Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia surveys

The Franklin Fire Insurance Company was chartered in 1829 and conducted its business on Chestnut Street until 1873, when it moved to 421 Walnut Street. Richard Willing served as its first president. Franklin Fire specialized in perpetual insurance, as opposed to the earlier "seven-year" po...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Author: Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia (Creator)
Collection:Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia Surveys
Collection Number:3269
Format: Manuscript
Language:English
Subjects and Genres:
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040 |e dacs 
041 0 |a eng 
099 |a 3269 
110 2 |a Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia  |e creator 
245 1 |a Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia surveys  |f 1829-1901 
300 |a 41.0 Linear feet  |f 41 linear feet, 162 boxes, 275 volumes 
520 |a The Franklin Fire Insurance Company was chartered in 1829 and conducted its business on Chestnut Street until 1873, when it moved to 421 Walnut Street. Richard Willing served as its first president. Franklin Fire specialized in perpetual insurance, as opposed to the earlier "seven-year" polices, and thus the duration of the policy was without limit except by cancellation. Policies were paid for only once, and these deposits were based on the face value of the policy. The interest that accrued on the initial deposits sustained the policy for the duration of the contract. The company served the Philadelphia area as well as other regions. Businesses that specialized in flammable goods were not covered by the company. The company had strong financial backing, which enabled it to meet enormous losses in the Chicago fire and other devastating fires. This collection consists of the surveys made of the insured buildings, beginning with Survey No. 3 done in 1829 for J.J. Borie's tenant house located on the "west side of Schuylkill about one mile above upper ferry bridge." The series then continues with Survey No. 9, also of 1829. The information noted on the surveys includes floor plans, size and type of structure, materials used in construction, number of windows, type of heating, sizes of rooms, location of staircases, and other significant architectural features such as balconies. Outbuildings are often included in the surveys, and the surveyor usually provided rough appraisals of the building's value. The names of the surveyors are also provided. 
650 7 |a Architecture--19th century.  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Built Enviroment--Philadelphia--19th century  |2 Local sources 
650 7 |a Insurance, Fire--Pennsylvania--19th century  |2 Local sources 
852 |a The Historical Society of Pennsylvania  |b Franklin Fire Insurance Company of Philadelphia Surveys  |l 3269