New Research Findings
(regularly updated)
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. Mary...
John J Pleasant(s) (2nd husband)
John J Pleasants (the "s" was dropped after arriving in California), second husband to Mary Ellen, stated in the federal 1850 and 1870 census record that he was born in Virginia. William Willmore, son of an employee of MEP's, stated John was born at "Contention" in...
James W Smith-1st Husband (1 of 4)
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 Land Holdings -Harper’s Ferry (Virginia and West Virginia) (3 of 4)
Mrs. Pleasant indicated that her first husband had land holdings near Harper's Ferry, now West Virginia. A man similarly named, who died in 1844, is found in West Virginia's Probate Records. However, this man's wife is listed as Elizabeth and their burials are...
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,...
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...
Grandma Hussey (Nantucket employer)
Mrs. Pleasant stated she was indentured/employed by a Grandma Hussey (pronounced HUZZY) when living on Nantucket. There has been some confusion about "which" Mrs. Hussey ran the store. The names of Hussey, Starbuck, Coffin and Folger were prominent on Nantucket and...