Map of the County of Philadelphia from Actual Survey, 1843
A Map of the County of Philadelphia, From Actual Survey, made under the direction of Charles Ellet, Jr., Civil Engineer, and in accordance with the Act of Assembly passed June 30, 1839. Philadelphia. Published by Charles Ellet, Jr. Scale 21 in. = 1 mi. Surveyor: D.B. Kennedy. Draughtsman: C. Cramer. Engraver: J. H. Young.
The County of Philadelphia is one of the oldest in the State of Pennsylvania, having been established immediately after the settlement of the colony: and until the year 1784 it included Montogomery County within hits limits. On the south east it is bounded by Delaware River, north east by Bucks County, north west by Montgomery County, and south west by Delaware County.
The superficial area of the county is 129 1/8 square miles or about 82,700 acres; its length is 23 miles, and average breadth 5 1/2 miles. It is watered by the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, and the various creeks which flow into them: of these the Pennypack, Poquessink, Frankford, Darby, Cobbs, and Wissahiccon are the principal: all these streams afford a considerable water power, and numerous mills and factories are established on their banks.
The county is almost altogether of primitive formation. Productive flats generally extend along the lower parts of the water courses: but the banks frequently present bold, rocky elevations, and are adorned with elegant country seats, or well cultivated farms. The soil is diversified, but for the most part is of a highly productive character.
The appearance of the northern and southern portions is strongly contrasted: the former being finely diversified by hill and dale, and the latter presenting extensive ranges of rich meadows, which have been recovered from the borders of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.
The City of Philadelphia is the capital of the county. It is 100 miles from the sea by the course of the Delaware river, 138 N.E. from Washington, and 98 E. by S. from Harrisburg. The High School observatory near the intersection of Broad and Market streets is in Lat. 39° 57' 08" N Lon. 75° 10' 28 1/2" W from Greenwich.
The City was founded by Wm. Penn in the year 1682; in 1774 the first Congress met here; in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was framed and adopted, and in 1787 the Constitution of the United States was framed. The population of the City and Suburbs amounted in 1840 to 222,133, having increased in 60 years from 30,000, the number estimated in 1780.