The Quarantine Fire of 1858

While the word “quarantine” is on everyone’s mind today, it’s interesting to look back at a famous quarantine incident that took place on Staten Island many years ago.

In 1799, Tompkinsville, Staten Island, became the site of a quarantine hospital for arriving immigrants who were ill with cholera, smallpox, and other contagious diseases.  The diseases spread to Staten Island residents, and many called for the quarantine to be closed. Frustrated by the lack of government action, residents finally took matters into their own hands.

On the night of September 1, 1858, a mob of local residents stormed the quarantine, and, after evacuating the patients, set fire to several of the buildings.  Having found no opposition on the first night, they returned on September 2nd and burned the remaining buildings.  

In the following days, some of those involved in the fires were arrested and charged with arson. The two men considered the ringleaders were tried in the Third County Courthouse (now Historic Richmond Town’s Visitor Center) in September and October 1858. Judge Henry B. Metcalfe presided over their trial, and in November 1858 ruled in favor of the defendants, declaring that they had acted only to defend their life and property. 

Although no one was convicted, the residents of Richmond County were forced to reimburse New York State a total of $133,882 for damage to the Quarantine property.