Early directory makers often tried to improve their work by including information they thought would be useful to potential purchasers. The following ward boundaries are from the 1805 Philadelphia directory; ward boundaries did not change often, so these are likely to have been correct also for the late 18th century.
Upper Delaware Ward
Extends within a line of the river Delaware, thence by the
northern boundary of the city [Vine Street] to Fourth street,
[missing calls: thence by the same to Sassafras Street, thence by
the same to the river Delaware,] thence
by the said river to the northern boundary of the city.
Lower Delaware Ward
Extends within a line from the river Delaware, thence by
Sassafras Street to Fourth Street, thence by the same to Mulberry Street,
thence by the same to the river Delaware, and thence by said river
to Sassafras Street.
High Street Ward
Extends within a line from the Delaware, thence by Mulberry Street
to Fourth Street, thence by the same to High Street, thence by the
same to the river Delaware, and thence by the said river to Mulberry
Street.
Chesnut Ward
Extends within a line from the river Delaware, thence by High
Street to Fourth Street, thence by the same to Chesnut Street,
thence by the same to the river Delaware, and thence by the said
river to High Street.
Walnut Ward
Extends within a line from the river Delaware, thence by Chesnut
Street to Fourth Street, thence by the same to Walnut Street,
thence by the same to the river Delaware, and thence by the said
river to Chesnut Street.
Dock Ward
Extends within a line from the river Delaware, thence by Walnut
Street to Fourth Street, thence by the same to Spruce Street,
thence by the same to the river Delaware, and thence by the said
river to Walnut Street.
New-Market Ward
Extends within a line from the river Delaware, thence by Spruce
Street to Fourth Street, thence by the same to the Southern boundary
of the city [South Street],
thence by said boundary to the river Delaware, and thence by said
river to Spruce Street.
North Mulberry Ward
Extends within a line from Fourth Street, thence by the Northern
boundary of the City [Vine Street], to the Western boundary of the
same, thence by the said Western boundary to Sassafras Street,
thence by the same back to Fourth Street, and thence by the same
to the place of beginning.
South Mulberry Ward
Extends within a line from Fourth Street, thence by Sassafras
Street to the Western boundary of the
City, thence by the same to Mulberry Street,
thence by the same back to Fourth Street, and thence by the same
to the place of beginning.
North Ward
Extends within a line from Fourth Street, thence by Mulberry
Street to the Western boundary of the
City, thence by the same to High Street,
thence by the same back to Fourth Street, and thence by the same
to the place of beginning.
Middle Ward
Extends within a line from Fourth Street, thence by High
Street to the Western boundary of the
City, thence by the same to Chesnut Street,
thence by the same back to Fourth Street, and thence by the same
to the place of beginning.
South Ward
Extends within a line from Fourth Street, thence by Chesnut
Street to the Western boundary of the
City, thence by the same to Walnut Street,
thence by the same back to Fourth Street, and thence by the same
to the place of beginning.
Locust Ward
Extends within a line from Fourth Street, thence by Walnut
Street to the Western boundary of the
City, thence by the same to Spruce Street,
thence by the same back to Fourth Street, and thence by the same
to the place of beginning.
Cedar Ward
Extends within a line from Fourth Street, thence by Spruce
Street to the Western boundary of the
City, thence by the same to the southern boundary thereof [South
Street],
thence by the same back to Fourth Street, and thence by the same
to the place of beginning.