Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 232

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations > Part 232

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In 1798 a company was organized called the Fire Bag Company. To this company was princi- pally intrusted the work of removing personal property from buildings exposed to danger by fire to places of safety. Such property, when removed, they were expected to guard and protect from loss by thieves until it should be taken care of by the owners. This company consisted of twenty-one members, and continued in existence for many years. The first members were : David Tomlin- son, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Jr., Gilbert R. Livingston, James Murdock, Jonathan Walton, George Leslie, William N. Lighthall, Dorcey Jones, James I. Hoyt, William J. Teller, Law- rence Van Baskerk, Dow Clute, James Anderson, Robert Wendell, Samuel Thorn, Luther Halsey, James Adair, Andrew M. Farlan, Jr., Abraham Van Ingen, Henry Yates, Jr., William Corlett.

In 1798 the fire limits were defined as extending one mile due north from the northwest corner of Union College building, thence due west one mile, thence south two miles, thence east two miles, thence north two miles, thence west to the place of beginning, two miles.

The charter of the city of Schenectady, as amended April 2, 1813, provided that not more than eighty able-bodied freeholders should be se- lected by the Common Council from the two wards of the city to act as firemen, who should have the care and management of the engines and tools pro- vided for the extinguishment of fires, which per- sons were to be called the Firemen of the City of Schenectady.

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The fire district at this time extended from the south side of the Mohawk River, and not more than three-quarters of a mile from the site of the present First Reformed Dutch Church.

The first Hook and Ladder Company was formed in 1814, and consisted of ten members. This company was provided with the necessary apparatus by the city and was under the super- vision of a captain and an assistant appointed by the Common Council.

AX-MEN .- In 1814 a company was organized called the Ax-men. It consisted of two members under the same supervision as the Hook and Ladder Company. Each man was provided with an ax, and expected to cut down fences and buildings where necessary, to check the spread of fire.

The first Superintendent of Firemen was ap- pointed in 1814. To this officer was not only in- trusted the general supervision of the firemen at fires, but he was required to see that the engines and all other fire apparatus were kept in proper work- ing order. His duties were somewhat similar to those imposed upon the present Chief Engineer.

In 1815 there were four fire companies in the city, exclusive of the Hook and Ladder and Ax- men. They were designated as Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Company No. I had quarters near the present stores of Walker and Mains; No. 2, near corner of Front and Ferry streets; No. 3, a few doors below the residence of Edward Walker, on Liberty street; No. 4, near the location of the present J. D. Campbell Hose House. Each one of these companies had fire engines at this date. The en- gine purchased in England in 1797 was still in use, and the other engines, though larger, were similar in construction.

The laws of the city were very strict in regard to the duty of citizens at time of a fire in these days. Every able-bodied citizen was pressed into service, and it was no uncommon sight to see a line of men nearly a quarter of a mile long, standing in a close line, reaching from the nearest point where water could be obtained to the engine, passing buckets of water from one to the other, to supply the engine with water. Even women at times were engaged in this work. A fine was imposed on any citizen who refused to perform such work when requested to do so by the city magistrates.

From pictures of the larger engines used at this date, we see simply a long tank or box placed upon wheels. On each side of the tank was a long arm or handle extending the entire length of the tank, which worked on the principle of a pump-handle. At a time of fire this engine was drawn as near as possible to the scene of destruction, the tank was then filled with water, and then, by means of the pump, the water was forced from the tank through a hose. About thirty men could work at the pump of the largest engines. Although there was much labor, requiring a large force of men, attending the use of these early engines, they did good service, and prevented any extensive conflagration until the year 1819, when, notwithstanding the most strenuous exertions of our firemen, spoken of at

that time in the most praiseworthy manner, the entire lower portion of our city was destroyed.

THE TEAPOT .- There are those living who can remember the small engine used at this date (1815), and for many years after, by the members of Company No. 3. It was a small engine, called the "Teapot," on account of its appearance. It was simply a tank, with a pump attached, capable of being carried when full of water by four men. It was of great service at a fire, often being carried into a burning building and doing excellent work where the larger engines could not be used. This engine was used for many years.

DOUBLE DECK ENGINE .- In 1825 the Common Council purchased the first double deck engine ever used in this city. It was given in charge of Company No. 4, and was something of a wonder at this time. It was purchased from a firm in Philadelphia. It was larger than the other engines in use in the city, but worked on the same princi- ple. The two decks made it possible for more men to work at the pumps, and thus more force was given the water. Some of the firemen of this period who are now living, claim that this engine could throw a stream of water even higher than the modern steam engines.

FIRE WARDENS. - In 1825 five Fire Wardens were appointed, who had supervision over the buildings erected in the fire district, as to the regulations to be observed under the laws of the city relating to safety from fires. The first Fire Wardens were : Isaac S. Miller, Benjamin M. Munford, John Van Voast, Nicholas Van Vranken and George Mc- Queen.

INCORPORATION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY. - April 21, 1828, a law was passed by the Legislature constituting all persons belonging to the several fire companies a body politic, under the name of "The Fire Department of the City of Schenectady." This act provided that each com- pany of firemen should choose two representatives, who should select a president and vice-president, and, out of the whole body of firemen, three trus- tees, a treasurer, secretary and a collector. The first representatives were George McQueen, John Van. Voast, Richard F. Ward, Myndert Van Guy- sling, Cornelius L. Barhydt, Henry Peek, Robert Osborne and Peter Bradt. The first president was George McQueen ; the first vice-president, John Van Voast; the first trustees, Joseph Mynderse, Jacob De Forest, Jr., and Harmanus W. Peek ; the first treasurer, Henry Peek ; the first secretary, Joseph Mynderse; and the first collector, Richard F. Ward.

The trustees managed the affairs and disposed of the funds of the corporation according to the by-laws, rules and regulations of the corporation. By this act, the time of incorporation was extended to April 1, 1848, and the firemen were granted all the rights and privileges then extended by law to the firemen of the city of New York.

FIRST HOSE COMPANY .- In 1830 the first Hose Company was formed for the purpose of attending to the hose of the fire companies, but in 1834 it was disbanded and converted into a supply com-

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

pany of twelve members. The members of this company were expected to supply the engines with water, but, a few years later, the purchase of suction engines did away with this work, and the company was disbanded.

THE FIRST SUCTION ENGINE .- About the year 1836, three suction engines were purchased by the city for the use of the Fire Department. Two were called the Seeley engines, the other was known as the Button engine. Both were constructed at Rochester.

These engines were a great improvement over those heretofore used by the firemen. They were hand engines, but did away with the laborious and difficult task of supplying the engines with water by the use of buckets.

The first three engines bought were given to Companies Nos. 1, 2 and 4. A few years later a similar engine was purchased for Company No. 3. These engines were successfully used till the steam engines came into general use many years after.

THE FIRST CHIEF ENGINEER .- September 16, 1836, the Common Council passed a law creating the office of Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart- ment. In December of the same year the offices of First and Second Assistant Engineer were created.

The first Chief Engineer was Richard F. Ward. The first Assistant Engineers were John C. Burn- ham and James E. Van Horn.

These officers were subject to the direction of the Fire Wardens, but the firemen received their orders through the Chief and his assistants Sep- tember 2, 1846, the Chief and his assistants were given exclusive authority to direct the action of all firemen.

ACT OF INCORPORATION OF 1862 .- April 2, 1862, an act was passed by the Legislature incorporating all persons belonging to the several fire companies in a body politic, by the title of "The Fire Depart- ment of the City of Schenectady," for the term of thirty years. With a few changes, this act is similar to the act of incorporation of 1828.

FIRST STEAM FIRE ENGINE. - The first steam fire engine was purchased at Portland, Maine, by the city, February 14, 1864, for $5,000, but was not received and accepted until the following year. It was named the A. W. Hunter engine, in honor of the presiding mayor at that time. It was placed in engine house No. 4 upon its arrival, and is still used for the extinguishment of fires. The first engineer was John Schermerhorn ; as-istant engineer, Jere- miah Tenbrook ; fireman, Vedder Peters. The salary of the fireman was fixed at $500 per year, and that of engineer and assistant engineer at $100. In 1867 another steam engine was purchased for No. 3 engine house, called the Andrew McMullen steamer, and in 1869 a steamer for No. 1 engine house, called the A. A. Van Voast. Thomas Carroll was appointed engineer of steamer No. 3, and John J. Hart for steamer No. I.

These three steamers were used till the year 1872, when the completion of the Schenectady Water-works, and the arrangements made with this company for supplying the city with water

for the extinguishment of fires, made their use unnecessary. Steamers Andrew McMullen and A. A. Van Voast were withdrawn from service im- mediately and subsequently sold. Steamer No. I (A. W. Hunter) was retained and is still used.

In 1872, in consequence of the new system adopted of fire protection, the entire Fire Depart- ment was reorganized by the Common Council. Companies Nos. 1, 3 and 4 were disbanded, but soon after reorganized. Company No. 1, which retained the steamer A. W. Hunter, was the first to be enrolled. Companies Nos. 3 and 4 were soon after reorganized as Hose Companies. A hose depot was established this year in the build- ing used by Company No. 1, and has been used ever since for such purpose.

SUPERINTENDENT OF HOSE .-- In 1872 the office of Superintendent of Hose was established. James W. Clute was the first superintendent appointed, and has held the position continuously up to the present time. This officer is obliged to inspect, clean and keep all the hose used by the depart- ment in serviceable condition, to keep the steamer in running order, and to accompany and regulate it when its use is required.

The history of the Volunteer Fire Department, from the incorporation of this city to the present time, has ever been a credit to the city and an honor to the men who composed it.

Schenectady has been remarkably free from any extensive conflagration in many years, and credit for this fact can be attributed solely to the self- sacrificing spirit, intelligent labor and praiseworthy exertions of its firemen. The present efficient force has been ever ready to respond to the call of duty, and by zealous, united efforts has saved much val- uable property.

Among our oldest living firemen are: Albert Van Brunt, Stephen Truax, D. Cady Smith, Levi Case, Martin De Forest, John O. Horsfall, Edward Rosa, Benjamin F. Lyons, Richard Benson and John B. Clute.

HISTORY OF THE DIFFERENT FIRE COMPANIES .- The first year from which we can get a connected history of the different fire companies organized in this city is 1824.

Following will be found the history of each company since 1824, not previously mentioned, down to the present time :

COMPANY NO. 1 .- From 1824 to 1858, when it was disbanded, this company was known simply as Engine Company No. I. It was reorganized, 1858, with 20 members, under the name of Protec- tion Hose Company No. I, and retained this name until it was disbanded, by order of the Com- mon Council, September 24, 1872. It was re- organized, with 28 members, September 27 of this year, as Ellis Hose Company No. I. It dis- banded May 2, 1876, but reorganized two days from this date as Protection Hose Company No. I. This company is still in existence, and has 15 members.

COMPANY No. 2 .- From 1824 to May 16, 1855, this company was known as Engine Company No. 2. It was reorganized March 4, 1857, as the Del-

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- BENCH AND BAR.

uge Company No. 2. It subsequently disbanded and did not organize until 1873, when it assumed the name of Van Vranken Hose Company. This company still exists, and has a membership of 30.

COMPANY No. 3. - This company, from 1824 to 1835, when it was disbanded, was called Engine Company No. 3. March 18, 1835, it was reor- ganized, but a few years after disbanded. March 3, 1857, it was reorganized as Niagara Company No. 3, which name it retained to October 9, 1867, when it was reorganized, with 27 members, as Rosa Hose Company No. 3. It was disbanded by the Common Council, September 24, 1872, and reorganized, with 33 members, January 10, 1876, as the Cain Hose Company No. 3. It disbanded September 16, 1879, and reorganized October 14, 1879, as Neptune Hose Company No. 3. This company is still in existence, and has a member- ship of 20.

COMPANY No. 4 .- From 1824 to December 15, 1847, this company was known as Engine Com- pany No. 4. It was disbanded in 1847, and re- organized January 1, 1848, and again disbanded May 2, 1856. It was reorganized August 16, 1856. October 6, 1857. the name was changed to Neptune Hose Company No. 4. June 16, 1867, it was reorganized, with 28 members, as the Hath- away Hose Company No. 4. September 24, 1872, it was disbanded by the Common Council, but immediately reorganized, with 19 members, as the Stanford Hose Company. May 3, 1876, it again disbanded, and reorganized, with 25 mem- bers, June 13, 1876, as the J. D. Campbell Hose Company. This company is still in the service, and has a membership of 29.

COMPANY NO. 5 .- This company was organized, with 36 members, November 18, 1835. It at one time was the Mohawk Hose Company. August 28, 1860, it was disbanded, and not reorganized till July 21, 1876, when it was called the E. W. Paige Hose Company. This company still exists, and has a membership of 17.

COMPANY NO. 6. - This company was organized, with 48 members, November 20, 1838, and existed for many years, when it was disbanded. January 14, 1878, it was reorganized, with 30 members, as the J. S. Myers Hose Company. It disbanded in 1881, and reorganized March 13, 1884, with 19 members, as the Elmer Ellis Hose Company. This company has at present a membership of 23.

Ax, HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY. - The first ax, hook and ladder company was organized in 1814, and continued to exist until disbanded, June 5, 1856, but was reorganized on the same date. It disbanded Angust 17, 1860.

July 8, 1862, Hook and Ladder Company No. I was organized, with 55 members, and continued in the service to December 24, 1867, when it was disbanded, since which date no company of this kind has existed in the city.

FIRE GUARDS .- A company called the Fire Guards was organized September 6, 1836, from the Supply Company, which disbanded at that time. The Fire Guards disbanded August 5, 1845, and have never been reorganized.

EAGLE HOSE COMPANY. - A company called the Eagle Hose Company was organized from the members of the Fire Guards, August 5, 1845. It was disbanded January 4, 1851, and has never been reorganized.

Following is a list of Chief Engineers of the Fire Department since 1862 : James Babcock, Patrick Kelly (three terms), Thomas H. Kennedy, Edward Ellis (four terms), William E. Walker (two terms), Ezra McCue, Francis Cain (four terms), George B. Swortfiguer, Martin Eagan, William J. Anthony, Arden W. Weller, John A. Vedder (three terms).

Following is a list of Assistant Engineers since 1862 : 1863, Jaffrey Thompson and John Frame; 1864, Ephraim Clow, Walter Clute ; 1865, Ephraim Clow, Walter Clute; 1866, Walter Clute, James Smith ; 1867, Joseph Parker, W. S. Van Voast ; 1868, William Martin, John Collins ; 1867, P. H. McDermott, William Stevens; 1870, Charles A. Clark, Francis Cain ; 1871, William Fuller, Peter M. Doty ; 1872, Edward Van Epps, Frederick Esenminger ; 1873, Joseph Parker, John J. Wheaton ; 1874, John A. Vedder, Francis Cain ; 1875, Edward Cooley, Jacob De Long ; 1876, John A. Vedder, George B. Swortfiguer ; 1877, George B. Swortfiguer, Martin Eagan ; 1878, Martin Eagan, William J. Anthony ; 1879, William J. Anthony, Arden W. Weller ; 1880, Arden W. Weller, Andrew Coleman ; 1881, Andrew Coleman, Peter M. Dody ; 1882, Elias T. Van Patten, William P. Daley ; 1883, William P. Daley, James C. Dougherty ; 1884, James C. Dongherty, Myndert Scrofford ; 1885, James C. Dougherty, William P. Daley.

BENCH AND BAR.

The Bar of Schenectady County is as ancient as that of Albany County. Its lawyers practiced in the courts established under the Dutch regime as early as 1626, but for at least one hundred and twenty years Schenectady County formed a part of Albany County, and the lawyers of Schenec- tady were members of the Albany bar. On March, 1809, however, Schenectady County was organized from territory taken from the western portion of the latter county, but it embraced no portion of the manor of Rensselaerwyck.

Immediately after the formation of the County of Schenectady its bar was organized, and, in con- formity to the constitution and laws of the State, its . county courts were also organized : the Court of Common Pleas, Court of General Sessions of the Peace, and the Surrogate's Court ; and times and places were also appointed for holding the Circuit Courts, Courts of Oyer and Terminer, and Special Equity and Supreme Court terms.

The judiciary of the county consisted of the Hon. Joseph C. Yates, appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court by Gov. Tompkins a few weeks pre- vious to the act establishing the county. Joseph C. Yates, at the time of his appointment, was a dis- tinguished lawyer residing at Schenectady, and one of the most prominent characters in the

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF SCHENECTADY.

history of the State. We shall refer to him more at large hereafter.

Hon. Gerrit S. Vedder was appointed First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the county; William J. Teller, Surrogate ; Peter F. Vedder, Clerk ; James V. S. Riley, Sheriff ; James Barent, Under Sheriff ; Richard Oothout, Crier of the Court.

The first court held in Schenectady County after its organization was a Court of General Sessions, which began May 9, 1809. We take the following from the records of the Court of that date:

At a Court of General Sessions of the Peace, held in and for the County of Schenectady at the City of Schenectady, and at the Hall of the said county, on Tuesday, the 9th day of May, 1809.

Present-Hon. GERRIT S. VEDDER, First Judge. JOHN YATES, JONATHAN HERRICK, ¡ Judges. JACOB A. VROOMAN, PETER C. VAN SLYCKE,

Court opened.

The Sheriff returned the precept for summoning the Grand Jury for this Court with a panel of Grand Jurors annexed, and the following Grand Jurors appeared and were sworn :

Charles Kane, foreman ; James Rom, Henry H. Peck, Eri Lusher, Daniel Shields, Jacob Swits, David Van Der Hyden, Robert Knowlton, Francis Vedder, John B. Clute, Cornelius A. Groot, Isaac De Graff, Maus Schemerhorn, Rudolph Van Housen, Peter McDougall. Ger- sham Van Vorst, Stephen Cogswell, Isaac Ledyard, Gabriel H. Bowne, William Strong, Robert Gan- ley, John Van De Bogart, Henry Mercelus.

Charge given to the Grand Jury ; adjournd till afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Court met at appointed hour ; there being no business, Court adjourned till next morning at 9 o'clock.

Wednesday morning, May 11; Court opened according to adjournment ; present, same judges as yesterday.

The Grand Jury, being called by their names, reported that they had nothing to offer to the Court; and, there being no business before the Court, the Grand Jury was discharged and the Court ad- journed.

The first Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer held in the county after its organization, began its session the 23d of October, 1810. The following is a copy of the minutes of the proceed- ings of this term:

At a Circuit Court held in and for the County of Schenectady, in the City Hall of the City of Schenectady, on Tuesday, the 23d day of October, 1810.

Present-His Honor, Mr. Justice SPENCER.

Lyman M. Stanford vS.

Robert, Alexander and David Winne. )

On the motion of Mr. Henry Yates, ordered that the Sheriff return a venire and that this cause be brought to trial.

The Sheriff returned the venire with the panel annexed, and the following jurors were drawn and sworn : Jesse Coon, Job Leonard, Henry Swits, James V. S. Ryley, Charles Kane, William North, Araham A. Groote, Jesse Dowse, Henry Vandaman, Lewis Burhydt, John J. Van Vorst, Cornelius Putnam.

Witness on the part of plaintiff-Gibbons Went- worth.

The Jury, without leaving the bar, by Charles Keene, their foreman, say that they find their ver- dict in favor of the plaintiff : six cents damages and six cents costs.

There were three other causes disposed of by the Jury at this term, as follows :

Jeremiah Fuller

vS.

Jeremiah Romeyn, Rebeckah, his wife, and six other de- fendants.

The Jury rendered a verdict for the plaintiff of six cents damages and six cents costs.

James C. Duane vS.

Peter Keehtr.

On trial before a Jury, a verdict was rendered in favor of the plaintiff, $111 damages and six cents costs.

James Jackson, Ex-dem.,

vS.

Jacob Dillamont, John Dill- } Ejectment. amont and Alexander

Vedder.

The defendants confess lease, entry and ouster.

This was, as we see, an action of ejectment, with the celebrated James Jackson, Ex-dem. - according to the practice in those days in such cases-a fictitious party. These actions in the early history of the State, owing to the unsettled condition of land titles, were then and for fifty years following the most common actions tried in the courts. Looking at the reported causes for those days, the unprofessional reader naturally supposes that James Jackson, from the large number of cases in which he is plaintiff, was the most litigious being in the State, a troublesome fellow ; but, like John Doe and Richard Roe, he is never seen in court, and is only what can be called a legal myth.

There were three witnesses sworn for the plain- tiff and three for the defendants. The Jury, with- out leaving the bar, found their verdict for the plaintiff : one-third of the premises, six cents dam- ages, six cents costs.

The next case was a case of ejectment; one witness sworn for the plaintiff and one for the defendant. The Jury without leaving the bar found verdict for plaintiff : six cents damages, six cents costs.

This was the last cause tried at this term.

Though it was called a Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer, it was merely a Circuit Court without the criminal side. No Court of Oyer and Terminer had yet been held in the county.

CITY OF SCHENECTADY .- BENCH AND BAR.

Mr. Justice Ambrose Spencer, who presided, was one of the most learned and distinguished judicial officers in the State or nation. He was appointed in 1804, serving till 1819, when he was appointed Chief Justice of the State. He was the father of that great lawyer and statesman, John C. Spencer.

From the first the Schenectady Bench and Bar took a highly distinguished position, which has been maintained down to the present time. Many of its members have occupied the highest rank in their profession; many have been elevated to the Bench and to other prominent civic positions in the State and nation. On its roll were such hon- ored names as Harmon, Van Ingen, Paige, the Yateses, Duane, Fonda and many others. The Bar never was large in numbers. As late as 1830 it consisted of only twelve members, as follows: Christopher Fonda, admitted to the Bar in 1822; Joshua D. Harmon, admitted 1822; Samuel D. Jones, admitted 1816; Archibald L. Linn, 1823; Alonzo C. Paige, 1818; Abraham Van Ingen, 1818; Edward Yates, 1818; Gilbert F. Yates, 1822; Joseph C. Yates, 1792; Henry Yates, Jr., 1799; John B. Duane, Trumansburg, 1825; and Jacob G. Fonda, at Glenville, 1826. This was the Bar in 1830.

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Bi-centennial history of Albany. History of the county of Albany, N. Y., from 1609 to 1886. With portraits, biographies and illustrations, Part 232

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Howell, George Rogers, 1833-1899; Tenney, Jonathan, 1817-1888
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452