Paterson

/ˈpætərsən/ noun

Definition

A city in New Jersey known for its industrial history and waterfalls, or a surname of Scottish origin.

Etymology

As a surname, means 'son of Patrick' from Scottish Gaelic. The New Jersey city was named after William Paterson, one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution and the state's governor.

Kelly Says

Paterson, New Jersey was America's first planned industrial city, designed by Alexander Hamilton in 1791 to harness the power of the Great Falls of the Passaic River. The city became known as the 'Silk City' for its dominant textile industry and later became a cradle of American labor organization.

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