THOMPSON, Heber S.

Map of the Girard Estate in Schuylkill & Columbia Counties Pa.

Item #77423

(SCHUYLKILL CO.). (COLUMBIA CO.). THOMPSON, Heber S. Map of the Girard Estate in Schuylkill & Columbia Counties Pa., Belonging to the City of Philadelphia, Trustee. [Phila.: n.p.], 1889. Hand-colored canvas-backed map, 42 x 21.25 inches. Housed in cloth folder. Very good or better. Rare. Worldcat locates two copies. The map details the coal holdings of the Girard Estate. Issued "To Accompany the Twentieth Annual Report of the Directors of City Trusts, Philadelphia, Dec. 31, 1889." Pinned to the verso of the map is the card of "Heber S. Thompson, Pottsville, Penna." inscribed: "Compliments, Engineer Girard Estate." The free pastedown of the folder is inscribed" Alexander Biddle, 1307 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa." Alexander Biddle (1819-1899), a prominent Philadelphia financier, was president of the Board of City Trusts. In 1874 he was named a director of the Pennsylvania Railroad. He also served as a director in the Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annuities, Philadelphia Savings Fund Company Lehigh Navigation Company, and the Contributorship Insurance Company, among others. From 1869 he served on the Board of Directors of City Trusts. He was a director of the Pennsylvania Hospital. He was also an executor of the will of James Rush (1786-1869), and was instrumental in the erection of the Ridgway Library. Stephen Girard, one of the wealthiest men in America, left the majority of his fortune to establish a school for orphans. Much of that wealth was in coal lands in upstate Pennsylvania as well as commercial holdings in the city itself. The Trust continues to this date, still funding the school.

Price: $1,250.00