Timeline: 1842-1889

1842

A meeting was called on January 17th for the young men of Feltonville to form an engine company. A bucket filled hand tub was obtained for $200 through the efforts of Charles Brigham.  The Feltonville Engine Co. was est. with Francis Brigham as foreman, James Wilson as 2nd foreman, Francis D. Brigham as clerk & treasurer, Alonzo Wood as 2nd, Charles Brigham and John Peters made a standing committee.  The members of the company in addition to the officers are as follows: Silas Fairbanks, Silas H. Stuart, Walter Bruce, Nathaniel Smith, Philo A. Randall, Obed Rice, also W. Walcott, William F. Trowbridge, Lorenzo Bruce, H.R. Bancroft, Earl Southwick, Daniel Farnsworth, Daniel Pope, Abraham Tyler, R. Bacon, and William Chase. Most of these men were very prominent men who contributed to the growth of the town.  The men were paid two dollars a year, and good behavior was essential to remain a member. Meetings were very intermittent, in some instances several months would pass between meetings.

1843

Feltonville Engine Co. disbanded due to many of the “volunteers” becoming weary of their duties and withdrawing from the company. A new company was formed once again, this time lasting until about 1847.

1847

Once again the Feltonville Engine Co. disbanded, and on January 30th, a second reformation of the company was made. Francis Brigham was elected as foreman and William F. Trowbridge as 2nd foreman, there is no record of the choice of clerk or other positions within the company.

1849

Marlborough voted to furnish the North Village, (Feltonville) with a new hand engine      providing that the citizens of that village furnish the engine house and the engine company.  It was on May 21, 1849 that Alonzo Wood and thirty-seven others signed an agreement to form such a company. On June 28th a meeting of these signers was called to order by Francis Brigham. F.B. Fairbanks was chosen as the chairman, and W.F. Trowbridge as secretary, and for the forth time in seven years the organization of a fire company was proceeded with. The lists of members are as follows Silas B. Fairbanks was made foreman, Loring Cox as second officer, Francis Brigham as third officer, and W.F. Trowbridge chosen as company clerk. The company organized under the name “Hydraulicon Fire Co. No.3”. In addition to the officers the names of the members were Daniel Pope, Joseph S. Bradley, Philo A. Randall, Walter Bruce, Daniel Farnesworth, Charles Brigham, Alonzo Wood, Jonathan Randlett, George Houghton, John H. Brigham, Alden B. Gleason, W.H. Horton, Abel H. Pope, Cummings E. Johnson, Francis S. Bernard, James priest, Christopher B. Hapgood, Henry J. Wood, Silas H. Stuart, Obed Rice, Wm. Randall, Wm. E. Wood, James S. Welth, Alden Burnham, Seth G. Haskell, Caleb Haskell, Wm. H. Chamberlain, Nathaniel Hapgood, Jonathan Ray, Baxter Wheeler, Philo Bruce, Chas. E. Witt, Geo. D. Witt, Lorenzo Bruce, Joseph Manning, Ezra Crocker, Charles S. Bennett, Geo. Fuller, Levi Ellithorpe, and Josiah Q. Packard.

It wasn’t until July 9, 1849 that the new hand engine was received. This was one of three suction type hand tubs delivered to Marlborough, and manufactured by the Howard & Davis Co. Boston. It being late when the “tub” arrived, she was not worked until the evening of July 11th. On July 14th, Daniel Farnsworth, Joseph S. Bradley, and Jonathan Randall were chosen as suction hosemen, and Joseph manning, Wm. F. Trowbridge, Caleb Haskell, and George Houghton chosen as leading hosemen. On October 20th, on a motion from Francis Brigham, a committee was appointed to doctor the by-laws for the company.

November 14th at approximately one o’clock in the afternoon, there was an alarm of fire, caused by the burning of a barn and hay belonging to Jonas Howe. The barn was located in the south part of Bolton; the new engine was brought into service for the first time and worked until about five o’clock. The officers expressed themselves well pleased with the machine and the company. The engine’s 1st muster was on December 1st, a friendly bout against Marlborough’s engine No.1 and 2. Possibly the other hand tubs delivered to Marlborough from the Howard & Davis Co. the winner was not identified.

1851

February a speaking trumpet was presented by W.E.C. Worcester to Capt. Pope and his successors in office. On October 11, the company was once again reorganized with the following signing members. Daniel Pope, W.E.C. Worcester, Jonathan Randall, Abel H. Pope, Wm. F. Trowbridge, Sam. J.M. Weston, Silas Fairbanks, Lorenzo Bruce, Alden B. Gleason, J.S. Welsh, Thomas Bridges, A.L. Maynard, C.B. Hapgood, W. Fuller, Jonas T. Houghton, Henry C. Snow, W.E. Wood, W.H. Horton, J.S. Bradley, Caleb Haskell, Wm. H. Chamberlain, Ezra Crocker, Levi P. Ellithorpe, Geo. Manson, Henry Fuller, Francis L. Bernard, John McKenzie, James Mann, Donald Ross, Eph. S. Bemis, Daniel B. Snow, Seth G. Haskell, Edward Fitzhenery, Philo A. Randall, Chas. E. Witt, George Stratton, John Y. Witt, James W. Gleason, Henry Moore, Ariel Crosby, Charles Shippen, Sidney Brigham, John Bruce Jr., Geo. W. Brown, John Robinson, Wm. A. Brigham, Wm. L. Osgood, W.G. Locke, Stillman Locke, Franklin Wright, Geo. H. Munderall, Alonzo Warner, Baxter F. Wheeler, Rufus H. Brigham, Geo. W. Warfield, J.R. Stone,  E. Andrews, Jonathan P. Nourse, Marshall Wood, Wm. S. Fry, Augustine G. Walcott, David Ross, Solon Wood, Chas. Farnsworth, Wm. Hapgood, Marshall Whitcomb, Edwin Welsh, N.A. Gay, Jonas Southwick, Aaron S. Hale, Charles M. Randall, Timothy S. Leary, Stedman Arnold, George J. Maynard, Charles A. Ross, Marshall Wetherbee, George P. Fairbanks, Richard Barry, Charles L. Woodbury, James C. Trowbridge, Lorenzo Walcott, Nestor S. Fairbanks, Lucien Cox, John M. McKenzie and Wm. F. Brigham.

1852

December 27th a fire took place at the first church built in Hudson. It was the Methodist Church located on top of gospel hill. It was a brick building and they were planning on renovating the building just prior to the fire.

1854

Late March a meeting was held at which on motion of Wm. F. Trowbridge, Daniel Pope, Francis Brigham and S.B. Fairbanks were Chosen as candidates for a board of fire engineers. On June 5th there had been a heated discussion over the matter of new uniforms, on which occasion Charles S. Bennett, Ariel Crosby, John Bruce, George Brown, Ezra Crocker, Augustine Walcott, John McKenzie, and Marshall Whitcomb all resigned and were honorably discharged.

1857

September 7th a vote was taken by the company to change the company name to “The Eureka Engine Co. No.3 of Marlborough.

1860

January 4th the new Eureka Engine house having been completed was dedicated. The company met at the old engine house and escorted the fine members and invited guests to the new engine house. The house was located on Washington St. near School St. just south of the river. The presentation speech was made by Mrs. J. Houghton, and was responded to by the foreman. A very eloquent speech was given by the Rev. L.E. Wakefield. Addresses were made by Marlborough Chief engineer Frost, Messrs. C. Brigham, Elbridge Howe, T. Hapgood, F. Brigham, George E. Manson and others, after which a supper was served, provided by the ladies, and a dance was held lasting until midnight.

Eureka Engine Co. House Est. 1860: Located on the east side of Washington St. just south of the river

1861

The Civil war began on April 12th with the attack on Fort Sumter. On June 29thseveral companies of the Marlborough Fire Dept. detailed twelve men each to escort military companies into camp in Boston, preparatory to going to war. The Eureka Co. detail consisted of C.M. Randall, S.H. Stuart, G.W. Warfield, W.H. Chamberlain, A.B. Gleason, C.L. Woodbury, A.K. Graves, George Stratton, George Houghton, W.F. Brigham, John McKenzie, and W.F. Newton.

Fort Sumter 1861

1862

August 6th the Eureka Engine Co. performed escort duty on the occasion of the departure of recruits going to war. On August 30th the company voted to turn out when Co. I of the 5th Regt. Leave for camp. S.B. Fairbanks, C.M. Randall and George Randall were chosen as a committee to present 1st assistant A.H. Pope with sword and belt, he having been wounded and lost his sword at the battle of Antieam.

1863

June 15th the Eureka Engine Co. provided a supper for Co. I of the 5th Regt. Francis Brigham and Wm. F. Trowbridge were chosen as the committee to proceed to Boston and give Co. I, 5th Regt., an invitation to return home through Feltonville on their discharge from the U.S. service. The foreman challenged to turn out forty-five men, if they did he would pay for all the refreshments they needed, if not the company should pay for all he needed. The challenge was accepted and the foreman had to pay the bill. On June 26th those veterans of Co. I, belonging to Feltonville, Berlin, and Bolton, were received by the Eureka’s and entertained at the engine house.

1866

March 5, 1866 the company voted to remit all fines of members in the US service, also on this date a committee was appointed to take into consideration the subject of no longer being part of the Fire Dept. of Marlborough due to the upcoming incorporation of the town of Hudson, and to see what the town of Hudson purposes to do for the Fire dept.  On March 16, 1866 the town of Hudson Mass became incorporated, thus begins the organization of the Hudson Fire Dept.  On May 27, 1866 another engine company was formed to be known as the “Eureka Engine Co. No. 1 “of Hudson.  Abel H. Pope was elected as foreman. A vote was taken to buy new uniforms and invite all former members of Eureka Engine Co. No.3 to become members of Eureka Engine Co. No.1.

1871

March 6, 1871 a vote was taken to insert an article in town warrant at the April meeting to see if the town will purchase a new hand engine for the Eureka Engine Co.

1872

May 18, 1872 a new hand engine was purchased from L. Button & Sons of Elmira, New York.  This hand tub replaced the original Eureka engine, the “ Hydraulican No.3 “ Howard & Davis machine which was turned over to a company of young men and rechristened ” Houghton Engine Co. No. 2 “, Henry L. Hurlburt Esq. Of Lynn being made foreman.  This engine company was completely volunteer and was not paid by the town at this time. The engine company was housed at the Houghton Co. from 1872-1875.

1873

As of July, 1873 the Eureka Engine Co. No.1 meets the first Monday of each month in the engine hall located on Washington St. with R.H. Brigham as foreman. The Houghton Engine Co. No.2 meets the first Monday of each month at the engine house located on Houghton St. T.D. Hapgood as foreman. On October 4, 1873 the Eureka’s take 2nd place in a muster held in Athol Mass, with a stream reaching 195’. On October 23, 1873 the Eureka’s take 1st place in a muster held in Leominster with a stream reaching 224’9”.

July 21, 1873 a committee was formed for the purchase of a bell for Houghton Hose Co. No.2.  E.M. Comery of Pepperell, the first foreman of the company was the secretary and treasurer of the bell committee along with H.E. Stowe, and F.O. Welsh.  It was their recommendation that the company purchase a bell at a cost not exceeding $140. The committee further recommended that the bell be hung without a wheel thereby saving about $30. On August 15, 1893 Naylor & Company of Boston billed the bell, charging $130 for it. The first bell did not prove satisfactory to the company or to the citizens, consequently it was exchanged for an English cast steel bell, the cost was $82.86 more than the first bell or $212.86.

1874

February 18, 1874 the Eureka’s celebrate their 25th anniversary by hosting an anniversary ball.  On April 14, 1874 the Houghton Engine Co. receives a new bell replacing the present one which did not give the best satisfaction.  The new bell weighs about 600 lbs. On May 23, 1874 town selectman appointed S. B. Fairbanks as Chief Engineer of the Hudson Fire dept. for the ensuing year.  On June 6th, 1874 Houghton Engine Co. No.2 obtain estimates for new uniforms for their current sixty-two members.  They propose a blue shirt with red trimmings so to be in exact contrast with Engine Co. No. 1’s red shirt with blue trimmings.

July 4th, 1874 Hudson’s first disastrous Fire!   Kaler & Shaw Piano Top Factory Fire.  Click here to read more.

July 25th, 1874 The George Houghton Hose Co. reorganized with Charles Laser as foreman, E.A. Holyoke 1st assistant, George W. Houghton 2nd assistant George L. Day as clerk and treasurer and J.L. Robinson as steward.

August 13th, 1874 Houghton Engine Co. No.2 made their first public appearance in their new uniforms, collation was served in the engine house, and speeches were made by the captains and others.  On August 21st, 1874 Houghton Engine Co. No.2 was presented with a $75.00 silk flag by Mary O’Donnell, an active leader in the movement to secure the banner.

1874-1875 Houghton Hose Co. asked the town to furnish them with a new Hand engine, the town refused and the company disbanded.  Click here for a story on this event taken from an article in the Hudson Enterprise written on April 2nd , 1892. I could not find any archive newspapers for the year 1875 to follow up more on this story about the company disbanding, but was able to find more about the company bell. On Nov.17, 1887 F.O. Welsh wrote to Mr. Comery and other members of the now disbanded Houghton company, stating that it was proposed to ask the town at the next March meeting to organize a new hose company and build a new hose house in the easterly part of the village near the depot. He further wrote that it would be a good idea to couple the request with the proposition to furnish a bell for the house in case it should be built. The company referred to was the H.E. Stowe Company and the bell was the old Houghton Company bell. The Company became a part of the regular fire department, but the house was not granted. The bell could not be furnished because all members of Houghton Hose Company would not consent to it.

Last March Mr. Welsh again corresponded with the members of Houghton Hose Co. and as everyone knows they consented to it’s being given to the Independents. The sentiment of the old Houghtons was that the justice of their claim to the bell had been proven by the lapse of time, if in know other way.   The story was taken from an article in the Hudson Enterprise written on April 2nd, 1892.

1875

In January of 1875, the town voted to procure a Hook & Ladder truck, and organize a company. A dozen people met in the Houghton Engine Co. No.2 house, on February 6th and organized the company. A committee consisting of James H. Shaw, James C. Robertson, W.E.C. Worcester, George T. Fletcher, and H.E. Stowe, drafted the constitution of the company. The meeting was called to order by J.H. Shaw, and presided over by A.S. Trowbridge, and H.E. Stowe was clerk. Officers elected were foreman, James C. Robertson, 1st assistant, A.S. Trowbridge, 2nd assistant, J.P. Clare, clerk and treasurer, H.E. Stowe, and steward, J.S. Kennedy. February 20th the company adopted the name “Relief Hook & Ladder No. 1“. May 22, 1875, the town purchased a Hook & ladder truck from H.F. Keys of Clinton for $690.Around this time the Independent Hose Co. was also organized.  

September 24, 1875 Bucket Co. No. 1 was organized under the name “Eagle Engine Co.”, and was composed primarily of young boys, most in their middle teens, and for apparatus had a small box that was described as being only suited for use as a play thing. June 1, 1876 they reorganized as “Bucket Co. No.1”. For apparatus they had a very small light truck with ladders and buckets hung to the truck. (The above information about the Relief H&L and the Bucket company was obtained from the Hudson News September 1899).

Sometime during 1875 the Houghton Hose Co. disbanded, Fire dept now consists of Eureka Engine Co No.1, and the Relief Hook & Ladder Co.

1876

Fire at the Tripp Brothers Box Factory, the following story was in the Hudson news. Click here to read more.

1877

May 12, 1877 at the May town meeting, the town voted to constitute the Independent Hose Co. as part of the regular fire department and to pay them accordingly.  Now the Fire Dept. consists of the Eureka Engine Co. No.1, the Relief Hook & Ladder Co. and the Independent Hose Co. A vote was also taken to leave the matter of housing Engine Co. No.2 and its fixtures with the engineers and the town selectman.

July 18th there was a great fire in Marlboro, the T.A. Coolidge shop was destroyed and estimated at over $100,000 loss also in July six powder mills explode in Acton.

1879

May 10, 1879 Eureka Engine Co. held its annual election, electing the following board of officers. R.H. Brigham as foreman, and B.F. Wheeler as 1st assistant.

July a tornado hits Hudson with minimal damage when compared to surrounding communities.  

August 6th the house and barn of John McKenzie burned on Church St., with $2,300 damage, any newspaper articles describing this fire are missing from archives.

October 18th the story about three fires in Hudson was printed in the Hudson Enterprise. From the Marlboro Advertiser Oct 15th “Is there a Fire bug in Hudson?” Click here to read more.

1880

October 3rd, a tenement block on Main St. burned causing over $30,000 in damage. The story was printed in the Marlboro Mirror on Oct. 9th.  No other articles could be found due to the fact that the Oct. 9th issue of the Hudson Pioneer is missing. Click here to read more.

1881

In March the following Articles were purposed in the town warrant. Article 18: To see if the town will purchase land and build an Engine House for the fire dept., it is also recommended that the engine house is to be a double house made of brick with a slate roof which would make it comparatively fire proof. This was passed at the May town meeting voting that it be done at once and appropriating $2,500 for that purpose. Article 19: To see if the town will recognize Bucket Co. No.1 as part of the dept., this also passed and the Buckets consisting of 12 men became part of the department.

July 25th between nine and ten o’clock Monday morning fire burst forth from the barn belonging to John Dolan, and quickly spread to the shed and house. Click here to read more.

October 15th 1881 Engine House is being built on the east side of Felton St. near Wood Square, some have commented that it is too close to the street and should be moved further back, but it is continuing to be built right where it is. This Engine House will be for the Independent Hose Co. No.1 and Relief Hook & Ladder No.1.

1882

March 11, 1882 the following articles were in the town warrant. Article 14 to see if the town will purchase a new bucket truck for Bucket Co. No.1 and, Article 18 was to appropriate $1,100 to complete the brick Engine House on Felton St.

A small article was written in the Hudson news about the request of a new bucket truck for Bucket Co. No.1.

"The voters of Hudson at the approaching annual town meeting will be obliged to seriously consider the question of purchasing a new apparatus for the Buckets, or having the Fire Dept. deprived of one of its most effective arms of service. The record of this company is such that only a lack of wisdom and prudence on our part will ever allow them to disband for lack of apparatus to work with. They organized in 1875 and began running in 1876, since which time they have been on hand at 48 fires arriving first on 22 occasions and second on 11 occasions. The present apparatus and the only uniforms they have were paid for by themselves. All that their service has cost the town is $63.83. Of the 18 buckets belonging to them, not more than 8 will hold water. They have a plan of an apparatus combining light ladders, hooks and buckets, weighing 950 pounds and costing about $450, which they will ask for and failing to get disband. A generous recognition of their past services and a sensible recognition of our interests as citizens, will certainly lead us to grant their request."

April 29, 1882 a new bucket truck is ordered from Fred J. Miller of N.Y at a cost of $349.

As of June 3, 1882 the Independents and the Hooks are not satisfied with the quality of floor that is under contract to be laid for the halls of the new Engine House. They met jointly on Wednesday evening and appropriated $26 from their treasuries in order to secure a hard pine floor.

Bucket Truck in front of the Town Hall

August 5, 1882 Bucket Co. No.1 receives the new bucket truck, it is believed that the house for the Bucket company was located behind the town hall just off Church St.