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Philemon Putnam Fire Bucket

Danvers sea captain and merchant Philemon Putnam’s fire bucket is emblazoned with an image of the Roman god Mercury. Mercury represents the concept of speed, a critical trait for those who raced to neighbor’s homes with their own buckets when fire threatened a property.

Fire buckets were a common item in most homes from the 17th through the 19th centuries prior to the existence of organized fire prevention companies.