New York’s Mayflower Passengers

Before the “automobile revolution” transformed the streets of Manhattan a landmark was placed in the historic seaport neighborhood. About 1903 the Mayflower Society placed it to commemorate Isaac Allerton, a Puritan, who was aboard the Mayflower that landed the “Pilgrims” at Plymouth Rock. He left the settlement and established a home near New Haven, todays Connecticut and with his ship “Hope” traded up and down the coast of New England. He established a warehouse for all those English and others just outside the Wall that became “Wall Street” at the then East River edge, and it was known as others “Allerton’s Warehouse” on a property that once belonged to Philippe du Trieux, once the “marshal” in the New Amsterdam community and just above the “Water Gate” where people and trade came through it and the Wall gate, closed at night. Next to the first ferry to Brooklyn, a neighborhood of trade in “Iron monger” and other things was landed at his dock and those English who had business in New Amsterdam often stayed at the place. It would become an important part of the early “city” of New Amsterdam and New York as trade and community developed. I researched the so-called “250 Water St.” block, today a parking lot where the Mayflower Society’s tribute to Isaac Allerton once was. Today a large street and shopping area in the borough of the Bronx is named after Allerton. Happy Thanksgiving!