VIGILANT 6

Vigilant Engine Company 6

The "Sandy Hillers"

December 15, 1866: Officers and company name announced. Lots for firehouse purchased. James King is the first Foreman with Samuel Whitney as Assistant

Paterson Press

December 18, 1866: Engine company 6 is organized and ready to go, using the former hand pumper of Passaic Engine 1. Temporary quarters was a small shed on Paterson Street near Market Street.

December 18 Press

December 30, 1866: New firehouse to be inspected

Press

This company was officially organized January 1st, 1867. They were given the Smith piano-box hand engine last used by Passaic Engine Co. No. 1, and were housed in a one-story frame building which stood on a lot adjoining their subsequent brick house at 304 Market Street (between Straight and Madison Streets).

James Smith Piano Box Hand Pumper formerly used by Passaic 1

Below is shown one of the two marble plaques which were on the front of the firehouse (see photo above). The other was carved "Vigilant 6." The plaque is seen below embedded in a different location (not the firehouse).

Vigilant VI can be seen on frame and engine lamp

Early Helmet Shield -- Dayspring Collection

January 10, 1867: Issues with the new company

Guardian courtesy of Dennis Morrison

March 20, 1867: New helmet shields for Vigilant 6

The Press

April 16, 1867: Requests from Engine 6

August 9, 1867: Description of New Firehouse

Guardian

October 19, 1867: Progress on new Engine House (on Market Street east of Straight Street)

The Press

October 31, 1868: Ball of Vigilant 6 at the Opera house

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 17, 1867: 1st annual ball of Vigilant 6 at Continental Hall. The firemen are referred to as the "Vigilants"

November 18 The Press

July 18, 1869: Ridgewood Hose 7 of Greenpoint, LI visits Paterson

Guardian

July 26, 1869: Ridgewood Hose 7 of Greenpoint Long Island visits Engine 6 in Paterson

Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

August 23, 1870: Grand Excursion for Vigilant 6

The Guardian

August 25, 1870: Engine 6 excursion

Guardian

1871: Assistant Foreman: John Whitney Secretary: Earnest Burton

April 10, 1871 - Aldermen award contract for new Harrel and Hayes steamer to Harrell and Hayes of the Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works.

April 11 Paterson Press

June 25, 1871: Test of Vigilant 6 Steamer

The Press

July 25, 1871: Test of new steamer

Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 26 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

July 31 Press

August 11 Guardian

August 11 Press

Paterson Press

1871 (fall) Company was furnished with the third-class (4th size) double pump steamer, built by the Paterson Steam Fire Engine Works.

Vigilant VI Steamer built by Paterson Steam Fire Engine Company

1872: Foreman John Babcock; Assistant Foreman: Williajm Claxton

March 18, 1872: with help of Chief Engineer Atchison, Vigilant 6 is reorganized

Apparatus Nameplate

Below is a white marble slab from quarters of Vigilant 6: in center is a "vigilant"
fireman with right hand over eyes and trumpet in left arm. This slab is in the NJ Fireman's Museum in Boonton, NJ.

Closeup of the Vigilant 6 Fireman carved in the marble slab

Standard Shield Shaped badge (#8) of a member of Vigilant 6.
On the roster below #8 is fireman John Gillmore.

Vigilant 6 Shield Shaped Badge

Helmet Shield from Vigilant 6

Helmet Shield

Interesting Vigilant 6 badge that may have belonged to a child mascot

1873: Foreman: William Miller; Assistant Amos Edson; Secretary E.E. Perry

September 17, 1873: Company with 24 FF leaves for a visit to Norwich CT.

The Press

September 22, 1873: Engine 5 of Norwich, CT has a reception for Vigilant 6

Press

September 26, 1873: Assistant engineer of Vigilant 6 receives a letter of thanks for his actions on a trip to New London, CT

September 27 Press

October 30, 1874: Ball at Washington Hall

From August 14 Paterson News - "Looking Back" Column

December 14, 1876: FF Schaeffer to receive fire-injury related benefits. Had frozen extremity trauma to legs at Doherty Fire

The Press

January 16, 1877 Press

See post below dated September 1877

January 9, 1877: Flooding issues with floor of firehouse

The Press

June 30, 1877: Description of bells at Engine 6 quarters

Press

September 19, 1877: Condition of firefighter Conrad Schaeffer who had frostbite and other issues injuries sustained fighting a fire last October 31 is worsening

Press

October 5, 1877: Apparatus rolls over a small boy while returning to quarters

October 6 Press

October 28, 1877: Reception at finished house

Press

November 3, 1877: Out house issues at the firehouse

Press

December 4, 1877: New steamer lamps

Press

December 11, 1877: Engine 6 company plans incorporation

Press

January 22, 1879: Company dog called Bulger which hs similarities to Protection 5 dog called Potcheese

Press

April 4, 1879: Company received a Gold Trumpet at recent fair.

Guardian

September 1, 1879: Company picnic

Press

September 13 and 14, 1879: William Claxton of Vigilant 6 death and funeral

September 15 Guardian

October 27, 1879: Response error by Vigilant 6

Press

March 3, 1880: Death of member Richard Raney

Press

March 19 - 22, 1880: Death of 35 year old member John Whitney

March 19 Press

March 20 Press

March 22 Press

February 15, 1881: Death of Jonathan Brush - age 30

Press

March 3, 1881: "Immoral" Activity at Vigilant 6 firehouse

Press

April 21, 1881: Steamer seriously injuries (rolls over) a one of the firemen (Thomas Wild)

Press

See resolution in 1885 post below

May 1881: Photo of Chief Leonard Garrison posing with two members of Vigilant Engine 6 Note Roman #VI on their parade belt slide and their "Jockey Style" parade helmets

August 18, 1881: Death of member James Skelton

August 19 Press

August 22 Press

September 18, 1881: Company elections -

January 30, 1882: Death of member Thoms Sheriff.

January 31 Paterson Press

August 22, 1882: Funeral of member Stephen Bergen

Guardian

August 8, 1883: Company mascot death

Courtesy Jim Eifler

October 16, 1881: Engine 6 steamer getting new boiler

Paterson Press

December 4, 1881: Death of former member Rossiter Garrison

December 5 Paterson Press

January 24, 1883: Death of Thomas Lee at age 26

January 25 Paterson Press

March 6, 1884: Company elections - Foreman Thomas Whowell and Assistant James Burges

Paterson Press

July 17, 1884: Engine 6 using old steamer of Engine 4

Paterson Press

July 19 1884: Resolution re death of James King on July 14

Paterson Press

January 4, 1885: Death of John Demarest

January 6 Paterson Press

March 20, 1885: Company Roster & Badge numbers

Foreman, HARRY BRUNETTE, Assistant Foreman, ALBERT WHOWELL,
Secretary, WILLIAM CASEY, Treasurer, NOAH HAMPSON,
Engineer, ALLISON ROSWELL Assistant Engineer, ALEX. THOMS.

Badge Names. Occupation. Residence
Number
1 Leonard Garrison. ..... .Machinist.. ........ .293 Market street.
2 Abraham Doremus. .. ... " "............. ..293 Market street.
3 Patrick Dreeland.. . .. .. .Laborer.. ......... .93 Beach street
4 Wiliam F. Miller........ Speculator .........107 Willis street.
5 John F. Babcock. ... .. . .Machmist.. .......24 Morton street.
6 Joseph Valentine. ....... " " ......293 Market street
7 Allison Roswell.. .. .. ...Engineer. ...... ...8 Bank street
8 John Gillmore... ...... .Silk Weaver. .......63 First street.
9 Henry E. Burton. ....... " " ................6 Lake street
10 William Casey... ....... .Letter Carrier.. . ..9 McCurdy street
11 John Nichols .......... Lather.. ............19 Vine street.
12 Stewart Taylor. .. . .. . . .Machinist. .........64 Pearl street
13 Charles Martin..... . ... .Weaver. ........... .14 Vine street
14 John J. Hart. .......... .Machinist. ........ .299 Market street
15 George Carlock. ....... ..Engineer. ..........207 Garroll street
16 William Hedifen. ....... Machinist ..........363 Straight street
17 Adolphus Anthony.. ....." ".....................242 Straight street
18 John Frolich.. .............." " ......... Cor. Peach & Plum.
19 Edward Gunningham. . ..Plumber.. .......... 209 Garroll street
20 Samuel Neild.. ........ Machinist. ......... 293 Market street
21 Thomas Atherton.. .... .. " " ..........35 Willis street
22 Isaiah Case.. ................." " ..........48 Pearl street
23 William J. Wooley.... ..Musician. .........34 Railroad avenue.
24 Jacob Hugginson. . . ... .. Machinist......... .282 Straight.street
25 John Edwards.. ......... Teamster. ..........19 Vine street
26 James Burgess. . .... . . ..Machinist. .........29 Madison street
27 Charles Titus.. .. .. . .. .. .Moulder ........... Albion avenue.
28 Noah Hampson... . . .. . . .Blacksmith. ........5 Henry street
29 Thomas Checkly. . ... . . .Silk Weaver. . . . .. . .288 Tyler street
30 John Raney...................... " " ........26 Lewis street
31 William Burns..........Mouldler........... 72 Willis street
32 Eugene Benton. ....... ..Machinist. . . . . ... ..293 Market street
33 Henry Titus............ Silk Weaver. .......284 Straight street
34 Thomas Whowell............" " ......299 Market street
35 James Arnot............ Tinsmith. .......... 313 Market street.
36 William Golding. . . ... .Machinist.. ........16 Dickinson street.
37 Isaiah Whowell. ........ Machinist ..........299 Market street
38 Adolphus L. Schwarz . . Liquor Dealer. . . . . .99 Main street
39 Charles Taylor................... " " ....... 4 1/2 Ramapo avenue.
40 Harry Brunette......... .Dyer. ............. .294 Market street.
41 James Hugginson. .... Machinist.... ..... 282 Straight street.
42 Henry Bush.. ......... .Carpenter..........14 Godwin street.
43 Terhune Demarest. .... .Silk Weaver. .......70 Willis street.
44 James Hussey. ... ..... .Baker. .............20 Willis street.
45 John Edge. ........... .Moulder.. ....... ...301 Market street.
46 John Bowdoin :....... .Teamster......................................
47 John Shannon. ........ .Shoemaker ....... .394 Market street.
48 James Roberts.......... Silk Weaver. . . . . . 44 Pearl street.
49 Benjamin Hilton Jr.. . . . .Moulder.. ......... .45 Morton street.
50 James Carroll.. ......... Liquor Dealer. ..... 289 Market street.
51 Amos Edson ........... Silk Weaver. .......68 Spring street.
52 Ernest Burton.......... Letter Carrier. ... .. William street.
53 John Dreeland. ........ .Laborer. ...........93 Beech street.
54 William Slater. ........ .File Cutter. ........14 Broom street.
55 E. J. Webb............. Agent. ............. 281 Straight street.
56 Thomas Wild. ......... .Liquor Dealer. . . .. .302 Market street.
57 Albert Whowell.. ....... .Machinist. ......... 125 Clay street.
58 James Thoms. ......... .Silk Weaver. .. . . .. .Cor. Madison & Bond
59 Charles Costello. ....... .Bridge Builder.. . . .44 Essex street
60 James Raney. ........ . Silk Weaver. .......26 Lewis street.
61 William Smith. ......... Boiler Maker. . . . . . . 286 Straight street.
62 Alexander Thoms.. . .. .. .Machinist. ........ 33 Jackson street.
63 Thomas Symord. ....... .Silk Weaver.........................................
64 Michael J. Kelly... . ... .Base Ball Player. .. .363 Straight street
65 Edward Low. .......... Machinist. ........ .180 Market street
66 William Bateman. . . . .... Silk Dyer........................................
67 Isaac Compond. ...... .Machinist.. ...... .Holsman street
68 William Lord.. ......... Moulder.. ......... .342 Market street
69 Henry Bremkamp. . .. .. .Cigar Maker. . ... .41 N. York street
70 Frank McLaughlin ... Silk-Weaver. .......278 Market street
71 Richard Hargreaves.. ... Moulder. ......... ..290 Market street
72 Marcus Curley. ......... Weaver ... ........ 317 Straight street.
73 Josiah Barton................... " ...................28 Bond street

Cabinet photo of Foreman John Gillmore

May 25, 1885: Engine 6 request for new steamer not granted

Paterson Press

October 6, 1885: FF William Miller passes away

Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison

November 25, 1885: Follow up on FF Thomas Wild, injured in 1881

The Press

January 21, 1886: From Firemen's Herald is a note that Engine 6 to receive a new steamer by next spring

Paterson Press

February 13, 1886:

Courtesy Jim Eifler

October 1, 1886: Vigilant Engine 6 leadership

Morning Call

December 10, 1886: Delay with delivery of the Clapp and Jones steamer

Paterson Press

December 15, 1886: Clapp and Jones steamer arrives

Paterson Press

December 20, 1886: New steamer fails testing

Paterson Press

December 21, 1886: Engine 6 Clapp and Jones Steamer fails testing and returned to manufacturer

Morning Call

December 29, 1886: Dome of new steamer sent for replating

Paterson Press

January 6, 1887: Committee on Fire votes to return the Clapp and Jones Steamer to the manufacturer

Paterson Press

January 11, 1887: Funeral of Vigilant 6 beloved dog "Bulger"

January 12 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison

January 7 Bulger Story - Guardian

January 10 Paterson Press

January 21, 1887: Clapp and Jones steamer to be shipped back to factory for overhaul.

Morning Call Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Paterson Press

February 22, 1887: Company received an overhauled Clapp & Jones engine. This apparatus was later usurped by the Paid Paterson Fire Department in 1890 and was renamed as Engine Company 6.