BAQs: The Vigilant Fire Company

The Vigilant Fire Company had quite a reputation for fights and disagreements with other fire companies. Specifically, The Watchman and the Independent Fire Companies multiple disputes with the men of Vigilant including damages to the fire equipment was well documented in the newspaper. Also well documented in the paper was the murder of Edmund Mitchell, President of the Vigilant Fire Company. Like many of the leaders in Baltimore, Edmund Mitchell was also actively involved in the Washingtonians Temperance organization. The mayor offered a $500 reward, and the Vigilant Fire Company offered a $300 reward for information about the murder.

A later President of the Vigilant Fire Company was Thomas Creamer, another well-known citizen of Baltimore. Besides being an active member of both Exeter Street Church at his death, he was also a member of the High Street Church as well as the superintendent of the Sunday School. While his name is not inscribed on a quilt, the Creamer name appears on many Baltimore Album quilts. His wife Jane L Creamer (G – 3) and his sister Sarah R. Creamer (C-1) are both inscribed on the Samuel Williams Album Quilt. Jane L. Creamer’s name is also inscribed on the matching tulip in a square block (D-1) on the Brown and Turner Baltimore Album Quilt. Her maiden name was Brown.

Margaret J. Creamer’s (Thomas Creamer’s sister or daughter) is inscribed on an 1844 Baltimore Album quilt, which considering the daughter was 1 year old, it seems more likely to be his sister. In 1852 the Baltimore Sun noted that Margaret Creamer was arrested for “throwing stones in the streets” a violation of the city ordinance. Justice Ringgold fined her one dollar with court costs.

The connections to many other BAQs occurs when you consider the Creamers were connected by marriage to the Boyd’s (use this link to read about the Boyd’s BAQ’s) and also the Taylor’s whose name is inscribed on multiple BAQs. Finally, it should be noted that Mrs. Creamer is listed as a seamstress in the 1837-38 Matchett’s Baltimore Directory. Miss Caroline and Miss Susan Creamer are dressmakers working together in 1851 Matchett’s Baltimore Directory.