In 1683, the city of New York was divided into six wards, under the designation of "South," "Dock," "East," "North," "West," and "Out" Wards. For map showing the boundaries of these wards see page 212 of Manual of Common Council for 1848.

The Montgomerie Charter, dated January 15, 1730, designates, in addition to the above, the boundaries of the "Montgomerie" Ward.

By an act of the colonial government, passed February 28, 1791, the wards are designated numerically from 1 to 7, and the bounds of each described.

By an act of the Legislature, passed March 8, 1803, the wards are increased to nine, numerically designated, and boundaries described.

The Tenth Ward was erected from the Seventh, by act of March 18, 1808.

The Eleventh and Twelfth Wards were formed, and the boundaries of all described, by an act passed April 25, 1825. (Chap. 195, Laws of 1825.)

13th Ward was erected from the 10th Ward, Act April 6, 1827.

*14th Ward was erected from the 6th and 8th Wards, Act April 6, 1827. *(The Sixth Ward formerly included that portion of the Fourteenth Ward which lies south of Grand street; the remainder of the Fourteenth Ward was taken from the Eighth.)

15th Ward was erected from the 9th Ward, March 23, 1832.

16th Ward was erected from the 12th Ward, March 16, 1835.

17th Ward was erected from the 11th Ward, February 1, 1837.

18th Ward was erected from the 16th Ward, February 19, 1846.

19th Ward was erected from the 12th Ward, April 6, 1850.

20th Ward was erected from the 16th Ward, July 9, 1851.

21st Ward was erected from the 18th Ward, May 27, 1853.

22d Ward was erected from the 19th Ward, June 22, 1853.

Number of Election Districts in the City and In Each Ward

Wards First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh

Election Districts 6 2 4 7 8 11 11 17 17 12 25

Wards Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Sixteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty-first Twenty-second

Election Districts 18 9 11 11 18 35 24 31 22 21 17

Total of Election Districts: 337