During Dutch colonial rule, fires were the terror of every resident. On September 28, 1648 for example, the council ordered the firewardens to inspect all chimneys in New Amsterdam, and on December 12, 1657, ordered a chimney tax on the city for buying fire buckets
In Harlem it was noted that:
At the meeting, December 3rd, each householder was ordered to make a ladder to his chimney, within a month, or to be fined 6 guilders., and Jan Nagel was fined 25 guilders. for putting his compost heap (fireplace ashes) on the public street, contrary to the town regulation. In that era of straw roofs and wooden tenements special precaution against fire was necessary ; and several fires had actually happened in the village, causing great alarm and heavy losses.
A Spooky House On Madison Ave.
HNBA monthly meetings: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM
Powered by beehiiv