Charter, By-Laws, &C. Of The Fire Department, In Worcester (Mass.)

Charter, By-Laws, &C. Of The Fire Department, In Worcester (Mass.)
Worcester: Mirick and Bartlett Printers, 1838. [2] 3-20 [4] pp. 3-5/8x5-3/4", original stitched blue wrappers. This booklet contains the Act of Incorporation, Statutory extract, by-laws, amendments of 1837, a list of the Board of Engineers, list of apparatus, and blank certification of membership. [Apparently, new firefighters would receive this little booklet upon membership.]
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CONDITION: A bright, near fine copy with just a hint of light foxing/toning to extremities, very light wear to covers. Tiny nicks at spine ends, but no tears.
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As Worcester grew from a village into a small town in 18th & 19th centuries, residents had seen an increase in fires that affected the community. After a fire that destroyed the house of Captain Benjamin Flagg in 1786, he led the charge to form the Worcester Fire Society. They required their members to purchase their own fire buckets, poles and ladders. Worcester finally obtained its first "hand" fire engine in 1793.
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By 1828 Worcester had four engine companies comprised of volunteers whose duties included responding to the firehouse, getting the engine to the fire, manning the engine at the scene and returning to the firehouse when the fire was out. On February 25, 1835, the Worcester Fire Department was officially established by an act of the state legislature. In May of 1835 the Board of Selectmen appointed the first Board of Engineers and adopted initial bylaws. The efforts of the volunteers were then channeled into the Fire Department, which was directly under the control of the town government. Although these firemen were not full time and had other means of livelihood, Worcester was one of the first towns in the country to pay its firefighters [Sect. 19 of the extracted statutes herein. The bylaws were amended in 1837 to add several additional items of compensation. 2 copies in WorldCat.

Product Info

Publisher: Worcester: Mirick and Bartlett Printers

Year: 1838

Type: Used

Binding: Softcover

First Edition

Seller Info

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