STEPHEN GIRARD

STEPHEN GIRARD

Stephen Girard was below the middling stature of a solid frame without being fleshy

and as one of America's riches men was plain in attire to avoid observation.

He had lost his right eye early in life and later lost the whole of his right ear when

run over by wagon.

Born in France in the middle of the 18^th century he first went to sea at age 12 , but

eventually settled in Philadelphia during the Revolution and by industry and preserve with

economy. Mr. Girard grew rich by no sudden start, he made trading trips up and down the

Delaware River and Bay, making small but sure gains selling groceries and clothing to the

well off farmers and watermen along the shore.

In the 1790's the new American merchants found it difficult to establish themselves

in the world markets and Giraed fell upon hard times. In 1793 creditors were hounding him.

And when he saw an opportunity to rebuild his fortune.

In Haiti, the slave revolt forced many plantation owners to flee the island with their\

valuables, so Girard left Philadelphia on ship to the troubled island. To aid their escape

however, weather conditions, forced the Girard vessel to seek anchor at Lewes Creek,

Stephen Girard had to wait in the small town of Lewes of 100 or so families, several

churches and taverns, to await the winds to shift.

However, his creditors in Philadelphia, thinking he was making an attempt to skip

out, obtained a writ for his arrest, which was sent to Lewes sheriff Thomas Fisher, who in

turn set out to find Girard. When he did, Girard re acted violently and had to be subdued

and found himself in the Lewestown jail. After convincing the sheriff of his plans, he was

allowed to make bail and continue on the next favorable wind to the West Indies.

Once there he was able to earn enough money by transporting the plantation owners

to America and paid off his creditors, and rebuild his financial empire.

Girard was a highly respected and wealthy business man when he died in 1831, left

money to charity and establish schools for the poor. Girard College in Philadelphia serves

disadvantaged students today.

Abstract: May 30, 2018, by Harrison H. from The Delaware Coast Press, Sussex

Journal, May 20, 2018, Michael Morgan, columnist.