By the end of the first quarter of the nineteenth century Saint John as a Loyalist city had reached its maturity. The population had grown to about 10,000 and the citizens had begun to experience some of the difficulties of urban life. The narrow streets and closely constructed buildings, which were typical of the period, confined a large number of people in a small area. Fire was a constant threat to life and property. Adding to the dirt and confusion were cows and pigs which wandered at will through the streets. Services were still rudimentary, and most of the population drew its water supply from public pumps located at strategic street corners. This view of the city offers a southward glimpse from the Portland Heights towards the old Parrtown peninsula (the East Side) and the harbour. Most of the people lived around the upper part of the harbour; indeed much of the East Side was still open pasture.
