1731 Newsham Engine - the oldest authenticated fire engine in New York State.  In December of 1731, the ship "Beaver" landed in New York with two engines aboard: they were the fourth and sixth size.  These were purchased by New York's common Council from Richard Newsham of London.  This Newsham engine is thought to be the larger of the two purchased (the sixth size).  This engine company, the first in NYC, was also detailed as a home guard under General George Washington, although the Chief assumed command at fires.  This engine was know as the "Hayseeds".  The company was disbanded at one time and reformed and continued on until 1865.

The Newsham's cistern, or well, has a capacity of 170 gallons of water to be supplied to the buckets.  The cistern is lined with sheet lead, making it extremely heavy.  The apparatus is pumped by handles, or brakes, as they are called.  In addition to the pumping brakes, it is equipped with auxiliary foot treadles, which could be operated by tow or three men working with their feet.  

The Newsham engine had no "traveler" or fifth wheel above the wheel axles, so the heavy engine had to be manually lifted around turns by the firefighters.

A veteran of generations of fire service, the Newsham represents a giant step forward in firefighting, as the engine made it possible to direct a stream of water directly onto a fire.  Previous to this, the only firefighting method was the bucket brigade.  

This Newsham pumper was gifted to and on display at the FASNY Museum in Hudson New York by the Exempt fireman's Association of the City of New York.