North Reading's Hand Fire Apparatus or "Handtub"

In 1825, at the first meeting of the Second Engine Company of Reading (in the section of North Reading known as Pudding Point), an agenda item included a vote to buy a fire engine, pick a committee of two to purchase the engine, and draft a constitution. Everything was in place by May 1825 and a committee of three: John Batchelder 3rd, George Flint and Maj. Daniel Flint selected the name of “Water Witch" for the new engine.

A "house" was built for the new engine, and everything went smoothly until 1840 when each of the 15 members was assessed a fee of one dollar for repairs to the engine. The members of the Engine Company held shares in the fire apparatus, and at one time, tried unsuccessfully to set it to the town.

From 1853 to 1879, the Water Witch was without a regular company. In 1895, a paper was circulated among the heirs of the shareholders whereby they relinquished all claims upon the engine to the Town of North Reading.

The information above was taken from the 2000 Reading Municipal Light Department Calendar.

The original Water Witch has been restored and is presently on display in North Reading Town Hall.

©bjagla2009

Other Photos

Information about North Reading's Apparatus from the database at Handtub Junction USA:
Edwin A. Whiting Button 1861 #551 North Reading, MA. 10" 225' 11", delivered to Miamisburg, OH. named "YOUNG AMERICA", to Holyoke, MA. in 1904 renamed "EDWIN A. WHITING", to North Reading in the 1940's, to West Newbury, MA. in 1962, to Amesbury, MA. in 1966, returned to North Reading in 1969 and is still there.
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Contact bjagla_nreadinghistory@yahoo.com
*the information doesn't make sense to me either, but notice the date on the older photo on the left. Please contact me if you can provide clarity to the above.
Updated BJJ February 2009