Fire bucket

1803

Measurements

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

Materials

Leather

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3532

Inscription

“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.

Condition Notes

The handle is now supported by an inner mount.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp.

Comments

“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.