Troy, NY, Exempts Fireman From Jury And Militia Service As a Reward For Sale

Fireman in Troy, NY, were rewarded with a Certificate of Statutory Exemption from Jury Duty and Militia Service after serving for 10 years as a fireman on May 4th, 1829. The only exception was “times of insurrection or invasion.” The practice of rewarding firemen was memorialized in a statute enacted April 27th, 1829 statute, in an era of frequent urban fires. The statute may have been enacted to keep fire companies fully staffed. The statute was reversed in the 20th century.

Offering a two-piece assemblage relating to the service of David J. Heddenbergh (also spelled Hedenbergh), the first being a superbly engraved certificate on parchment, approximately 9 x 10, with a stunning cartouche of an unmanned fire engine with the words “Fire Department City of Troy” at the heading. M. King of Troy was the engraver. The certificate is signed by Asa Gardner, treasurer, E. Wilson, Jr., clerk, Albert Richards, Chief of Engineers. The second document, 4 ¼ x 7 7/8, acknowledges that Heddenburgh’s appointment as fireman and is signed by Mayor Samuel M. Caun.

The certificate awarding Heddenburgh with the exemption from jury and militia service has foxing and toning. The appointment certificate has even toning.

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