The Island of Growth [New York, 1811]

A modern redrawing of the 1807 version of the Commissioners' grid plan for Manhattan, a few years before it was adopted in 1811 (source)

                          I must have liberty
Withal, as large a charter as the wind,
To blow on whom I please; for so fools have. --Duke Senior, As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7.

1811 Orlando Harriman (age 20), after several years spent in successful business with his father, opens his own office for commerce on Pearl Street in lower Manhattan.  "Orlando built well on the foundation provided by his father. Like his father, Orlando possessed a cold, practical nature.." (Klein, Ch. 1)

1811 The Commissioner's Plan of 1811 is adopted for the expansion of New York City. Manhattan is platted a grid of streets all the way to the north end of the island.

1810 Orlando Harriman marries Anna Ingland, whom he met in dancing school as a boy.

c. 1808 Orlando Harriman (age. 18) son of William Harriman, joins his father's business in general commerce in New York.

c. 1800 After five years in New Haven, and having lost his money in the West Indies trade, William Harriman moves family to New York, and gradually shifts his business to general commerce.

1783 (Dec. 4) George Washington says farewell to his officers following a "turtle feast" at Fraunces Tavern at Pearl and Broad streets in New York Town.

1783 (Nov. 25) Evacuation Day. After a seven year occupation, and the signing of the treaty recognizing American independence, the British Army leaves New York Town by sea with the last Loyalist evacuees and escaped slaves.

1776 (Sept.) New York Town is occupied by the British Army following the American disaster at the Battle of Brooklyn Heights.  Washington retreats up Manhattan island throughout the rest of the summer and fall before relinquishing the island for the remainder of the war.

1776 (Jul 9). The Declaration of Independence is read aloud to Washington's troops at City Hall of New York Town. The Sons of Liberty rush down Broadway to Bowling Green, where they topple the equestrian statue of King George III.

1664 New Amsterdam transferred to the English.

1653 Municipal government begins in New Amsterdam. The first City Hall (Stadt Huys) is established at the former City Tavern, which  is converted to contain meeting space for the two co-mayors and the magistrates who formed the city council. (source)

1642 Construction of the City Tavern at 73 Pearl Street (Parelstraat) in New Amsterdam. 

"The oyster reigned supreme as the quintessential New York City food long before pizza, hot pretzels, bagels, and hot dogs were known to our shellfish-encrusted shores. When Henry Hudson first sailed into the river that would one day bear his name, the Lenape [Algonquin] people had long been plucking its supple oyster beds. Archaeological evidence gathered from tremendous mounds of oyster shells called “middens” indicates that the New York Harbor oysters were not only plentiful, they were much larger than the kind familiar to us today. Harbor oyster shells from these middens measured up to 10 inches, and early European travellers describe the shellfish as being about a foot in length.

"Though the Dutch were disappointed that the harbor oysters were not pearl producers, they recognized their abundance; the settlers even called Ellis and Liberty islands “Little Oyster Island” and “Great Oyster Island” because of the sprawling oyster beds surrounding them. Pearl Street, once a waterfront road, was named for a midden and later even paved with oyster shells. Early in New York history, the oyster became world-renowned.., (nypl.org) 

1624 Founding of New Amsterdam as the seat of Dutch colonial government in New Netherlands.

1614 Dutch begin establishing trading posts in New Netherlands.

The Castello Plan. (Oldest known map of New Amsterdam) from 1660. Commissioned by Jacques Cortelyou, General Governor of Nieuw Amsterdam at that time. - New York Public Library, Digital Gallery.  (source)