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 nickel-plated brass engine plate has “AMERICAN” and the number “5” engraved into the face that is filled with black enamel. There are small incised lines curving around the “5” and above “American.” There are holes at the top and corners of the plate, which allowed the plate to be attached to the engine. This engine plate may have adorned the engine of the American Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 5 of Lancaster, Pennsylvania during the late 19th century.
This nineteenth-century bucket is market with the owner’s name, C. Endicott, and the word “active.” “Active” most likely signified that Endicott was an active firefighter. Beginning in the 1830s, fire companies introduced new membership strategies that distinguished between different types of service. There were three grades of membership: active, honorary, and contributing. Active members performed the actual work of extinguishing fires, and sometimes paid minimal dues. Honorary members were so called because they had performed notable active service. They had the right, but were not obligated, to attend fires. Contributing members were members in name, but did not have to perform physical labor. They instead paid heavy dues, financing engine decorations and the acquisition of new technology, and were allowed to participate in parades and company functions. Over the course of the nineteenth century, the proportion of non-active firefighters steadily increased. The introduction of these three grades of service significantly changed notions of volunteer firefighting. Rather than a civic duty performed by all members of the community, the hard labor of firefighting became the duty of fewer and fewer men, those with a taste for danger or those who could not buy their way out. The owner of this bucket was evidently proud of the fact that he performed active service, and marked his equipment accordingly.
This bucket, which belonged to Jonas White, is dated 1803 and is painted with the image of a sun. This design is known in heraldry as “the sun in his splendour”: it consists of a disc, drawn as a gentle, smiling face, surrounded by a series of alternate straight and wavy rays. The sun may symbolize a variety of things, such as enlightenment, knowledge, prosperity, greatness and eternal glory, or rebirth and regeneration. The name “Sun Fire Company” was fairly common in nineteenth-century America, as volunteer firefighters wanted to clothe themselves in symbols that would appeal to their neighbors and supporters, and they were eager to appropriate the qualities typically associated with the sun. Jonas White may have belonged to a Sun Fire Company, or he may have chosen the sun as a decorative symbol for his bucket simply because of its associations or because it was featured on his family crest.
Note: Regarding whether or not Jonas White was a member of a Sun Fire Company: There were Sun Fire Companies in both Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA, but there is no Jonas White listed in the 1800 Pennsylvania census (though he of course could have moved to Pennsylvania between 1800 and 1803). There was a Sun Fire Company in Alexandra, VA, but once again, there is no Jonas White listed in the 1808 Alexandria census (though he could have left Alexandria between 1803 and 1808). There was a Sun Fire Company in Baltimore, MD, but there is no Jonas White listed in either the 1803 or 1810 city directories for Baltimore.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was worn by a member of the Lafayette Hose Company No. 22, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Organized in 1831, the company was active until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. The frontpiece is made of white leather, with two red banners at the top that read “LAFAYETTE / HOSE.” A large black recessed number “22” is in the center of the frontpiece, with the raised white leather initials “SR” on a red cartouche at the bottom of the frontpiece.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York during the 19th century. The frontpiece is made of brown leather, with stitched red leather lettering on a white background that reads “NEPTUNE/HOSE/2.”
The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, frontpiece, and crest adornment was first developed around 1821-1836 in New York City. Henry T. Gratacap, a New York City luggage maker by trade, is often credited as the developer of this style of fire helmet. Gratacap created a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design that led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and frontpiece were 19th century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighter’s helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.
This leather fire helmet was made in the 19th century for the American Hose Company Number 2. The black helmet is comprised of eight combs with a metal eagle frontpiece holder on the crown and an embossed rosette decoration around the brim. The leather frontpiece is wired to the hat, and reads “AMERICA/HOSE/2/ECK.” The initials “ECK” likely identified the owner of the helmet.
The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, frontpiece, and crest adornment was first developed around 1821-1836 in New York City. Henry T. Gratacap, a New York City luggage maker by trade, is often credited as the developer of this style of fire helmet. Gratacap created a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design that led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and frontpiece were 19th century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighter’s helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.
This leather helmet was manufactured by Cairns & Brother of New York, New York around the late 19th century. The helmet has eight combs with an ivy vine scrollwork pattern stamped into the brim of the helmet. The metal eagle’s head mounted on the crown of the helmet serves as a frontpiece holder for the gold leather frontpiece that reads “FRIENDSHIP / 15 / 1796.” The Friendship Fire Engine Company of Northern Liberties, Philadelphia was founded August 18, 1796 and operated as a hand engine company until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established.
The frontpiece (also known as shield or badge) of firefighting helmets has been a distinctive part of the American firefighter’s helmet since it was developed by Henry Gratacap in the early 19th century. These frontpieces displayed a variety of information. The fire company's name and number appeared, often alongside the city or town where it was based. The frontpiece could also include the owner's initials and rank. Most fire helmets had leather frontpieces, but frontpieces could also be made of metal, especially on presentation helmets or those worn in parades.
This leather frontpiece was made in the 19th century. The white leather frontpiece has decorative etching radiating from a black star in the center of the piece. Two red banners have raised white leather lettering that reads “ENGINEER/CHARLESTOWN.” A black cartouche at the bottom of the piece has the raised white leather initials “WFD” inside.
Some early American firefighters wore capes for protection, ornamentation, and identification. The stiff oil cloth protected their shoulders and upper body against fiery embers and water, and the decorative painting served to identify company members at chaotic fire scenes or on parade. The capes were often painted by local sign painters, some skilled artists like John A. Woodside, who also painted the company’s hats and banners and decorated their fire engines. Many of the capes in the firefighting collection display patriotic names and symbolism, reflecting themes important to 19th century volunteers, as well as the pride they felt in the early founding date of their fire company.
This oil cloth cape is painted white, with the text “UNION/1747” in red with brown shading in the center of the cape. The cape’s shoulders have the number “1” painted in red with brown shading. This cape likely belonged to a member of the Union Fire Company of Trenton, New Jersey, which was founded February 8th, 1747.
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 fire engine plate may have been used by the Liberty Bucket Company, founded in 1818 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The plate consists of an arched banner that that has a red background and raised silver lettering on both sides that reads “LIBERTY ONE.” The plate has brackets on both ends that were used to mount the plate on an engine.
The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, frontpiece, and crest adornment was first developed around 1821-1836 in New York City. Henry T. Gratacap, a New York City luggage maker by trade, is often credited as the developer of this style of fire helmet. Gratacap created a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design that led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and frontpiece were 19th century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighter’s helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.
This leather helmet dates to the 19th century. The helmet has eight combs and is painted brown overall. An ivy-vine scrollwork pattern is stamped around the brim of the hat. A metal eagle’s head is attached to the crown of the helmet that serves as a frontpiece holder. The brown leather frontpiece has a large white number “1” in the center. A white banner above the number “1” is blank, but faded spots indicate it once read “WH Co”.