"A concise history of New York can be gleaned from the tablets which now mark nearly all historic spots within its limits and a perusal of them is by no means the dry reading one would suppose. We have collected them together in some such order as may make them more connected and therefore more interesting.

Washington bulks large of course in our history and the tablets referring to him or to the events in which he figured pre-eminently are grouped first, and from them may be gathered a pretty good idea of the close and intimate connection of our city with him and with the great events in which he was the moving and commanding spirit. It will be noticed also that both at the beginning and the end of the Revolution New York plays a leading part.

These tablets also bear witness to the desire of our forebears for the establishment and conservation of education and the pursuit of knowledge through letters and inventions down to our modern technical schools, subways and elevated. As we read these tablets we can travel the whole way in imagination from the little room in the Dutch schoolmaster's home down through the years to the Halls of Columbia and the splendid public libraries of the city.

TO COMMEMORATE WASHINGTON

Jumel Mansion, 161 St. and Edgecomb Ave.

Washington's Headquarters. This tablet is dedicated by the Washington Heights Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution to the memory of General George Washington who occupied this mansion as his headquarters from September 16th to October 21st, 1776. Battle of Harlem Heights, September 16th. Councils of war. President Washington visited this mansion accompanied by his cabinet, July, 1790. Morris House, 1758. Jumel Mansion, 1810. Earle Cliff, 1900.

St. Paul's Chapel, Broadway

In commemoration of the centennial of the inauguration of George Washington the first president of the United States, April 30, 1889. Erected by the Aisle Committee at services held in St. Paul's Chapel, N.Y.

St. Paul's Chapel, Broadway

This tablet is erected in commemoration of the centennial anniversary services of the death of his Excellency General George Washington, commander in chief of the armies of the United States during the war of the revolution observed at St. Paul's Chapel on the Broadway, New York, December 14th, 1899. General Society of the Cincinnati. Sons of the Revolution in N.Y.

Sub-Treasury Building, Wall Street

On this site in Federal Hall April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath as the first president of the United States of America.

No. 1 Broadway

Here stood Kennedy House once headquarters of Generals Washington and Lee. On the Bowling Green opposite, the leaden statue of King George was destroyed by the people July 9, 1776, and later made into bullets for the American army.

51 Whitehall Street

This tablet marks the site of Whitehall ferry the place where General George Washington embarked December 4, 1783 after bidding farewell to his officers at Fraunces Tavern.

Fraunces Tavern, Broad and Pearl Streets

Fraunces Tavern. To this building General George Washington came evacuation day, November 25, 1783 and on Thursday, December 4 following, here took leave of the principal officers of the army yet in service. Erected by the Sons of the Revolution.

Pier of Brooklyn Bridge, Franklin Square

The first presidential mansion, No. 1 Cherry Street, occupied by George Washington from April 23, 1789 to February 23, 1790. Erected by the Mary Washington Colonial Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.

City Hall, West Wing.

Near this spot in the presence of General George Washington the Declaration of Independence was read and published to the army July 9, 1776.

West and Laight Streets

To mark the landing place of General George Washington June 25, 1775, on his way to Cambridge to command the army.

Broadway, between 43d and 44th Streets

General George Washington and Israel Putnam met near this spot during the movement of the American army September 15, 1776, the day before the battle of Harlem.

IN COMMEMORATION OF HISTORICAL EVENTS

Custom House, Foot of Broadway

The site of Fort Amsterdam built in 1626. Within the fortifications, was erected the first substantial church edifice on the island of Manhattan. In 1787 the fort was demolished and the Government House built on this site. This tablet was placed here by the Holland Society of New York September, 1890.

Forty-one Broadway

This tablet marks the site of the first habitations of white men on the island of Manhattan. Adrian Block, commander of the Tiger, erected here four houses or huts, November, 1613. He built the Restless, the first vessel made by Europeans in this country. The Restless was launched in the spring of 1614. This tablet is placed here by the Holland Society of New York, September, 1890.

Seventy-three Pearl Street

The site of the first Dutch House of Entertainment on the island of Manhattan. Later the site of the old "Stadt Huys" or city hall. Erected by the Holland Society, N.Y.

William and John Streets, N.W. Corner

Golden Hill. Here January 18, 1770, the fight took place between the sons of liberty and the British regulars, 16th foot. First blood in the war of the revolution. Erected by the Sons of the Revolution.

Post Office Building, Broadway.

On the common of the city of New York near where this building now stands there stood from 1766 to 1776 a liberty pole erected to commemorate the repeal of the stamp act. It was repeatedly destroyed by the violence of the Tories and as repeatedly replaced by the Sons of Liberty who organized a constant watch and guard. In its defense the first martyr blood of the American revolution was shed January 18, 1770. Erected by the Mary Washington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1897.

Broad and Beaver Streets

To commemorate the gallant and patriotic act of Marinus Willett in here seizing, June 6th, 1775, from British forces the muskets with which he armed his troops. Erected by the Sons of the Revolution, Nov., 1892.

Broadway and 118th Street, Columbia University

To commemorate the Battle of Harlem Heights won by Washington's troops on this site September 16, 1776. Erected by the Sons of the Revolution.

Broadway and 153d Street

Upon this site and across these heights stood the main line of defense thrown up by Washington's army September, 1776. It was held till Fort Washington fell on November 16, when part of the fighting occurred at this point. Erected by the Sons of the Revolution 1901.

Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street, Brooklyn.

Line of defense. Battle of Long Island, August 27, 1776. From the Wallabout to the Gowanus. Erected by the Sons of the Revolution.

Prospect Park, East Drive, Brooklyn.

Battle of Long Island August 27, 1776. At this point an old road known as "Freekes Mill Road" also as the "Porte Road" left the Park and continued down the hill on the general course of First street, crossing Gowanus Creek on Mill Ponds and reaching the main line of American defense on the opposite side of Gowanus Creek. On this road our soldiers retreated after the capture of Gen. Sullivan and our defeat by the Hessians at Battle Pass, and by burning bridges behind them prevented pursuit by the enemy into our lines west of Gowanus creek. This old road crossed the long meadow about in line with First street and branched into the East Drive then called "King's Highway" at or near Battle Pass.

Produce Exchange, Stone Street side.

On or near this spot the first school in New York was opened by the Dutch schoolmaster Adam Roelantsen in 1638. According to the custom at that time the school was held in the home of the schoolmaster. Erected by the N.Y. School-masters' Club, 1910.

Produce Exchange in the Court Wall

Emplacement de la premiere Eglise Francaise de New York. Original site of the Huguenot Church of New York. Erected by the Huguenot Society of America, 1902.

Cotton Exchange, Beaver and William.

On this site William Bradford, appointed public printer April 10, 1693, issued Nov. 8, 1725, the New York Gazette, the first newspaper printed in New York. Erected by the New York Historical Society April 10, 1893, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the introduction of printing in New York.

Eighty-one Pearl Street

On this site William Bradford, appointed public printer April 10, 1693, established the first printing press in the colony of New York. Erected by the N.Y. Hist. Society April 10, 1893, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the introduction printing in New York.

23 Whitehall Street

On this spot lived Anneke Jans, wife of Rev. Everardus Bogardus, the most famous woman in New Amsterdam in 1633.

115 Broadway

The site of the old historic DeLancey house, afterward the City Hotel. The Tavern located here had various proprietors by whose names it was successfully called, being among others known as the Province Arms, the City Arms and Burn's Coffee House. It was here that the celebrated non-importation agreement in opposition to the stamp act was signed October 31, 1765. Erected by the Holland Society, March, 1890.

Mutual Life Building, Nassau and Cedar.

Here stood the Middle Dutch church, dedicated 1729, made a British military prison 1776, restored 1790, occupied as the U.S. Post Office 1845-1875, taken down 1882. The Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York.

Rose and Duane Streets

This building was erected on the site of the old Rhinelander Sugar House built 1763 and used as a prison by the British during the Revolution.

Second Avenue and 13th Street.

On this corner grew Petrus Stuyvesant's pear tree. Recalled to Holland in 1664, on his return he brought the pear tree and planted it as his memorial, "by which," said he "my name may be remembered." The pear tree flourished and bore fruit for over two hundred years. Erected by the Holland Society.

OF LOCAL INTEREST

5 West 22nd Street

In this house S.F.B. Morse lived for many years and died here.

Madison Avenue, 49th and 50th Streets.

Columbia College chartered in 1754 as King's College occupied this site from May, 1857, to October, 1897.

City Hall, Foot of Steps

At this place 24th March, 1900, Hon. Robert A. Van Wyck made the first excavation for the Underground Railway. Names of Rapid Transit Commission: A.E. Orr, president; John H. Starin, Woodbury Langdon, George L. Rives, Chas. Stewart Smith,Morris K. Jessup, R.A. Van Wyck, Mayor; Bird S. Coler, Controller; William Barclay Parsons, Chief Engineer. Contractors, John B. McDonald, Rapid Transit Subway Construction Co., August Belmont, president.

Seamen's Institute, Coenties Slip and South Street

This lighthouse tower is a memorial to the passengers, officers and crew of the steamship Titanic who died as heroes when that vessel sank after collision with an ice-berg, April 15, 1912. Erected by public subscription.