The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 146

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I > Part 146

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The inhabitants promptly complied with this order, and soon the buekcts were hung up in the entry way of each house, and on the alarm of fire, were either carried to the scene of conflagration by the inmates, or thrown out into the streets, to be picked up and used by any of the citizens who were going to the fire to be returned afterwards.

October 13th, 1817, Mr. William Furman was ap- pointed chief engineer, and served until 1821, when Mr. Doughty was re-elected in his stead .*

* John Doughty served this second term, for fourteen years; Jere- miah Wells succeeded from 1827 to 1836: then J. F. Duflon served to 1839; Burdett Stryker, ten years. to 1849; Peter B. Anderson to 1853; Israel D. Velsor, thence to 1861; Wm. A. Furey, thence to 1863; John Cunningham, thence to 1869. The chief was nominated by the foremen until the time of Burdett Stryker, who was chosen by the firemen at large. The first annual report was by Chief Wells, in 1828, the total expenses were only $114.40.

573

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.

On the 21st of August, 1822, there occurred a large fire among some buildings under the Heights, in which naval stores and cotton were stored, destroying prop- erty to the amount of $85,000. At this fire occurred the first accidental death in the fire department. Mr. Walter McCann, a member of the Hook and Ladder company, received fatal injuries by the slipping of his hook, which he survived but twenty six hours.

Incorporation of the Village Fire Department, 1823 .- On the 16th of April, 1823, an act was passed incorporating The Fire Department of the Village of Brooklyn. The growth of the town, and the correspond- ing increase of fires, now demanded another engine lo- cated further up town. Accordingly, in 1825, the people in the neighborhood of Military garden met at the house of John F. Duflon and organized a new company which was called the Lafayette No. 5. The following were its first enrolled members: John F. Duflon, foreman; Ralph Malbone, assistant; Thomas Taylor, secretary; Jasper Duflon, assistant secretary; John B. Johnson, treasurer; John Pease, steward; Charles Hunt, Henry Heins, N. M. Hudson, John Montgomery, Warren Crocker, James Dobbins, Lyman R. Bass and William Bennett. They secured accommodations for their engine in an addition to a house owned by Rev. E. M. Johnson, and located near the corner of Fulton and Washington streets. A somewhat amusing in- stance is preserved illustrative of their zealous pride in, and care of their machine. Shortly after he had granted them the use of this building, Mr. Johnson was notified by the tenants of the dwell- ing house that they were about to leave the premises. On being inquired of as to the reason, they complained that the firemen visited them every day, got the engine out upon the sidewalk, scrubbed, cleaned, and walked around and looked at it as if they had never seen an engine before; and furthermore declared that they feared the firemen would set the house on fire for the purpose of trying the new machine. It is needless to say that Mr. J. succeeded in pacifying their fears, and no further difficulty ensued from the labors of love in which the firemen so heartily indulged.

No. 5, being at a considerable distance from most of the fires which occurred, soon found that it was pretty severe labor to drag their engine down to the village. They therefore petitioned the board of trustees to fur- nish them with a reel, which although in general use by the New York engines, had not as yet been introduced in the Brooklyn Fire Department. This was granted January 2d, 1827, and this improvement was speedily adopted by the other companies.

The fourth of July, 1826, was the first departmental parade. The Brooklyn Fire Insurance Company pre- sented a banner to the Department on the occasion. Clinton Hook and Ladder No. ? was organized as late as 1840, and took 206 Pearl street for its location. Pro- tector No. 6 in 1825. This company located on Con-

cord street, near Adams; thence, in 1838, it removed to Pearl street. Constitution No. 7 was organized in 1828. This company presents a long record of politi- cally distinguished members and officers, and of hospi- table entertainments given to and received from the firemen of other cities. Among its annals is a story of its members having played two hundred and eight feet on Christmas day, 1859, with its double-decked hand engine. This feat, however, was not performed in Brooklyn. Columbia No. 7 dates from its reorganiza- tion in 1854, and has done good service in mid-Brook- lyn. Pacific No. 14 dates from 1846. This is consid- ered by the others to have been the Trojan hose of the Department. It bought its own engines; the first for $1,000, and a better one for double the money, in 1851. This company's quarters have always been in the fashionable vicinity of the Heights.

Brooklyn No. 17 was organized in 1848. In 1850, at a fire at Thorne's stores, Furman street, its apparatus was blown into the river by an explosion of saltpetre. This company could boast a strong exempt association, as well as a full roll of active members; started in Washington street, near Johnson, thence removed to Lawrence street, thence to Jay street, near Willoughby ; and had the first steam engine in Brooklyn, an Amos- keag, in 1861.

Hose Companies .- Atlantic No. 1 was organized in 1835. An old painter's cart was the first apparatus of the first hose company. They began life in a shed, until they moved into Fireman's Hall. Hose No. 6 was organized in 1853. It was located first in a shed on Adelphi street, and thence removed to Carlton avenue.

The Fire Department of the City of Brook- lyn, 1855 .- On the 28th of March, 1855, was enacted a law changing the name of the corporation to that of

The Fire Department of the City of Brooklyn, and empowering a Board of Trustees of one from each com- pany to manage its affairs and dispose of its funds. A board of representatives of two members from each - company was constituted, with power to make and pre- scribe such by-laws, ordinances and regulations touch- ing the management and disposition of the funds, and the general business and purposes for which the cor- poration was instituted, as should not conflict with the laws of the State and ordinances of the city. The fund, after deducting necessary expenses, was to be appro- priated for the relief of indigent or disabled firemen or their families, as should be entitled to it under the rules of the corporation, or who might be deemed worthy of assistance.

On the 17th of February, 1857, was passed " An Act for the better regulation of the Firemen of Brooklyn," providing for the election, by a convention of two del- egates from each fire company, and one delegate from the Board of Engineers, of a commission of five, to be denominated :

574

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Commissioners of the Fire Department of the Western District of the City of Brooklyn .- This commission continued in force until 1869, when the law was passed creating the Metropolitan Paid Fire Department.

The force of the Western District Fire Department

at this time consisted of twenty-two engines (of which nine were steamers), seventeen hose companies, and six hook and ladder companies, under Chief Engineer John Cunningham, and Assistant Engineers William Down, James Gaffney, Charles B. Farley, Peter Fagan, James O'Connor, Thomas Regan and James W. Dean.

EASTERN DISTRICT.

The records of the Williamsburg Fire Department, previous to the consolidation of that city with Brook- lyn in 1855, are so meagre and incomplete that it is with difficulty that anything like a connected history of the same can be prepared. We have, therefore, availed ourselves largely of a sketch by MR. DEMAS STRONG, well known for years as one of the most prom- inent and efficient members of the Williamsburg De- partment. Previous to 1834, the necessity of some efficient means of extinguishing fires was more exten- sively canvassed among the more public spirited citi- zens of the then growing village, and the result was that, in January of that year, the Board of Trustees were petitioned by John Luther and others to purchase two engines, and organize companies to work them. The petition received the favorable action of the Board, and a committec was appointed to locate the engines, one to be in North Second, and the other in South Second street. The population of the village at that time was mainly centered in, and around, the Grand street ferry. The work of organizing the department was now rapidly progressed with, and by the end of January the engines had been ordered, the lots pur- chased, and the erection of the houses authorized. In March the firemen were appointed, and the two com- panies fully organized ; and thus were constituted, almost simultaneously, the first two fire companies of Williamsburg. No. 1 adopted the name of Washing- ton Company, and No. 2 that of Protection Company, which they retain at the present time. No. 1 retains its original location, as did No. 2, until a few years ago.

The records of this period do not show what was the number of the men allowed to each company, the duties required to be performed by them, or the man- ner of their appointment. It is supposed, however, that twenty-five was the number of men allowed, inas- much as, some years after, a proposition was adopted to increase the strength of the companies from that number to forty. Doubtless the manner of appoint- ment was very much the same as at present, though there were instances where the individual himself ap- plied directly to the Common Council, and where the Chief Engineer sent in names for confirmation, inde-

pendent of the action of the companies to whom they were assigned by the trustees.

In December, 1835, John Luther was appointed Chief Engineer, being the first time the office was known in the department. In September, 1836, the Trustees authorized the construction of a public cistern in front of the Reformed Dutch Church, corner of South Second and Fourth streets, at a cost of $500. The necessity for a hook and ladder company was soon made apparent, and in June, 1836, a company, known as Mutual Truck Company No. 1 was organized and located in the house adjoining Engine Company No. 1, in North Second street. The total number of actual members of the three companies then in existence was sixty-three, twenty-five men being allotted to each en- gine company, and thirteen to the truck company, though in fact every citizen was supposed to constitute himself a fireman in an emergency, and there were no restrictions against any one assisting in going to or working at a fire in any capacity one might choose, as at the present time. The younger male villagers were in reality divided off into two parties, termed North and South-siders; and, while the first named favored and took part for Engine Company No. 1, the boys of the South side were equally exercised for No. 2, and fights between the two sections were of daily occurrence and varied in result,

On the 12th of October, 1836, the office of Chief Engineer was rendered vacant by the removal of Mr. Luther from the village. A contest arose between the department and the Board of Trustees as to who should be appointed to fill the vacancy, which resulted in an arrangement that the firemen should nominate, and the Trustees confirm. Peter Powell, on the 26th of Octo- ber, received the nomination on the part of the firemen, and their action was unanimously confirmed by the Trustees. This course was strictly pursued thereafter, except in a single case, when the firemen, from a lack of interest in the candidates, failed to make a nomina- tion.

In February, 1837, the office of Fire Warden was first instituted, Henry Cook being appointed to dis- charge the duties thereof. This is, however, the only

575

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.

reference made to this office for four years, when the Chief Engineer complained to the Trustees of the hose being cut at fires, and recommended the appointment of wardens, whose duty it should be to protect hose, procure water for engines, and protect property at fires. The Trustees authorized the fire companies to nominate their own wardens, and under this provision several wardens were from year to year apppointed.

In 1838, Mr. David Garritt was elected Chief, and was re-elected in May, 1839; and, declining to run for office the year following, was succeeded by A. B. Hodges, afterwards member of Assembly for the Eighth District, who held the office five years.

In 1839, and for several years thereafter, the engines were the property of Mr. Abraham Meserole, who pur- chased them at a Sheriff's sale, where they were sold under a judgment against the village,* and who hired them out to the authorities at a rent of $150 per annum, which arrangement continued six years.

In 1841, the department was organized as a charita- ble association. A board of representatives was con- stituted, a fund established, and trustees appointed to take charge thereof. Its first meeting was held in the old North American Hotel, on North Second street. Subsequently the office of the Citizens' Fire Insurance Company was placed at its service gratuitously, and the meetings were held there for several years.

In 1842, the number of men attached to the Hook and Ladder Company was authorized to be increased from twelve and a captain to twenty-three. In May of this year, the office of Assistant Engineer was first in- stituted, Mr. Barnet B. Boerum being chosen to fill that position. In March, an amendment to the laws relat- ing to Williamsburg was prepared by the department and presented to the authorities for their approval. The Trustees approved of it, with the exception of a pro- vision which reduced the term of service from ten to seven years, and directed the draft of the act to be for- warded to the Legislature, to be passed into a law. The Legislature enacted it as agreed upon by the firemen, and very soon afterwards the department began to feel its effect in the increased number of men and organiza- tion of new companies.

In June, 1843, the people in Town Meeting, on the petition of the firemen, voted an appropriation for the building of reservoirs for securing a supply of water for the extinguishment of fires. In July of the same year, the Trustees took the initiative in the matter of procur- ing a large fire bell. These measures, however, were not carried into effect without strenuous opposition. There are many residents of the then village of Wil- liamsburg who recollect how many, and how stormy and boisterous, were the meetings held to consider mat-

ters pertaining to the fire department, what contention there were over the appropriations for public cisterns, and what an uproar the new bell created.

In 1843, at the election for Chief Engineer, it was decided that three assistants should also be voted for at the same time, and the engineers so elected were B. B. Bocrum, William H. Guischard and A. L. Remsen. The firemen up to this time had relied for information of a fire upon some person running at the top of his speed to the house of the nearest apparatus, or going about the street of the village in the character of a town crier, yelling out "Fire," which would be caught up and repeat- ed by any one who might be out and feel disposed to assist in passing the word around.

Up to 1844, the department consisted but of three companies. In that year Engine Company No. 3 was organized, and others rapidly followed. The records either before or since that period, furnish little of in- terest ; in fact, there are no proper records in exist- ence. So little care was taken to note matters, that the authorities themselves were obliged to call on the firemen, from time to time, to furnish full and complete lists of their members. In those early days, among other expenses of the fire department defrayed by the authorities, was, in several instances, for refresh- ment furnished to firemen at fires. The payment of the last bill of this kind, was coupled with the ad- monition that it was all illegal, and would be the last time.

Williamsburg Fire Department, incorporated 1843-44 .- An act of incorporation was passed by the Legislature of 1843 and 1844, under the operation of which Mr. Daniel D. Winant was elected President; Mr. Demas Strong, Secretary; and Mr. George Joy, Treas- urer. The Chief Engineers elected in town since that time were William H. Guischard, Andrew Marshall, Benjamin Dubois, R. H. Harding (served the unexpired term of Mr. Dubois), Charles C. Talbot, Hamilton Allen, F. W. Jennings, Thomas M. Doyle, and John W. Smith, Up to the year 1840, and during the five years preceding, six new companies were organized, comprising Engines Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and Hose company No. 1; and at the time the act was amended by the Legislature, January 15th, 1857, the gov- ernment of the department passed into the hands of a commission, a further increase of the force had been made, and a total of twenty-two companies were in existence. But little change took place until 1865, when, in consequence of the fund allowed by law being insufficient, and it being apparent that a less number of companies were adequate to the duty required, about one-third of the apparatus were dispensed with.

By the act of consolidation, the Williamsburg Fire Department became the Fire Department of the East- ern District of Brooklyn.

On the 7th of April, 1857, an act was passed, entitled "An Act to incorporate the Fire Department of the

* To levy on the machines, the Sheriff found, was no easy task, the firemen holding watch and ward over them day and night. The officer was indefatigable, and at last, after a long and tedious watch, the chance occurred. A fire broke out, and seizing the opportunity, he levied upon the engines as they were being dragged to the fire.

576

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Eastern District of the city of Brooklyn," constituting all the legally-organized firemen in the present Eastern District, a body corporate to be known as the Brook- lyn Eastern District Fire Department. It provided a board of representatives, composed of one or more del- egates from each organized fire company, and one from the board of engineers, with power to choose their own officers and establish their own rules and regulations for the transaction of their business. It provided, also, for a board of trustees, to consist of one member from each company, to be nominated by their respective companies and confirmed by the board of representa- tives, whose duty it was to care for, manage and direct the investment and disbursement of the firemen's ben- evolent fund. The business and purposes of the de- partment, which the act incorporated, was declared to be to raise, accumulate, invest, superintend, apply, dis- pose of and expend a fund for the relief of firemen and the widows and orphans of firemen. The act also con- ferred upon the board of representatives the power and duty of canvassing the votes cast at all elections for chief and assistant engineers, and to return the result thereof to the Common Council for confirmation, and the exclusive right to issue certificates to firemen ; as, also, to nominate the fire wardens of the Eastern District, subject to the confirmation or rejection of the Common Council.

It also provided for the election, by a convention of two delegates from cach company, and one from the board of engineers, five commissioners, to be denomi- nated The Commissioners of the Fire Department of the Eastern District. These were duly chosen on the scc- ond Tuesday of May, 1857, their duties being in every respect similar to those of the commissioners of the Western District. The first President of the Board was Mr. R. H. Harding, who filled the position accept- ably for a period of ten years, and on retiring from the Board was succeeded by Mr. R. Van Valkenburgh for the three ensuing years. This gentleman resigned from the Board in the spring of 1868, since which time Mr. Daniel Donevan has been the presiding officer. The remaining members of the Board were Messrs. Robert Murphy, George W. Williams, William John- son and Patrick F. Morris.

In 1869, this department, together with that of the Western District, was consolidated in the new paid organization, at which time the force of the Eastern District consisted of seventeen companies, divided into four engine companies, ten hose and three truck com- panies.

The personelle of the Brooklyn Volunteer Fire De- partment when superseded in 1869, was as follows :

BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES : A. J. Michaels, President ; P. Fitzpatrick, Vice-President ; R. Wingham, Secretary ; F. S. Massey, Treasurer. TRUSTEES : D. H. Roche, President ; S. Bowden, Secretary ; W. D. Veeder, Counsel. CHIEF EN- GINEER : John Cunningham. FIRE COMMISSIONERS ; W. M.

Boerum, President ; A. B. Thorne, W. Barre, Jr., R. G. Ber- gen, E. A. Kollmeyer. BOARD OF APPEALS: J. Naylor, Presi- dent ; C. F. Elwell, W. L. Boyd, S. Kidder, F. Ward. Ex- EMPT FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION : J. T. Finn, President ; J. Mc- Carthy, Vice-President ; J. McColgan, Recording Secretary ; M. F. Connor, Financial Secretary; S. Avila, Treasurer.

The volunteer companies in 1869 were as follows :

Washington Engine Co., No. I, located at 5 Prospect street, P. Lahey, foreman ; 74 men. Neptune Engine Co., No. 2, Hicks street, near Degraw, P. Murphy, foreman ; 75 men. Franklin Engine Co., No. 3, Henry street, W. N. Bell, foreman; 58 men. Goodwill Engine Co., No. 4, Under- hill avenue, near Bergen, J. S. Dooley, foreman ; 66 men. Union Engine Co., No. 5, Canton street, near Bolivar, T. Morris, foreman; - men. Protector Engine Co., No. 6, 217 Pearl street, J. Chadrick, foreman ; 80 men. Constitution Engine Co., No. 7, 167 Front street, J. S. Shevelin, foreman; 78 men. Hope Engine Co., No. 8, J. McDermott, foreman; 75 men. Continental Engine Co., No. 9, 134 Carlton avenue, 54 men. Columbia Engine Co., No. 10, 87 Kent avenue, 72 men. Jackson Engine Co., No. 11, Fulton, near Schenec- tady, A. Stewart, foreman ; - men. Phoenix Engine Co., No. 12, Graham avenue, near Myrtle, 66 men. Eagle En- gine Co., No. 13, Fifth avenue, near Union street, 51 men. Pacific Engine Co., No. 14, Pierrepont street, near Fulton, S. C. Baylis, foreman; 75 men. Hibernia Engine Co., No. 16, 16 Cole street, J. Curran, foreman; 75 men. Brooklyn Engine Co., No. 17, Jay street, near Willoughby, W. Bur- rell, foreman ; 75 men. Empire Engine Co., No. 19, 188 Pacific street, 71 men. Putnam Engine Co., No. 21, Fourth avenue, near 19th street, P. Wilson, Jr., foreman ; 53 men. Montauk Engine Co., No. 22, 293 Degraw street, C. E. Swain, foreman ; 71 men. Atlantic Hose Co., No. 1, 12 High street, T. F. Jones, foreman; 28 men. Mechanic Hose No. 2, 202 Jay street, H. Mccullough, foreman ; 27 men. Alert Hose, No. 3, 9 Hoyt street, R. Harper, foreman ; 27 men. Crystal Hose, No. 4, No. 1 Love lane, J. McMurray, foreman; 28 men. Frontier Hose, No. 5, 83 Hudson avenue, J. Kelley, foreman; 30 men. Americus Hose, No. 7, Tillary, near Bridge street, 30 men. Water-witch Hose, No. 8, Ber- gen street, near Court, 32 men. Mt. Vernon Hose, No. 10, 304 Carlton avenue, J. Wright, foreman ; 30 men. Bedford Hose, No. 1I, Bergen street, near Classon avenue, 30 men. Eureka Hose, No. 14, Ninth street, near Third avenue, 25 men. Myrtle Hose, No. 17, J. Kenny, foreman ; 29 men. Montross Hook and Ladder Co., No. I, Firemen's Hall, Henry street, W. Day, foreman ; 31 men. Clinton Hook and Ladder Co., No. 2, 196 Gold street, 34 men. Empire Hook and Ladder Co., No. 3, Bedford avenue, near Myrtle, 32 men. Degraw Hook and Ladder Co., No. 4, 19th street and Fourth avenue, C. H. Foley, foreman; 25 men. Rescue Hook and Ladder Co., No. 5, DeKalb avenue, near Fort Greene place, 46 men.

Commissioners of the Fire Department ap- pointed by Act of 1869 .- By the act of May 4, 1869, the Mayor, Street Commissioner, the President of the Board of Aldermen, the City Treasurer, and the Comptroller, were empowered and directed to appoint four citizens to be Fire Commissioners, and to form a Fire Department of the city of Brooklyn, which should have control of all real estate, engines, and property of all kinds, to employ officers, firemen, engineers, and others. Under this act, the first com- missioners appointed were Frederick S. Massey, Presi-

577

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND BUILDINGS.

dent ; Hugh Mclaughlin, William A. Brown, and A. F. Campbell. The term of office was first fixed at eight years, and afterwards at six. The Commis- sioners have been as follows : Frederick S. Massey, 1869-77, President; Hugh Mclaughlin, 1869-77 ; Wil- liam A. Brown, 1869-73 ; A. F. Campbell, 1869-73 ; R. M. Phraner, 1873-75 ; E. A. Kollmeyer, 1873-75 ; James Rodwell, 1875-77 ; David Williams, 1877-79 ; Bernard Gallagher, 1878-80 ; James Ryan, 1879-80 ; Moses J. Wafer, 1879-80 ; P. F. Brennan, 1879-80. "Single-Head " Commissioners appointed over the Department of Fire and Building, 1880. -In an act of the Legislature, passed May 25, 1880, are the following provisions:

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884 Volume I, Part 146

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1114

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114