Wards of Philadelphia, 1704/5

Ward boundaries changed significantly over the years. While the depictions in Varle's map are accurate for 1803, they probably correspond only approximately to ward boundaries at earlier dates. Using this map to approximate where someone was living in the 1790 census is probably reasonable. Using it for the same purpose for persons identified as living in a specific ward in, say, the 1774 tax roll, is probably approximate.

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1704/5

Alderman Willcox, Carter, John Parsons, John Budd, Francis Cook, John Redman & Thomas Pascall who were appointed by an order of the last Comon Councill to divide this City into Wards & to Report the same to this Councill Report that they have divided this City into Wards & have returned the same under theire hands as following, (which 10 wards as they are now named and Sett out are approved by this Council):

1	Dock Ward.	All the Inhabitants between Delaware River & the 7th Street to the Southward of Wallnut Street Including y' south side of Wallnut Street.
2	Walnutt Ward.	:All the Inhabitants between Wallnutt and Chesnutt Street from the west side of the ffront to the East side of the 2d Street (Inclusive).
3	Chesnutt Ward.	All the Inhabitants between Chesnut & high Street from the ffiront to the 2d Street.
4	Lower Delaware Ward.	All the Inhabitants between the ffront Street & Delaware River from the End of Walnutt to the end of High street both upon & under the Bank.
5	Upper Delaware Ward.	All the Inhabitants between the ffront street & Delaware River from High street to the North End of the City.
6	High Street Ward.	All the Inhabitants between High Street & Mulberry Street from the front to the Second street.
7.	Mulbery Ward.	All the Inhabitants on the North side of Mulberry street to the Extent of the City from the front to the 7th street.
8.	North Ward	All the Inhabitants between Mulberry & high street from the 2d to the 7th street.
9.	Middle Ward.	All the Inhabitants between High Street & Chesnut street from the 2d to the Seventh street.
10.	South Ward.	All the Inhabitants between Chesnut & Wallnutt street from the 2d to the 7th street,

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1802 Wards

Varle's 1803 map of Philadelphia shows the various wards of the city, as they then were defined. Note that four Wards have been added to those of 1704/5, and that while the 1704/05 wards are in approximately the same place in 1802, there are significant differences in their exact boundaries.