USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Paterson > History of Paterson and its environs (the silk city); historical- genealogical - biographical > Part 39
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Thompson's Cornet Band supplied music whenever military doings re- quired such. The drill grounds were either the sandy flats then extending about the corner of Main and Grand streets, or similar flats near where the Paterson Orphan Asylum now stands.
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When the War of the Rebellion broke out, many of these organizations enlisted almost to a man ; those who returned had no desire for further mili- tary exercises and for a number of years there was no militia in Paterson nor any organization of a military character.
CHAPTER II.
The Paterson Light Guard-The Second Regiment of New Jersey Vol- unteers during the Spanish-American War-The four companies of The Fifth Regiment-Loss of their identity during the World War. Present prospects of the militia.
The Paterson Light Guard, for many years one of the leading military organizations of New Jersey and the most pretentious undertaking of its kind in Paterson, was organized in 1879. Several men who had a predilec- tion for military affairs had discussed the project for some time and to them the principal difficulty appeared to be the want of proper financial backing. When they began to look for this they were not disappointed, for men of means were willing to assist, principal among them being William Strange, a wealthy silk manufacturer. Joseph W. Congdon, who had been a member of the Twenty-second Regiment of the National Guard of New Jersey, took hold of the matter.
From the number of young men who were anxious to go into a military company, he soon saw that at least two good companies could be formed, and when the first formal meeting was called in Pope's Hall in Market street, on December 19, 1879, it was found that about 100 had signed the roll. After transacting considerable business the meeting was adjourned until January 23, 1880, at the Sunday school rooms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, corner of Ellison and Church streets. At this meeting it was de- cided to form a battalion of two companies, and the name of the organization to be the Paterson Light Guard. This was the parent organization of the First Battalion, National Guard of New Jersey. The Paterson Light Guard was to be an independent military and social organization, owning their own uniforms, arms and equipments. Some $4,500 was subscribed for the pur- chase of the latter, the admission fee of $25 for each member purchasing the former, and the uniform to be the personal property of each member. The uniform consisted of grey coat, suitably trimmed, dark blue cloth trousers, a sealskin shako with pompon, and a regulation fatigue cap, for drills. Seal- skin knapsacks, and Springfield rifles, 51 calibre, with nickel-plated barrels were purchased, and with the belts and plates with the monogram P. L. G., was rather a showy and striking uniform, and equipments to match.
At the January meeting an election was held for a commandant and line officers, Mr. Congdon being elected major. Washington Hall was engaged for a drill room, and three rooms in the same building were rented as an armory, officers and company rooms, and were fitted up for those purposes in a suitable and substantial manner.
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On January 31, 1880, Major Congdon issued his first orders, and as they clearly state the object of the organization, the line, staff and part of the non-commissioned staff officers, I give them in full :
HEADQUARTERS, "PATERSON LIGHT GUARD," PATERSON, N. J., JAN. 31st, 1880
General Orders, No. I, SS., 1880.
I. In pursuance of an election held on the 23d inst., the undersigned hereby assumes command of this Battalion.
II. It is believed that, in the organization of the Paterson Light Guard, the gentlemen who have enrolled themselves have thus entered upon what they consider to be the discharge of an important public duty, that of afford- ing additional protection to the lives and property of the people of Paterson and are furthermore actuated by the worthy desire of promoting a spirit of public pride in a military organization of commendable discipline and drill. While this association has not been effected by the process of enlistment in the National Guard of New Jersey, it has been entered into with no feeling of disrespect or disaffection toward the citizen soldiery of this State, or the able officers who command it; but, on the contrary, with a desire to receive from the State authorities such acceptance as shall invest the Paterson Light Guard with the dignity and responsibility that will constitute it the military protection of this important municipality. It is intended to represent no especial class of society, sect, or nationality ; nor does it acknowledge identifi- cation with the interests of any particular portion of this community as against another. It is urged, therefore, that every man enrolled should regard himself as bound, by every consideration of duty and honor, to con- form to the true character of a soldier while in uniform, supporting on all occasions his dignity as a citizen and his reputation as a gentleman. For only as such can he expect to merit the approval of the military authorities of the State, or win the respect and confidence of the citizens of Paterson.
III. The following elections and appointments, to fill original vacan- cies, are hereby announced :
Co. A .- Captain, James Beggs. Ist. Lieut .- Jno H. Berdan. 2d Lieut .- W. H. H. Stryker. Co. B .- Captain, Chas. Curie. Ist Lieut .- Alex. T. Groser. 2d Lieut .- John T. Hilton. Staff .- Adjutant, Jas. Inglis, Jr. Quartermaster, Jno. H. Hindle. Commissary, Albert Tilt. Paymaster, A. S. Allen. Judge Advocate, Geo. S. Chiswell. Chaplain, Rev. Chas. D. Shaw. Surgeon, Geo. W. Terriberry, M. D. Asst. Surgeon, Theo. Y. Kinne, M. D. Sergeant Major, Jos. Mosley. Quartermaster Sergeant, A. D. Winfield. Commissary Sergeant, Wm. W. Evans.
IV. Company drills during February will be held at 8 o'clock P. M. on Tuesday, 3d, Wednesday, IIth, Tuesday, 17th, and Friday, 27th. The officers (including staff) will meet for theoretical drill and instruction on
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Friday evening, February 6th. For the present no visitors will be allowed in the Armory during drills.
V. From this date members will be required to answer to the Court Martial for all delinquencies and absences from drills.
VI. Until further orders Commandants of Companies will drill their men in the "School of the Soldier" as far as the Manual of Arms ( Upton, page 30). They will detail men to serve temporarily as Sergeants.
VII. All who have not yet procured their uniforms and equipments will apply for them at once to the Quartermaster. Until the Armory lockers are in readiness, men will keep their uniforms, &c., at their homes. They are to be worn only on drill or parade, except by permission of the Com- mandant.
VIII. Men desiring transfers from either company to the other will make application at once in writing to their respective Captains.
By order of
Jos. W. CONGDON, Major Commanding.
JAS. INGLIS, JR., Adjutant.
Captains Curie and Beggs; Lieutenants Groser, Stryker and Hilton; Adjutant Inglis, Surgeon Terriberry, and Assistant Surgeon Kinne, Ser- geant Major Mosley, and Commissary Sergeant Evans, were veterans of the war of the rebellion, and a number of veterans were non-commissioned offi- cers and privates in the two companies.
The organization at this time numbered about 120, at least fifty per cent. of whom were merchants, manufacturers, clerks, salesmen and professional men, the balance representing the various industries of the city.
As the months rolled around it became the settled conviction of the officers and a large number of the men, that the organization would be of more service to the community, and the State, if engrafted as National Guardsmen in the State service. The Battalion was mustered into the State service on May 25, 1880, by Lieutenant-Colonel G. E. P. Howard, Inspector of the First Brigade, as mustering officer, 121 men being mustered. The line officers were commissioned June 15th; Major Congdon, July 15, and the staff at various dates from July 27 to September 5th, the only changes from the roster of the Light Guard being the election of First Sergeant Aaron V. H. Doremus as second lieutenant of Company A in place of William H. H. Stryker; the promotion of Surgeon Terriberry to the brigade staff, leav- ing the position of surgeon vacant until September 29, 1881, and the appoint- ment of C. F. W. Myers as assistant surgeon. Surgeon Terriberry acted as surgeon of the battalion during the rifle shooting that year, however, by re- quest of Major Congdon. The first formal parade of the battalion was on Memorial Day, 1880, when it acted as escort to the local Grand Army of the Republic posts.
In 1881 the Legislature authorized the Governor "to organize a Provi- sional Battalion composed of companies selected from the whole body of the National Guard for their proficiency in drill and discipline and soldierly bear- ing, neatness in appointments and equipments, to be designated by inspection and competitive drill," to represent the State at the centennial anniversary of the surrender at Yorktown, Virginia.
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Both companies, with their officers, were designated as two of the ten companies to form this battalion, and Major Congdon was appointed a spe- cial aide on the staff of the commandant, Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-Gen- eral E. Burd Grubb. On January 25, 1883, a new company, C, was mustered in the State service and attached to the battalion. Their armory was fixed at Continental Hall, corner of Main and Van Houten streets. Alexander T. Groser was commissioned as captain, William F. Decker as first lieutenant, and Walter Van Emburgh as second lieutenant. February 16, of that year. Captain Groser and Lieutenant Decker had graduated from Companies B and A respectively, and Lieutenant Van Emburgh had served several years in the Second Battalion of Hackensack.
The battalion of three companies made their first outdoor parade on the evening of May 25th, preliminary to the parade with the Brigade at Jersey City on Memorial Day.
Washington Hall was destroyed by fire February 8, 1891. Battalion Headquarters, and Companies A and B were quartered there, and everything stored in the building was lost, including the gatling gun, all the State arms of both companies, the battalion colors, and all the uniforms and equipments of both officers and men, that were not kept at their respective homes. Measures were at once taken to procure quarters, and they were soon secured for all the companies, and Battalion Headquarters, in the Scheuer and Fleischer building, over a grocery store, 225 to 231 Main street. A small room for the board of officers and three company rooms on the second floor, and an odd shaped drill room, about large enough for one company, on the third floor, constituted the "Armory." This was the first time that the three local companies had been quartered under one roof.
The adoption by the United States army of revised tactics in 1891, which necessitated the formation of regiments into two or three battalions of four companies each, brought forth a reorganization of the National Guard of New Jersey, which conforms to regular army drill, uniform and customs, as closely as the volunteer service will permit. The Second Brigade, consist- ing of the Third, Sixth and Seventh Regiments was reorganized and con- solidated into Battalions by general orders No. 6, April 19th, 1892, from Division Headquarters, and was followed on May 21st of that year by gen- eral orders No. 7 reorganizing and consolidating the First Brigade. In this order, the First (Paterson) and Second (Bergen County) Battalions, Com- pany G (Dover) of the First Regiment, and Company B (Passaic) of the Fourth Regiment, were consolidated into one Regiment. The consolidation was not satisfactory to the Major-General of the Division, and on June 8th he issued general orders No. 9 consolidating the late First, Second and Third (Orange) Battalions, and Company B of Passaic into a regiment, which by general orders No. 13, Adjutant-General's office, June 9th, 1892, was called the Second Regiment, as the old Second Regiment located at Hoboken had been merged into the Fourth Regiment of Jersey City. The Paterson com- panies, with Company B of Passaic, Captain Andrew Derrom, Jr., a Pater- son man, commanding, constituted the First Battalion. An election for field
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officers of the Regiment, June 18, 1892, resulted in the selection of J. Vree- land Moore, of Leonia, for colonel, Samuel V. S. Muzzy, for lieutenant- colonel, and Andrew Derrom, Jr., for major.
On June 8, 1892, orders were issued consolidating the First, Second and Third Battalions and Company B, late Fourth Regiment, into one regiment under the name of the Second Regiment, National Guard. The new regi- ment had its first parade in Paterson on July 5, 1892, the occasion being the celebration of the centennial of the founding of Paterson. On June 22, 1893, it went into camp for the first time at Sea Girt. The county authorities, on March 13, 1889, had bought a site for a new armory and the cornerstone for the building was laid on May 30, 1894. On May 25, 1895, the regiment took formal possession of the armory.
The part taken by the Paterson military in the Spanish-American war has been told of in a preceding chapter. The Second Regiment was mus- tered out of service on November 17, 1898, and on May 2 of the following year it was ordered disbanded, as a preliminary to the reorganization of the State militia. As Companies B, C, D and E of the Fifth Regiment, the Paterson military took part in the field exercises at Manassas in September, 1904, and at Englewood in May, 1906.
The Paterson military lost its identity after being mustered into the United States service after the declaration of war in 1917, the four Paterson companies being assigned to the 114th Infantry.
During the war, Paterson had no military organization. There was fre- quently talk of starting something of that nature and there is no doubt that this would have been done had danger been more threatening. As it was there were informal drills which would in all probability have resulted in organization, but the end of the war put a stop to all speculations in that direction.
In order that the State might not be without any military, the authorities issued an order providing for two regiments in the State, two companies to be assigned to Paterson. Whether this will be sufficient for a city which for many years sustained four companies remains to be seen.
4
INDUSTRIES. CHAPTER I.
A grist mill which became famous in the annals of early Paterson-There were two deeds to the property, one man owning the water power and another the river bank where the mill was built.
Like a prelude to more serious undertakings, some old records tell of the beginning of industrial life in Paterson as far back as 1737. After the water of the Passaic river has tumbled over the Falls and through the Valley of the Rocks it divides itself just above where the West street bridge now stands, but immediately afterwards joins again into one stream, thus forming an island. The river is swift on both sides of the island and it does not 1 equire an extensive knowledge of hydraulics to recognize at once the poten- tiality for water power. When what is known as the Bogt subdivision was made in 1714, Hendrick Spier was allotted Lot No. 8, west, that lot extend- ing, according to modern boundary lines, from Broadway northerly to half- way between Tyler and Godwin streets, and from East Eighteenth street westerly to the river. He thus owned the southern bank of the river, oppo- site the Island. Although Adrian A. Post and Juriaen Thomasse had secured, December 10, 1737, an Indian deed ( from Tahthochear) for the bot- tom of the river on the north of the Island, for a mill-site, one John Jorale- mon had been more prompt in obtaining a title from the East Jersey Pro- prietors, the only conveyance recognized in the law, for the Island and the river bed on each side of it. His deed was from James Alexander, one of the East Jersey Proprietors, member of the Governor's Council, Surveyor- General, etc., etc. It was dated November 22, 1737, and for the considera- tion of £3 gave to Johannes Juralman "Six Acres of Land to be taken up, Survey'd and appropriate to the said Joannes in any part unappropriate in the Eastern Division of Newjersey." The survey reads as follows :
These do certify that Jonathan Sergeant, by me duly deputed and duly sworn, did survey for Johannes Joralemon an Island near to the great falls of Passaick River in the bounds of Weesel in the County of Essex, Begin- ning at a small pine tree standing on the south side of Passaick River and thence running north twenty-seven degrees west four chains and thirty-four links to the opposite side of the said River, and thence running south sixty degrees west five chains and ninety links, thence south forty-two degrees west seven chains eighty-four links, thence south fifty-seven degrees east four chains and ten links to the south side of the said River and from thence down the stream of the said River eleven chains and thirty-five links to where it began, including the said Island, bounded southerly by the land of Hendrick Spears, containing six acres and twenty-eight hundredth parts of an acre strict measure, which after allowance for highways is to remain for six acres, To which the said Johannes has right by virtue of a deed to him from James Alexander for six acres of land to be taken up in any place unappropriated in the Eastern Division of New Jersey, bearing date the
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twenty-second day of November last, recorded in the book of Records for the County of Essex B, fol. 132. Witness my hand this first day of De- cember 1737. JA ALEXANDER Sur Genl
Thus Joralemon had the title to the water power, and Spier owned the river bank most convenient for the erection of a mill. Very sensibly they struck a bargain, for their mutual advantage, after this fashion :
Articles of agreement made and fully concluded upon this 24th day of November in the Ioth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George ye second King &c. Anno Domini 1737. Between Hendrick Spier of Weeselen in the County of Essex and Eastern division of New Jersey Yeoman of the one part and Johannis Joralemon of Acqugkanonk in the County Devision aforesaid of the other part which is as followith (viz:) that whereas there is a conveniency for the building of a mill or mills at a certain place on Passaic River and the property of the land on the south side being said Hendrick Spiers and the property of the stream being the said Johannis Joralemons which makes it convenient for said parties to joyn in partnership in such a de- sign, it is therefore agreed between the said Parties that if they go on with the building of mill or mills at the place aforesaid. Imprimis that the sd. Hend- rick Spier on his part shall give liberty to set up said Mill or Mills on the side of the said stream on his land and shall bear his equal part in all the cost and charges that shall be necessary for beginning carrying on and finish- ing said mill or mills and if said Hendrick Spier shall think it not for his advantage to join in said design he shall sell at a reasonable rate if said Johannis Joralemon will go on alone such a quantity of land adjoyning on the south side of said stream as shall be convenient or necessary to said Johannis Joralemon for building of said mill or mills and he doth hereby bind and oblige himself his heirs, executors, Administrators and assigns to the well and true performance of each and every of the above said covenants and agreements. And the said Johannis Joralemons if they joyn in said de- sign shall, on his part bear his equal part of all the cost and charges for be- gining carrying on and finishing of said mill or mills and shall give liberty of the stream and if he shall not think it fitting for him to joyn in said design as above said that he shall sell the privilege of the sd. stream to said Hend- rick Spear at the place aforesaid, also he doth by these presents bind and oblige himself his heirs executors Administrators and assigns to the true performance of every of the above said covenants and articles.
In witness whereof the parties to these presents have hereunto sett their hands and seals the day and date above said-
JOHANNIS JORALEMON his HENDRICK X SPEAR
Signed, sealed and Delivered in the presence of
mark JONATHAN SARGEANT JOHAN CASPER COG
From subsequent conveyances it is evident that Spier sold Joralemon a tract of about six acres, extending from the river nearly or quite to Broad- way, and from near Mulberry street to a line somewhat east of West street. Such was the origin of the famous grist-mill which stood for three-quarters of a century near the foot of Mulberry street, until washed away by the freshet of 1810.
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INDUSTRIES
CHAPTER II.
Alexander Hamilton's project for a gigantic national manufacturing establishment-Almost unlimited powers conferred on a corporation -Selecting a site where the charter might be made effective-A five years' struggle to establish manufacturing-The Colt family-The mansion on the hill and two historic pieces of sculpture.
During the Revolution, when British cruisers blockaded American ports, the colonies were thrown upon their own resources, and there was a consider- able development of household industries, such as weaving cloth and making hats and shoes. The leading men of the day urged more attention to the subject and the newspapers occasionally advocated the same course. Still, few or none appeared to realize that America could ever be truly independ- ent until she lived upon her own productions, and many doubted the expedi- ency or practicability of efforts in that direction.
Even the long-headed Franklin was of the opinion, so late as 1768, that manufactures were not especially desirable, except as a means of utilizing the spare time of the children and servants of farmers, although in the same letter he gave utterance to a bit of philosophy which lies at the successful locating of manufacturing establishments: Manufactures "may be made cheaper where the provisions grow and the mouths will go to the meat." But in 1760 he was of the opinion that it would take "some centuries" to populate the country as far west as the Mississippi, and to the St. Lawrence and the lakes on the north, and declared: "Our present colonies will not, during the period we have mentioned, find themselves in a condition to manu- facture, even for their own inhabitants, to any considerable degree, much less for those who are settling behind them."
In a letter to Benjamin Franklin, in 1780, John Adams wrote: "America will not make manufactures enough for her own consumption these thou- sand years." And again, in a letter to an Amsterdam gentleman, he says: "The principal interest of America for many centuries to come will be landed, and her chief occupation agriculture. Manufactures and commerce will be but secondary objects, and always subservient to the other. America will be the country to produce raw materials for the manufacturers * * and its commerce can never increase but in a certain proportion to its agriculture, until its whole territory of land is filled up with inhabitants, which will not be in some hundreds of years." Mr. Adams was no prophet, to foresee that within a century after he wrote the number of persons engaged in manu- facture in America would be more than twice the entire population at the time of the Revolution, and nearly equal to the number engaged in agricul- ture.
Political independence having been achieved, the American people set about gaining an industrial independence. The young nation had no credit abroad, and that fact, bewailed at the time as a public misfortune, stimu- lated them to make for themselves what they could no longer buy abroad, so that the apparent misfortune proved a benefit. While Washington thus
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perceived the rift of sunshine in the cloud of adversity, and was gratified at the progress that had been made in the "useful arts," he inclined to Frank- lin's view, that manufactures might be promoted only "by women, children and others, without taking the really necessary hand from tilling the earth," as he "would not force the introduction of manufactures by extravagant encouragements and to the prejudice of agriculture." When he was inaugu- rated President, in April, 1789, it was thought worthy of remark in the news- papers of the day that he wore "a suit of crow-colored broadcloth, of the finest American manufacture," as an incentive to others to patronize home industries. This was doubtless the "homespun broadcloth of the Hartford fabric," which he had ordered through General Knox.
But it was through the earnest efforts of Alexander Hamilton more than any other man, that the national importance of the subject was im- pressed upon Congress, and in January, 1790, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution calling upon him as Secretary of the Treasury to re- port as to the means of promoting such manufactures as would tend to ren- der the United States independent of foreign nations, "particularly for essen- tial and military supplies." The inquiry was considered of such doubtful propriety that it was based on the plea of "military necessity," it will be ob- served.
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