First Hamilton Township Fire District

March 10, 1879, the first Hamilton Township Fire District was created at Crosswicks. Crosswicks is still Hamilton Township Fire District #1

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The following has nothing to do with Groveville, but Crosswicks is our close neighbor. I knew most of this before, but I am sure many did not know this and will find this interesting.

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From the history of The Crosswicks Fire Company;

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The people of Crosswicks met at the home of Joshua English on January 5th, 1822, to form a fire company and purchase a fire engine. Committees were appointed to collect money, purchase an engine and draw up a Constitution. Robert Vanderbeek was named Chairman and Nathan Satterwaite, as secretary. At a meeting January 26th, 1822, it was reported that subscriptions totalling one hundred-eleven dollars ($111.00) had been obtained and Crosswicks Fire Co. had purchased the ancient hand-drawn, hand-pumper from a pump concern in Seneca Falls, New York. The cost of the engine was one hundred dollars ($100.00)

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Of more use than historic value in those days and in as good condition today as if ever was, it turned out to be equipment dated 1744. first used by the Union Fire Co. No. 1, of Philadelphia, organized in 1736, formed through the efforts of Benjamin Franklin. Several of the original buckets, made of leather and inscribed "Union Fire Co. No. 1, Phila. 1744, are part of the equipment Crosswicks folk have been taught to appreciate, even thought the purchase may have been part of an old time trade-in. It was the only fire protection the area had for a hundred years.

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The old apparatus is still in the possession of the company and is in good working order today.