The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-11
STEPHEN GIRARD.

The death of this wealthy merchant and
banker was noticed in last weeks paper.
We entract from the Philadelphia papers
the following paragraphs respecting him.
His property is variously estimated at from
eight to t,celre millions of dollars.
Mr.. Girard commenced with small be-
ginnings." AT first a cabin boy then a
mate OF ship; then keeper Of a small tap
shop, where he retailed drains and cigars !;
he successfully rosu to the rank of the first
merchant and the most opulent banker in |
the country. Industry and frugality,"
was his motto; business was with him |
passion and like all who devote themselves |
with enthusiasm TO any pursuit. he was
gifted with genius for his profession.
At the time. or rather Just prior to the
expiration Of the charter of the old Bank of
the United States, 1911, Mr.. Girard had in
structed Earrings to purchase COR him ST.
100000 worth Of its stock; and with this he
commenced banking under the superinten-
dence of the late George Simpson, the Cash
Ter of that institution, to whom he confided
its transactions. This was in 1912, since
which his bank capital has increased to FIVE
millions.
Mr.. Girard was in the Saith year of his
age. lie was a native of Bordeaux in
France, where he has still living, we believe,
a brother and sister. He has three nieces
married in Philadelphia and several neph-
ews likewise.
In the Yellow Fever in 1893, Mr.. Girard
was distinguished Tor >his active benevo-
lence at the Bush Hill Hospital, in minister
ing to the sick, and devising plans for the
prevention and restriction of contagion.
The habits of Mr.. Girard were exclusive
" those of the man of Business. He had
no pleasures, but in the performance of ac-
tive duties always 10 he found buey in his
counting room, or bustling on his farm. for
he was also fond of Agriculture feeding
his own cattle, curing his own beef, and
even bestowing his attention on the culture
of vegetable garden, the produce of which
he caused to be taken to market. His
fruits and his flowers were also Of the most
choice kind. But in his hands, for his was
the touch Of Midas, every thing was turned
into gold; and fruits, flowers, vegetables,
ships, houses, lots, Bank, and all, contribut-
ed in the end to pour millions in his lap.
Like all men Of immense wealth, it was his
peculiar delight, TO cast his eyes over the
aggregate Of his millions. But he took
most pleasure in adding house to house, lot
to lot. until he could count his squares of
buildings, and found it impossible to count
the number of his deeds, parchments and
warrants. To the Schuylkill Navigation
Company he was an efficient friend, in the
hour of need-as we'll as TO the Chesapeake
Canal Co., and other public works of vast i'm
portance, and lasting utility.
sTEPHEN GIRARD's WILL,
,e.lf n..t
to the payment of an annuity of $500 TO female |
slave, whom he sets free,) $30, 900.
To the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb 500.
900
To the Orphans Asylum, $4,000.
To. the Controllers of the Public. Schools $l0-
900.
To the City Corporation, TO be invested, and
the interest to be applied annually in the Pur-
chase If Wood for the Poor, $4,000.
To the Society of Ship Masters, $4,000.
To the Free Masons Lodge, $4,000.
For school TO be erected in the township Of
Passyunk, for poor white Children, $4,000.
Sundry Legacles 10 individuals amounting
to Si20,00O.
Several Annui.ies amounting to about, $4,000
To the City Of New Orleans, l00a acres of
improved Land in the Territory of Mississippi,
and One-,hitd of 207 900 of unimproved Land
in The same territory,-To the City of Phila-
ueipud tWo-tnHuS vi tuc sdiu
unimproved Lands This Land is said to be
now worth S500,000
To the City eff Philadelphia, Stock in the
Schuylkill Navigation Company, $4,000
Worth in tho market considerably more than
this sum.
For a College for poor white male children
and its proper endowments the sum of 80,
100000.
To the City of Philadelphia, for certain City
improvements, to be invested, and the interest
to be annually applied, S5OO,00o.
All his remaining Estate, real and personal
mo part Of the real estate to be sola) Is to be
applied as folows-in further aid of said Col
lege-improvements of the City and in relief Of
the Taxes. This Estate is very large, but not
! yet valued.
To the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be
applied TO Internal Improvements by Canals,
| provided the Legislature shall, within one year
from Stephen Girard's deceasc, pass laws au.
| thorizing the City of Philadelphia to make the
intended improvemenis-otherw TO the
| United States for the same object, 100000
The following gentlemen are the Executors
Of his Will: Timothy Paxson, Thomas P Cope,
! William J. Duane, Jehn A. Barclay
INFLuEEzA. The evils Of a bad thing are Of
| ten underyalued by means of favorable name