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Fire bucket

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Fire bucket

New England

1803
18-1/2 in x 8-5/8 in x 8 in Leather

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

1959.3532

“No 2.” and “United Fire Society / Esto Perpetua [Latin for Let it be Perpetual]” and “J. BARBOUR. 1803” are painted on the outside of the bucket.

The handle is now supported by an inner mount.

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp.

“United Fire Societies” were formed in Boston, Portsmouth, N.H., and elsewhere in New England, and probably places in the Mid-Atlantic Region too.  Similar organizations were formed under similar names.  This particular bucket references “No. 2,” likely the second organization of the same name in the same city.  J. Barbour, 1803, likely references the individual who joined the organization that year.