USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of the city of Trenton, New Jersey : embracing a period of nearly two hundred years, commencing in 1676, the first settlement of the town, and extending up to the present time, with official records of the population, extent of the town at different periods, its manufactories, church history, and fire department > Part 33
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August 12th, 1861, the Wilson Zouaves were organized. Wil- liam Scudder, captain ; Robert S. Johnston, first lieutenant ; John B. Warren, second lieutenant.
October 17th, 1861, Company C was organized. Charles H. Dean, captain ; John Poland, first lieutenant ; Charles H. Knowles, second lieutenant.
October 17th, 1861, Company D was organized. William C. Vansant, captain ; Christopher Wentz, first lieutenant ; Ed- ward C. Flock, second lieutenant.
October 19th, 1861, Company E was organized. John Clow-
382
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
ney, captain ; Thomas E. Boyd, first lieutenant ; Samuel Cam- inade, second lieutenant.
October 19th, 1861, Company F was organized. Barnet T. Slingerland, captain ; Thomas Francis, first lieutenant.
October 19th, 1861, Company G was organized. Jasper A. Lloyd, captain ; Alfred R. Lloyd, first lieutenant.
October 19th, 1861, Company H was organized. Hugh McQuade, captain ; Patrick McMickle, first lieutenant.
October 17th, 1861, Company I was organized. William Valentine, captain ; George F. Vanhart, first lieutenant.
October 17th, 1861, Company K was organized. Joseph J. Hawk, captain.
October 17th, 1861, Company A, second regiment, was organ- ized. Joseph W. Bond, captain ; John O. Raum, first lieuten- ant, promoted to captain ; Simon B. Conover, second lieutenant.
October 17th, 1861, Company B was organized. Joseph B. Becker, captain ; William M. Yard, first lieutenant ; John Glenn, second lieutenant.
June 29th, 1861, Company C was organized. Charles Bech- tel, captain.
December 24th, 1861, the Woolverton Infantry was organized. Ephraim R. Cook, captain ; George F. Vanhart, first lieutenant ; John Moran, second lieutenant.
December 14th, 1861, the Hunt Guards were organized. Jacob D. Joslin, captain ; John C. Branin, first lieutenant ; Lewis Lenox, second lieutenant.
September 24th, 1861, the Union Light Infantry was organ- ized. Benjamin F. Craig, first lieutenant ; Budd S. Bodine, second lieutenant.
April 22d, 1861, the Olden Guards were organized. Joseph A. Yard, captain ; Robert S. Gould, first lieutenant ; Charles Ewing, second lieutenant.
April 22d, 1861, the Wilkinson Volunteers were organized. Isaac Paul Lykens,"captain ; John W. Neal, first lieutenant ; John R. Beatty, second lieutenant.
April 23d, 1861, the Jersey Blues were organized. Samuel Mulford, captain ; Franklin S. Mills, first lieutenant ; Henry K. Zehner, second lieutenant.
383
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
April 24th, 1861, Company B, National Guard, was organ- ized. Sylvester Vansyckle, captain ; William H. Tantum, first lieutenant; John Parker, second lieutenant.
May 29th, 1861, the Constitutional Guards were organized. Andrew Dutcher, captain; John N. Lindsay, first lieutenant ; Lewis H. Vanhorn, second lieutenant.
August 7th, 1861, the Stevens Guards were organized. Heath- coat J. Disbrow, captain ; Calvin T. Speer, first lieutenant ; Robert W. Roberts, second lieutenant.
June 25th, 1861, the Trenton Rifles were organized. John Haws captain ; Henry Thone, first lieutenant ; John Winter, second lieutenant.
August 20th, 1861, the Livingston Guards were organized. Charles Ewing, captain ; William C. McCall, first lieutenant ; Aaron C. Wilkes, second lieutenant.
August 20th, 1861, the Lewis Guards were organized. Robert S. Gould, captain ; DeKlyn Lalor, first lieutenant ; Henry H. Woolsey, second lieutenant.
August 22d, 1861, Company C, National Guard, were organ- ized. Charles F. Howell, second lieutenant.
October 18th, 1861, Company K was organized. John Cart- mill, captain ; William F. West, first lieutenant ; John C. Titus, second lieutenant.
October 18th, 1861, the Belville Guards were organized. John J. Willis, captain; Aaron Bennett, first lieutenant ; Dennison Davis, second lieutenant.
August 12th, 1861, the Jersey Blues were organized. Barzilla Ridgway, first lieutenant ; John M. Pearson, second lieutenant.
May 30th, 1861, the Trenton Artillery was organized. Charles P. Smith, captain ; Ogden W. Blackfan, first lieutenant ; James P. Stephens, second lieutenant.
October 29th, 1861, Company B was organized. Alexander M. Johnston, captain ; Alfred W. Packer, first lieutenant ; James B. Gray, second lieutenant.
October 29th, 1861, Company E was organized. Frederick R. Mauer, captain ; William Moore, first lieutenant ; Frank D. Holmes, second lieutenant.
October 29th, 1861, Company F was organized. John Tay-
384
1
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
lor, captain ; Lafayette Stradling, first lieutenant ; John G. Stout, second lieutenant.
October 29th, 1861, Company G was organized. Simon Kahnweiler, captain ; Spencer S. Bower, first lieutenant; Ben- jamin F. Britton, second lieutenant.
October 29th, 1861, Company H was organized. Orrin B. Faussett, captain ; Christian Fell, first lieutenant ; Patrick O'Neil, second lieutenant.
November 7th, 1861, Company A was organized. John R. Beatty, captain ; F. Augustus Auten, first lieutenant.
November 7th, 1861, Company I was organized. Joseph C. Mayer, captain ; George W. Paulley, first lieutenant ; James Ronan, second lieutenant.
November 7th, 1861, Company C was organized. Job Moore Bennett, captain ; Thomas S. Stephens, first lieutenant ; James H. Wilson, second lieutenant.
November 15th, 1861, the Jackson Guards were organized. James O. Sullivan, captain ; John Cahill, first lieutenant ; Michael Spain, second lieutenant.
November 22d, 1861, Company D was organized. Michael Dewan, captain ; William K. Bendel, first lieutenant ; William G. Middleton, second lieutenant.
November 7th, 1861, the Trenton Rifles were organized. John Winter, first lieutenant ; Frederick Manheck, second lieu- tenant.
December 18th, 1861, the City Guards were organized. Simon Kahnweiler, captain ; Henry Thone, first lieutenant ; John Thines, second lieutenant.
December IIth, 1868, Company B, National Guard, was organized. John Dobbins, captain ; John W. Barber, first lieu- tenant ; John Zehner, second lieutenant. Captain Dobbins re- signed, and John Schofield was elected captain on January 17th, 1871. July 2Ist, 1871, James C. Manning was elected captain, and Ambrose Hendershot, second lieutenant.
August 19th, 1869, Company C was organized. Henry A. Speeler, captain ; Sheffield Tuesday, first lieutenant; Henry Lawton, second lieutenant.
August 20th, 1869, Company D was organized. John H. A
385
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
Leary, captain ; Edward Mullen, first lieutenant ; Michael Cant- well, second lieutenant. Captain Leary died, and Robert S. Johnston was elected captain on November 15th, 1870, and James Campbell, second lieutenant, September 14th, 1869.
Of the companies formed in 1861, the Wilson Zouaves, Union Light Infantry, Olden Guards, Wilkinson Volunteers, Jersey Blues, Company B, National Guard, Stevens Guards, Livings- ton Guards, Lewis Guards, Belville Guards, Jersey Blues, sec- ond, and Company H, took part in the suppression of the rebel- lion.
There was no state in the Union that showed a clearer record during the last war than New Jersey. Out of ninety-eight thou- sand eight hundred and six men liable to do military duty, she sent into the field during the struggle eighty-eight thousand three hundred and five, being an excess over all calls made by the executive of the United States of ten thousand and fifty- seven, and within ten thousand five hundred and one of her entire militia.
The expenses were as follows :
Accoutrements, -
- $16,035 00
Arresting deserters, 402 85
Arms and ammunition,
9,701 52
Advance pay, 60,278 00
Army transportation, -
74,032 09
Barracks and quarters,
131,593 99
Books and stationery, -
5,438 32
Bounty, - -
5,950 00
Commandants in charge of camps of rendezvous,
17,718 54
Commissioners to conduct the draft, 3,974 37
Camp and garrison equipage, -
161,163 64 135,825 42
Clerk hire, -
Carting and freight, 19,740 96 889,448 96
Clothing,
18,074 03
Enrolling, 7,363 62
Examining surgeons, - 4,364 95
Expenses of volunteer surgeons and nurses, 655 84
Forage, - - - - - 40,099 61
2 K
-
Equipments,
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
Hospital expenses, - -
$17,728 50
Horses, - 310,420 00
Miscellaneous, 35,548 72
Ordnance and ordnance stores,
-
499,905 37 7,018 62
Organizing militia preparatory to draft,
Pay, -
39,577 38
Premiums,
16,376 00
Printing, - -
42,790 87 8,805 75
Recruiting, -
51,618 84
Subsistence, -
174,290 81
Transportation, -
88,442 42
Total expenses, -
-
-
-
- $2,894,384 99
There were no troops in the field better supplied with every- thing that contributed to their comfort and effectiveness than were those from our state.
On the 23d of March, 1865, an act was passed to incorporate the Soldiers' Children's Home, and upon its being determined to locate it here, the sum of five thousand dollars was appropri- ated towards its maintenance.
The home was located near Millham, but the buildings were soon found to be too small, and a site was purchased on the Sandtown road, and commodious buildings were erected thereon.
The institution was established originally in Jersey City. An appropriation of five thousand dollars was granted by the legis- lature. When the home was removed to Millham, Mrs. W. L. Dayton was chosen president ; Mrs. J. S. Davenport, and Mrs. A. G. Richey, vice presidents ; Miss M. A. Hall, treasurer, and M. F. Johnson, secretary, with a board of directors residing in Jersey City and Trenton.
Their house at Millham being uncomfortable, and a consider- able distance from the city, and being unable to rent a suitable building, they purchased the house No. 92 Warren street, for four thousand dollars. The average number of children in the house up to 1866, was about forty.
At the suggestion of Governor Parker, the Camden and Am-
Postage and telegraphing,
387
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
boy Railroad Company gave them the munificent donation of eight thousand dollars.
From the second annual report made to the legislature in 1867, we condense the following :
" While reviewing the past year, we would offer most earnest thanksgiving to our Father in Heaven for his unnumbered bless- ings. Unusual sickness has prevailed in the city among chil- dren : the joy of many a household has been taken away, but no serious illness visited us. The death angel passed by the home. We have to-day an unbroken circle of healthy, happy children -orphan children, whose fathers fell on almost every battle- field, consecrating the soil of every southern state.
" Though the graves of these patriots may not be decorated with beautiful but perishing flowers, they are not forgotten. Their memory is green in the hearts of our people, and the principles for which they sacrificed their lives form yet the foundation of our government, and, like the sturdy oak, are but more firmly rooted by the fierce and stormy trials of the last few years."
The new home was completed in January, 1867, and up to this time has cost the state sixty thousand five hundred dollars. It is exceedingly plain in its external appearance, while in its interior everything has been done in its arrangement to make it a comfortable, pleasant home. There is connected with it seven acres of land, upon two of which is a delightful grove, giving abundant room for garden, play-grounds, &c. It will only be occupied for its present purpose ten years from the time of its first occupancy, when it will be turned over to the state, and can be turned into a reform school for juvenile offenders, or be devoted to some other charitable purpose.
The house contains spacious and well-arranged school rooms, dining rooms, dormitories, and play rooms, those for the boys and girls being in different wings. They are together in school and at meals; there being many brothers and sisters among them, the managers desire to cherish and cultivate a fraternal affection.
The building is of brick, two stories high, with attic and base- ment. The centre building contains class rooms, committee
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
and matron's room, two nurseries, sewing room, kitchen, and laundry. In the basement of the east wing is a play room ex- clusively for girls, and an ironing room. On the first floor is a school room fifty by forty feet, furnished with desks for one hun- dred and forty pupils, piano, black-boards, maps, cards, &c. On the second floor there are dormitories for girls, and bath room, &c. In the basement of the west wing there is a store room and boys' play room. Opening from each play room is the wash room, with basins, towels, glasses, combs, &c. On the first floor is the dining room, fifty by forty feet, with tables and seats for one hundred and fifty, each child having its own place. The house is heated by furnaces and lighted with gas.
From the report for the year ending 1870, we learn that they have had under their care in the institution, two hundred and forty-eight children, but at the time of rendering the report there were two hundred and twenty-two. Of this number one hundred and twenty-seven were boys, and ninety-five girls, sev- enteen being entire orphans ; one hundred and sixty-nine have no fathers, and thirty-six have both parents living, in which case the father is either disabled by wounds or illness, or is, from other causes, unable to provide for his children.
They have a Sunday-school, under the superintendence of Mr. Thomas J. Stryker, with a suitable library, and on one Sunday in each month services are held by some of the various clergymen of this city, at the home ; on the intervening Sundays the chil- dren are taken by their teachers to the different churches.
There are five teachers in the school, who instruct the children in the fundamental branches of a plain English education.
Miss Campbell is matron, and Drs. Charles Hodge and Rich- ard R. Rogers have given their services as physicians, gratui- tously, ever since the opening of the home.
The 4th of July is usually celebrated with appropriate ad- dresses from friends of the institution, and songs and dialogues by the children.
On Thanksgiving day an excellent dinner is usually provided, and Christmas is pre-eminently the children's day, as it is made, as far as possible, a pleasant day for them. A Christmas tree, with a gift for each child, constitutes that part of the ceremo- nies of the day which renders the little ones happy.
CHAPTER XXV.
Fire Department-Fire Association for the Relief of Disabled Firemen-Firemen's Beneficial Association-Fire Companies -Union-Restoration-Hand-in-Hand-Resolution-Eagle- Delaware-Good Will-Harmony-Trenton Hose, No. I- America Hose, No. 2-Hook and Ladder Companies-Protec- tion-Trenton Hose.
T HE first ordinance organizing and regulating the fire de- partment was passed May 5th, 1846.
It provided that the department should consist of a chief engineer, two assistants, eight fire wardens, and such firemen and hosemen as were then, or should thereafter become, attached to the several fire engine and hose companies of this city.
The members of the several companies were to meet on the third Monday of May in each year, at the City Hall, at seven o'clock in the evening, for the election of a chief engineer and two assistants. This ordinance not being satisfactory, they did not all come under its provisions, but continued to act indepen- dent, until October 9th, 1854, when common council passed a new ordinance, which provided for a chief engineer and as many assistants as there were companies connected from time to time with the department, who constituted a board of engineers. The several companies connected with the de- partment were to meet in their several engine-houses on the first Monday of November in each year, and elect an engineer to represent them in the board.
The board were to elect a chief and two assistants, within one week after their election.
The chief engineer was, at fires, to have sole and absolute
2K *
390
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
control and command over all the engines and persons con- nected with the department, and in his absence the assistants were to act by seniority.
This ordinance, for a while, seemed to be satisfactory, and the several companies in due time availed themselves of its pro- visions by signifying their assent to the board of engineers, and sending a representative to that body, with authentic credentials.
Through what was considered by some of the companies un- warranted action on the part of the board of engineers in 1859, in regard to the companies located in the southern part of the town, the ordinance became a dead letter, the firemen refusing to act under it, and failing to elect representatives to the board of engineers.
In 1866 the different companies appointed delegates, who met in convention, and drew up an ordinance, which they presented to common council, and asked that body to adopt it as a satis- factory one, which is the law which now governs the depart- ment.
The mode of electing the board of engineers is similar to that prescribed by the ordinance of 1854, but it differs from that, as it gives one assistant north and south of the creek.
The following persons have held the office of chief engineer : John P. Kennedy, William J. Idell, Jonathan S. Fish, Charles Moore, John G. Gummere, Samuel P. Parham, A. S. Livings- ton, Levi J. Bibbins, Charles C. Yard, and John A. Weart. The last named is the present efficient chief, and has held the posi- tion since 1866, with the exception of the years 1869 and 1870.
On the 12th of November, 1855, a meeting of the board of engineers and the presidents of the different fire and hose com- panies was held at the Union engine-house, for the purpose of organizing an association under an act of the legislature entitled " An act to incorporate benevolent and charitable associations," approved March 9th, 1853, for the relief of the members of the fire department organized under the ordinance of the city, who may become sick or disabled in the discharge of their duty as firemen, and to provide for the decent burial of such as may die without leaving sufficient means for that purpose.
The name adopted was " The Fire Association for the Relief of Disabled Firemen of the City of Trenton."
39I
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
The officers elected were A. S. Livingston, president ; Jona- than S. Fish, vice president ; Charles Moore, secretary ; Joseph G. Brearley, treasurer.
On the 13th of November, Mr. Livingston addressed a letter to the president of the Commonwealth Fire Insurance Company of New York, concerning a donation for the association from the underwriters, upon the fire at the mill of Gaunt & Derrick- son, on the water power, and on the 24th received the following reply, which formed the nucleus of the association. He says :
"Yours of the 13th inst. would have received an earlier reply but for the absence of Mr. Wilmarth, chairman of the committee that settled the loss of Messrs. Gaunt & Derrickson.
" At his request I now have the pleasure to inform you that the amount contributed by the insurance companies of this city (New York) interested in the loss (say four hundred and thirty- seven dollars and fifty cents), has been paid to me, and your treasurer's draft for that sum will be honored.
"I doubt not the Delaware Mutual will gladly add their pro- portion, sixty-two dollars and fifty cents, making the sum five hundred dollars for your 'Fire Association for the Relief of Dis- abled Firemen of the city of Trenton.'
" It affords me peculiar pleasure to be the organ of communi- cation with you on this subject, and to assure you of the high estimation in which your fire department is held by the insurance companies of this city interested in the loss.
" Hoping that your fund may always be equal to any and all demands made upon it,
"I am, with great respect, your obedient servant. " JOSEPH HOXIE."
The above communication was presented to the association December 10th, by Mr. Livingston, and at the same meeting he reported that he had also received twenty-five dollars, from the Bucks County Contributionship.
The first funeral benefit was fifteen dollars paid on account of funeral expenses of Henry Nice, March 12th, 1856, since which time the expenses of thirteen have been paid, amounting, in the aggregate, to two hundred and fifty-one dollars and thirty-eight
392
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
cents. The invested fund amounts at the present time to four thousand six hundred dollars.
The present officers of the association are George Furman, president ; Edward Steepy, vice president ; Charles B. Cogill, secretary ; A. S. Livingston, treasurer.
The funds of the association are derived from the tax on all foreign insurance companies, whether fire, life, accident, marine, or live stock, doing business in this state.
Under the act of the legislature, approved April 9th, 1867, each foreign insurance company is required to pay the secretary of state a license of fifty dollars, and a tax of two per centum on all premiums received by said companies in this state for the preceding year, for the support of the fire association located in the town where the agency exists.
The usual certificate was made out and filed in the county clerk's office, and the association became incorporated under the above act.
The credit of organizing this association belongs to A. S. Livingston, Esq., at that time our worthy and efficient chief engineer.
A. S. Livingston and J. S. Fish were appointed a committee to draw up a constitution and by-laws for the government of the association, to be submitted to the next meeting, which was adopted December 10th, 1853.
In 1870, the firemen formed an association called " The Fire- men's Benefit Association," the object of which was to con- sider any and all matters that would tend to benefit the depart- ment. It was through the influence of this association, all the companies working in concert, that the present mode of support of the department was inaugurated. They also attend to getting up benefits, as their name implies, for the good of the entire department. This association was originated by the whole de- partment, and is composed of three delegates from each com- pany, who hold monthly meetings at the different engine and hose-houses. They meet for the purpose of exchanging senti- ments upon matters relating to the department, and any question proposed relating to the same is decided by a majority of the association.
393
HISTORY OF TRENTON.
This association has done more to reconcile the various con- flicting interests in our department than anything previously devised, and tends to unite the members more closely together as a band of brothers working for the common good, than any- thing else previously devised could do.
The association was organized at the Good Will engine-house in January, 1870.
The delegates from the Union Company were Harvey Ham- mill, Peter Mutchler, Stephen O. Lanning ; Hand-in-Hand- James S. Kiger, Peter M. Kafer, Charles W. Biles ; America Hose -William McGill, James Connell, Charles C. Yard ; Eagle- Robert S. Johnston, Charles S. Jones, Charles Dougherty ; Good Will, William H. Barton, Frank H. Taylor, William M. Van Sickel ; Delaware-Walter Fagin, John B. Warner, John Tyr- rell ; Harmony-Frank Pashley, Oliver Howell, Charles Zehner.
The following are the present officers : William H. Barton, president ; Robert S. Johnston, vice president ; Frank Pashley, secretary ; Charles W. Biles, assistant secretary ; James S. Kiger, treasurer.
The pride of our city is our fire department. We have now seven steam fire engines, fully equipped with everything neces- sary to insure effectiveness, one hose company, and one hook and ladder truck; in addition to this, each steamer runs a hose car- riage, all of which is done at an average expense to the city of about ten thousand dollars per year. An effective paid depart- ment would cost about double this sum.
We can boast of having the oldest company in the United States, which has kept up an unbroken organization from 1747 to the present time, a period of one hundred and twenty-five years.
On the evening of the 7th of February, 1747, Mr. Obadiah Howell, George Ely, John Hunt, William Plaskett, and Thomas Tindall met at the blacksmith shop, situate on the corner of Greene and Front streets, (and afterwards occupied by Jacob Warner), for the purpose of forming a fire company. At this first meeting they appointed Mr. Obadiah Howell a committee to procure buckets, baskets, fire-hooks, and ladders. Messrs. Ely and Plasket were appointed a committee to draft a constitution.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
After talking over the matter of organization, they adjourned to meet the next evening, at which time William Plaskett was appointed chairman, and Thomas Tindall, clerk.
They again met on the 8th, at the same place; the articles were read and discussed, and a question arose as to the name of the company-Mr. Ely advocating the name of Union, in con- sequence of there being at that time a company in Philadelphia by that name.
It was then resolved that the name should be Union Fire Company.
Mr. William Plaskett was elected treasurer, the office at that time being captain and president, and Mr. George Ely was elected clerk.
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