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carrying into effect a direction previously given but not
recorded:—
22nd August, 1657. It is ordered by a Vestrie this day holden
That Mr. Edward Martyn and Mr. Emery Hill shall, out of the
moneys remaining in their hands Build, erect, and sett upp
with Bricks a little house in the parish Churchyard of St.
Margaretts, Westmr, to adioyne next unto the Gage or
Round house there wherein shall bee alwaies kept the twoe
new fire Engines well they were formerly ordered to buy and
provide for the use and service of this parish.
Dilapidations were soon discovered in the" little house"
and defects in the engines it sheltered :—
October, 1663. Whereas information to the Vestry was this day
given that not only tho howse lately erected for the preservacon
and Keeping of the Ingens is out of repaire about the roofe
therof soe that tho Baine falling on the said Ingens doth very
much preuidice them. But the said Ingens are also defective
and at prsont useles. It is therefore ordered that the Churchwardens
doo take the advice of able workemen touching the
Amendmt or new making of tho said Ingens as shalbee most
necessary And that care bee also taken by the said Churchwardens
for the Amending of the Roofe of the Ingen-house as
they in theire discrescion shall think meet for the future preservacon
of the said Ingens.
5th July, 1670. That tho Churchwardens doe take the keys of
ye Ladders, Crookos Bucketts and Engines into their owne
Custodie and fasten them to an iron cheyne, and lodge them
with Mr. Rogers the Sexton to the end they may be readily
had upon all occasions.
This provision had evidently proved itself to be insufficient:—
5th May, 1675. That the Churchwardens doe cause the Engine
House to be enlarged so as to conteyne tho Engines at large
ready ffixed to bo ready on all Occasions And their cisternes to
be alwaies kept full of water.
A fire in Cannon Row soon demonstrated the inadequacy
of these additional precautions:—
Sunday, 9th Aprill, 1682. Upon the humble request of the gunners
of the Tower who wore very serviceable and diligent in blowing
up tho houses at the late ffire in Cannon ltow It is Ordered
that the Churchwardens do pay ffortie Shillings to them as a
gratuity for theiro good service to be distributed equally
betweene them And tho said 40s. shall bee allowed at passing
the Churchwardens Accompts.