RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1791
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 16 7/16 in x 12 1/2 in x 7/8 in; 41.75125 cm x 31.75 cm x 2.2225 cm
hands: 8 3/4 in x 8 in x 1/16 in; 22.225 cm x 20.32 cm x .15875 cm
overall: wt 64 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark for policy number 2454 to Anna Speakman of Arch Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1791. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
Date made: 1774
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 15 1/8 in x 11 1/8 in x 1 in; 38.4175 cm x 28.2575 cm x 2.54 cm
hands: 8 3/4 in x 8 1/4 in x 7/8 in; 22.225 cm x 20.955 cm x 2.2225 cm
overall: wt 72 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark in 1774. The board reads “No. . . .19.” The Contributionship issued insurance policy number 19 in 1752, but this fire mark was either re-issued in 1774 or a policy that ended in “19.” The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1780s
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 15 3/4 in x 11 1/2 in; 40.005 cm x 29.21 cm
hands: 8 3/4 in x 7 1/2 in; 22.225 cm x 19.05 cm
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark for policy number 1678 to the home at 237 South Front Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the 1780s. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1780s
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 15 1/4 in x 11 1/2 in; 38.735 cm x 29.21 cm
hands: 7 1/2 in x 8 3/4 in; 19.05 cm x 22.225 cm
overall: wt 71 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark during the 1780s. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: ca 1776
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 14 1/2 in x 11 3/16 in x 3/4 in; 36.83 cm x 28.41625 cm x 1.905 cm
hands: 9 1/8 in x 7 3/4 in x 7/8 in; 23.1775 cm x 19.685 cm x 2.2225 cm
overall: wt 55 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark around 1776 to a house located in Jura Court in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: ca 1770-1785
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 14 1/2 in x 11 in x 1 in; 36.83 cm x 27.94 cm x 2.54 cm
hands: 8 3/4 in x 8 in x 7/8 in; 22.225 cm x 20.32 cm x 2.2225 cm
overall: wt 80 oz
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
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark during the 1780s. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The top of this backing has more ornamentation that most of the shields created at this time. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: ca 1802
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 15 3/8 in x 10 3/16 in x 1 3/16 in; 39.0525 cm x 25.87625 cm x 3.01625 cm
hands: 8 1/4 in x 8 3/4 in x 7/8 in; 20.955 cm x 22.225 cm x 2.2225 cm
overall: wt 65 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark around 1802. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1802
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 15 3/8 in x 10 5/8 in; 39.0525 cm x 26.9875 cm
hands: 8 1/4 in x 8 3/4 in x 7/8 in; 20.955 cm x 22.225 cm x 2.2225 cm
overall: wt 80 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark around 1802. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1802-1805
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 15 1/8 in x 10 in x 1 3/16 in; 38.4175 cm x 25.4 cm x 3.01625 cm
hands: 8 3/16 in x 8 3/4 in x 7/8 in; 20.74342 cm x 22.225 cm x 2.2225 cm
overall: wt 70 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark for policy number 3016 to John Coburn of Coates Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1802-1805. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The policy number “3016” can be seen on the bottom of board. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1802
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 15 3/4 in x 11 1/4 in x 1 1/4 in; 40.005 cm x 28.575 cm x 3.175 cm
hands: 8 1/16 in x 8 3/4 in x 875 in; 20.47875 cm x 22.225 cm x 2222.5 cm
overall: wt 70 oz
Credit line: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
Topics: Insurance
Fire Marks
Advertising
Firefighting Collection
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 Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark around 1802. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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Betsy Bucklin's Sampler
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: sampler
date made: 1781
maker: Bucklin, Betsy
place made: United States: Rhode Island, Providence
Physical Description: linen (ground material)
silk (thread material)
Measurements: overall: 16 3/32 in x 12 1/2 in; 40.894 cm x 31.75 cm
Topics: Embroidery
Textiles
Description: Betsey’s sampler includes three distinguishing features of Rhode Island samplers; trumpeting angels with embroidered faces, queen stitch flowers, and a three-story house. Below the house, flanking flowers and birds is the verse:<br>
“While ho<i>f</i>[s]tile foes<br>our coa<i>f</i>[s]ts Invade<br>in all the pomp of<br>war arrayd Ameri<br>cans be not dismayd<br>nor fear the <i>f</i>[s]word<br>or GUn<br><br>While Innocence is<br>all our pride and vir<br>tue is our only Guide<br>Women would <i>f</i>[s]corn<br>to be defyd if led by<br>WASHINGTON”<br>
This verse on Betsy’s sampler offers a rare opportunity to discover the political thinking of a young girl during the Revolutionary War. She is showing a brave female defiance of Britain and an unwavering faith in George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army. Betsy undoubtedly was influenced by her father who was a privateer during the Revolutionary War. At the bottom of the sampler, flanked by queen stitch flowers, is a cartouche with the inscription:
<br>“Bet<i>f</i>[s]y<br>Bucklin Her<br>Work Septe<br>mber<br>1781”
It is not known who the author of the inscriptions is. The sampler is stitched with silk embroidery thread on a linen ground with a thread count of warp 25, weft 23/in. The stitches used are cross, crosslet, queen, rice, straight, fly, stem, tent, and gobelin.
Betsy [Elizabeth] Bucklin was born on September 20, 1768, in Providence, Rhode Island to Capt. Daniel and Eliza Carpenter Bucklin. On November 11, 1792, Betsy married Samuel Eddy. They had three children - Martha, Jonathan, and Elizabeth. She died of consumption on October 27, 1799, in Providence, Rhode Island.
Care use with all thy power
To serve GOD eve- ry Hour
While hostile foes our coasts invade in all the pomp of war arrayd Ameri- cans be not dismayd nor fear the sword or Gun
While Innocence is all our pride and vir- tue is our only Guide Women would scorn to be defyd if led by WASHINGTON
Betty Bucklin Her Work Septe- mber 1781
Care use with all thy power
To serve GOD eve- ry hour
While hostile foes our coasts invade in all the pomp of war arrayed Ameri- cans be not dismayd nor fear the sword or Gun
While Innocence is all our pride and vir- tue is our only Guide Women would scorn to be defyd if led by WASHINGTON
Betty Bucklin Beer Work Septem- ber 1911
Philadelphia Contributionship Fire Mark
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: fire mark
date made: 1809
maker: unknown
place made: United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Physical Description: wood (overall material)
lead (overall material)
Measurements: board: 13 in x 9 in x 1 3/16 in; 33.02 cm x 22.86 cm x 2.9464 cm
hands: 8 1/2 in x 8 3/4 in x 15/16 in; 21.59 cm x 22.225 cm x 2.38125 cm
overall: wt 3.75 lb
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.
The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire issued this fire mark for policy number 3337 to John Stoddart, who lived at the south side of Church Alley between 2nd and 3rd street of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1809. The fire mark consists of the company’s symbol cast in lead showing four hands clasped at the wrist attached to a shield-shaped wooden backing. The Philadelphia Contributionship was established in 1752, becoming the first successful fire insurance company in America. Benjamin Franklin was one of its founding members. The Contributionship began as a mutual insurance company and this concept is represented by its “Hand in Hand” fire mark. The Philadelphia Contributionship is still in operation.
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