Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-06-29
The Late Bspjamin S. Rich.

| 1928 being the eldest son OF Milford
and Eliza Rich. His ancestors came
from the north of England. The fol-
lowing is an extract from the Massa-
chusetts Historical and Genealogical
Register: English history abounds
with this name, Rich. The earliest
notice appears TO be when Edmund,
Arch bishop of Canterbury, 1885, re-
ferring to an order requiring all
fonts to be covered in accordance
with a constitution by said Arch
bishop. One of the most remarka-
bile characters of English history is
Raron Richard Rich, b. London,
1893. who from London barrlster,
without fortune or friends, became
the wealthiest nobleman, and found
ed the most powerful family In En-
gland, and known as kingmakers
His sons Earls of Warwick and Hoi-
land. have been mentioned In the
colonization OF America. The former
WAS president of the Plymouth
Council. and Admiral OF England
Warwick, r. l was named for him.
The name is found among authors,
actors, schol ars, ministers, soldiers
travellers, inventors and courtiers'
men of many virtues and not lew
vices"
The first knowledge of the name
in America occurs in the following
Salem, Mass, notice: obadiah hlch
married Bethiah Williams, 1901
He was man OF great prominence
in the affairs of Salem, and left a
large estate; His son Henry Rich, in
1884. married Martha PapoD, other
wise known as Martha Corey, VIC
tim OF the witchcraft delusion.
The first mention of the family af
residing on Cape Cod, is in 1868, and
II is TO this branch of the family that
Cant. B. s. Rich, the subject of this
sketch belongs. Capt. Rich was des
cend.d on his mothers side from the
Bicknell family, of Maine, very
worthy, respectable family.
The early educational advantages
of Can't. Rich were few. Growing NJ
among a seafaring people he began
to follow the sea at the early age o.
nine years, going to sea in summer
and TO school In winter until he was
about fifteen years of age, and IRON
i that time following the sea all the
time but being quick to acquire
knowledge, and having a most ex-
cellent memory, he had during that
tune laid the foundation of good
practical education, to which he
constantly added. -,
| Capt. Rich's experience as a lie
saver began early in life. HIS iathei
bainp a captain OF one of the Massa-
cbussetts Humane Society's boats
and wrecks being frequent along the
Cane Cod coast, he began to go IL
the boat as soon as he was able &c
mil an oar. In 1S49, the ship Frank
i'm was wrecked on Cape Cod with
sixtv people on board and was dis
covered by Capt. Rich, then a YOUTH
of eighteen. The boat was prompt
w launched and made the first triI
nnder the command OF Capt. Klcn
father. but as he was disabled TN
vouno man took charge and acted a
,,aptain during the remainder OF TIT
day saving nearly all of the peopi
on the i'll lated ship. For this act 0
bravery Capt. Rich received the Sill
= modal of the Massachusetts
Humane Society.
Soon after this he came 10 Virgin
Il where his home has been ever since
J, at first engaging in business as d.
waterman and farmer, until Angus
= 1876, when he became Superin
tsndent of the 9TH Life-Saying Dls
tr,ct. extending from the capes {
e Delaware to the capes OF Virglnls
g rhe district was not organized
II that time. Under his superlntenC
y ence all of the stations have pee
buiIt and the work carried on, ana
is without any prejudice To an
= other district, that we can say, th'
his district was second to none ii
work for more than quarter OF
"a century is in the records OF the LII
/. Saving Service, and the peop,e
- Aooomac may be proud OF IL. Fro
tha time when Capt. Rich organize
rho 18th district, to June 80, 1900 the
st hove been in this district, 100 asa
OF tors number of persons on board
E. those vessels $685., out OF which on
, al lives have been lost, the amou
:. of property saved amounting TO u
y total sum of $500, 4s7.0O, a record
which the Life Saving service III
be proud. 49,.
u As a citizen Capt. Rich was hign
a respected and beloved by all, o.
no. ouiet, genial, disposition, friendly
90 ALL and always ready and willing
he do any kind act in his power his
cord is in the hearts OF those W
,lv knew him best.
AS christian he was OF very Ill
- TYNE. Converted in young manho
he united with the N. E. Chur'
South, about half century ago a
nearly ever since has held an OHIO
posirion In the church.
He did not talk much about MS
perience, but his every day lie sp'
for him. His end was peaceiul d
,,u with a firm trust 10 his acceptal
tbrouoh the blood of Christ, he pa