Kate’s notes: This was quite an interesting recollection though I’ve had a difficult time pinning down the particulars for John Gillilan. There have been Gillilands in the city of New York since colonial times, mostly – as we would expect – James and John Gillilands. There have been the expected variances of spelling with perhaps the most unusual one belonging to a William Gyllylen, a sergeant with the NYC militia and 1st guard at the Powder House. This spelling, however, may actually be of Dutch origins, which would be expected for the NYC of that time, and unrelated to the families of the UK and Ireland.
    The clue to the pedigree of our subject might be the reference to Broad Street, his birthplace. There is record of a James Gillilan living on Broad Street at some time between 1774-1776. If anyone has more information on John Gillilan of the old NYFD, please contact Kate at hpuppet@frontier.com

REMINISCENCES

OF THE

OLD FIRE LADDIES

AND

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS OF
NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN

TOGETHER WITH
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE PAID DEPARTMENTS OF
BOTH CITIES.

BY
J. FRANK KERNAN, A. M.
(“FLORREY”)

NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED BY M. CRANE, 21 COLLEGE PLACE
1885.

JOHN GILLILAN was born in the city of New York, in Broad Street, and commenced his fire career very early in life. When he was of age to run around, he took to Engine Companies 9 and 11, who were at that time great companies. The former lay in Marketfield Street, near Broad, and Engine Company 3 and Hook and Ladder 1 in the rear on Beaver Street. Engine Company 11 then lay in the rear of the market in Old Slip. These companies often met in Wall Street, and their races were joined in by young John. Finally, Mr. Gillilan became foreman of Hose Company No. 38, and remained as such for nine years. In consequence of failing health, he retired, and changed his residence to Harlem. His friends, and even Mr. G. himself, supposed that he was done with his duty; but the old fire spirit was still there, and only awaited a little reaction of the body to get again to work. I recollect well the difficulty Mr. Gillilan had to leave No. 38. They did everything they could to keep him, but they knew that when he had settled anything in his mind he could not be changed, and they lost him.
    Before leaving, the company presented him with a splendid service of silver, as a mark of their appreciation and regard. Mr. Gillilan was one of the best friends the Fire Department ever had. He looked to its interests in preference to himself. No act of his could be attributed to a selfish motive. He had fire honors thrust upon him simply because he was the best man for the place, and on every occasion, when he found that a deserving man could be benefited by his action, he has given up places to which many would aspire. Mr. Gillilan was, at the time of his withdrawl from Hose Company 38, the Secretary of the Fire Department. He succeeded Geo. H. Purser in the place, and kept for five years the books of the Department.
    Mr. Gillilan had resided in Harlem but a short time when the law, by which the engineers of the Fire Department held office for an indefinite period, was changed to the term of three years. Mr. Gillilan, having resigned from the Department, was not eligible to the position; but the firemen of Harlem wanted him for their engineer, and elected him immediately foreman of Engine Company No. 35, and at their solicitation he became a candidate. The law relative to engineers was very singular at that time. No provision was made for Harlem; so that when the election came off, Harlem was forgotten, and the lower part of the city had all the engineers. Mr. Gillilan then turned all his attention to Engine Company No. 35, and that company soon advanced in numbers and efficiency, and became the hardest-working company in the upper districts. The following winter, an ordinance giving Harlem an engineer was adopted by the Common Council. It was obligatory that the fireman elected should reside in Harlem. 
    Nearly every fireman will recollect the great excitement of that election. It was at the time the great Carson and Anti-Carson May meetings were held, some of a social character, and some political, but all tended to “Carson and Anti-Carson.” Every fire company in the city was canvassed for votes, as on the result of this election was based the standing of the chief engineer. Gillilan was “Anti-Carson,” and the result of the election was that he received more majority than his opponent did votes, although the opposing candidate stood well socially and as a fireman. Mr. Gillilan served his three years, and then retired. After declining again to again become a candidate, there was another presentation, -- another silver set, comprising a large slaver and three pitchers, -- and another social gathering that those present will never forget.

                                                                                    -transcription by Kate Maynard, 2013

Added note: Though no specific dates were provided in the above biography, they may be found in the following reference:
Our Firemen, The History of the NY Fire Departments
Chapter 38, Part III
By Holice and Debbie
Link: http://www.newyorkroots.org/bookarchive/historyofnyfiredepartments/31-40/ch38pt3.html

(excerpt) No. 38. -- Amity. -- Was organized March 8, 1842, and located at 130 Amity Street, next door to Union engine company no. 18, and a few doors from Phoenix Hook and Ladder Company No. 3. John Gillilan was one of the organizers and the first foreman of the company; he afterwards joined Engine Company No. 35, and became an assistant engineer in 1850, serving until 1853.