, 
 she left here for the last time ; as she, after a short illness of only 
 four days, expired, and her body was borne to that final resting-place 
 where she just sixty years before had followed her only husband; 
 being a wife for a few short months, and a widow of sixty years, al- 
 ways treasuring in her memory her young a-nd loving husband. 
 
586 MONROE MARKET. 
 
 Since the rebuilding of this burnt market-house, it became settled 
 and cracked, and continued to grow worse, so that it was thought 
 dangerous, which deterred many from visiting it. The neighbor- 
 hood concluded it would be best to petition for a new one erected 
 on a larger scale, as well to accommodate the " Police " as the occu- 
 pants of the market proper. Their petition was answered in 1853, 
 by the rebuilding of a much larger and finer market-house ; and in 
 the month of May, 1854, the occupants who had been located under 
 sheds, on the vacant ground east of the market-place, were removed 
 in, numbering some 18 butchers, and 26 hucksters, fishermen, and but- 
 ter dealers. 
 
 The following persons were about this period or afterwards li- 
 censed for the butchers' stands in this market, (ranging from 1853 
 to 1856:) 
 
 No. 
 
 , 1. 
 
 George Hirleman. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 J. J. Cape. 
 
 3. 
 
 Abraham Atkins. 
 
 4. 
 
 Jacob Wilde. 
 
 5. 
 
 Isaac Oberdorfer. 
 
 6. 
 
 Isaac Menaber. 
 
 7. 
 
 George Keets & Co. 
 
 8. 
 
 Charles Summers. 
 
 9. 
 
 John McElroy. 
 
 10. 
 
 William D. Atkins, 
 
 11. 
 
 Louis Oppenheimer. 
 
 12. 
 
 David Jaques. 
 
 13. 
 
 Henry Altheimer. 
 
 14. 
 
 Thomas Healy. 
 
 15. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 16. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 17. 
 
 Patrick Smith. 
 
 18. 
 
 do. 
 
 19. 
 
 Vacant. 
 
 20. 
 
 John J. Cape. 
 
 The rooms above are used as a station-house for the Eleventh 
 Precinct, and have been so used for many years. 
 
 "MONROE MARKET." 
 
 1836. The " Grand Street Market," which had stood more than 
 twenty years in Grand Street, near where this new market-place 
 was about to be located, had of late years become an obstruction to 
 the business, especially to those who were passing with carriages, 
 wagons, and carts to and from the ferry, which induced the Market 
 Committee to report on this new location on the 6tli of January, 
 1834, in which they state, that " the site which your Committee have 
 selected for extending the ' Grand Street Market' is bounded on the 
 north by Grand Street, on the south by Monroe Street, and on the 
 east by Corlaers Street ; comprising the eastern section of said block, 
 
MONROE MARKET. 587 
 
 and containing on Grand Street 140 feet, on Corkers Street 119 
 feet, on Monroe Street 125 feet, and 225 feet on a line running 
 through to the centre of the block." " Such ground, with the im- 
 provement, has been appraised at $32,000; your Committee are 
 unanimously of opinion that the above site is the most eligible that 
 can be procured in that section of the city." Although this report 
 was favorable, yet the plan for building the market-house was not 
 agreed upon until the month of January, 1836, when it was proceed- 
 ed with, and a worse adapted building for the purpose could not have 
 well been erected. The butchers remonstrated against its plan; 
 some thought it more suitable for a livery-stable ; others, again, that 
 it would tumble down the first strong wind. 
 
 In the month of September following, the Committee agreed to 
 name it " Lafayette Market," but before the expiration of the month 
 it was changed to " Monroe Market," from and after James Monroe, 
 the fifth President of the United States, who died on the 4th of 
 July, 1831. 
 
 The following butchers from the old "Grand Street Market" 
 were transferred into this market-house : 
 
 No. 1. Andrew Storms. No. 2. Thomas Winship. 
 
 3. John Prendergast. 4. George Scott. 
 
 5. Eichard Ellis. 6. Walter Byrnes. 
 
 On the 23d of February, next year, the Market Committee drew 
 six more stands, to be occupied by the following butchers : 
 
 No. 7. Henry Latham. No. 8. William Vandewater. 
 
 9. Henry Mangles. 10. H. A. Beck. 
 
 11. Geo. W. Hopkins. 12. Stephen Brown. 
 
 The occupant of No. 2, Thomas Winship, was the grandson of 
 Colonel Ebenezer Winship, noticed in the " Bear Market," and a 
 son of Thomas Winship, who many years before occupied a stand in 
 the " Corlaers Hook Market." He was ever known as a worthy and 
 an honorable man, and although s^n Aldei-man, (13th Ward, in 1844,) 
 with and amongst the many scenes of bribery and corruption, yet he 
 passed through his term with only pecuniary losses ; a considerable 
 portion of that article which is most sought after by the corrupt 
 ofiBce-holder, who sometimes manage through a brief term or two to 
 get in possession of enough to live, after their retirement, an inde- 
 pendent life, and to be looked upon by some as worthy and respect- 
 able. But the honest Alderman would not touch the " thirty pieces 
 of silver," by selling out his integrity or self-respect, and his con- 
 stituents felt, in electing him to this once honorable position, they 
 had given the right ballot for the right man. 
 
 On the 31st of March, 1837, the Superintendent of Buildings was, 
 
588 HARLEM MARKET. 
 
 by resolution, " authorized to make such alteration in this market- 
 house as he may deem necessary, to make a way or passage into 
 the market from Monroe Street," which gave the rear stalls some 
 more advantage for business ; but there was never enough to sup- 
 port all the stand-holders, as we find after the first year or two 
 many of the stands were unoccupied, although held by the owners, 
 who paid the rents, in expectation of better times. In 1840 the fol- 
 lowing butchers held licenses for the stands as follows : 
 No.. 1. Andrew Storms. No. 2. Thomas Winship. 
 
 3. John Prendergast. 4. George Scott, Jun'r. 
 
 5. John Deal. 6. Benjamin Ward. 
 
 7. George Gumming. 8. William Nesbet. 
 
 9. Philip Weeks. 10. Richard S. Davenport. 
 
 The existing market laws at this period were not put in force ; 
 and as the neighborhood had a great number of " meat-shops," the 
 proprietors of which defied the authorities, the consequence was, this 
 market was injured, although it lingered along until the year 1847, 
 when, on the 12th of July, a Committee reported in favor of selling 
 the ground and premises at public auction. 
 In this year wc find five butchers licensed for the following stands : 
 No. 1. John Prendergast. No. 2. Thomas Winship. 
 
 3. William Nolan. 4. George Gumming. 
 
 5. John Masterton. 
 Soon after part of this market property was sold ; one of the lots 
 was purchased by Winship and Prendergast, who remained about 
 one year after, when it was deserted. 
 
 A part of the old market-house yet (1853) stands on the corner of 
 Grand and Gorlaers Streets, almost ready to tumble down. 
 
 "HARLEM MARKET." 
 
 1840. Thiety-three years (1807) prior to the establishment of 
 the " Harlem Market," which we are now about to introduce, there 
 was granted to a butcher, named Thomas Dunning, a privilege to 
 erect a temporary shed as a market-house, near what was then called 
 the " Five Corners," now located about 200 feet west of the Third 
 Avenue, near 120th Street. This was established as a public mar- 
 ket-place, to be under the same rules and regulations as all the 
 others ; but Dunning did not so understand it, and therefore paid 
 
HARLEM MARKET. 539 
 
 no market fees for the space of two years, although repeatedly called 
 upon to do so. The Mayor directed his Marshal, on the 27th of 
 February, 1809, to suspend and commence suit against him, which 
 had the effect of causing him to pay oyer £30 18s. Zd., the amount 
 of the fees then due. 
 
 Another butcher at the same place, named William Perkins, also 
 refused to pay his fees, when proceedings were also ordered against 
 him. From that period up to the establishment of this " Harlem 
 Market," there had been kept a sort of a market-place at or near 
 the same location ; but at times very indifferently supplied, which 
 no doubt was in consequence of the meat- wagons, who, after a period, 
 visited this place on certain days of the week. The neighborhood, 
 however, was dissatisfied, and petitioned on several occasions, which 
 do not appear to have been noticed until the month of May, 1838, 
 when a report on taking ground at Harlem to build a market-house 
 was read, as follows : " That a piece of ground should be taken 
 somewhere in the vicinity of 120th and 121st Streets, near the Third 
 Avenue, for a public market, and they think this a suitable location. 
 The ground to be taken consists of two irregular triangles on both 
 sides of an old road, 100 feet in width, running diagonally through 
 the whole plot. The piece fronting on the Third Avenue has several 
 low, wooden buildings on it, of not much value, &c. ; the piece front- 
 ing on 121st Street has also two wooden buildings on it. Your 
 Committee are of opinion that the value of the whole is not more 
 than $5,500, and that the owners of the part fronting on the Third 
 Avenue are so situated that a clean title could not at present be ob- 
 tained. The property thus taken will be a suitable place for a pub- 
 lic market and for engine-houses." 
 
 "Besolved, That application be made to the Legislature for a law 
 authorizing the taking of a plot of ground on the Third Avenue, be- 
 tween 120th and 121st Streets, and running back two hundred and 
 seventy-five feet, for public purposes, by Commissioners to be ap- 
 pointed by the Supreme Court;" which was adopted and approved. 
 
 Two years after another report on the subject was before the 
 Common Council, stating " that by an act of the Legislature, passed 
 at its last session, the Corporation have become possessed in fee of 
 a plot of ground bounded " as above, " and designed for public pur- 
 poses. During the investigation of the subject referred to your 
 Committee, it has satisfactorily appeared that to no purpose could a 
 portion of the land alluded to be more appropriately or advan- 
 tageously used than for the erection of a public market thereon. It 
 would afi"ord very great accommodations to the inhabitants at Har- 
 lem and in its vicinity for a vast number who now have to procure 
 
590 HARLEM MARKET. 
 
 their marketing in the city ; and, in truth, it would be doing great 
 injustice to the citizens there to deny them so reasonable a re- 
 quest," &c. 
 
 A resolution was also offered, directing the Superintendent of 
 Public Buildings " to advertise for proposals for the erection of a 
 market-house at Harlem, in conformity with the plan, and appro- 
 priating the sum of $1,500 for the purpose;" which was adopted. 
 
 But in the face of this, the Superintendent " contracted the build- 
 ing of it for $2,100," six hundred more than was authorized ; and 
 extras besides were demanded by the builder after it was finished, 
 as will afterwards appear. 
 
 The building having been erected, it was soon occupied by four 
 butchers, one fisherman, and a vegetable stand. The butchers were 
 Philip Hardenbrook & Brother, Thomas Quinlan, and Henry Cook; 
 the two latter, however, gave up their stands soon after. 
 
 In the month of August, 1 842, a petition was before the Board, 
 stating, " that several years since, that portion of the block of 
 ground lying between 120th and 121st Streets, and extending from 
 the Third Avenue and the Old Road, was set apart by the Honor- 
 able the Corporation for the purpose of a public square, and erect- 
 ing a market-house thereon ; that the said building has been com- 
 pleted, but that no steps have as yet been taken for the removal of 
 the incumbrances from said grounds, &c." This, with others, after 
 a period of several months, brought forth the following from the 
 "Finance Committee:" "i?e.sofeecZ, That the Comptroller be, and 
 he is hereby, authorized and directed to sell at public auction all 
 the old buildings in Harlem Square, with the exception of the one 
 on the corner of the Third Avenue and 120th Street, and to pay the 
 proceeds of said sales into the City Treasury." This was adopted 
 and approved in the months of September and October of the above 
 year, (1842.) 
 
 At the time of the establishment of this market-place, the law 
 favorable to meat-shops was not yet a law, only so far that no pros- 
 ecutions took place, and they were allowed almost any and every- 
 where; and this was not all, as all sorts of flesh were carried in 
 carts and wagons, and peddled around the suburbs ; and Harlem 
 was not excepted. From this cause, the business of this market 
 declined, until not more than one or two butchers could be sup- 
 ported. 
 
 In the month of March the Brothers Hardenbrook made an ap- 
 plication to lease it for a term of years ; which was referred to a 
 Committee, who reported favorable, stating, " that the market in 
 question is not bringing the city anything, and no probability of its 
 
HARLEM MARKET. 591 
 
 making any revenue for some time to come, unless it be in the way 
 proposed." '"Resolved, That a lease be granted to William Harden- 
 brook, for three years, of the building known as the ' Harlem Mar- 
 ket,' at an annual rent of one hundred and fifty dollars; subject 
 to a termination of said lease at any time during the term, should 
 the Common Council take the same for public purposes." 
 
 In 1857 I found the Hardenbrooks yet in possession of this much- 
 neglected market-house, although a resolution had passed many 
 years before "to have it taken down and removed." 
 
 Since the establishment of this last public market-place in our 
 city, there have been several others brought to the notice of the 
 public ; some of which have received favorable reports to establish 
 them, but, for reasons unknown, (or at least strongly suspected,) 
 they were " laid on or under the table ;" while others, again, were 
 defeated, mainly in consequence of the exposure of some of the 
 rascalities shown up by a watchful and an honest Public Press, 
 which could not be bought, nor brought " into the ring." 
 
 We owe a great deal to an honest " Press," whose great power 
 and benefit, more especially in the saving of thousands of dollars, 
 by its timely exposure and expression, its forming and informing 
 the public mind, and its truthful daily historical events, which time 
 makes more interesting and valuable. But this crowded volume 
 has brought upon me the thought of its conclusion, that another 
 more useful one may very soon appear, to redeem my promise made in 
 the beginning. 
 
 Having thus passed through the several public market-places 
 which have been established, from time to time, in different parts 
 of the City of New York, I have at least noticed some of the inci- 
 dents connected with their respective histories; and in taking 
 leave of the markets, I do so with a hope and expectation of re- 
 entering them at no distant day, for the purpose of noticing the 
 various articles which are offered for sale therein; and I trust, 
 should I be permitted to do so, that as much satisfaction will be ex- 
 perienced in a perusal of the more practical information which I will 
 then have to offer, as there has been in its collection and compila- 
 tion. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Note. — The number of butchers (both of the oldea and modern times) 
 noticed in this volume is found so great, (being about 1,200,) that it has 
 induced me to place them under the above separate head; leaving, however, 
 the subject found connected with each individual for the General Index. 
 
 The surnames of many of the same name are also, at various intervals 
 of time, found differently spelled or connected: thus, Emky, Enske, Imky, 
 Inslee, or Tndovi; Ouienbogarl, OiUen Bogert, or O. Bogert; Trigkth,- Triglar, 
 Trigler, or the middle name or letter of certain persons left out altogether 
 
 It appears to have been the custom or fashion, in the " olden time,'' for 
 individuals to write names or words according to the common pronunciation 
 or sound ; which, no doubt, is the cause of the change in the spelling of so 
 many of the names of our old families; this has led me to uitroduce some 
 of tlie different styles, as found in the originals. 
 
 A. 
 
 Abeel, John, -m. 323. 
 
 Acker, Jacob, 350, 413, 509, 511. 
 
 Ackerly, John, 419. 
 
 Ackerman, Samuel, 212. 
 
 Aims, Arnest, {Aimes,) 516. 
 
 Aims, Jacob, 346, 376, 412, 429, 
 
 431, 437, 438, 439, 494, 506, 
 
 581. 
 Aims, John P., 356, 439. 
 Aimes, John, 824. 
 Akley, John, {Ackky,) 549. 
 Alden, John, 517. 
 Alden, Joseph, 503, 510, 517. 
 Allen, Christopher, 531. 
 Altheimer, Henry, SyCi. 
 Andarise, John, ( Aiidarese, ) 429, 
 
 439 
 Anderson, Isaac, 516. 
 Anderson, Walter, 362, 530. 
 Anderson, William, 356, 630. 
 Angevine, Caleb, 402. 
 Anthony, Alexander, 362. 
 
 Vol. T.— 38 
 
 Appley, Jacob, 336, 337, 339. 
 Appleby, William, 350, 356, 357, 
 
 358, 359, 524. 
 Appleby, James, 362, 365. 
 Appleby, John, 365. 
 Appleby, Joseph C, 362, 365. 
 Applel)y, Walter, 365. 
 Arden, Jacob, {Arding,) 149. 
 Arden, Jacob J., 315, 316, 367. 
 Arden, Francis, 212, 218. 
 Arment, Moses E., 471, 472. 
 Arment, Samuel L,, 474, 485, 486, 
 Arnold, George, 160. 
 Astor, Henry, (IJenrich,) {Ashdore, 
 
 Ashdoor,) 159, 160, ls4, 185, 210, 
 
 211, 212, 315, 36T, 368. 
 Atkins, Abraham, 586. 
 Atkins, William D., 526, 584, 586. 
 Austin, y/illiam, 529. 
 
 Bahanan, 
 
 214. 
 Bahanan, 
 
 B. 
 
 Alexander, 
 Mathew, 214. 
 
 ( Buchanan, ) 
 
594 
 
 INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Baisley, Andrew, {Easky, Bazley, 
 
 Beslar, Beasly,) 316, 367. 
 Baisley, Harmaii, 486, 549. 
 Baisley, John, 211, 316. 
 Baisley, John A., 461, 
 Barker, John P., 356. 
 Barr, John, {Emr,) 201, 206, 207. 
 Batt, William R., 495. 
 Batten, Fhihp, {Battin,) 91. 
 Bayea, Isaac, {Beyea,) 201, 212, 374, 
 
 379. 
 Beatey, Robert, 531. 
 Beclf, George, 503. 
 Beck, George R., 200, 212. 
 Beck, H. A., 587. 
 Beck, John, 157. 
 Bennett, Jolin A., 549. 
 Bennett, WiUiam W., 438. 
 Bernheim, Jacob, 576. 
 Berryman, Alexander, 531. 
 Bird, Cliarles, 212. 
 Bird, Freeman P., 439, 
 Bird, Mathew, 396, 460, 486. 
 Bird, Mathew W., 862. 
 Black, John, 549. 
 Blackwell, Joseph, 396, 397, 398, 
 
 461, 465, 467, 469, 470, 506. 
 Blair, William T., 557. 
 Blank, William, 206. 
 Bockover, Thomas, 479. 
 Bogart. Joseph 0., Jr., {Bogert,) 200, 
 
 210, 212, 222, 233, 241, 494, 495. 
 Bogert, Abraham, 200. 
 Bogert, Joseph Outen, Sr., ( Outenlo- 
 
 gert,) 155. 
 Bolander, Ephraim B., 465, 467, 471, 
 
 495. 
 Borden, Cornelius F., 485. 
 Borden, Cornelius V., 584. 
 Borden, William, 462, 465, 467. 
 Borden, William D., 471, 478. 
 BorowsEln, Martin, 429. 
 Boscawen, John, 336, 348, 405, 551. 
 Boudinot, Tobias, 502. 
 Bowen, WiUiam, 461, 465, 467, 471. 
 Bowers, Peter, 365. 
 Boyce, Jacob, {Boice, Byce, Bice,) 485, 
 
 486. 
 Boyce, John S., 437. 
 Boyce, Isaac, 413. 
 Boyce, Nicholas, 374. 
 Boyce, William J., 503. 
 
 Boyd, James, 529. 
 Brady, Alexander, 457. 
 Brewer, Abraham, 549. 
 Brewer, John, Jr., 485, 486. 
 Brewer, John, Sr., 412, 420, 503. 
 Bridle. John, 232, 495, 500, 503. 
 Briel, Conrad, 487. 
 Briel, Daniel, 487. 
 Briggs, Walter, 486, 487. 
 Broadway, Edmond, 531. 
 Broadway, Orman, 519. 
 Broadway, Thomas E., Jr., 549. 
 Broadway, Thomas E., Sr., 529, 531, 
 
 549. 
 Broadway, Fr&zier, {Frazior, Zavier,) 
 
 282, 495, 499. 
 Brower, Charles, 517. 
 Brower, Evardus, 131. 
 Brower, Stephen, 486, 
 Brown, Alexander H., 406. 
 Brown, Alexander, 458, 484, 486. 
 Brown, David, 429. 
 Brown, George, 75. 
 Brown, George, 502. 
 Brown, Samuel, 93, 115. 
 Brown, Stephen, 587. 
 Brown, Thomas H , 487. 
 Buchannan, Mathew, 396. 
 Bull, Joseph, 455. 
 Burk, John, 214. 
 Burtnett, Daniel, 282, 421, 429, 431, 
 
 432, 437, 438, 439, 494. 
 Byrnes, Edward, 365. 
 Byrnes, James, 429, 
 Byrnes, John, 557. 
 Byrnes, Mathew, 356, 362, 865, 494. 
 Byrnes, Walter, 457, 458, 460, 587. 
 
 c. 
 
 Cadwell, Charles, 439. 
 Calcutt, Jeremiah, 68, 70, 82. 
 Calhoun, Thomas, 362. 
 Callender, William S., 503. 
 Camerdeu, George, ( Camerding, ) 429, 
 
 439. 
 Cammell, James, 350, 
 Campbell, Charles, 486, 487. 
 Campbell, Duncan, 582. 
 Campbell, George W., 436, 439. 
 Campbell, James, 210. 
 Cape, J. J., 586. 
 Cape, John J., 586. 
 
INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 595 
 
 Caple, John, 298. 
 Carby, John, 201. 
 Carpenter, Charles L., [Carpender,) 
 
 551, 553. 
 Carpenter, Eliza, 93, 94. 
 Carpenter, Henry S., 487. 
 Carpenter, John, 148, 149, 157, 158. 
 Carpenter, John, Jr., 495. 
 Carpenter, Stephen, 487. 
 Carr, James, 212, 232. 
 Carstang, William, 485. 
 Castell, George, 517. 
 Chamberlain, John C, 438, 517. 
 Chappel, Adam H., {Chappie,) 483, 
 
 578. 
 Chappel,John, 232, 503,509,511,517. 
 Chase, Mathew H., 439, 477. 
 Chivvis, Cornelius, ( Ckivers, Chives, ) 
 
 414. 
 Chivvis, James, 413, 414. 
 Chivvis, John, 382, 383, 412, 414. 
 Chivvis, Peter, 415. 
 Chivvis, William, {Isi,) 321, 323, 368, 
 
 413, 414, 415. 
 Chivvis, William, {2d,) 376. 
 Chivvis, William, {M,) 510. 
 Clasen, William, 37. 
 Clinch, Frederick, 472, 478. 
 Clinch, ■George, 462, 465, 466, 467, 
 
 468, 471. 
 Clinch, Joseph W., 472, 474, 477, 478. 
 Clinton, Lawrence, 516. 
 Coleman, Heni-y, 60. 
 Collins, Henry, 356. 
 CoUister, Thomas, {Corkys,) 413. 
 Compton, Samuel, 485. 
 Conckling, Edmund, 360. 
 Conklin, Caleb, {Concklin,) 356, 391. 
 Conklin, Edward, 360. 
 Conklin, Joseph, 350, 356, 361, 362. 
 Conrad, H., 374. 
 Conway, Charles, 365. 
 Conway, John, 362. 
 Conway, Michael, 365. 
 Conway, Richard, 362, 365. 
 Corbey, John, 199. 
 Corbitt, William, 554. 
 Cornell, Benjamin, 201, 212. 
 Cornell, Henry, 381, 382, 582, 584. 
 Cornell, John, 406. 
 Cornell, Prantiz W., 274. 
 Cornell, Samuel, 362. 
 
 Cornell, Samuel S., 401, 402. 
 
 Cornell, Stephen H., 517. 
 
 Cornell, Whitehead, 201, 212. 
 
 Cornell, Willet, 232. 
 
 Cornell, William H., 486, 517. 
 
 Cook, Henry W., 531, 549, 590. 
 
 Coope, Jesse, 228. 
 
 Cooper, Charles, 516 
 
 Cooper, Cornelius, 516. 
 
 Cooper, Giles, 102. 
 
 Cox, Michael, 562. 
 
 Cox, Thomas, 95, 96, 115, 131. 
 
 Craft, William, 487. 
 
 Crasto, Moses E., 474. 
 
 Crawbuck, Elizabeth, 396, 397, 398. 
 
 Crawbuck, Godfrey, 374. 
 
 Crawbuck, John D., 405, 494, 499. 
 
 Crawbuck, Michael, 232, 241, 494. 
 
 Crawbuck, Peter, 322, 374, 518, 519. 
 
 Cregier, Cornelius M., 474, 485. 
 
 Cromer, John, {Crommer,) 584. 
 
 Cromer, Nicholas, 485, 486. 
 
 Cromer, Nathaniel, 524, 526, 584. 
 
 Cromwell, Gilbert, 3.^)6, 362. 
 
 Crosby, Henry, 68. 
 
 Cruise, James W., 362. 
 
 Cumming, George, {CimiTig,) 460, 
 
 588. 
 Cuthbert, George, 30' 
 Curtis, Abner, 212. 
 
 D. 
 
 Darby, James, 531 
 Dark, Richard, {Dart,) 495. 
 Davenport, Daniel, {Deavenport,) 325. 
 Davenport, John, 201, 211, 374, 412, 
 
 429, 465, 551. 
 Davenport, Richard S., 588. 
 Davidson, John, 576. 
 Davis, Benjamin, 214, 352, 412 
 Davis, John, 362. 
 Davis, Widow, 93. 
 Dawson, Charles, 130, 249, 331. 
 Day, James, 531. 
 Deal, John, 588. 
 Dean, John E., 474, 478. 
 Dean, Nicholas, 350, 412, 429. 
 De Forest, Elias, 503, 506, 511, 517. 
 De Porest.William, (De Foreest, ) 484. 
 Degez, Francis, 509, 511. 
 Degraw, Susan, 458. 
 Degraw, William, 457, 458. 
 
596 
 
 INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Deitz, George, 465, 467. 
 
 Delahunt, John L., 362. 
 
 Denike, Robert P., 499. 
 
 Denton, Samuel H., 474. 
 
 Develin, Henry, 362. 
 
 De Yoe, Charles, {de Veaux,) 468, 
 
 471. 
 De Voe, Frederick, 575. 
 De Voe, George W., 575. 
 De Voe, John, Jr., 575. 
 De Voe, John, Sr., 563, 575. 
 De Voe, Moses, 563, 575. 
 De Voe, Thomas F., 438, 476, 559, 
 
 563, 574, 575, 581. 
 Dick, William, 212. 
 Diffenbach & Co., 557. 
 Diffenbac'.i, Henry, 478. 
 Disbrow, Henry N., 4T9. 
 Doan, Stephen" 457, 479. 
 Doane, John, 554. 
 Dodge, Jacob L., 486, 551 
 Dodomit, Richard, 54. 
 Dominick, James B., 465, 467, 468, 
 
 471, 472, 474. 
 Dominick, George, 356, 36.2. 
 Dominick, Francis M., 486. 
 Dominick, Francis J., 343. 
 Donovan, John, 557. 
 Douhledav, William, 554, 557. 
 Doughty, 'John, Jr., 197, 200, 202, 
 
 212, 232, 419, 495. 
 Dowling, Jeremiah, 365. 
 Dunham, Wilham, 485, 486. 
 Dunning, Thomas, 495, 588, 589. 
 Dupont, Francis, 509. 
 Durbrow, Walter, 350, 439, 506. 
 Duryea, Gabriel, {Diuyee,) 402, 406. 
 Duryea, Levi, 485, 486, 487. 
 Dusenberry, William, 397. 
 
 E. 
 
 Eddev, Ellis, 549, 
 Eddey, EUis D., 549. 
 Eddy, John V, 362, 865. 
 Edsall, John, 214. 
 Egbert, James S., 474. 
 Eicleston, Thomas, 510, 516. 
 Elder, R(il)ert, 502, 510. 
 Ellis, Ricliard, 5ri7. 
 Ellis, Samud, 313, 315, 316, 367. 
 Ensley, Daniel, Sr., {Enske, Insley, 
 Itislee, Inslow,) 157, 158, 212. 
 
 Ensley, Daniel, Jr., 201. 
 
 Ewen, Benjamin E., 510. 
 
 Ewen, George W., 232, 429. 
 
 Evans, Jacob, 551. 
 
 Evans. John, 503. 
 
 Everitt, William, Sr., {Event, Everett, 
 
 Everit,) 202, 212. 
 Everit, William, Jr., 200, 206. 
 
 Farigan, John, (Fenigan,) 362. 
 
 Parren, Samuel, 549. 
 
 Farrington, C. W., 365. 
 
 Farrington, George W., 554, 557. 
 
 Farrington, John D., 584. 
 
 Farrington, J. M., 557. 
 
 ]?arrington, Joseph H., 554. 
 
 Farrington, William H., 561. 
 
 Fash, George, 323. 
 
 Fash, John, 461, 465, 467, 469. 
 
 Faulkner, John, 274. 
 
 Fearnley, John, 495. 
 
 Perdon, James, (Furdon,) 519. 
 
 Ferdon, Joseph, 405. 
 
 Ferris, Ebenezer G., 510. 
 
 Ferris, Lanniug, 233, 241, 494, 502, 
 
 510. 
 Finck, Adam, {Fink, Finde,) 315, 
 
 336, 339. 
 
 Pinck, Jacob, 309, 311. 
 
 Pink, Alexander, Sr., 316, 323, 336, 
 
 337, 339, 340. 
 
 Fink, Alexander, Jr., .336, 340. 
 Fink, Arnest, Sr., 376, 381, 419, 506, 
 
 529, 531, 
 Pink, Arnest, Jr., {Ernest,) 439,530. 
 Pink, Augustus, 478. 
 Fink, George, 563, 
 Fink, George A,, 468, 471. 
 Fink, Jacob 11., 531, 549, 
 Fink, John, [\st,) 200, 202, 212, 213, 
 
 214, 309. 
 Pink, John, {2d,) 413, 549. 
 Pink, John A., 381, 529. 
 Pink, John J,, 412. 
 Pink, John Lawrence, 376, 415, 416. 
 
 417, 418, 
 Fink, Tlieodore L., 531. 
 Finn, Jolm, 486. 
 Pish, Sidney, 365. 
 Fisher, Albert, 233, 239, 241, 350, 
 
 494, 506, 509, 516. 
 
INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 597 
 
 Fisher, Andrew, 232, 494. 
 Fisher, Jacob, 494, 502, 516. 
 Fisher, John, 494. 
 Fisher, Wilham, 516. 
 Fitzgerald, Edward, 495, 499. 
 Fitzgerald, John, 200, 211, 391. 
 Flager, Jacob, {Flagar,) 412. 
 Flager, Mathew, 397 
 Flander, F. S., 509. 
 Fleming, Robert, 576. 
 Flock, John, 465, 551, 553. 
 Floor, John K., 212, 349, 350, 356, 
 
 362. 
 Floor, William D., 362. 
 Flynn, Joseph, 478. 
 Ford, James, {Foord,) 578, 579. 
 Ford, Richard, 404. 
 Ford, William 0., 579. 
 Foster, John, 102. 
 
 Foster, William, 233, 241, 495, 503. 
 Foshay, Andrew, {Forshay,) 403, 
 
 578. 
 Forshay, William, 365. 
 Fox, Mathew, 201. 
 Fray, William, 274. 
 Friedman, Philip, 487. 
 Fullewever, Gerrit, 45. 
 
 a. 
 
 Garrison, John, 212. 
 
 Geary, Owen, 429. 
 
 Gibbons, Thomas, 311, 232, 237, 238, 
 
 419, 492, 494, 495, 503, 506, 507, 
 
 508. 
 Gibson, Cornelius V., 428, 494. 
 Gibson, William, 391. 
 Gilbert, Rufus, 518, 519. 
 Gilman, Charles, Jr., 402, 413. 
 Gilman, Charles, Sr,, 323, 413. 
 Gillet, George, 531. 
 Glashan, George, 563. 
 Glasshorne, Frederick, 399. 
 Gleaves, Mathew, {Gleves,) 157, 158. 
 Glover, Charles S., 584. 
 Glover. Thomas, 519, 523, 524. 
 Glover, William, 523. 
 Gobel, Hugh, ( Gobk,) 413, 429, 439. 
 Godine, Francis, 510. 
 Goodheart, George, {1st,) 199, 323. 
 Goodheart, George, {2d,), 403, 429. 
 Goodheart, Jared, 403, 578. 
 Goodheart, WilUam, 403. 
 
 Goodheart, William C, 578, 579. 
 
 Goodhue, Henry, 563. 
 
 Goodman, James, 350, 356, 362, 404. 
 
 Goodman, Nicholas, 356, 462. 
 
 Goodman, Mathew, 343. 
 
 Goodwin, G. C, 495. 
 
 Gould, David H., 510. 
 
 Graff, John A., {Groff,) 428, 439. 
 
 Graff, John G., 323, 412, 428, 434, 
 
 507. 
 Graff, Joseph, 212, 338. 
 Graham, Gilbert, 484. 
 Graham, John, 396. 
 Graham, William, 483, 486, 487, 495. 
 Granger, Bartholomew, 413, 429, 435, 
 
 439, 506. 
 Granger, Francis, 429, 439. 
 Granger, William, 523. 
 Green, Richard, 130. 
 Griffin, Gilbert, 356. 
 Groshon, John H., 531. 
 Gross, William H., 461, 469. 
 Gwyer, Charles, 412, 429, 510. 
 Gwyer, Christopher, 429, 439. 
 Gwyer, Robert, 429, 437. 
 
 H. 
 
 Haight, David, 361, 362, 
 
 Haight, Morris, 531. 
 
 Haight, Philip K, 487. 
 
 Haight, Sylvanus, 365. 
 
 Haight, Wilham, 528, 532. 
 
 Hall, James S., 557. 
 
 Hall, Thomas, 211. 
 
 Halsted, Pearson S., {Halstead,) iSS, 
 
 517. 
 Halsted, James S., 439. 
 Halstead, William H., 438, 485. 
 Hammond, Isaac D., 657. 
 Hanigan, Barnard, 362. 
 Hanshe, Jacob, 439. 
 Hanshe, John, 561, 563, 571. 
 Hanshe, William, 429, 438, 581. 
 Hanshe, William, Jr., 549. 
 Harck, William, 37. 
 Hardenbrook, Philip, 590, 591. 
 Hardenbrook, Wilham, 590, 591. 
 Harmony, Daniel, 486. 
 Harmony, John P., 350, 
 Harpel, Lodowick, {Ludvik, Lcmdor 
 
 vie,) {Harwell, Harpk,) 323, 413, 
 
 414, 429, 439. 
 
598 
 
 INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Harpel, Mathew, 428, 511. 
 Harrigan, Hugh, [Harrigen,) 451. 
 Harriot, Christian, 413, 420, 421, 
 
 431, 506. 
 Harriot, Jacob, 410,, 429. 
 Harriot, John, 495. 
 Harrington, William, 431, 439, 551. 
 Harris, John, 439. 
 Harrison, Thomas G., 462, 465, 461, 
 
 411, 498. 
 Harrison, Widow, 418. 
 Hart, Samuel, 439. 
 Hartell, Adam, Sr., {Hartle,) 160, 
 
 323, 336, 412. 
 Hartell, Adam, Jr., 429. 
 Hartell, Christian F., 412. 
 Hartell, Christian H., 343, 356, 501. 
 Hartell, George M., 356, 361. 
 Hartell, James W., 428. 
 Haslaeker, Aaron, 481. 
 Hawkins, Charles H., 516. 
 Hawkins, James, 549. 
 Hawkins, Zophar, 549. 
 Hawes, Frederick, 323, 495, 506. 
 Hawes, George, Sr., 336, 331, 338, 
 
 339, 412, 419. 
 Haws, George, Jr., {2d,) 503, 510, 
 
 516. 
 Haws, George, Jr., (Bd,) 516. 
 Haws, James H., 381, 528. 
 Haws, John F., 429. 
 Hays, William, 468, 418. 
 Hay ward, .3o.sepli, 516. 
 Hayward, James, 549. 
 Hayward, William, 510, 511. 
 Healy, Thomas, 586 
 Hedge, William N., 360, 486. 
 Helleu, Charles, 418. 
 Ilenning, John, 112, 503, 510. 
 Henning, John F., 511. 
 Hcnning, Jo.seph 1j,, 511, 511. 
 Hepburn, George, 388. 
 Heyer, John L., 436. 
 Hickey, John, 486. 
 Hicks, Norris, 553. 
 Hill, Joseph, 421, 429, 480, 436, 431. 
 Hill, Joseph, Jr., 411. 
 Hill, Samuel, 431, 628. 
 HiUiker, Jacob, 316, 361. 
 Hilliker, Jacob, 316. 
 Hilhker, John, {1st,) 211, 461, 469. 
 Hilliker, John, {2d,) 562. 
 
 Hilliker, Stephen, 200, 212, 315, 361, 
 
 461. 
 Hillman, Michael, {Hilamun,) 413. 
 Hirleman, George, 554, 586. 
 Hoffman, Henry, 391, 455. 
 Holden, Samuel, 431, 439. 
 Hoofmin, John X., 362. 
 Hooper, John C, 481. 
 Hopkins, George W., 486, 581. 
 Hopkins, John, 323. 
 Hopkins, William, 413. 
 Hopkins, William H., 486, 481, 509. 
 Hopper, Charles, 518, 519, 523. 
 Hopper, Gerard P., 561. 
 flopson, George, 316, 361. 
 Hopson, Samuel, {Hopsen,) 93. 
 Horsefield, Israel, {Horsfidd,) 93, 94, 
 
 131, 132. 
 Horsefield, Timothy, 93, 94, 132. 
 Horton, Abraham, o(i'2. 
 Horton, James, 362. 
 Houghtahn, James H., 403, 559, 563. 
 Howard, Bethuel, 356, 439. 
 Hoyt, George, 503. 
 Hudson, Thomas T., 481. 
 Hunt, Richard, 602, 510, 516. 
 Hunter, William, 298. 
 Hurd, Hebron, 401. 
 Hutton, Andrew, 350. 
 Hutton, George, 323, 412, 429. 
 Hutton, John, 412. 
 Hutton, WilUam, 436. 
 Hyatt, William E., 529, 532, 549. 
 Hyde, Daniel S., 403, 465, 563. 
 Hyde, Henry, 405, 406. 
 Hyde, John, 232, 499. 
 Hyde, John W., 486. 
 Hyde, Joseph, 360. 
 
 I. 
 
 Inslow, Daniel, (.see Ensky,) 158. 
 Irvmg, James, 556, 551. 
 
 J. 
 
 Jacacks, Benjamin, 439. 
 
 Jacacks, George, 439. 
 Jacacks, Joseph, 402. 
 Jacacks, Milton, 403, 518. 
 Jackson, Wilham A., 485, 486. 
 Jacots, Joseph, 506. 
 Jantzeu, John B., 418. 
 Jantzen, Joseph, 418. 
 
INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 599 
 
 ' Jansen, Pieter, 45, 48. 
 Jansen, Roelof, 45, 49. 
 Jaques, David, 582, 586, 
 Jaques, Samuel, 561. 
 Jenkins, Jolm, {linkers,) 380. 
 Jenkins, Thomas M., 494, 503, 510. 
 Jenkins, William, 503. 
 Jeremiah, John, ( Geremiah, ) 298, 3T4. 
 Jeremiah, Thomas, 298, 428, 430, 437, 
 
 494, 504, 506, 507. 
 Jeroleman, Jacob, ( Geirokman,) 339, 
 
 380, 391. 
 Johnson, David, 524, 526, 584. 
 Johnson,- Frederick, 360, 469, 470, 
 
 471, 472, 474, 478 
 Johnson, James, 502, 510, 516. 
 Johnson, Julius, 362. 
 Jolley, Lewis, 361. 
 Joosten, Symon, 51. 
 Jordan, Stephen, 481, 485. 
 
 K. 
 
 Keating, James, 478. 
 
 Keets, George & Co., 586. 
 
 Kehoe, David, 478. 
 
 Kelly, Edward, 94, 95, 96, 130. 
 
 Kelliuger, Thomas K., 483, 486. 
 
 Kellinger, Samuel N. T., 484, 486. 
 
 Kellinger, William, 483. 
 
 Kennah, Richard, 404. 
 
 Kent, Charles, 502, 5J0. 
 
 Kent, Cornelius, 509, 510, 517. 
 
 Kent, James, 554. 
 
 Kent, John, 458, 460. 
 
 Kent, John D., 494, 503, 510. 
 
 Ketchum, John, 516. 
 
 Keyser, Ernest, 413, 429, 434, 435, 
 
 437, 439. 
 Keyser, George H.. 531. 
 Keyser, Henry, 549. 
 Keyser, John, 429, 434, 435, 439. 
 Killin, Hugh, 486. 
 Kilpatrick, Jeremiah, 402. 
 King, Cornelius, 323, 336, 337. 
 King, Cornelius, Jr., 412. 
 King, Edward, 206. 
 King, John, (l^i!,) 350. 
 King, John, {id,) 485. 
 Kiug, James, 509, 523. 
 Kinner, John, 549. 
 Kimier, William, 478. 
 Kipp, Solomon, {Kip,) 529. 
 
 Kirschbaun, William D., 474. 
 Kirkpatrick, Thomas, 509. 
 Kline, Ebenezer, 516. 
 Kline, Samuel B., 388. 
 Kline, William, 211. 
 Knapp, Gilbert, 206. 
 Krouse, B., 487 
 Krowl, Henry T., 561, 563. 
 
 Lalor, William, 477, 478. 
 
 Landers & Co., 557. 
 
 Lang, Andrew, Jr., 362. 
 
 Lang, Henry, 584. 
 
 Langstraat, Vande, {Langstreet,) 45. 
 
 Larkius, James, 557. 
 
 Lanied, Samuel, 494. 
 
 Latham, Henry, 584, 587. 
 
 Laundry, Paul, 584. 
 
 Laurier, Widow, 130, 131 
 
 Lawrence, Bryan, 478. 
 
 Lawreuce, Daniel, 486, 561. 
 
 Lawrence, Timothy, 478. 
 
 Lawrence, William, 530. 
 
 Lawrence, Wilham, 486 
 
 Lawson, Joseph, 365. 
 
 Leach, James L., 485, 486. 
 
 Leary, William, 575. 
 
 Lederer, Leopold, 487. 
 
 Leggett, Abraham, 517. 
 
 Leggett, William V., 553. 
 
 Lemon, Martin, {Lemmon,) 397, 494. 
 
 Letice, Jacob, 478. 
 
 Leviness, George, ( Lcvinus, ) 365, 
 
 485. 
 Leviness, Joseph, 429, 439. 
 Levy, Asser, {AsAur,) 45, 46, 47, 
 
 50, 55, 242. 
 Lovell, Benjamin, {Lovd,) 350. 
 Lovell, Henry, 201, 212. 
 Lovell, John, Sr., 200, 202, 212, 315, 
 
 316, 349, 367. 
 Lovell, John, Jr., 212. 
 Lovell, Margaret, ( Widow of John, ) 
 
 349. 
 Lovell, Robert, 349. 
 Lowree, William, {Lowrey,) 397. 
 Lozier, Abraham, 381, 529. 
 Lozier, Charles, 528, 531, 549. 
 Ludlum, John, 391. 
 Luff, Philip L., Sr., 339. 
 Luff, Philip L., Jr., 429, 506. 
 
600 
 
 INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Lynch, Edward, 365. 
 Lyoa, Hyatt, 524, 526. 
 Lyon, Harvey, 232. 
 Lyon, John Harvey, 429. 
 Lyons, David, 356, 362. 
 Lyons, John, {1st,) 336, 343. 
 Lyons, John, {2d,) 465, 461, 495. 
 Lyons, Alfred, 559. 
 Lyons, James C, 559. 
 
 M. 
 
 Maacker, Veeter, 45. 
 
 Manahan, Owen, 356. 
 
 Mangles, Henry, 58'!. 
 
 Mann, David, {Man,) 201, 212. 
 
 Manold, James, 316, 361. 
 
 Muiiolt, George, {Manold, Manault, 
 
 M,nnault,)iQl, 212, 233,239, 241, 
 
 494. 
 Manolt, George I., 486. 
 Manolt, Jacob, 518. 
 Markler, Frederick, {see Merkel, Mer- 
 
 /,7c,) 323. 
 Marks, Peter B., 561, 563. 
 Mai-)iial, Francis, 309. 
 Marsh, David, {Mask,) 212, 221, 232, 
 
 368, 419, 494, 602, 504, 505, 506. 
 Marsh, Effingham W., 233, 429, 439, 
 
 49.=., 
 Marsh, Henry, 232, 481. 
 Marsh, James, 200, 212. 
 Marshall, Jesse A., 438. 
 Marshall, John, 584. 
 Marshall, Thomas, 356. 
 Martin, George W., 362, 554. 
 Martin, John A., 458. 
 Martin, Joshua, 365. 
 Martin, Lawrence, 381, 529, 582, 549. 
 Martin, Samuel, 350, 356. 
 Ma.son, George, 211. 
 Mathewson, Benjamin, 510, 516. 
 Mastertun, John, 588. 
 MeCarty, Eugene, 510. 
 ?>[cCarty, John, 510. 
 McChain, John, 557, 
 McCready, John, {McCrady,) 494, 
 
 499. 
 McCready, Thomas, 350, 494. 
 McCready, William, 356. 
 McCrecry, William H., 531. 
 McElroy, John, 586. 
 McLaughlin, John, 298. 
 
 McManus, Edward, 362. 
 
 Meinderzen, Egbert, 45, 46, 48, 49, 51. 
 
 Menaber, Isaac, 586. 
 
 Mencillot, Peter, 510. 
 
 Messenger, G., 494. 
 
 Merkel, Frederick, {Merkle, Merkkr, 
 
 Markler,) 323. 
 Merkle, George, Sr., {Merckle,) 199, 
 
 518, 519, 523. 
 Merkle, George, Jr., 523. 
 Merkle, Thomas, 524. 
 Merkle, Valentine, 432, 495. 
 Merkler, Henry, 323, 383. 
 Messerve, Elias B., {Messarve, Mes- 
 
 servy,) 502, 509, 518. 
 Me.sserve, George, {Is/,) 206, 316, 
 
 361. 
 Messervc, George, (2rf,^ 494, 
 Messerve, George G,, 199, 201, 212, 
 
 233, 241, 359. 
 Messerve, George S., 232, 494, 499. 
 Messerve, John S., 365. 
 Messerve, Nicholas W., 502. 
 Messerve, Wilham, {1st,) 212, 233, 
 
 492, 494. 
 Messerve, William, {M,) 350, 356, 
 
 362, 365. 
 Messerve, William, {Sd,) 495. 
 Messerve, AVilham, Jr., 494, 
 Mesur, Joshua, 48T. 
 Miller, Christian, 221, 298, 323, 368. 
 Miller, John, 381, 529. 
 Miller, Richard, 486, 486. 
 Mills, John, 406. 
 Mirrick, William B., 402, 403. 
 Monaghan, John, 365, 484. 
 Monaghan, Owen, 362, 365. 
 Montgomery, George, 510. 
 Mook, Thomas, 396, 391, 398, 461, 
 
 466, 461, 418. 
 Mook, Thomas H., 412, 414, 418. 
 Mook, William, Jr., 439, 418. 
 Mook, William, Sr., 396, 391, 398, 
 
 461, 464, 461, 411. 
 Mook, William H., 412. 418. 
 Mook & Sheldon, 418. 
 Mooney, Edward, 200. 
 Mooney, James, 551. 
 Mooney, William, {1st,) 168, 200, 
 
 206. 
 Moonev, William, (2rf,) 212, 391, 
 
 404. 
 
INDEX TO BUTCHEES. 
 
 601 
 
 Moore, Jolin, 356. 
 
 Moore, William, {1st,) 343. - 
 
 Moore, William, {2d,) 429, 439. 
 
 Mott, Joseph, 316, 368. 
 
 Munsoii, William P., 401, 495, 499. 
 
 Myers, Charles, 404. 
 
 Myers, William, 510, 511. 
 
 N. 
 
 Nash, George, 458. 
 Nash, John, 232. 
 Nash, John H., 485. 
 Nash, Orville J., 356, 362. 
 Neilson, William, 483. 
 Nesbet, William, {Neshit,) 588. 
 Njstler, Michael, 343. 
 NichoUs, Jacob, 212. 
 Nicholls, Richard, 54. 
 Nolan, William, 588. 
 Norman, John, 200, 212, 232. 
 Normau, William, 214. 
 Norris, Edward, 531. 
 Nott, Joseph, 200. 
 Nugent, William, 365. 
 
 o. 
 
 Oakley, Benjamin, 362, 559. 
 
 Oberdorfer, Isaac, 586. 
 
 Odell, Adolphus, {Odle,) 405, 529, 
 
 533, 549. 
 Odell, Jacob, 350. 
 Ombersou, William J., 362. 
 Oadorhne, John, ( Underlim,) 214. 
 O'Neil, Francis, 462, 495. 
 O'Neil, Philip, 554. 
 Oppenheimer, Louis, 586. 
 Otte, Jacob, {Ott, Utte,) 214, 309. 
 Outenbogart, Joseph, (see Bogart,) 
 
 155. 
 Owens, Henry, 413. 
 Owens, James, 391, 413, 419. 
 
 Paflf, Andrew, 343, 345. 
 
 Paff, George, 396, 455. 
 
 Palmer, Adam R,, 439. 
 
 Palmer, John, 481, 582. 
 
 Palmer, J. C, 487. 
 
 Palmer, John W., 362. 
 
 Parcells,' John, {Parsdls,) 214, 216, 
 
 391. 
 Parr, James, 511. 
 
 Passman, William, 412. 
 Patcheu, Jacob, {Patchin,) 228. 
 Patten, Edward, {Fatton,) 212, 232, 
 
 316, 361. 
 Patten, George, 399. 
 Patten, William, 232, 494, 503. 
 Patterson, Jacob, 483. 
 Patterson, Samuel P., 531. 
 Patton, George M., 325. 
 Peacock, Alexander, 202, 212. 
 Pearsall, Denton, 510, 516. 
 Pearsall, Solomon, 365. 
 Pearsall, Zophar, 516. 
 Pendergast, John, 460. 
 Pendleton, Edward, 365. 
 Pendleton, Sylvester, 362, 365. 
 Pendleton, William, 365. 
 Pell, E. C, 495. 
 Pell, Joseph, 429. 
 
 Pell, John, 199, 201, 212, 233, 241. 
 Perkins, William, 589. 
 Perrin, David, 458, 495, 499. 
 Perrin, James, 419. 
 Perrin, John, {1st,) 315, 316, 361. 
 Perrin, John, {2d,) 232, 494, 503, 
 
 506, 501, 510, 516. 
 Perrin, John C, 551, 553. 
 Perrin, William, 336, 343. 
 Pesinger, George, {Passinger, Pessen- 
 
 ger, Pessinger,) 208, 356, 362, 363, 
 
 438, 581. 
 Pesinger, Jacob, 356, 486. 
 Pessenger, John, Sr., 151, 159, 160, 
 
 161, 162, 163, 211, 222, 316. 
 Pessenger, Andrew, 160. 
 Pessinger, John, 160, 200, 201, 212, 
 
 413. 
 Peterson, George W., 651, 553 
 Pheasant, Samuel, 531. 
 Phelan, Michael, 361, 362, 365. 
 Philips, Edward, {Phillips,) 438, 531, 
 
 581. 
 Philips, John, {1st,) 211. 
 Philips, John, {2d,) 356, 411. 
 Phillips, John, (3^^,) 439. 
 Phillips, William, 356. 
 Piercy, David W., 510. 
 Piercy, Robert, 485, 519. 
 Piercy, Samuel, Jr., {1st,) 419, 484, 
 
 486. 
 Piercy, Samuel, Jr., {2d,) 529, 519. 
 Piercy, William, 403. 
 
602 
 
 INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Pinckney, Joseph C, 4'14. 
 
 Pine, Julian, 274. 
 
 Pittman, Samuel J., 460. 
 
 Pittman, William, 362, 365. 
 
 Place, James, 206. 
 
 Place, Thomas, 350, 359, 4T9. 
 
 Piatt, Richard, 214, 350, 356, 362. 
 
 Piatt, Richard H,, 362. 
 
 Ponsford, William, 494. 
 
 Post, James, 362. 
 
 Post, John, 503, 510, 511. 
 
 Post, Jotham, 315, 316, 342, 361. 
 
 Post, William, 200, 212. 
 
 Potter, Simmons, 206. 
 
 Pray, Ebenezer, 581. 
 
 Pray, Henry, 403, 438, 519. 
 
 Prendergast, John, 581, 588. 
 
 PuUis, William, {Piilis,) 232. 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quinn, Felix, {Quin,) 526, 584. 
 Quinlan, Thomas, 590. 
 
 R. 
 
 Rawlings, Anthony, (Rowlings,) 323. 
 Raymond, Samuel, 388. 
 Raynor, John, [Raymr,) 212. 
 Redding, James, {Readivg,) 201, 212. 
 Reed, David B., {Read, Rdd,) 516. 
 Reed, E. Harrison, 486. 
 Reed, Jacob R., 486, 531, 549. 
 Reeves, Charles, 381, 532, 549. 
 Reeves, James, Jr., (Reaves,) 381, 
 
 529, 531. 
 Reeves, James, Jr., 350, 381, 399, 
 
 403, 438, 494, 506, 528, 518, 519, 
 
 581. 
 Reeves, John E., 519. 
 Reeves, Thomas, 403, 518, 519. 
 Reeves, William, 461, 465, 461. 
 Reeves, William L., 483, 486. 
 Regler, Andreas, 159. 
 Reid, Andrew, 418. 
 Reid, James, 418. 
 Reid, PhUip, 418. 
 Reid, William, 418. 
 Remer, William A., 511. 
 Resler, Henry, Jr., 411, 481. 
 Revere, Edv?ard, 439. 
 Reynolds, David, (Raynolds,) 503. 
 Reynolds, Israel, 228. 
 Reynolds, Josiah, 509. 
 
 Reynolds, William, 232, 362, 494. 
 
 Rhoades, Abraham, (Rhodes,) 356. 
 
 Rhoades, Daniel, 494, 503, 510. 
 
 Rhoades, Isaac, 494, 503. 
 
 Rhoades, Isaac, Jr., 510. 
 
 Rhoades, William, 486. 
 
 Rich, Daniel, 509. 
 
 Rice, Bernard, 549. 
 
 Rice, John, 549. 
 
 Ridabock, Jacob H., 429, 506, 510, 
 
 518. 
 Rikeman, Ambrose P., 553. 
 Rikeman, John, 553. 
 Ritter, Peter, 336. 
 Robertson, Frederick, 516. 
 Roblin, Edward, 439, 531. 
 Romaine, Edward N., (Romaiw,) 563. 
 Romaine, Philip, 356, 362. 
 Romaine, Nicholas, 551, 553, 554. 
 Romaine, Washington, 365. 
 Roos, Gerrit Jansen, 31, 45, 55. 
 Roper, John, (Raper,) 212. 
 Ross, Andrew, 201, 212. 
 Row, Michael Christopher, 93. 
 Rowe, Rufus, 511. 
 Rudman, John, 232, 494. 
 Ruffhead, James, 131. 
 Ryer, William T., 411, 412, 414. 
 Ryer, Henry J., 412, 414. 
 Ryer, William T., 411, 414. 
 Byerson, QQOTge,(Rierson, ) 211, 232. 
 
 s. 
 
 Sager, WiUiam, 516. 
 
 Sammis, Daniel, 531. 
 
 Samuel, F., 365. 
 
 Schuyler, Cornelius, 199, 201, 212, 
 
 233, 241, 494, 503. 
 Schuyler, George W., 510. 
 Schuyler, Isaac, 495. 
 Scott, George, Jr., 460, 581, 588. 
 Scott, John, 356, 362, 365, 438, 581. 
 Seal, William, 418. 
 Seaman, Andrew, 428. 
 Seaman, David, Jr., 418. 
 Seaman, David, Sr., 191, 201, 212, 
 
 233, 238, 239, 241, 419, 494. 
 Seaman, John M., 238, 465, 466, 461, 
 
 468, 411, 418, 
 Searles, William, 402. 
 Seaward, Simon, (Seward,) 502. 
 Seely, Lyman, 531. 
 
INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 603 
 
 Sentis, Garrit, Jr., 429, 439. 
 
 Shaff, James, 584. 
 
 Shapter, Marsden, 509. 
 
 Sheane, John, {Sham, Shim,) 412, 
 
 429. 
 Shark, Robert, 509. 
 Sharp, John, 356, 529. 
 Shelton, William, 458. 
 Ship, George, {She.p,) 336, 337, 338, 
 
 389. 
 Shop, Henry, 232. 
 Shotts, "William, ( Shot, Shoidts, 
 
 Schotts,) 350, 356, 388. 
 Siegler, Goodheart, 151. 
 Silber, Frederick M., 563. 
 Silber, Martin, 232. 
 Simonson, Carmon A., 495, 503, 510, 
 
 5n. 
 
 Simonson, John, 391, 398, 495, 510, 
 
 5n. 
 
 Simoson, James, 461, 465, 467, 471, 
 
 478, 506. 
 Sims, Samuel, 559, 563. 
 Singer, John, 483, 486. 
 Skillman, Jonathan, 350, 495. 
 Slote, John, 503, 510. 
 Smack, Stephen, 404. 
 Smart, Nicholas, 201. 
 Smith, Albert W., 510. 
 Smith, Alfred, 439, 531. 
 Smith, Arnold, 584. 
 Smith, Bartlett, 575. 
 Smith, Edward, 458. 
 Smith, Henry, {1st,) 339. 
 Smith, Henry, {M,) 503, 510, 516. 
 Smith, John, 343. 
 Smith, John B., 208, 212, 462. 
 Smith, John M., 356. 
 Smith, Joseph B., 405, 502. 
 Smith, Leonard, 524, 526. 
 Smith, Mathew, 495. 
 Smith, Mathias, 232, 502. 
 Smith, Patrick, 586. 
 Smith, William, 439. 
 Smith, William A., 465, 467, 516. 
 Smock, Andrew, {Smack), 350, 494. 
 Somerndyke, Jacob, 361. 
 Spader, Daniel, 323, 420, 421, 461, 
 
 506, 507. 
 Spader, Jonathan, 323. 
 Spader, John D., 429, 439. 
 Spencer, William, 471. 
 
 Sperry, Henry, 214. 
 
 Spicer, Francis, {1st,) 323, 336. 
 
 Spicer, Francis, {M,) 412, 510. 
 
 Spicer, Henry, 479. 
 
 Spicer, Jesse T., 428, 437. 
 
 Spingler, Baltes, ( Springier, ) 309. 
 
 Spingler, Henry, 186, 202, 309, 315, 
 
 367. 
 Spurling, Henry, ( Sparling, ) 432. 
 Stagg, George, 350. 
 Stagg, Peter H., 584. 
 Stakes, Nicholas, {Steakes,) 309. 
 Stamler, Christian, {Semler,) 212, 
 
 213, 232, 274, 494, 503, 509, 510. 
 Stamler, Jacob A., 503, 510, 517. 
 Stamler, John, {1st,) 232, 494. 
 Stamler, John, {2d,) 511. 
 St. Amore, Thomas, 309. 
 Stanton, James P., 511, 517. 
 Stanton, Thomas W., 429. 
 Starr, George, 531, 575. 
 Starr, John L., 428, 439. 
 Starr, Thomas, Sr., 412, 419. 
 Steel, Nicholas, {Stael,) 211, 232, 
 
 495. 
 Steenwyck, Cornelius, 45, 46. 
 Stewart, James, 439. 
 Stockford, John, 130. 
 Storms, Andrew, 406, 460, 587, 588. 
 Storms, Samuel, 865. 
 Storms, Stephen, 365, 406. 
 Straus, Jacob, 487. 
 Striker, Burdett, {Strylcer,) 201,495. 
 Striker, J. R., 495. 
 Styles, Laban C, 578, 579. 
 Sullivan, James, 200, 202, 350. 
 Summers, Charles, 586. 
 Syberts, Thomas, 485, 506. 
 Syler, Jacob, ( Siler, Sdler, Ceylor, ) 
 
 381, 401, 506, 529. 
 
 T. 
 
 Tallet, WiUiam, 578, 579. 
 
 Tamplar, Christof, 309. 
 
 Tappan, George, 365. 
 
 Taylor, Henry B., 862. 
 
 Taylor, James, 350. 
 
 Tenbrook, Adam, {Tenbroeck,) 399. 
 
 Tenbrook, Blaze, 876. 
 
 Tenbrook, Henry, 376. 
 
 Tenbrook, John, 399. 
 
 Ten Eyck, R., (Den Eyck,) 495. 
 
604 
 
 INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Thompson, George, 212, 315, 343, 
 
 367, 419, 495. 
 Thompson, Romeo, 551, 553, 554. 
 Tier, David, 494. 
 Tier, David M., 48fi, 48t. 
 Tier, Jacob, Jr., 391, 461. 
 Tier, Jacob, Sr,, 221, 339, 340, 368. 
 Tier, Jeremiah, 356. 
 Tier, John, 212, 356. 
 Tier, John H., 356, 436. 
 Tier, John R., 392. 
 Tier, Jolm W., 484, 486. 
 Tier, Robert, 392, 506. 
 Tilby, James, 516. 
 Titus, James I., 471, 494, 503. 
 Toby, Orville, 578. 
 Tomplcins, Daniel D., 436. 
 Tourneui', Daniel, 45, 47, 48. 
 Towusend, Joseph, 465. 
 Townsend, Smith, 343. 
 Townseud, Sylvanus S., 350. 
 Travis, Simeon, 412, 429. 
 Triglar, John, Sr., ( Trigkr, Trigleth,) 
 
 203, 212, 362, 420, 461, 464, 466, 
 
 469, 506, 507. 
 Triglar, John, Jr., 582, 584. 
 Truss, Christian, 232, 406, 495. 
 Truss, George W., 362. 
 
 u. 
 
 Underhill, Alexander, {Sandy,) 529, 
 
 531. 
 Underhill, Gilbert, 361, 502. 
 Underhill, Nathaniel, 233, 241, 495, 
 
 503. 
 Underhill, Elnathan, 233, 241, 494, 
 
 503, 510, 516. 
 Underhill, Philip H., 481, 483, 486. 
 Underhill, Marvin R., 485, 510. 
 
 V. 
 
 Valentine, Abraham, 502, 510, 516. 
 Valentine, Benjamin W., 510. 
 Valentine, Bussing, 402. 
 Valentine, Dennis, 402, 439. 
 Valentine, Henry M., 531. 
 Valentine, H. H., 510. 
 Valentine, Isaac, (ls<,) 356. 
 Valentine, Isaac, (2rf, ) 403. 
 Valentine, Isaac, {U,)b%%, 531, 549. 
 Valentine, Isaac, Jr., 549. 
 Valentme, James, {\st,) 365, 436, 439. 
 
 Valentine, James, (2(i,) 485, 531, 
 
 549. 
 Valentine, John, 465, 467, 471. 
 Valentine, John C, 516. 
 Valentine, Lemuel, 553, 554, 557. 
 Valentine, Oliver, 516. 
 Valentine, Peter, (\st, ) 494, 503, 510, 
 
 517. 
 Valentine, Peter, (2rf,) 439. 
 Valentine, Peter, Jr., 484. 
 Valentine, Peter T., 511. 
 Valentine, Richard, 531, 553. 
 Valentine, Wilham H., 516. 
 Valentine, William J., 439, 551. 
 Valleau, Samuel, {Vallno,) 549. 
 Valleau, William, Jr., 549. 
 Valleau, Wilham, Sr., 531, 549. 
 Van Arsdale, James, 503. 
 Van Benschoten, Mathew, 578. 
 Van Benschoten, WiUiam, 509. 
 Van Borckeloo, Willem Jansen, 48, 
 
 51. 
 Van de Beeck, Paulus, 45. 
 Vandenburgh, Caleb, 199. 
 Vanderbeck, Abraham, 365. 
 Vanderbergh, Adam, ( Vandenbergk, 
 
 Vaiidenhwrgh,) 206, 367. 
 Vanderburgh, George W., 510. 
 Vanderburgh, CorneUus, 396. 
 Van Dusen, Andrew, 812, 479. 
 Vandewater, John, 524. 
 Vande water, William, 587. 
 Van Gunst, Jan Hendrickson, 54. 
 Van Haerlan, Jan, {Harlaem,) 37, 
 
 45. 
 Van Hooghten, Jansen, 47. 
 Vanice, John, 549. 
 Van Meppel, Roelef, {Mepplin, Jan- 
 sen,) 40, 48, 115. 
 Van Wart, Alexander, ( Van Wert, ) 
 
 57.5. 
 Van Wart, Samuel, 560. 
 Varian, Alfred, ( Verian, Berrian, ) 
 
 365. 
 Varian, George W., 323, 350, 356, 
 
 366, 494. 
 Varian, Isaac, {1st,) 94, 95, 130, 249. 
 Varian, Isaac, (2^^,) 186, 200, 212, 
 
 315, 366, 367. 
 Varian, Isaac, (3^,) 315, 366, 367, 
 
 380, 381. 
 Varian, Jacob, {\st,) 221, 343, 368. 
 
INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 605 
 
 Varian, Jacob, (2<^,) 356, 365. 
 Varian, Jacob H., Jr., 365. 
 Varian, Jacob H., Sr., 343, 350, 
 
 362. 
 Varian, Joseph, 315, 367. 
 Varian, Joshua M., 362, 365, 366. 
 Varian, Michael, 199, 212, 316, 36t. 
 Varian, Richard, 199, 212, 366, 367. 
 Varian, Thomas, 356, 468, 471, 529. 
 Varian, Widow, 478. 
 Varian, William P., 405, 465, 467, 
 
 471. 
 Varick, John, 892, 457, 458, 506. 
 Vaughan, George, {Vaughn,) 412, 
 
 429, 437. 
 Vaughn, Isaac, 412. 
 Vermylia, Abraham, 413. 
 Vinton, David, 214. 
 Vogel, Geori^e A., ( Vagal, Vogdl, 
 
 Vogk, Fogd,) 554, 557. 
 Vogel, Jacob, 502, 529, 582, 584. 
 Vogel, Mathevv, 20f, 206, 207, 208, 
 
 211, 350, 495, 499, 524. 526. 
 Volkersen, Hendrick, 45. 
 Vonck, William, {Vonk,) 341, 362, 
 
 412, 428. 
 
 w. 
 
 Wagner, Peter, 356. 
 
 Wallace, John, 356, 506, 550, 553. 
 
 Ward, Benjamin, 457, 458, 460, 559, 
 
 588. 
 Warlow, William, 232, 495. 
 Warner, Abraham, 523. 
 Warner, William, 510. 
 Warner, William F., 365. 
 Waters, James, 485, 575. 
 Waters, John, 343. 
 Watts, James, 561. 
 Watts, William, 524. 
 Way, Thomas P., 487, 439. 
 Weatherspoon, Charles, 412. 
 Webber, James, 553. 
 Webber, Philip, 553. 
 Webber, William, 429, 438. 
 Weblin, William, 82, 88. 
 Weeden, James, 506, 518, 519, 523. 
 Weeks, Benjamin T., 510, 517. 
 Weeks, Cariysle, 503, 510. 
 Weeks, Philip, 588. 
 Weeks, Samuel, 517. 
 Wells, WiUiam, 502, 526, 584. 
 
 Wesson, Asa W., [Wesscn,) 461, 
 
 469, 551. 
 Wethershein, Nicholas, ( Wethershine, ) 
 
 316, 367. 
 Wheeler, Andrew G., 232, 438, 494, 
 
 502, 510, 581. 
 Wheeler, Andrew 0., Jr., 485. 
 Wheeler, Eliphalet, 212, 213, 219, 
 
 220, 232, 494, 503, 506. 
 Wheeler, E. A., 487. 
 
 Whiney, James, {Whirmey,) 472. 
 
 White, Francis, 216, 823. 
 
 White, Francis, Jr., 382, 383. 
 
 White, James, 549. 
 
 White, Samuel, 413. 
 
 White, Thomas, Jr., 891. 
 
 White, Thomas H., 356. 
 
 Whitehand, John, 212. 
 
 Whitehead, John, 232. 
 
 Wicker, Henry, 412, 429, 434, 439. 
 
 Wiggins, Jacob, 465, 467, 471. 
 
 Wilde, Jacob, 586. 
 
 Willet, Thomas, 37, 41. 
 
 Williams, John, 212. 
 
 Williams, Samuel T., 47. 
 
 Williams, Stephen, 510, 517. 
 
 Wilt, George, 316, 367. 
 
 Wilt, George A., 531. 
 
 Wilt, James, 211. 
 
 Wilt, John B., 510, 517. 
 
 Wilt, Jonathan, 503, 510. 
 
 Wilt, Joseph, 316, 367. 
 
 Wilt, Peter, 232, 495, 502. 
 
 Wilson, James, 478. 
 
 Winter, William, 232. 
 
 Winter, William, Jr., 483, 485, 486. 
 
 Wiseburn, Henry, 561. 
 
 Wiseburn, Lawrence, 412, 420, 421, 
 
 429, 434, 506, 507, 531. 
 Winship, Daniel, Jr., 233, 241, 494. 
 Winship, Daniel, Sr., 199, 201, 212, 
 
 221, 233, 241, 819, 343, 368, 494, 
 503. 
 
 Winship, Ebenezer, Jr., 323. 
 Winship, Ebenezer, Sr., 318, 319, 389. 
 Winship, George, 509. 
 Winship, John, 319, 323, 455. 
 Winship, Jonathan, 819. 
 Winship, Samuel, 216, 227, 319, 322, 
 
 323, 388, 389. 
 Winship, Thomas, Jr., 457, 458, 460, 
 
 581, 587, 588. 
 
606 
 
 INDEX TO BUTCHERS. 
 
 Winship, Thomas, Sr., 323, 388, 455. 
 
 Wolff, Bdw. Rock, 214. 
 
 Wood, Amos, 356. 
 
 Wood, Isaac, 343, 350. 
 
 Wood, James, 429. 
 
 Wood, William, 474. 
 
 Woodcock, John H., 554. 
 
 Woodcock, William P., Sr., 503, 510. 
 
 Woodcock, William P., Jr., 554, 551. 
 
 Woodruff, Aaron, 381. 
 
 Wright, James, 232. 
 
 Wright, William, 200, 212, 221, 316, 
 367, 368. 
 
 Y. 
 
 Young, George, 130, 131. 
 Young, James, 201, 206. 
 Youngs, Edward, 509. 
 
 Zanger, Joseph, 865. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Abkel, David, petition in 1738, 262. 
 
 Ackermao, John, permisuion to erect a flour scale, 
 320. 
 
 Ackland, James, on petition in 1738, 262. 
 
 Adryasen, Frederick, Sr., runaway servant, 97. 
 
 Albany Basin and "Old Albany Basin." 371. 
 
 Albany Post from Thurman'a Dock in 1764, 263 : 
 Rider from Oswego Market in 1774, 331. 
 
 Albany Turnpike, not opened, 63. 
 
 Alcock, Ensign, wounded by rioters, 88. 
 
 Aldricb, Vice-Director, notices the prices of pro- 
 visions in 1657, 31. 
 
 Allaire, James P., added an ice-house to Grand 
 Street Market, 456. 
 
 Allen, Stephen, Mayor, u. singular resignation to, 
 501; the death of, 677. 
 
 Alner, Captain James, Inspector of Vessels, 119. 
 
 Ambuscade and Boston, engagement between, and 
 colors presented to the Tammany Society, 299. 
 
 "Amelia," privateer, in 1814, Capt. Adams, 440. 
 
 Amos, John, petition for place in the markets, 186. 
 
 Amos, Rich'd, petition for place in the markets, 186. 
 
 Ammerman, Peter, Clerk of three markets, 402. 
 
 Amsterdam, Fort, 15, 27, 29, 38, 44. 
 
 Anderson, Dr. Alexander, incidents in the life of, 
 208-9, 296, 317, 377. 
 
 Andross, Sir Edmund, Governor of New York, 56-7, 
 70-1, 75. 
 
 Animal carcasses sold in the public markets in 
 1816-18, 235, 351. 
 
 Annett, James, fisherman of Washing. Market, 424. 
 
 Anthony, Atlard, dispenser of the Burger Rights, 60. 
 
 Anthony, John P., on first N. R. steamboat, 195. 
 
 Arcularius, Alderman Philip J., report on butchers' 
 stands, 342-3. 
 
 Arhuthnot, Admiral Mariot, answer to the Chamber 
 of Commerce, 122. 
 
 Armstrong, Colonel William, engaged in the Miran- 
 da Expedition, 215. 
 
 Ashbey, Joseph, Fly Market fisherman, 224. 
 
 Assize, General Court of, in 1664, 42; in 1676, 70. 
 
 Assize Law for all kinds of provisions, 140-5; unfa' 
 vorably received — changed on meats, &c., 148-50. 
 
 Asia, British man-of-war, removal of, 119; cannon- 
 ading the city, 288. 
 
 Asten, Isaac, sweeper of Fulton Market, 496. 
 
 Astor, John Jacob, laying a foundation for wealth, 
 185. 
 
 Atkinson, John, known as "Speaking Trumpet 
 Jack," 440. 
 
 Avery, Thomas, fisherman of Washing. Market, 424. 
 
 Baker, Daniel, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500. 
 Baker, Elisha, fisherman of Fulton Mariiet. 500, 513. 
 Baker, Elisha A., fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, keepers of the Tam 
 
 many Museum, 300-2, 
 Baker. Jared. fisherman of Fulton Market, 613. 
 Ball and supper at the Centre Market, 472-4; second 
 
 one by the butchers at the Apollo, 475. 
 Banta, Mrs, Frances, of the Oswego Market, 331-2, 
 
 461. 
 Banta, Paulus, has property for sale* in "Dirick 
 
 Dye's Street," 332. 
 Barcker, John, complaint against and fined, 39, 40. 
 Barker's, Jacob, "Exchange" and "Washington 
 
 and Warren " Banks, 673-9. 
 
 Barr, "Aunt Katy," of the Collect, Centre, and 
 Union Markets, 584-6. (See 207^ 
 
 Bartow, John, connected with the Free Bridge, 64. 
 
 Battin, John, the centenarian, recollections of the 
 Bear Market, 313. 
 
 Battle of Queenstown, Ueut. John h. Fink in the, 
 415-17. 
 
 Battoes to be built in all the market-houses except 
 one, 91; description of, and uses, 252-3. 
 
 Baum, Leon,, Dep. Clerk of Washington Market, 427. 
 
 Bauman, Col., in the Doctors' Mob, 334. 
 
 Bauman, G., on the character of a butcher, 199. 
 
 Bauman, J., CommitteQ on first N. R. steamboat, 195. 
 
 Baxter, William, Fly Market fisherman, 225. 
 
 Bayard, Nicholas, suit at law before, 47. 
 
 Bayard, N., Mayor, orders certain lots to be sur- 
 veyed, 61. 
 
 Bayard, Nicholas, wishes a market-house in the 
 Field", (Park,) 276; lessee of the public slaughter- 
 house, 366-7. 
 
 Bayard, Samuel, servant woman's time to be sold 
 by, 101. 
 
 Bayard, Stephen, sells goods, &c., 92. 
 
 Bayard, William, ferry from Hohoken started from 
 the place of, 314. 
 
 Bayard's Vault, sketch of, and the last occupant, 
 368-9. * 
 
 Bayard's Mount, or Bunker Hill, incidents of, 317, 
 367-9, 389, 460. 
 
 Bear, curious suit and verdict about a half -eaten, 
 40-1 ; found in and near the City of New York, 
 311-12. 
 
 Bear Market established, 307-8; size of, 308; known 
 as Oswego Market, 308-11; foundation-stones laid, 
 308; butchers' and farmers' petition to remove 
 from, 309-10; hay scales placed in, 311 ; bear killed 
 near which originated the name, 311-12 ; the name 
 known in 1773, 312-13; called "Bare Market" by 
 several authors, 312; known as "Hay Market" 
 in 1776, 313; used as a storehouse and barracks, 
 313; condition after the Revolution, 314; known 
 in the Records as " Upper" and "Lower Hudson 
 Market," 314. 322, 324, 326-7; lots sold near in 
 1784, 314; ferry at, sold at public auction, 314-15; 
 hay scale removed, 320-1; raising the buildings 
 and leasing the cellars, 321; additional market- 
 houses. 321, 324; called Buttermilk Market, 322-4; 
 an original " true state of," 322-3; bell added, 324; 
 the grounds- to be sold, 826; butchers petition to 
 be removed, 326; temporary sheds erected for 
 them, 407; transferred into the new Washington 
 Market, 407; the old buildings torn down and the 
 business removed, 327. 
 
 Beaver skins, value of, about 1660, (see(7«rrenc7/,)31. 
 
 Beckwith, Russell, Fly Market fisherman, 225. 
 
 Beekman. Alderman Theophilua, one of the "Bride- 
 well Court," 190. 
 
 Bennett, William, Bobolink Bob, a dancing negro, 
 belonging to, 344. 
 
 Benson, Dirck, lessee of the ferry, 1703, terms pro- 
 posed to, 88. 
 
 Benson, Samson, wishes to desert the Bear Market, 
 309-10. 
 
 Berg, Christian, assisted with Goveneur Market, 404. 
 
 Berwick, Robert, Deputy Sheriff, murdered, 342. 
 
 Betts, Juilge Samuel R., "Butcher Causes" tried 
 before, 239. 
 
608 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Bicker, Walter, on the character of a butcher, 199. 
 
 Biddle, Col. Geo. H., " Drill-Room Committee," 476. 
 
 Bill of Fare of the States by " Eboracus," and easy 
 living, 181. 
 
 Binninger, Mr., near the Oswego Market, 340. 
 
 Birch, Brig.-Gen. Samuel, proclamations, &c., 123-4, 
 292-3. 
 
 Birds, wild, found in New Netherlands, 19, 21. 
 
 Bisley, Cyrus, fisherman of Catharine Market, 366. 
 
 Blacli cattle, a convenient place to land, 80. 
 
 Blagge, Alderman Beojamin, erects a hay scale in 
 the Bear Market, 311; removed, 320-1. 
 
 Blanchard, James, lessee of the public slaughter- 
 house, 298, 367-8. 
 
 Bleeker, G. N., evidence of a market in Broad 
 Street, 255. 
 
 Bleecker, James, auctioneer for the sale of stands 
 in Fulton Market, 492. 
 
 '* Blind Man of Jefferson Market," 572-3. 
 
 Bluke, J., Secretary, signs an order to clear Peck 
 Slip Market, 303. 
 
 Blunt, E. & G. W., No. 147 Fly Market, advertises, 
 &c., 241. 
 
 Blunt, N. B. , Corporation Attorney, 530. 
 
 Bogardus, Colonel Robert, in the war of 1812, 525. 
 
 Bogert, Gilbert Outen, repairs meal market, 251. 
 
 Bogert, Alderman John, report on butchers' stands, 
 342-3. 
 
 Bogert, Nicholas C, sold lottery tickets to pay a 
 market debt, 330. (See 272.) 
 
 Bolting Act repealed, 87. 
 
 Boogert, Johannis, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Bosch, Albertus, in the slave-irayd, 246. 
 
 Boston, first newspaper printed in, 97. 
 
 Bowne. Samuel, at Burling Slip, 278. 
 
 "Bowery Boys" and '-Broadway Boys" — Fight 
 Streets, 368. 
 
 Braiden, Jame.i, on first North River steamboat, 195. 
 
 Brannon Street, change to Spring Street, 376. 
 
 Brasher, Alderman Philip, on market regulations 
 &c., 216-7, 324. 
 
 Bread famine in 1696, 86-7; police regulations of, 
 174-5. 
 
 Brevoort, Henry, petition for place in the markets, 
 186. 
 
 Bremner, John, appointed Clerk of Catharine Mar- 
 ket, 350, 
 
 Brennan, 0. W., lessee of grounds at the Washing- 
 ton Market, 450-1-2. 
 
 Bridewell Court, proceedings before in 1795, 189, 
 190-2. 
 
 Bridge, first built connecting New York Island with 
 the main-land, 62; Dyckman's free, how built, 63; 
 "Kissing," location of, 137. 
 
 Bridge, (Custom-HouseorGreat,) and weigh-house, 
 market-place near the, 71, 73, 75, 77, 78. 
 
 Bridges over the Heere -Graft or Canal in Broad 
 Street, 77-8, 84; Little, 77, 84; afterwards called 
 Long Bridge, 84-5, 114, 265, 279, 286, 370-1. 
 
 Briggs, Walter, treasurer for a free bridge, 64. 
 
 Bright, Daniel, opposite the Meal Market, 247. 
 
 Brinley, George, Commissary of Forage in 1778, 313. 
 
 British flag taken down in New York City, 1783, 
 295-6. 
 
 British troops, intention to evacuate the city, 177. 
 (See 292, 296.) 
 
 Broad Street surveyed and laid out, 32-3. 
 
 Broad Street Market established, 77; repaired and 
 cost, 83-4; used as an Exchange by the merchants, 
 84-6; called the "Exchange" and "Exchange 
 Market-house," 85; on David Grim's Map " Broad 
 Street Market." 85- ceased to exist. 85. 
 
 Broadway in 1770 and 1794, 274-5; lengthened by 
 adding St. George, or Great George Street to it, 275. 
 
 Broadway Market, petition to establish, 263-4; as a 
 meal market, 268; meat allowed to be cut and 
 sold in, 247, 268; enlargement of, 268; called 
 "Oswego Mfirket " and Crown Alarket, 271-6; the 
 cost of sweeping In 1770, 274; Jersey bills lost in, 
 105; indicted as a nuisance, 274; removal of, 276. 
 
 Broadway Shambies established, 44; rebuilt "and 
 covered with tiles," 44-5; the only meat market, 
 69; "flesh meat to be kept," 61, 85;demoUshed, 70. 
 
 Brookins, Susanna, permission to sell coffee, &c., in 
 Duane Street Market, 391. 
 
 Brooklyn, (Breucklen, Brookland,) a fair or market 
 to be hel}l at, 56; Corporation land at, and ferry, 
 93; water lot for fishermen cars, 223. 
 
 Brouwer, Evardus, on petitions in 1733, 262. 
 
 BroQwer, Jacob, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Brouwer, Johannes, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Brown, Burnel, ship- chandlery, dancing-ground near, 
 344. 
 
 Brown, Charles, built the first steamboat for Albany, 
 195, 198. 
 
 Brown, Seymour, a fisherman of Cath. Market, 366, 
 
 Brown, William, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Brownell, Judge J. Sherman, personal qualities, 232. 
 
 Brownell, Mrs., a remarkable incident in her life, 
 229-32. 
 
 Bruce, Brig.-Gen,, permits for Staten Island, 292. 
 
 Buckman, A., lessee of a part of Duane Street Mar* 
 ket, 392. 
 
 Buel, Dr. W.. letter on yellow fever, 373. 
 
 Buffalo or Bison kept at the Corlaers Hook Market, 
 389. 
 
 Bull, Joseph, examines fishermen's claims, 119. 
 
 Bull-Baiting on Bunker Hill, or Bayard's Mount, 
 358, 389; Brooklyn, 286. 
 
 Bull-Dogs, use of in "Olden Times," 83. 
 
 Bull's Head or Cattle Market fir.sl established. 37-8. 
 in the Bowery Lane, 158; cattle illegally taken 
 from, and legally put hack, 157-9; sate of stolen 
 cattle, &c., at, 174; the yards of, 337; Richard 
 Varian, keeper of, 366. 
 
 Burger's (or Burgher's) Right, advantages of, 49, 
 50-1; path lots to be sold near the, 86; or slip 
 battery. 86; ferry at. 88; market-house at, 92-3; 
 called Smith Street, 101-2; and Old Slip, 86. 
 
 Burgher, (Burger, Buger,) Harmannus, petitions for 
 payment of an executed slave, '245-6. 
 
 Burgomasters appoint certain hours of the day for 
 work, 37. 
 
 Burgomasters' and Schepens' decision in a bear case, 
 41; appoint "sworn butchers," 37, 45. 
 
 Burlmg, Edward, in favor of a market-house in the 
 Fields, (Park,) 275; name given to a slip and tnar- 
 ket-place, 278. 
 
 Burling, James, corner Smith's Fly and Golden Hill, 
 278. 
 
 Burling's Slip, formerly known as Rodman's and 
 Lyons' Slip, 278. 
 
 Burling'a Market, established, 278; marked on 
 Maerscbalck's map of 1755, as "Burlin's Mar- 
 ket," 278; petition against, and removed, 278. 
 
 Burnet, Governor William, erected a trading-bouse 
 at Oswego, 271. 
 
 Burnt Mill Point, or Branda Munah Point, 394. 
 
 Burr, Aaron, letter to concerning a free bridge, 
 63-5 ; petition of, 375 ; counsel for r.revi Weeks, 378. 
 
 Burtsell, Alderman William, report on butchers* 
 claims, 239-40-1. 
 
 Bussing, Abraham, petition for a market-place, 327. 
 
 Bussing, Peter, wishes, to desert the Bear Market, 
 309-10. 
 
 Butchers, sworn and confirmed in 1656, 36-7; addi- 
 tional, and the fees allowed— Jew refuses the 
 oath in 1660, 37, 45; additional, and increased 
 fees in 1665, 51-4; not allowed to be tanners, cur- 
 riers, or shoemakers, 54; obliged to keep meat in 
 two market-places. 61 ; complaint against, 83; 
 prosecuted, fines distributed, 90; slaves engaged 
 in the "Great Negro Plot." 1741, 93-6; re- 
 port on, 130 ; refuse to agree \\ith the Cor- 
 poration, 131; the "Press" severe on them, 
 and country people, 14>-6; their position in Lon- 
 don, 14R; contemptuous on account of the As'^ize 
 Law, 145-8-9; advertise runaway negro slaves, 
 157; Tories subject to insult, 179; anecdote of, 
 384-5; ordered personally to attend their stands, 
 complaint against. S. N,,'202; desert the markets 
 on account of yellow fever, 210; died of yellow 
 fever in 1798, 206-7-9-10; complaint of Henry 
 Astor for forestalling cattle, 210-11; in the Mi- 
 randa Expedition, 214-fi; appointed Inspectors by 
 the Board of Health, 221; in politics— favoritism 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 609 
 
 defeated, 221-2; shirkB, or sharks, 222-8-9, 603; 
 license, cost of, 2ii2; welcoming silver currency 
 back in 1817, 233-4; (see 418;) meeting against 
 taking imcurrent paper money, 234; (see 418-9;) 
 "Coat of Arms" in 1788, 31tt; furnish a roasted 
 ox for the Federal procession, 317; ptaa of doing 
 business, 345-7 notice served on, 351-2; in the 
 Federal procession, 337; Columbian Volunteers 
 composed of, 366; ordered into the markets, 373; 
 character and apprenticeship before eligible for 
 license, 401-2 ; petition against the sale of 
 stands at public auction, 411-12-21-22; patriot- 
 ism in the war of the Revolution. 169-60-62, 298, 
 818-19-38, 413-14; of 1S12, 415-18, 431-3, 439-40- 
 1; election of Committee, 438: meeting in rela- 
 tion to sale of stands in Fulton Market by auction, 
 under certain " terms and conditions," (see 489.) 
 490-4; confined in jail, 498-9; in the Canal Cele- 
 bration, 606-8; petition in relation to market 
 laws, 632-4; petition for a return of premiums, 
 647; called "Permit Butchers," 576. 
 
 " Butchers' Arms " in the Bowery, 213. 
 
 Butchers' Benevolent Society in the Canal Celebra- 
 tion, 607. 
 
 Butchers' Executive Committee appointed, and their 
 assistance requested, 438; duties of, 486. (See 
 681-2.) 
 
 Butchers' shambles — but one in 1691, 69. 
 
 Butchers' stalls of olden time, 324-6. 
 
 Butcher stands, a register ordered to be made of, 
 228; called "premium stands." 360-1, 436-7; 
 gift or drawn, 609-10, 540-1-7. 661-63, 581-2. 
 
 Butler, John, sweeper of the Exchange Market, 374. 
 
 Butler, Fo.se. colored girl, executed for arson, 480-1. 
 
 Butler, William, extract from a letter of, on New 
 York City, 289-92. 
 
 Butter received as rent, xiv: bad seized, 148; arri- 
 val of from Ireland, 148, 234; reputation of the 
 for exportation in 1763, 148; price sold at in 1762, 
 and the assize price, 143; changed, 160; high 
 prices, and meeting of grocers in relation to, 408; 
 premiums given for the best found in two mar- 
 kets, 409; the guinea roll of, 409-10. 
 
 Buttermilk Channel in 1678, (see 15,) 71. 
 
 Buyce, Mathew, wishes to desert the Bear Market, 
 309-10. 
 
 Cain, Benjamin, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Campbell. George, on petition for place in the mar- 
 kets, 188. 
 
 Campbell, Lieut. -Gen., on Long Island in 1783, 292. 
 
 Canal (or Here-Graft) in Broad Street, first prepared 
 for use, 31-2. (See 35, 40, 71, 77, 264.) 
 
 Canal celebration, butchers engaged in the, 606-8. 
 
 Cannon, Abraham, one of the originators of Corlears 
 Hook Market, 388. 
 
 Cannon bursted, killed and wounding several per- 
 sona. 84. 
 
 Capoens, Christyne, stolen from the house of. 62. 
 
 Carmer, Alderman Nicholas, Market Committee m 
 1796, 200. 
 
 Carroll, Colonel Nicholas, Centre Market Drill-Room 
 Committee, 476. 
 
 Carter, Aaron, BshermanofWashington Market, 424. 
 
 Carter, William, fisherman of Fulton Market, 600. 
 
 Catharine Market established, 341, (see 306;) first 
 fisherman and shed at, 341 ; great excitement by 
 the people near, 341-2; additions to. 342, 347-9. 
 360, 363; negro dancing at, 344-5; a great fish 
 market. 348; the shark catcher, 348-9; removed 
 to Chatham Square, 348; a bell hung on the, 349; 
 fees collected, 360-1 ; a public scale added to, 362 : 
 grocers near petition to open trade on Sunday 
 mornings, S62; butchers complain of speculators 
 in Bowery. 363; when a good country produce 
 market, 353-4; petition fur better accommoda- 
 tions, 364-6 ; unsatisfactory arrangement for 
 farmers, 366; country people and hucksters re- 
 moved, 360; attempted removal, 360; new market- 
 houses erected, 360-4; payingalarge interest, 364; 
 iron market- houses built, 369; visit on a Sunday 
 morning in 1869, 369-70; number of premium 
 stands. 547. 
 
 Vol. I.— 39 
 
 Cattle, introduction in New Netherland;*, loaned on 
 halves, xii., xiv.; increase and hogs, 17; iLDghnh 
 and Dutch cattle— crossed. 17; English not per- 
 mitted to be sold, 26-7; killed b.v Inditints. 34-5; 
 first market or bull's head forthe sale of. 37; or- 
 dered to be branded. 43-4; not allowed to be 
 slaughtered below Wall Street, 64-5; fees for those 
 killed, 60; the prices of, and horses in 1692, 67-8; 
 place for landing black, 78, 80-'i; numbers killed 
 in 1684 and 1698, 87; fat sent to the war in 1765, 
 272; strayingfrom camp, 161; order to seize, 163; 
 disposition of stolen, 174; exported, alpo horseB 
 and mules from Connecticut in 1790. 186; stolen, 
 168; complaint of a farmer about the price. &c., 
 186-7; crossing the ferry, the risk and loss, 187-9; 
 landing-place near Col. Rutgers', 189; butchers pe- 
 tition against forestalling, 211; high prices of, 
 234, 410; display of, and fat beef, 237, 322, 340, 
 397, 403, 419-21, 467-8, 477-8. 607; the first drove 
 direct from Ohio to New York City, 411. 
 
 Centre Market, established, 460-1; first meat sold 
 in, 461; bell placed on, 461-2; additions to, 462- 
 4-8, 471-2-6-8; butchers' memorial and petition, 
 and stands sold in, 466-6; "against the world " 
 in fat beef, 467-8; butchers send fat beef and let- 
 ter to President Jackson— his answer, 4fi7-8; pay- 
 ing large interest, 470-1; butchers obtain an in- 
 junction against the city, and stop pale of stands, 
 471; brick market-house erected. 471-2; grand 
 balls and suppers, 47i^-:j; rooms appropriated to 
 military, &c., 476-6-8; fish-stands drawn for 476; 
 railroad laid alongside, 476 ; heaviest fat ox 
 known sold in, 477-8; cost of, 484; premium 
 stands in, 547; "Centre Market Place," the name 
 given to the street on the east side of. 477. 
 
 *'Censora" complains of rudeness in the markets, 
 39, 40. 
 
 Chamber of Commerce, their valuation of gold, sil- 
 ver, and paper money, 104-5; Committee from, to 
 designate premiums on the fishery, 117-19; on 
 regulating the markets, 120; on fishery, 122; 
 meet in the Exchange, 283. 
 
 Chappell, Samuel, fisherman of Wash Market, 424. 
 
 ''Cheap meat for boarders," 227. 
 
 Cherry, George, victualer for British vessels, 163. 
 
 Childs, Heman W., Superintendent of Lamps and 
 Streets, report on markets, 648-9, 569 
 
 Cholera of 1832, an incident of the 429-30. 
 
 Christiansen. Hendrick, introduces the first small 
 animals in New Netherlands, xiii. 
 
 Christie, Jas., Commissary for Cattle and Sheep, 163. 
 
 Chrystie. Lieut. -Col. in the war of 1812, 416-18. 
 
 Church -Wardens ordered to loan money to a poor 
 butcher, 91; to mark the clothes of city poor, 128. 
 
 Churches in New York in 1748. 270; Quaker meet- 
 ing-house in Crown Street, 272. 
 
 Cistern, proposition to build one near Widow Rut- 
 gers' brew-house, 133. 
 
 Civill, William, keeper of a public hay-scale, 392. 
 
 Clark and Lewis, speculators in the Bowery near, 353. 
 
 Clark, Palmer, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500. 
 
 Clark, Wm., a fisherman of Catharine Market, 366. 
 
 Clarke. John, letter on criminals and the fate of a 
 drunkard, 53. 
 
 Clay, Henry, steamboat, destroyed by fire. 677. 
 
 Qerk of Markets, duties of in 1691, 60; 1781, 124; 
 rewarded for doing their duty, 183; pay per day, 
 352; one performing duty for five markets. 392.402. 
 
 "Clermont," the first steamboat to Albany, 194-6. 
 
 Cliff Street, origin of the name, 126. 
 
 Clinton, Gov. Sir Geo., a large water-melon at. 261. 
 
 Clinton, Governor George, on yellow fever. 373. 
 
 Clinton, Sir Henrv, proclamation of in 1778. 166-7- 
 
 Clinton Market, established, 527 ; grounds valued by 
 a jury, 528; name derived from, 5*28, butchers' 
 Btands'sold at public auction. 528; country mar- 
 ket erected, 630; leased to H. R. R. R. Co.. 548; 
 butchers' stands drawn for, 631; number of pre- 
 mium stands. 647; shed additions, 548-9; country 
 market-house torn down, 649; oyster and clam 
 trade 549. 
 
 Clopper', CorneUua, blacksmith, the origin otSmith'B 
 Fly, 127. 
 
610 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Cochran, William G., fisherman of Washington Mar- 
 ket, 424. 
 
 Cockffer, John, the death of old, 15'2. 
 
 CoddriogtoQ, Captain Thomas, property at Harlaem 
 for sale. 85. 
 
 Cod wise, Geo., Hooks and Ladders removed from, 306. 
 
 Coenties Slip Market established, 109-10; a fire near 
 in 1741, 94; known as the "Great Fish Market," 
 no. 114-15; origio of the name, and differently 
 spelled 114; enlarged, 116-7; narrow escape from 
 fire, 117; used as a store-house, &c., 122; pro- 
 claimed again a public marketplace, 123-4; start- 
 ing-place for Newark. N J.. 125; not used after 
 the Revolution, but the slip as market for live 
 stock and country produce. 125. 
 
 Coffee-House,01d, afterward-* Tontine was added, 242. 
 
 CoJt, Samuel, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500. 
 
 Cold winters of 1717. 91; 1720. 91-2; 1739-40, 249; 
 1746-7, 250; 1779-80-82, 168-9; 1817-18, 379; 
 1821-29-36. 456-7. 
 
 Cole, Jacob, shot Cornelius Fonck for a bear, 312. 
 
 Collect, known an Kolch, Kalch Hook, Kolck, Col- 
 leck, market near, 397; origin of the name, 398; 
 view of. 357; well at the, 266-68. 
 
 Colleijt Market established, 395-6; origin of the 
 name, 398; known as the "Arsenal" and Mos- 
 quito Market, 397; fat beef on sale, 397; report on 
 change of location, 39S; butchers and others op- 
 posed, 398; removed, 398-9; butchers and other 
 stand-holders removed into Centre Market, 4fil 
 
 Colve, Capt. Anthony, Governor of New Orange, 
 (formerly New York,) 56. 
 
 Comptroller's report against the original contribu- 
 tors of Bear Market, 326-7; Flagg on Washington 
 Market, 447; action with the lessees of stands in 
 the Fulton Mai-ket, 498; report against the claims 
 of the Hceosed butchers, 541; answered, 541-7; 
 books of imperfectly kept, 548. 
 
 Comstock. John, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513, 
 
 ''Conditions" made to encourage settlers in New 
 Netherlands, xiii., xiv. 
 
 Congress bill sold at auction, 106. 
 
 Conlin, Chas.. detected in cheating — permit revoked, 
 226-7. 
 
 Continental butcher ordered to catch fish, 291. 
 
 Continental troops supplied with provisions, 157-8. 
 
 Cooley, Simeon, performs an ^'amende hoTwrai)le,^' 
 284. 
 
 "Cooper Union" — the princely donation of Mr. 
 Peter Cooper, 554-6. 
 
 Cooper, Willow Helena, timber used for gun-car- 
 riages, 89. 
 
 Coote, Governor Richard, Earl of Bellamont, 127. 
 
 Coppie Gillie, last of the Negro Plot of 1741, 335. 
 
 Copper coin at a discount, also Jersey money, 182. 
 
 Corlaers Hook Market, established, 387-8; known as 
 Grand Street Market. 387-8; origin of the name, 
 388; bell added, 388; a fish market added, 38S; 
 butchers removed into the Grand Street Market, 
 390; market-house sold and removed, 390. 
 
 Corlies, John B., on rebuilding the Washington 
 Market, 453. 
 
 Cornbury, Lord, appealed to, to prepare defence for 
 tbe city, 89; no confidence in him, 90; thrown 
 into prison, 90; address to the Board of Trade, 
 110-11; imprisons ministers of religion, 128; proc- 
 lamation on slaves, 243. 
 
 Cornelissen, Mayke, a bought servant, 96. 
 
 Cornell, William, petition to enlarge the Meal Mar- 
 ket, and abatement of rent on ferry, 247-8. 
 
 Corporation bills or tickets issued, 233-4, 371-2, 418. 
 
 Cortland. Aug, V., name on freemanship, 336. 
 
 Cortlaadt, (Courtlandt,) Augustus, C'k, invites con- 
 tracts, 155. 
 
 Cortlandt's, Col., ferry landing near, 88. 
 
 Cortlandt, Alderman Philip, committee to locate the 
 public slaughter-house, 81. 
 
 Cnrtlandt, Philip, in favor of a market-place near 
 White Hall Slip, 276; Catharine, daughter of Philip, 
 killed on a holiday, 84. 
 
 Cortlandt, Mayor Jacobus V., Clerk of Markets, 90. 
 
 Cosby, Governor William, accident while keeping a 
 holiday under, 84. 
 
 Countess Key, (or Slip,) the foot of Maiden Lane, 
 so called in 1698, 127-8; changed to Smith's Fly 
 Slip, 132. 
 
 Coutant, Gilbert, petition for place in the markets, 
 186. 
 
 Cox, John, loses chain near the Hay (Bear) Market, 
 313. 
 
 Cozine, Cornelius, Sr., wishes to desert the Bear Mar- 
 ket, 309-10, 
 
 Craodall. Roger, Fly Market fisherman, 224. 
 
 Crane, J., on first North River steamboat, 195. 
 
 Creple, bu-sh or swamp, 127. 
 
 OriminalH, punishment of, 52-3, 102-3, 156, 246, 255. 
 
 Croburn, Robert, repairs meal market, 251. 
 
 Crocker, Jonathan, Fly Market fisherman, 224-5. 
 
 Crofts and Houston, fishermen of Cath. Market, 366. 
 
 Crosby, Henry, leases the -'Broadway Shambles " 
 for seven years, 68. 
 
 "Crossing the ferry " "in olden time," 193-4. 
 
 Croton Water introduced into public markets, 485. 
 
 Crowell. Joseph, bought State Prison property, 387. 
 
 Crown Market established, 327-8; accepted as a pub- 
 lic market, 311 ; known as Mesier's and Thurman's 
 Market, 328; origin of the name, 328-9; burnt in 
 the great fire of 1776, 329. 
 
 Cruger. Alderman John, on a committee of public 
 slaughter-hou.se, 81 ; Mayor, account of victims of 
 yellow fever, 250; on freemanship, 336. 
 
 Crystal Palace destroyed by fire, 424. 
 
 Culbertson, James, Clerk of Market, rewarded, 183. 
 (See 189.) 
 
 Currency, Indian, Dutch, and English, 16, 29, 30-1, 
 41-2, 67,-99, 10-1-6, 116, 182, 253, 290. 
 
 Curtenius, Peter T., certifies to the character of a 
 butcher, 199; opposite the Oswego (Broadway) 
 Market, 272. 
 
 Curtius, Dominie RedoTy Alexander Carolug, defend- 
 ant in a hog case. 47. 
 
 Curtis, Cyrus C, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500, 
 
 Custom-Hou-se in 1700, 78. 
 
 Custom-House Bridge Market established, 70; re- 
 paired and used as a warehouse, 74; shed taken 
 down and sold, 76; resolution to restore back to a 
 public market-place again. 76; posts put up to 
 keep the cows out, 77-8; declared a nuisance, and 
 removed, 77. (See pages 84, 113 ) 
 
 Cutler, Ebenezer, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Darow, Nicholas, Fly Market fisherman, 205. 
 
 Darrow, Ira. fisherman of Washmgton Market, 424. 
 
 Dartmore Prison, witness of the massacre., 439-41. 
 
 Dash, John Balthus, tinman, removed from Oswego 
 (Broadway) Market, 272. 
 
 Davies, Judge Henry E., appoints receivers for mar- 
 ket property, 451. 
 
 Davis, Alderman A, B., communication read by, 641. 
 
 Davis, Wra. J., anecdote of Sam'l Fraunces, 305. 
 
 Dawson, Roper, at the Long Room over the Ex- 
 change, 280. 
 
 Day, Johnny, of Fly Market, 229-32. 
 
 Dayton, S., fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Deane, Richard, offers to remove the public slaugh- 
 ter-house, 315. 
 
 De Backer, Henry, a great shot, 20. 
 
 Deberville, Monsieur, expected attack by, 89. 
 
 Decay, (Dekay,) Elizabeth, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 De Four, David, sues Roelof Jansen for an ox, 49. 
 
 De Haas, Andries, the keeper of the market key, 45. 
 
 De Kay, Teunis, on a committee in 1691, 77. 
 
 De Klyn's Ferry, location of, 383. 
 
 Delafons, John, Agent, victualer for the British 
 ships, 171. 
 
 De Lancey, Hon. James, Lieut.-Gov., near Oswego 
 (Broadway) Market, 272. 
 
 De Lancey, Oliver, leases the Exchange, 279; Adj.- 
 General, 171,292; property confiscated, 162. 
 
 De Lancey, Stephen, merchant, imports the first 
 fire-engines, 258. 
 
 De Lancey's Square, location of, 455. 
 
 De Langloiserie, Lewis Hector Piot, a porpoise fish- 
 erman, 111-12. 
 
 Delamater, Samuel, wishes to desert the Bear Mar- 
 ket, 309-10. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 611 
 
 De Longchamps, Mon. Chevalier, killed in a duel, 357. 
 
 Demilt, Anthony, appointed Keeper of the Ware 
 (Market) House, 74-5. 
 
 Denton's notice of New York, kc, in 1670, 42-3. 
 
 Depeyster, Isaac, in favor of a market-place near 
 White Hall Slip, 276, 
 
 Depeyster, Captain John, Fly Market near the house 
 of, 128. 
 
 Depeyster, John, Jr , weigher of hay, 273. 
 
 Dervall, William, Mayor of New York in 1674, 56. 
 
 De Voe, James, and others, petition for repairs to 
 Free Bridge, 66, 
 
 Devoo, Frederick — Jack, a dancing negro, belonging 
 to, 344, 350. 
 
 De Vries, account of Indian agriculture, &c., 24-5. 
 
 De Witt, Pimeon, laid out a grand market-place, 393. 
 
 Doctors' Mob in 1788, incidents in the, 333-4. 
 
 Dog8, dangerous running loose, 83, 
 
 Domestic animals first introduced into New Nether- 
 lands, xiii. ; prices of. 30. 
 
 Donaldson, James, recommend.^ M. Vogel, 208. 
 
 DoDgan, Governor Thomas, removes market-house, 
 to be employed as a warehouse, 74. 
 
 Dopzen. Joris, complaint against, 40. 
 
 Doughty, Major- General, rooms in Centre Market for 
 the use of, 476. 
 
 Duane, Hon. James, Mayor, letter to in 1785, 254; 
 liberality of. 296. fSee 274.) 
 
 Duane Street Market, e.stablished, 390; called Wash- 
 ington Market, 391 ; a bell placed in, 392; removed, 
 and ground claimed by Trinity Church, 393, 558 
 
 Ducking stool, built in 1691, 110. ♦ 
 
 Duer, Hon. Wm. A., recollections, &c., 297, 300, 333. 
 
 Duke Street, formerly called Bayard Street, now 
 Stone Street, 92. 
 
 Dundas, Captain, the last tenant of Bayard's Vault, 
 358-9. 
 
 Dunscomb, Colonel Samuel S., commanded a New 
 York Regiment, 525. 
 
 Durie, John, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Durie, Thomas, in the Federal procession, 316. 
 
 Durning, Daniel R., interested in the Miranda Expe- 
 dition, 215. 
 
 Duryee, (Duryea.) George, appointed Deputy Clerk 
 of Fulton Market, 501; also Franklin Market, 518. 
 
 Dutch Boors racing horse.s and fighting, 58, 72. 
 
 Dutch language in the markets, 335, 408. 
 
 Dutch laws repealed. 53. 
 
 Dutch mile, length of a, 22 ; names for fish, 21 ; pound 
 weight. 56. 
 
 Duykinck, Gerardus, sells goods near Old Slip Mar- 
 ket, 92. 
 
 Dyckman, Isaac, E:t-Alderman, 63. 
 
 Dyckman, Jacob, erects a free bridge on his land at 
 Kingsbridge, 63-4. 
 
 Dyckman, Jacobus, petitions to repair said bridge, 66. 
 
 Earle, Job. on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Earthquake of 1727, driving hoops out of fashion, 
 
 266. 
 East Hampton, proclamation of a cattle market, sent 
 
 to, 38. 
 Eckford, Henry, friendship for, 359; property near 
 
 Manhattan Market, 524. 
 Edgar, William, certifies a butcher, 199. 
 Edwards, Johnny^ the eccentric scale-beam maker, 
 
 480. 
 Eizenhart, Nathan. Clerkof Catharine Market, 350. 
 Eldridge, Daniel, fishermaa of Wash'n Market, 424. 
 Eldredge, Thomas, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500 
 Elliott, Andrew, Superinten't-General of Police, 163. 
 Ellis, or Oyster Island, to be sold, near the Bear Mar- 
 ket, 315. 
 Ellison, John, lease of a part of the market-house to, 
 
 75; petitions to catch porpoises, 76. 
 Ellsworth, William, in favor of a market-houae in 
 
 the Fields, (Park,) 275. 
 Ely, Richard, exalted upon a wooden horse, 103. 
 Embargo laid, and business suspended, in 1706,89,90. 
 Emmet, Thomas Addis, Counsel in the "Butcher 
 
 Causes," 239. 
 Eoglish cattle iutroduced into New Netherlands, 38. 
 English weights and measures to be uaed, 66. 
 
 Engs, P. W., vouches for Frederick Johnson, 470. 
 
 Estsex Market, estabhsbed, 479; name derived from, 
 479-SO; high grounds around, 4S0; removed, and 
 new building erected, 481, 552; rearrangement of 
 the stands, 483; premium butchers' stands sold, 
 481-4; number in, 547; drawn stands, 485; order- 
 ed takea down and replaced, 485-6; rooms above 
 occupied for public purposes, 486-7; fortunate in 
 having an honest Clerk above twenty years. 487-8. 
 
 Etherige's, Sir George, way of making Inve, 255. 
 
 Evacuation of the city in 1783, early intention of by 
 the British troops, 177. 
 
 Everzen, Wessels, complaint against, 40; engaged 
 in building a house. 46. 
 
 Ewen, Colonel John, Centre Market Drill-Room Com- 
 mittee, 476. 
 
 Exchange, (in Broad Street,) when erected — loca- 
 tion, 279; two buildings of the same name, 279; 
 room used for various purposes, 280, 298; known 
 as the "New and Royal Exchange," 280, 291; a 
 large clock put up, 280; New York Society Library 
 holds election in. 280; a market for horae-manu- 
 factured goods, 281; Chamber of Commerce meet 
 in, 283; cupola repaired. 286; Saint George's Fer- 
 ry near, 28d; houses near cannonaded, 288; "Lon- 
 don Ootfee-House" opened in the, 292; Marine 
 Artillery meet in, 292- ordered to be used as a 
 public market-place, 297: Tammany Society Mu- 
 seum held in, 299, 300-2 ; murder and suicide 
 near, 301-3; removed, 302; butchers removed, 371. 
 
 Exchange and WaRhiogton and Warren Bauks of 
 Jacob Barker, 578-!*. 
 
 Exchange Market, established, 370-1; stage-office 
 in, 374; sawed into three pieces and removed, 374; 
 removal, 375. 
 
 Exchange Place, its names in olden time, 254. 
 
 Fairs at New Amsterdam in 1641, 17 ; after the Feast 
 of St. Bartholomew, 29. 
 
 Fair or market ordered by the Court of Assize, 56. 
 
 Fairfield, proclamation of a cattle market sent to, 3S. 
 
 Fanton, John, fined and imprisoned for selling 
 " blown geese," 410. 
 
 Farmer's, Anthony, market-house near, 77. 
 
 Farmers suffering by a deep snow, 91-2 ; stand 
 against the Assize Law. and an invitation to visit 
 them for products. 146-7. 
 
 Fauconieir's, Peter, slave executed for conspiracy in 
 1712, 245. 
 
 Feat, a remarkable, and battle, 339-40. 
 
 Feat of a countryman in Fly Market, 180. 
 
 Featherstone-Hough, Lieut. Wharton, murdered in 
 a riot in 1705, 88-9. 
 
 Federal procession in 1788, butchers in the great, 
 316-17-18; ended on Bayard's Mount, 357. 
 
 Feeks, Samuel L., served with Col. Robert Bogardus 
 in 1812, 5-'.5. 
 
 Ferguson, John, a humane freak of, 209. 
 
 Ferries, established across the Harlaem River, 39; 
 to Long Lsland, 78; old location, 79; from Count- 
 ess Key. or Fly Market, 88, 286; how conducted, 
 139; incidents and accidents. 187-98; from Peck 
 Slip, 286; CoentiesSlip Market. 286; Saint George's, 
 foot of Broad Street, 286; De Klyn's, 383. 
 
 Ferry-boats from Long Island to land on certain 
 days at different places, 88; description of, 187; 
 first steam to Hoboken, 194; to Jersey City, 195; 
 to Brooklyn, 198; do. horse, 197-8; do. to Wil- 
 liamsburgh, 198; Fulton Market, 488. 
 
 Ferry-house built on Nassau (Long) Island in 1698, 
 79; in Broad Street, 254. 
 
 Ferry rates and regulations across Harlaem River, 
 39; East River in 1698, 79, 80; 1732, 249; 1814, 198. 
 
 Field, Francis, wounded by a king's soldier, 154. 
 
 Fink, Philip, on fat cattle, 419-20-21. 
 
 Fire, Trinity Church on, 259; great in 1776. 329; 
 in 1778, 107-8; excitement in 1796, 204-5, at the 
 State Prison, 387; in Brooklyn, arrested by the 
 New York firemen, 196-7; on the present site of 
 Fulton Market, 488; great in 1835, 520; officers of 
 the Army and Navy publicly thanked for services 
 in, 621. 
 
 Fire-buckets, how used, 258, 371-2. 
 
612 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Fire-engioes fir^t introduced anJ used in New York, 
 258-9; floating, in 1812, 1%. 
 
 Firemen in olden time. 371; publicly thanked for 
 services at Brooklyn, 196-7; turn their fire-caps 
 in a body, 682-3. 
 
 Fire- wood, scarcity and high price in 1759, 136. 
 
 Fish, found in New Netherlands. 21-2; Coenties Slip 
 Market the great markeffor, 110-12, 223; great 
 catch of, 112, 135; perinissiim to catch, and scar- 
 city, 120; timely and remarkable supply of, 226; 
 without a supply, 224-5; to "get a bunch of," 348. 
 
 Fishermen, complaint against the Dutch, 40; en- 
 couragement given to, 117-9, 121-3; impressed in 
 1764, 115-6. 
 
 Fisk, Ebeoezer, fisherman of Wash'n Market, 424. 
 
 Flao; of the British troops taken down in N. Y. City, 
 1783, 296: the first United States at N. Y. Qty, 295, 
 
 Fletcher, William, a bought servant, run away from 
 service, 100. 
 
 Flatten barrack Hill known also as Verletten burgh, 
 *-01d Boys" on, 254, 329. 
 
 Flatten Birrack Marketplace, established, 252; why 
 so named, 253; David Grim's account of, 255; 
 whipping-post, pillory, and stocks near, 255; first 
 engine-house near, 258; permission to erect a 
 market-house, 260. 
 
 Fly Market, established, 125-8; the origin and mean- 
 ing of the name, 1-5-6; in 1720. called "The Mar- 
 ket-House at Countess Key, I'^iO; first called by its 
 proper name, 129; used to build battoes in. 128-9; 
 in 1735 the rival of the Old Slip, 93; enlarged in 
 1736. 131, in 1754, 134; in 1771, l.-iS-S; in 1784, 
 180; in 178S, 182; in 1796. 200; (see 205;) fire near 
 in 1737. 132; in 1741, 94; fish market-house burnt, 
 1796. 204; slaves .sold at, 132; sewer built under, 
 132-3; proposition to build a cistern near, 133; 
 battlp between Sons of Liberty and king's soldiers 
 near, 162-5; tables prepared in, 155: Fly Market 
 Street ran alongside of, 170-1; bell cut down and 
 carried away, houses threatened to be jirostrated, 
 178-9; an egg feat, or least, in, 180; fish market 
 repiiired, 182; arrangement of the stands in 1787, 
 182-3; suits at law ordered against subscribers, I 
 183; butchers' stands sold in 1796. 201; (see 343;) 
 hucksters' petition in relation to the sale of fruit. 
 20:j-4| all the stands occupied, 211; petition, and 
 disappointment of twelve Republican butchers, 
 221-2; a I'hiladelphian's visit lo, :i23; fishermen 
 petition for slip-room, 223-4; fish cars removed 
 to Brooklyn, 224-5; fishing-stnack successful in 
 cap'uiing « British vessel of war, 225; a butcher 
 punished fur making a false return. 226-7; a re- 
 turn of all the butchers in 1819, 232-3; animals 
 killed and sold in 1816-18. 234-5; large show of 
 premium beef in, 237; on the removal, 235-8; a 
 sewer one of the causes, 527; last sale of meat in, 
 238; butcher-' suit fur claims, and settled, 238- 
 39-40-41; (,sce 343;) deserted, 238; torn down, 
 238; drtma-jres awarded to the iDutchers, 241; ma- 
 terials lo be removed, 353; part to Spring Street 
 Market 3'=0; part to Centre Market, 462; and part 
 to the Olil Slip Market, 517-8. 
 
 Foni'li, roi-r.f li 1^ mistook for a bear, and shot dead, 
 312. 
 
 For' fathers and Foreniotkers, and their generations, 
 185-ii. 
 
 Forestalling by Indians and others, 40; report on, 
 216-7; (see 425-6;) trial, 227. 
 
 Fort George, buildings burnt in. 94; meeting at, 248. 
 
 Fowler. Daniel, poultry dealer at Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Fowls, domestic, found among the early Dutch, 18. 
 
 Francis, Dr. John VV., communication on the Collect 
 Market. 3y6-7. 
 
 Franklin Market, established, 617-8; bell presented 
 for the, 51«, stauds Mildfur a premium. 518; above 
 the cost of the building, 519; business removed 
 m consequence of yellow fever, 619; old residents 
 near, 520; destroyed by fire in 1835, 520-1; shed 
 erected on ruins, 521; rebuilt, 621-3; the rooms 
 employed for rfligious purposes. 523 
 
 Franklin. Tlioinas, on Corporation bills, 233. 
 
 Franncp'* Hiimnel. bouse struck by cannon-balls, 
 288; Wa&liiugton'a household steward, 304-6. 
 
 Frecke, John C, house near Fly Market, 205. 
 
 "Freedoms and exemptions" offered to settlers, 
 xiii. 
 
 Freedom of the city, value of, andhow obtained, 149, 
 
 Frost, Ezra, appointed Deputy Clerk of Fulton Mar- 
 ket, 496; resignation of, 501. 
 
 Fruit found in New Netherlands, 25-6. 
 
 Fulton Market, establiehed, 488; sale of stands ad- 
 vertised, with terms and conditions, 490-1; meet- 
 ings of butchers in relation thereto, 490-4; sale 
 of stands and cellars, 492-7; unselfish action of 
 the butchers, 497; stands vacated and surrender- 
 ed, 497, 500; many loidow hucksters in, 499; trans- 
 fer of stands, 500; petition from -'small meat" 
 butchers in, 503-4; an Englishman visits, 606; 
 additions to, 508-14-15 ; fishermen, change of 
 stands, 499, 500-8-12-13-14; petition for slip ac- 
 commodations, 611-2; fish-trade at, 514-6; butch- 
 ers' stand.-i drawn by tot, 509; number of pre- 
 mium stands, 547; paying over 9)^ per cent, in- 
 terest, 581; present condition, 517. 
 
 Fulton, Robert, produces the first best steam ferry- 
 boat, 195-6. 
 
 Farman, Alderman Gabriel, trouble with ferrymen, 
 189-90; signs a "vote of thanks," 208. 
 
 Furman. Alderman Richard, report on butchers' 
 stands, 342-3. 
 
 Furs and skins, prices of, (see Currency.) 67. 
 
 Gabrie, Timothy, Collector of Excise on Cattle, com- 
 plaint against. 53—4. 
 
 Gaine. Hugh, sells tickets for au exhibition in the 
 Exchange; 280; editorial, 284; fiolicits permission 
 to erect a market-house, 375. 
 
 Garden Street, called Garden Alley, Garden Lane, 
 Church Street, and Exchange Flace 254. 
 
 Gardie, Madame, murder of an actress named, 301-2. 
 
 Gardner. Noah, the reformed State prisoner, 384-5. 
 
 Gazette, N. Y., first paper published in N. York, 09, 
 
 Geolliey. Thomas. Fly Market fisherman. 205. 
 
 George, Thoma.s. recovers fines and penalties against 
 butchers, 90. 
 
 General Assembly passed an act to hold fairs and 
 markets annually, 61; small-pox in the House of, 
 258. 
 
 Geneva Club, party of slaves called, 2f.5. 
 
 Gerbrants, Marcellus, on a petition for a market- 
 place, 327. 
 
 Gerrits, Otte, complaint against Joris Dopzen, 40. 
 
 Ghost. George Ship's, 337-9 
 
 Gilbert, Garrit, offer to establish a market at Green- 
 wich, 399. 
 
 Gilbert, James, Clerk of three markets, 402. 
 
 Gilbert, William, one of the Tammany Society, 299. 
 
 Giles, Aquilla, in the Federal procession, 316. 
 
 Golden Hill, battle of, 153-4-5. 
 
 Gordon. Geo. A., fisherman of Cath'e Market, 365-tJ. 
 
 Goveneur Market, established, 404; name from, 404; 
 new market-house, 106; stands sold at auction, 
 405 ; another new market-house — the old sold, 406. 
 
 Government value of stock and piovisions, &c., in 
 1665, 42 
 
 Grafht, (see Canal.) 
 
 Graham, William, on petition for place in the mar- 
 kets, 186. 
 
 Grain, found in New Netherlands, xii., 24-5; pricC 
 of, 16, 30, 42, 58, 72, 91 ; ex|)(>rt of prohibitedi 
 34, 56; ferry-boats to carry, 79; scarcity of, 86-7. 
 
 Grand market-place laid out, and boundaries. 393-4, 
 reduced in size, 395; grounds released to the for 
 mer owners, 395. (See Poppleton's Map, 1817.) 
 
 Graud Street, origin of the name, 455. 
 
 Grand Street Market, established, 455 ; enlarged, 457', 
 arrangement of the stands, 467; bntebers petition 
 for stands in Manhattan Market,458; neighborhood 
 petition for and against a larger market-house 
 near, 458-9; new market-house erected, 469, 
 butchers and the Common Council on the dispo- 
 sal of stands, 459; an obstruction to the street, 
 586; replaced by the Monroe Market, 460; butch- 
 ers and others triusfcrred, 587. 
 
 Grant, Percer W. fisbprraan of Wash'n Market, 424. 
 
 Grant, William, lialieini^u oi Wa.-ih'n Market, 424'. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 613 
 
 Grent or Delaocey's Square, 479. 
 
 Greenwich, origin ot the name, 399, 400; (see 376, 
 382-3; Upper and Ix>wer Village of, 378, 399, 401- 
 3; yellow lever asbi.sted to their formatioo, 400-1. 
 
 Greenwich Hotel, near the State Prison Market, 383. 
 
 Greenwich Mai'ket. Cbtablisheil, 399; enlarged, 401- 
 2; fat beef sold in, 403; t(>rn down, aod grounds 
 appropriated t'oi wiandiog-place for country wag 
 OQS, &c , 403; butcber.s transferred into the Wee- 
 hawken Market, 578. •" 
 
 Griffen, P. S. fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Griffiog, James, Jr., Fly Market fisherman, 225. 
 
 Grim, David, map notices Broad Street Market, 85; 
 fire in 1778. lo8; Flatten Barrack Market-Place, 
 255; map of, 260; in favor of a market-house in 
 the FieldH, 275; the city gates and wall, 372. 
 
 Grinnell, Captain Richard, edcape.s from the prison- 
 ship jSiorpion, 169. 
 
 Gulick, Jaraes, Chief Engineer, removed— conduct 
 of the firemen, 583 
 
 Guick.s, Captain, crew in a riot and murder, 88. 
 
 Gysbert, Mr., mixed up in a law-suit, 47. 
 
 Haerlem, N., ( Village,) keeps hogs on Baren Island, 
 43. 
 
 Haley, Jeremiah, fisherman of Washington Market, 
 424. 
 
 Half-Moone Battery, location of, 55. 
 
 Hall, Charles Henry, sale of Tompkins Market prop- 
 erty, 550. 
 
 Hall, Aid. William, (General,) on Franklin Market, 
 522-3. 
 
 Hall, Willis, fisherman of Centre Market, 476. 
 
 Hallet, James, coachmaker in Broadway, 315. 
 
 Hallett, Samuel, on petition for place In the mar- 
 kets, 186. 
 
 'Hamadryad," (English war-vessel,) Captain Chat- 
 ham, 440. 
 
 Hamilton, Alexander, engaged as counsel for Levi 
 Weeks, 378. 
 
 Hampton, John, Presbyterian minister, imprisoned, 
 128. 
 
 Harbor of New York, defenceless condition of in 
 1705, 88. 
 
 Harding. James, delinquent ferrymaster, 82-3 ; lands 
 ferry-boats certain days at Burger's Path, 88. 
 
 Harlem Market established — location, 588-9; cost 
 of, 590; leased tothd Brothers Hardenbrook, 591; 
 last public market, 591. 
 
 Harris, Henry, Fly Market fisherman, 205. 
 
 Harris, Nathaniel, Fly Market fisherman, 2"25. 
 
 Harris, Richard, account for a public dinner in 
 1704, 68-9. 
 
 H.irrison, Francis, Sheriff, paid for executing slaves, 
 245. 
 
 Harrison, John, house burnt in the fire of 1776, 329. 
 
 Havemeyer, Mayor W. F., report on Wafshington 
 Market, 446. 
 
 Hay, law to establish the sale of. and where sold in 
 1762, 273; scale at Bear Market removed, 3:il 
 
 Haynes, Godfrey, drownerl in Burling Slip in 1760, 
 279. 
 
 Hazard. AW n Thomas, orders repairs to Peck Slip 
 Market, 304. 
 
 Hell-Gate in 1678, 71. 
 
 Hendricks, Gerrit, leases the Excise, and the first 
 Inspector of salted meats, 37. 
 
 Henigar, Maria M., waiting-maid of Mrs. Washing- 
 ton, 162. 
 
 Herring. Elbert, on the Duane Street Market, 393. 
 
 Hertell, Thomas, on the Duane Street Market. 393. 
 
 Hewlet. John, ordered to seize the Rebels' caltle and 
 sheep, 163. 
 
 Hicks, A., fisherman of Washington Market, 424. 
 
 Hicks, Dr. John B., card about the body of John 
 Young, 342. 
 
 Hicks, Smith, fisherman of Washington Market, 424. 
 
 Hicks, Mayor Whitehead, lays the foundation-stone 
 of Bear Market, 308. 
 
 Hicks, William S , Committee on first North River 
 steamboat, 195. 
 
 Hiscox, Samuel, fisherman of Wash'n Market, 424. 
 
 Hoax— "sawing the Island off," 462-4. 
 
 Hoebuck Ferry from the Bear Market, when estab- 
 lished, 314-5. 
 
 Hoffman, James Ogden, one of the Tammany Socie- 
 ty, 299. 
 
 " Hog-cart," sketches of the, 482-3. 
 
 Hogs in New Netherlands in 1641, 17-8. 27; price of 
 in 1650, 30; in 1665, 42; 1693. 68; fairs for the 
 sale of, 38; slaughtering, 35-7, 45, 130; trading 
 one for a petticoat, 41; suit about, 47; lost, 48; 
 ferriage on, 80, 249, 
 
 Hoghlandt, Adrian, the slave of executed for mur- 
 der, 245. 
 
 Holland, Edward, in favor of a market-place near 
 White Hall Slip, 276. 
 
 Holmes, Eldad, opposed to the removal of Catharine 
 Market, 361. 
 
 Holmes, Joel, taylor— the Albany post-rider puts up 
 at, 331. 
 
 Holt, John, the Patriot editor and printer — edito- 
 rial, 280; suffering of, 290. 
 
 Hooks, Thomas, slaughter-house near, 80. 
 
 Hoonik, Jacob, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Hoop-fever, when ladies had the, 255-7, 
 
 Hopper, John, wishes to desert Bear Market. 309-10. 
 
 Horsen. (Harsen,) Cornelius and John, wish to de- 
 sert Bear Market, 309-10. 
 
 Horsefield, (Brothers,) slaves tried, convicted, and 
 executed, 94. 
 
 Horsmanden's account of the great Negro Plot of 
 1741-2, 93. 
 
 Hours of amusements in the "olden time," 306. 
 
 House in Broad Street, the rent of in 1772. 253-4. 
 
 Howe, General, unsuccessful attempt to bribe 
 made by. 161-2. 
 
 Howell, Hezekiah, of Orange County, N. Y., fat cat- 
 tle by, 340. 
 
 Hubbard, N. T., grocer, secretary of a butter 
 meeting, 408, 
 
 Huildleston, Ann, on petiMon in 1733. 262. 
 
 Hudson. Heudrick, what he said about New Neth- 
 erlands, xii. 
 
 Hughes, James M., one of the Tammany Society, 
 fee, 299. 
 
 Hiighsou, John, keeper of a public house, and lead- 
 er of the negro conspirac}' of 1741. tried, convict- 
 ed, and, with his wife, (Sarah,) hung, 95-6, (See 
 265.) 
 
 Huirt, Peter Evertsen, introduced first cattle in New 
 Netherlands, xii., xiii. 
 
 Humbert, Jonas, benevolence of, 420. 
 
 Hunt. John E., lessee of the basement of the Frank- 
 lin Market, 523. 
 
 Hunter James, made additions to Corlaers Hook 
 Market, 388. 
 
 Hunter, Robert, appointed Governor, 90 ; aclion 
 in tiie slave conspiracy of 1712, 243-5; orders all 
 the market-houses (except one) to be used for 
 war purposes, 252; speech on Oswego, "271. 
 
 Hutchios, John Nathan, the first almanac-maker 
 272. 
 
 Hujgen, L'"onard, near Old Slip Market. 87. 
 
 IlUiminat' jh of the city and butchers' stalls on ac- 
 count of naval victories. 4U7-8. 
 
 Impressment of four fisheimen, 115-6 
 
 Inhabitants, distressed situation of in 1643, 27; in 
 1779. 109; in 1783, 296; character of hi 1670, 42, 
 in 1692, 67; preparing for war in 1653. 33; in 
 1705,88, 90-1; 1709, 128-9; 1745, 115; amu.'^e- 
 ments in 1704, 69- in 1759. 136; (see 306;) refu- 
 gee leaving in 1783. 177-8, 292; comfortable sitU' 
 ation of the working classes in 1825, 354. 
 
 Indians, native, food and address, xii.; manner of 
 grinding corn, 24; attack on settlers, 27, 34; com- 
 plaints against, 35; conveying products to mar- 
 ket, 71. 
 
 Ingolsby, Lieutenant-Governor Richard, put in and 
 out of office. 90. 
 
 Inspectors of private slaughter-houses appointed, 
 368. 
 
 Invitation to the Eoglish farmers to send cattle to 
 market, 38. 
 
 Ireland, Joseph, jury on market grounds, 528. 
 
614 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 Ireland, Ablfrtnan 'Wniiam H., report on butchers' 
 
 claiiiid, 2;i'J-40-l. 
 Isljind of Nassau, (L. I.,) a new ferry to the, 78. 
 
 Jackson, General Andrew, President of the United 
 States, pi'e^eut to, and answer, 467-8. 
 
 Jacobzen Captain Jan, sale of a hog, 47. 
 
 Jaes, Aaght, singular suit against Cornelius Jansen 
 Vanhnrn, and decision of the Court, 40-1. 
 
 Jansen, Pieter, a witnfhS, 48. 
 
 Jarrott. Allen, slave executed for conspiracy in 
 171-2, 245. 
 
 Jay, John, letter on grading Broadway, iJ54; Gov- 
 ernor, fefling against in 1795, 357-8; proclama- 
 tion in rtlation to State prisoners, 383. 
 
 Jay. Pet^r A., counsel for butchers' claims, 239-41. 
 
 Jeli'niy, James, fishermau of Wash'n Market, 4*24. 
 
 Jeffray, Robert, fisherman ot Wa-sh'n Market, 424. 
 
 JelTray, Thomas, fisherman of Wash'n Market, 424. 
 
 Jeroleman, Mrs., in the Oswego Market, 335. 
 
 Jersey money in 1774, 105; in 1787, 182. 
 
 Jews, Professor Kalm's notice of the, 270. 
 
 Jewish seals, a butcher punished for affixing false 
 on meat. 202 
 
 Jefferson Market, established and named, 558-9; 
 butchers' stands sold in, 559-60; public use made 
 of the grounds at, 560-5-70-1; a well and supplj'- 
 pump at, 560; hydraulic press, adJitions to, .561- 
 3; butchers'stands drawn for in, 561; number of 
 premium stands, 547; a centre passage ordered. 
 5SI-2; not a loss to the citj, 570; bell-tower de- 
 stroyed by fire, new one erected. 570-1; heart- 
 rending scenes at the, 571-2; ''the blind man 
 of," 572-3; Licutenant-General Scott at the, 573- 
 5; necessary influence to erect a new building, 576. 
 
 Johnson, Ben, the hangman, escaped being hung. 53 
 
 Johnson, Bernard, large number of shad caught by, 
 135. 
 
 Johnson, David, house burnt in the fire of 1776, 329. 
 
 Jones, Majnr-General James I., rooms in the Centre 
 Market for the use of. 476. 
 
 Jones, Samuel, advises the romoval of the Broadway 
 Market, 276'. 
 
 Jones, Thomas, Recorder, lays the second stone in 
 the erection of Bear Market. 308. 
 
 Jubeart, John, convicted and hung for counterfeit- 
 ing, 103-4. 
 
 Justices and Vestrymen invite contracts, 155. 
 
 Kalm, Professor, describes servants, 99^ fish, 110; 
 batloes, "252; market boats on the North River, 
 261; a large water-melon, 261; N.Y.City, 269-70. 
 
 Keen & Lij2;litroot open a coffee-room in the Ex- 
 change, 280. 
 
 Kelly, John, pi^itions for privilege to erect public 
 slaughter-liiiusfs. 8<1; report on, 81. 
 
 Kemper, D;iniel. son executed in the Miranda Expe- 
 dition, 216. 
 
 Kennedy. Archibald, in favor of a market-place near 
 White Hall Slip. '.i76 
 
 Kenneydy, James, on petition in 1733, 262, 
 
 Kerry, Margaret, convicted and executed for conspir- 
 acy. 96. 
 
 Kettleman. Valentine, store near the State Prison 
 Market, 383. 
 
 Kettletas, Garret, officer of Company Beat No. 20, 
 1776, 106. 
 
 Kettletas, Peter, appointed to examine fishermen's 
 claims. 119. 
 
 Kettletas, William, defence of two ferrymen, 190-2. 
 
 Key, an old name for a slip about 1700, 127. 
 
 Kieft, Sir William, Governor, successor tn Governor 
 Van Twiller, ]6; Indians' addre.'^s to, xii.; confes- 
 sions of wrong to the settlers. 2f:<-l ; attack on the 
 Indians — their retaliation, 27; recalled, 28. 
 
 Kiersted, (Kierstede ) Dr. Hans, first market-place 
 appointed near the house of, 36; descendants of, 
 24S-9; n^ipe of. 249. 
 
 Kier-ted, (ieneral Henry T., descendant of Dr. 
 Han^ 249. 
 
 Kiersted , Dr- Roelof , vessels examined by the Health 
 Officer, 248. 
 
 King, Adam, on petition in 1T33, 262. 
 
 King, Peter, City Surveyor and Carpenter, lays out 
 
 vacant lots in and near the present Broad, Pearl, 
 
 Moore, and Coenties Slip, 32-3, 61. 
 King, Hon.Chas., on the Chamber of Commerce, 121. 
 King's Bridge, when first built, 62; a toll-bridge, 
 
 62-5; with house and farm to let, 66. 
 Kingsland, Aaron, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 Kip, Henry, in favor of a market-house in the 
 
 Fields, {Fark.) 275. 
 Kip, Jacobus, Alderman, »e a Committee. 81. 
 Kipp Johannes, on a Committee in 1691, 77. 
 Kissam, Benjamin, oCFera the estate of Petrus Rut- 
 gers for sale, 328. 
 Kissam, Dr. Richard S., card about the body of John 
 
 Voung, 342. 
 Kissing Bridge, why called so, and location of, 137. 
 Kline, Elizabeth, first allowed to sell refreshments 
 
 in Catharine Market. 347. 
 Knapp, John Coghill, (Coggilj) gift of, 164; house 
 
 in Broad Street, 253. 
 Knight. Madame, in New York in 1704. 62-9, 70. 
 Kock, Pieter, property stolen from, 52. 
 Kray, Teunis, petitions for his wife to superintend 
 
 the market, &c., 44. 
 Krigier, Martin, Captain of the "Night-Watch," 
 
 censured, 33. 
 
 La Cl^een, Solomon, (La Chair,) complaint of the 
 wife of, 30; leases the excise for slaughtered cat- 
 tle, 36. 
 
 Ladies of olden times, industry of the, 282. 
 
 Laight, Edward, appointed to examine fishermen's 
 claims, 119. 
 
 Lamb, agreement of citizens not to use, 151; an ef- 
 fectual way to stop the killipg of, 282; not to be 
 killed in certain months, 288. 
 
 Lamb, Anthony, appointed to the care of fire-en- 
 gines, 259. 
 
 Lamb, John, certifies to character of a butcher, 199. 
 
 La Montayne, Johanus, suit against. 47. 
 
 lamphJer. Truman, fisherman of Fulton Market,513. 
 
 Lamps, no oil for the ])ublic, in 1772, \Vd. 
 
 Lasher, John, certifies to character of a butcher,! 99. 
 
 L.itham, Jasper, Fly Market fishermau, 2U5, 224. 
 
 Latham, Joseph, Fly Market fi.'sherman. 205, 224. 
 
 Latham, Lodowick, fisherman of Wash. Maiket. 424. 
 
 Latham, William, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500. 
 
 Lawrence, Jonathan, aold lottery tickets to pay mar- 
 ket debt. 330. 
 
 LjLWson, Captain, arrival at Phila. with servants, 99. 
 
 Lawvers consulted in relation to high prices of 
 meat, 250. 
 
 Leake, Robert, on a petition for market-place. 327. 
 
 Lear, Tobias, Secretary of Gen. Washingtou, 162. 
 
 Lpfierts. John, in the Federal procession. 316. 
 
 Lefferts. Leffert, the daughter of, killed, 293-4. 
 
 Leitch, Major, death of. 361. 
 
 Lenox, Alderman Robert, on the Bridewell Court in 
 1795, 190: one of the Market Committee in 1796, 
 200. 
 
 Le Roy, Daniel, in the Federal procession, 316. 
 
 Lewis, Joseph, Fly Market fisherman, 205. 
 
 Lewis, Elias, Fly Market fisherman, 205. 
 
 Liberty Boys, battle with king's soldiers, &c., 152-5, 
 160. 
 
 Liberty Pole cut down, 152. 
 
 Lindsay, William, has large fire-engine for sale, 259. 
 
 Lininseer, Sering, on a petition for a market-place, 
 327. 
 
 Linsey, James, fisherman of Centre Market, 476. 
 
 Lispenard, Leonard, petition for a market-house op- 
 posite, 375. 
 
 Litschoe. Daniel, old tavern kept by, 242. 
 
 Livingston, Edward, in the Federal procession, 316. 
 
 Livingston, John R., in the Federal procession, 316. 
 
 Livingston. Phihp. ferry landing near, L. L, 286. 
 
 Livingston. Robert G., offers for .sale tho "Fly or 
 Meaflow" and upland. &c., 126; between the Fly 
 and Meal Market. 133, 247. 
 
 Livingston, Col. William S., in the great Federal 
 procession, 316. 
 
 Lloyd. Thomas, collector of the City Revenue, a de- 
 faulter. 362-3. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 615 
 
 Lloyd, Major-Gen., rooms in Centre Market for the 
 use of, 47 tS. 
 
 Lockard, Captain, complaint against a butcher, fiO. 
 
 lx>ckwood, A &Co., fisherman of Calh. Market, iJB6, 
 
 Lodowicke, Charles, on the growth of domestic ani- 
 mals, ti7. 
 
 " Long Bridge Boys," a party of slaves in 1741 called, 
 95, '265. 
 
 " Long Island Star " on the removal of the Fly Mar- 
 ket. 488-9; Fulton Market stand- holders, 498. 
 
 Long Island and Jersey negroes at Catharine Market, 
 341-6, 370. 
 
 Long Island Sound closed with ice neat Bridgeport, 
 466-7. 
 
 Loosley and Elms Tavern, illumination of, 'J89. 
 
 Loper, David, fisherman of Fulton Market, 600. 
 
 Lorton, Lewis, and others, build Spring Street Mar- 
 ket, 375. 
 
 Lots laid out near the dock in 1688, 32, 61; olhern 
 ordered to be Bold. 86, 
 
 liOvelace, Governor Francis, in 1669, orders the mer- 
 chants to meet, S:c., 85; the Dutch retake New 
 York under the rule of, 66. 
 
 Lovelace, Lord John, arrival of the Governor iu 
 1708, death of, 90. 
 
 Low, Henry, on petition for place in the market8,1 86. 
 
 Low, Isaac, remarks on the fishery in 1781, l'il-2. 
 
 Ludlow, Gabriel H., appointed to examiue fisher- 
 men's claims, 119. 
 
 Lupoid, Ullrick. complained of for extortion, 16-7. 
 
 Lyell, Sarah, on petition in ] 733, 262. 
 
 Lyman, Elisha, fisherman of Fly and Fulton Mar- 
 kets, 2'i5, 500. 
 
 Lymes, John Hendrick, the Sheriff, killed by acci- 
 dent, 84. 
 
 Maettaysan, Nichlas, in the Bla.ve-trayd, 246. 
 
 Maiden Lane, in 1691 knoM'n as "Green I.ane." 126; 
 before and after the Revolution a part of known 
 as "Fly Market" and "Fly Market Street, " 170- 
 1; in 1824 the whole was, by resolution, named 
 Cortlandt Street, 171. 
 
 Maiden Slip, foot of Maiden I.ane, called in 1692. 127; 
 inl698. "Countess Key." aft^r "Countess Slip," 
 127-9,131-2, 156; in 1740. as " Smith's Fly Slip," 
 132-3; after this, as Fly Market Slip. 
 
 Main, Rufus W.. fisherman of Wash'n Market. 424 
 
 Malcolm, General W., in the Doctors' Mob, 334. 
 
 Mandeville, Yellis, (JelHs.) on petition for place in 
 the markets, 186; wishes to desert Bear Market, 
 309-10. 
 
 Manhattan Island ceded to the Dutch by purchase, 
 xiii.; a small i.sland near "Burnt Mill Point" 
 called, 394-5, 524; town of changed to the City of 
 New Amsterdam. 34; a:^aio changed to N Y.. 53. 
 
 Manhattan Market established, 524; bell added. 5'J5; 
 distance from Grand Street Market, 459: a failure, 
 525; butchers petition, and represent promises 
 which induced them to purchase stands fnra jTe- 
 mium, 526; stand holders removed into the Union 
 Market, 526, 581. 
 
 Manhattan Water, butchers' petitions for, 210; from 
 the Kolch Well, 372. 
 
 Manhattan Well, how originated, (pee 338.) 376; a 
 horrible murder connected with the. 377-8. 
 
 Mann. John, on vote of thanks for MaihewVogel, 208. 
 
 Manning's. Captain, two servants convicted of crime 
 and punished, 53. 
 
 Mansfield, Thomas, fisherman ofFulton Market, .')13. 
 
 Manwarinpr, Silas, fisherman of Fulton Market. 513. 
 
 Marselus. Rev. N. I., what he saw in 1822, 400. 
 
 Marcus, Rev. Moses, of the Church of St. George the 
 
 , Martyr, 393. 
 
 Marine Societv meets at the Exchange in 1771. 285. 
 
 Marschalk, Alderman Andrew, on a Committee, 81. 
 
 Marschalk. John, erects flour scales in the Meal 
 Market, •:50. 
 
 Martenzen. Mesaack. athief. exammed by torture. 52. 
 
 Martin. Morris, sale of Centre Market property, 460. 
 
 Market-boats usual place to land. 31; accident to, 
 137-S; laws to protect 139; regulation of in 1779, 
 120-1; boatmen not to he imTir»"!spd. 115; not al- 
 lowed to visit vessels with a black flag, 373. 
 
 Market Committee, ordained with power, yearly in- 
 vites the services of the Executive Committee of 
 Butchers, 582. 
 Market-day, Monday of every week, appointed the 
 first, '.^8-9, 31; change of, 36; the second and ad- 
 ditional days appointed. 68-9, 73, 77. 
 Market lees, howcollectedin 1691, 60; inl735 Clerk 
 not allowed to collect, 129-30; appropriated to 
 the use of the poor in 1777. 170; small amount in 
 1783, 179; in 1786-7-93, 319; laws made and re- 
 scinded in 1790, 183; demanded of the butchers in 
 1798, and changed to renting, 351-2; receipt of 
 in 1833, 484. 
 Market-Field, origin of, 29, 31; location of, 35. 
 Market-Girl, the, a poem, 138. 
 Market-Houses, all used for war purpofes, except 
 one, in 1711, 91, 128, 252; ruinous condition of in 
 1783, 179, 314. 
 Marketing, how carried home in the olden time, 
 
 345-6. 
 Market I^ws in 1656, 36; 1683, 73-4; 1691, 60; 1735, 
 129-31- 1749, 251; 1758, 135; 1763, 140-5,149-50; 
 1774, 156-7; under martial Jaw. 123-4; petition, 
 &c., in 1837, 632-3; resolutions to change pHrts, 
 534; report on in 1840, 535-9; petition, tsc . 54('-l; 
 communication on, 541-7 ; present inefficient, 
 suggestions for impro\oment, 665-9. 
 Market people, fees demanded of. before sales, 129; 
 delinquents fined, 184; in jail for asbisting the 
 Hessians, 294. 
 Market-place, the first in New Netherlands. 15, (see 
 28;) established by Washington. 291; theHailem 
 Railroad Company. 551 ; and Charles Oakley, 5611. 
 Market-places, public — Bear, 307; Broadway, 2t3; 
 Bioadway Shambles, 44; Broad iSlieet, 77; Bur- 
 ling's, 278; Catharine, 341; Centre. -leO; Clinton, 
 527; Coentiea Slip, 1(9; Collect, 395; Corlaers 
 Hook. c87; Crown. 3'.7; Custtm-House Bridge, 70; 
 Duane Street. 390; Espex. 479; Exchange, (in 
 Bvad Streef) '-79; Exchange, 370; Flatten Bar- 
 rack. 252; Fly. 1-.5; Frankhn. 617; FuHon. 488; 
 Goveneur. 404; Grand Market. 393; Grand Strtet, 
 455; Greenwich, 399; Harlem, 5J8; Jefferson, 
 £58; Market- Place at the glraiid. 35; Manhattan, 
 524; Meal or Wall Street, 242; Monroe. 686; Old 
 Slip, 85; Cswtgo, c3li; I eck i-lip, c02; Siring 
 Street. 375; Stale Prison 38?; Ihurman's Slip. 
 260; Tompkins, 560;nnion, 5J'0;Wathington, 406; 
 Weehawken, 576; Whitehall flip. 276; Common 
 Council takes charge of in 1736, 130; stands in 
 leaded, 498; the cost of tliiiteen, and interest re- 
 ceived. 484; (eee 581 ;) expeuhive sybtem of con- 
 ducting, 3f2. 402. 41f-7; a n ore efficient plan 
 proposed in conducting the, 565-9. 
 Market-place at the Strand established, and loca- 
 lion, 35-6; cattle maiket, or thr first "Bull's 
 Head," near, 37-8; fish t-old on ihe fctrand. 40; 
 removal of. 44, 70-1, 
 Market Street, called Store Street, Winkle Street, 
 
 near White Hall Street. 15. 
 Marvin, George, on the character of a butcher, 199. 
 Masten, J. W., fisherman of Catharine Market, 365. 
 Mathews. David. Mayor, and an American cfficer,li;95. 
 Mathiessen, Nicholas, brewer, servant-man ran 
 
 away, 100. 
 Maverick, Peter, in the Federal procession, 317. 
 Maybie, A. V Jury on maiket ground, 528. 
 Mayor. Aldermen, and therifl introduced. 53. 
 Maynard. Daniel, fisherman of Fult(in Market, 50O. 
 McColleck. Jane S.. sketch of, 424. 
 McCrea. Stephen, on the character of a butcher,! 99. 
 McPoupal. Captain Alexander. impriFoned. 284; res- 
 olution against killing Iamb, 288. 
 McKemie, Francis, Presbylerian mini.ster. imprison- 
 ed, 128. 
 McNeal. William, on Corporation Bills. 233. 418. 
 Mead, Isaac, bill of repairs to Bear Market, 321. 
 Meal or Wall Street Market established. 242: mer- 
 chants' meeting-place around the, and slaves hired 
 at. 242; privilege to remove or repair sf- it stands, 
 246; cost — ordained as a meal market — called 
 "Meat Market" od I.yne'.'* Afap. 247: butchers 
 introduced in, 249; flour scales ordered in, :^50; 
 
616 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 saleA at auclioD near, 251 ; repairs, and petition 
 for removal, 1^51; removed, and affixed to Broad- 
 way Market, 252. 
 
 Meat, unvvholeBome, bow destroyed, 151-2; to be 
 sold by the joint or otherwise, 129; to be sold by 
 the pound weight, 142-49, 251. 
 
 Meat-shops eitabUahed by law, 382. 
 
 Meeker, J. M., fat cattle in Greenwich Market, 403. 
 
 Meigs. Hon. Henry, forestaller before the, 227; ex- 
 tract of letters from, 381, 431 ; recollections, 376. 
 
 Menus, Captain John, Artillery Company, 160. 
 
 Merchants to meet on the ringing of the bell in 1669, 
 85; in 1711. 242; called rich in 1678, 57; obtaia 
 privilege to erect a building in 1700, 76; moving up 
 town, 375. 
 
 Merritt. Ald'n Isaac, on Franklin Market, 522-3. 
 
 Merritt, Captain William, ferry leased to on condi- 
 tions in 1683, 79; on a Committee in 1691, 77. 
 
 Mesier, Alilerman Abraham, wishes a new market- 
 place 3i7-S. 
 
 Me.sier. Peter, petition for a market-place, 327. 
 
 Michaelius. Dominie Jonas, on the wants of New 
 -Vetherlatid-i in 1625, xiii. 
 
 Miller's. Rev'd John, plan of New York, 1695, 
 slaaghter-hOQ.sesoQ, 80. 
 
 Mille--, Syivanus, in favor of removing Catharine 
 Marked, 361. 
 
 Milli, Jacob, attacked by soldiers near the Exchange, 
 285-6. 
 
 Milner, William keeper of a tavern near the Ex- 
 change, 'Mb- '». 
 
 Milnor. Rev Dr Jarae.s, kindness to "Old Mary 
 Washington " 220. 
 
 Minister.-i a mftetin^ of 3 Dominies or, in 1679, 72-3. 
 
 Mingay. Mrs , the " smart and pretty woman" of 
 Jefferson M.irket 574-5. 
 
 Miotbordtt, Mangle, son of Philip, 331; report on 
 bitchers' stands, 34.'-3. 
 
 Minthorne, Philip, the children of, and division of 
 hi.-i Ian is. 331-32. 
 
 Minuit, Director, treaty with the Indians, xiii. 
 
 ylidme Jt)lm, Clerk of Market in 1810, complaint, 
 2>j; in favor of a market-house in the Fields, 
 (P,u-.;,)27o, 
 
 Mitchell. Erastus, fisherman of Wash, Market, 424. 
 
 Mitchell. Dr Samuel L , the projector of Collect Mar- 
 ket, 395-3; with his marketing, 346. 
 
 Mitchell, Col. William Centre Market Drill-Room 
 Committee. 476- 
 
 Miranda, General Francisco de, expedition of, 213-6. 
 
 Monroe Market establi-shed. 586-7; unsuitable build- 
 ing, (iistc-illed ''Lafayette Market," "GrandStreet 
 Market." butcher-* transferred in, and stands 
 drawn for, 587; alteration made — committee re- 
 ported on the sale of part of the building yet stand- 
 ing, 5S8. 
 
 Montgomerie's, Gov., servant's time disposed of, 101. 
 
 Montanye, Jacobus, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Montayne. John J., on the character of a butcher, 
 199. 
 
 Moon, L., fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Moore, Dennis, Committee on first North River 
 steamboat, 195. 
 
 Moore, Joha, merchant, imports first fire-engines, 
 258. 
 
 Moore, William, M.D., bill for medicine and attend- 
 ance. 33 1 
 
 "Morning Star," ordnance sloop, struck by light- 
 ning, 108. 
 
 Morris, Elenor, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Morris, Col. Geo. P., and 3d Regiment on guard duty, 
 521; sketches from the " Mirror " and "Journal " 
 of, 335. 
 
 Morris, Gouverneur, resolution against killing lamb, 
 2S8; laid out a ' grand market-place," 393. 
 
 Morris, John Clayton, punished for sheep stealing, 
 103. 
 
 Morris, L. P., fisherman of Washington Market. 424. 
 
 Morris, Col. Robert C, Centre Market Drill-Room 
 Comaiittep, 476. 
 
 Morri.s'.s Roger, h'^use struck by cannon-balls, 288. 
 
 Morris, Staats in the Federal procession, 316 
 
 '• Mount Pitt," Jones' country-seat called, 455. 
 
 " Mount Vernon," location of, known as '*Smith*8 
 
 Folly." N. V. Agricultural Show held at, 237, 419. 
 Mufford, Samuel, testimony on whale fishery in 1716, 
 
 111. 
 Mulford, Jeremiah, attacked by soldiers, 285-6. 
 Mumford, Col. S. Jones, Centre Market Drill- Room 
 
 Committee, 476. 
 Munroe, Peter Jay, demand against butchers, 396. 
 Muo-;on, Alderman Reuben, report on butchers' 
 
 claims, 239, 240-1. 
 Museum held in the Exchange, 299, 300-2. 
 
 Negro dancing, origin of public, 322, 344-5, 370. 
 
 Negro plots or conspiracies in 1712, 243-6; in 1741, 
 on St. Patrick's night, 93-6. 
 
 Negro slaves. (See Slaves.) 
 
 Negroes, deaths from small-pox in 1731, 257. 
 
 Neilson, William, servants and redemptioners for 
 sale by, 101. 
 
 Neweomb. Obadiah an unsuccessful applicant. 525. 
 
 New England, settlers driven from, and Virginia, 
 xiv ; weaving introduced, 18; the trade from, 39. 
 
 New Englanders excluded from trading in cattle, 26. 
 
 New Netherlands, early -i^ettlers of, and natives, xi., 
 xii.; the wants of in 1628, xiii.; additions to the 
 settlement of. xiv. 
 
 Newtown pippins known as early as 1759, 137. 
 
 Newspapers first printed in America, 97. 
 
 New York named after the Duke of York, 53; 
 changed to New Orange, changed back again 
 to, 56; County Agricultural Show in 1821, 237, 
 419, 420; Daily Times, communication on the pub- 
 lic markets, 57U; Lstand purchased, xiii.; to be 
 sawwdoJTaid turned around, 462-4, markets, how 
 tlie products were brought to in "Olden Time," 
 137-9. 
 
 New Yorkers, origin of, citizens sometimes known 
 aa, 233; old, conduct towards imprisoned patriots, 
 175. 
 
 Nicolls, Col. Richard, became Governor of N.Y., 53. 
 
 Niblo, Mr. and Mrs , excellent arrangement.'aby, for 
 Centre Market Ball, 473-4. (See p. 400.) 
 
 Night-watch, neglect of duty of the, 33. 
 
 I^obie, Sarah, recollections of a very old woman 
 named. 321. 
 
 Non-importation ussociations in 1769, 283-4. 
 
 Nut, Nutten. Noten, or Pagganck, (now Governor's) 
 Island, xiii., 15, 71. 
 
 Oak plank, the cost of in 1683, 74. 
 
 Oakley Market opened and shut, 562. 
 
 Oath taken by sworn butchers in 1665, 54 
 
 Ogden, D. B., counsel in a " butcher cause," 239. 
 
 Ogden, Samuel G., interested in the Miranda expedi- 
 tion, 215. 
 
 Oil, or oyl, made on Long Island in 1708, 110-1; short 
 supply of for the public lamps in 1772. 113. 
 
 Old Slip, origin of, 86. (See 517-8-20-3.) 
 
 Old Slip Market established '■ u jder the trees by the 
 slipp," where ,^h meat was to be sold, 85, 86; 
 building lots laid out near, 86; market-house or- 
 dered to be built, 87 ; known as the ' ' Great Flesh 
 Market," 87; ferry-boats to land flour at, 88; 
 known in the lawa as " Market-house at Burger's 
 Path," 92-3, 102; in a ruinous condition, lUl-2; 
 enlarged and repaired, 93, 101-2; leasing of butch- 
 era' stands and cellars, 93, 102; a counterfeiter 
 taken at the, 1U3; punished, 104; lost. New York 
 currency bill near, 106; a horrid murder near, 
 106-7; Company Beat No. 20 near, 106; large fire 
 between the Coenties and this market, 107-8; 
 terminated. 109. 
 
 "Old style" of date changed and called "new 
 style," 133-4. 
 
 Oswego Market established. 330; name applied to the 
 Broadway Market 271,330; also the Bear Market, 
 310-11 ; how the market-house was built, 330; 
 usually called "Old Swago Market," 330. 340; Al- 
 bany post-rider started from, 331; complrtint of 
 the porters who stand near 331: the old market 
 woman of, 3Sl; enlarged. 334; Grant Thorburn'a 
 vi.sits to. 335; petition of the butchers 334; the 
 live ghost caught, 337-9; part recommended to he 
 
GENERAL INDEX 
 
 617 
 
 removed, 340; fat beef for sale in, 340; reAolution 
 passed to be removed, 340; batchers transferred 
 into the Washington Market, 340. 
 
 Oswego Street and landing, 271. 
 
 Oliver, William, fisherman of Wash'n Market, 424. 
 
 Oothout, Alderman John, report on the market reg- 
 ulations. 216-7; increase of butchers' stands, 324. 
 
 Ox, roasted at King's Bridge, 65-6 ; on Bayard's 
 Mount, 357; attempt to, 379; weight of in 1692, 67. 
 
 Oxen drowned, 187; large in Centre Market — ''Presi- 
 dent," 467-8; "UnioD," (largest known,) 477-8; 
 '• Washinglun," 477. (See CalOe.) 
 
 Page. Governor John , compares New York with Phil 
 adelphia, 320. 
 
 ! aimer's, Benjamin, letter to Aaron Burr, 63. 
 
 Panburnge, Peter, leases part of a market-hou8e,75. 
 
 Panther killed in the City of New York, 311. 
 
 Parade-ground, as laid out hy the Commissioners, 
 393-4, 
 
 Park, called ■' Fields," boat burnt in, 116; petition 
 for privilege to erect a market- house in the Fields, 
 275. 
 
 Parks, Peter, certiBes Mr. Vogel, 208. 
 
 Parker k Gaine's printing-office at the Royal Ex- 
 
 ■ change, 280. 
 
 Parker. Joshua, Fly Market fisherman, 225 
 
 Parsons, John, Dt^a-v the nev/ (Burling* s) market, 278. 
 
 Pattison, Major-General, desires the assistance of 
 the Chiimber of Commerce to regulate the public 
 markets, itc, 120-1. 
 
 Patriots, the suffering imprisoned of the Revolution. 
 175-6; poverty of the returned, 179-80. (See 289.) 
 
 Patriotism of Queens and Suffolk Counties in 1755, 
 271-2; of the butchers in 1812, 431-3. 
 
 Pass, no grown person to cross the river into New 
 Jersey without a, 119-20; coming to market pro- 
 tected wiih a, 138. 
 
 Paulding. Hon. James K, , and the blind man, 572-3. 
 
 Pearsall. Walter, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513 
 
 Peck, Benjamin, his name given to a slip and mar- 
 ket-place, 303. 
 
 Peck, Geo., paid for repairs to Peck Plip Market, 306. 
 
 Peck Slip Market established, 302; first one built of 
 brick, and named after Benj. Peck, 303; known as 
 the "Jersey Market," *' New Market at Peck Slip," 
 303; used as a store-house in the Revolution, after 
 cleared for country people, 303; repairs and addi- 
 tions, 303-4-6; President Washington's residence 
 near, 304; Public Hooks and Ladders removed to, 
 306; petition to remove, 306; ordered to be sold 
 and removed, 307; butchers removed into Catha- 
 rine Market, 341. 
 
 Peeck, Jan, appointed a translator between the Eng- 
 lish and Dutch, 38. 
 
 Peers, John, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Penn, or Pinfold, (Butchers* P^) cattle-vard called 
 a, 80-1. 
 
 Penoiman. Benjamin S., fisherman of Washington 
 Market, 4-'4. 
 
 Permit, copy of a market of 1818, 585. 
 
 Permits, how obtained — Sunday Leader^s unpleasant 
 exposures, 447-9. (See 563-9.) 
 
 Peasenger, Seifrenes, captive among the Indians,159. 
 
 Petersen, Cornelius, trade with Ann Jackson, 41. 
 
 Petitions on various subjects, 54, 66,78, 80, 82-3,127, 
 158, 182, 18ft, 199, 205, 210-1, 216, 219, 223, 225-9, 
 255-6, 239, 240-2, 245-6, 251-2. 260-3. 273-5, 278, 
 391-2, 398-9. 401, 404, 412-4, 421-2. 436-7, 457-8, 
 
 ■ 461, 465-6, 468-9. 475-6. 479, 484, 488-9. 493, 498- 
 9, 503. 508, 511, 514, 517-9, 522, 525-6, 532-4, 539, 
 540, 547. 553, 558-9. 562, 577. 581-2, 584. 
 
 Phelps, Williard. fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 Philip.'f, Adolphus, store-houso and yard in 1744, and 
 
 election. 277. 
 Philips, Edw'd, answerto Comptroller's Report, 541. 
 Phillippse. Frederick, builds King's Bridge, 62. (See 
 
 64.-6.) 
 Phillips, James built fish market at Ful. Market 508. 
 Pieraon, Ephraim, a constable, wounded by a slave, 
 
 245. 
 Pierson's Tavern, butchers' meeting in 1806 at, 222. 
 Pieter. the negro, requests payment for executing 
 
 sentence on two criminals, 52. 
 
 Pigeons, wild, found in New Netherlands, 20; cheap* 
 nesa of, 134-5. 
 
 Pintard. John, on Corporation bills, 233, 418; on re- 
 moval of Oswego Market, 340; complains of Ex- 
 change Market, 374. 
 
 Pieterson. Adolph, surveys lots near the weigh- 
 house, 32-8, 61. 
 
 Plebeanus' opinion of the butchers, 145-6. 
 
 Polet, Mary, commonly known as ''Long Mary," 
 109-10. 
 
 Population in New Netherlands in 1626, xiii.; in 
 1643, 27; New York City in 1656, 35; in 1664, 53; 
 in 1678, (able to bear arms,) 57; in 1741, 94; 1742, 
 250; in 1769, 136-7; in 1772, 155-6. 
 
 Pos. Lodowyck, appointed Captain of the "Rattle 
 Watch." 34. 
 
 Pot Baker's Hill, location of, 162. 
 
 Potter, John, Fly Market fisherman, 205. 
 
 Potter, Joseph, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500. 
 
 Pound, Rev. Jesse, on the Duane Street Market site, 
 393. 
 
 Power, Stephen N., Committee on first North River 
 steamboat, 195 
 
 Powles Hook ferry-boat accidents, 187-8, 192-3. 
 
 Presbyteriap ministers arrested and imprisoned, 128. 
 
 Preserved meats, &c., first invented, 168. 
 
 Price, Mary, the horse of, 255. 
 
 Prices of articles according to the currency, 41-2; of 
 skins, hides, sugars, and negroes, 58; of slaves, 
 domestic animals, and real estate regulated by the 
 General Assembly in 1693, 68; of white servants in 
 1748, 99. 
 
 Printers, journeymen, ask for increased wages, 165. 
 
 Prisoners, escape from the prison ships, 169 - ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of fat beef, 237-8; of State 
 Prison. 38d-7. 
 
 Privateering in the war of 1812, 439-41 . 
 
 Proclamation establishing a cattle market or first 
 bull's head, 37-8; translated into English on a cat- 
 tle market, 38 ; prohibiting the exportation of corn 
 and flour, 56; to establish a market-place, 70; on 
 impressment, 115; the last by the British Govern- 
 ment in relation to markets, 171; of peace in 1783, 
 292; against slaves, 243. 
 
 Produce, a legal tender, at established rates, 42; the 
 manner of bringing it to market, 137-8; early from 
 Long Island. &c., 501-2. 
 
 Provincial Congress, petition to about stolen cattle, 
 158; prohibits the exportation of sheep, and to 
 kill no lambs, 287-8. 
 
 Provisions, when scarce or plenty, and prices, in 
 1637, 16; 1640, 30; 1650, 31; 1653. 34; 1657, 31; 
 1664, 41-2; 1678, 57-8; 1679, 72; 1691, 60;1696, 87; 
 1713 to 1717, 91; 1726. 92; 1731, 257; 1743, 250; 
 1744, 134; 1746, 250; 1749, 251; 1754, 102; 1756, 
 135; 1769, 136; (Assize Law, in 1763, 140-50;) 1765, 
 280; 1771, 155; from 1777 to 1783, 109, 164-8, 172, 
 175, 179, 289-91; 1793, 373; 1807, 223; from 1814 
 to 1820. 234, 379-80, 410-11; 1826, 502; 1830, 505; 
 bought on ferry-boats against the laws, 135. 
 
 Provoost, Abraham, slave executed. 245. 
 
 Public markets. (See JUark^- Places— Public.) 
 
 Public officers, advantages of haviog good, 183-84; 
 acts and influence of unprincipled, 227-8; golden 
 opportunities for the dishonest, 563-65. 
 
 Public Press, the benefits of an honest, 591. 
 
 Public Whipper, the pay of, 103. 
 
 Pumpkin pies at an early period, 23. 
 
 Purdy, Aid. Elijah F., apprised of a defalcation, 363. 
 
 Putnam's, General, orders in (1776) relation to pro- 
 visions and vessels, 119. 
 
 Quackenbos, Walter, and the king's soldiers, 152-3. 
 Queens County, patriotism of, 271-2; complaint of 
 
 a farmer of, 186-7. 
 Quincy, Josiah, offer for a fishing right, 111. 
 
 Rack, Mattys, petition in 1733, 262. 
 Racket, Daniel H., fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 Racket,Jeremiah H.. fisherman of Fulton Market,613. 
 Rand, Dr. Wm., of Boston, servant-man ran away, 
 
 ini. 
 '•Bangers," foraging party known as, 172. 
 
618 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 fiankins, Charles, fisherman of Fulton Market, 613, 
 
 Rathbun, Nathan, fisherman of Wash 'n Market, 424. 
 
 "Rattle- Watch," attempt to establish, 33; suc- 
 ceeded, 34. 
 
 Read, John and Joseph, advertise white servants, 99. 
 
 Reade, Joseph, repairs Meal Market-House, 247-8. 
 
 Records kept in both Dutch and Eoglish, 56. 
 
 RedemptiooietB, per.sons called, 96, 101. 
 
 Refrigerators first invented and commonly used, 
 347; introduced in the markets, 485. 
 
 Refugees, leaving for Nova Scotia, &c., 177-8; lot- 
 tery for the poor, 175 ; arrival of German in I'hila- 
 delphia, 99. 
 
 Regnier'B. Jacob, slave tyed and whipped, 245. 
 
 Remsen, Henry, ferry-landing near Long Island, 286. 
 
 Remsen, Peter, and the king's soldiers, 153. 
 
 Report on Free Bridge at Spiten Devil, 66-7; on Fly 
 Market stands, 239-41; on refreshment peddlers in 
 markets, 325-6; to amend market laws, 504-5, 535 
 -9; from Comptroller on Butchers' Claims, 641. 
 
 Reservoir, New York City, 560. 
 
 Revere, Abraham, "tea-water man," commits sui- 
 cide, 267. 
 
 Richards, Paul, in favor of a market-place, 276. 
 
 Riker, John, petition to remove Burling's Market- 
 House, 278-9. 
 
 Riker, J. R.. appointed Chief Engineer — conduct of 
 the firemen, 583. 
 
 Rhoda, Lewis, Engineer, killed, 198. 
 
 Rivington, James, consents to advance wages, 165; 
 printing materials destroyed, 288-9; return from 
 England, 289; his Royal body left behind in 1783, 
 179; the name of his paper changed, 179. 
 
 Robins, Ezekiel, certificate, 199. 
 
 Robinson, John, a bear found in the orchard of, 311. 
 
 Rodman, John, purchases the old City Hall, 78. 
 
 Rodman's Slip, known as Lyon's Slip, 278. 
 
 Rogers, Albert, fisherman of Fulton Market, 613. 
 
 Rogers, George. Fly Market fisherman, 224, 
 
 Rogers, George F., fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Rogers, MaXen, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Rogers, William, fisherman of Wash' n Market, 424. 
 
 Romaine, Nicholas, on petition for place in the mar- 
 kets, 186. 
 
 Romayne, Nic's, M.D., bill for medical services, 334. 
 
 Romme's, John, house, in which negroes cabaled, 96. 
 
 Boome, Henry, sold lottery tickets to pay market 
 debt, 330. 
 
 Roorbeck, S., on the character of a butcher, 199. 
 
 Roos, (Rose,) Gerrit Jansen, keeper of Public Slaugh- 
 ter-House, 55, 242. 
 
 Roosvelt, Cornelius, in favor of a market-house in 
 the Fields, (Park,) 275. 
 
 Roosevelt, Jacobus, petition for a market at Peck 
 Slip, 302. 
 
 Roosevelt, Alderman John, on a Committee 81. 
 
 Roosevelt, NichoIa.s J., Adjutant Third Regiment, in 
 Doctors' Mob, 334. 
 
 Rosevelt, Nicholas, the slave of executed for con- 
 spiracy in 1712, 245. 
 
 Rose, Thomas, on petition for place in the markets, 
 186. 
 
 Royael, Charles, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Rnckel, Philip C, petition for a bell on Centre Mar- 
 ket, 461-2. 
 
 Rutgers, Adrian, offers the estate of Petrus Rutgers 
 for sale, 328. 
 
 Rutgers, Captain Harman, wife's name given to 
 Catharine Market, 341. 
 
 Rutgers, Helena, premises for sale, (see 327,) 328. 
 
 Rutgers, Henry, prominent in establiRhing Catha- 
 rine Market, 341. 
 
 Rutgers, Petrus, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Rutherford, John, laid out a Grand Marketplace, 
 393. 
 
 Rutledge, William, witness in the Miranda Expedi- 
 tion, 216. 
 
 Rutzersen, Gristie, sues Dirk Van Schelluyne, 96. 
 
 Ryerson, Martin — iVed, a famous negro dancer, be- 
 longing to, 344. 
 
 Rymes, Captain Samuel, advertises a runaway serv- 
 ant, 97. 
 
 Ryno, Anson, fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Samler John, on petition for place in th-^ markets,! 86 
 
 Sandford, Major-Geoerai, rooms in Centre Market 
 for the use of, 475. 
 
 Sands, Juliana Elmore, the murder of, 377-8. 
 
 Sarkett, Richard, sells three lots for slaughter- 
 houses, 80. 
 
 " Sawing New York Island off," 462-3-4. 
 
 Schemelzel, Alderman John B., on Franklin Market, 
 522-3. 
 
 Schermerhorn, Simon, "Permit Master" for market- 
 boats on the North River, 1 19. 
 
 Sohieffelin, Colonel H. M., Centre Market Drill-Room 
 Committee, 476. 
 
 School, public, calamity near the Jefferson Market, 
 571-2. 
 
 Schryver, Jans, witness in a hog case, 47. 
 
 Schuyler. Capt. Brandt, on a Committee in 1691, 77. 
 
 Schuyler. Harmanois, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Scott, Johu Morin, offers the estate of Petrus Rutgers 
 for sale, 328. 
 
 Scott, Lieut. -General Winfield. in battle of Queens- 
 town, 415; letter to liieut. Fink, 417; at market, 
 573-5. 
 
 Seabright, John, of Albany, large ox fatted by, 397. 
 
 Sears, Captain Isaac, battle with King's soldiers, 
 152-3. 
 
 Sebring, Cornelius, petition for a ferry, 78; shoots 
 a bear in New York harbor, 311-12. 
 
 Servant.'^ (white) and redemptionists, 96-7; differ- 
 ence between and negro slaves, 97, 100; time for 
 sale, 101. 
 
 Sharp, Richard, offers the estate of Petrus Rutgers 
 for sale, 328. 
 
 Sheep first introduced, xii., xiii.; not cared for, 18; 
 price of, 30; fees for slaughtering. 37, 46; assessed 
 value of, 42; toll on, 62, 249; increase, 67, 87, 
 161; stealing, 103, 172-4; fees on sold in markets, 
 130, 268; none to be slaughtered in, 157; ram's 
 horn a useful weapon, 152-5; order for collecting, 
 163; dead — "cheap meat for boarders," 227; 
 perished from cold, 249; for the army, 271-2; not 
 allowed to be exported, 287-8; number slaughter- 
 ed in 1816, 351; fat, 419. 
 
 Sheldon's. Col., dragoons retake stolen animals, 173. 
 
 Shepard's, Ruth, slave executed for conspiracy in 
 1712, 245. 
 
 Shirley, William, general order for battoemen, 253. 
 
 Simpson, Jane, and others, petition for reduction of 
 fee.s, 423. 
 
 Simpson, (Washington,) Mary, the humane colored 
 woman, 219-20. 
 
 Sinclair, Sir John D , Quartermaster-General in 1756, 
 253. 
 
 Sison, Francis, fisherman of Washington Market, 
 424. 
 
 Sitcher, Colonel Andrew, " New York Volunteers " 
 under the command of, 439. 
 
 Skaats, Rinier, rewarded for honesty and diligence, 
 183. 
 
 Skating to market, 72. 
 
 Slaughter Farmer, (sete 35,) excise leased for one year, 
 36-7; grants extra privileges, 45-6; must inspect 
 the cattle, 53-4; trouble to do so, 55. 
 
 Slaughter-houses in the city ordered outside, 54; 
 public to be erected in the Fly above the Wall, 55; 
 used for a powder-house, 55; cattle landed near, 
 80; removed to the east end of Queen Street, 81 ; 
 leased to prominent men, 81; location of in 1784, 
 297; removed to Corlaers Hook, 298, 367; Nicholas 
 Bayard les6ee,36ti; purchased by James Blanchard, 
 who is sued, 367 ; butchers buy Blanchard's lease, 
 and it terminates, 368. 
 
 Slaves, value of, 1678, 67 ; 1 693,68; 1719. 246; in Negro 
 Plot, 1712, 243-6; in 1741, 93-6; sold at Fly and 
 Meal Markets, 132, 242; not allowed to cross ferry, 
 243; a law against, 264; called "Free Masons," 
 "Geneva Club," "Smith's Fly Boys," and "Long 
 Bridge Boys," 265; troublesome on Long Island 
 and New Jersey, 266-6; dancing, 344; relics of, 
 370. 
 
 Sloeum, Wilham, of Rensselaer County, fat cattle in 
 1824, 421. 
 
 Slosson, William, counsel in a "butcher case," 239. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 619 
 
 Small-pox, mortality of in 1731. 257; in the House, 
 with the General Assembly, 258 ; preparation 
 against in 1739— cause of scarcity in 1743, 250. 
 
 Smith, Bernardus, Fly Market near the house of, 
 128. ' 
 
 Smith, Ephfaim, Clerk of the Markets in the Revo- 
 lution, 124, 178-9. 
 
 Smith, Dr. E. H., letter on yellow fever, 873. 
 
 Smith, James, chairman of a butter meeting, 408. 
 
 Smith, Jonathan, fisherman of Fulton Market, 500. 
 
 Smith, MMancthon, of Tammany Society, 299. 
 
 Smith, Richard, Deputy Clerk of Markets, 374, 410- 
 14. 
 
 Smith, Colonel William, engaged in Miranda Expedi- 
 tion. 215-6. 
 
 Smith. William S. . Collector of the City Revenue, 468. 
 
 Smith's Fly, (Queen Street, afterwards Pearl Street.) 
 126-7. 
 
 ''Smith's Fly Boys," name of a negro club, 95. 
 
 *'Sons of Freedom," call on, for a free bridge, 65. 
 
 Southampton, proclamation of a cattle market sent 
 to, 38. 
 
 Southhold, proclamation of a cattle market sent to, 
 38. 
 
 Spingler, Henry, on petition for place in the mar- 
 kets, 186. 
 
 Spingler Institute, named after Henry Spingler, 203. 
 
 Spiteoduyvel crossed without paying ferry rates, 
 39, 40. 
 
 Spiting Devil, else Kingsbridge. in 1704, 62. 
 
 Spring Street Market established, 375; assistance of 
 Trinity Church — named " Market-house in Bran- 
 non Street " and Greenwich Market, 37tj; butchers 
 on the stao'l-i — a beil hung — market-house raised, 
 and name changed with the street, 376; number 
 of stalls in, 458; enlarged— butchers fined and im- 
 prisoned, a80-l ; ordered to be discontinued and 
 taken down, 528; sale and removal of the build- 
 ing, 382. 
 
 Stadt House, or City Hall, location and use of, 110; 
 sold, 78. 
 
 Stagg, John, receiver of subscriptions for Bear Mar- 
 ket, 308. 
 
 Stagg, Nicholas, house of, 272. 
 
 Stagg, Thomas, petition for compensation, 326. 
 
 StalU an 1 -tiindings to let in 1754, 134; in 1777, 170. 
 
 Stamford, proclaiuationofa cattle market sent to, 38. 
 
 Stamp Act, effect of and repealed, 281-2; the cause 
 of raising more sheep, 287-8. 
 
 St. Amore, Thomas, butcher in the Bear Market in 
 1771, 309, 
 
 Staten Island, mail taken down on the ice to — per- 
 sons walked from Long Island to. 456-7. 
 
 State Prison, sketch of, 383-7; grounds sold, part 
 reserved for a market-place, 576. 
 
 State Prison Market established, 382-3; removal of 
 butchers in — Greenwich Hotel neai;, 383; occu- 
 pants transTerrel into the Greenwich Market and 
 removal of the old «hed. 387. 
 
 Steamboat, first fur Albany, 194, 372. 
 
 Stebbins, William Fly Market fisherman, 225. 
 
 Steenwyck, Coriieiiu'>, Heer ticbepen, engages in 
 slaughtering. 45-6 (See 52 ) 
 
 Stevens, Ebenezer, on fat cattle 419-20. 
 
 Stevens, Col. John runs the first passenger steam 
 ferry-boat, 194-5. 
 
 Stewart's, Captain Ih^ first vessel in New York har- 
 bor to hoist the U S. colors, 295. 
 
 St. Clair John. Sr., tu British general commanding 
 in the Revolution, li-t. 171-2. 
 
 St. John, Alderman Samuel, resolution to change 
 Maideu Lane to Cortlandt Street, 171. 
 
 Stilwell, Samut'l, recommends M. Vogel, 208. 
 
 Stone Bridge in Broadway. 398. 
 
 Storer, William B , fisherman of Fulton Market, 513. 
 
 Storms, Gen Henry, order for funeral honors to 
 Captain J. L Fluk. 418. 
 
 Stout, Hirme, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Stouteoburgh, Jacobus, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Stoutenburgh, John, on the character of a butcher, 
 199. 
 
 Strand or Beach, location of, 31; trading at, 34. (See 
 market-place at, 35.) 
 
 Stratford, proclamation of a cattle market sent to, 
 38. 
 
 Street sweepings sold at auction, 464. 
 
 Strong, Selah, on first North River steamboat, 195. 
 
 Stryker, Major-Gen., rooms in the Centre Market 
 for the use of, 476. 
 
 Stryker, Garrit, wishes to desert the Bear Market, 
 309-10. 
 
 Stryker, James, wishes to desert the Bear Market, 
 309-10. 
 
 Sturman, Edward, recommends M, Vogel, 208. 
 
 Stuyvesant, Gov. Peter, last of the Dutch governors 
 — character and success, 28; interview with the 
 Captains of the night-watch, 33; changes the 
 market-day, and appoints a market-place, 36; 
 surrender of the City, when its name was changed, 
 53. 
 
 Stuyvesant, Peter-, stage-driver from Powles Hook, 
 125. 
 
 Suffolk County, patriotism of, 272. 
 
 Superintendent of Markets first appointed, 361. 
 
 Swartwout. Tomas, requests the "small Burgher- 
 right," 51. 
 
 Tammany Society meet at the Exchange in 1790, 298, 
 300. 
 
 Tappan, Charles B., Superintendent of Buildings, on 
 Franklin Market, 522-3. 
 
 Tavern prices for board and lodgings in 1786, 180-1. 
 
 Taylor, George, Jr., recommends M. Vogel. 208. 
 
 Taylor, James B., lessee of grounds at the Washing- 
 ton Market, 450-'2. 
 
 Tea-Water Well.Coinfort's,95, 265-8; pump, (Kolch.) 
 called '*Fre«h-Watpr Engiqe." 266; reported fail- 
 ure of supply, '.ibT; bad, and replaced by Manhat- 
 tan well water, '2i l^. 
 
 Teller's, Jacob, houne near Old Slip Market, 87. 
 
 Templeton, GHver, commandant of Company Beat 
 No. 20, 1776, 106. 
 
 Ten Eycke, Coentract, near Coenties Slip Market,!!-!. 
 
 Theobald's, Captain, slip near, 78. 
 
 "Third Avenue Trotting Course." 551-2. 
 
 Thomas, Allan, Clerk of Essex Market, 487-8. 
 
 Thompsnn, William r., keeper of the "Tea-Water 
 Pump," 267. 
 
 Thong, Alflermau Walter, duties around a market- 
 house. 76-7. 
 
 Thorburn, Grant, from his Life, coramunications to 
 the Press, and letters to mo, 217-8, 220, 272, 297, 
 322, 335, 371-2, 384. 
 
 Thurston. William, schoolmaster near "Koenties 
 Market," 114. 
 
 Thurman's Dock, the Albany Post started in 1754 
 from, 263. 
 
 Thurman, John, petition of, ZGl; fire at the dwell- 
 ing-house of, 262, 
 
 Thurman, John, Jr., on petition for a market-place, 
 327-8. 
 
 Thurman, Ralph, on petition for a market-place, 
 327- 
 
 Thurman's Slip, great Linding-place, 261-2. 
 
 Thurman's Slip Market-l-'lace, petition to establish 
 granted. 260, (see 327;) intended location of, 261; 
 petition asking to select another location, 362; 
 report unfavorable — ■petitioners ask for one at the 
 foot of Cortlandes Street, rejected, 203. 
 
 Tiemann. Mayor D. F., coramunicaiion from, 451-2. 
 
 Tinker, Allen, fisherman of Catharine Market, 365. 
 
 Tinker, Edward, Fly Market fisherman, 225. 
 
 Tinker, Jeremiah, Fly Market fisherman, 225. 
 
 Tinker, Juory, Fly Market fisherman 225. 
 
 ''Tompkins. Governor," privateer, (Capt. Shaler,) 
 in 1812, 439-40. 
 
 Tompkins, Governor D. D., and Lieutenant John L. 
 Fink. 416. 
 
 Tompkins, Colonel William W., on Catharine Mar- 
 ket, 365-6. 
 
 Tompkins Market established, 550-1 ; p emium 
 stands sold in, 551. (see 547;) additions to, 551-3; 
 Bull's Head, Browning's, near, 554; *' Cooper 
 Union" opposite, 554-6; resolutions passed to 
 build an iron market-house-^ wooden sheds erect- 
 ed, 555-6 } market-house finished — satisfactory 
 
620 
 
 GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 arrangement of the stands, S56-7; a new article 
 introduced in, and the occupants, 657. 
 
 Toriea, butchers, printers, and other citizens, 177, 
 179, 294-6. 
 
 Totten, Ephraim, a soldier wounded in the Doctors' 
 Mob, 334. 
 
 Tourneur, Daniel, brings suit against Frans Janzen 
 Van Hooghten, 47. 
 
 Trading, Jan Peeck appointed to assist in, 38; price 
 between pork, beef, and negroes, 41; hog for a 
 petticoat, 41. 
 
 Tremaine, Lyman, Attorney-General, orders a sur- 
 render of market grounds, 451. 
 
 Trinity Church, on fire in 1753, 259; lota near, 254; 
 burnt in the fire of 1776,329; contributes towards 
 establishing Bear, 308; Spring Street, 376; Duane 
 Street, 390, and Greenwich Markets, 399; claims 
 Duane Street Market grounds — exchanges, 393. 
 
 Trumans, Clark, Fly Market fisherman, 225. 
 
 Trumbull, Jonathan, Secretary to General Washing- 
 ton in 1781, 291. 
 
 Trumpeter, Albert, complaint against Daniel Tour- 
 neur, 48; complained of for selling fish, 48. 
 
 Tryon, Governor, known as a cattle thief, 172; a 
 public dinner given to at the Exchange, 286-7. 
 
 Tucker, Elstein, fisherman of Centre Market, 476, 
 
 Tucker, Wm. A. , fisherman of Catharine Market, 366. 
 
 Tudor, Captain John, a messenger and lessee of a 
 part of the market-house. 74-5. 
 
 Tuthill, S. B., fisherman of Fulton Market. 513. 
 
 "Twelve Men" chosen and disbanded, 26-7. 
 
 Ulshofer, Lawrence petition for place in the mar- 
 kets, 186. 
 
 UlshoelTer, M., counsel in a butcher case, 239. 
 
 Union Market established, 580-1; cost of the land, 
 484; market-house built by "Charles Overton" 
 named— butchers and others transferred from 
 Manhattan Market in — resolution passed to have 
 six butchers' stands draion by lot, 581; petitions 
 for examined by Executive Committee of Butch- 
 ers, and drawn for under their direction, 682; 
 destroyed by fire, and rebuilt — deduction of rent, 
 682-3; a remarkable woman in — death of, 584-5; 
 dangerous condition of, and rebuilding of a larger 
 building, 586; rooms used for public purposes, 
 &c., 586. 
 
 Ury, John, a priest, convicted and executed for con- 
 spiracy, 96. 
 
 Vail, William, made additions to Corlaera Hook Mar- 
 ket, 388. 
 
 Valentine, Alderman Abraham, and Fly Market 
 butchers, 237. 
 
 Valentine, Alderman Abraham M., promises not 
 recognized by the Common Council, 525-6. 
 
 Valentine, David T., locates the old ferry, 79; origin 
 of a market-place, 127. 
 
 Van Alst, Jacob, anecdote of, 366. 
 
 Van Borckeloo, Willem Jansen, a witness, 48; com- 
 plained of, 51. 
 
 Van Bcskerk, Loaurens Andr., complains of a bound 
 servant, 97. 
 
 Van Bu.skirk, Abraham, uses a flying machine, 315. 
 
 Van Corlaer, Jacobus, Corlaers Hook from, 388. 
 
 Van Dalsen, John, petition for a market-place, 327. 
 
 Van Dam, Anthony, Secretary of Chamber of Com- 
 merce, 104. 
 
 Vanderbilt's, John, store at No 3 Catharine Mar- 
 ket, 351. 
 
 Van der Donk's account of New Netherlands, xii. ; 
 domestic and wild animals, 17-9; birds, water- 
 fowl, 19, 20; fi.shes, 21-2, 110; vegetables, corn, 
 fruit, 22-6. 
 
 Van der Mezlen, Joannes, mediation of, 47. 
 
 Van der Spygel, Lawurens, and Sarah Webber's 
 marriage, 52. 
 
 Van der Wei, Lourens Cornelius, claims Burgher- 
 Right for performing valiant deeds, 50-1. 
 
 Van Duzen. Isaac B., in sea-service of the war of 
 1812, 625.' 
 
 Van Dyck, Fiscal, keeper of the first pound, 28. 
 
 Van Dyck, Richard, in Hanover Square, 247. 
 
 Van Elsant, Claas, application denied, 44. 
 
 Van Gelder, Abraham, lessee of the public markets, 
 robbed, 156. 
 
 Van Hatteu, Arent, Captain of the ^^Mght-Watch," 
 censured, 33. 
 
 Van Hooghten, Frans Janzen, 'nts against, 46-7. 
 
 Van Hook, Isaac, Weigher of HSy, 27a. 
 
 Van Hook, Isaac, Jr., loses his hay-scale book, 313. 
 
 Van Hoorn, Derick, the slave of executed, 266. 
 
 Van Horn, Cornelius, a candidate for the General 
 Assembly, 277. 
 
 Van Horn, Cornelius Jansen, the trial of, 40-1 
 
 Van Horn, Captain Garrit, an election in the place of 
 the deceased, 277. 
 
 Van Mepplen, Roelof, complaint against, 40. 
 
 Van Ness, Abraham, residence, formerly Lady War- 
 ren's, 40D; petition for a market, 577. 
 
 Van Orden, Johannes, on petition in 1733, 262. 
 
 Van Orden, Samuel, petition for place in the mar- 
 kets, 186. 
 
 Van Schelluyne, Dirk, sued by Gristie Rutzersen, 96. 
 
 Van Tilburgh, Peter, slaves fire the house of, 243-4. 
 
 Van Tuyl, Alderman Andrew, of the "Bridewell 
 Court," 190. (See 200.) 
 
 Van Twiller, Governor, plantations and improve- 
 ments, &c., lfi-6. 
 
 Van Tienhoven, Secretary, a trading suit before, 41. 
 
 Van Voerheise. Albert, the slave of executed, 266. 
 
 Van Waart, (Weert,) Marten, a thief, punishment 
 of, 52. 
 
 Van Wagennen, Garrit, on first North River steam- 
 boat, 195. 
 
 Van Zant, Alderman Tobias, orders repairs to Peck 
 Slip Market, 304. 
 
 Van Zandt, Alderman "Winant, Jr., on the increase 
 of stands, 324. 
 
 Varian, the name, oldest in the profession, &c., 
 366-7. 
 
 Varian, Isaac, on petition for place in the markets, 
 186. 
 
 Varian, Jonathan, fat cattle in Bear Market, 322. 
 
 Varick, John, appointed Clerk of five market-places, 
 392. 
 
 Varick, Mayor Richard, on Bridewell Court, 190; 
 granting a market stand, 319. 
 
 Vegetables found in New Netherlands, 22-4. 
 
 Verdier, Captain, in a duel on Bayard's Mount, 367. 
 
 Vermillias, ITiomas, free bridge on the land of, 64. 
 
 Verveshe, Johannes, establishes a ferry across Har- 
 laem River. 39; complaints against travelers, 40. 
 
 Vogelsangh, Marcus, requests a Burgher-Right, 50. 
 
 Wages of mechanics and laborers in 1778, 165. 
 
 Wagner & Son, fishermen of Catharine Market, 366. 
 
 Waldron, David, on a market-house in the Fields, 
 (Park,) 275. 
 
 Waldron, Pettus, wishes to desert the Bear Market, 
 309-10. 
 
 Waldron, Resolvert, commissioned to superintend 
 the Graft, 32. 
 
 Waldron, Samuel, purchases a whale, 113. 
 
 Wallace, Henry, fisherman of Washington Market, 
 424. 
 
 Wallace, Thomas, on first North River steamboat, 
 195. 
 
 Walter, Alderman John, petition to enlarge Old Slip 
 Market, 93. 
 
 Walton, Thomas, suit against Roelof Jansen, 41. 
 
 Walton, Hon. William, remflved from near the Ex- 
 change in 1754 into the "Walton House," 12"; 
 residenceof, 1759, 126; petition for Peck Slip Mar- 
 ket in 1763, 302. 
 
 War between the Dutch and Engli.sh in 1653, 33; in 
 1664, 53; English and French in 1705. 88, 91; in 
 1709, 128-9; in 1745, 115, 159 ; of theRevolution, 
 (see 106,) 119, 157, 160-2, 288, 298, 303. 313-4, 336, 
 413; war of 1812, 196, 225, 336, 410, 415-8, 431-3. 
 
 Warren, Sir Peter, proclamation, (Lady of, resi- 
 dence,) 115. 
 
 Watch-House in Broad Street. 260; first district in 
 1815, 410. 
 
 Water, a cooling element with fighting Dutch Boors, 
 72. 
 
GENERAL INDEX. 
 
 621 
 
 Watkins, Joseph, with others, huild Spring Street 
 Market, 375. 
 
 Watson, Fanny, of Centre Market, 461, 585. 
 
 Way, Sam, the shark catcher, 348-9. 
 
 Washington, General, incidents of his Ufe, 160-2; 
 burlesque on pro.;lamation, 173-4 ; appointed a 
 market-place, 291; residence in New York, 304-5; 
 funeral procession in New York, 377. 
 
 Washington Garden, first kept by Brannon, then 
 after by Tyler, 376. 
 
 Washington Greys, First Troop, Captains of the 
 366, 434. 
 
 Washington, John, fisherman of Washington Mar- 
 ket, 4'i4. 
 
 Washington Market — established, 406-7; the build- 
 ing of, 340; butchers of the Bear transferred in — 
 illumination of, 407-8; the last buttermilk wom- 
 an, 408; premiums for butter in — the guinea roll 
 purchased, 409-10 ; First District Watch at— a 
 blower imprisoned, 410; animals slaughtered and 
 sold in, 411; sale of a stand recommended — 
 stopped — drawn for, 412; petition and success rf 
 an old butcher, 413-14; sketch of a patriot, 415- 
 18- butchers resolve to take no uncurrent money, 
 419; fat beef in, 419-21; petition against the sale 
 ofbutchera' stands at auction, 4'2J-'j; enlarged — re- 
 moval of to St. John's Park, 42^; petition of the 
 hucksters, 423; of fishermen, 424; country woman 
 and forestaller, 425; forestalling, 425-6; additions 
 to — an honest Clerk, 427; Report on the Basin, 428; 
 author's experience at, 429-30; butchers' stands 
 made "premium stands," 436-T; number of in, 
 647; petitions of country people, and disposition 
 of their stands. 443-4; (see 454;) additional sheds 
 added, 443-9 ; new-mado grounds at, 446-52 ; 
 stands, how olitained — unpleasant exposures, 447 
 -50; "5«nda!/^(Za«" ontheabuRes, 450; State of 
 New York leases grounds at, 450-3; fire at, 452; 
 the " WorWs " opinion of an attempt to rebuild 
 —plan of, 453; condition of the buildings — indict- 
 ed as a nuisance, 454; business, supplies, trade, 
 and want of system at the, 454-5. 
 
 Waterman, Thomas, Washington Market, fire in a 
 shed of, 452. 
 
 Wearing & Comstock, fishermen of Catharine Mar- 
 ket, am. 
 
 Webher.=i, John, wishes to desert the Bear Market, 
 309-10 
 
 Weehawk, an Indian name. 576. 
 
 Weehawken Market established — known as Green- 
 wich Market, 676-8; butchers' stands sold, and 
 gift stands placed in, 578; not successful — part 
 leased. 570-8ii; deserted, 580. 
 
 Weeks, Levi, tried for murder, 877-8. 
 
 Weigh-House, lots laid out near, 32; market-place.s 
 near, 68, 61, 71, 74. 
 
 Weights and measures, English adopted, 56. 
 
 Wells, Benedict", fisherman of Wash. Market, 424. 
 
 Wells, James N., jury on market grounds, 628. 
 
 Wells, Reuben P., fisherman of Washington Market, 
 424. 
 
 Wells, Thomas, fisherman of Wash'n Market, 424. 
 
 Weasels, Matbias, first fisherman in Catharine Mar- 
 ket, 341. 
 
 Wessells, Warner, refusal of the currency by, 30. 
 
 Westervelt, John J., cellar under Duane Street Mar- 
 ket leased to, 391. 
 
 Weston, Richard, weigher of hay, 273. 
 
 West India Company, introduction and trade of, xii. ; 
 their inducements for colonization, xiii., xiv. ; lo- 
 cation of warehouse which supplied the town with 
 provisions, 15, 28-9, 35; dishonest servants, 17. 
 
 Wetmore, G. , committee on first North River 
 steamboat, 195. 
 
 Whale Company in 1669, 111. 
 
 Whales seen and taken about the harbor of New 
 York, 22, 110-3. 
 
 Wheelbarrows used by the butchers of olden time, 
 346. 
 
 Whigs and Tories in 1783, 296, 
 
 Whigs and Ffderalists, excitemeni: between, 299. 
 
 Whiiey's, Mr. John, near the White Hall Slip Mar- 
 ket, 277. 
 
 Whipping-Post, pillory, and stocks^ (see 102,) 256. 
 
 White Hall Slip Market established, '.c76; location of 
 an old market-place, and known as Market house 
 at the end of Pearl Street, 27 U; name derived from 
 —an old landing-place near, 277; removed, 278. 
 
 Widows of deceased butchers, petition for privileges, 
 
 Wiggins, Bradley S., Fly Market flsherman, 225. 
 Wilcocks. Thomas, Fly Market (isherman 205. 
 Wilkins, Erasmiia, accused of murdering Lieutenant 
 
 Featherstone-Hough, 89. 
 Willet, Edward, near Oswego (Broadway) Market, 
 
 Willett, Colonel Marrinus, certifies to the character 
 
 of a butcher, 199; witness in Miranda Expedition, 
 
 216; in favor of a market-place in the Fields. 
 
 (Park.) 275. 
 Willet, Thomas, {Tomas.) fined by the Court, 37; 
 
 furnish provisions, 41. 
 Williams, John, fisherman of Fulton Market, 600. 
 Williamson, David, on petition for place in the mar- 
 kets, ]86. 
 Williamson, D. D., Comptroller, Report against the 
 
 rights of butchers, 641, 
 Willis, Asa, fi.'^herman of Washington Market, 424. 
 \\ illaon. Captain Ebenezer, leases the Slaughter- 
 
 Housein J696, 60. 
 Wilson, John L., on first North River steamboat, 
 
 195. 
 Wilson, Robert, fisherman of Washington Market, 
 
 424. 
 Wiseburn, Earbary, O'Auniy Wiseburn,^') sketch 
 
 of, 423-4. 
 Wiseburn, Daniel, sketch of, 423-4. 
 Women of olilen time, 159, 185; an incident, 331-3. 
 Wood, high price and scarcity of in 1739-40. 1746-7, 
 
 249-5U; in n59, 136; 1816, VS-i; 1836, 457. 
 Wood. W., mail-carrier from Thurman's Dock to 
 
 Albany. 263. 
 Wood, Willbur, petition to Provincial Congress, 158. 
 Woodward, John, Captain of Company in Doctors' 
 
 Mob 334. 
 Wooley, Rev. Mr.. Journal of, 57. 71-3. 
 Working-people, certain hours fixed for labor, 37. 
 Wright, William S., fisherman of Fulton Market, 
 
 600. 
 Wright, a muff-maker, died of rum, 53. 
 Wyckoff, Alderman Henry J., Report on butchers' 
 
 claims, 239-41. 
 
 Year, beginning of changed in 1696 and 1752, 133-4. 
 
 Yellow fever years, ]74v.'-3, called '-distemper or 
 plague," 260; in 1791 several prominent citizens 
 dw'd of. 206; in 1793 proclamation of Gov. Clinton 
 in relation to, 373; in 1795 great many victims- 
 markets deserted, 205-373; in 1798 very fatal- 
 many butchers died, 206-10, (see 322, 373, 400;) 
 in 1799 began early, not m fatal, 373, 400; in 1803 
 fatal to many whole families, 206, 218. 400; in 
 1804 not so bad— in 1806 butchers ordered to 
 leave the markets— cats left slarving. 219-20, 374, 
 400; in 1822 markets removed— lower part of the 
 city deserted — vegetation grew in the streets, and 
 the village of Greenwich greatly added to, 380, 
 400-1,422-3. 498. 619,660. 
 
 Young, Mrs. Johanna Christian, punished for crime, 
 102. 
 
 Young, John, the remains of, found in Catharine 
 Slip, 342. 
 
 Young, William, fisherman of Fulton Market, 600.