The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-03-17

The forty-fifth annual meeting of
the Union Steam Fire Engine Com
pany held Thursday evening recalls
the history Of volunteer fire compan-
les in Lambertvile, as this is the old
est company now in existence in the
city.
The first company organized here
was known as the "Union." That
was July 2, 1881. 1t was organized by
a few private citizens who met at the
home of Johnson Barber. Forty-four
men signed the constitution. Some
OF the provisions of that constitution
seem decidedly odd at this time, but
they also indicate that the men,
bers intended every one to do his re-
spective duty. Each officer had GER
tain specified fines imposed for any
neglect. If late to fire or a meeting
the president was fined 25 cents, and
the absence of member from roll
call incurred 12-cent penalty. The
list of the first officers elected is as
follows: President, Samuel Stryker;
vice president, Amasa Ely; secretary,
Albert ID. Wilcox; treasurer, James
SeabrOok; engineers, Philip Marshall,
Jacob B. Smith, Jacob Cham berlain,
John Chamberlain, johnson Barber,
Morris Mathews. Alexander Coryell,
Burrows Hunt, Hiram Saum, Asa
Wilson, William Yerkes and Thomas
Thomson. Many of the descendants
of these men are now residents of the
community.
At this time 1927 was collected to
build house and site on Coryell
stie et was presented to the company
by John Coryell. At stated times the
members were required to wash the
hand engine and all hose and appara-
tus, and to give notice Of this small
boy was hired to go to every corner Of
the town. ring bell and cry ont
Turn out to the washing OF the en-
gine." Later tin horn was substi-
tuted for the bell. John l.. Coryell,
president of the present Union Com
pany, has in his possession the old
minute book of this company dating
from 1881.
In 1910, several members left the
company and formed an independent
company called 1.-The Hydraulion
Company. The Union ceased to ex-
list about 1916, and soon after another
company was formed, ''The Globe,
assuming the debts of the old Union,
as well as the old engine. There were
SO members of this company. The
Globe disbanded in 1889, aud the
"Delaware" was organized, but it
seems never did much active fire duty. |
In 1868 the "Aquetong Company"
was formed. This company WAS we'll
equipped with a hand engine and
later steamer of an early pattern,
but the company divided the property
in 1881.
The present Union Company was
July Is, 1854. At this time
he apparatus was kept in the build
Dg on Coryell street, near Union.
Known to the members as "thc hole IN
he wall" on account of its size. In
December of 1869 the old hand engine
was discarded aud a steamer was pur-
,hased. On June 8, 1882. the CON-
pany bought the lot on Church street
for So, 900 and erected their new build
ing, the one they now occupy. The |
occupancy took place December 10,
1884. The company did excellent ser
vice for the city during all these
years, improving their apparatus and
efficiency as improved methods be-
came available. In 1902 the new
steamer was purchased from the
American Company it being a latest
pattern and one which received
prize at the Worlds Fair at Paris. The
old engine was sold later to the Della
ware River Quarry h Construction
Company. A new hose carriage has
been added recently. During the last
year or two the company has made i'm
provements the house costing several
hundreds of dollars and making it
one of the best equipped as home
for volunteer company. The men,
bership ut the present time is 81, all
active. Death has claimed 81 men,
bers since the organization of the
company.
Preparations are being made by
Ringoes Grange, No. ~, Patrons OF
Husbandry, to give toree act drama
in the hall. The date will be an
nounced later.