Jackson Engine Company 4
This company was organized and placed in service in the fall of 1855.
A two-story brick house was built for them on Slater Street, between Mill and Jersey Streets, where they remained until the paid department took over in March of 1890 when they became Engine Company 4.
A two-story brick house was built for them on Slater Street, between Mill and Jersey Streets, where they remained until the paid department took over in March of 1890 when they became Engine Company 4.
149 Slater Street FH
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Slater Street between jersey and Mill Streets
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There are no good close-up photos of the Slater Street Firehouse but here is a
far view from Garret Mountain
far view from Garret Mountain
Their first engine was a piano-box engine built by James Smith, of New York. The first assistant foreman was John McKiernan - who then became Foreman in 1856 election.
1855: The company purchased and ran with a "Piano-Box" engine, built by James Smith of New York, (exactly like the one bought at the same time by Passaic Engine 1) and it served the company until Thanksgiving Day, 1868 when they received a new steam fire engine (shown below) built by the Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works.
July 26, 1856: 1 AM Fire at quarters on Slater Street with scorching of apparatus
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Falls City Registrar courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 27, 1856: Resolution related to the death of member Patrick Tierney, age 25, on December 26.
Guardian
December 25, 1856: Parade for new Smith apparatus received by the company
December 31 Falls City registrar courtesy Dennis Morrison
1857: Listed in city directory: Foreman James McKiernan; Assistant Foreman: Henry Walls; Secretary: ? O'Brien
August 5, 1857: Company Election - James McKiernan is Foreman and Assistant is John Cain
August 1, 1859: Company elections - William Sweeney is foreman and William Hays and P.K. Sweeney as Assistants
August 15 Guardian
September 27, 1859: Company trip to Brooklyn
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
November 3, 1858: Falls City Registrar Comments on parade
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 2, 1859: Resolution thanking ex-foreman James McKiernan ex-assistant foreman Quintan Kane for his services
Guardian
March 8, 1860: Sermon to FF at Cross Street Church
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 16, 1860: Jackson 4 Ball
Guardian courtesy Dennis Mossison
May 28, 1860: Apparatus trial
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 18, 1860: Fire Committee meeting re Engine 4 members
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 29, 1860: Thanks from Southwark Engine 2 of Newark, NJ to Neptune 2 and Jackson 4
Guardian
April 1, 1861: Fireman's Ball - members wearing capes and hats. An inscribed (see wording in news-clip below) Gold watch was presented to Foreman James McKiernan.
Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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Courtesy Jim Eifler
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May 17, 1861: Death of Thomas Vasey of Engine 4 at age 28
May 18 Guardian
August 8, 1861: Elections
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
1862: Foreman P. Birmingham; Assistant Foreman: William Hayes Secretary: Thomas Shervan
April 6, 1863: 7th Annual ball at Continental Hkall
April 5 Guardian
October 6, 1862: Death of FF Michael Kirwin, a civil war volunteer
October 7 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 17, 1865: Robbery and mugging of a soldier at Engine 4 quarters
July 18 Press
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July 18, 1865: Aldermen investigation of Engine 4 incident
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The Press
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July 18, 1865: Statement from Jackson Engine 4
October 14, 1865: Baseball mania overtaking the department
The Press
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Date Unknow - Presentation Shield from Washingon 31 to Jackson Engine 4
New York City Fire Museum
February 16, 1867: Silver Trumpet presented to Jackson 4 for their victory in a race
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Daily Guardian - Curtesy Jim Eifler
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April 1, 1867: Presentation silver trumpets at quarters of Engine 4. Fireman Thomas Mullen receives silver hunting case with chain and key. Description of company quarters and memorabilia described.
Guardian
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In a review published December 26 in Paterson Press
Below is Thomas Mullen's SECOND trumpet trophy for winning the same foot race, this time in 2 min. 25 seconds. This silver-plated trumpet was presented as a trophy to Thomas Mullen for winning a foot race at the Olympic Circus. The trumpet features a raised floral motif on the lower portion of the trumpet and an overlapping scale pattern on the upper portion of the trumpet. The trumpet has two rings that are strung with a braided orange cord with tassels. One ring is in the beak of an eagle. There is an inset cartouche with the inscription “Won by/ Thomas Mullen/ of/ Jackson Engine Inc./ No. 4/ at the/ Olympic Circus /Paterson N.J. /Mile Foot Race/ Time 2-25 sec.” Fire companies would often meet at community gatherings to compete in a variety of physical contests, including foot races in order to demonstrate their fitness as firefighters."
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1868: Company Foreman is William Sweeny - Assistant Foreman: C. Healy, Secretary John Murphy
February 18, 1868: Company and its constitution is incorporated
March 3, 1868: Death of two company members Arthur Mulholland and Dan Collins
Guardian
March 8, 1868 Press
April 22, 1868: Company presents badge to Hon. D Henry
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 3, 1868: Company is incorporated by the legislature. Company quarters described as having one of the finest parlors of any engine house in the city.
Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 18, 1868: Description of new streamer being built in Paterson.
Press
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July 30 Press
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Below is the 1868 Steam Fire Engine built by the Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works.
Below is the original engine lamp pictured above on the steamer (in the Dayspring Collection). The company was named after General (President) Andrew Jackson and his image (modeled after the battle of New Orleans) is etched on the lamp glass.
Front View
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Side View
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Rear View
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Close up of Jackson Etching
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Standard Shield Shaped Badge used by a member of Jackson 4
Shield Shaped Badge from the Steamer Era
August 21, 1868: Massive collapse with total destruction of Engine 4 quarters, described as one of the best in Paterson, as its cellar was being excavated. Apparatus was stored elsewhere. Significant memorabilia was feared as lost.
Guardian
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The Press
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Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 22, 1868: Many artifacts, including the trumpets recovered at the ruins of the firehouse
The Press
September 1, 1868: Committee declares faulty construction caused FH collapse
Press
September 18, 1868: At the Museum Hotel, the Company presents a small Gold Helmet Shield to the Honorable D Henry (alderman)
October 1, 1868: Alderman meeting - to build new firehouse for Jackson 4
Guardian
October 6, 1868: New engine house to be built on its old site on Slater Street
Guardian
October 6 Press
October 22, 1868: Test of the new Jackson 4 steamer
Press
November 12, 1868: News of FH construction
Press
November 25, 1868: Parade and its route celebrating the new steamer will be on November 28.
Guardian
November 27, 1868: Trial for new steamer
Press
December 10, 1868: As firehouse is being rebuilt, the steamer operates out of the Hose House on Bridge Street.
The Paterson Press
January 19, 1869: New firehouse roof almost finished
The Press
June 19 Press
May 3, 1869: Party at Engine House
May 4 Guardian
May 9, 1869 - Group of Exempts led by John Pollitt discuss the Murray Mill Fire and role of the new E4 Steamer at the May 10, 1869: 1:30 PM Ryles Mill, Murray Mill fire on Oliver Street between Jersey and Mill Streets
May 9, 1869 - Group of Exempts led by John Pollitt discuss the Murray Mill Fire and role of the new E4 Steamer at the May 10, 1869: 1:30 PM Ryles Mill, Murray Mill fire on Oliver Street between Jersey and Mill Streets
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May 9 Paterson Evening News
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May 12, 1869: Construction of new firehouse completed
Press
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June 11, 1869: Guardian article re the visit and competition of Rough and Ready # 2 of Pawtucket, RI |
Rough and Ready # 2 of Pawtucket RI Steamer (shown at quarters of Passaic Co 1 on Mulberry Street
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Courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 29, 1869: resolution on the death of member John Whitty
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Guardian
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August 5, 1869: Company elections
Paterson Press
July 16, 1870: 10:00 PM responding to a false alarm, the FF pulling Engine 4 are assaulted
July 17 Guardian
1871: Foreman: Arthur Fitzgerald, Secretary William White
1872: Foreman: Arthur Fitzgerald Assistant Foreman: Bartholomew Riley
1873: Foreman: William Perey, Assistant John Phalon
July 15, 1873: Responding to Station 36 (York and Tyler) Engine 4 has collision with horse car
The Press
March 29, 1875: Company Dance and sail up the Hudson
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From August 14 Paterson News "Looking Back" column
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January 2, 1876: Short newspaper clipping regarding an Engine 4 reception
April 18, 1876: Annual Ball at Opera House
The Press
September 9, 1876: Box 24 (Market and Vine Streets) 10:00 PM Ryder Carpentry shop at Market and Seeley Streets. FF John Powers of Jackson Engine 4 responded on foot, became ill at then scene, was carried home and died (likely from a heart attack)
September 11 1876 Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
April 6, 1877: Annual Ball at Washington Hall
April 7 - The Press
August 7, 1877: Company elections - Charles Carl is Foreman with John O'Malley as Assistant
Press
1878: Publication of the Company By-laws
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January 9, 1878: Apparatus repair news: this is the apparatus built by the Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works in 1868
June 17, 1879: Steamer undergoing repairs
Press
July 31, 1879: Vandalism at firehouse
Press
August 4, 1879: Annual election at Jackson 4. Alexander Murray becomes foreman and James Mullen his assistant
August 5 Press
December 12, 1879: Death of William Birmingham, member of Jackson 4
Press
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December 15 Press
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July 30, 1880: Members to attend August 1 funeral of member Henry Collins
July 30 Press
Press
August 2, 1880: Company elections - James Mullen elected Foreman and John Delaney Assistant
August 3 Press
October 28, 1880: Death of member Alexander MacDonald
October 29 Press
November 9, 1880: Resolution re death of member Alexander Mac Donald
Press
August 19, 1881: Jackson 4 Excursion: incident in Jersey City
August 19 Press
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1882: Company received a new steam fire engine (a Clapp and Jones)
April 11, 1882: Death of member Daniel Kelly - age 24
Paterson Press
April 18 Paterson Press
November 18, 1882: Death of member Thomas Mullen, aged 37
Paterson Press
February 9, 1883: Alderman Pollitt's history of the Paterson Fire Department (from the Firemen's Herald)
Jackson Company 4
Paterson Press
May 24, 1883: Death of member Edward Flanagan (age 37)
May 26 Press
July 2, 1883: Rifle competition between Eagle H&L 1 and Jackson 4. The "Eagles" were victorious
July 3 Paterson Press
August 6, 1883: Company elections - Foreman is Richard Moore and Assistant John Brennan
Paterson Press
August 9, 1883: Engine 9 and Jackson 4 at a fire on August 7 drenched each other
November 5, 1883: Company advised Clapp and Jones is getting ready to ship new steamer
Paterson Press
December 5, 1883: Clapp and Jones finish building of new steamer for Jackson 4
Paterson Press
February 18, 1884: Death of Richard Coyle
February 18 Press
March 6 Press
July 31, 1884: Firehouse under repair
Paterson Press
August 4, 1884: Company elections - Foreman John Brennan and Assistant Denis Cluney
Paterson Press
August 11, 1884: During repair of firehouse, company using the house of Eagle Hook and Ladder 1
Paterson Pres
September 15, 1884: Death of William Howcroft
Paterson Press
March 20, 1885: Company Roster & Badge numbers
Foreman, JOHN BRENNAN, Assistant Foreman, DENIS CLUNEY.
Secretary, FREDERICK BEH, Treasurer, PATRICK SWEENEY,
Engineer, JOHN MULLEN, Assistant Engineer, BERNARD McGURK.
Badge Names. Occupation Residence
Number
1 Patrick Sweeney. ...... Carpenter. ........ 151 Mill street
2 Cornelius Healy ....... .Boiler Maker. . . . . . .70 Pine street
3 Matthew Kane.......... Helper. ............39 Mary street
4 Bartholomew Reilly. . .. .Boiler Maker. ...........................
5 William Percy. .......... Machinist. .........66 Jersey street.
6 Patrick Quinlan. ....... .Moulder........... .Madison street.
7 John Mullen............ Machinist ..........84 Spruce street
8 Peter Riley............. " . " ....... ..81 Pine street
9 John Johnson. ........ ..Bookkeeper ....... .25 Ward street.
10 William Loughlin . . . ....Teamster. ........ ..158 Mill street
11 Bernard McGurk ...... .Boiler Maker. . . . . . .67 Pine street.
12 Patrick Halloran... .... .Foreman. ........ .189 Spring street.
13 Frank Costello. .. ..... .Machinist. ........ .118 Slater street
14 James Mullen. ........ .Plumber. ..........82 Spruce street
15 Michael Bairds. ........ .Boiler Maker.. .... .12 Redwoods avenue.
16 William White.......... Machinist ..........150 Slater street
17 James Sweeney.. ... Carpenter. ......... 188 Mill street
18 Frederick Beh.......... Shirt Cutter .......71 Front street
19 Alexander Murray...... .Plumber. ....... ...104 Marshal street
20 Richard Moore. ......... Caulker.. .......... 202 Mill street
21 Andrew McDonald.. .. . .Teamster. . .. . . . . ..126 Slater street
22 William Morrison.........boiler maker.............184 Mill street.
23 Joseph McCrystal...... .Liquor Dealer. ..... Tyler street.
24 John Lawlor. ......... .Boiler Maker. .. . .. .137 Vine street.
25 Edward J. Keys. ....... .Tax Commissioner. .68 Marshall street.
26 Andrew Kehoe. ....... .Shoemaker.. . .. . ....39 Market street
27 John MeGlade......... ..Truckman.......... 143 Mill street.
28 John Marshall. ........ ..Boiler Maker. .... ..45 Washington ave.
29 Michael Lawlor. ........ Moulder. ...........81 Jersey street.
30 James Cullerton. ....... .Peddler . ....... . . ..64 Marshall street
31 John Brennan. ...... .. .Blacksmith. . . . . .. . .Corn. Slater & Pine sts.
32 Louis Stengel.................Baker. .... ........ .Grand street
33 Patrick Boyle ......... .Silk Weaver. .......130 Jackson street
34 James Keys ............ Brick Dealer. ...... 269 Mill street.
35 Edward Kilpatrick .. . .. Boiler Maker. .... ..140 Marshall street.
36 Richard O'Brien ....... " " ....... ..... 146 Mill street
37 William Marshall.......... " " .......74 Prospect street
38 Denis Cluney. ............. " " ...... .... . 82 Prospect street
39 Thomas Healy. ......... " " .... .. .94 Spruce street,
40 James Kane ..................... .Machinist. .........84 Mill street.
41 Henry Keenan.......... Barber ...........131 Mill street.
42 Thomas McGuire. ...... .Brass Finisher. . ...... 92 Beach street
43 William Delaney Silk Finisher 134 Pine street
44 John Cluney. ........... Boiler Maker... . .. .17 Jackson street.
45 John Cusick............ Liquor Dealer . . . . . 68 Pine street.
46 Robert F. Glass ....... .grocer.. ....................174 Mill street.
47 Martin Corbett. ......... Boiler Maker.. .. . . .174 Mill street.
48 John Mullen........... .Plumer ........................174 Mill street.
49 Hugh Kennedy. ....... ..Teamster. ........ ..75 Spruce street.
50 James Condron........ .Boiler Maker.. . . . . .77 Pine street.
51 Patrick Quinn......... Boiler Maker.............................
52 John Quinn. ............ " " ...... Cor. Spruce & Grand.
53 John Phalon............ " ....... " 134 Pine street
54 Frank Blakely. .......... Machinist. ......... ...139 Pine street
55 James H. Brooks. . . .. . . .Millwright. .........11 Cross street.
56 George Cook........... .Teamster..........................................
57 Alexander Finnegan. . . . .liquor Dealer. . . . ..Cor. Slater & Marshall
58 Patrick Coleman. ..... .Boiler Maker.................................
59 John Donovan.. . .. . . .. .Helper. ........... .152 Marshall street
60 James Dailey.......... ..Machinist. ............. 18 Marshall street
61 Frank Quinn.. ......... .Boiler Maker. .. . .. .112 Marshall street
62 James Larragay. ...... ..Silk Weaver. . . . .. . 43 Jersey street.
63 Robert Dunphy ........ Silk Finisher... .........63 Jersey street
64 John Auger. .......... ..Machinist. ..... ..........139 Jersey street
65 Henry Kelly.. ..:...... .Liquor Dealer. . ... .329 Grand street.
66 Bernard McGeehan.. .." .. " Cor. Pine & Oliver sts.
67 Bartholomew Kennedy.. Liquor dealer..Cor. Mill & Market sts.
68 Jacob Reitz. .. ....... " " ..... 308 Grand street.
69 Patrick McCann. ............. " " ....22 Marshall street
Foreman, JOHN BRENNAN, Assistant Foreman, DENIS CLUNEY.
Secretary, FREDERICK BEH, Treasurer, PATRICK SWEENEY,
Engineer, JOHN MULLEN, Assistant Engineer, BERNARD McGURK.
Badge Names. Occupation Residence
Number
1 Patrick Sweeney. ...... Carpenter. ........ 151 Mill street
2 Cornelius Healy ....... .Boiler Maker. . . . . . .70 Pine street
3 Matthew Kane.......... Helper. ............39 Mary street
4 Bartholomew Reilly. . .. .Boiler Maker. ...........................
5 William Percy. .......... Machinist. .........66 Jersey street.
6 Patrick Quinlan. ....... .Moulder........... .Madison street.
7 John Mullen............ Machinist ..........84 Spruce street
8 Peter Riley............. " . " ....... ..81 Pine street
9 John Johnson. ........ ..Bookkeeper ....... .25 Ward street.
10 William Loughlin . . . ....Teamster. ........ ..158 Mill street
11 Bernard McGurk ...... .Boiler Maker. . . . . . .67 Pine street.
12 Patrick Halloran... .... .Foreman. ........ .189 Spring street.
13 Frank Costello. .. ..... .Machinist. ........ .118 Slater street
14 James Mullen. ........ .Plumber. ..........82 Spruce street
15 Michael Bairds. ........ .Boiler Maker.. .... .12 Redwoods avenue.
16 William White.......... Machinist ..........150 Slater street
17 James Sweeney.. ... Carpenter. ......... 188 Mill street
18 Frederick Beh.......... Shirt Cutter .......71 Front street
19 Alexander Murray...... .Plumber. ....... ...104 Marshal street
20 Richard Moore. ......... Caulker.. .......... 202 Mill street
21 Andrew McDonald.. .. . .Teamster. . .. . . . . ..126 Slater street
22 William Morrison.........boiler maker.............184 Mill street.
23 Joseph McCrystal...... .Liquor Dealer. ..... Tyler street.
24 John Lawlor. ......... .Boiler Maker. .. . .. .137 Vine street.
25 Edward J. Keys. ....... .Tax Commissioner. .68 Marshall street.
26 Andrew Kehoe. ....... .Shoemaker.. . .. . ....39 Market street
27 John MeGlade......... ..Truckman.......... 143 Mill street.
28 John Marshall. ........ ..Boiler Maker. .... ..45 Washington ave.
29 Michael Lawlor. ........ Moulder. ...........81 Jersey street.
30 James Cullerton. ....... .Peddler . ....... . . ..64 Marshall street
31 John Brennan. ...... .. .Blacksmith. . . . . .. . .Corn. Slater & Pine sts.
32 Louis Stengel.................Baker. .... ........ .Grand street
33 Patrick Boyle ......... .Silk Weaver. .......130 Jackson street
34 James Keys ............ Brick Dealer. ...... 269 Mill street.
35 Edward Kilpatrick .. . .. Boiler Maker. .... ..140 Marshall street.
36 Richard O'Brien ....... " " ....... ..... 146 Mill street
37 William Marshall.......... " " .......74 Prospect street
38 Denis Cluney. ............. " " ...... .... . 82 Prospect street
39 Thomas Healy. ......... " " .... .. .94 Spruce street,
40 James Kane ..................... .Machinist. .........84 Mill street.
41 Henry Keenan.......... Barber ...........131 Mill street.
42 Thomas McGuire. ...... .Brass Finisher. . ...... 92 Beach street
43 William Delaney Silk Finisher 134 Pine street
44 John Cluney. ........... Boiler Maker... . .. .17 Jackson street.
45 John Cusick............ Liquor Dealer . . . . . 68 Pine street.
46 Robert F. Glass ....... .grocer.. ....................174 Mill street.
47 Martin Corbett. ......... Boiler Maker.. .. . . .174 Mill street.
48 John Mullen........... .Plumer ........................174 Mill street.
49 Hugh Kennedy. ....... ..Teamster. ........ ..75 Spruce street.
50 James Condron........ .Boiler Maker.. . . . . .77 Pine street.
51 Patrick Quinn......... Boiler Maker.............................
52 John Quinn. ............ " " ...... Cor. Spruce & Grand.
53 John Phalon............ " ....... " 134 Pine street
54 Frank Blakely. .......... Machinist. ......... ...139 Pine street
55 James H. Brooks. . . .. . . .Millwright. .........11 Cross street.
56 George Cook........... .Teamster..........................................
57 Alexander Finnegan. . . . .liquor Dealer. . . . ..Cor. Slater & Marshall
58 Patrick Coleman. ..... .Boiler Maker.................................
59 John Donovan.. . .. . . .. .Helper. ........... .152 Marshall street
60 James Dailey.......... ..Machinist. ............. 18 Marshall street
61 Frank Quinn.. ......... .Boiler Maker. .. . .. .112 Marshall street
62 James Larragay. ...... ..Silk Weaver. . . . .. . 43 Jersey street.
63 Robert Dunphy ........ Silk Finisher... .........63 Jersey street
64 John Auger. .......... ..Machinist. ..... ..........139 Jersey street
65 Henry Kelly.. ..:...... .Liquor Dealer. . ... .329 Grand street.
66 Bernard McGeehan.. .." .. " Cor. Pine & Oliver sts.
67 Bartholomew Kennedy.. Liquor dealer..Cor. Mill & Market sts.
68 Jacob Reitz. .. ....... " " ..... 308 Grand street.
69 Patrick McCann. ............. " " ....22 Marshall street
May 3, 1885: Death of member John Phalon
May 4 Paterson Press
August 7, 1885: Company elections - Foreman is James Condron and assistant John Anger
Paterson Press
August 25, 1885: Pole on E4's steamer needs replacement
Paterson Press
December 31, 1885: Good words about driver Patrick Sweeney
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
The following photo and obit (see roster above) was shared by relative Dennis Morrison.
Richard Moore
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Obituaries of famed FF William Morrison
January 17 1886: FF James Laragay of Engine 4 (E7 in article is a mistake) is run over by the hose tender responding to a fire. Suffers a crushed finger.
January 18 Paterson Press
January 22 Paterson Press
February 5, 1886: Engine 4 topples at Slater and Main Streets over during a response at 10:40 Am to Station 72 (City Hall). Driver Patrick Sweeney injured
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February 9, 1886: FD Committee requests that Clapp and Jones send repairman to evaluate Engine 4 steamer
Paterson Press
March 22, 1886: Chief Engineer Kearney visits Clapp & Jones factory to check on repairs of Engine 4
Paterson Press
May 17, 1886: Engine 4 horse team enjoys eating firemen coat buttons
Paterson Press
October 1, 1886: Jackson Engine 4 leadership - Foreman James Condron and Assistant John Anger
Morning Call
October 25, 1886: New horse for the tender received
Paterson Pres
December 18, 1886: New Hose Wagons, built by Sowerbutt for Engines 4 and 5. Painted red with gold stripes and have lamps on the side. Each carriers a toolbox.
Paterson Press
May 3, 1887: Company to buy a new horse
Paterson Press
December 19, 1888: Engine 4 drivers are Sweeney and Riley - the issue is they rapidly get to the fires and few other members are reporting. This demonstrates the need for a fully paid fire department
Paterson Press
March 19, 1890: Sale of Company effects announced
May 20 Paterson Daily Press
November 14, 1895: Note at the bottom of the above photo a "6 pounder" cannon, which was an original possession of Jackson Engine 4. It was presented to the Exempts by Engine 4 Captain Sweeney. Its story is below.
Paterson Press