Cohoes Public Library Online Collections

Cataract Fire Engine Co. No. 1

The Village of Cohoes was incorporated in July 1848. One of the first items of business concerned the organization of a fire department. On October 4, 1848 it was resolved "that two fire companies be organized in this village for the extinguishment of fires, and that one of the said companies be known and styled as the Parmelee Engine Co., No. 2, and that the other company by styled Cataract Engine Co., No. 3, and that said companies be composed of not more than fifty men each….On motion of Mr. Abbott, the following were appointed members of Cataract Engine Company No. 3: Wm. T. Palmer, Samuel Wilkinson, Chas. E. St. John, Henry E. Robbins, Patrick H. Moore, Wm. Green, John Van DerMark, Wm. Ferrell, Joseph Hahn, Alexander Hay, Joseph M. Brown, Marcus S. Deyo, George Jackson, Alonzo Wilmot, John Eastwood, S. M. Swart, Jacob I. Lansing, Isaac I. Ayres, Joseph B. Prescott, Wm. Manning, Lucien Fitts, I. F. Overpaugh, Wm. H. Doty, John P. Warwick, George W. Miller, Darius Parkhurst, Wm. B. Barrett"

In 1850, on petition of the company, the Cataract Engine Co., No. 3, changed its name to Cataract Engine Co., No. 1. The following Cataract Engine Co., No 1 record book contains the Company’s handwritten Constitution and By-Laws, 1852; the Record of Proceedings, 1852-1858; and the Company Roll 1852-1858. The Company Constitution includes 17 articles and 15 by-laws that set forth how the Company shall operate. The Record of Proceedings cover routine meetings and issues as well as special meetings to report on fire calls responded to. The Company Roll records the names and attendance records of members.

In July 1870, the Cataract Engine Company No. 1 was reorganized and became the George Campbell Hose Company.

Constitution & By-Laws of Cataract Fire Engine Co. No. 1, 1852

Record of Proceedings
Cataract Engine Co. No. 1, 1852-1858

Roll of Cataract Engine Co. No. 1, 1852-1858

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