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 19s. 10d. 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 4s. 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.