History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

Biographical Sketches, yohnson. 159
is stated that the sele6lmen of Boston agreed with Joseph
Jenks " for an Ingine to carry water in case of fire," and that
this was the first fire-engine made in America. The order of the
town was in these words :
" The Sele61: men have liberty to agree
with Joseph Jynks, for Ingins to carry water in case of fire,
if they see cause so to doe." This order, it will be observed, is
permissive rather than imperative ;
and there has been a question
whether they did contra6t for an engine, or if they did, whether
the contra6l was ever fulfilled, for it is asserted that Boston had
no engine till after the great fire in November, 1676, at which
time some forty-six dwellings were destroyed, besides shops,
warehouses, and " a meeting house of considerable bigness."
An opportune rain is mentioned as having done much towards
arresting the flames, and some buildings were blown up. But
nothing is said about an engine being there. Pemberton seems
to have thought that as late as 1711 Boston had no fire-engine.
Yet, on the 9th of March, 1702, the town voted that the Sele6lmen
should " procure two water engines suitable for the extinguishing
of fire, either by sending for them to England, or otherwise
to provide them."
This must have been in addition to one
before had, for it was on the same day voted that " The Sele6lmen
are desired to get the Water Engine for the quenching
of fire repaired, as also the house for keeping the same in."
Now
might not the one referred to as needing repairs in 1702 have
been manufa6lured by Mr. Jenks on the order of 1654.'' It
would have been an old " machine," to be sure, but was no
doubt constru6led in a thorough manner, and not very frequently
called into use.
Mr. Jenks was ancestor of a rather remarkable line. Joseph
Jenks, Governor of Rhode Island from 1727 to 1732, and who
was not only applauded for his executive ability but renowned
for his personal appearance, being seven feet and two inches tall,
was a grandson of his. The late Rev. Dr. William Jenks, an
eminent scholar and author, was likewise a lineal descendant.
See Annals, 1662, and other early dates.
Johnson, Caleb. Mr. Johnson is well entitled to be called
one of the patriarchs of Nahant — Nahant, that charming "little
dukedom," which so warmed the imagination of Secretary Ran-