Jacobus the Fireman

In December 1737, six years after the first fire engines arrived in New York from London, the City’s Common Council passed legislation authorizing the appointment of up to forty-two “strong, able, discreet, honest and sober men…[who] shall be called Firemen of the City of New York.” Thirty were appointed in the first wave, one of whom bore the name, Jacobus Stoutenburgh.

As an historian of the Fire Department of New York, I undertake projects to search out facts about the Department’s history that have fallen to the wayside. Members who served early on, especially prior to the change to a paid force in 1865, are of particular interest to me. At the present time, I am documenting and photographing the final resting places of these men. So, a web search of the name Jacobus Stoutenburgh (identified as #24 of Generation 3 on your website) led me to the Stoutenburgh-Teller Family Association and a visit to the burial ground in Hyde Park. Although greatly disappointed that I didn’t find “Jacobus the Fireman” there, I was pleased to correspond with Ila Malloy who has been very accommodating to my inquiries.

There are several notable texts on the history of the FDNY, all of which contain some comments or reference to the Stoutenburgh family. Aside from this Jacobus, his father Tobias and his son Isaac also served. Another “Jacob” was a member of Franklin Engine 39 in 1812 and William, who was a member of Engine 5, survived being buried under the rubble of a fire on April 23, 1829. But Jacobus was appointed to the prestigious position of “Overseer of Fire Engines” on July 24, 1761; a title that was changed in his second year of office to “Chief Engineer.” Some fire service historians believe that this was the first time the title “Chief” was introduced; one that is still used throughout the world. Under his command as Chief, the Department grew from 75 to 170 members along with the burgeoning City. (Now the FDNY has over 13,000 firefighters.)

The family played such a significant role in firefighting in the City, that these same texts that describe their involvement are embellished with related images, including Jacobus’ house on Fair (now Fulton) Street and Isaac’s home at the intersection of Greenwich and Dey Streets.

When George Washington evacuated New York in September 1776, the firemen, with Jacobus at their lead, became part of the militia. But my trail ends there. When and how he died, as well as where he was laid to rest, is apparently as much a mystery for you, his family, as it is for me.

I welcome any additional biographical information you can provide on Jacobus (#24) and any other members of the family from New York City who might have had positions of civic responsibility. If you know the final resting places of any members of the family who spent their lives in New York City, that would be helpful as well.

^*Gary Urbanowicz is an historian of the New York Fire Department holding the honorary rank of Deputy Chief. He is the author of “Badges of the Bravest” (See preview below.) and “The Last Alarm” and has contributed to several publications on the history of the FDNY. After the tragic events of 9/11/01, Gary and his wife Nancy were on the team of writers to prepare the eulogies for the 343 NYC firefighters killed on that day. His particular area of interest is the pre-1865 volunteer era of the FDNY. He owns a 1962 FDNY Chief’s car replicating the one that he grew up with in his father’s firehouse in Brooklyn, NY. The Urbanowicz’s reside in Westchester County.

Additional References:

• Our Firemen, The History of the NY Fire Departments
• Could This Bucket Have Saved St. Paul’s Chapel?
• The following image of Isaac Stoutenburgh’s home is from “As You Pass By” by Kenneth Dunshee.

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Badges of the Bravest: A Pictorial History of Fire Departments in New York City

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