The "The Origin Of Fire Marks" Story

It was an ordinary day.  A few years ago I wrote a story about the Fire Marks that dotted the homes of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and over the years have found out a bit more about why they were a part of American history.  The fire mark dates back to the 17th century when 70,000 of the city of London's 80,000 homes were destroyed when the 1666 Great Fire of London raged for five days in September.  This awful tragedy led to the creation of the world's first fire insurance policies by a private company called the "Fire Office."  Over time more insurance companies formed and began the use of the fire mark on the homes that carried that home's fire protection.  

An early fire mark cast in lead.

About 100 years later the concept of fire insurance began in the United States when Benjamin Franklin initiated the start of the fire mark after a devastating fire in Phila- delphia in 1752 destroyed stores and homes near Fishbourn's Wharf.  Franklin named the company The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insuring of Houses from Loss by Fire Insurance Company.  Almost 150 policies were sold the first year.  Franklin became known as "the father of American Insurance" due to his starting the company.  

A hand-painted fire mark.

It was said that he got the idea during his 18-month printing apprentice- ship in 1724 in London.  In the early 1720s about 10% of all homes in London were insured against fire damage.  But, the use of fire marks didn't become popular until 1791 when Anna Speakman of Arch Street in Philadelphia was issued the first fire mark which consisted of four hands interlocked at the wrist onto a rectangular board.  

An early crossed-hands wooden fire mark.

The earlier fire marks in the United States were made of wood, but eventually were cast in lead.  Many of the fire marks were painted in bright colors with gilded hands and a black shield.  The resident's policy number would be painted below the four clasped hands.  Some historians reported that private fire companies, or brigades, would not put out a fire unless their fire mark was on a home.  Other experts have doubts that this was the case and actually said that fire insurance companies would award a monetary reward to the fire company who arrived at a fire first.  

The home of Mayor John Passmore.  His fire mark can be seen on
the far side of the lower left-hand window.  Click to enlarge photo.

This led to rivalries between fire brigades to see who could arrive at the scene of a fire first.  In the city of Lancaster, one of the earliest fire marks was located on a structure at the corner of East Orange and North Shippen Street.  The house was once owned by Quaker merchant Thomas Poultney and later sold to Dr. Christian Neff.  John Passmore, the first Mayor of Lancaster after the city was chartered in 1818, also lived in the home.  

Larger view of the fire mark on Orange Street home.

A small side story here tells about Mayor Passmore being so large, at 480 pounds, that he needed a large wagon, rather than a hearse, to haul his supersized wooden coffin from his home on Orange Street to his grave.  During the past 10 years I have found a few different fire marks on homes in the city that evidently have been preserved by their owners.  Many interesting stories, myths and legends can be found about fire marks in the early history of our nation.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

This Lancaster home, as well as the next two photos, show fire marks that are a large tree symbol.