Many accounts exist that describe a great fire in Alexandria that consumed dozens of buildings and houses on January 18, 1827. These include descriptions from the Alexandria Gazette [pdf], which was nearly caught up in the fire, the National Intelligencer, an account of actions taken by Congress, and even a diary account of the fire from an enslaved person at the Navy Yard.
This particular account is from a Philadelphia newspaper, Poulson's American Daily Advertiser, four days after the fire. Then, Philadelphia was a multi-day journey on horseback from Alexandria, D.C. (remember, Alexandria was part of Washington DC from 1791 until 1846) and is today a 2-hour drive. I have partially transcribed the various details all of which describe an:
"Awful Calamity in Alexandria
It is with feelings of the deepest concern and sympathy we perform the painful duty of recording the calamity that befell our sister city, Alexandria, yesterday. An extensive and destructive conflagration has left the most populous and flourishing part of the city in ruins, and filled the bosoms of its inhabitants with grief and desolation. Many families that, yesterday morning, offered up their daily thanksgiving for the blessings of food, raiment, and shelter, were, in the evening, houseless and destitute – thrown, at this inclement season, upon the charities of neighbors almost as wretched as themselves, or left to wander amid the smoldering ruins of their late comfortable dwellings in hopeless misery. We have yet to be able to collect but a very imperfect account of the extent of the calamity. The alarm of the fire was given about nine in the morning when it was discovered that a cabinet maker's shop, in the interior of the square and near the intersection of King and Royal streets, was in flames, that house and nine or 10 others, fronting on alleys were consumed, most of which were the back buildings of houses fronting on King and Fairfax streets. From these the fire moved to Fairfax Street, consuming the wooden house is occupied by Mr. Hill as a Turner shop, Mr. Masterson‘s as a Schumaker shop, Mr. Brock is, as a merchant Taylor and dwelling; then three-story brick houses, occupied by Mr. Dodds, Schumaker, and family, Dr. Hope Hooper, druggist and family, captain Johnson’s family, one on occupied, and Captain Renee‘s family, then three smaller brick tenements and several wooden ones; all these were on the west side of Fairfax Street. On the east side to three-story brick store Z and dwellings were also consumed; one occupied as a wholesale dry goods store by C. and JP Thompson, and dwelling in the other as a dwelling by Mr. Robert JT Wilson. Here the fire was arrested on Fairfax Street, but in the meantime the blazing shingles had lighted the flames in Prince Street, commencing at the intersection of that and water Street, sweeping every house on both sides from dance to Union Street, with the exception of one fireproof warehouse, occupied by Mr. Miller as a leather store.
On Union Street the ravages were checked north and south, and prevented the crossing the street to the east thereby saving the most valuable property in town, lying on the wharves, where the shipping was completely riveted by ice too strong to leave hope of escape. On Prince Street about 30 houses were burnt, many of which were brick, but chiefly would; and on union five or six brick warehouses we’re totally consumed. The sufferers on these two streets, were Mr. field, Mr. Isabell, Mr. whore well, Mr. Snyder, Mr. Smoot, Mr. Mae, Mr. Robinson, Mr.‘s Cogan and Whittle, Mr. she he and many others. The whole number of houses consumed are hastily estimated at between 80 and 90. No correct calculation can be made in regard to value of property, But it will not fall far short of $150,000.
We are particularly desired to acknowledge the great obligation of the citizens of Alexandria to those of Washington in Georgetown, through who’s exertions an immense amount of property was saved.
This was written from the perspective of Washington DC:
Awful Fire at Alexandria – a few minutes before 9 o’clock yesterday morning, and alarming fire broke out in the town of Alexandria. It was soon perceived from the city; and, cold as the weather was, (thermometer at 13,) our townsman turned out with alacrity, and almost literally flew to the assistance of their neighbors. The engine from the Capitol Hill, with its hose, was underway in a few minutes after the fire was discovered. – about 300 persons from the Navy Yard, headed by Captain Booth, we’re underway almost as soon, but, having further to go, did not arrive quite as early on the ground. The engine from the post office department, with its fine hose, got underway as soon as The fire was ascertained to be serious, and had just started when an express arrived to our mayor from the mayor of Alexandria, soliciting aid, upon which the engine of the second Ward, and that from the first were notified, and we’re underway. Nor were our Georgetown neighbors behind hand; with great spirit they went down in numbers in carriages, on horseback, and on foot, caring also, it is believed, their engine. All the Marines on the station, were also carried down by Captain Howell, under the orders of Colonel Henderson, and carrying an engine with them; and though they did not arrive until the fire was got under afforded important service as guards. The whole number of persons went down from the side of the river could not be less than 1000. If we appear to dwell too much on this public spirit spirited conduct of our citizens on this occasion, let it be recollected that the distance to Alexandria from most points was 7 miles, and that the engines arrived there about the time the fire was most appalling. If any other cause for exhalation is thought to be necessary to justify it, let it be found in the fact, that the fire was arrested, and a vast amount of property rescued from the jaws of distraction, by the aid does afforded. The first SUCCOR from the city arrived about 11 o’clock and was followed by successive supplies. Our friends at Alexandria, exhausted by fatigue and anxiety, we’re not employed in endeavoring to save their individual property, and without the excellent apparatus of the hose, which we have, we’re not able to contend with the devouring element. They welcome relief from this quarter almost providential, and they are unbounded in the measure of their thanks for the assistance, without which, the best parts of their town, with most of the shipping, would have shared the feet of that valuable portion of it which was already in flames.
The article goes on to discuss specific buildings lost and their significance. This can be read below in more detail.
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