This Instrument or Policy witnesseth, That Benjamin Franklin Esqr having become, and by these Presents becoming a Member of the Philadelphia Contributionship for the Ensurance of Houses, &c. from Loss by Fire, within the City of Philadelphia, and ten Miles round the same, in Pennsylvania, pursuant to a Deed of Settlement, bearing Date the Twenty-fifth Day of March, 1752. And for and in Consideration of the Sum of   Two Pounds Ten Shillings in Hand paid by the said Benjamin Franklin to the Treasurer of the said Contributionship, being the Consideration for ensuring the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds unto the said Benjamin Franklin his Executors, Administrators and Assigns, upon his House and Backbuildings Situate on the Northside of High Street where Mary Jacobs dwells—the House being 17½ feet front 22 feet back valued at £165. the Brickbuilding 17½ feet by 14 feet valued at £35—NB. the Wooden Backbuildings not ensured—This Ensurance commencing the 31st Day of December 1784 being a Reensurance during the Term of Seven Years from the Date above Which said Sum of Two Pounds Ten Shillings   is hereby declared to be deposited by the said Benjamin Franklin Esqr as a Pledge or caution for the Performance of the Agreements comprised in the said Deed of Settlement on   his Part from henceforth to be performed. Now we the Directors of the said Contributionship, for and in Consideration thereof, do hereby order, direct and appoint the Treasurer for the Time being of the said Contributionship, according to the said Deed of Settlement, to pay and satisfy unto the said Benjamin Franklin his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, the Sum of Two Hundred   Pounds, at the end of three Months next after the said House and Backbuilding shall be burnt down or demolished by or by Reason or Means of Fire; and in like Manner shall pay the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds so often as any House and Backbuilding of the same Value and Goodness, built in the Room thereof, shall be burnt down or demolished by Reason or Means of Fire, during the Time this Policy remains in Force, and thereupon to endorse each and every such Payment on this present Policy. And also, That We the Directors aforesaid do hereby further order, direct and appoint, that when and so often as the said House and Backbuilding   or any Means of Fire, such Damages shall be made good according to the Estimate thereof, or repaired, and put into as good Condition as the same was or were before such Fire or Fires happened. And we likewise order and direct the said Treasurer for the Time being of the said Contributionship, at the End of the said Term of Seven Years, to repay unto the said Benjamin Franklin his Executors, Administrators or Assigns the said Money so deposited as aforesaid, or so much thereof as shall not in the mean Time be applied towards Losses, and the unavoidable Expence of the said Ensurance Office, pursuant to the said Deed of Settlement.

Provided, and it is hereby declared and agreed, That if the said Deposite Money shall not be demanded at this Ensurance Office within the Space of One Year next after the Expiration of the said Term of Seven Years, then the Payment thereof shall cease, and the same shall be sunk and remain to the Benefit of the said Contributionship.

Provided Also, That if it should so happen, that the whole Stock of the said Contributionship should ever be insufficient fully to pay and discharge all the Losses sustained by the Members of this Contributionship, in such Case a just Average shall be made, and the Payment to be demanded in Virtue of this Policy shall be a Divident of the said Stock, in Proportion to the Sum ensured, agreeable to the Tenor and true Intent of the said Deed of Settlement.

In Witness whereof, We have hereunto set our Hands, and caused the Seal of the said Contributionship to be affixed, this First Day of February Annoq; Dom. 178 5