The Hatching Cat of Gotham

Union Square was originally a portion of the estate of Elias Brevoort, whose farmhouse was believed to be located within the limits of Union Square. In 1762 he sold 20 acres to John Smith, a leather dresser, for 340 pounds. Upon Smith’s death, his executors sold the land for 950 pounds to Henry Spingler, a shop keeper, on February 29, 1788. Union Square – which was actually oval in shape — was made a public place in 1815 and laid out in 1832. NYPL Digital Collection