* Sun Fire Insurance Records

[janefrances]

Anyone ever looked at the above? I have an ancestor who appeared in these registers for the year 1790. When I looked at his record in the London Metropolitan Archives underneath was a note saying it was indorsed to one Thomas Bennett of Grays Inn Gent as Mortgagee of indenture.

I don't know what this means, would my ancestor have owned his house?

[DavidNewton]

I have looked at these (summaries only) in the LMA and also on London Lives (not surprisingly the info seems to be much the same). If you want more information about particular streets and occupiers in London then it is worth trying British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/

Some of the major streets in London have masses of information; of course it depends on someone's decision as to which streets are worthy!!. One of my wife's ancestral relatives lived in Great George Street and there is almost house-by-house descriptions, including lists of occupiers from the rate books.

David

[tatewise]

I think "indorsed to one Thomas Bennett of Grays Inn Gent as Mortgagee of indenture" means "assigned to Thomas Bennett of Grays Inn Gent as Mortgage lender by contract". Which suggests to me that your ancestor owned the property, but had a mortgage on it, and so the lender had a financial interest in the fire insurance too, because the property was collateral for the loan. Just like current mortgagees such as banks and building societies insist on buildings insurance to protect their collateral.

[colinmoretti]

The full entry can give a lot of information, if you're lucky. Here's one I have an interest in, for example:

5 Jan 1820
John Bargman of No 4 Fort Place Grange Road, Plumber
On two houses Nos 1 & 2 in Charlotte Row, Grange Road in equal proportion three hundred pounds
Three houses in Prospect Place Blue Anchor Road in tenure of Bowyer, Gray & Frost private in equal proportion Two hundred pounds
House only in Sim Alley Rotherhithe in tenure of Mattingley private Brick & timber One hundred pds
Four houses Nos 3, 4, 5, 6 Charlotte Row in equal proportion Five hundred pounds

If a claim was made you can also find details of that, too.

[janefrances]

Thanks to all who replied to my post.

If a claim was made you can also find details of that, too.

How would I get details of a claim?
There are some Endorsement Books held at LMA MS12160/39 1787-1792 Is it these I should be looking at, and what could I expect to find in these records?

Sun Fire Insurance Records

Ref: MS11936/364/562799
4th Nov 1789. Insured East Lane, Walworth.
2/- plus duty 2/3s £100- duty 1/6
George Coulman in East Lane, Walworth. Bricklayer on his two houses only adjourning situate aforesaid not finished brick not exceeding Fifty Pounds on each.

Indorsed to Thomas Bennett of Grays Inn Gent as Mortgagee of indenture dated 24th March 1790 Mem. It is hereby allowed that £100 shall be taken off from the within mentioned houses & enquired upon two brick houses not finished should being the first and second houses east from his now dwelling house in the said lane in equal proportion. Entd. 26th Feb 1790

Ref: MS11936/367/566667
2nd March 1790. Insured The Hen and Chickens, Walworth

12’0 plus duty 12/9s

George Coulman On his now Dwelling House only situate as aforesaid not exceeding Three Hundred Pds. Household goods therein only not exceeding seventy pounds, wearing apparel therein only not exceeding thirty pounds. House only of the Hen & Chickens on Walworth Common, Walworth not quite finished, not exceeding Two Hundred Pounds, all brick.

Indorsed to James Thomas of Park Street in the Parish of St. George Hanover Square in the County of Middx. Gent as the annuitant (?) the done date 14th August 1790 Estb. 11 Sept 1790

[colinmoretti]

None of my people have made claims so I've not looked at them myself but Hawkings in Fire Insurance Records for family and local historians records that:

The Sun Fire Office ... kept Loss Registers:
! Country Losses 1803-1864; Ms 11937A (5 vols)
2 Town Losses 1851-1866; Ms 11934B
3 Misc Claims 1771-1788; Ms 21075, index Ms 15742

He also has some examples and gives further information.

The endorsment books record changes to policies; again Hawkings gives lots of examples.

Colin

[janefrances]

Thanks Colin, I'll have a look for this book. Think I may need it