Paterson, New Jersey, USA
1854 - Paterson

Paterson, a city, capital of Passaic co., New Jersey, is situated on the right bank of the Passaic river, immediately below the falls, 13 miles N. from Newark, and 17 N. W. from New York. Lat. 40° 55' N., Lon. 74° 10' W. It is the second city of the state in population and manufactures. By means of the Morris canal it communicates with the Atlantic ports and with the Delaware river. The Union railroad, formerly the Paterson and Hudson railroad, connects it with New York city on one hand, and with the Erie railroad at Sufferns on the other. The Passaic has here a perpendicular fall of 50 feet, and a total descent of 72 feet, affording an immense water-power, which has been improved by a dam and canals. The scenery in the vicinity of the falls is highly picturesque. The streets of Paterson are generally straight, well paved, and lighted with gas. It contains about 18 churches, belonging to the Reformed Dutch, the Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Episcopalians, Independents, Primitive Methodists, Catholics, &c; also 1 bank, 2 newspaper offices, several large hotels, an academy, a philosophical society, with a library, and a society for the advancement of the mechanic arts. The number of cotton factories in ope ration is over 20. It has 2 large manufactories of locomotives, and several of carriages, guns, machinery, paper, and other articles. Two bridges across the river connect this town with the village of Manchester. Paterson was founded in 1791, by an incorporated company, with a capital of one million dollars, the object of which was to manufacture cotton cloth. The movement, however, was found to be premature, and was abandoned in 1796. Population in 1840, 7596; in 1850, 11,338, and in 1853, about 13,000.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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