Research Findings
(regularly updated)
Horrific Incident on Hawthorne St 1860 – Mrs Pleasant’s niece, Caroline F Park
William Willmore was the son of two of Mrs Pleasant's employees at her Boarding House at 920 Washington Street, he was interviewed by Helen Holderidge for her book on Mrs. Pleasant. One of the stories he told was of the murder of one of MEP's laundry service employees...
John Brown Meeting 1858
In 1901, MEP stated to journalist Sam P Davis that she had been "a friend to John Brown." And that is how she wished to be remembered. She told a story of traveling to Chatham, Ontario, Canada to meet him and turn over a large sum of money for his cause. In 1951-52,...
Streetcar Cases – Charlotte L Brown
In writing about Mrs. Pleasant, we learn about her challenge to San Francisco streetcar racist rules. Before MEP's cases in 1866, was the case of Charlotte L Brown. Miss Brown's father was a friend of MEP's and this action was likely part of a planned moment to...
Mary’s Properties in San Francisco and Oakland
This Google Earth map link (update ongoing) identifies Mrs Pleasant's known property holdings and businesses and homes where she worked (Hawthorne St in particular). An analysis of San Francisco, Alameda (Oakland & Berkeley), and Napa/Sonomo County deed indexes...
A Story About Mary’s Tombstone
In conducting research, I came across the Stutler database, part of the West Virginia Memory Project. Mr. Stutler (1889-1970) was a recognized John Brown authority and created one of the most important John Brown Collections. Stutler took great pride in owning an item...
920 Broadway land purchase 1861
In September 1861, John J and Mary E purchased land in San Francisco on Washington at Powell Street from R. B. Phillips of Napa County. They paid $2,500. Note RB Phillips would go on to marry Lizzie Smith, Mary's daughter, in 1865. See the post about Elizabeth Smith...
Mary’s Burial Details
The details of Mary's burial are noted here from the SF Funeral Home Records August 1901-May 1905. Transcript of handwritten notes: "Est of Mary Ellen Pleasant, 2752 Filbert St 1 Couch Casket , covered with purple cloth ( gold brick ) silver handles and plate...
Last Will and Testament of Mary Ellen Pleasant, Jan 2, 1904
These documents were located via FamilySearch.org. The Will would be in Probate from 1904 until January 1911 (last image). Probate Record
Grandma Hussey (Nantucket employer) Elusive
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...