Chapter 13 Girard’s Estate Planning / Family Needs / Lifestyle, 1795–1799

In the planning of Stephen Girard’s will, there was a requirement that no member of the clergy would enter the campus of Girard College. Does this mean that Girard was against organized religion?

Stephen Girard was not a religious man but he had no problem with others being religious. As far as the College was concerned, he didn’t want young minds to be confused by conflicting dogmas. He thought that the young men who graduated from the College could make up their own minds. When asked to contribute to building a Methodist church, he said he would give a donation; not because it was a church but because it was a building that would contribute to the improvement of the city. To his father Girard wrote: “as to remembering the religion in which I was born as you bid me do I shall never forget it any more than I shall forget the pains you took to bring me up according to its precepts.”  When not placating his father, Girard might say: “Industry should be the deity of man. I observe the Sabbath by working.”¹

Did Girard anticipate the Church’s reaction over his plan to bar clergy from his College? Did he ever formally break with the Catholic Church?

Girard only cared what the Church would think while his father was alive. He treated all denominations even-highhandedly. He made donations to them liberally and impartially, when he considered them worthy. Insofar as his feelings for the Catholic Church were concerned, he much preferred the purity and simplicity of the Society of Friends.²

What sad news had Stephen heard about his brother Etienne?

Mr. Morton, a French agent, notified Stephen in a letter that his brother-in-law had visited Perigueux; that he had seen Etienne Girard without making known the purpose of the visit; that he found him the father of two sons and four daughters, who were without education save such as the father could give, and that he was in grave circumstances. By the same ship came another letter from the brother showing in detail the extent of his resources, his income and the real need of at least three thousand francs a year.

What was Stephen’s reaction to this news?

Girard wrote to Morton: "I never did know that my brother was married till the epoch when Lord Wellington was advancing from Bayonne, towards Bordeaux. At that moment my sister Capeyron wrote me a very alarming letter and informed me that he was married, had several children and did not possess sufficient means to support them. Being still disposed to aid my relatives as far as prudence will permit, I beg that you will be so obliging as to pay on my account, to said brother E. Girard, five thousand francs to be applied to his & family use, and for the education of his daughters.”³

Did Stephen address the education of Etienne’s sons?

Girard wrote: “In regard to his two boys I will thank you to place them in a good college or suitable school, under competent masters, who will inculcate in the high activity, good morals, and force their education as far as their brain will admit.”⁴

Simpson writes: “Girard’s friendship toward his brother Etienne in France was exemplary. He succoured him from prison, relieved his wants, discharged his debts and settled him comfortably as a vintor in the neighborhood of Bordeaux.”⁵

Who was Fabricius Girard?

Fabricius was Stephen’s nephew and son of his brother Etienne. Although he and his brother were brought to the United States in order to help Etienne by taking on the expenses of their keep and their education, Fabricius later disappointed Girard and went on to be an active player in the attempt to break Stephen’s will.⁶

In view of Stephen’s generosity towards his brother Etienne, his wife Marie and their two sons Fabricius and Auguste, why did they join ranks with other family members in attempting to have Girard’s will set aside?

It may have been simply a matter of greed. They all wanted more than they received.

How did Girard react when his brother wanted to keep his sons at home but wanted Girard to pay for their schooling in Bordeaux?

Girard saw through his brother’s attempt at wanting an open-ended obligation or blank check. He wanted a good education for the boys in America; so, he told Etienne that it would be education in the US or nothing.

Did Girard realize he was opening the flood gates to other relatives near and far to get him to give them pensions as well?

Stephen was astute and knew very well what was being attempted. He was selective in giving money to only those family members in dire need.

Did Fabricius get his life in order after failing to break Stephen’s will?

No. The college he tried to eliminate by his and his family’s greed would be the institution he applied to for a teaching position in French. He was given the job perhaps because the Trustees thought he was as bright as the Founder of Girard College. He taught there for only a couple of years.⁷

How did Daniel Webster’s arguments add to the misconceptions that people got about Stephen Girard?

In his attempt to break Girard’s will, Webster used derogatory comments, many of which he took from Simpson’s writings to attack the will. In failing to have the will set aside in favor of  Girard’s family, Webster left the court with the opposite impression than he originally intended—Girard was not a miser, not a racist or an atheist.⁸

How did Girard’s success in making money work against him in public opinion?

Philadelphians forgot his great service as a courageous humanitarian. Seeing him as a millionaire and noticing his simplicity made them more suspicious.

Were there any other instances that showed Girard’s lack of interest in religion?

Girard had a dislike for organized religions. He was angered by the quarrels between sects and controversies over creeds. Although raised as a Catholic, he did not attend mass. He much preferred the simplicity of the Society of Friends.⁹

There has been evidence throughout his life that he thought each person should make religious decisions on his/her own without undue influence by the various churches. Children, especially, should be protected from such influence. Although ship owners would often name their vessels after the saints, kings or beautiful women, Girard named his new ships after the philosophers he respected i.e. Voltaire, Rousseau, etc. Surrounded by Christian churches he had helped to build, Girard remained uncommitted. If he were asked about laboring on Sunday, he would reply that the sin lay in idleness. For him honest labor was holy.

How was the success that Girard achieved viewed by his business competitors?

They thought Girard was just lucky. Poring over the enormous volumes of business correspondence, we see clearly that he planned his operations meticulously. Luck had little to do with his success. Girard always struck a hard bargain. He held firmly to his side of the agreement but insisted that he be given his full due. Girard was one of the most influential men of his day and contributed greatly to the early development of modern American business and finance; his advice and assistance were sought by presidents and statesmen. At times the stubborn courage of his convictions enabled him to attain heroic stature. On the whole, however, one who knows the sources must commend the author for handling a Herculean task in his usual expert way. The documentary records left by Girard constitute a mass of material that would take years to read and digest. By his selection of materials Mr. Wildes has presented Girard as a human and not a mythological figure.¹⁰

What were Cheesman Herrick’s remarks on Girard’s luck?

Great volumes of his letters and papers preserved in a room of Girard College show that his success in business was not due in any degree whatever to good fortune. “Let a money-making generation take note that Girard principles inevitably produce Girard results. The grand and fundamental secret of his success as of all success was that he understood his business. He had a personal and familiar knowledge of the ports with which he traded, the commodities in which he dealt, the vehicles in which they were carried and the dangers to which they were liable.”¹¹

Were these prosperous times for merchants?

To those engaged in trade and commerce with foreign countries or between the States, to those engaged in business of any sort at home or abroad, the fourth of March, 1789, marked the beginning of a new era of commercial and industrial prosperity. The old confederation had been swept away. The Constitution, framed at Philadelphia in 1787, had gone into effect as to the eleven ratifying States; the first Congress under that instrument of government had assembled at New York; and in that city on the twenty ninth of April the first President of the United States took the oath of office. Henceforth no State, without consent of Congress, could lay duties on imports or exports nor ever again issue a bill of credit, nor make anything but gold and silver coin a legal tender for the payment of debt.

What was the taking of Girard’s ship, Montesquieu all about?

In 1813, a British frigate captured the Montesquieu as it entered the mouth of the Delaware River.  Girard’s ship was returning to Philadelphia fully loaded with valuable merchandise from Canton invoiced at about two hundred thousand dollars. Rather than risk taking the ship to a British port, the captain flew a truce flag and accompanied the Montesquieu to the Delaware River. Britain demanded a ransom of 93,000 dollars for the return of the ship. Girard quickly paid the ransom and the Montesquieu was returned. As it turned out, even with the money paid in ransom, Girard made a profit of about a half million dollars from the sale of his merchandise. Not only did Girard make an enormous profit but he had the enemy conduct his ship safely to his home port.¹²

Did Girard ever write about his love of work?

In one of his letters of 1820, to a friend in New Orleans, he wrote: "If I thought I was going to die tomorrow, I should plant a tree nevertheless to-day." ¹³ It was a favorite theme for him, when he grew rich, to relate that he commenced life with six pence and that man’s capital was his industry.

How did Girard describe his activities as he grew older?

Of himself Girard said that he lived like a galley slave, constantly occupied and that he’d often passed the night without sleeping. He added that he was wrapped up “in a labyrinth of affairs and worn out with care.”¹⁴

Did Girard like to sleep late in the morning?

Absolutely not. On one occasion when building a large ship, Girard had arrived at the shipyard before any of the workmen and carpenters. He would often lose his temper at any tardiness.

Did Girard’s eating habits change in his later years?

In the later years of his life, Girard was a vegetarian. In these years he reported himself as eating nothing but vegetables and what he called “ship bread”- a form of hard crackers—no meat, no animal fat, no butter or any milk or milk products. These frugal tastes coupled with extreme care in his habits of drinking and his active out-of-door life preserved Girard so that he passed the fourscore mark in tolerable health and strength.¹⁵ He was so happy with his growing good health that he thought vegetarianism might even restore his sightless right eye.

What did Girard do to explore possibilities for curing his right eye?

He wrote to the only doctor he trusted in Paris—Dr. Jean Deveze. The doctor told him it was, in his opinion, impossible to restore the sight but he gave Girard some ideas on keeping his right eye clean and the skin soft on his eyelid.¹⁶

How did Girard describe his hard work?

Of his life of unremitting toil, Girard also wrote:  “When I rise in the morning, my only effort is to labor so hard during the day that when night comes I may be enabled to sleep soundly.”¹⁷

How was Girard’s work schedule described?

The early morning and the forenoon he spent in his counting house; the middle of the day, he worked at the bank; the late afternoon and evening were given over to his farm. He continued this schedule into his advanced years.

How did Girard explain his strict ethic in not paying his employees a penny more than was fair?

He thought that one of the duties which a rich man owes to society is to be careful not to disturb the law of supply and demand by giving more money for anything than a fair price.

Did he practice this philosophy in dealing with members of his own family?

That is largely true. He rescued his poor relations in France from want, and educated nieces and nephews in his own house. His gifts, however, to them were not proportioned to his own wealth but to their circumstances. He considered that his treatment of his family members showed largess on his part. They did not think so.

It has been said that despite his impatience with mediocrity, his patriotism was never in question. Is that so?

That is true but it is also true that his patriotism did not hurt his succeeding in business and helped him to build his enormous wealth. Still no one could doubt his sincere attachment to his adopted country.

How does Mayo describe Stephen Girard's lifestyle? 

Mayo seems to think that “by our standards, he was a loner—no guests came to his house, he had no hobbies. His only recreation was his garden and his farm in what is now South Philadelphia at the Passyunk area. His life was his work. He would often say that his work made him happy and the money was only a byproduct. Despite the uncertainties of shipping worldwide, Girard's business enterprises continued to prosper; his wealth increased accordingly, but he remained a simple man, luxuriating only in a penchant for good food, fine wine and his mistress. As he approached the middle years of his life, he seemed to more enjoy his work and the increased demands made on him physically and emotionally. He shared his increased wealth willingly with those around him, giving considerable sums to charity, and afforded care and consideration for those whom he employed.”¹⁸

Was the farm a business venture?

Girard was interested in scientific agriculture but with his practical turn of mind he sought to make his farm pay. He introduced rare vegetables and cultivated them with the same business success that attended his other activities.  He made his farm profitable.¹⁹

"It is a singular feat and is fully illustrated in the history of Girard that men who commence (business) life at the earliest period, generally, if not always, succeed the best."²⁰

Aside from the excellent fruit and vegetables that he served at his dining room table, where did Girard sell his farm produce?

Girard maintained two stalls in the South Second Street Market where the produce from his farm was sold.

How does Girard speak about his efforts with his vines?

“I have taken much pain with grape vines. Our severe winters are a great obstacle to their progress. For these few years past, I lay them down and cover them with earth in the fall and take them up in April. They appear to do a little better.  The last season, I had some good fruit. I have about 250 of the best sort imported from France and Spain except one vine which is pretty large and raised from the seed of a grape imported in a jar from Malaga. Out of that vine, I had last season several fine large grapes in full maturity.”

How was Stephen Girard described in Osgood E. Fuller’s Napoleon of Merchants?

Imagine the figure of an old man, low in stature, squarely built, clumsily dressed, and standing on large feet. To this uncouth form, add a repulsive face, wrinkled, cold, colorless, and stony, with one eye dull and the other blind--a "wall-eye." His expression is that of a man wrapped in the mystery of his own hidden thoughts. He looks--

"Like monumental bronze, unchanged his look

A soul which pity never touched or shook

Trained, from his lowly cradle to his bier,

The fierce extremes of good and ill to brook

Unchanging, fearing but the charge of fear

A stoic of the mart, a man without a tear."²¹

Was Girard ever happy?

He was quoted as having said that work not possessions made him happy. His work ethic was admirable. He was demanding in the tasks of his subordinates but was more demanding of his own work. In writing a letter of congratulation to his brother who had recovered from an illness, Girard wrote: “as for myself, I have not the same good fortune for without any illness of the body I have that of the mind I fear that I have lost forever the peace which a certain success should procure for life in this world.”²²

 

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