History of Wellfleet, (Barnstable County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Isaac Rich, philanthropist, was born at Wellfleet, Mass., Oct. 24, 1801; son of Robert and Eunice (Harding) Rich, and grandson of Reuben and Hannah (Gross) Rich. Though born in humble circumstances he was of a distinguished family, Richard, the first of his American ancestors, having been a man of rank who married the daughter of Thomas Roberts, governor of New Hampshire. Richard's son John, brother-in-law of Robert Treat Paine, signer of the Declaration of Independence, married Mary Treat, granddaughter of Robert Treat, for thirty years governor of Connecticut. Isaac Rich was the oldest of eleven children, and began life as a fisher boy. Before attaining his majority he established himself in Boston, where a kinswoman had married the Hon. Lemuel Shaw, chief justice of the commonwealth. He himself married Sarah Andrews, of Boston. Though starting without capital, by remarkable personal powers, diligence in business and fidelity to moral and religious principles, be in later years came to be recognized even by the federal government as standing at the bead of all mercantile houses in his line in the United States. Under the influence of Dr. Wilbur Fisk, he became the most generous patron of liberal education that New England up to that time had known. To the academy at Wilbraham and to Wesleyan university and to the Boston Theological seminary, he gave at least $400,000. Then he executed a will which bequeathed to Boston university, of which he was a chief founder, a larger sum that at that time had ever been bequeathed or given by any American for the promotion of university education. He was a trustee of Wesleyan university, 1849?72, and in 1868 erected its library building at a cost of $40,000, besides contributing to the endowment fund more than $100,000. He was a trustee and benefactor of Wesleyan academy at Wilbraham, 1853?72, and of the Boston Theological seminary from its beginning in 1866 to 1871. He was the first charter member of the corporation of Boston university, and first president of its board of trustees. To it he gave generous sums at the outset, and at his death the residue of his estate, officially estimated at $1,700,000. Rich Hall, one of the principal buildings of the university, was named in his honor. He died in Boston, Jan. 13, 1872.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Wellfleet, (Barnstable County) Massachusetts

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