April 10, 1776

In 1752, Benjamin Franklin organized the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire. It remains the oldest insurance company for properties in the United States.Franklin also had helped to establish the first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia. Both of these efforts—to put out fires and provide mutual aid when buildings were destroyed—were significant civic improvements for a growing city. Fire prevention was aided by Philadelphia’s grid of wide streets, but challenged by population density near the Delaware riverfront.

This notice in the Pennsylvania Journal reports the election of the contributionship’s directors and treasurer for the year. Some of the directors listed included Samuel Shoemaker, the former mayor of Philadelphia, and Michael Hillegas, then Treasurer of the United Colonies. Samuel Sansom, the treasurer of the contributionship, was married to Hannah Callender Sansom, a prolific diarist.

The Pennsylvania Journal; and the Weekly Advertiser
Printed by William and Thomas Bradford

On Monday last the following Gentlemen were chosen Directors and Treasurer of the Philadelphia Contributionship, for the Insurance of houses from loss by fire, for the ensuing year, viz. Samuel Shoemaker, Jacob Shoemaker, Peter Reeve, Gunning Bedford, Joshua Howell, David Dashler, Jonathan Evans, Michael Hillegas, Joseph Fox, Samuel Wetherill, jun. Luke Morris, George Roberts, Directors, and Samuel Sansom, Treasurer.