Below is a general timeline for Mrs. Pleasant's life and circumstances. It evolves based on research findings.
research filed under:
early life
9 Barley Street (birthplace)
In 1895 and again in 1901, Mrs. Pleasant, in her last interview with Sam P Davis stated she was born free at 9 Barley Street in Philadelphia, PA. Some have questioned this claim because there is no Barley Street in Philadelphia. The key here is, there is no Barley...
John A Williams (MEP’s father)
In the her 1901 interview, Mrs. Pleasant (MEP) stated that her father was a merchant in Philadelphia. Interestingly the initial printing of the interview in The Pandex article states his name was Louis Alexander Williams but Davis' later edition of the story,...
James W Smith-1st Husband (1 of 5)
In 1901, Mrs. Pleasant stated her first husband was a Cuban man named, James W Smith (elsewhere James Henry). She indicated he worked in construction and was active of the Underground Railroad and Abolitionist movement. While not seemingly present in the 1840 Federal...
James W Smith-1st Husband Search (2 of 5)
When looking for James W Smith, it seems most presume his land was in Virginia (eventually West Virginia). It was said his "plantation" was near Harper's Ferry, land given to him by his father's family. However, the location of Harper's Ferry is at the confluence of...
James W Smith-1st Husband Land Holdings -Harper’s Ferry (An Intriguing Possibility-Frederick County, MD) (4 of 5)
As noted in Part 1, information about James W Smith has been difficult to find. Some have maintained **he** was the son of a southern land and slave holding governor. The possibility that James was Catholic leads one to consider he may have been from east of Harper’s...
James W Smith-1st Husband-Remains Elusive and Hard to Pinpoint (5 of 5)
In the 1840s in Virginia (and future West Virginia) and Maryland are up to 7 different James Smith (see earlier posts). And as noted in the 3rd posting, one individual in Frederick County, Maryland was a promising lead. In the column of "why" are the following...
Elizabeth Jones Smith Peck (daughter)
Born to James W and M. Ellen Smith in July 1845 was daughter Elizabeth Jones Smith, referred to as "Lizzie". San Francisco articles would cite "Elizabeth J or Lizzie J or sometimes P"..with her differing last names. Some have suggested Lizzie was the daughter of John...
Marriage to John J Pleasant(s) -Location/Date?
Mrs. Pleasant gave a specific year for her marriage to John J. She stated they were married at "Gore Catholic Church in Charlestown" in 1848. There is not now or has there ever been a "Gore Catholic Church" in Charles Town Virginia or Charlestown, Massachusetts, the...
Park Family Tree
The Park family listed North Carolina as their common origin point in census records back to 1850 and in the 1847 Quaker Census of Philadelphia African Americans. Using Census records and newspaper clippings this family tree was created. Names of note are highlighted...