Introduction
Charles H. Hart was appointed to the Camden Fire Department to replace James Sutton as an extra man with Engine Company 1, who resigned April 2, 1870. He had previously worked as a brickmaker, and was making his home at 409 Walnut Street when appointed to the Fire Department.
Charles Hart was born in Delaware in November of 1846 to David and Mary Hart. His father was a brickmaker, and Charles would eventually learn that trade. The family had moved to Camden’s South Ward by the spring of 1850, and remained there for many years thereafter.
When the 1870 census was taken in July of 1870, Charles Hart, his wife, the former Anna Harvey, and two month-old son Harry M. were living with Charles Hart’s widowed mother Mary A. Hart at 409 Walnut Street. Also at home were Charles Hart’s siblings, George B. Hart, Elizabeth, Ida, and Maggie Hart.
Charles Hart’s older brother, George B. Hart, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on April 19, 1871 to take the place of Cornelius M. Brown, who had resigned. George B. Hart served alongside brother with Engine Company 1 until he was removed from service on June 7, 1872.
Politically active, in March of 1876 Charles Hart was nominated for the post of janitor at City Hall. He lost the vote, which was held in City Council.
On March 20, 1877 Charles Hart was appointed to serve as a policeman in Camden by Mayor James Ayers, to begin serving on April 1, 1877. Charles Daubman was appointed Chief of Police. The other men who were appointed were Jonathan Watson, Andrew Baird, John T. Miller, Daniel Johntra, Robert Pine, William Smith from the Third Ward, William Hawkins, Isaac Ellis, John W. Campbell, John E. Anderson, John Brown, Mark Sheldon, Thomas Conway, John Furey and William Smith from the Eighth Ward. Charles Daubman and Robert Pine had previously served as members of the Camden Fire Department.
The 1878 City Directory shows Charles Hart living at 926 South 5th Street working as a policeman. The 1880 Census shows Charles and Anna Hart and their son Harry at the same address. He was then working as a coremaker. They were still at this address as late as 1888.
In the early 1880s Charles Hart began working as a fireman and later as engineer. By 1894 he was working as marine engineer, working aboard one of the ferry boats that crossed the Delaware back and forth in the years before the Delaware River Bridge (known today as the Benjamin Franklin Bridge) was built.
By 1890 the Hart family was living at 406 North Front Street. When the 1900 census was taken, Harry M. Hart, then 30, was still at home. He worked as a stationary engineer. The Harts were still at the Front Street address as late as January of 1920.
Camden Fire Department Appointments
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Within the past few days the Commissioners of the Camden Paid Fire Department have made the following changes: James Sutton dismissed from Engine No. 1, and Charles Hart appointed to fill the vacancy; John Graham dismissed from Engine No. 2, and Joseph Nece appointed in his place; Robert Pine resigned from Engine No. 2, and Harry McKeen appointed in his place. The Paid Department is now in competent condition, with all the necessary equipments to give it efficiency, and the Commissioners are resolved to make it an acceptable institution to the city.
Accidentally Asphyxiated
Philadelphia Inquirer —
ACCIDENTALLY ASPHYXIATED
Old Lady Turned on a Gas Tap and Was Smothered.
Mrs. Mary A. Hart, 76 years old, was asphyxiated by illuminating gas at the residence of her grandson, William D. Brown, 920 South Fifth street, Camden. She had been in failing health for the past two years, and frequently wandered unconsciously about her bedroom.
Early yesterday morning members of the family were aroused by the smell of gas, and found that Mrs. Hart had inadvertently turned on a stop in a pipe leading to a gas radiator. Her room was filled with gas, and she was found unconscious way out of bed with her face buried in the bed clothing. She was dead.
Mrs. Hart had been a resident of Camden for over 50 years, and was a lifelong member of the Union M. E. church. The funeral will take place from the residence of William D. Brown, 920 South Fifth, on North Front street.