Charles L. Sampson was a member of the Alexandria Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years and was particularly associated
with Columbia Engine Company #4. Interested in the history of the Alexandria Fire Department, Sampson obtained the research
papers of another volunteer fireman named William F. Hellmuth. Sampson's papers stem from Hellmuth's research.
The collection contains the combined research papers of Charles L. Sampson and William F. Hellmuth. Sampson compiled and rewrote
much of Hellmuth's research, producing short histories on the individual engine companies of the Alexandria Fire Department.
Sampson also typescripted many articles from the Alexandria Gazette as well as primary documents like the Auditor's Annual
Statement (1893) and correspondence. In addition to the research papers, the collection also contains correspondence from
the Columbia Engine Co. #4 and the Alexandria Fire Department, meeting minutes, certificates, articles, and a few pictures.
Sampson's research primarily covers the history of the Alexandria Fire Department from its beginning in 1774 with the organization
of the Friendship Company to the 1960's. It also bound volumes of minutes, accounts, and other records from various fire companies
and scrapbooks of news clippings about the department. The collection also includes Sampson's photographs covering not only
fire related subjects but also Alexandria in general.
Arrangement is by subject and divided into the following eight series.
I. Alexandria Fire Department Miscellaneous
This series contains miscellaneous materials about the Alexandria Fire Department and general information.
II. Engine Companies
This series contains items pertaining to the history of the Alexandria Fire Department and its individual engine companies.
The series is further divided into the following categories:
Individual Engine Company Names (ex: Columbia Engine Co. #4); General, which contains information relevant to all the engine
companies; and, the Research Notes of William Hellmuth.
III. Events
This series contains items pertaining to particular fires that occurred in Alexandria and are
organized chronologically.
IV. Miscellaneous
This series contains all items which do not directly relate to the Alexandria Fire Department and
includes general notes and articles on firefighting.
V. Record Books
This series contains bound volumes containing logs, minutes, membership rolls and financial information.
VI. Scrapbooks
This series consists of scrapbooks containing news clippings relating to the Alexandria Fire Department from 1966-1986.
VII. Photographs
This series of Sampson's photographs includes some fire department related materials but also photos featuring Alexandria
in general.
VIII. Scrapbook Photographs
Photos of different places in Alexandria, generally identified by street.
General--History: Includes papers entitled "History of the Alexandria Fire Dept." and "History by Companies"
Text box: 1 folder: 2
General--Notes: Includes papers entitled "General Info. Fire Dept. and Other Interesting Facts" and "Notes", and two photocopies
of unidentified pictures.
Text box: 1 folder: 3
General--Typescript of Auditor's Annual Statement (1893) and Laws of Alexandria, D.C. (1844)
1844-1893
Text box: 1 folder: 4
Alexandria Fire Dept and Volunteer Fire Dept.--Miscellaneous Documents: Newsletter, resolutions, memos, meeting minutes, and
correspondence
Alexandria Hose and Engine Co., Crescent Fire Co., Hope Hose Co.--Notes: Typescript of meeting minutes, notices, and notes
Text box: 1 folder: 6
Columbia Engine Co. #4--History: Typescript Alexandria Gazette articles (1930, 1941), paper entitled "Columbia Engine Co.
#4 (formerly Star Company)," two pictures
1930-1941
Text box: 1 folder: 7
Columbia Engine Co. #4--Miscellaneous Documents: Checks , correspondence , resolutions of respect certificates , draft of
new constitution and by-laws
1943-1972
Text box: 1 folder: 8
Columbia Engine Co. #4--Typescript of Old Record Book
1872-1967
Text box: 1 folder: 9
Columbia Engine Co. #4--Search for Missing Property--Correspondence
1972-1974
Text box: 1 folder: 10
Columbia Engine Co. #4--History of the Tower Bell: Correspondence (1984), Typescript of Alexandria Gazette articles (1971-1976)
1971-1984
Text box: 1 folder: 11
Friendship Fire Co.--History: List of Co. Members, paper entitled "Info. Compiled from Research of William F. Hellmuth"
Text box: 1 folder: 12
Hydraulion Engine Co.--History: Paper entitled "History of Hydraulion Steam Fire Engine Company"
Text box: 1 folder: 13
Potomac Engine Co.--Photocopied Pictures
Text box: 1 folder: 14
Relief Fire Co.--History: Booklet entitled "1788...A History of the Relief Truck and Engine Company No. 1 of the Alexandria
Fire Dept. Alex. VA...1958," paper entitled "Relief Fire Co. History," news clipping (1921), typescript of news clipping (1925)
1921-1958
Text box: 1 folder: 15
Relief Fire Co.--Death of George Whalen: Typescript of witness accounts, picture of tombstone
Text box: 1 folder: 16
Star Fire Co.--History: Paper entitled "History of Star Fire Company"
Text box: 1 folder: 17
Sun Fire Co.--History: Paper entitled "Sun Fire Co--Alexandria Fire Dept."
Text box: 1 folder: 18
Sun Fire Co.--Controversy of 1861 Engine: Paper entitled "The Stolen (?) Hand Drawn Fire Engine"
Destructive Fires (1841-1925): Typescript of Alexandria Gazette articles
1841-1925
Text box: 1 folder: 24
Fire of 1855: Typescripts of Alexandria Gazette articles, obituaries, tributes of respect (1855), typescript of Alexandria
Gazette article (1974), pictures of monument at Ivy Hill and volunteer firemen, research on location of the graves of 7 firemen
killed in the fire
1855-1974
Text box: 1 folder: 25
Market House Fire of 1871: Typescript of Alexandria Gazette article
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