Montgomerie Ward was added to the 6 older wards of New York by James Montgomerie, a Scotchman who was governor of both New York and New Jersey, in the year 1731 when the Montgomerie Charter which defined the government of New York City was issued, the successor to the Dongan and Cornbury patents.
Each Ward elected two aldermen who were seated on the Common Council with the mayor, appointed by the Governor, who in turn appointed the municipal offices of deputy mayor, recorder, sheriff, coroner and town clerk. In nearly every particular, Governor Montgomerie accommodated the municipality - in consideration of a handsome honorary, it is noted.
Montgomerie Ward is bounded by Williams Street on the West, Golden Hill Street on the South, the East River on the East and Rosenvelt Street to the North. The Ward is middle class for the most part, with the beginnings of "manufactories", papermaking operations, glass blowers, braziers hammering bronze bells and candlesticks for shipment to the smaller towns and villages, clockmakers and iron makers.
In addition, "mechanics" of various trades have their homes and shops in this part of town:
- Country Work: Blacksmiths, Coopers, White Coopers, Housewrights, Sawyers, Joiners, Tanners and Curriers, Fullers, Cat Whippers, Weavers, Tailors, Chandlers
- Town Shops: Barbers and Wigmakers, Bakers, Apothecaries, Hatters, Eyeglass Sellers, Cutlers, Tobacconists, Hornsmiths
- Bespoke Work: Blacksmiths, Locksmiths, Gunsmiths, Whitesmiths, Plumbers, Pewterers, Coopersmiths, Silversmiths, Builders, Cabinetmakers, Wainwrights and Coachmakers, Bookbiners, Shoemakers, Limners,
- Group Work: Shipwrights, Chandlers, Potters, Block Printers, Letterpress Printers
SIGHT: In the early morning hours, one passes the ships tied up at Peck's Slip, the crewmen preparing to set sail with a scowl at the red morning (sailors take warning!) though none eager to linger behind and pass up whatever reward their voyage promises. There is a market at the Foot of Ferry Street where many wares are hawked, crowds and thieves gather. The waterfront boasts taverns, ordinaries and publick houses of all stripes, where those who have had a bit too much may be found snoring in the morning.
SMELL: The proximity of the tan-yards, where animal skins are steeped in pools of water and tannin bark for days to make leather, is difficult to ignore. For good reason, this "odoriferous" trade is generally banned to the outskirts of towns.
HEARING: The practice of crafts, with all its attendant banging, hammering, forges banked or a-blazning, apprentices yelling and laughing, journeymen shaking their heads and mayhap whistling a tune and masters generally scolding their househiolds or haggling with customers, good wives sweeping the streets in front of their homes according to law or directing the servants or slaves in their chores.
TASTE: Soot and ashes from the forges, the tang of the salty East River and if fortunate a roll from the market with butter or honey purchased or purloined from the market and washed down with a swig of milk or ale.
TOUCH: The cobbles or the swaying docks beneath your feet, the sun on your face, which if you have spent a night at the taverns feels too bright a light of morning.
SECOND SIGHT: There is something underground you feel might rise up of a-sudden to swallow thee whole, young man! Like a killer whale under the ice in the North country, it might seem like a weasel's shadow until it breaks through and confronts you with your death. Hasten to your prayers!
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