ALEXANDER PEACOCK was one of the original members of the Camden Fire Department, entering service on December 7, 1869 as an extra man with Engine Company 1. Prior to entering the fire department he had worked as a carpenter. He was living at 1127 Broadway when he joined the department in the fall of 1869.

Alexander Peacock was born in New Jersey in August of 1844 to Clayton and Doretha Peacock. He was named after his grandfather. Clayton Peacock worked as a house carpenter, and Alexander worked in that profession throughout his life. The 1850 Census shows the family living in Camden's South Ward. Alexander, then 6, was the oldest child at home, also there were Elizabeth, 5; Martha, 3; and Thomas, 10 months. Two more daughters came by 1860, Amanda and Ellen.

Alexander Peacock enlisted as a Corporal on February 13, 1864 in Company E, 2nd Heavy Artillery Regiment Pennsylvania. The 112th Regiment, 2nd Heavy Artillery, whose members were principally from the counties of Franklin, Allegheny and Monroe, was mustered in at Philadelphia in January, 1862, for three years. On January 9, three companies were ordered to Fort Delaware and the remaining companies moved to Washington on February 25, when they were assigned to duty at Bladensburg, Maryland, where the command was reunited on March 19, and in November, two independent companies from Fort Delaware were added to the regiment. The regiment remained at
Bladensburg until March, 1864, when it was ordered to the forts near Chain bridge. So large a number of recruits were added to the originally large regiment, that in April, the 2nd Provisional Heavy Artillery was organized from the surplus, the two regiments numbering 3,300 men. The 2nd was attached to the 9th corps and participated in the Wilderness campaign, fighting at Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. The 1st regiment joined the Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor on June 4, when it was divided into three battalions and attached to the 18th corps. The 2nd battalion shared in the charge at Petersburg on June 18, by which the ground was gained that became the front line of the army. The provisional regiment joined the 1st on Aug. 26, 1864, having been on duty at Petersburg and active at the explosion of the mine, where it lost heavily. Its ranks were by this time reduced to 400 men. In a charge on September 20, the 1st and 2nd battalions lost 200 men, after which they were stationed with the remainder of the regiment near Fort Harrison until December. In January of 1865, a large number of the men re-enlisted and the regiment joined in last charges upon the enemy's works, afterward entering the city with the army.

In the aftermath of this action, Alexander Peacock was promoted to Full Corporal on May 1, 1865.

For the remainder of the year the regiment was occupied in detachments in preserving peace and order in the southern part of Virginia. Returning to City Point, Virginia, it was there mustered out on Jan. 29, 1866. Corporal Peacock was among those who mustered out of Company E, 2nd Heavy Artillery Regiment Pennsylvania on January 29, 1866 at City Point, Virginia.

On September 2, 1869 City Council enacted a municipal ordinance creating a paid fire department. It provided for the annual appointment of five Fire Commissioners, one Chief Marshal (Chief of Department) and two Assistant Marshals. The City was also divided into two fire districts. The boundary line ran east and west, starting at Bridge Avenue and following the tracks of the Camden and Amboy Railroad to the city limits. District 1 was south of this line and District 2 was north. The commissioners also appointed the firemen who were scheduled to work six 24 hour tours per week. William Abels, from the Weccacoe Hose Company No. 2 was appointed Chief Marshal with William J. Mines, from the Independence Fire Company No. 3 as Assistant Marshal for the 1st District, and William H. Shearman as the Assistant Marshal for the 2nd District. Abels had served with the volunteer fire departments of Philadelphia, Mobile, Alabama and Camden for sixteen years prior to his appointment as Chief of the paid force.

On November 10, 1869 City Council purchased the Independence Firehouse, the three-story brick building at 409 Pine Street, for $4500. The building was designated to serve as quarters for Engine Company 1 and the 1st District. On October 29, 1869 City Council authorized construction of a two-story brick building on the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch Streets as quarters for the 2nd District. On November 25th the Fire Commissioners signed a contract with M.N. Dubois in the amount of $3100 to erect this structure. The 2nd District would share these quarters with Engine Company 2 and the Hook & Ladder Company and the facility would also serve as department headquarters for the new paid force. The original contract remains part of the Camden County Historical Society collection.

Two Amoskeag second class, double pump, straight frame steam engines were purchased at a cost of $4250 each. Two Silsby two wheel hose carts, each of which carried 1000 feet of hose, were another $550 each and the hook & ladder, built by Schanz and Brother of Philadelphia was $900. Each engine company received a steam engine and hose cart. Amoskeag serial #318 went to Engine Company 1, and serial #319 to Engine Company 2. The Fire Commission also secured the services of the Weccacoe and Independence steamers in case of fire prior to delivery of the new apparatus. Alfred McCully of Camden made the harnesses for the horses. Camden's Twoes & Jones made the overcoats for the new firemen and a Mr. Morley, also of Camden, supplied the caps and belts which were manufactured by the Migeod Company of Philadelphia. The new members were also issued badges.

This is the earliest known photo of fire headquarters on the northwest corner of Fifth and Arch Streets. Originally built in 1869, the building shows signs of wear some twenty years later. Note the weathervane shaped like a fireman's speaking trumpet atop the tower. Also, the fire alarm bell is pictured to the left of the telegraph pole above the rooftop. The bell was removed from the building once the fire alarm telegraph system was expanded and in good working order.

This maker's plate once was attached to a harness made by A. McCully & Sons, 22 Market Street, Camden, New Jersey. This firm provided the first harnesses for the paid fire department in 1869.

Badges worn by the marshals, engineers, stokers and engine drivers bore the initial letter of their respective positions and their district number. The tillerman and his driver used the number "3" to accompany their initial letter. The extra men of the 1st District were assigned badges 1-10; 2nd District badges were numbered 11-20 and the extra men of the hook & ladder wore numbers 21-30.

Although the Fire Commission intended to begin operation of the paid department on November 20, 1869, the companies did not actually enter service until December 7th at 6 P.M. because the new apparatus and buildings were not ready. The new apparatus was not tried (tested) until December 9th.

The new members of the paid force were: