Research Findings
(regularly updated)
San Francisco Park Family Link to Philly Barley Street? and James W Smith’s family?
Two of Mary's associates in the later part of her life were Rebecca J Howard Boone and Mrs. Jessie Park. There were land transfers of specific properties between them starting in 1880s through 1896. The tainted San Francisco press of the 1890s often noted one of these...
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,...
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...
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)
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...