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Firehouse and
Museum 
On March 8, 1764, 26 men, being among the chief owners of property and heads of families in the village, met in the Friends Meeting House, which at that time was located on the Ferry Road (now Haddon Avenue), and formed the Friendship Fire Company of Haddonfield. Each member was required to furnish two leathern fire buckets and the company supplied six ladders and three fire hooks. Various fines for not keeping the equipment in proper shape or not attending meetings were instituted. In 1811 there was a reorganization, and the name changed to the Fire Company of Haddonfield. Additional members joined and subscriptions were secured in order to obtain necessary equipment. Wells were sunk so as to make water available for the fighting of fires. A Perkins Hand Pump, that was built in England in 1738, was purchased in 1818 from the Independence Fire Co. of Philadelphia at a cost of $300. In 1846 a new engine was purchased. Again a reorganization was necessary and on February 21, 1857, there
came into being The Haddonfield Fire Department. This organization continued
until January 13, 1887, when Haddon Fire Company No. 1 was organized. The first apparatus was hand drawn, then came the horse drawn vehicle, and finally the motor vehicle. All fire fighting equipment has come a long way since the original organization of the Haddon Fire Company No. 1. The apparatus is housed, and the company holds its meetings on the original site of the organization of the company. Haddon Fire Co. No. 1 remains to be the second oldest volunteer fire company in continuous service in the United States. A museum was constructed by members of Haddon Fire Co. 1 in memory of, and dedicated to the service of members since 1764. Founding Members, March 8, 1764Thomas Redman William Griscom John Matlack Isaac Kay John Hinchman Robert Price John Langdale Jacob Clement John Gill Thomas Champion James Davis John Githens Samuel Clement Junior Thomas Cummings Edward Gibbs Hugh Creighton Grafer Smith Benjamin Hartley Benjamin Vanleer Thomas Redman Junior Thomas Edgerton Text is from Haddon Fire Co. 1, the pamphlet that accompanies the exhibit at the museum. Illustrations are by Judy Wilson. Return to Memories of Haddonfield. BJ Swartz |
