Old Town records
Collection MSS0004 - RG 096. Old Town records
Abstract
Before the creation of Greater New York on January 1, 1898, the counties bordering New York County (which is coterminous with New York City)—Kings, Queens, Richmond, and Westchester Counties—were comprised of municipalities (villages, towns, cities), some of which date back to the early days of Dutch and English colonization of Lenapehoking (Lënapehòkink in Unami), the ancestral homeland of the Lenape. This collection includes records created and/or maintained by these municipalities before they were dissolved, annexed, or consolidated into what is now modern-day New York City. This vast collection, commonly known as the "Old Town records," contains administrative records, court records, financial records, land records, voting records, tax records, military records, records documenting enslaved people, and municipal infrastructure records, among other record types, circa 1630-1943.
Extent
1272 cubic feet
Dates
circa 1630-1943, bulk 1656-1898
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research. Due to the fragility of the items in this collection, researchers are asked to view the digitized or microfilm copies of material when available. Original materials in this collection that have not been digitized or microfilmed can be accessed onsite at the location where they are stored. Materials in this collection are stored at both NYCMA locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Please contact us to arrange access.
Additional Description
Custodial History
The bulk of the records from communities in Bronx, New York, Richmond, and Queens Counties were originally collected by the Office of the Comptroller beginning shortly after consolidation in 1898. A notation in the Comptroller’s inventory of the collection states that in August 1942, fifty-three cartons of the Old Town records were shipped to New Hempstead in upstate New York for safekeeping during World War II. When the war ended, the records were sent back to New York City. The New York City Municipal Archives (NYCMA) accessioned (took physical, intellectual, and legal custody) the collection from the Comptroller in the 1960s.
The Kings County Clerk collected most of the records that originated in towns and villages in Kings County. In 1969, the Kings County Clerk transferred them to the James A. Kelly Institute for Local Historical Studies at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. In the 1940s, the Kings County Clerk entered into an agreement with St. Francis College that permitted that institution to hold various government-produced historical records pertaining to Brooklyn.
The Kings County Clerk had microfilmed some of the records in the 1940s and 1950s. The film had deteriorated and in 1979 St. Francis College microfilmed a larger portion of the collection. In 1988, the NYCMA accessioned the Kings County records from St. Francis College.
Some volumes in the Queens County subgroup have a slightly more complicated history. In 1966, at the request of a Queens College staff member, eighty-two volumes were transferred from NYCMA to Queens College for indexing, cataloging, preserving, and microfilming. They were never returned, and along with this, other volumes from NYCMA’s collection disappeared and found themselves at Queens College. Other items were found at the Queensborough Public Library, donated by that same staff member and transferred by Queens College.
In 1987, NYCMA began efforts to have those volumes transferred back to them. In 1991 the volumes held by Queensborough Public Library were returned, and in 1992 the records from Queens College were returned.
The Kings County Clerk collected most of the records that originated in towns and villages in Kings County. In 1969, the Kings County Clerk transferred them to the James A. Kelly Institute for Local Historical Studies at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. In the 1940s, the Kings County Clerk entered into an agreement with St. Francis College that permitted that institution to hold various government-produced historical records pertaining to Brooklyn.
The Kings County Clerk had microfilmed some of the records in the 1940s and 1950s. The film had deteriorated and in 1979 St. Francis College microfilmed a larger portion of the collection. In 1988, the NYCMA accessioned the Kings County records from St. Francis College.
Some volumes in the Queens County subgroup have a slightly more complicated history. In 1966, at the request of a Queens College staff member, eighty-two volumes were transferred from NYCMA to Queens College for indexing, cataloging, preserving, and microfilming. They were never returned, and along with this, other volumes from NYCMA’s collection disappeared and found themselves at Queens College. Other items were found at the Queensborough Public Library, donated by that same staff member and transferred by Queens College.
In 1987, NYCMA began efforts to have those volumes transferred back to them. In 1991 the volumes held by Queensborough Public Library were returned, and in 1992 the records from Queens College were returned.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The records of Queens, Richmond, and Westchester Counties were transferred to the New York City Municipal Archives (NYCMA) from the New York City Office of the Comptroller in 1968. They comprise accession ACC-1968-034.
Kings County records were transferred to and accessioned by the NYCMA in multiple accessions in 1988. These records were transferred by St. Francis College in Brooklyn, who had been the custodians of the records since 1969 when the Kings County Clerk transferred them to the James A. Kelly Institute for Local Historical Studies at St. Francis College. See the Related Accessions note in the finding aid for the complete list of accessions.
Some Queens County records were transferred to the NYCMA from the Queensborough Public Library and by Queens College (CUNY) in 1991 and 1992, respectively.
Kings County records were transferred to and accessioned by the NYCMA in multiple accessions in 1988. These records were transferred by St. Francis College in Brooklyn, who had been the custodians of the records since 1969 when the Kings County Clerk transferred them to the James A. Kelly Institute for Local Historical Studies at St. Francis College. See the Related Accessions note in the finding aid for the complete list of accessions.
Some Queens County records were transferred to the NYCMA from the Queensborough Public Library and by Queens College (CUNY) in 1991 and 1992, respectively.
Alternate Forms Available
Some of this material has been digitized or microfilmed. Due to the fragility of the materials, we request that researchers use these surrogate copies when available. Please contact us to arrange access to the microfilm. Digitized material is available through our online gallery.
Processing Information
In 2021, the New York City Municipal Archives(NYCMA) was awarded a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) to process and describe the "Old Town Records" and digitize 187 volumes of the collection. Project Archivist Elise Winks was hired to process and describe the collection and Digital Technician Steven Meyer was hired to digitize the volumes. NYCMA Digital Programs staff Urmi Udeshi (Digitization Technician), Matt Minor (Digitization Specialist), and Kelli O'Toole (Digitization Supervisor and Project Manager) also assisted with digitization, metadata creation, and making the volumes available online.
In 1942, a master list of the ledgers in the collection was created (see the Custodial History note for more information) and the first inventory was produced from that list. Over the last several decades, newer inventories of the collection were created but all were based on the original 1942 list. For this project, materials in the collection were checked against one final master collection inventory. Next, materials and their locations were physically confirmed, their corresponding metadata was verified and/or updated, and a final inventory was created. Many items were rehoused, all materials were barcoded, and this finding aid was created. Prior to the commencement of this grant-funded project, processing and descriptive work, including translation of some volumes from Dutch to English and the creation of indexes to individual volumes, was done by Nena Huizinga and Harmen Snel. Their work was incorporated into the finding aid.
Due to the extensive size of the collection and to the time constraints of the grant-funded project, items from the master inventory that were not found during the processing of this collection will be added to the collection if/when they are located in the NYCMA storage facilities, and the finding aid will be updated accordingly.
In 1942, a master list of the ledgers in the collection was created (see the Custodial History note for more information) and the first inventory was produced from that list. Over the last several decades, newer inventories of the collection were created but all were based on the original 1942 list. For this project, materials in the collection were checked against one final master collection inventory. Next, materials and their locations were physically confirmed, their corresponding metadata was verified and/or updated, and a final inventory was created. Many items were rehoused, all materials were barcoded, and this finding aid was created. Prior to the commencement of this grant-funded project, processing and descriptive work, including translation of some volumes from Dutch to English and the creation of indexes to individual volumes, was done by Nena Huizinga and Harmen Snel. Their work was incorporated into the finding aid.
Due to the extensive size of the collection and to the time constraints of the grant-funded project, items from the master inventory that were not found during the processing of this collection will be added to the collection if/when they are located in the NYCMA storage facilities, and the finding aid will be updated accordingly.
Scope and Content Note
The "Old Town Records" consist of records that were created and/or maintained by municipalities that were once located in the present-day boundaries of the City of New York but were dissolved or annexed prior to January 1, 1898, when modern-day New York City was established. Included are records from each of New York City’s five boroughs and five counties: Brooklyn/Kings County, Queens/Queens County, Staten Island/Richmond County, Bronx/Bronx County, and Manhattan/New York County. The earliest records in the collection date back to the 1600s when the Dutch and English began to colonize Lenapehoking (Lënapehòkink in Unami), the ancestral homeland of the Lenape. They progress into the 18th and 19th centuries during times of massive European colonization, dispossession of land, immigration and migration, slavery, war, epidemics, and industrialization.
Due to the complicated provenance and custodial history of the collection, the collection not only includes municipal records created over the course of governing these former villages, towns, and cities, it also contains a small amount of historical municipal records created or maintained by the City of New York. The records documenting New York City represent a fraction the of pre-1898 municipal records that are under the stewardship of the New York City Municipal Archives.
Records in this collection date from circa 1630-1943 and include administrative records, court records, financial records, land records, military records, municipal infrastructure records, records documenting enslaved people, tax records, and voter records, among other record types.
Due to the complicated provenance and custodial history of the collection, the collection not only includes municipal records created over the course of governing these former villages, towns, and cities, it also contains a small amount of historical municipal records created or maintained by the City of New York. The records documenting New York City represent a fraction the of pre-1898 municipal records that are under the stewardship of the New York City Municipal Archives.
Records in this collection date from circa 1630-1943 and include administrative records, court records, financial records, land records, military records, municipal infrastructure records, records documenting enslaved people, tax records, and voter records, among other record types.
Biographical/Historical Information
Introduction
This is a brief history of the localities represented in the "Old Town records" held by New York City Municipal Archives. The purpose of this historical note is to provide some context of the localities that created the records in this collection, but it is far from a comprehensive history.
Definitions In New York State, official records are generated by counties, cities, towns, and villages. These localities have specific definitions in the State of New York.
County—The definition and purpose of counties have changed since the original twelve counties of New York Colony were established in 1683. Originally serving to carry out specific functions at the local level on behalf of the larger colony under English rule, county government has increasingly become more defined in structure and jurisdiction since New York became a state in 1788. Counties are subject to County Law that defines the structure, administrative organization, and power and duties of county government.
City—A city is a municipality incorporated by the New York State Legislature that has its own charter that defines its organization and its powers. There is no size/population requirement to become a city.
Town—A town is a municipality incorporated by the New York State Legislature that is subject to Town Law. Town Law defines the structure, organization, provision of services, and powers and duties of towns. It also divides towns into two classes, first class and second class, based on population. The designated class defines the town’s organization. A town may include villages that are subordinate to it.
Village—A village is a municipality incorporated by the New York State Legislature that is subject to Village Law. Village Law, originally established in 1847, defines the structure, organization, powers, and duties of villages. A village can be subordinate to a town.
Borough—In New York State, a borough is a municipal corporation established in the 1898 New York City Charter and adopted by the New York State Legislature. Each borough has a governmental administration with limited powers and is subordinate to the municipal government of the City of New York. Since 1914, each borough is coterminous with an individual county—Borough of the Bronx/Bronx County; Borough of Brooklyn/Kings County; Borough of Manhattan/New York County; Borough of Queens/Queens County; Borough of Staten Island (formerly the Borough of Richmond)/Richmond County.
Localities and Municipalities Lënapehòkink Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homeland of the Lenape, is a vast area stretching along the Atlantic coast and sweeping inland that includes what today is eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York, western Connecticut, and all of New Jersey and Delaware. Modern-day cities that are located within Lënapehòkink include New York City; Philadelphia; Wilmington, Delaware; Trenton, New Jersey; Newark, New Jersey; and every municipality along the Hudson River from New York City to Saugerties, New York. The Lenape have lived in this area for over 10,000 BP (years before present). As a result of the European colonization of Lënapehòkink beginning in the early 1600s, the Lenape’s ancestral homelands were ceded—primarily (if not totally) by fraud, theft, or violent force—first to the Dutch and English, then to the United States. Bronx County Bronx County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. The area of New York City that now comprises Bronx County/Borough of the Bronx was once part of Westchester County and New York County/New York City prior to 1898. In 1874, the Westchester County towns west of the Bronx River— Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania—were annexed to New York City. In 1895, much of the territory east of the Bronx River, including the Town of Westchester, was also annexed to New York City. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established. The newly created Borough of the Bronx consisted of the areas of Westchester County that had been annexed to New York City. On January 1, 1914, Bronx County, coterminous with the Borough of the Bronx, was established by the New York State Legislature.
Borough of the Bronx The Borough of Bronx was created by the New York State Legislature on January 1, 1898 as one of the five boroughs of the consolidated City of New York. The areas of Westchester County that were annexed to New York County, comprising New York City's 23rd and 24th wards, became the Borough of the Bronx. In 1914, Bronx County was established by the New York State Legislature and is coterminous with the Borough of the Bronx. Is the fourth largest borough in area (land only) comprising approximately 42 square miles and is the fourth most populous borough with approximately 1,472,000 inhabitants.
Kings County Kings County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. In the early 1600s, the Lenape population was around 20,000. Organized into approximately twenty autonomous groups over their vast homelands, but still interconnected through clan membership, the Lenape who inhabited what would become Brooklyn included the Canarsee and Marechkawieck.
Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Dutch and English settlers began to settle in what would become Kings County in the 1630s and established villages (dorps in Dutch) including Boswijck (Bushwick), Breuckelen (Brooklyn), Gravesend, Midwout/Vlackebos (Flatbush), Nieuw Amersfoort (Flatlands), and Nyack (Nieuw Utrecht/New Utrecht). With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. On November 1, 1683, Yorkshire was eliminated, and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York.
The first census of Kings County taken in 1698 found that the six towns combined had a population of just over 2,000. Nearly 300 of those people were enslaved—but there is evidence of a small free Black population in the county as early as the mid-1600s.
In 1703, supervisors were elected for several of the Kings County towns; the first Board of Supervisors meeting, made up of representatives from the towns, was held in October of that year. They were responsible for collecting taxes, determining how land was used and parceled, and building roads and highways.
In 1775, Kings County had the highest population of enslaved people north of the Mason-Dixon line: two-thirds of white families were enslavers. The total population of the county at this time was around 3,700. The county was a largely rural, quiet area, and its growth was slow for many years in all the towns but Brooklyn, which was most easily accessed from Manhattan and as such had more commercial growth.
The Revolutionary War affected Kings County as it did the rest of the colonies. Several forts were erected across the county, and on August 27, 1776, the Battle of Long Island (also called the Battle of Brooklyn) took place when British troops arrived in Brooklyn and attacked the Continental Army. It was one of the largest battles of the war and ended in the American troops’ defeat and retreat across the river to New York City. After their victory, British forces occupied Kings County for several years; many of the county’s inhabitants had loyalist leanings.
After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Kings County under American rule. In 1788, the State of New York recognized the towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, and New Utrecht.
By 1790 the population of Kings County was nearly 4,500—more than double the century before. At this point, one-third of the population consisted of enslaved people. By 1834 the population has grown to nearly 25,000.
In 1834, the Town and Village of Brooklyn were incorporated as the City of Brooklyn. In the 1840s and 1850s, other towns and cities were established including the Town of Williamsburgh (1840) that was then incorporated as a city in 1851, and the Town of New Lots (1852). In 1854, the City of Brooklyn annexed the City of Williamsburgh and the Town of Bushwick and continued to annex all the other towns in Kings County by 1896. With the last annexation in 1896 of the Town of Flatlands, the City of Brooklyn became coterminous with Kings County. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County, thus dissolving the City of Brooklyn. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established, and Kings County became coterminous with the Borough of Brooklyn.
Village, Town, and City of Brooklyn The area of Lënapehòkink that would become the village (dorp) of Breuckelen, was first settled by Europeans in the late 1630s. It was recognized as the Town of Brooklyn by England in 1664, and under American rule was also recognized as a town in 1788. The Village and Town of Brooklyn were incorporated as the City of Brooklyn in 1834. Between 1834 and 1896, the City of Brooklyn annexed the surrounding towns in Kings County, including the towns of Bushwick, Flatlands, Flatbush, Gravesend, New Lots, New Utrecht, and Williamsburgh, becoming coterminous with Kings County. Today, it is the Borough of Brooklyn.
Town of Flatbush The village (dorp) of Midwout and/or Vlackebos was granted a patent in 1652 by the Dutch. Its modern name, Flatbush, comes from the Dutch word "vlackebos" meaning wooded plains, which described the area's physical features. In 1664, it was recognized as a town by England, now called Flatbush, and it received a patent in 1667. In 1788, the State of New York recognized the Town of Flatbush. It was dissolved in 1894 when it was annexed to the City of Brooklyn, becoming its 29th ward. The town also served as the County seat from circa 1685 to 1832. Today, Flatlands is a neighborhood in central Brooklyn.
Town of Flatlands Dutch colonists began to settle in what would become the Town of Flatlands in 1636. In the 1640s these settlements combined to create the village (dorp) of Nieuw Amersfoort. England recognized it as a town in 1664, now called Flatlands, and it received a patent in 1667. The Town of Flatlands was recognized by the State of New York in 1788. It remained a town for over one hundred years until it was annexed to the City of Brooklyn in 1896, becoming its 32nd ward. Today, Flatlands is a neighborhood in southeast Brooklyn.
Town of Gravesend Gravesend was established in 1643 by an English woman, Lady Deborah Moody, fleeing religious persecution. She was granted a patent to settle the area, concurrently inhabited by the Lenape, by the New Netherland government in 1645. In 1664, it was recognized as a town by England, and again recognized as a town by the State of New York in 1788, following the American Revolution and ratification of New York. In 1894, the Town of Gravesend was annexed to the City of Brooklyn, becoming its 31st ward. Today, Gravesend is a neighborhood in south-central Brooklyn.
Town of New Lots The Town of New Lots was established in 1852, formed out of the Town of Flatbush. Under Dutch colonization, the area, called Ostwout (meaning East Woods), was settled in 1670 by Dutch farmers who had moved there from Flatbush. They called their community New Lots to distinguish it from the old lots they had left behind. In 1886, the City of Brooklyn annexed the Town of New Lots and the town was dissolved, becoming the 26th ward of the City of Brooklyn. Today, New Lots is a subsection of the East New York neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Town of New Utrecht The area of Lënapehòkink that would become the Town of New Utrecht was first settled by Anthony Jansen (or Janszoon) van Salee and his wife Grietse Reyniers in the late 1630s. In 1657, the settlement of Utrecht was established, and it was later recognized as the Town of New Utrecht by England in 1664. Under American rule it was recognized as a town in 1788 by the State of New York. It was dissolved in 1894 when it was annexed to the City of Brooklyn, becoming its 30th ward. Today, New Utrecht is a neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn.
Town of Williamsburgh Williamsburgh, an area of two square miles, was originally a part of the Town of Bushwick located along the East River waterfront. Around 1810 it was named after Colonel Williams, an army engineer who originally surveyed the land, and Williamsburgh was incorporated as a village in 1827. The first village election was held that same year. The Bank of Williamsburgh was established in 1839.
In 1840 Williamsburgh became a separate township. It grew into a significant commercial center in the 1840s, and by 1845 had a population of more than 11,000. Several churches and businesses were established in the following years, and in 1851 Williamsburgh was given a city charter. The town annexed to the City of Brooklyn in 1854. Today, it is the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Borough of Brooklyn The Borough of Brooklyn was created on January 1, 1898 as one of the five boroughs of the consolidated City of New York and is coterminous with Kings County. As of 2022, it is the second largest borough in area (land only) comprising approximately 70.8 square miles and is the most populous borough with over 2,736,000 inhabitants.
New York County New York County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. The first non-Indigenous person to settle in the part of Lënapehòkink that would become New York County was Jan Rodrigues (or Juan Rodriguez) who arrived on the Dutch ship Jonge Tobias in 1613 on which he had been working as a crewman and translator. Rodrigues, of African and most likely Portuguese descent, settled on Manhattan Island for some time, becoming the first free black resident of Manhattan.
Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Europeans began to settle on present-day Governors Island in 1624 and the next year, in 1625, the Dutch West India Company (DWIC) established Fort Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan. In 1626 more Europeans arrived to settle at Fort Amsterdam (some from Fort Orange that would become modern-day Albany, New York), primarily as workers for the DWIC, as well as eleven men of African or African-European descent who were enslaved by the DWIC to build the infrastructure of Fort Amsterdam.
In 1653, the city of New Amsterdam was established by charter, and five years later, Nieuw Haarlem was chartered as a village. As these localities were established, the Lenape continued to live in Lënapehòkink. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the North Riding of Yorkshire. In 1665, the City of New York was created by charter and Nieuw Haarlem became New Harlem by patent from England. As these localities were established, the Lenape continued to live in Lënapehòkink. On November 1, 1683 Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York.
After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained New York County under American rule. In 1874, the Westchester County towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania were annexed to New York County/New York City. In 1895, much of the territory east of the Bronx River, including the Town of Westchester, was also annexed. Also annexed to New York County/City were North Brother Island from Long Island City (1881) and Rikers Island from the Town of Newtown (1884). On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established. At this time, New York County was split into two boroughs, Manhattan, consisting of the island of Manhattan and the neighborhood of Marble Hill, and the Bronx consisting of the annexed areas of Westchester County, North Brother Island, and Rikers Island. New York County is coterminous with the Borough of Manhattan.
City of New York The modern-day City of New York’s history dates back to 1609 when the first non-Indigenous people sailed into what is now called New York Harbor and along the Hudson River where they encountered the Lenape who had been living in the area for over 10,000 years. Although this 1609 voyage of the United East India Company’s ship the Halve Maen (Half Moon) captained by Henry Hudson for the Dutch did not find a western trade passage to China, it did find an area full of natural resources that would soon be colonized to exploit these resources for monetary gain. (16) In 1613, Jan Rodrigues became the first non-Indigenous person to reside on the island of Manhattan, which today still bears a version of its Lenape name. Colonization of Manhattan began between 1624-1626, when a small group of Walloons were recruited to settle in the area (on today’s Governors Island in 1624), followed by the establishment of Fort Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan by the Dutch West India Company (DWIC) in 1625, and in 1626 with the arrival of more European settlers and eleven men of African or African-European descent enslaved by the DWIC to build the infrastructure of Fort Amsterdam. Fort Amsterdam became the first permanent settlement and seat of the New Netherland government.
Between 1624-1653, more settlers arrived at Fort Amsterdam as it grew into a busy trading center. In 1653, the settlement received municipal rights, officially becoming the city of New Amsterdam. As the city continued to grow in population and size, contested land rights led to fights, battles, and wars between colonists and indigenous peoples. In 1654, the first known Jews to settle in New Amsterdam arrived, adding to an already diverse population. In a time of peace between the Dutch and English governments following the first Anglo-Dutch war over trade and their overseas colonies, the English peacefully captured New Amsterdam in 1664, renamed it New York, and made it the capital of the Province of New York. In 1665, the City of New York was incorporated. The Dutch briefly recaptured New York from 1673-1674, renaming it New Orange, but in 1674 it returned to English rule as once again the City of New York.
In the Dongan Charter of 1686, the ward system was created in New York City, with six wards— North, East, West, South, Dock, and Out. The wards served as small political and administrative units with elected political officials. During the American Revolutionary War, the British occupied the City of New York from 1776-1783. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, New York City became the nation’s capital from 1789-1790. In 1791, the ward system was changed to a numbered system and the number of wards grew as the city grew. Ultimately the city would grow to twenty-four wards until the system was ended in 1938.
In 1874, the Westchester County towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania were annexed to New York County/New York City. The city grew again with the annexation of North Brother Island from Long Island City in 1881, Rikers Island from the Town of Newtown in 1884, and much of the territory east of the Bronx River, including the Town of Westchester, in 1895. These annexed areas would later become part of the Borough of the Bronx when on January 1, 1898 when the modern-day City of New York was created, and the five boroughs were established. As of 2022, New York City is the eleventh largest city in the world by population with approximately 18,819,000 people.
Borough of Manhattan The Borough of Manhattan was created on January 1, 1898 as one of the five boroughs of the consolidated City of New York and is coterminous with New York County. As of 2022, it is the smallest borough in area (land only) comprising approximately 22.8 square miles and is the third most populous borough with over 1,694,000 inhabitants.
Queens County Queens County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Dutch and English settlers began to settle in what would become Queens County in the 1630s and villages were established including Hempstead (Heemstede) in 1644, Flushing (Vlissengen) in 1645, Newtown (Middleburg) in 1652, Oyster Bay in 1653, and Jamaica (Rustdorp) in 1656. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the North Riding of Yorkshire except for Newtown that was part of the West Riding. On November 1, 1683, Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Queens County under American rule. In 1788, the State of New York recognized the towns of Flushing, Hempstead (now part of Nassau County), Jamaica, Newtown, North Hempstead (now part of Nassau County), and Oyster Bay (now part of Nassau County). Long Island City was created from the Town of Newtown in 1870. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established, and towns of Flushing, Jamaica, Newtown, and Long Island City were dissolved, becoming wards in the Borough of Queens. In 1899, Queens County was divided in two counties, Queens County comprising the western part of the original county, and Nassau County comprising the eastern part. Today, Queens County is coterminous with the Borough of Queens.
Richmond County Richmond County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, European settlers made several attempts to settle in what would become Richmond County in the 1630s and 1640s, but they were not successful for very long. It wasn't until 1661 that the first permanent non-Indigenous settlement was established. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. On November 1, 1683 Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York. Richmond County was divided into four judicial precincts—North, South, West, and the Manor (Castleton). From 1776-1783 Richmond County was occupied by the British. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Richmond County under American rule. In 1788, the State of New York established the towns of Northfield, Southfield, Westfield, and Castleton. The Town of Middleton was created in 1860 out of the towns of Northfield and Southfield. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County, thus dissolving the towns in Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond—were also established, and Richmond County became coterminous with the Borough of Richmond. The borough was renamed Staten Island in 1975.
Westchester County Westchester County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Dutch settlers began arriving in what would become Westchester County in the 1620s, followed by English settlers in the 1640s. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the North Riding of Yorkshire. On November 1, 1683 Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Westchester County under American rule and was divided into over twenty towns. In 1874, the towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania, located in southwest Westchester County, were annexed to New York County/New York City, with Morrisania becoming the 23rd ward of New York City, and Kingsbridge and West Farms the 24th ward. In 1895, the Town of Westchester and the southern part of the towns of Eastchester and Pelham were also annexed to New York County, and were added to the 24th ward. On January 1, 1898, the annexed areas of Westchester County became the Borough of the Bronx, part of the modern-day City of New York. In 1914, Bronx County, coterminous with the Borough of the Bronx, was established. As of 2022, Westchester County, located north of Bronx County, covers 450 square miles and contains six cities, nineteen towns, and twenty-three villages.
Town of Eastchester The town of Eastchester was part of Westchester County before it became part of the Bronx. The Bronx, or what was then known as Bronksland, was Dutch-owned in the early 17th century. In 1664, ten Puritan families from Fairfield, Connecticut (New England) led by Thomas Pell settled in what became known as Eastchester. In 1665 these families wrote a document called the Eastchester (or Ten Farms) Covenant, which laid out provisions and guidelines regarding land division, home construction, farming, education, and town meetings, among other subjects.
Eastchester was separated from Westchester in 1667. Only weeks later, the English took the area from the Dutch, but then in 1673 the Dutch regained possession of New York. Eastchester (and neighboring Westchester) pledged allegiance to the Dutch governor and were given one magistrate (or schaepen). The area was once again returned to the English in 1674. The town experience slow growth over the next century, its inhabitants mostly farmers. In 1698 the population was 173. Some sawmills and gristmills were built, and the area was affluent.
During the American Revolution, British troops occupied much of New York, and Eastchester was near a large camp of British troops. This led to a fair amount of conflict for the residents of the town. After the war, the entirety of Westchester County suffered from the effects of having a war fought in their towns and villages.
Eastchester was recognized as a town 1788. Its population in the first federal census in 1790 was 740. Ten years later the population was only 738, a population decline likely due to the war, and in 1810 it grew to 1,039. Eastchester continued to grow until it was split into two parts in 1892. The northern part is today’s Eastchester. The borough of the Bronx was created and the area was consolidated into New York City in 1898.
Village of Eastchester What is now known as Eastchester, the neighborhood in the Bronx, was previously the Village of Eastchester, an area in the Town of Eastchester. The village was incorporated in 1895, and upon the consolidation into a greater New York City in 1898 it became an area of the Bronx. Village of South Mount Vernon/Village of Wakefield The Village of South Mount Vernon was incorporated in 1889 and was subordinate to the Town of Eastchester. It was renamed the Village of Wakefield in 1894 and was dissolved in 1895.
Town of Kingsbridge Named for the King’s Bridge spanning Spuyten Duyvil Creek, built in 1693, the Town of Kingsbridge was located directly south of Yonkers and was originally part of Yonkers. In 1872 Westchester County created a township made of the southernmost area of the Town of Yonkers, south of the City of Yonkers and called it Kingsbridge. The town was annexed to New York City in 1874, only two years after its creation. Town of Morrisania Beginning around 1670, Morrisania originally referred to the Westchester County family estate of Welsh settlers and brothers Richard and Lewis Morris. In 1676, Lewis Morris received a land patent from England. The manor and surrounding land remained in the Morris family for decades.
There were two towns named Morrisania, the first, established in 1788, became part of the Town of Westchester in 1791. The second, established in 1855, remained a town until it was annexed to New York County in 1874, becoming the 23rd ward of New York City. The Village of Morrisania was incorporated in 1864. With the establishment of modern-day New York City on January 1, 1898, the areas of Westchester County that were annexed to New York County/New York City, including Morrisania, became the Borough of the Bronx.
Town of Westchester Westchester was organized as a township of Westchester County, called The Borough and Town of Westchester, and was granted a charter in 1696. It had its own town government, including a mayor, trustees, a town clerk, and aldermen. It was designated the county seat in 1683 and remained so until 1759. Prior to that, under Dutch colonization, there had been various settlements including Vreelandt, Oostdrop or Easttown, and Westchester Village. During the American Revolutionary War, Westchester was home to many loyalists, and British troops occupied the area. After the end of the war in 1783, the name was changed to simply the Town of Westchester in 1785. Following the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, Westchester County was divided into townships and the Town of Westchester became a town in the state. The town continued to grow, establishing schools, churches, and roads. In 1791, the original Town of Morrisania (1788-1791), was annexed to the Town of Westchester. Westchester remained a town until it was annexed to New York County in 1895, becoming part of the 24th ward of New York City. With the establishment of modern-day New York City on January 1, 1898, the areas of Westchester County that were annexed to New York County/New York City, including the Town of Westchester, became the Borough of the Bronx.
Village of Williamsbridge Named for a bridge that spanned the Bronx River, which itself was named for an 18th century farmer, John Williams, Williamsbridge was officially incorporated as a village in 1888. The village was annexed to New York City in 1895.
Definitions In New York State, official records are generated by counties, cities, towns, and villages. These localities have specific definitions in the State of New York.
County—The definition and purpose of counties have changed since the original twelve counties of New York Colony were established in 1683. Originally serving to carry out specific functions at the local level on behalf of the larger colony under English rule, county government has increasingly become more defined in structure and jurisdiction since New York became a state in 1788. Counties are subject to County Law that defines the structure, administrative organization, and power and duties of county government.
City—A city is a municipality incorporated by the New York State Legislature that has its own charter that defines its organization and its powers. There is no size/population requirement to become a city.
Town—A town is a municipality incorporated by the New York State Legislature that is subject to Town Law. Town Law defines the structure, organization, provision of services, and powers and duties of towns. It also divides towns into two classes, first class and second class, based on population. The designated class defines the town’s organization. A town may include villages that are subordinate to it.
Village—A village is a municipality incorporated by the New York State Legislature that is subject to Village Law. Village Law, originally established in 1847, defines the structure, organization, powers, and duties of villages. A village can be subordinate to a town.
Borough—In New York State, a borough is a municipal corporation established in the 1898 New York City Charter and adopted by the New York State Legislature. Each borough has a governmental administration with limited powers and is subordinate to the municipal government of the City of New York. Since 1914, each borough is coterminous with an individual county—Borough of the Bronx/Bronx County; Borough of Brooklyn/Kings County; Borough of Manhattan/New York County; Borough of Queens/Queens County; Borough of Staten Island (formerly the Borough of Richmond)/Richmond County.
Localities and Municipalities Lënapehòkink Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homeland of the Lenape, is a vast area stretching along the Atlantic coast and sweeping inland that includes what today is eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York, western Connecticut, and all of New Jersey and Delaware. Modern-day cities that are located within Lënapehòkink include New York City; Philadelphia; Wilmington, Delaware; Trenton, New Jersey; Newark, New Jersey; and every municipality along the Hudson River from New York City to Saugerties, New York. The Lenape have lived in this area for over 10,000 BP (years before present). As a result of the European colonization of Lënapehòkink beginning in the early 1600s, the Lenape’s ancestral homelands were ceded—primarily (if not totally) by fraud, theft, or violent force—first to the Dutch and English, then to the United States. Bronx County Bronx County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. The area of New York City that now comprises Bronx County/Borough of the Bronx was once part of Westchester County and New York County/New York City prior to 1898. In 1874, the Westchester County towns west of the Bronx River— Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania—were annexed to New York City. In 1895, much of the territory east of the Bronx River, including the Town of Westchester, was also annexed to New York City. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established. The newly created Borough of the Bronx consisted of the areas of Westchester County that had been annexed to New York City. On January 1, 1914, Bronx County, coterminous with the Borough of the Bronx, was established by the New York State Legislature.
Borough of the Bronx The Borough of Bronx was created by the New York State Legislature on January 1, 1898 as one of the five boroughs of the consolidated City of New York. The areas of Westchester County that were annexed to New York County, comprising New York City's 23rd and 24th wards, became the Borough of the Bronx. In 1914, Bronx County was established by the New York State Legislature and is coterminous with the Borough of the Bronx. Is the fourth largest borough in area (land only) comprising approximately 42 square miles and is the fourth most populous borough with approximately 1,472,000 inhabitants.
Kings County Kings County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. In the early 1600s, the Lenape population was around 20,000. Organized into approximately twenty autonomous groups over their vast homelands, but still interconnected through clan membership, the Lenape who inhabited what would become Brooklyn included the Canarsee and Marechkawieck.
Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Dutch and English settlers began to settle in what would become Kings County in the 1630s and established villages (dorps in Dutch) including Boswijck (Bushwick), Breuckelen (Brooklyn), Gravesend, Midwout/Vlackebos (Flatbush), Nieuw Amersfoort (Flatlands), and Nyack (Nieuw Utrecht/New Utrecht). With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. On November 1, 1683, Yorkshire was eliminated, and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York.
The first census of Kings County taken in 1698 found that the six towns combined had a population of just over 2,000. Nearly 300 of those people were enslaved—but there is evidence of a small free Black population in the county as early as the mid-1600s.
In 1703, supervisors were elected for several of the Kings County towns; the first Board of Supervisors meeting, made up of representatives from the towns, was held in October of that year. They were responsible for collecting taxes, determining how land was used and parceled, and building roads and highways.
In 1775, Kings County had the highest population of enslaved people north of the Mason-Dixon line: two-thirds of white families were enslavers. The total population of the county at this time was around 3,700. The county was a largely rural, quiet area, and its growth was slow for many years in all the towns but Brooklyn, which was most easily accessed from Manhattan and as such had more commercial growth.
The Revolutionary War affected Kings County as it did the rest of the colonies. Several forts were erected across the county, and on August 27, 1776, the Battle of Long Island (also called the Battle of Brooklyn) took place when British troops arrived in Brooklyn and attacked the Continental Army. It was one of the largest battles of the war and ended in the American troops’ defeat and retreat across the river to New York City. After their victory, British forces occupied Kings County for several years; many of the county’s inhabitants had loyalist leanings.
After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Kings County under American rule. In 1788, the State of New York recognized the towns of Brooklyn, Bushwick, Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, and New Utrecht.
By 1790 the population of Kings County was nearly 4,500—more than double the century before. At this point, one-third of the population consisted of enslaved people. By 1834 the population has grown to nearly 25,000.
In 1834, the Town and Village of Brooklyn were incorporated as the City of Brooklyn. In the 1840s and 1850s, other towns and cities were established including the Town of Williamsburgh (1840) that was then incorporated as a city in 1851, and the Town of New Lots (1852). In 1854, the City of Brooklyn annexed the City of Williamsburgh and the Town of Bushwick and continued to annex all the other towns in Kings County by 1896. With the last annexation in 1896 of the Town of Flatlands, the City of Brooklyn became coterminous with Kings County. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County, thus dissolving the City of Brooklyn. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established, and Kings County became coterminous with the Borough of Brooklyn.
Village, Town, and City of Brooklyn The area of Lënapehòkink that would become the village (dorp) of Breuckelen, was first settled by Europeans in the late 1630s. It was recognized as the Town of Brooklyn by England in 1664, and under American rule was also recognized as a town in 1788. The Village and Town of Brooklyn were incorporated as the City of Brooklyn in 1834. Between 1834 and 1896, the City of Brooklyn annexed the surrounding towns in Kings County, including the towns of Bushwick, Flatlands, Flatbush, Gravesend, New Lots, New Utrecht, and Williamsburgh, becoming coterminous with Kings County. Today, it is the Borough of Brooklyn.
Town of Flatbush The village (dorp) of Midwout and/or Vlackebos was granted a patent in 1652 by the Dutch. Its modern name, Flatbush, comes from the Dutch word "vlackebos" meaning wooded plains, which described the area's physical features. In 1664, it was recognized as a town by England, now called Flatbush, and it received a patent in 1667. In 1788, the State of New York recognized the Town of Flatbush. It was dissolved in 1894 when it was annexed to the City of Brooklyn, becoming its 29th ward. The town also served as the County seat from circa 1685 to 1832. Today, Flatlands is a neighborhood in central Brooklyn.
Town of Flatlands Dutch colonists began to settle in what would become the Town of Flatlands in 1636. In the 1640s these settlements combined to create the village (dorp) of Nieuw Amersfoort. England recognized it as a town in 1664, now called Flatlands, and it received a patent in 1667. The Town of Flatlands was recognized by the State of New York in 1788. It remained a town for over one hundred years until it was annexed to the City of Brooklyn in 1896, becoming its 32nd ward. Today, Flatlands is a neighborhood in southeast Brooklyn.
Town of Gravesend Gravesend was established in 1643 by an English woman, Lady Deborah Moody, fleeing religious persecution. She was granted a patent to settle the area, concurrently inhabited by the Lenape, by the New Netherland government in 1645. In 1664, it was recognized as a town by England, and again recognized as a town by the State of New York in 1788, following the American Revolution and ratification of New York. In 1894, the Town of Gravesend was annexed to the City of Brooklyn, becoming its 31st ward. Today, Gravesend is a neighborhood in south-central Brooklyn.
Town of New Lots The Town of New Lots was established in 1852, formed out of the Town of Flatbush. Under Dutch colonization, the area, called Ostwout (meaning East Woods), was settled in 1670 by Dutch farmers who had moved there from Flatbush. They called their community New Lots to distinguish it from the old lots they had left behind. In 1886, the City of Brooklyn annexed the Town of New Lots and the town was dissolved, becoming the 26th ward of the City of Brooklyn. Today, New Lots is a subsection of the East New York neighborhood in Brooklyn.
Town of New Utrecht The area of Lënapehòkink that would become the Town of New Utrecht was first settled by Anthony Jansen (or Janszoon) van Salee and his wife Grietse Reyniers in the late 1630s. In 1657, the settlement of Utrecht was established, and it was later recognized as the Town of New Utrecht by England in 1664. Under American rule it was recognized as a town in 1788 by the State of New York. It was dissolved in 1894 when it was annexed to the City of Brooklyn, becoming its 30th ward. Today, New Utrecht is a neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn.
Town of Williamsburgh Williamsburgh, an area of two square miles, was originally a part of the Town of Bushwick located along the East River waterfront. Around 1810 it was named after Colonel Williams, an army engineer who originally surveyed the land, and Williamsburgh was incorporated as a village in 1827. The first village election was held that same year. The Bank of Williamsburgh was established in 1839.
In 1840 Williamsburgh became a separate township. It grew into a significant commercial center in the 1840s, and by 1845 had a population of more than 11,000. Several churches and businesses were established in the following years, and in 1851 Williamsburgh was given a city charter. The town annexed to the City of Brooklyn in 1854. Today, it is the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.
Borough of Brooklyn The Borough of Brooklyn was created on January 1, 1898 as one of the five boroughs of the consolidated City of New York and is coterminous with Kings County. As of 2022, it is the second largest borough in area (land only) comprising approximately 70.8 square miles and is the most populous borough with over 2,736,000 inhabitants.
New York County New York County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. The first non-Indigenous person to settle in the part of Lënapehòkink that would become New York County was Jan Rodrigues (or Juan Rodriguez) who arrived on the Dutch ship Jonge Tobias in 1613 on which he had been working as a crewman and translator. Rodrigues, of African and most likely Portuguese descent, settled on Manhattan Island for some time, becoming the first free black resident of Manhattan.
Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Europeans began to settle on present-day Governors Island in 1624 and the next year, in 1625, the Dutch West India Company (DWIC) established Fort Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan. In 1626 more Europeans arrived to settle at Fort Amsterdam (some from Fort Orange that would become modern-day Albany, New York), primarily as workers for the DWIC, as well as eleven men of African or African-European descent who were enslaved by the DWIC to build the infrastructure of Fort Amsterdam.
In 1653, the city of New Amsterdam was established by charter, and five years later, Nieuw Haarlem was chartered as a village. As these localities were established, the Lenape continued to live in Lënapehòkink. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the North Riding of Yorkshire. In 1665, the City of New York was created by charter and Nieuw Haarlem became New Harlem by patent from England. As these localities were established, the Lenape continued to live in Lënapehòkink. On November 1, 1683 Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York.
After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained New York County under American rule. In 1874, the Westchester County towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania were annexed to New York County/New York City. In 1895, much of the territory east of the Bronx River, including the Town of Westchester, was also annexed. Also annexed to New York County/City were North Brother Island from Long Island City (1881) and Rikers Island from the Town of Newtown (1884). On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established. At this time, New York County was split into two boroughs, Manhattan, consisting of the island of Manhattan and the neighborhood of Marble Hill, and the Bronx consisting of the annexed areas of Westchester County, North Brother Island, and Rikers Island. New York County is coterminous with the Borough of Manhattan.
City of New York The modern-day City of New York’s history dates back to 1609 when the first non-Indigenous people sailed into what is now called New York Harbor and along the Hudson River where they encountered the Lenape who had been living in the area for over 10,000 years. Although this 1609 voyage of the United East India Company’s ship the Halve Maen (Half Moon) captained by Henry Hudson for the Dutch did not find a western trade passage to China, it did find an area full of natural resources that would soon be colonized to exploit these resources for monetary gain. (16) In 1613, Jan Rodrigues became the first non-Indigenous person to reside on the island of Manhattan, which today still bears a version of its Lenape name. Colonization of Manhattan began between 1624-1626, when a small group of Walloons were recruited to settle in the area (on today’s Governors Island in 1624), followed by the establishment of Fort Amsterdam on the southern tip of Manhattan by the Dutch West India Company (DWIC) in 1625, and in 1626 with the arrival of more European settlers and eleven men of African or African-European descent enslaved by the DWIC to build the infrastructure of Fort Amsterdam. Fort Amsterdam became the first permanent settlement and seat of the New Netherland government.
Between 1624-1653, more settlers arrived at Fort Amsterdam as it grew into a busy trading center. In 1653, the settlement received municipal rights, officially becoming the city of New Amsterdam. As the city continued to grow in population and size, contested land rights led to fights, battles, and wars between colonists and indigenous peoples. In 1654, the first known Jews to settle in New Amsterdam arrived, adding to an already diverse population. In a time of peace between the Dutch and English governments following the first Anglo-Dutch war over trade and their overseas colonies, the English peacefully captured New Amsterdam in 1664, renamed it New York, and made it the capital of the Province of New York. In 1665, the City of New York was incorporated. The Dutch briefly recaptured New York from 1673-1674, renaming it New Orange, but in 1674 it returned to English rule as once again the City of New York.
In the Dongan Charter of 1686, the ward system was created in New York City, with six wards— North, East, West, South, Dock, and Out. The wards served as small political and administrative units with elected political officials. During the American Revolutionary War, the British occupied the City of New York from 1776-1783. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, New York City became the nation’s capital from 1789-1790. In 1791, the ward system was changed to a numbered system and the number of wards grew as the city grew. Ultimately the city would grow to twenty-four wards until the system was ended in 1938.
In 1874, the Westchester County towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania were annexed to New York County/New York City. The city grew again with the annexation of North Brother Island from Long Island City in 1881, Rikers Island from the Town of Newtown in 1884, and much of the territory east of the Bronx River, including the Town of Westchester, in 1895. These annexed areas would later become part of the Borough of the Bronx when on January 1, 1898 when the modern-day City of New York was created, and the five boroughs were established. As of 2022, New York City is the eleventh largest city in the world by population with approximately 18,819,000 people.
Borough of Manhattan The Borough of Manhattan was created on January 1, 1898 as one of the five boroughs of the consolidated City of New York and is coterminous with New York County. As of 2022, it is the smallest borough in area (land only) comprising approximately 22.8 square miles and is the third most populous borough with over 1,694,000 inhabitants.
Queens County Queens County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Dutch and English settlers began to settle in what would become Queens County in the 1630s and villages were established including Hempstead (Heemstede) in 1644, Flushing (Vlissengen) in 1645, Newtown (Middleburg) in 1652, Oyster Bay in 1653, and Jamaica (Rustdorp) in 1656. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the North Riding of Yorkshire except for Newtown that was part of the West Riding. On November 1, 1683, Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Queens County under American rule. In 1788, the State of New York recognized the towns of Flushing, Hempstead (now part of Nassau County), Jamaica, Newtown, North Hempstead (now part of Nassau County), and Oyster Bay (now part of Nassau County). Long Island City was created from the Town of Newtown in 1870. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond (later Staten Island)—were also established, and towns of Flushing, Jamaica, Newtown, and Long Island City were dissolved, becoming wards in the Borough of Queens. In 1899, Queens County was divided in two counties, Queens County comprising the western part of the original county, and Nassau County comprising the eastern part. Today, Queens County is coterminous with the Borough of Queens.
Richmond County Richmond County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, European settlers made several attempts to settle in what would become Richmond County in the 1630s and 1640s, but they were not successful for very long. It wasn't until 1661 that the first permanent non-Indigenous settlement was established. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the West Riding of Yorkshire. On November 1, 1683 Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York. Richmond County was divided into four judicial precincts—North, South, West, and the Manor (Castleton). From 1776-1783 Richmond County was occupied by the British. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Richmond County under American rule. In 1788, the State of New York established the towns of Northfield, Southfield, Westfield, and Castleton. The Town of Middleton was created in 1860 out of the towns of Northfield and Southfield. On January 1, 1898, the modern-day City of New York was created by consolidating all of Kings County, New York County, western Queens County, and Richmond County, thus dissolving the towns in Richmond County. At this time the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Richmond—were also established, and Richmond County became coterminous with the Borough of Richmond. The borough was renamed Staten Island in 1975.
Westchester County Westchester County is located in Lënapehòkink, the ancestral homelands of the Lenape. Following the establishment of the Dutch colony of New Netherland in 1614, Dutch settlers began arriving in what would become Westchester County in the 1620s, followed by English settlers in the 1640s. With the takeover of New Netherland by England in 1664, the area became part of the North Riding of Yorkshire. On November 1, 1683 Yorkshire was eliminated and the three ridings (North, East, and West) were converted into Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties, six of the original twelve counties of the Province of New York. After the end of the American Revolution in 1783, and the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, it remained Westchester County under American rule and was divided into over twenty towns. In 1874, the towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania, located in southwest Westchester County, were annexed to New York County/New York City, with Morrisania becoming the 23rd ward of New York City, and Kingsbridge and West Farms the 24th ward. In 1895, the Town of Westchester and the southern part of the towns of Eastchester and Pelham were also annexed to New York County, and were added to the 24th ward. On January 1, 1898, the annexed areas of Westchester County became the Borough of the Bronx, part of the modern-day City of New York. In 1914, Bronx County, coterminous with the Borough of the Bronx, was established. As of 2022, Westchester County, located north of Bronx County, covers 450 square miles and contains six cities, nineteen towns, and twenty-three villages.
Town of Eastchester The town of Eastchester was part of Westchester County before it became part of the Bronx. The Bronx, or what was then known as Bronksland, was Dutch-owned in the early 17th century. In 1664, ten Puritan families from Fairfield, Connecticut (New England) led by Thomas Pell settled in what became known as Eastchester. In 1665 these families wrote a document called the Eastchester (or Ten Farms) Covenant, which laid out provisions and guidelines regarding land division, home construction, farming, education, and town meetings, among other subjects.
Eastchester was separated from Westchester in 1667. Only weeks later, the English took the area from the Dutch, but then in 1673 the Dutch regained possession of New York. Eastchester (and neighboring Westchester) pledged allegiance to the Dutch governor and were given one magistrate (or schaepen). The area was once again returned to the English in 1674. The town experience slow growth over the next century, its inhabitants mostly farmers. In 1698 the population was 173. Some sawmills and gristmills were built, and the area was affluent.
During the American Revolution, British troops occupied much of New York, and Eastchester was near a large camp of British troops. This led to a fair amount of conflict for the residents of the town. After the war, the entirety of Westchester County suffered from the effects of having a war fought in their towns and villages.
Eastchester was recognized as a town 1788. Its population in the first federal census in 1790 was 740. Ten years later the population was only 738, a population decline likely due to the war, and in 1810 it grew to 1,039. Eastchester continued to grow until it was split into two parts in 1892. The northern part is today’s Eastchester. The borough of the Bronx was created and the area was consolidated into New York City in 1898.
Village of Eastchester What is now known as Eastchester, the neighborhood in the Bronx, was previously the Village of Eastchester, an area in the Town of Eastchester. The village was incorporated in 1895, and upon the consolidation into a greater New York City in 1898 it became an area of the Bronx. Village of South Mount Vernon/Village of Wakefield The Village of South Mount Vernon was incorporated in 1889 and was subordinate to the Town of Eastchester. It was renamed the Village of Wakefield in 1894 and was dissolved in 1895.
Town of Kingsbridge Named for the King’s Bridge spanning Spuyten Duyvil Creek, built in 1693, the Town of Kingsbridge was located directly south of Yonkers and was originally part of Yonkers. In 1872 Westchester County created a township made of the southernmost area of the Town of Yonkers, south of the City of Yonkers and called it Kingsbridge. The town was annexed to New York City in 1874, only two years after its creation. Town of Morrisania Beginning around 1670, Morrisania originally referred to the Westchester County family estate of Welsh settlers and brothers Richard and Lewis Morris. In 1676, Lewis Morris received a land patent from England. The manor and surrounding land remained in the Morris family for decades.
There were two towns named Morrisania, the first, established in 1788, became part of the Town of Westchester in 1791. The second, established in 1855, remained a town until it was annexed to New York County in 1874, becoming the 23rd ward of New York City. The Village of Morrisania was incorporated in 1864. With the establishment of modern-day New York City on January 1, 1898, the areas of Westchester County that were annexed to New York County/New York City, including Morrisania, became the Borough of the Bronx.
Town of Westchester Westchester was organized as a township of Westchester County, called The Borough and Town of Westchester, and was granted a charter in 1696. It had its own town government, including a mayor, trustees, a town clerk, and aldermen. It was designated the county seat in 1683 and remained so until 1759. Prior to that, under Dutch colonization, there had been various settlements including Vreelandt, Oostdrop or Easttown, and Westchester Village. During the American Revolutionary War, Westchester was home to many loyalists, and British troops occupied the area. After the end of the war in 1783, the name was changed to simply the Town of Westchester in 1785. Following the ratification of the State of New York in 1788, Westchester County was divided into townships and the Town of Westchester became a town in the state. The town continued to grow, establishing schools, churches, and roads. In 1791, the original Town of Morrisania (1788-1791), was annexed to the Town of Westchester. Westchester remained a town until it was annexed to New York County in 1895, becoming part of the 24th ward of New York City. With the establishment of modern-day New York City on January 1, 1898, the areas of Westchester County that were annexed to New York County/New York City, including the Town of Westchester, became the Borough of the Bronx.
Village of Williamsbridge Named for a bridge that spanned the Bronx River, which itself was named for an 18th century farmer, John Williams, Williamsbridge was officially incorporated as a village in 1888. The village was annexed to New York City in 1895.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into five subgroups, each corresponding to one of the five boroughs/counties of New York City. The subgroups are further divided into series and subseries, when applicable.
Subgroup Outline
- Bronx Old Town records, 1665-circa 1900
- Brooklyn Old Town records, circa 1630-1943
- New York City municipal records, 1836-1910
- Queens Old Town records, 1656-1903
- Staten Island Old Town records, 1758-1898
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title
- Guide to the Old Town Records, circa 1630-1943, bulk 1656-1898
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid written by Project Archivist Elise Winks in 2022. Revisions by staff archivist Patricia Glowinski, 2023.
- Date
- 2022 September
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
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- Sponsor
- Collection processing, description, and digitization was supported by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, 2021-2022.
Subjects