1792-1849

1792

Raleigh created after General Assembly, meeting in various towns across the state, recognizes need for fixed location to store valuable records and conduct government business. Special commission meets at Isaac Hunter's tavern in Wake County and later at Joel Lane's house. After viewing several proposed parcels of land, Commission purchases 1,000 acres owned by Lane. Total cost 1,378 pounds or about $2,756. New capital was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, known as father of English America. The planners design the four principal streets 99 feet wide and all others within the 5/8 mile town limits 66 feet wide, to help  prevent fires from spreading block to block. Many of the trees are purposely left intact, also for fire prevention. No town government is provided, however, until three years later. Streets laid out with fire protection and prevention in mind. The official date of the establishment of the Capital City is December 31, the day on which the General Assembly ratifies an act confirming the entire proceedings of commission.  (December 13, 1792)^{wch, yb84}

1795

Upon their first meeting in the newly completed capital building, the General Assembly grants the town a charter. Seven commissioners, appointed for a term of three years, are vested with the authority to make ordinances and regulations for governing Raleigh. (February 7, 1795)^no26apr42

First local regulation aimed at fire prevention is ordinance forbidding owners from adding porches, platforms, or other wooden structures onto building fronts that would encroach on the streets and create hazards "by fire being communicated across the streets thereby." ^yb84

1800

No fire company protecting one square mile and 699 residents.

1802

Citizens "subscribe" the purchase price of a horse-drawn fire engine capable of discharging "eighty gallons of water a minute a distance of forty-four yards," but apparatus is apparently never bought. ^wch

1803

Stable of Mr. Porter burns. The structure burns to the ground between 2 and 3 a.m. Despite the strong wind, the efforts of citizens to tear down one and throw water on the others prevents the flames from doing further damage. The fire was discovered in time to save a horse. The fire is deemed suspicious. (December 19, 1903)^{minerva, 04jan03, p3c3}

City is re-chartered. Commissioners are granted "full power to do what they may deem necessary to stop the progress of the calamity, even to the causing of adjoining buildings to be taken down or blown up, without being answerable for any damage to the owner or owners of property so destroyed."^wch

City commissioners order the digging of at least four public wells, each with a pump. One two are apparently completed within the next 12 years.^wch

1813

Legislative act gives commissioners the authority to purchase a fire engine, form a fire company, and make other regulations as deemed necessary "for the extinguishment of Fire." They subsequently adopt an ordinance instructing members of the city's night watch, which requires "every adult male living in Raleigh" to take a turn as member, to "be particular in respect to Fire." The night watch also patrols the streets to apprehend lawbreakers. ^{wch, no26apr42}

In the event of fire, watch members ring a large bell in the yard of Casso's Inn at the head of Fayetteville Street "in order to alarm the citizens." Subsequently, every citizen has a duty to rush to the scene with water, sand, buckets, or other equipment to help fight the fire.^{wch, yb84}

1814

Commissioners authorize purchase of first fire engine. The hand-powered apparatus, however, isn't ordered for another for two more years.^wch

1815

Legislative act empowers Intendant and commissioners to make contracts for construction of a municipal water supply.^no26apr42

1816

First major fire on record.  Destroys 51 buildings in first two blocks of Fayetteville Street. Dozens of volunteers form bucket brigade but are unable to control blaze that begins before midnight and, within two hours, has destroyed 51 buildings in the first two blocks of Fayetteville Street, the main business area of Raleigh. Finally, a building in the path of the flames is dynamited. The State House in Union Square is saved by men who climb onto the roof and wet it down. Read entire Raleigh Register article. (June 11, 1816)

Raleigh Register editor Joseph Gales, already a constant campaigner for an adequate water supply and efficient fire preparedness, is aided by other citizens in efforts to set some in motion some protective measures. ^wch

Fire engine authorized for purchase in 1814 is ordered.^wch

Work is hastened on a system of conveying water through wooden pipes from springs outside of town.^wch

1818

Abortive attempt made at a municipal water system. Using a water wheel at Rocky Branch south of town, along with a "propelling engine" and four forcing pumps, water travels through wooden pipes a distance of 1.5 miles to a 110-foot water tower near the south side of the State House. From there, gravity feeds a reservoir near Union Square, and from there other parts of the city are served. Completed after about three years of work, the system is an almost complete failure. It is abandoned within an year or two. (September 1818)^wch

1819

First fire engine delivered. The hand-powered pump is described as a "very complete Fire-Engine from Philadelphia, with a Supply Pump, a sufficient length of Hose, Fire-Hooks, Chain, &c." (by March 12, 1819)^rr12mar19

Fire fire company successfully formed. The following evening after the delivery of the fire engine, the general citizenry meets at the courthouse and chooses Raleigh Register editor Joseph Gales, recently elected as Intendant of Police, as President and waterworks engineer Jacob Lash as Captain. The complete list of officers:

• Joseph Gales, President
• Beverly Daniel, Vice President
• Jacob Lash, Captain
• John T. C. Wiatt, Lieutenant
• William F. Clark, Lieutenant
• Thomas Cobbs, Lieutenant
• Thomas Henderson, Lieutenant.
• John Dunn, Treasurer
• John Bell, Secretary (by March 12, 1819)^{rr12mar19, wch}

1821

Fire destroys east side of Fayetteville Street. ^wch

Legislative act (?) exempts citizens who volunteer "their services to work the fire engine as a fire company" from military duties "except in times of insurrection of war."^no26apr42

1823

Log house adjoining kitchen of Mr. Ruffin's Hotel burns. The February 28 edition of The Raleigh Register recounts: "on Tuesday night last, between 10 and 11 o'clock, the citizens of this place were alarmed by the cry of Fire, which had been discovered by the Citizens on Guard, in a Log House, occupied by Negroes, adjoining the Kitchen of Mr. Ruffin's Hotel. It was found impossible to prevent the destruction of that house, but fortunately the Kitchen being a Stone building, the Fire was prevented, by the activity of the citizens and Negroes present, from spreading further. The Roof of the Kitchen was considerably injured; but as soon as ladders and a supply could be procured, the Fire was extinguished. We are sorry to say that a poor old Negro Woman, who was unable to help herself, was burnt in the building. We have to regret, that for want of proper care, the Fire Engine belonging to the city was so much out of order that it could not be used. We trust the Fire Company, which has been so long in agitation, will be formed without further delay; and that the Engine, Hose, Ladders, Fire Hooks, &c. will be kept in good order and in constant readiness to meet accidents of this kind. It would be well also to have a few Kegs of Powder ready for use." (February 25, 1823) ^rr

New fire company formed with John Y. Savage as "Captain of the Engine." (Spring 1923?) ^wch

1824

Fire strikes city. Press reports note "no sufficient supply could be obtained, the water works having been suffered to go out of repair and remain so." (Spring? 1824) ^wch

1826

Experiencing difficulty obtaining enough volunteers for a fire company, a Legislative act grants city commissioners authority to draft citizens if fewer than forty men volunteer each year. Under the leadership of a captain and four other officers, the forty men are to train with the engine at least once every other month. The draftees are also exempt from regular militia duty. Additionally, all free males in the city are required to report with their fire buckets and "render every assistance in their power" and with a penalty of $5 should they fail to assist.^{wch, no26apr42}

1827

Drafting volunteers continues for some years. Though necessary to draft a portion of the forty men each year, the system works fairly well. Subsequent reports of fires note that blazes are quickly extinguished because the engine is kept in good repair and  "was got out with great expedition and most of the company were at their posts."^wch

1831

State House in Union Square burns . Alarm is given about 7 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, though all attempts to extinguish the fire prove fruitless. Efforts of bystanders are directed toward the protection of the Public Offices on the square and the adjacent private buildings, and to the preservation of the official archives. No other buildings are damaged and all archive materials, including the Legislative records, are saved. The origin of the fire is not certainly known, but the general impression is carelessness on the part of a worker soldering a new Zinc roof. The building is entirely consumed within about two hours of the alarm. Wells, buckets, and one pump are all firemen have at their disposal. Adding to tragedy was destruction of a marble statue of Washington by Italian sculptor Antonia Canova, one of the masterpieces of the world. (June 21, 1831)^rr23jun31

William Bragg is the contractor hired by the Legislature to renovate the State House and "plate" the roof to "render the same fire proof." Wrote the committee which subsequently heard testimony on the fire's origin, Bragg was "at the eve of completing it in a very masterly manner, perhaps unequalled by any undertaking of a similar kind in the United States" and his work would've been completed "in a few hours." The committee never concluded whether the fire was caused by (a.) hot coals carried onto the roof between two wooden shingles by one of Bragg's subcontractors, (b.) a soldering pot overheating the wooden planks beneath the new zinc roof or (c.) was an "act of an incendiary which we have no evidence." Legislators reimbursed Bragg his performance bond of $2000, with the condition that the contractor waive all rights to any other payments, as well as paying him "the sum which he had expended for materials used in covering the Capitol lately destroyed by fire; but he should not be paid the full sum specified in the contract, nor shall he be paid for the skills, labour, or attention bestowed in the performance of his work." ^{ruh, p. 235}

The State House fire and a series of other destructive fires in the early 1830's raises consciousness of State, County, and City governments. New State Capitol, completed in 1840, constructed of granite; both the 1837 County Courthouse and 1840 City Hall and Market House built of brick. Also, several businesses on the first block of Fayetteville Street that burned in 1833, rebuilt with brick. ^yb84

1832

Fire destroys 30 buildings downtown. Citizens are aroused around 4 a.m. Fire first found in a millinery store on the east side of Fayetteville Street. Fire engine is put to work, but dynamite is ultimately required to stop progress of flames. One of the buildings blown up is the same house as destroyed in June 1816 fire. (January 7, 1832) ^rr07jan32

Fire destroys several buildings on Fayetteville Street. Alarm is given about 2 a.m., when the blaze is discovered "in the building at the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett streets, owned by Richard Smith Esq. and occupied by himself as a Merchant, and by Mr. M. Hardford, Tailor." Despite use of dynamite to blow up houses and the "small Engine," every building on the main street is destroyed between the aforementioned corner and the Newbern Bank. (September 27, 1832)^rr27sep32

Arson is investigated. Reports the Raleigh Register: " Robbery and Arson! It was stated by us last week, that the impression was very general in this community, that the recent calamitous Fire with which we had been visited, was the work of an Incendiary. What was then belief, is now, a well substantiated fact. Ever since the Fire occurred, suspicion has attached to an individual, named Benjamin F. Seaborn, who was known to have slept that night in the counting room of the Store, where it originated; and the suspicion has been strengthening daily from the thoughtless expenditure of money by the person above named. On Saturday night last, it was ascertained that he had that evening, paid away [?] amongst which was a $5 South Carolina note, believed by Mr. Smith to be part of the money which he had in his Store, when he left it on the night it was burnt. Upon this statement of circumstances, a warrant was issued for the apprehension of Seaborn, and he was accordingly taken at a late hour of the night and committed to jail for examination on Monday. When arrested, there was only about $24 in money, found on his person, but in one of the folds of his pocketbook, a memorandum was discovered, which doubtless led to the developments that have since taken place. This memorandum consisted simply of letters and figures, and was as follows:

• NC $220
• VA $100
• SC  $70
• US $255
•       28
  -----------
•     $673

On the next morning (Sunday,) a gentleman visited Seaborn in jail, and told him of the discovery of the memorandum, and its supposed connection with the fire, agreeing as it did with Mr. Smith's recollection of certain sums in his possession on that ill-fated evening. This interview resulted in a confession on the part of the prisoner, in which he denied any knowledge of, or participation in, the Arson, but admitted that while the Fire was raging, a negro man, whom he named, came to him, and having extorted a promise of secrecy, delivered to him a sum of money, saying he might have the whole, with the exception of $50. On going to the spot designated, about three miles from town, where the prisoner had been at work, the packaged was easily discovered. The sum thus obtained, together with what the prisoner had spent since the fire, corresponds with the memorandum found upon him, and copied above. Mr. Smith had in his Store nearly $4000, but it is not probable that more of the it was taken than has been found; as it was deposited in different parts of the Store, and in unusual places, known perhaps only to the Proprietor. In consequence of the declarations of the prisoner, negro Harry, the property of Mr. Smith, was immediately arrested, and committed for examination."

"On Monday morning, Seaborn's examination took place, and we have rarely witnessed more intense interest than was executed on the occasion-- every part of the Court-house being crowded! The Attorney-General attended in person and conducted the examination, which being closed, the prisoner was fully committed for trail at the ensuing term of our Superior Court, on a charge of Robbery and Arson. Negro Harry was then examined, but the evidence being deemed insufficient to justify his commitment, he was discharged on the recognizance of his owner. We have endeavored in this noticed to avoid as much as possibly going into the testimony of witnesses, as the whole matter will hereafter undergo a regular judicial investigation. The Prisoner is a young man of presentable appearance, rather good person, and has been in this city and vicinity since June last, in the capacity of a brick mason. He is, we understand, from Cumberland county. It is property to add, that no connection has been traced between this Fire, and the more recent attempt to involve our City in ruins." (October 12, 1832) ^rr

1833

Fire destroys several buildings. Blaze is discovered in second story of Casso's old Tavern, a building occupied by Captain Thomas Hobbs as a Coach-maker's shop. By the time citizens are assembled, the flames cannot be extinguished and spread to the book establishment of Messrs. Turner and Hughes. To save the entire block of buildings on the east side of Fayetteville street, two small houses are blown up to arrest the progress of the flames at the dwelling of Mr. John Stuart. After the building fragments are dragged away and considerable space is cleared, the Engine is brought to play upon the scorching roof and sides of Mr. Stuart's dwelling. Losses, as listed in the June 18, 1833 edition of The Raleigh Register:

• Thomas Cobbs - His Coach shop, office adjoining, the buildings occupied by Turner and Hughes, as a Bookstore, and by Benj. S. King, as a Dry Goods Tore. Also, a heavy stock of carriage Timber, Leather, all his Tools and a good deal of work, among which was a new Carriage just completed and ready for delivery. His loss, exclusive of the buildings, cannot be less than #4,000. Several persons lost carriages sent for repair, among whom were Judge Nash, of Hillsborough and Col. Wm. Hinton, of this county. The Rail Road Company also lost a handsome Car body.
• Turner & Hughes - Between four and six thousand dollars worth of Stock, and a considerable amount damaged, by being thrown from the windows.
• Benjamin S. King - Between two and three thousand dollars worth of goods.
• Williams & Haywood - A quantity of Tin, Glass, Nails, &c. stored with Mr. King.
• Dr. Rufus Haywood - A small shop occupied by William Smith, Barber
• Bernard Dufray - A valuable wooden building, occupied by him as a Jewellery [sic] Store, together with seven or eight hundred dollars worth of its contents.
• William White - The house occupied by J. C. Stedman, as a Jewellery [sic] Store.
• Col. Wm. Polk - A small building occupied by John G. Marshall, as a grocery.
• John G. Marshall - About $300 worth of Stock.
• John Stuart - A tenement occupied by Wm. W. Taylor, Merchant Tailor. His dwelling house also damaged.
• Several Merchants also lost more or less in removing their goods, but none of them any serious amount. Not one dollar was insured! (June 16, 1833) ^rr18jun33

1834

Legislative act by 1934 grants Intendant of Police authority to appoint a captain of the fire company and exempt from service men above 60 years of age.^no26apr42

1838

Raleigh Commissioners adopt building regulations designed as fire prevention measures. One forbids construction of any wooden structures in first block of Fayetteville Street, recently destroyed by fire. Second prohibits burning of shavings or other materials in street. Third regulates stove and hearth construction in both private and public buildings, with provision for regular inspections by City Constables as to their safety. ^yb84

1839

Methodist Church at corner of Edenton and Dawson burns. The alarm is sounded about 5 p.m. and in less than hour the entire building is consumed. Nothing is saved but a few benches. (December 18, 1839) ^rr21dec39

1840

One fire company protecting one square mile and 2,240 residents.

Fire company membership solicited in January 31 edition of The Raleigh Register: The Act of the General Assembly for the better protection of the City of Raleigh from losses by fire, provides that a Fire Company be annually established in the following manner: The Intendant of Police and Commissioners shall, in the month of January, enroll the free white male inhabitants of 21 years of age and upwards, and being thus enrolled, the said Intendant and Commissioners shall publicly invite such citizens as choose to volunteer their services to form said Fire Company, to consist of forty members. This invitation is, therefore, thus publicly maid, and it is hoped will be promptly met, by signifying assent to the Clerk of the Board. In case a sufficient number of members do not office their services before the last Saturday in February, the Act directs that the Intendant and Commissioners shall, on that day, make a draft from the enrollment, of such number of men as shall be wanting to form said Company. J. Gales, Intendant of Police. January 25, 1840." (January 31, 1840)

Raleigh Fire Company formed. Reports the March 10 edition of the Raleigh Register: "At a meeting of the Citizens held at the Courthouse on the 29th for the purpose of newly organizing the above Company, agreeably to Act of Assembly, at which the Intendant of Police presided, after enrolling the volunteers who had offered, the remainder were drafted, and the meeting adjourned to Saturday last, when the Company met for the purpose of electing their officers." The officers:

• Thomas M. Oliver, Captain
• Everard Hall, First Lieutenant
• W. H. Johns, Second Lieutenant
• R. L. Cayes, Third Lieutenant
• Joseph Betts, Forth Lieutenant
• John H. Hutchkins, Secretary
• Jesse Brown, Treasurer. (March 13, 1840)^rr10mar40

Two new water pumps installed on Fayetteville and Hillsborough streets.

1841

Buildings at corner of Hargett and Fayetteville streets burn. Fire engine hose breaks and water begins flowing along the unpaved street. Quick-thinking firemen begin scooping up hand- and bucket-fulls of resulting mud and "dashing it against the walls of the threatened store," form "a non-conductor, impervious to heat." The fire is extinguished and the heroic bands of volunteers is dubbed "the mud company" by grateful citizens. ^wch

Raleigh Paper Mill on Crabtree Creek damaged at least twice by fires. ^wch

1843

Second Fire Company formed, later named Perseverance Fire Company. The officers:

• J. H. Ennis, Captain

• S. L. Tucker, 1st Lieutenant

• James Crumlet, 2nd Lieutenant

• M. A. Pendergast, 3rd Lieutenant

• Hugh McBane, 4th Lieutenant

• Thomas L. Jump, Secretary

• William C. Upchurch, Treasurer. (March 7, 1843)^{reg(sw)07mar43}

Second hand engine purchased, named Perseverance. (by April 14, 1893)

1848

Raleigh & Gaston Railroad engine house burns. The fire is reported about 10:30 p.m. at the "extensive brick building," where the roof is soon aflame and beginning to collapse. Four locomotives are damaged. (February 25, 1848) ^rr01mar48

1849

Three "potentially serious" blazes occur. (March 1849) ^wch

Cotton gin, stables, and carriage house of Henry Mordecai burn. The contents of the buildings are also destroyed, along with five bales of cotton. The fire is believed to have been started "from a coal supposed to have been dropped by the pip of an old negro woman in one of the buildings when on the look for a hen's nest." (April 25?, 1849)^rr24apr49

Sources