[The Compiler deems the following to be of such interest as to re-publish it.]

THE EARLY HISTORY

OF SOME OF THE

STREETS OF NEW-YORK.

Pearl-street.

This street was originally the water line of the East River.

1654. The first wharf in this city was built by Daniel Litschoe, tavern-keeper, "on the strand." It was near the foot of Broad-street.

1656. The part of the street west of Broad-street was named Perel-straat." East of Broad-street was named "Hoogh-straat."

1665. The street contained 61 buildings.

1695. This street was built upon as far as Maiden Lane, and soon after the accession of Queen Anne, was named Queen street, which name it retained until after the Revolution, when the present name was given to it.

Old Maps.

Dutch Records.

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Map and
Records.

The first City Hall was erected upon this street. at the English Records. head of Coenties Slip. It was sold in 1699 to John Rodman,

for £920.

1691-A ducking-stool for the punishment of offenders, constructed in front of the City Hall.

"All the land on the water side, from the block house to the hill next to Mr. Beekman's," was sold in lots in 1692. Those from the block house, (now Wall-street,) to the Green Lane, (now Maiden Lane,) were valued at 25 shillings per foot. From the Green Lane to Mrs. Van Clyff's, (now John street,) at 18 shillings per foot. From Mrs. Van Clyff's to Mr. Beekman's, (Beekman-street,) at 15 shillings per foot.

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In 1728, the Custom House stood on the north side of this street, about the middle of the block between Broad and

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Whitehall-street.

In 1735, an ordinance was passed to stake and lay out the English Records. high road from the gate at the end of Queen-street to the other road at fresh water, (Chatham-street,) as the same were laid out by act of 1707. The breadth to be four rods. Some years after the Revolution, the present name was given to this street.

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Dutch Records.

English Records.

English Records,

1692.

English Records.

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Whitehall-street.

This street was named by the Dutch, in 1656, WinckelStraat, or the shop-street. It was first paved in 1658.

At the foot of this street, in 1695, was the Whitehall Battery of 15 guns, from which the name of this street was derived.

Exchange Place.

Formerly Varlett's Hill and Garden-street.

A Dutch Calvinist Church was erected on this street in 1692, occupying grounds 180 feet in front, which was purchased for £180. The site of which church is now between William and Broad streets. After the erection of the Dutch Church, the name Church-street was applied to this portion of the street.

11th June, 1697. Application of Col. Nicholas Bayard that the Church-street may be laid out, he having ground there on which he designs to build; ordered that the City Surveyors lay out the said street as may be most convenient for the church, and the inhabitants of the same."

1728. The street was again called Garden-street.

Dutch Records.

English Records.

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Dutch Records.

Beekman street.

In 1656 William Beeckman applied to the town magis trates, stating that certain persons claimed a right of way through his farm, and he requested that they might be called upon to show their title. These claimants stated that their cattle, with those of their neighbors, were herded every year on the Commons, (at present the Park,) and that there had been a right of way there before their time. This early record shows a public way nearly if not on the present line of Beekman-street in 1656,

Beekman-street was first laid out as a street, regulated and paved, in 1750.

The Episcopal Church (St. George's) was built about the year 1750.

"Petition of Presbyterian churchmen for a grant of the angular piece of ground to the north-eastward of the vineyard, and opposite the old wind-mill spot," which was allowed, and a perpetual lease given at £40 per annum, 1766. Upon this ground the brick Presbyterian Church in Beekinan-street was erected.

At an early period Mr. Beekman's farm was in this neighborhood, and his orchard adjoined the swamp, or “cripple bush," as it was sometimes called. "Beekman swamp," which is now covered by Ferry and adjacent streets, was sold, in 1731, to Jacobus Roosevelt, for £200.

The Bowling Green.

Ordinance of 1659.-" It is found good and resolved, that for all fat cattle brought to the market (not slaught

ered) posts shall be erected by the side of the church,* where those who bring such cattle to market for sale shall present them.

"It is also resolved, that shambles be built, a cover be made, and a block brought in, and that the key be given to Andries, the baker, who shall keep oversight of the same."

Ordinance of 1676.-" A Market Fair is ordered for three English Records. years ensuing, to be held in this city, att the markett-house and plaine afore the Forte, to be held each Thursday,

Friday and Saturday."

In 1728, this place was called "the Parade."

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Resolution of 1732.-"Resolved, that this Corporation English Records. will leave a piece of land lying at the lower end of Broadway, fronting the Fort, to some of the Inhabitants, in order to be enclosed to make a Bowling Green there, with walks therein, for the beauty and ornament of said street, as well as for the delight of the Inhabitants of this city."

John Chambers, Peter Bayard, and Peter Jay, were the lessees for 11 years, at 1 pepper-corn per annum.

Broad-street

Was originally a marshy piece of ground, through which a Dutch Records. drain was made after the settlement of the town by the Dutch. And this drain was called the "graft," or canal. After the erection of dwellings on each side it was called the "Heere graft," or the Principal Drain, which name was given by Ordinance of 1656.

This was the first street paved in this city, by Ordinance

of 1655.

The drain was in 1657 sided with boards stuck endwise into the ground to prevent the caving of its banks, which occurred after high tides.

In March, 1659, R. Waldron was made the "officer of the graft," with directions" to see that the newly-made graft was kept clean and in good condition, and that the boats, canoes and other vessels which came into it were laid in order."

The landing place for vessels was at the mouth of this inlet; with reference to which, the following petition was presented in 1658:-

TO THE HIGH HONOURABLE LORDS, THE GENERAL AND
COUNCILLORS OF NEW-NETHERLANDS.

Great and honourable lords :

It is respectfully represented by the Burgomasters and Schepens of the city of N. Amsterdam, that much inconvenience arises to the citizens of this city at this time from the condition of the floating way at the bridge, where they have

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The Church was then in the Fort fronting the present Bowling Green.-Old Map.

Dutch Records.

English Records.

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before this landed with little trouble their wares and merchandize, and could with facility load and unload the vessels which came thereto. Now, whereas, the petitioners ex-officio are bound to be mindful and careful of the best interests of the citizens and inhabitants-therefore, they do request your Lordships to consent in order to the accommodation of said citizens and inhabitants and merchants, that they may make a "hoist," by which the yachts, sloops and schooners can be easily laden and unladen: Furthermore, that they may appoint such prices as fees in regard to the same as your Lordships may think best.

The inhabitants of this street in 1665 were Cornelis Melyn, Ambrosius de Weerham, Teunis Kray, Symon Janzen Romein, Lucas Dirckzen, Bartholdus Maan, Stoffel Van Laar, Claas Pauluzen, Nicolaas Verbraack, Pieter Winster, Coonradt Ten Eyck, David Wessels, Aaght Jans, (widow of P. Van Naarden.) Nicholaas du Puys. Joghim Beeckman, Jacobus Backer, Albert Reuninck, Symon Felle, Adriaan Vincent, Teunis Davidts.

A market house was erected" under the trees near the Bridge," in 1677. Soon after which date the street was named Broad-street.

A market house was built in Broad-street, between Wallstreet and Exchange Place, in 1710, and in 1738 a new market house was built in the middle of the street, near Wall-street.

Several gentlemen subscribed to erect an Exchange in Broad-street, "opposite the Bridge," in 1751, which was finished in 1755.

Dutch Records of
1656.
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English Records.

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Broadway.

This street was originally called "De Heere straat," or principal street.

I 1665 De Heere straat contained 21 buildings, and in 1677 it contained 65 buildings.

It was soon after called Broadway.

In December, 1697. an ordinance for lighting the streets, afterwards generally enforced throughout the city, was put in operation in Broadway. "It is resolved, as to the regulation of the lights to be put out in the darke time of the moon within this citty, and for the ease of the Inhabitants, that every seaventh house doe every night in the dark time of the moon, until the 25 March next, cause a lanthorn and a candle to be hung out on a pole every night. The charge to be defrayed in equal proportion by the Inhabitants."

In 1703 the burial ground in Broadway was granted to the Corporation of Trinity Church forever, "on condition of keeping the fence in order, and taking no more for burial of each person of 12 years and upwards, than 3 shillings, and for each child 1s. 6d."

In 1708, permission was given to the Inhabitants to plant trees before their houses and lots. These trees, it would seem, were flourishing in 1759, at which time Professor Ksim. the Swedish traveller, describes them as follows:- The