$14,760
Pair of Paint-decorated Fire Buckets, Charlestown, Massachusetts, c. 1807, the red-rimmed leather buckets painted black overall, the fronts centering spreadwing eagles clutching olive branches and arrows above banners reading "Jefferson Fire Society" and the name "Isaac Kendall," and dated "1807.," the backs inscribed "Charlestown" vertically along the seam, (imperfections), ht. to top of handles 19 1/4 in. Note: Isaac Kendall, a housewright by trade, was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, in 1777, and settled in Charlestown around 1805, around the time of his marriage to Lucy Sabells, purchasing land at 42 Union Street. In the publication A Century of Town Life: A History of Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1775-1887 , by James Hunnewell, Boston, 1888, Hunnewell writes: "The old Fire Societies were formed and maintained for the public or social good... There were three organised after the Revolution, the Phoenix (1795), the Washington (1800), and the Jefferson (1810)... composed of householders acting for mutual protection or aid, and maintained until paid public companies took the place of such early and more restricted associations... Each member was obliged to keep two leather buckets, two bags (1 1/2 x 3/4 yd.) with his name on them, and a bed-key and, on notice of a fire must 'repair with his bucket, bags, and key, to the place where it happens' and 'use his best endeavors' to save the property of the members."
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2015-08-09
