Saturday, October 4, 1947

THE EVENING BULLETIN, Phil

Manhunt for a Guest of W

ANTED: A local descendant of a lamplighter named Comly Rich who lived here more than a century ago. He's being sought by the City Business Club, to take part in some elaborate ceremonies a couple of weeks from now. An Intensive search is now under Way for an eligible Mr., Miss or Mrs., according to Robert R. Hellyer, preident of the club, who has asked Philadelphians' co-operation. Comly Rich, Hellyer explains, had the distinction of being the first person in the United States to purchase a home with money borrowed from a building and loan association. "That happened in 1831, in the borough of Frankford, now a part of Philadelphia," Hellyer said. "It was the birth in this country of the idea that a man could buy a home through small monthly payments. Up to then banking practices were such that the average man had little chance of owning his own place." The house which Comly Rich purchased still stands, at 4276 Orchard st. It is to be dedicated as a historic shrine on October 17 during the convention here of the Pennsylvania Savings and Loan League. League officials would like to have a descendant of Rich present as a guest of honor at the dedication, Hellyer said. "Philadelphia can be proud of having been the birthplace of the savings and loan idea," Hellyer said. "It's another 'Philadelphia First,' proving once again that our city has always been in front with progressive ideas."
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honor

Descendant of Comly Rich Sought for Dedication of First B & I Loan House
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a shop in the rear of 15 Meade st. He is believed to have died in 1842

FRAGMENTARY ACCOUNTS show that Rich and his wife Charlotte had several children among them a son William and two daughters Mary Louisa and Emiline. lary Louisa married Charles R. Bowman in 1848 and Emiline married William Henry Heimbold in : . .. 1864. William, according to old . . church records, married and had . .. . . at least two children. One was a girl baptized Kate Fulmer Rich . . . . and another was a son, Comly . . .. . named for his grandfather. The Philadelphia Public Ledger noted .... . . the death of this Comly on August . . .. 16, 1883, and a year later recorded that letters of administration in . . his estate were granted to Kate . . . . Rich. "That's all we have to go on," Hellyer said. "It's not much, but ... . we're hoping that someone may recognize the name of a grand- ......................................................... parent or great-grandparent and get in touch with us." . . ....................................... The Orchard St. house is at pres. ent occupied by Mr. and Mrs. John . . . . .. P. O'Hara. Mr. O'Hara is employ:. . ed at a local dye factory. ................. ..........; .. The convention of the Pennsyl. . . '... vania Savings and Loan League on October 16-18 will be attended by I . approximately 1,000 delegates from . various building and loan organ- ................................................ . ......... izations throughout the State and . .... ........ by municipal and state dignitaries, according to League officials. vention headquarters are at the . .............. Penn-Sheraton Hotel....

LITTLE IS KNOWN about Rich, according to Paul C. Applegate, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Savings and Loan League. A few traces in church and city records provide the only facts that exist. He was the son of Woolery Rich, a farmer and storekeeper living near Frankford, and was born about 1795. His father died when Comly was in his 'teens and the boy was apprenticed to a comb-maker. He worked in a factory in Frankford, and later held down Jobs as the borough's lamplighter and as a member of its "watch," or police force. In 1831 he became a member of the first building and loan association formed in the United States and was the first individual to whom it made a loan. With it he bought the Orchard st. house. In 1836 he gave up the house and moved to Philadelphia. He ran an eating house for a while, then gave it up to become an exchange broker. A year later he was back at his old craft, comb-making. in

HISTORIC HOUSE Building at 4276 Orchard St., Frankford, result of first U.S. loan by a building and loan association in 1831, is viewed by David E. Triester, in dark suit, chairman of a committee seeking descendants of original borrower, and Robert R. Hellyer, president of City Business Club. At left, Mr. Hellyer peeks into a closet as Mr. Triester examines fireplace once used for cooking