Collection Full View
Common Council: Fire Committee (1856 - 1902)
Collection IDBox 0227 and 3 volumes
Collection Description
Location: Historical Vault
The Fire Committee inspected fire department buildings; received petitions from property owners regarding removal of and alterations to buildings; approved expenditures for the fire department, authorized purchases and approved the payment of bills; heard testimony from members of the fire department regarding grievances, the needs of widows and orphans of fireman, and other matters; received petitions for compensation for injuries and for damages to property; and investigated charges of misconduct by fireman.
The Fire Committee inspected fire department buildings; received petitions from property owners regarding removal of and alterations to buildings; approved expenditures for the fire department, authorized purchases and approved the payment of bills; heard testimony from members of the fire department regarding grievances, the needs of widows and orphans of fireman, and other matters; received petitions for compensation for injuries and for damages to property; and investigated charges of misconduct by fireman.
Collection Contents
Box 0227 (old label: #14 "Common Council Assorted Headings") contains records of the Fire Committee, 1856-1885, including proposals for a fire-telegraph system from 1860 and 1864, and a plan for a new fire-telegraph system in 1867; a report of statistics of dues to the Newark Fire Department Fund, January-July 1858; a report on the purchase of steam fire engine "Minnehaha," 1861; petitions for increases of pay; resolutions for purchase of equipment, fire alarms, etc.; committee investigations of charges against firemen; and recommendations for discharge.
The three volumes of Fire Committee minutes cover the following years:
1.1878-1880
2.1880-1883: includes a very lengthy discussion of its investigation of charges brought by Patrick Lynch, Foreman of Engine Company No. 7, against John H. Ball and William F. Boland, members of that company, September 1, 1880. The investigation looked into charges of dereliction of duty, drunkenness, foul language, etc. The report, which includes verbatim testimony, continues in entries for September 7th and 20th. Other similar cases are summarized later in the volume.
3.1897-1902
The three volumes of Fire Committee minutes cover the following years:
1.1878-1880
2.1880-1883: includes a very lengthy discussion of its investigation of charges brought by Patrick Lynch, Foreman of Engine Company No. 7, against John H. Ball and William F. Boland, members of that company, September 1, 1880. The investigation looked into charges of dereliction of duty, drunkenness, foul language, etc. The report, which includes verbatim testimony, continues in entries for September 7th and 20th. Other similar cases are summarized later in the volume.
3.1897-1902
FormatTextual materials
SubjectsFirefighting; Property / Urban Development
Time Periods19th Century; 20th Century
Access policyOpen for research
ProcessedNo