This plaque is the fire mark of the Sun Insurance Co. They had their own fire insurance company, which employed a fire brigade and only dealt with fires insured by their company. Firemarks were fixed to each house with the company logo and reference, so that the fire brigade knew whether it was their responsibility to put the fire out, in the days before a municipal fire service was formed, this meant if you did not have a fire mark your house may be left to burn!
Fortunately as areas became more urbanised, and the risk of uninsured properties setting fire to insured properties became more frequent, the formation of a municipal fire service began and all homes regardless of fire mark status were entitled to be rescued.
In 1803 the numbers were removed and they were purely used for advertising. The Museum also houses copies of the policy and letters relating to this particular property.
"Martha Cliffe of Tenterden in Kent, Widow.
Total value of £500.
Policy detail 20.4.1775, to Martha Cliffe of Tenterden in Kent
On her dwelling only situated as aforesaid. Brick and tile not exceeding Three Hundred Pounds household goods therein not exceeding three hundred pounds.
M. Cecre, W. Webber, S. Pole."
