The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-07-31
Gistoriral.
STEPHEN GIRARD,
TIE MUNEY-MAEER.


About the year seventeen hundred fifty, in
the environs of Bordeaux, in France. there
! livad an old sea captain, named Pierre Glrard,
with Madame Larfargue, his wife. They had
already four childrcn-no matter whether
male or female, for they lived and died in the
obscurity in which they were born. But IN
the year seventeen hundred and fifty, on the
twcnty-iirst of May, another child came in
to the world-a boy named Stephen Girard,
Up to the age of ten or twelve there is no
record of the life and progress of this boy.
| AT that time he was found, with one eye.
embarked as cabin boy, with no other ac-
qu.rmcnts than an imperfect knowledge of
| the elements of reading and writing, on board
| vessel bound for the West Indies. His
one eye was made the subject of ridicule
among his companions, and his temper was
thus early soured for life. With this physi-
cal dcformity. without friends, patronage or
money, he was thrown upon the world.
lie did t.remain long in the West Indies,
but bound himself an apprentice to a ship.
master, in whose service he first set foot in
port of New York. about the year seventeen
hundred and sixty-lour. Morose as Stephen
Girard was, he gained the confidence of his
employer, he was made mate of the vessel in
which he sailed. and aftcrward captain when
| his master left the sea. lie vovaged several
times successfully to and from New Orleans.
| In this position he first began to accumulate
means, and to trade on his own account, and
he soon became part owner Of the ship and
cargo, which he commanded. a large gap
in the minute progress of his history now
occurs, but in seventeen hundred and sixty
nine we find him an obscure rlodding, quiet,
| thrifty trader in Water Street Philadelphia.
| At this pclioo he took liking to one Mary,
or Polly Lum, the daughter Of an old ship.
caulker, who lived in a waterside house
down among the vessels that traded to that
city. The girl was plain, bu! ccmcly. and
employed as domestic servant ina neigh
boring family. Stephen Girard does not APP
pear to have been looked upon with favor by
the parents of the girl, for they forbade him
the house for some time. They were cvcntu-
ally married but the union was not a happy
one. She was ncglcctful Of her duty: he was
norosc and austcrc. One child was born,
which died. At length he applied to the
Legislature of Pennsylvania for divorce
and obtained it,
He still continued to rent the small house
in Water Street, to which he had taken his
wife when they were married, and he indus.
| u
sea-captain. ship-owncr, and merchant
About this time he entered into partnership.
with one Isaac uazlehurst, of Philadelphia,
and purchased two vessels in which to trade
to the island of Saint Domingo. The briggs
were captured by British mcn-of.war and
sent to Jamacia: misfortune which dis
solved the short partnership. There is anoth-
er gap in the story of Stephen Girard, extend
ing from seventeen hundred and sevcnty-siX
1t is probable that during this time he con-
tinued his old business, trading as shipmaster
and merchant to New Orleans and Saint
Domingo.
| The war put an end TO the sea enterprises of
Stephen Girard, and he was compelled TO turn
his attention 20 the la nd.
| lie opened small grocery store in Water
Street joined with lottlmg establishment,
where he worked hard with his own hands at
the occupation Of bottiing claret and cider
About the year seventeen hundred ard seven
ty-scvrn, upon the alleged approach Of
the British to Philadelphia, lie purchased
small tract Of land from his for
mcr partner, Mr. Hazlchurst, on which there
was house, to which he removed his bust
ness +; employing his time, early and late, in
preparing clarct and cider for the market
and selling them at large profit to the
American army cnca mped near his residence.
Here he remained until seventeen hundred
and sevcnty.nine, sometimes making voy-
age in boat cs water pedlcr TO Philadel-
phla to dispose of bis wares. His appear
ance was not much in his favor. His skin
was dark and dingy his form was short
and thick he was course rough, vulgar,
and ungain'y ; and his one eye glarcd omin.
ously upon his customers. He met with
'icers and taunts from every side, which he
bore with great tacitunity and composure
He had but one object in view, which he fol.
lowed with al! the steady energy of an iron
will. That object was, to make money.
When Philadelphia was evacuated by the
British in seventeen hundred and seventy
nine, Stephen Grard was again found in
Water Street this time occupying a range of
frame stores upon the east side. lie was no
more than twenty-nine years Of age, but so
plain, grave, and repulsive in appearance.
that he was known as "Old Girard." His
business could not have been very prosperous
at this period, considering the disturbed and
depressed state of the country. lie was
quietly hiding his time. His store was well
filled with old blocks, sails, pieces of ct rlage,
and other materials useful for ship building.
In seventeen hundred and eighty Stephen
Girard again commenced the New Orleans
and Saint Domingo trade. In two years he
had progressed so far as to he able to purchase
a ten years lease, with renewal, of a range of
brick and frame stores one OF which he occu.
pied himself The rents were low at the
time, and the purchase very advantageous
perhaps the turning p lint in his fortunes.
In seventeen hundred and eighty his wife,
Mary Girard. from whom he had been d,yor-
cod, was admitted an insane patient into the