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.
* * * * *