Bag

Object Name:

Bag

Object ID:

1956.389.03

Place of Origin:

Portsmouth, NH

Date:

1852-1860

Description:

Firebag. Balanced possibly hand-woven and homespun plain balance weave of Z-twist linen singles 32/32 warp/weft/inch. Hand sewn with eight stiches/inch. Two-panel construction of 34" and 17.5" widths. Seamed a 0.25" with back stitches, pressed and flat felled with seam stitches at back and bottom. Stamped on the wrong side, "No 1 / W. WILLIAMS / F.F.S. / 1789." Side seam finished 0.25"; stitched selvedge to selvage, seam edges pressed together. 1" drawstring casing pressed over and seam stitched at top with 2.75" slits on each side: one side 0.125" hemmed with whip stitches and secured with buttonhole stitches. Two-ply 0.125" hemp cord drawstring knotted at one side; metal grommet on opposite end. Possibly belonged to donor's great uncle, Washington Williams (1797-1860), a merchant who became a member of the Federal Fire Society, Portsmouth, NH, in 1852.

Material:

Textile
Linen
Metal

Dimensions:

W-25.5 L-49.5 inches

Provenance:

Gift of Margaret H. Jewell (1866-1970). Possibly belonged to donor's great uncle Washington Williams (1797-1860), a merchant who became a member of the Federal Fire Society, Portsmouth, NH, in 1852. Lettering on bag "F. F. S." stands for "Friendly Fire Society. Historical Society has a broadside dated 1762.

Credit Line:

Gift of Margaret H. Jewell

People:

Jewell, Margaret H. (1866-1970), Williams, Washington (1797-1860)

Subjects:

Fire, Bags, Linen, Household equipment, Societies, Fire fighters, Fire fighting equipment, Firemen