1) Was it normal in the early years (pre 1850) to have delayed policies > issued and if so, why? >If you are asking if it is normal for someone to buy a parcel in, say, 1826, and not insure a property until 1835, then yes, I find that all >the time. For one thing, there may not have been an insurable structure on the lot in 1826. Even if there was, it was the owner's option >as to whether he wanted to insure it or not, which responds to your second question. Just like today, insuring a home was not >mandatory. 2) Were policies mandatory? I say that because there is a house around the corner from me situated on E. Marshall Street (then ' I ' Street) built in 1814 that I have never seen a MAS policy on. >see response to question #1. 3) Was there other companies issuing policies in Richmond during this time frame and if so, who were they and are their records available to look at like MAS? > The answer is yes... I have worked on a number of projects in Richmond and elsewhere in the state wwhere other companies were >used. I am working on one property in Albemarle County that was insured in 1851 by the Schoharie County Mutual Insurance Company >of New York...we only know that, however, because the policy is in the family papers at UVA...otherwise, no database would have led >us to that information. >If anyone knows of any companies that were actively insuring Virginia houses during the 18th and 19th centuries for which there is a >database or register of properties (similar to what Mary Washington did for the Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia0, please share that >information. -- W. Scott Smith, Managing Partner The Antiquaries, LC Historical Research & Consulting The Piedmont Center, 311 Rivermont Avenue P.O. Box 75, Lynchburg, VA 24505 Home Office 434-528-3995 Mobile 434-401-3995 www.theantiquaries.com To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html