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.

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.”