Liberty Engine Company 7
This company was organized August 9th, 1871, and went into service in April, 1872, in a section of Paterson called Weavertown. They used the #7, formerly used by the defunct Totowa company. Their first engine was an old hand tub of Neptune 2.
August 22, 1872: Report on Liberty Engine 7. To use the old Gooseneck hand-tub of Neptune 2 and quartered on York Avenue near the Mission School.
Paterson Press
Subsequently a Van Ness piano-box engine, formerly used by Engine No. 6 and 1. As noted above, they were first located on York Avenue near the Mission School and later in a one-story frame building on the lot at 298 Tyler Street (near Graham Avenue). A brick firehouse was then built on this very lot (seen in photo below). In September, 1879, a single pump Clapp & Jones, was put in service. When the paid department was founded in 1890, the company became Engine Company 7.
Tyler Street between Graham Avenue and the RR (FH in pink)
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The photo below is of Liberty Engine Company 7 at their 298 Tyler Street Firehouse (renamed 12th Ave in 1929). Note at bottom right is almost certainly the first African American ever to be shown in a Paterson Fire Department photograph from the 19th century. Foreman in front with trumpets. Note child mascots. |
September 4, 1872: Parade for newly organized Liberty Engine 7
Guardian
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Guardian
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September 5, 1872: Discussion of potential apparatus for company
The Press
Unknown Liberty 7 Fireman wearing a shield shaped breast badge and parade belt.
His uniform cap is partially seen on the stand to his right.
His uniform cap is partially seen on the stand to his right.
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1873: Foreman: David Trueman Assistant: Thomas Hardy
Standard Shield Shaped Badge worn by a Liberty 7 member
(Brass color indicates a non-exempt fireman)
(Brass color indicates a non-exempt fireman)
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Eifler Collection
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Liberty Engine 7 Fireman's Helmet - the brass finial is broken in (note front of trumpet is missing from the figure) - writing indicates the helmet belong to Daniel Gregory who is listed as becoming an Exempt Paterson Fireman on March 7, 1888
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Dayspring Collection
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Eifler Collection
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Liberty 7 Helmet on the Firematic Market - July 2020
Lion Finial
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Lion Finial
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September 23, 1875: Company leaves on excursion to Iona Island
September 24 Press
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August 7, 1878: Cornerstone laid for the new firehouse of Liberty 7 on Tyler Street in the section of Paterson called Weavertown.
August 8 Guardian
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November 15, 1878: New quarters for Liberty 7 in Weavertown (Tyler Street) finished
Press
November 28, 1878: House warming at new quarters on Tyler Street for Engine 7 was on Thanksgiving Eve
November 29 Press
March 10, 1879: Death of William Rowland - member of Engine 7
Press
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July 16, 1879: New steamer for Engine 7 - should it be the old engine of Neptune 2 or a new one?
Press
September 11, 1879: Issues of concern to E7 members: their responses and desire for a steamer
Guardian
September 17, 1879: Arrival of Clapp and Jones Steamer for inspection - The debate is between this (preferred by many F/F) and a lighter engine.
Guardian
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View of the 1879 single pump Clapp & Jones Steamer outside the firehouse
Dayspring Collection
September 22, 1879: Steamer debate continues
Guardian
October 8, 1879: New Riverside Company (Liberty 7) has 45 members. John Martin is Foreman and William Wait Jr Assistant
Press
December 6, 1879: Death of Michael Trueman
Press
March 15, 1880: Engine 7 new steamer blew packing at Danforth Fire
Press
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August 31, 1880: Contract for new tender awarded
Press
April 5, 1881: Company elections - Ellis Robinson is new foreman and assistant is William Allen
April 8 Press
April 5, 1882: Company elections: Foreman Thomas Hodgson - Assistant George Bunting
Paterson Press
November 10, 1882: Bids taken for new alarm bell for Liberty 7.
November 11 Paterson News
December 23, 1882: New bell, weighing 500 pounds, placed in firehouse tower. Noted was that the old bell was originally at Paterson's jail yard
December 26 Paterson Press
April 4, 1883: Company officer elections - Thomas Hodgson President
April 5 Paterson Press
February 6, 1884: Delegates chosen for upcoming convention
Paterson Press
April 3, 1884: Company elections - John Cochran foreman and John Bland assistant
Paterson Press
April 9, 1885: Company elections - Foreman John Bland Assistant George Mills
June 10, 1885: Death of member John Dawson
Guardian
October 1, 1886: Liberty Engine 7 leadership
Morning Call
April 5, 1887: John Hammond, an original member, passes
April 6 Guardian
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April 6 Guardian
April 6 Guardian
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April 5, 1887: Elections - John Pulfort is Foreman with David Devine as Assistant
April 6 Press
April 8, 1888: Company Annual Election - Thomas Fish elected president
April 8 Morning Call Courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 9, 1888: Company picnic
Morning Call
May 9, 1889: Liberty 7 transiently relocates to old house of Cataract 2 during sewar installation on Tyler Street
Paterson Daily Press
November 2, 1889: Company Guards to go of their first annual Target Excursion
Morning Call
The gong below from the Moore collection is said to be from Liberty Engine 7 quarters
January 1, 1890: Dance affair at firehouse parlor
Janury 2 Paterson Daily Press
October 20, 1952: Death of fireman Ed Hardiman Sr, and Exempt Paterson FF (1889) who served in the Volunteer era at Liberty Engine Company 7
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October 21 Paterson News
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