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
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This company was officially organized January 1st, 1867. They were given the 1855 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). |
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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
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July 25, 1871: Test of new steamer
Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 26 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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July 31 Press
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August 11 Guardian
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August 11 Press
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Paterson Press
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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.
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.
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
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April 4, 1879: Company received a Gold Trumpet at recent fair.
Guardian
September 1, 1879: Company picnic
Press
October 27, 1879: Response error by Vigilant 6
Press
March 3, 1881: "Immoral" Activity at Vigilant 6 firehouse
Press
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April 21, 1881: Steamer seriously injuries (rolls over) a one of the firemen (Thomas Wild)
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Press
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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
September 18, 1881: Company elections -
August 8, 1883: Company mascot death
Courtesy Jim Eifler
October 16, 1881: Engine 6 steamer getting new boiler
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
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
November 25, 1885: Follow up on FF Thomas Wild, injured in 1881
The Press
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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
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Paterson Press
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January 11, 1887: Funeral of Vigilant 6 beloved dog "Bulger"
January 12 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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January 7 Bulger Story - Guardian
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January 10 Paterson Press
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January 21, 1887: Clapp and Jones steamer to be shipped back to factory for overhaul.
Morning Call Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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Paterson Press
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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.
Morning Call Courtesy Dennis Morrison
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February 23 Paterson Press
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October 10, 1887: Company baseball game
Paterson Press
December 22, 1887: Aldermen decide to get new horses for Engine 6 as the previous tem are not working well
Paterson Press
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May 3, 1888: Engine 6 horses go on a wild run causing a scare for driver Roswell
Paterson Press
January 6, 1888: Engine 6 has a ineffective team of horses
Paterson Press
Drawing from the 1888 "Fire Service of Paterson" book depicting the stables of Vigilant Engine Company 6
February 7, 1889: Driver Roswell deals with a broken rein when exiting the firehouse
Paterson Press
October 15, 1889: Horse teams runs away during exercise period
Paterson daily Press
October 19, 1899: Engine 6 horse not up to quality needed (being unmanageable)
Guardian
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Paterson Daily Press
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October 28, 1889: Hose wagon driver Josiah Barton resigns as firehouse is too confining
Paterson Press
November 19, 1886: The effects of Vigilant 6 to be sold
Paterson Press
December 3, 1889: Auction of Vigilant 6 firehouse materials including a fire alarm bell weighing 410 pounds and some helmets.
February 7, 1891: Death of Vigilant 6 member Leonard Garrison (Chief Engineer in 1881)
April 2, 1893: Isaac Thompson - Former member of Vigilant Engine 6 of Paterson Volunteer department who was crippled during a response
April 3 Paterson News
March 22, 1922 - Looking Backward Column in Morning Call
Page 5 - For full report CLICK HERE
