Volume II Part 7 (2/2)
OPEN at all hours of business, where Policies of Insurance are underwritten upon the most moderate premiums; and the Gentlemen forming this Insurance Company, whose names are inserted in each Policy, having established adequate Funds for the ready payment of such losses as may happen, hereby notify, that business will be done with all possible attention, dispatch and punctuality, by
JOHN HURD,
April 8, 1784. (Insurance Broker.)
THIS is to inform all Gentlemen in Trade, That
THE INSURANCE OFFICE
Lately kept in Ann-Street near the Town-Dock, by SAMUEL PHILLIPS SAVAGE, is removed to the House of the Honorable WILLIAM BRATTLE, Esq; next Door to the British Coffee-House, King-Street: Where the Business of Insurance is carried on as usual.
_Boston, December 6, 1759._
With regard to policies, the term ”under-writer” came from an old custom. There were in old times no joint-stock companies for insurance, but policies were filled out and left at an office kept by some person for the purpose, where any responsible man could sign his name to a particular policy and affix such sum as he was willing to risk, and thus become one of the ”underwriters.” We have seen, for instance, a policy for $20,000 with twelve or fifteen names of merchants, signed with various sums from $500 upwards.
A quaint notice of the death of Obadiah Brown, of Providence, from the ”Boston Post-Boy”:--
_PROVIDENCE, June 21, 1762._
ON Thursday last died at his Seat in the Country, after two Days Illness, OBADIAH BROWN, Esq; in the 50th Year of his Age. He was one of the most considerable Men in this Town: In the various Branches of Business which he carried on, his Activity was unequalled, his Judgment and Prudence oftener admired than imitated, his Honesty and Integrity fit to be drawn into Example.--As a Magistrate, he was judicious, grave, and reserved:--As a Friend, constant, open, facetious, and cheerful:--In the Relations of a Husband, Father, and Master, the deep and real Sorrow of his Widow, the mournful Tears of his Children, and the unusual Cries and Lamentations of his Servants, are invincible Proofs in his Favour. His Beneficence is witnessed by the Sighs of the Poor and Thanks of the Tradesmen: And his Death is universally lamented, because his Life was universally useful.
Notice of Hon. Daniel Russell, from the ”Boston Gazette”:--
_Charlestown, December 10, 1763._
ON Tuesday last departed this Life, after a short Illness, the Hon. DANIEL RUSSELL, Esq; who, for upwards of Twenty Years, was a Member of his Majesty's Council for this Province: He also served the Province as Commissioner of Impost, and the County of Middles.e.x as Treasurer, for more than fifty Years; in the Discharge of all which Offices, such was his conscientious Fidelity and unsullied Integrity, as procured him universal Approbation and Esteem.
In public and private Life, his whole Conduct was such as evidently showed his invariable desire and endeavour to preserve a Conscience void of Offence both towards G.o.d and Man; and by the Rect.i.tude of his Behaviour, to adorn and recommend the holy Religion which he professed, and to approve himself to the all-searching Eye of the Father of Spirits.
His Memory is greatly honoured by all who were acquainted with him, in whose esteem he was truly that ”n.o.blest Work of G.o.d, _An honest Man_.”
It is observable that in the several Offices which he sustained, he succeeded his worthy Father and Grandfather; both of whom held and discharged the same, for a great Number of Years, with unspotted Reputation.
His Remains, we hear, will be inter'd on Monday next, on which Day, had he lived, he would have entered the 79th Year of his Age.
”The sweet Remembrance of the just ”Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust.”
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