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DELAWARE HAS CENTURYOLD BANK Not Named in List of Which It Easily Could Take the Head INCORPORATED IN THE YEAR 1795 It Has Survived the Financial Storms of Over a Century and Never Has Failed to Pay Its Dividends Regularly. The Philadelphia National Bank is celebrating its 100th anniversary today, and a paper of that city commented editorially upon its remarkable career, giving a brief history of the institution. The article also mentioned several other banks in the country that have survived the financial storms of a century or more, but neglected to name the National Bank of Delaware in that list. The National Bank of Delaware is even older than many of the institutions that were referred to in the editorial, it having been organized in 1795, and is therefore 108 years old. The history of this bank is very interesting and is something that all Wilmingtonians feel proud of. It has never failed to pay dividends regularly, has never suffered any loss through its clerical force, and has always stood in the front ranks of the banking institutions of the country. Sketch of the Bank. On February 9, 1795, the General Assembly of this State granted a charter to "The President, Directors and Company" of the Bank of Delaware, with a capital stock of $100,000, divided into 500 shares at $200 a share. The stockholders held their first meeting on June 5 of the same year, and elected as d1rectors Joseph Tatnall, William Hemphill, Eleazer McComb. Samuel Canby, Isaac Hendrickson, John Ferris and Thomas Mendenhall, and they elected Joseph Tatnall as president. A committee of the directors purchased of James Lea for 1,000 pounds the property at the northwest corner of Fourth and Market streeets, and on August 17 the concern was opened for regular business. Notes to the extent of $20,000 were issued, the denominations being fives, tens, twenties, thirties and fifties, payable upon demand in specie, a requirement of the State law. After the war of 1812 business increased so that new quarters became necessary. and on June 2. 1815, the present site at the northeast corner of I Sixth and Market streets was bought of William Warner for $5,000. Before the year 1816 the new building was completed and occupied. The old build0 ing and site were sold to William Lare kins for $10,000. During the financial panic between e 1811 and 1820 the Bank of Delaware a held its own, in spite of the fact that e 195 other banks in the country became d insolvent. In 1820 a new charter was secured. During the panic of 1837. S when the Bank of the United States S and 180 other banks failed, the Bank of d Delaware and other sound concerns of the kind suspended specie payment for S a short time. It passed safely through n the panic of 1857. its credit standing unquestioned. As early as 1850 its stock was worth double its par value. On July 16, 1865, the institution beN came the National Bank of Delaware, with a capital of $110,000. e But Five Presidents. There have been but five presidents, 1as follows: Joseph Tatnall, June 5. 1795, to June 2. 1802; Thomas Lea, June 2. 1802, to June 5. 1810: Joseph Baily, ie June 5. 1810, to June 4,1841; HenryLatof timer, June 4. 1841, to June 75 1872, and to Henry G. Banning, the present president, who took-charge on June 7. 1872. e The cashiers have been John Hayes, of Edward Worrell, William Paxon, Henry et Warner, Samuel Floyd. Richard H. Ewbanks and Henry Baird, who was chosen on September 11, 1885, and who of n has been connected with the bank for p over thirty-eight years. The working force of the bank today is: President, Henry C. Banning: cashd. ier, Henry Baird: paying teller. Edward nW. Smith; discount clerk, John H. es en J. Board Banning: H. Hoffecker. of Directors, clerk, Charles Henry M. G. Banning, Zebley; Jr., Edward Andrews, eRichard P Citibana Francis II Hof