A director of firemen.
1763. Collectors, wardens, fire-wards, and representatives, are regularly chosen.—John Adams, ‘Diary’ (1850), ii. 144. (N.E.D.)
1787. In some parts of America, and particularly in Boston, there are fire-wards appointed by the town; these are generally chosen from among the most respectable of the inhabitants, and by general consent they have absolute power when in action. I have known the governor of Massachusetts to be placed by a fire-ward in one of the lanes, and he very prudently obeyed with chearfulness.—American Museum, ii. 478/1.
1800. A notice from “The Firewards of the town of Boston” appears in the Mass. Mercury, Nov. 18.
