December 3, 1835

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Joel Byers

On This Date in TWISTED-HISTORY.com! in 1835 the Manufacturer Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Rhode Island issued the first fire insurance policy to Antonio “Matches” Garducci XI. On December 7, 1835, Mr. Garducci’s warehouse full of fireworks, imported Chinese silk, and Jamaican rum caught fire and burned to the ground. On December 8, 1835, the Manufacturer Mutual Fire Insurance Company added new clauses to all of its policies that would prevent any future payment for specific damages. First, it would not payout on any claim that involved fireworks or gunpowder being stored within a building. Second, it would not payout if the owner of the home or business actively prevented firefighters from trying to reach and put out the fire, and third, it would no longer write any policy to anyone named “Matches”.

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About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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One Response to December 3, 1835

  1. Matches McGee says:
    December 7, 2013 at 3:33 pm

    Nice web site…

    It’d be a shame if something happened to it.

    Just sayin’.

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