RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1787-1809
maker: unknown
Physical Description: tinned sheet iron (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 7 in x 8 1/4 in; 17.78 cm x 20.955 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Publisher: McCosker, M.J.. The Historical Collection of Insurance Company of North America
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
This fire mark was issued by the Mutual Assurance Company of the City of New York. The fire mark has an oval upper portion that bears the text “MUTUAL ASSURANCE” painted in gold. The lower portion is rectangular and bears the policy number “3617” painted in gold. The border of the upper oval and lower rectangle has a golden trim. The Mutual Assurance Company originally operated as a mutual insurer from 1787 to 1809 when it became a stock insurance company. It operated until 1846, when its name was changed to the Knickerbocker Fire Insurance Company.
WILLIAM ASSOP
3617
British Admiralty Press Warrant, 1794
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: TR*335662
document
date made: 1794
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall doc. 1.-: 15 in x 10 5/8 in; 38.1 cm x 26.9875 cm
overall doc 2.-: 13 1/4 in x 8 in; 33.655 cm x 20.32 cm
Publisher: National Museum of American History. On the Water exhibition website, http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater
Topics: Revolution and the New Nation
Transportation
On the Water exhibit
Military
Description: This 1794 British Admiralty document authorized Capt. John Thomas Duckworth of HMS <I>Orion</I> to impress as many seamen (or rivermen) as necessary to adequately man his vessel or “any other of His Majesty’s Ships.” Each man recruited this way was to receive one shilling as “Prest Money.” The document that conveyed this extraordinary power expired a little more than a year after issue.
Around the same time as this press warrant, the British Admiralty published a pamphlet outlining in considerable detail the conditions under which seaman or landsmen could be impressed into the Royal Navy. Certain categories of men were excluded, such as fishermen, whalemen, ship masters, mates or carpenters, youths under 18 or men over 55 years of age, foreigners and others.
Before impressment, a call for volunteers was made, together with an offer of two months wages as an enticement. For the safety of the pressed ship and cargo, men impressed from British vessels had to be replaced through the end of the voyage to the point of cargo unloading, so that their ships were not dangerously shorthanded. After that point, the replacements had to be paid conduct money so they might return to their proper ship.
In the early 19th century, impressment of American seamen into the Royal Navy was commonplace, as Britain required large umbers of crewmen to man its active Navy. By the War of 1812, the rules regarding foreigners must have been revised, or at least very sharply bent, for excessive impressment of Americans was one of the main reasons that the United States entered the War of 1812.
5 Dollars
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: paper money
date made: 1806
place made: United States: Michigan, Detroit
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 75 mm x 185 mm; 2 15/16 in x 7 5/16 in
Credit line: Estate of Victor H. Huberich
Sun Fire Office Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1785-1790
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: lead (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6 3/4 in x 6 in; 17.145 cm x 15.24 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the late 17th century, English insurance companies maintained private fire brigades that were paid to respond to fires at properties they insured. Properties were identified by leaden badges (fire marks) bearing a insurance company’s emblem and often stamped with the customer’s policy number.
The Sun Fire Office of London, England issued this lead fire mark around 1785 to 1790. The fire mark consists of a rounded upper half featuring a sun face with sixteen rays alternating straight and wavy. Underneath the sun, a rectangular panel bears the policy number “528906.” The Sun Fire Office operated from 1710 until 1959, when it merged with the Alliance Insurance Company.
['' '' None]
Royal Exchange Assurance Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: ca 1778
Physical Description: lead (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 7 1/2 in x 9 in; 19.05 cm x 22.86 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the late 17th century, English insurance companies maintained private fire brigades that were paid to respond to fires at properties they insured. Properties were identified by leaden badges (fire marks) bearing a insurance company’s emblem and often stamped with the customer’s policy number.
The Royal Exchange Assurance of London, England issued this lead fire mark around 1778. The fire mark features an oval upper section that is engraved with an image of the Royal Exchange building in London, but is missing its open crown at the top. There is a section under the oval that is inscribed with the policy number “72968.” The Royal Exchange Assurance was founded in 1720 and operated until 1968 when it was merged with the Guardian Assurance Company to create the Guardian Royal Exchange Assurance.
Mutual Assurance Company Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1799
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 15 1/4 in x 11 in; 38.735 cm x 27.94 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): Beginning in the 1750s, some American insurance companies issued metal fire marks to policyholders to signify that their property was insured against fire damage. The fire marks bore the name and/or symbol of the insurer, and some included the customer’s policy number. The company or agent would then affix the mark to the policyholder’s home or business. For owners the mark served as proof of insurance and a deterrent against arson. For insurance companies the mark served as a form of advertising, and alerted volunteer firefighters that the property was insured.
The Mutual Assurance Company for Insuring Houses from Loss by Fire of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania issued this fire mark in 1799. This Mutual fire mark features a lead tree fastened to a wooden oval that has been painted red. Mutual was founded in 1784 by former policyholders of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. The Philadelphia Contributionship decided that buildings with trees in front of them posed a fire hazard and would no longer be insured. Since trees were abundant in early Philadelphia, this decision created a rift in the Contributionship. Mutual was founded to provide insurance to those members whose buildings had trees. The adoption of the “Green Tree” as the company’s fire mark was a nod to the dispute that led to the Mutual’s founding.
[None]
Hand Pumper Model, New York Style
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: hand pumper
model, hand pumper
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 14 in x 8 in x 9 in; 35.56 cm x 20.32 cm x 22.86 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Firefighter's Uniform Belt, "Harmony"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: belt
date made: 1784
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: leather (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 3/4 in x 44 3/4 in; 6.985 cm x 113.665 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Collection
Firefighter's Uniform Belt, "Hope"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: belt
date made: 1805
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: leather (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 2 3/4 in x 41 in; 6.985 cm x 104.14 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Collection
10 Dollars, New Hampshire, Hillsborough Bank, 1806
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: paper money
note
date made: 1806
place made: United States: New Hampshire
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 6.5 cm x 17 cm x .01 cm; 2 9/16 in x 6 11/16 in x in
Description: The Hillsborough Bank of Amherst in New Hampshire issued this ten dollar note on November 18, 1806. The left side of the note reads “Potius Cohibere Quam Punire, New Hampshire, Quid Leges Sine Moribus” (Rather than inflict punishment, restrain. What is law without morals?). The note reads “The President, Directors, & Company of the Hillsborough Bank promise to pay [Name] or bearer on demand, Ten Dollars, Amherst, November 18, 1806.” The note is signed by the bank’s cashier, Dave Holmes, and the bank’s president, Samuel Bell. The Hillsborough Bank was founded on June 18, 1806, and capitalized with 50,000 dollars. The notes were printed using Jacob Perkins’s “Permanent Stereotype Steel Plate” that prevented forgery. The bank only lasted three years, as it extended its currency beyond its reserves, and the Embargo Act of 1807 stymied New England’s trade. When note holders came to collect their specie, the bank could not fulfill its obligations and was forced to shut down.
From 1790 to 1863, states and private banks issued their own currency to supply capital in a young nation without a national currency. This currency was backed by the hard money the banks had on deposit, and was only used locally where the bank and its operators were trusted in the community. However, banks often oversupplied notes, and this overextension caused bankruptcy among private and state banks when financial panic struck, particularly in 1837. Currencies from these failed banks are known as “obsolete bank notes” or “broken bank notes,” and several are held in the National Numismatics Collection.
POTIUS *** COHIBERE *** QUAM *** FURTIRE *** NEW HAMPSHIRE EQUID *** IUGIS *** SINIS *** MORBUS ***
TEN DOLLARS N o 1064  The President Directors & Company of the  HILLSBOROUGH BANK promise to pay S. Meriam or bearer on demand TEN DOLLARS  AMHERST Nov. 18 1806  D. Holmes Cash. Saml Bell Pres.
1000
manuall
00
400
70
Jan 18 1804
1804
Jan 18 1804
John
1804
Presentation Trumpet, "Hibernia Fire Company"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: trumpet, speaking
date made: ca 1800
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Associated Place: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: silver (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 18 1/2 in x 7 1/2 in; 46.99 cm x 19.05 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Speaking Trumpets
Firefighting Collection
Description (Brief): As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This trumpet was presented to John M. Nesbitt of the Hibernia Fire Company by the Insurance Company of North America. The trumpet has decorative bands around the bell’s rim and the upper and lower portion of the trumpet. The bell also features a decorative band with a floral motif. The middle portion of the trumpet has an oval inset featuring high relief of a helmed Greek figure shown in profile view. There is a winged horse on the figure’s helmet and the oval inset is surrounded by decorative floral engravings. The other side of the trumpet has a diamond-shaped silver inlay with an inscription that reads “Presented by the Insurance Company of North America to John M. Nesbitt Esqr. of Hibernia Fire Company, Philadelphia.” A brown braided cord is attached to the trumpet by rings that are held by eagles’ beaks. John Maxwell Nesbitt was the first President of the board of directors for the Insurance Company of North America in 1792, as well as a member of the Hibernia Fire Company.
[None ''
 'PRESENTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA TO JOHN M. NESBITT OF THE IBERNIA-FIRE-COMPANY PHILADELPHIA'
 ''
 'PRESENTED BY INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA TO JOHN M. NESBITT, ESQ. OF HIBERNIA-FIRE-COMPANY PHILADELPHIA'
 None]
Work Trumpet
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: trumpet, speaking
date made: 1800
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: tin (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 18 in x 6 1/4 in; 45.72 cm x 15.875 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Speaking Trumpets
Firefighting Collection
Description (Brief): As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
This tin work trumpet was made around 1800. The metal trumpet is painted yellow, but the paint has chipped and flaked in many places. Two small rings on the top and bottom of the shaft would have been used to attach a cord to the trumpet.
[None None None None]
Fire Engine Plate, "Phoenix"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: plate, fire engine
date made: 1810
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: metal (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9 1/4 in x 20 1/4 in; 23.495 cm x 51.435 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Fire Engine Plates
Firefighting Collection
Fire Fighting
Description (Brief): At the core of any fire company is the apparatus used to fight fires and protect lives. This was particularly true of for the volunteer fire fighters in 19th century America. Often purchased with their own funds, their fire engines were the focus of their pride and affection, as well as their identities as fire fighters. Engine plates, often made of brass, would be prominently affixed to engines and inscribed with the company name, number, and founding date. Engine plates could pass from old engine to new, or be kept in the firehouse as a memorial to a departed apparatus.
This metal plate was in use by the Phoenix Fire Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phoenix Fire Company was located on St. James Street in Philadelphia and operated from 1808 until 1821. The oval metal plate bears a central hand-painted image of a spread-winged phoenix rising from a fire. The mythical bird is flanked by red banners bearing the name "PHOENIX."
Print, "Representation Du Feu Terrible A Nouvelle Yorck"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
date made: late 18th century
maker: Habermann, Francois Xavier
place made: Germany: Bavaria
Associated Place: United States: New York, New York City
Physical Description: lithograph (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 19 in x 24 3/4 in; 48.26 cm x 62.865 cm
part: without frame: 11 1/2 in x 16 1/8 in; 29.21 cm x 40.9575 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Views
Fire
Peepshows - History
American Revolution (1775-1783)
gravé par François Xavier Fabroni
Schröckenvolle Feuersbrunst welche zu Neu Yorck von denen Americanern in der Nacht vom 19. Herbst Monath 1776. angelegt worden, wodurch alle Gebäude auf der West Seite der neuen Börse, längst der Broockstreet biß an das Königliche Kollegium mehr als 1600. Häuser, die Dreifältigkeits Kirche, die Luthersche Kappelle u. die Armen Schule in Asche verwandelt worden.
Représentation du Feu terrible a Nouvelle Yorck, que les Americains ont allumée pendant la Nuit du 19 Septembre 1776. par le quel ont été brûlés, tous les Baimens, du Coté de l'Est, a droite de Bourse dans la Rue de Broock jusqu'au Collège du Roi et plus que 1600. Maisons avec l'Eglise de la Ste Trinité, la Chapelle Luthérienne et l'Ecole des pauvres.
Schreckenvolle Feuersbrunst welche zu New York von denen Americanern in der Nacht vom 10. Herzf. Monath 1776. angelegt worden, wodurch alle Gebäude auf der West Seite der neuen Borje längst der Brookfront biß an das Konigl. Kollegium mehr als 1600 Häuser die Dreijaltigkeits Kirche, die Luthersche Kappelle u. die Armen. Schule in Asche verwandelt worden.
Représentation du Feu terrible a Nouvelle York, que les Américains ont allumés pendant la Nuit du 10 Septembre 1776. par le quel ont été brûlés, tous les Bâtimens du Côté de l'Ouest a droite de la Rue. Dans la Rue de Brook jusqu'au College du Roi et plus que 1600. Maisons avec l'Eglise de la Ste. Trinité la Chapelle Luthérienne et l'Ecole des pauvres.
On y voit les flammes s'élever de tous les côtés, et les Américains qui s'enfuient, et les secours qui arrivent.
Traineau
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
Intaglio Processes
date made: ca 1800s
original artist: Monpezat, Henri-Auguste d'Ainecy
publisher: Goupil & Cie.
graphic artist: LeBlanc
Place Made: France: Île-de-France, Paris
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 55 cm x 70 cm; 21 5/8 in x 27 9/16 in
Microscope
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: microscope
date made: about 1800
place made: United States: Ohio, Camp Dennison
Physical Description: wood; glass (overall material)
Measurements: microscope: 21.1 cm x 6.4 cm x 6.2 cm; 8 5/16 in x 2 1/2 in x 2 7/16 in
case: 7.8 cm x 21.8 cm x 8 cm; 3 1/16 in x 8 9/16 in x 3 1/8 in
Microscope
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: microscope
date made: 1799
maker: Dellebarre, Louis Francoise
place made: France: Île-de-France, Paris
Measurements: base: 12 7/16 in x 8 5/8 in x 8 5/8 in; 31.59125 cm x 21.9075 cm x 21.9075 cm
microscope tube: 7 5/8 in x 2.3125 cm; 19.3675 cm x 15/16 in
Topics: Scientific apparatus and instruments
Science
Mathematics
Microscopes
Description: Compound monocular microscope with two stage holders, a sub-stage mirror, a folding tripod foot, and an inscription that reads “DELEBARRE / 1799 / Onderdewyngaart Canzius / Confecit / DELFT.” The form was designed in 1770 by Louis F. Dellebarre (1726-1805), a French scientist who spent some time in the Netherlands. This example was made by Jacob Hendrik Onderdewyngaart Canzius (1771-1838), a lawyer who ran an instrument shop in Delft from 1797 to 1810.
Ref: Peter de Clerq, “J. H. Onderdewijngaart Canzius, instrument manufacturer and museum director,” <i>Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society</i> 49 (1996): 22-24.
Plan of the City of Washington, in the Territory of Columbia, ceded by the States of Virginia and Maryland ...
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: print
map
Engraving
date made: 1795
maker: Russell, John
graphic artist: Russell, John
place made: United Kingdom: England
Measurements: overall: 40.2 cm x 53 cm; 15 13/16 in x 20 7/8 in
Membership Certificate, "Voluntary Aid Franklin Firemen of New York"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: membership certificate
date made: ca 1799
maker: unknown
place made: United States
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 13 1/4 in x 9 3/4 in; 33.655 cm x 24.765 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
WE are to certify that Thos. Franklin is pursuant to LAW nominated and appointed one of the ENGINEER Firemen of the City of New York.
Dec r 30 th 1799
Rob t Benson, C lerk
THE SIRENS are to certify that Tho s Franklin is pursuant to LAW nominated and appointed one of the ENGINEER Firemen of the City of New York.
Dec r 30 th 1799
Rob t Benson, C lerk
pitcher
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pitcher
date made: 1805
maker: Sevres
place made: France
Physical Description: porcelain (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 8 7/8 in x 2.75 cm; 22.57425 cm x 1 1/16 in
The Federalist, 1818
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: book
date made: 1788
Physical Description: paper (overall material)
black (overall color)
white (overall color)
Measurements: overall: 8 in x 4 3/4 in; 20.32 cm x 12.065 cm
Credit line: In memory and honor of Joe Budnick, Beverly Budnick, Myron Budnick, Rose Budnick, Dorene Budnick, and Lynn Budnick
Topics: Government
Social reformers
Politics
United States. Constitution
National Symbols
Description: An 1818 rebound edition of The Federalist, On the New Constitution, written in 1788 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, with additional material and essays edited by James Madison.
Lithograph "Patent (for fire engine)"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: lithograph
date made: 1789-1803
place made: United States
Physical Description: copperplate engraving (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 15 in x 19 in; 38.1 cm x 48.26 cm
part: without frame: 5 1/4 in x 9 3/4 in; 13.335 cm x 24.765 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
PATENT.
button
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: button
Lithograph "Fire Engines"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: lithograph
date made: 1805
place made: United States
Physical Description: lithograph (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 15 1/2 in x 18 1/2 in; 39.37 cm x 46.99 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection