James emigrated to New York with his Father Joseph KNIBBS and is the ancestor of Ana Knibbs Rizzo who many of us know from this list. We know much about his history in the Fire Service in New York as well as his invention of what was known as the Knibbs Run-around which I believe was a form of safety valve used on the old steam fire engines. I believe the following is a new document on the internet that provides us with a little more knowledge about him: Don An excerpt from Troy's One Hundred Years 1789-1889, compiled by Arthur James Weise, M. A., and published in 1891 by William H. Young of 7-9 First Street in Troy: Arba Read Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, informally organized in November, 1859; constitution and by-laws adopted December 19th; first officers elected January 9th, 1860. First engine received March 28th, that year. The engine-house, next north of the present [i. e., 1891] one, on the north-west corner of Third and River streets, was built in 1860; the present one was erected in 1875. The "law relating to the establishment and organization of a steam fire company of the city of Troy," passed by the Common Council, February 16th, 1860, designated the members of the Arba Read Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, as firemen of the city, limiting them to sixty persons. On May 24th, 1860, a span of black horses was purchased for the company. On January, 1862, the trustees transferred the apparatus and property to the city. James KNIBBS was appointed engineer of the company February, 1860, which position he filled until December 1st, 1863.