EARLY BROOKLYN AND ITS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT


EARLY BROOKLYN

SETTLEMENT BY THE DUTCH IN 1636 WALLABOUT, GOWANUS, " THE FERRY, AND BREUCKELYN THE VILLAGE CHARTERED BROOKLYN IN THE REVOLUTION FIRE ACT OF 1768 FIRST FIREMEN APPOINTED, 1772 FIRST FIRE COMPANY, 1785 THE FIRST ENGINE FIRST FIRE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZED, 1788 CHIM NE INSPECTORS THE SECOND ENGINE INCREASE OF THE DEPARTMENT

THE FIRE-BELL VILLAGE INCORPORATED 1816, AND NEW COMPANIES ORGANIZED JOHN DOUGHTY, THE FIRST CHIEF ENGINEER BANNER PRESENTATION, 1826 THE CITY INCORPORATED, 1834 CONSOLIDATTON ACT, 1855 FIRE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED, 1857.

The election of the Chief Engineer, in 1816, made John Doughty the first of a long line of Chiefs who developed the Brooklyn Department and kept it abreast of the times, and in every way made it the equal of any Department in the country. The Chief Engineers from the beginning of the Department to the disbandment of the Volunteer Department, in 1869, were as follows:

John Doughty, 1816-1817.ÑDuring this term engine-companies Washington No. 1,, Neptune No. 2 and Franklin No. 3 and Hook and Ladder Company No. I were organized.

William Furman, Oct. 13,, 1817-1821-The only company that came into existence during this term was the Hook and Ladder No. 1,, which was started in 1817, but did not secure official recognition and formal organization until later.

John Doughty (second term), 1821-May 14,, 1827.ÑOrganized Eagle No. 4 and Lafayette No. 5.

Jeremiah Wells, May 14,, 1827-Jan. I, 1836-.- Protector No. 6 and Engine Companies Nos. 7 and 8 organized during this term.

J. F. L. Duflon, Jan. 1,, 1836-Jan. 1,, 1839 - Engine Company No. 9, Columbia No. TO and Engine Company No. TT were organized under this administration, and Engine Company No. 5 was disbanded.

Burdette Stryker, Jan. 1, 1839-Feb. 1,, 1849.- Organized Engine Companies Nos. 12, 13,, 14 (Pactfic), 15, 16, and Brooklyn No. 17; Clinton Hose No. 2; Hook and Ladders Nos. 2, 3 and 4 ; and a Bucket Company; disbanded and subsequently reorganized, Nos. 8 and to, locating the former on Washington Street and the latter on Bedford Avenue, and reorganized the old No. 5. During this admininistration_ the engine-house of No. 9 was burned and the company went out of existence.

Peter B. Anderson, Feb. 1, 1849-Feb. 1, 1853.ÑOrganized Engine Companies, Nos. 18 and 19 and Hose Company No. 3 and reorganized No. 9, which was located at Carlton and Myrtle Avenues.

Israel D. Velsor, Feb. I, 1853-Feb. 1, 1861.ÑOrganized Engine Companies Nos. 20, 21 and 22 ; and Hose Companies Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, TO, TT, 12 and 13 - the introduction of the Ridgewood water developing the use of hose-carriages and the consequent increase in the number of hose-companies; disbanded Engine Companies Nos. 2, 15 and 18; and Hook and Ladder No. 4Ñwhich last was after-wards reorganized.

William H. Furey, Feb. 1, 1861 Feb. 1, 1863.--Organized Hook and Ladder No. 5.

John Cunningham, Feb I, 1863-1869.ÑReorganized Hook and Ladder No. 2. Chief Cunningham was the last of the noble line of Volunteer Department Chief Engineers, and it is due to the effect of this long succession of able and devoted Chiefs, covering more than half a century of growth and development, that when the city had outgrown the possibilities of a volunteer system, and Cunningham, as the first Chief under the new regime, reorganized it into a paid Department, it was ready for the foundation of the new system.

John Doughty, the first Chief Engineer, had been a fireman since the very beginning of the original Department, and his selection was that of the confessedly fittest man for the position. His first term lasted only one year, and was terminated by his resignation. After four years' interim, during which Furman was the Chief, he returned to duty and began a second term of long duration, which also was terminated by his resignation, offered only when age and long service compelled him to withdraw from active duty. This resignation, dated May 14, 1827, was as follows:

To the Hon. the President and Trustees of the Village of Brooklyn:

The undersigned, Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, considering his advanced age and the consequent difficulty of discharging carefully the Important duties imposed on him by virtue of his office, begs leave respectfully to offer his resignation of the same.

JOHN DOUGHTY.

The first three elections of Chief Engineer were made nominally by the Village Trustees, although, as in the case of Doughty's first election, they took the nomination of the firemen themselves and confirmed that choice. That the firemen might lawfully as well as practically choose their own Chief, the law was afterwards changed, and, beginning with Chief Wells, the elections were made directly by the foremen of the companies, the delegates being of the " instructed" sort; so that the voice of the rank and file was manifested in the final choice. This was, doubtless, a wise concession to a body of volunteers, whose service depended on their interest in the Department, and their interest depended on their having something to say as to the personality of their superior officers. But of course, this introduced department politics into the Depart meet, and the efforts of the two sides, each to elect its own candidate, made the election of Chief Wells quite an exciting event. The parties were the " Up-streeters," whose candidate was Jeremiah Wells, Foreman of No. 3, and the " Down-streeters," who favored George Fricke, Foreman of No. 4. The delegates met in the " ball-room," as a little parlor was euphemistically called, of the Exchange Hotel, a caravansary on Front Street, kept by C. Chester, formerly of Tammany Hall, New York. It being the first general election of the Department under the new law, and the office in question carrying all the eclat of a first " people's candidate " under the new system, the rivalry was strong and the contest waxed so lively that an adjournment was necessary before the result was reached; and the choice of Chief Wells was finally made at an adjourned meeting, at which Fricke was chosen Assistant. One more Chief Engineer ÑJ. F. L. Duflon, in 1836-was chosen by delegates from the companies; but after that the law was changed so that the firemen voted directly on the Chief, and Burdette Stryker, in 1839, was the first one so elected.

The institution of the Chief's Annual Report to the Trustees of the Village, (corresponding to the present reports to the Mayor and Common Council,) was established by Chief Engineer Wells, who presented the following report in December, 1828:

" To the Hon. the President and Trustees of the Village of Brook]yn:

" Gents:

" In accordance with the last clause of the Twenty-seventh Article of the ordinance for 'preventing venting and extinguishing fires in the Village of Brooklyn,' passed Feb. 4, 1828, the Chief Engineer begs leave to make the following report of the Fire Departmemt funds:

Fire DepartmentÑExpended.                                             Fire DepartmentÑCollected.                            

Cash ''aid collectors,                        $ 50.25         Collected for Chimney and
Paid to a Fireman's Widow                  I 5.00          Members' Fines, . . .         $454.60
Printing .                                             5.01         For Certificates, . . . .           167.00
For Fees, .                                         14.00          For one year's interest on
Case for Standard,                             21.34                £275, .  .    .     .              19.25
                                                         ______                                                  _______ 
                                                     $ I I 4.40                                                  $640.05
Expenses                                                                                                       114.40
                                                                                                                     _______
Amount in the Fund..........................................                                              $526.45

Loaned on B. And M ......................................                                                475.60                            
                                                                                                                        
Balance in Treas. hands.....................................                                              $  51.45


" The Chief Engineer would state that in consequence of some delay of the report to the
Department, he was not able to report as soon as the law directs.
                                                              " All of which is respectfully submitted,
                                                                                                     " JEREMIAH WEEKS, C. Eng.

"Dec.8, 1828." The pride which the firemen took in their work, in their machines, and in their Department generally, was quickly reflected in the appreciation of the public. There were already enough amateur volunteers who, without any connection with the Depart meet, pretty regularly ran with the machineÑsometimes to the detriment of the service, an evil which grew with time and the frequency of firesÑand this, of itself, made the new Department seem quite a matter of general interest. The first demonstration of public regard for the Fire DepartmentÑa spirit which has ever since characterized a generous and appreciative community, which always has responded handsomely to every opportunity of showing the firemen that their fidelity and heroism and bravery in the presence of danger are not forgottenÑwas in the presentation of a banner to the Department on the Fourth of July, 1826. This was the semi centennial of the Declaration of Independence, and it was made the occasion for a memorable celebration, which included all the pageantry available, military and other. For their part of the parade the firemen of Engine Companies Nos. 1 and 2 got themselves up in great shape. The engines were mounted on floats drawn by numerous horses, which were attended by grooms dressed in Grecian costume. This, with the uniformed firemen and the music, made a most picturesque and imposing scene. The parade brought the firemen to the office of the Equitable Insurance Company, in front of which they were drawn up in line, there to receive the banner at the hands of Mr. Freeman Hopkins, secretary of the Brooklyn Insurance Company, on behalf of the two companies. Mr. Freeman addressed them as follows: .

" Firemen of the City of Brooklyn, Gentlemen: In behalf of the Equitable and Brooklyn Fire Insurance Companies we have the pleasure to present you this standard decorated with the emblems of the Fire Department. The insurance companies are not insensible to the obligations they have been and may be under to your great exertions in extinguishing that fatal element so destructive to life and property. May you long retain those zealous and ambitious feelings to surpass, if possible, the enterprise and pub Iic spirit of the firemen of our great neighboring city. We wish you, gentlemen, a happy enjoyment of this fiftieth anniversary of our natal day, which is now being celebrated with probably more demonstrations of heartfelt gratitude to God and the people and the Congress of 1776, than at any former period; there is now, without doubt, a more universal sense of the obligation to the heroes of our War of Independence and the framers of our glorious Constitution, from a full conviction that our government is the best yet formed for the happiness of man. " With our personal respects, gentlemen, we wish you many happy returns of this day."

In accepting the banner on behalf of the Fire Department, Mr. Sprague said:

" Gentlemen: I am commissioned by my brethren of the Fire Department (around us assembled) to tender our grateful acknowledgment to the Brooklyn and Equitable Insurance Companies for conferring so distinguished an honor as that of presenting us this banner. We receive it as the most splendid that ever waved upon our favored isle. " Should the fiery element burst from our dwellings, (which heaven avert !) and the alarm bells arouse us from our midnight slumber, we will hasten to the scene and remember that we have a flag to sustain, never, never to be disgraced.

" But a few months ago our Fire Department began to exist; but yesterday one third was added to the number of our engines; but a few months ago we were dependent upon yonder city for insurance and paper currency; but a few months ago we have seen hundreds of vacant lots, now covered with public edifices and private dwellingsÑ the one has required the aid of the other, each contributing in its turn to help on the rapid march of improvement.

" With feelings of gratitude to the Great Disposer of all things we reciprocate with you the happy return of the day that declared us free and independent. We hail it as the semi-centennial jubilee; it brings us peace and plenty; it brings to us, unimpaired, our favorite republican form of government; it brings to our recollection that for the love of liberty our fathers bled for such unmerited blessings, religious, civil and political, ;be rendered our unfeigned thanksgiving and praise."

From the nature of the case the history of the Department is largely that of the companies composing it, there being little outside of that in reference to the volunteer Department; except its corporate history. From the incorporation on April 16, 1823, of the Fire Department of the Village of Brooklyn, there were no material legislative changes except that in connection with the city incorporation act of 1834, when it became the Fire Department of the City of Brooklyn, and a similar act followed the process of consolidation in 1855. In 1857, there was passed "An Act for the better regulation of the Firemen of the City of Brooklyn," which instituted the radical change of a transfer of the Department from the Common Council to " The Commissioners of the Fire De partment of the Western District of the City of Brooklyn," a similar Board being established for the government of the Eastern District Department. From this time until the abolition of the Volunteer Department and the establishment of the paid Department the legislative modifications concerned matters of detail only.





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