Although this might with some propriety be placed under the head of
_Public Institutions_, the compiler has thought proper to make it a head
of itself; and he hopes that the following few historical facts relative
to this valuable department, may be useful to such as feel an interest
in its progression and improvement.
By an act passed by the legislature of this state, March 15, 1788, “for
the better extinguishing of fires in the town of Brooklyn,” the number
of firemen was limited to eight, who were nominated and appointed by the
freeholders and inhabitants of the fire district, which was comprised
within nearly the same bounds with the present village, In the year
1794 the sum of £188 19_s._ 10_d._ was raised by subscription in this
town, for purchasing a fire engine. On the 24th March in the following
year, an act was passed by the legislature “for the better extinguishing
of fires” in this town; by which act the number of firemen was increased
to thirty.
1796. The sum of £49 4_s._ was raised by subscription for purchasing “a
suitable bell for the use of the town of Brooklyn.” This is the present
fire bell.
March 21, 1797, an act was passed by the legislature “for the prevention
of fires, and for regulating the assize of bread, in the town of
Brooklyn.” This act authorised the inhabitants to choose not less than
three nor more than five freeholders, who might from time to time make
such prudential by-laws as they judged necessary, for the prevention of
fires by the burning of chimneys, and for sweeping and otherwise
cleansing the same. The inhabitants accordingly met on the second
Tuesday of May, in the same year, and appointed Mess’rs. Henry Stanton,
John Doughty, Martin Boerum, John Van Nostrand, and John Fisher, to
carry into effect the provisions of the above act. In the execution of
which duty the persons so appointed ordained, that from and after the
11th day of July, 1797, a fine of ten shillings should be levied on each
person whose chimney should take fire through carelessness, or be set on
fire for the purpose of cleansing; and that “all penalties shall be
received and recovered by the clerk of the fire company for the time
being, if he be one of the persons so chosen; if not, the said persons
elected shall nominate and appoint one of their number to serve for and
receive in the same manner that the clerk is at present authorised.”
From 1798 to August 6, 1806, the sum of £20 7s. was received for chimney
fines.
For a considerable length of time, this town had but one small fire
engine; they subsequently purchased another, which was called No. 2.
About 1810, No. 3. now styled the “Franklin,” was purchased by the
inhabitants of the Fire District. The Fire Department of the village at
present consists of four Fire Engines (of which three are new, namely,
Nos. 1, 2, and 4,) and a Hook and Ladder Company, viz.
No. 1, “Washington,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, Joshua Sutton.
No. 2, “Neptune,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, Gamaliel King.
No. 3, “Franklin,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, Jeremiah Wells.
No. 4, “Eagle,” full complement 30 men, Foreman, George Fricke.
Hook and Ladder Company, full complement 30 men, Foreman, John Smith.
There are also in the Navy Yard, two excellent Fire Engines, well
manned, and which, together with those from New-York, generously come to
our assistance when ever our place is visited by that dreadful calamity,
fire.
The receipts of the Fire Department, from 1794 to 1815, amounted to £898
10s. 1d. and the expenditures from July 7, 1795, to November 15, 1816,
amounted to £964 3s. 3d.
The office of Clerk and Treasurer of the Fire Department of this town,
was held by John Hicks, Esq. until 1796; at which time John Doughty,
Esq. was appointed, who held that office until the incorporation of the
village in 1816, when he was appointed Chief Engineer of the Fire
Department of the village, which office he held for one year. In 1817,
William Furman, Esq. was appointed Chief Engineer, and officiated in
that capacity until 1821, when, on the resignation of Mr. Furman, John
Doughty, Esq. was again appointed, and continues to hold the office. The
present officers of the Fire Department are,
John Doughty, Chief Engineer.
_Fire Wardens._ Joseph Moser, Edward Coope, Joseph Sprague.
April 16, 1823, an act was passed by the Legislature of this state to
incorporate the firemen of this village, by the name of the “Fire
Department of the Village of Brooklyn.” The act allows this corporation
to hold, purchase, and convey any estate, real or personal for the use
of the corporation; provided such real or personal estate shall not at
any time exceed the yearly value of $1000. The following officers were
appointed by the act of incorporation, viz.
John Doughty, President.
Joshua Sutton, Vice-President.
Richard Cornwell, Secretary.
_Trustees._ Jeremiah Wells, Morris Simonson, Michael Trapple, Joseph
Moser, George Fricke, Gamaliel King, Simeon Back, Parshall Wells, George
L. Birch.
The laudable object proposed by this institution, is to raise a fund for
the relief of widows and children of deceased firemen.
By an amendment to the act of Incorporation of the village of Brooklyn,
passed April 9, 1824, it is provided, “That all fines and penalties
under any by-law of the said village, in relation to the burning of
chimneys, and for the preventing and extinguishing of fires, and also,
all fines and penalties either under such by-laws, or under any statute
of this state, in relation to the manner of keeping and transporting
gun-powder within the said village, shall be sued for in the name of the
said Trustees, (of the village of Brooklyn) by the fire department of
the said village, and when recovered shall be paid to the said fire
department, for their own use.”