8030. Webster Bank (Boston, MA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
state
Start Date
December 1, 1854*
Location
Boston, Massachusetts (42.358, -71.060)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
2ce92525

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals

Description

Multiple contemporaneous newspaper reports (Dec 1854) describe a brief panic/run on the Webster Bank in Boston triggered by a rumor that 'Mr. Webster was dead' and his estate insolvent. Articles say the bank was solvent and many depositors returned funds; there is no mention of suspension, receivership, or closure.

Events (1)

1. December 1, 1854* Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
A circulating rumor (an old lady's report) that Mr. Webster was dead and insolvent, prompting depositors to demand specie.
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
old lady rumored Mr. Webster dead; bank solvent; rumor false
Measures
Bank paid promptly; depositors who withdrew largely redeposited (no suspension invoked).
Newspaper Excerpt
an old lady demanded specie at the Webster Bank for a bill, saying she had heard Mr. Webster was dead, his estate insolvent, and that this bank must fail.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (5)

Article from Burlington Free Press, December 22, 1854

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Article Text

Suspension, Defalcation, &c, BORTON, Dec. 18th. The Glumion Mills, an extensive iron establishment of this city, assuspended, in consequence of the treashrer, Henry Brevaut, having absconded RS N defaultor to the sum of two hundred thousand dollars. He has written a letter from his hiding place, saying that be will never be taken alive. There WHS a run on the Provident Instrute for Savings in this city, on Saturday, and about $100,000 was withdrawn by the frish and German depositors. The bank is perfectly solvent. There was also a run upon the Boyleston and Webster Banks, but both are sound, and paid promptly. The Sloop of War Albany. Further accounts from Havana, confirm the report that the Albany was at Carthagena, October 10th. Trouble on the New York & Erie R. R., The Board of Directors of the New York & Erie Rail Road have decided to reduce the pay of most of their employees. An order to this effect was sent up the road, and last night the lab rers at Piermont refused to work at the reduced prices-80 cents per day. It is supposed that the example will find a plenty of imitators up the road. It is reported that the mechanics in the company's shops are to be included in the deduction. NEW YORK, Dec. 20th, A number of buildings on Broadway, between Broome and Grand streets, were destroyed by fire this morning. The fire extended through to Crosby st., to a building where a ball was in progress, and several females are missing. A policeman, and five firemen were killed by the falling of a wall, and 14 others scriously wounded. ALBANY, 20th. At six o'clock this morning the thermometer stood 14 degrees below zero, and at noon three below. At Half-way House on the Troy road the mercury indicated 18 degrees below 0. Teams are now crossing the Hud. son on the ice, which is thick and firm. HALIFAX, 12 M. No signs up to this hour of the Eng. steainer.


Article from The Daily Dispatch, December 23, 1854

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Article Text

THE DAILY dispatch. SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 185 THE SAVINGS' Banks.-Aren upon these Institutions in this city has taken place just as it has in other cities; and the reasons for in many instances, are just as founded as in the case of the old lady who went to the Webster Bank of Boston, on Monday, with a demand for specie,'because she had heard that Mr. Webster was dead, his estate insolvent and that his bank must fail! Às heavy as the been, all the banks have promptly met the demands upon them, except perhaps the most extensive and best known of them all-and that exception is owing to the large deposites from the country, and the heavy demands from the country depositors, which are so much beyond their receipts that of necessity a little time is required to pay. These Savings Banks are established upon shares subscribed by the corporators, and in the oldest these shares have accumulated to very heavy amounts. The capital of the City Savings Bank is $60,000-every dollar of which must be lost before the depositor can lose a cent. A similar protection in proportion to the magnitude of the institutions is afforded by others. Their funds are not invested in stocks; but in discounted commercial paper. Conducting business in this way, we may mention as proof of their success as well as the safety of their investments, that in seventeen years the City Savings has not made a single bad debt. Another old institution has not made a bad debt in thirty years! There could not be better proof of proper management. If a man deposites his money any where at all we don't see that he could put it in safer hands. What Bank could stand a sudden demand bybill-holders and depositors to pay up every claim against it? Not one. Time, in such a run as that, would be necessary; for it is forcing the Bank to wind up, and renders necessary the collection of all due it, that it may pay all it owes. Many that have drawn their money have done so to invest it in stocks; but a great many have putit in their own peckets, afraid to invest it. They thus lose their interest and subject themselves to dangers of loss from robbery and fire. Others again having money idle by them may be tempted into speculations or loans that may subject them to heavy loss. Therefore, we say to our friends in town and country, that as their funds are perfectly safe in the Savings Banks of Richmond, they need feel no anxiety or apprehension whatever with regard to them. REVOLUTIONARY RELIC.-We have seen the 1st volume of Blackstone's Commentaries which belonged to Richard Henry Lee, the Revolutionary Patriot and signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is in the possession of Mr. George L. Brent, of this city, whose ancester Mr. Lee was. He designs presenting it to the Virginia Historical Society. This volume is interesting because of a few foot notes in Mr. Lee's own hand writing, and which indicate the ideas and principles which then absorbed his great mind The book came into his possession in 1772, according to an entry made by him -and in 1785 it was in the possession of Ludwell Lee, his son, then at William and Mary College. Seven years before this book came into his possession Lee seconded Patrick Henry in his famous resolutions against the Stamp Act; and not long afterwards planned and effected an association to prevent the operation of the Stamp Act; which association was bound together in their objects "at every hazard and paying no regard to danger or to death." In 1773, on his motion, corresponding committees of the Legislatures of the Colonies were established, and at his suggestion Clubs among the "lovers of liberty" were formed throughout the Colonies. About that time, it is probable that the notes referred to were written. We copy two of them In the book on the "rights of persons" the author is speaking of the Representative character of a member of Parliament. He assumes that every member though elected by a particular district, as soon as he is returned, serves for the whole realm; "for the end of his coming thither is not particular but general; not barely to advantage his constituents; but the common wealth." "And therefore" he says "he is not bound, like a deputy in the united provinces, to consult with or take the advice of his constituents upon any particular point, unless he himself thinks it proper and prudent to do so." Mr. Lee appends to this the following note "This is not sound docirine. The general good "must result from that of individuals; nor can the "latter ever prevail against the former where plu"rally of votes determines every question. A "wide door is opened for corruption where the Re "presentative is not bound by his Constituent. The 'declared will of the latter being a thing of notorie. "ty, but the pretended conviction of judgment in a "the Representative may as well happen, [from "bribe as from reason. R. H. LEE." We add one other note from the inside of the back of the book Boads 130 MD


Article from Wilmington Journal, December 29, 1854

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Article Text

WHAT'S IN A NAME ?-The panic about the Savings Bank took a conservative turn yesterday, and many who withdrew their money last week became depositers again. An old lady demanded specie at the Webster Bank for a bill, and said she had heard Mr. Webster was dead, his estate insolvent, and that this bank must fail.-Boston Paper.


Article from Burlington Free Press, December 29, 1854

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Article Text

ONE OF THE ARCTICS BOATS PERHAPS. From Halifax papers of the 12th, we learn that two men from Southern Harbor, report having picked up a boat on the 10th ult., while on their way to Little Placentia, Newfoundland, and succeeded in getting her safe to Ram's Island. By their description she must be a life-boat, built of iron or zinc, complete in every particular except an air-tight compartment. She was full of water, with an ash oar lashed in the middle by a painter acting as a drag. It may prove one of the unfortunate steamer Arctic's boats. DURING the recent bank panic in Boston, an old lady demanded specie at the Webster Bank for a bill, saying that she had heard Mr. Webster was dead, his estate insolvent, and that his bank must fail.


Article from The Weekly Portage Sentinel, January 10, 1855

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Article Text

WHAT'S IN A NAME!-The panic about the Savings Bank took a conservative thrift yesterday, and many who withdrew their money last week became depositors again. An old lady demanded specie at the Web, ster Bank for a bill, said she heard Mr. Web. ster was dead, his estate insolvent, and that his bank must fail. / Boston Post. assd