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 37
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During this time they visited Easton and New Brunswick, as an organization, and won the high esteem and regard of both citizens and firemen of both cities.
In 1859, that celebrated organization, the " Lynn Fire Asso- ciation," visited Trenton, and were the guests of the Trenton Hose Company. Too much cannot be said of Lynn firemen, for never before had such a gentlemanly body of firemen visted Trenton, and the citizens were indeed thankful that the Trenton Hose Company had afforded them the opportunity to hold forth the hand of welcome and friendship to so noble an organization.
At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, the Trenton Hose Company nobly responded to the call of its country, and for a time the organization was almost without men. Of those who aided their country in her hour of need, all so conducted themselves as to reflect honor on their state and city; and at the close of the war many returned to us wearing the insignia of high rank, won only through true bravery; and as civilians, many have gone forth from the organization to occupy positions of honor and trust in the affairs of the state and city.
In 1865, when it was deemed best to re-organize the fire department of this city, and when the city council adopted an ordinance for its proper government, from the ranks of the Trenton Hose Company was selected as chief engineer, John A. Weart, Esq. ; how well he has fulfilled the expectations of
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the citizens, the present excellent condition of the department unmistakably shows.
Until 1866, the Trenton Hose Company had been almost self- sustaining ; being the owner of its apparatus and hose-house, it only required the city to supply it with the necessaries incident to a fire organization to protect the property of the citizens from fire. At this time a new building was needed, and the city purchased its property and erected thereon the present building, and before it was completed, the organization, in order to enlarge its sphere of usefulness, had purchased a hook and ladder truck, the money with which to make this purchase being jointly contributed by the company and the citizens in general, thus proving that they were willing to give both labor and money for the welfare of the city.
To the year 1868 was given the honor of presenting the brightest page in the history of the Trenton Hose Company. In that year the company made its famous trip to Boston and Lynn-the " Hub" and the " City of Soles." Here again did it display its indomitable energy, for at the time it resolved to make the journey, the company was in possession of apparatus fit only for use at fires. Nevertheless, before three months rolled around it was the owner of one of the finest hose carriages in the state, fully one-half of the purchase money having been contrib- uted by individual members at a single meeting; the balance was the gift of the citizens of Trenton. To those who had been entrusted with the arrangements of the excursion, the morning of the Ioth of August came only with fear, for they were far from being sure that success would crown their efforts.
At Jersey City the excursionists were the recipients of many honors at the hands of the fire department, under the direction of Diligent Hose Company, No. 3, and after a day's sight-seeing in and around New York harbor, they left for Boston, arriving there on Tuesday morning, expecting to find only a small body of firemen in waiting to escort them across the city, but found Chief Damrell, a full board of engineers, a representative from each company of the city, and a vast concourse of people to welcome them. To Melville, No. 6, of Boston, is much honor due for this kind greeting, and for the oration which followed.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
During the company's march through the city, it was greeted by cheers and rounds of applause. The streets were densely crowded, and doors and windows held their full complement of glad and smiling faces. Arriving at the American House, Mayor Shurtleff and the board of aldermen were in waiting to receive them in the mame of the city. A banquet had been provided, at which Mayor Shurtleff presided ; and among the many words of welcome, none fell upon the ears of the Trentonians with so much meaning as those of the mayor and chief engineer, who stated that in their recollection of the city government, which extended back over twenty years, it had never tendered the free- dom of the city and a public reception to a fire organization until the coming of the Trenton Hose Company.
At two o'clock that afternoon the company started for Lynn, where an ovation awaited it which far surpassed the greatest ex- pectations-in fact, its coming had given to Lynn a gala-week. The visitors were met at the depot by the entire fire department, and by thousands of citizens, whose countenances plainly spoke a genuine welcome. Bunting floated from every conceivable place, and buildings, both public and private, were gaily deco- rated. Lynn's citizens in general vied with each other to make the visit as pleasant as possible, and in every respect did they sustain the time-honored and oft-quoted Yankee hospitality. The doors of the rich and the poor were alike thrown open in cordial welcome to the Trentonians. They were strangers in a strange land, and right nobly were they taken in and cared for.
While yet in Lynn, the board of aldermen of Boston held a special meeting and passed a series of resolutions, inviting the company to become the guest of that city for a number of days, and also placing at its command steamboats and cars, in order that it might visit points of interest in and around Boston. To present this invitation to the company for its acceptance, a committee, composed of the mayor, chief engineer, and three aldermen, was appointed to visit Lynn to ask the company's acceptance ; but circumstances were such that it was forced to decline this more than generous offer of the authorities of Boston, not, however, without assuring the committee that it appreciated the honor tendered. The day arrived for its
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
departure from Lynn, and the mayor, with thousands of the citizens, had come to speak the parting word. After returning thanks to the citizens of Lynn for the many courtesies received at the hands of the people, the company with difficulty reached the cars, and soon were far distant from Lynn. The Trenton Hose Company would be derelict in duty did they not accord to Lynn the praise of giving them such a hearty welcome.
On its return to Boston the company found the mayor, alder- men and fire department awaiting its arrival, and it was escorted at once to the American House, where, in the name of the city of Boston, it was invited to partake of a banquet already pre- pared. A few short hours were spent in merry-making and a general good time, when the hour to start on the journey home- ward arrived. Boston was still loth to part with the company, and marched it through the principal streets, while the train which was to bear it away was detained at the request of the city authorities until a long time after the hour named for its departure. Ar- riving at the depot, it quickly embarked and was soon speeding homeward. And thus terminated a most brilliant visit. Feted and welcomed on all occasions, the Trenton Hose Company may justly feel proud.
On its return, the Trenton firemen gave them a most cordial welcome. From that time until the present the members have preserved their character and reputation as firemen, and are numbered among the most useful and efficient in the city. And it is to be hoped that the record of the past which has added so much to the bright history of the Trenton Hose Company will never be tarnished by any act or deed in the future.
The present officers are, George Furman, president ; John B. Johnston, vice president; John G. Bigelow, secretary; Wm. H. Titus, assistant secretary ; A. W. Phillips, treasurer ; John G. Bigelow, foreman ; G. A. Bennett, assistant foreman ; Wm. C. Dunn, assistant foreman.
The Harmony Fire Company was organized May 9th, 1849. The first meeting was held at the house of Daniel T. Beller- jeau, in Warren street, above the Feeder bridge, for the purpose of forming a fire company in the northern part of the city. Edward H. Brown was chosen chairman, and Charles R. Faus-
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sett, secretary. It was resolved, "that this meeting believe it to be essential to the citizens of the northern part of the city to have a fire engine, as all the engines are situated in the lower part of the city." Edward H. Brown, Charles R. Faussett, John B. Creed and Samuel Bellerjeau were appointed a committee to solicit the aid of the citizens for the purpose of purchasing an engine and house.
The next meeting was held May 14th, at the house formerly occupied by Dr. Walker, above the Feeder bridge in Warren street, for the purpose of hearing the report of the North Tren- ton engine committee, but the committee were not ready to report at that time. It was, however, resolved that Edward H. Brown, Samuel T. Bellerjeau, and George P. Fuhrman be a com- mittee to look after an engine.
At the meeting of May 22d, they reported an appropriation from common council towards purchasing their engine, for which they tendered to that body a vote of thanks. Samuel McClurg,. Jr., and Thomas J. Combs were appointed a committee to look after an engine.
At the meeting held May 25th, the company resolved to come under the city ordinances. At this meeting it resolved to purchase an eight hundred dollar engine, and on motion of Thomas J. Combs the name of Harmony was adopted. A committee on constitution was appointed, who reported the same, which was adopted on the 3Ist day of May, in which the admission to mem- bership was fixed at one dollar.
June 7th, the following officers were elected : John Chambers, president ; Edward H. Brown, vice president ; George J. Miller, secretary, and John Covert, treasurer. John Chambers declin- ing to serve as president, and John Covert as treasurer, Edward H. Brown was elected to fill the former. S. T. Bellerjeau was elected vice president, and Thomas J. Combs, treasurer, at the meeting held November 24th ; and at the meeting held Novem- ber 30th, George J. Miller having declined as secretary, Thomas J. Combs was elected to fill the vacancy.
The first engine was received January 22d, 1852, and in August the rope-walk of Batten Brown was burned, and the en- gine-house being on the same lot, was utterly destroyed by the
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
fire. Mr. Andrew Crozer, residing directly opposite, in the house now occupied by the Children's Home, gave the company permission to put its engine in his carriage-house in Greene street, in the rear of his dwelling, until such time as it should get its new house built.
The engine built by John Agnew, of Philadelphia, was re- ceived January 22d, 1852, on which occasion an escort was given by the Union Fire Company, and the department generally.
In 1854, a resolution was adopted fining any member found intoxicated in the house, one dollar and fifty cents, and any one bringing liquor into the house, under any pretence whatever, should be expelled.
May 3d, 1855, it was resolved that all bills should be paid by the city council.
Thomas Cain wanted to drain his property through the prop- erty belonging to the engine-house lot, when it was, on motion, resolved that he be allowed the privilege upon the payment of one thousand five hundred dollars. This Mr. Cain thought was too much, and declined the offer.
In 1855, a committee was appointed to ascertain the cost of a bell weighing two hundred and fifty pounds, and on the 2d of August it reported that a bell could be purchased for thirty cents a pound, and that thirty-one members had subscribed one dollar each for that purpose.
January 4th, 1855, a vote of thanks was tendered Protection Hook and Ladder Company, for the presentation of two axes, and George P. Fuhrman, Jr., was instructed to convey the same to the company.
February Ist, Samuel T. Bellerjeau and John B. Creed were appointed a committee to proceed in a legal manner against all persons damaging or destroying any property belonging to the company ; also against all persons behaving in an indecent or disorderly manner about the house. At this meeting two mem- bers were expelled for violating this rule.
Samuel T. Bellerjeau, George W. Sunningshine, James S. Robinson, Samuel D. Bellerjeau, and John B. Creed were ap- pointed a committee to obtain an act of incorporation, which was passed on the 2d day of March of the same year. The in-
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
corporators were George W. Sunningshine, Samuel T. Bellerjeau, James S. Robinson, John B. Creed, Samuel F. Price, Matthew Moses, Samuel D. Bellerjeau, Charles Meyer, John Brades, Charles Sweet, and John Haws. The capital stock was not to exceed four thousand dollars, and was to be applied "to the pur- chase and holding of real estate, to the procuring, maintain- ing, and repairing such fire engine, hose carriage, hose, ladders, buckets, fire-hooks, engine-house, or other property, and such implements and machines, and to such other incidental expenses as shall to the said company appear best calculated to secure the property of their fellow-citizens from injury or destruction by fire."
April 5th, 1855, the finance committee were instructed to have the deed of the engine-house transferred to the company.
At the meeting of July 20th, 1857, they adopted as their motto "WE STRIVE TO SAVE."
On Monday, July 27th, they brought their engine home after having had it repaired and repainted.
January 7th, 1858, the committee reported that the bell was hung.
January 13th, 1859, three members were fined twenty-five cents each for swearing in the meeting, and it was resolved that if the fine be not paid by the next meeting that they be expelled from the company.
February 3d, 1859, two of the members were fined fifty cents each for creating a false alarm by ringing the bell.
February 3d, 1859, a handsome bible was presented by Mrs. Theodosia Hammell, and a beautiful hymn book by Miss Eliza Hunt, which were received with appropriate resolutions of thanks, which were ordered to be published in the daily papers.
In 1860 they furnished their house in a splendid manner, reflecting great credit on the company. In 1861 they adopted the New York style of equipments, which are worn by them as well as all the other companies of this city at the present time ; the same year they had their engine repaired and newly painted.
During the year 1861, while the Harmony Company's house was being built, its apparatus was housed with the Good Will, but learning that it would have to leave those quarters, it made
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
application to the Hand-in-Hand-Company to house the appara- tus with them.
May Ist, 1862, the company petitioned common council for a new hose carriage, whereupon the sum of one hundred and thirty dollars was appropriated. It was ascertained that it could not get the kind of carriage it wanted for that sum, and the com- mittee was instructed to procure one at the cost of two hundred and twenty-five dollars. The carriage was built by William H. Cook, and was received by the company about April Ist, 1864, at a cost of two hundred and seventy-five dollars.
April 27th, 1863, a committee of five was appointed to meet similar committees from other companies, to procure from the city an annual appropriation to defray the expenses of the differ- ent companies, which object was accomplished in 1871, each steamer being allowed twelve hundred dollars per year, and hose and hook and ladder companies one-half of that sum, to cover all expenses.
January 7th, 1864, the company acted as escort to the Eagle Company upon the reception of its steamer from the builder in Philadelphia.
February 27th, 1864, it resolved to purchase a steamer, and appointed a committee for that purpose, and instructed them to employ the Amoskeag Company to build the same, which was received October 6th, 1864.
May 5th, 1864, the building committee was ordered to peti- tion common council to enlarge the house for the reception of the steamer.
September 24th, 1865, the company made an excursion to Wilmington, Delaware.
September 8th, 1865, the company escorted the Union Engine Company on its arrival from an excursion to Easton.
The same year the company acted as escort upon the reception of the Eagle Steam Fire Engine Company upon its return from the excursion to New Haven, Connecticut.
October 24th, 1865, the company appointed a committee to meet with committees from other companies to re-organize the fire department.
On the 26th of December, 1865, the company participated in the reception of the Delaware steam engine.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
December 7th, 1865, the company purchased a bell weighing about five hundred pounds, at a cost of three hundred dollars.
The same year the company's stable was completed, and on the 13th of February, 1866, the company purchased a handsome team of horses, at a cost of five hundred and thirty dollars, and on the Ist of March it purchased a set of harness at a cost of sixty dollars, and on the 5th of April it purchased a wagon at a cost of one hundred and twenty-five dollars.
ยท November Ist, 1866, the company sold its old hand engine for two hundred dollars.
In 1869, the company procured a bell cast by Wm. Holmes, of this city, at a cost of thirty-seven cents per pound.
In 1871, while the addition was being made to its house, the engine was housed at the Good Will engine-house.
The following are the present officers of the company : John Taylor, president ; Francis Pashley, vice president, Oliver Howell, secretary ; William Zehner, assistant secretary, Wil- liam W. Fell, treasurer.
The Harmony Fire Company commenced erecting its first building at the forks of Greene and Warren streets, on the lot occupied by the blacksmith shop of James S. Robinson, but when the cellar walls were up, at the request of Mr. Robinson, and upon the payment of ten dollars to the company, it aban- doned the site, and erected a frame building upon the same spot where its present house stands. This house was burned down in 1852, when the company erected a house on Princeton avenue, a few doors north of Pennington street, which it continued to occupy until the city built the present house. The number of active members at the present time is fifty-three; honorary mem- bers, ten ; contributing members, one hundred.
In 1850, the Protection Hook and Ladder Company was organized. .
The truck was housed at the Good Will engine-house, in Washington street.
This company, although it had but a short existence of about five years, proved of inestimable value in aid of the fire depart- ment.
It was composed of some of our German citizens, nearly all of whom were members of a military company in existence at that
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
time, under the name of the Republican Rifles. The president of the company was also captain of the rifle company.
When the company disbanded about 1855, all the property was turned over to the Good Will Company, and is still in their possession.
The officers were, Simon Kahnweiler, president ; Joseph Ruelius, vice president ; Joseph C. Mayer, secretary, and Wil- liam Pheyl, treasurer.
The America Hose Company was organized January 19th, 1859, by members from the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company, and was incorporated February 14th, 1860.
Its incorporators were William T. McDowell, James Madison Drake, William H. Booz, George W. Brindley, James Wayland, Joseph W. Margerum, Charles T. Girten, George A. Smith, John R. Leigh, Abner Warner, John R. Beatty, David B. Fair- brother, Henry K. Heidweiler, Charles J. Hankinson, William P. Conard, John Robbins, Benjamin Skirm, Samuel Mulford, Charles C. Yard, Marcus Marks, Samuel I. Lewis, Thomas Mul- lineux, Edward S. Pullen, Asa B. Warner, John C. Rumpf, George W. Heston, James Harding, Peter F. Anderson, James B. Ellis, Frank P. Patterson, George Moll, Richard R. Rogers, and Miles Stitt. They were incorporated as the America Hose Company, No. 2, of the city of Trenton, with a capital stock not to exceed three thousand dollars, " for the purpose of pro- curing, maintaining, and repairing such hose carriage, hose, lad- ders, buckets, fire-hooks, carriage-house, or other property, and such implements, machines, and apparatus, and for such other incidental expenses as shall to the said company appear best calculated to secure the property of their fellow-citizens from injury and destruction by fire."
The company purchased its first carriage from the Hope Hose Company, of Philadelphia, at a cost of two hundred dollars, which, in consequence of the company having no house of its own, was housed at the Good Will engine-house, then located in Washington street, where C. B. Wainright now has his car- riage factory.
The city then erected for the company a frame house in Montgomery street, near Perry-the same building now occu-
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
pied by the Social Turnverien Association. The house at pres- ent occupied by the company, in Perry street, east of the canal, was built by the city in 1870.
The company having sent its hose carriage to be repaired, it was received in December, 1863, and in January, 1864, the company participated in the reception of the Eagle steamer.
The America having resolved to procure a steam engine, ap- pointed a committee of eight to collect money for the purchase of the same, thus being the first company in our city to suggest the adoption of steam fire engines. The committee had received subscriptions amounting to two thousand dollars ; but in conse- quence of the war then raging, and most of the members having enlisted, by which the company was almost broken up, the pro- ject was abandoned for the time being.
In 1866, the matter of building a new house was agitated, and a lot was offered to the company for that purpose.
February 17th, 1867, Messrs. Drake, Ryan, and Pearson, were appointed a committee to petition council for the erection of a new house.
On the 3d of June, 1867, the company held a pic-nic in Het- zel's grove, and invitations were extended to the Weccacoe Fire Company, of Camden, and the America Hose Company, of Philadelphia, on which occasion the former company presented the America with a handsome picture, upon the reception of which appropriate resolutions were adopted.
The hose carriage was rebuilt in 1867, by Messrs. Gardner & Fleming, of Philadelphia, and carries on the side-badges a beau- tiful oil painting of Chief Weart.
On the 18th of January, 1868, the Clark Fire Zouaves, of Elizabeth, Captain J. Madison Drake, visited this city, and were the guests of the company, and in the evening a grand compli- mentary hop was given them.
On the 25th of August, 1869, Chief Engineer John A. Weart presented the company with a beautiful silver fire horn, after which a collation was given by the company at the First Ward Hotel, William McGill, proprietor.
In February, 1870, the company procured a bell of Mr. William Holmes, of this city, weighing six hundred and sev- enty-five pounds, and costing three hundred dollars.
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HISTORY OF TRENTON.
The company has a second-class improved Amoskeag engine, , which was purchased of the Shiffler Steam Fire Engine. Com- pany, of Camden, at a cost of four thousand dollars. This engine weighs, light, five thousand eight hundred and 'forty pounds, and about six thousand five hundred pounds when loaded. It has a double pump, and a condenser for salt water.
On the 14th of November, 1870, the company purchased a team of horses at the sale of French's circus, in this city, the cost of which, including harness, was four hundred and ten dollars.
There are now on the rolls of the company forty-three fully- equipped active members, and sixteen honorary members.
The present officers of the company are, Thomas Mullineux, president ; William Taylor, vice president ; James Connell, sec- retary ; Edward Whalen, assistant secretary ; William McGill, treasurer.
The company has in its house the first Union colors that crossed the long bridge, at Washington, during the rebellion, and which were planted on Fort Runyon, in Virginia. It also has a miniature hose carriage, about twelve inches long, made by a member of the company from a piece of spar of the Cum- berland, which was sunk by the Merrimac, in Hampton roads.
Company C, known as the "Wilkinson Guards." (named in honor of Frederick R. Wilkinson, Esq.,) was organized by J. Madison Drake, foreman of the America Hose Company, No. 2, thirty-two members of which organization attached themselves to the third regiment, within two hours after intelligence of the fall of Sumter was received. Drake declined to lead the com- pany to the war, but served faithfully as ensign of the third regiment during the term of enlistment-three months. Lieu- tenant Franklin S. Mills asserts that Drake unfurled the first flag on the enemy's soil.
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