OF OLD NEW YORK

way in 1815 or '16, the house contained the picture gal¬
lery of M. Paff, better known as "Old Paff," and the
stationery store of Henry J. Megarey, who in 1834 pub¬
lished views of South Street, Broadway and Fulton
Street, which are now rare and highly prized. At the
period of the view Joseph D. Beers & Company, brokers,
had their office in the building.

The little bank with the four Grecian columns in front
stands on the site occupied as early as 1789 by the resi¬
dence of Edmund Seaman, merchant, who had a sugar
refinery at No. 29 Pine Street. In 1804 it was the resi¬
dence of Wynant Van Zandt, Junior, who lived there till
1812 when it was taken by the Bank of the New York
Manufacturing Company. This concern changed its
name to the Phenix Bank in 1817 and later erected the
building shown in the view.

The next house east of the Phenix Bank was the resi¬
dence of Ralph Thurman as early as 1804. At the pe¬
riod of the view it was the home office of the Manhattan
Insurance Company and in 1839 the North American
Trust & Banking Company.

The second house from WilHam Street was originally
No. 52 and was then occupied by Colonel William S.
Livingston. In' May, 1786, it was taken by Colonel
Richard Varick, recorder from 1783 to 1788 and mayor
from 1789 to 1800. In 1794, as No. 28, it is given in the
directory as the residence of William Maxwell, who was
one of the founders of the Bank of New York ten years
before. In 1816 and for more than thirty years after¬
ward it was the book and stationery store of Peter A.
Mesier.

[ 93 ]