The Family of Benjamin Mecom of Boston and Philadelphia, Nephew of Dr. Benjamin Franklin

THE FAMILY OI; BENJAMIN3 MECOM OF BOSTON AND PHILADELPHIA, NEPHEW OF DR. BENJAMIN- FRANKLIN by Michael J. Leclerc' I T cniamin Mecom was a nephew and namesake of Dr. Benjamin FranlcJLJÿlin.1 Born in Boston in 1732 to Franklin's favorite sister, Jane, and her husband, Edward Mecom, "Benny” went to Philadelphia at the age of twelve to apprentice with his uncle in the printing trade. This was the start of a somewhat transient life, including a number of relocations. In 1929 The American Antiquarian Society published The Antigua Press and llenjainin Mecom, 1748 i 765 by Wilberforce Fames, including an excel¬ lent account of Benjamin’s travels and travails, from his youth in Boston to the mental illness that ultimately destroyed him.2 Benjamin set sail for Antigua 20 August 1732 to replace Franklin's recently deceased partner, Thomas Smith, as the printer there.* Despite a modicum of success, Benny failed to live up to the agreement he made with his uncle and abandoned Antigua in 1736 with plans to establish a printing house in Boston. Sometime in 1737. likely the spring or summer, Benjamin married Eliz¬ abeth “Betsey” Ross, probably at the First Presbyterian Church in Eliza¬ bethtown, New Jersey.'* Benjamin took her to Boston, and set up his The author is Chief Genealogist at genealogy search engine Mocavo, former Direc¬ tor of Special Projects at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and has authored numerous articles for scholarly journals and popular magazines, lie is cur¬ rently working on a hook project compiling the descendants of Josiah franklin, father of Benjamin Franklin. For clarity in this article, Benjamin Franklin is hereafter referred to simply as Franklin. All allusions to lienjemiin or llenny refer to Benjamin Mecom. 2 Wilberforce Fames, 77/e Antigua Press and llenjamin Mecom, 17 iR 1 765 (Worcester, Mass.: American Antiquarian Society, 1929). This article will discuss Benny's travels only in relation to family records. See Fames for a fuller discussion of his life. Fetter from Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, dated “Sept. I t 1732, N.S.," transcription online at franklinpapers.org. The letter stales that "Benny sail’d from hence this Day two weeks, and left our Gapes the Sunday following." The 1732 calen¬ dar change left out the dates from September 3 to September 1.3. The N.S. indicates his letter is dated following the “New Style," making the date of departure Thursday 20 August 1732 O.S. 1 In a letter from Benjamin Franklin to Jane Mecom, dated 21 May 1737, Woodbridge, New Jersey, Franklin gave his approval to the match between Benny and "Miss Betsey," indicating that the wedding had recently occurred or was about to take place. Robert L. Ross in The Ross Family of New Jersey: A Record of the Descendants of George and Constance (little) Ross and Other New Jersey Ross Families (Baltimore: Gateway , * 18 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 18 ( 20 1 2) 2012 The Family of Benjamin Mecom 19 printing house across from the Old South Church. Four of their children were baptized at Congregational churches there between 1 758 and 1762. In 1763 he moved the family to New York and made an attempt at print¬ ing on “Rotten Row,” but it did not take long for this business to fail. Benny was already showing signs of the mental illness inherited from his father's family.5 In 1 76 1 Benny went to New Haven, where he worked as deputy post¬ master for Franklin’s friend, postmaster James Parker. He also worked at the press there, but ran up tremendous debt to Parker. Two daughters were baptized in the New Haven Congregational Church in 1764 and 1765. 11c resigned from the post office in 1767. In 1768 lie moved the family again, to Philadelphia, where he opened another printing office on Arch Street across from the Presbyterian Meet¬ ing House. A final child, son John Ross Mecom, was baptized there in 1771, the only child with a baptismal record in a non-Congregational church. It was possibly in Philadelphia that the family began its association with Quakers. In 1770 Benjamin was a witness to the will of Daniel Stan¬ ton, a Quaker in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting/’ Eventually most of Benjamin and Betsey’s children and grandchildren affiliated with Quaker meetings. Like his previous ventures, the Arch Street print office failed, and Benjamin finally found employment working as a journeyman for printer William Goddard. After Goddard moved to Baltimore in 1774, Benjamin and his family moved to Burlington, New Jersey. The town had a strong Quaker community, and it is here that the family’s bonds to Quakerism were likely strengthened. By 1776 Benjamin’s illness had reached intolerable levels. On 19 July John Lawrence and William Smith of Burlington wrote to Franklin on Betsey’s behalf, asking for his assistance in getting Benjamin committed to the hospital in Philadelphia or “any other way of Confineing which Press, Inc., 1990) fails to identify Elizabeth's husband, lie states that “Some have guessed she was the Eliza Ross who married Enoch Miller of Westfield" (page 6). Carl Van Doren, however, in The Letters of Benjamin Franklin and Jane Mecom (Philadel¬ phia: American Philosophical Society, 1950), 58 60, provides an excellent analysis and identification of benjamin Mccom's wife as the daughter of John and Sarah (Wheeler) Ross, (liven the birth of their first child in the fall of 1758. they were probably married by January 1758. The Presbyterian Church in Elizabethtown burned in 1780 destroying its records, which would explain why no record of the marriage was found there. 5 The details of the illness are unknown. After Franklin’s death, the family burned much of his correspondence that was deemed to deal with sensitive family matters. Allusions are made to the illness in other records and surviving correspondence, the latter of which is at franklinpapers.org. At least two, and as many as four, of the Mecom sons suffered from different levels of mental illness. (> Will abstracts, book P, 1770-1774, Philadelphia County, citing original page 35, will eluted till day 5t/t month /May/ /770. entered for probate H October 1770, online at flles.witiwarchives.org/pa/philadelphia/wilki/willahstrbkp.txt. 20 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Voi. 48 may be thought more Eligeable."7 Liter that year, Benjamin escaped from his caretakers and wandered around the town "till the Hessians took posesion of Burlington 1 1 1 December], when He disapeared & lias never been heard of sence.”8 Vital and church records give us the names of seven children, but the will of son-in-law Daniel Britt provides the name of an additional child. Daughter Elizabeth Mecom married Britt 3rd day 11th month [Novem¬ ber] 1790 under the care of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.9 She died in 1793 and he in 1798. Daniel’s will identifies John Field (with wife Deborah) as a merchant in Philadelphia to whom Britt’s daughter Mary was bound out. Besides an annuity he left to his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Mecom, the only primary beneficiaries were daughter Mary Britt and son George Britt. He named contingency beneficiaries in the event his chil¬ dren died before leaving heirs: to the Sisters of my late wife, to Sarah Smith wife of Benjamin Smith ... to Ahia Mecom . . . to Jane Mecom ... to my first Cousins, to wit, to Mary Britt, residing in or near London in Old England with Daniel Cox, Esq. ... to Susanna Norbury ... to Daniel Britt, Junior . . . to John Britt. Sarah Smith would receive £100 and the rest £30 each. The next phrase identifies Mary (Mecom) Carr, a heretofore unknown daughter of Benja¬ min Mecom |emphasis added]: ... I give and bequeath the residue to the Children of the Sisters of my late wife, to wit, the Children of Sarah Smith, the Children of Abia and Jane Mecom if they have any surviving at the time such reversion may be devided, Letter from John Lawrence and William Smith to Benjamin Franklin, dated 19 July 1776 in Burlington, transcription online at franklinpapers.org. s Letter from Jane (Franklin) Mecom to Benjamin Franklin, dated 14[ 27] February 1779 in Warwick, |Rhode Island), transcription online at franklinpapers.org. The 1779 letter refers in retrospect to Benjamin's December 1776 disappearance. In the first half of 1793, four advertisements for Crown Soap appeared in the General Advertiser (#742 |!2 February 1793], 4; #763 [ 1 1 March 17931, 4; #772 | 19 March 17931, 4; #828 [23 May 17931, D, announcing that the soap was "Made and sold by Benjamin Mecom in Burlington, And at Newbury Smith’s Taylor, in Third-street below Race.” It adds that “The only inventor of the True Crown Soap, was Mr. John Franklin, of Boston, deceased, with whom Mr. Mccum served his time.” While it is possible Ben¬ jamin could have survived his 1776 disappearance and reappeared seventeen years later, the progressive nature of his mental illness and the absence of any other surviv¬ ing contemporary references to him during those years make it highly unlikely that he was the maker and seller of the 1793 soap. Multiple members of the Franklin family made Crown Soap over the years, so it is more likely that Benjamin's widow Betsey or another family member made the soap advertised, using Benjamin's name to connect directly to the deceased “inventor.” Supporting this theory is the fact that seller New¬ bury Smith was Sarah (Mecom) Smith’s brother-in-law |notc 33], 9 William Wade Hinshaw, the William Wade Hinsliaw Index to Pennsylvania Quaker Meeting Records ( Kokomo, lnd.: Selby Publishing and Printing, 1990), 8:136. 2012 The Family of Benjamin Mecom 21 and to F.dward Mecom Carr, son of Mary Carr deceased, to lie decided between them. . . .1(l There is a six-year gap between the 1765 baptism of Benjamin and Bet¬ sey's daughter Elizabeth in New Haven and that of son John Ross in Phil¬ adelphia in 1771, more than enough room for another child. I he will of Benjamin Smith, husband of Sarah Mecom, provides a clue to the identity of Mary’s husband. One of the witnesses to Benjamin’s will was a man named Robert Carr." There are a number of men named Rob¬ ert Carr in Philadelphia, but of particular interest is Robert Carr, brassfounder. The 1 795 city directory for Philadelphia shows him living just a few doors away from Benjamin Smith on Cresson’s Alley.12 Robert the brassfounder inconveniently disappears from city directories in 1809 and again in 1819. Further research will need to be done to confirm that this is the man who married Mary Mecom. G Ii N 1•A LOC. I C A 1, S1 1 M M A RY I. BENJAMIN2 MECOM (Jane1 Franklin, Josiah', Thomas') was born 29 December 1732 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, son of Edward and Jane" (Franklin) Mecom.12 He was baptized at Brattle Street Church two days later.1 ‘ He suffered from a hereditary mental illness that pro¬ gressively worsened, lie was last seen wandering around Burlington, New Jersey, in late December 1776.IS Benjamin married in 1737, proba¬ bly in Elizabethtown, Union County, New Jersey, ELIZABETH “BETSEY” Ross.16 She was born there about 1739 (age 78 at death), daughter of John and Sarah (Wheeler) Ross.17 She died 29th day I 1th month [Novem¬ ber] 1807 in Philadelphia and was buried there in the Friends Ceme¬ tery.1” 16 New Castle County, Delaware, Register of Wills, 179 i 1802, 0:335 37, (Fill. 6,541), will dated I March 1798, probated 12 April 1798. John James and Benjamin Smith were named executors. 1 “Abstracts of Philadelphia Wills" (Philadelphia: Genealogical Society of Pennsylva¬ nia, nil), photocopy of manuscript, citing Philadelphia County Wills, Y:400, will dated 1 August 1796, probated 6 September 1800. 12 Edmund Hogan, The Prospect of Philadelphia and Check on the Next Directory (Philadelphia: Francis & Robert Bailey, 1795), 8.3 84; images online at FolU3.com. 12 Jane Mecom, "Book of Ages," manuscript at New England Historic Genealogical Society (MSS C 599). 11 Robert J. Dunklc and Ann S. Lainharl, The Records of the Churches of Boston, CDROM (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2002), record 56,058. 1 2 fetter from Jane (Franklin) Mecom to Benjamin Franklin [note 8|. 16 See note 4. 17 Van Doren, Franklin Mecom Tetters [note 4], 58-60. Van Doren provides an exten¬ sive discussion of the evidence for Elizabeth's parentage. I<s Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers |note 9 1 , 7:3 16. 22 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vo!. t8 Children of Benjamin' and Elizabeth (Ross) Mecom: i. SARAH1 MECOM, baptized 1 October 1758 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, 2 daughter of Elisabeth Mecom; married say 1 778 BENJAMIN SMITH. ii. ABIAH' MECOM, baptized 9 December 1759 at Old South Church. Boston, daughter of Benjamin and Elisabeth Mecom;19 died 6 August 1841 in Phila¬ delphia, unmarried. She died of dropsy, and her death was certified by her second cousin, Franklin Bache, M.D.20 iii. DEBORAH' MECOM, baptized 4 January 1761 at Old South Church, Boston, daughter of Benjamin and Elisabeth Mecom;21 died young (see below). iv. DEBORAH4 MECOM, baptized 9 May 1762 at Old South Church, Boston, daughter of Benjamin and Elisabeth Mecom;22 died probably by I798.2' v. JANE4 MECOM, baptized 24 June 1764 at New Haven Congregational Church, New Haven, Connecticut;2' died 16 December I860 in Philadel¬ phia;2”4 buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, in her nephew Wil¬ liam Ross Smith's family plot;26 married 13 February 1800 in Boston SIMEON KINSMAN.2 Simeon was a sea captain, born 21 November 1752, son of Nathaniel and Anna (Robinson) Kinsman in Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts.28 •l'liey resided in Boston's North End. Simeon died there 6 January 1819 "of fits" and was buried in Copp’s Hill Burial Ground three days later.29 No evidence has been found that this couple ever had any child re n. 3 vi. ELIZABETH1 MECOM, baptized 13 October 1765 at New Haven Congrega¬ tional Church;'" buried I 1th day 7th month |July| 1795 under the care of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District; married 3rd day 1 1th 19 Dunklc and I.ainhart, Huston Church Records |note 14|, record 34,792. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803 1915; images online at FamilySearch.org. The name of this collection is misleading. Official registrations of death did not begin in Philadelphia until July I860. Earlier records are cemetery 211 returns. 21 Dunkle and Lainhart, Hoslon Church Records (note I4j, record 34,8.32. Dunkle and Lainhart, Hoslon Church Records [note 14|, record .34,88.3. 23 Deborah does not appear in the list of sisters of Elizabeth Mecom in the will of Daniel Britt, nor do any children of Deborah. She likely died young without children. 2 l Donald Lines Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co.. Inc.. 1981; original published Rome, N.Y.: Clarence I). Smith, 1929), 5:1 160. 2<i Philadelphia Deaths |notc 201. 26 Woodlands Cemetery |Philadelphia] lot card: section 1), lot 80, area l it), grave 7. r Edward W. McGlcncn, Hoslon Marriages 1701) IHO'J (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1997), 2:256; images online at Ancestry.com and AmerieanAnecstors.org. These two volumes were originally published as The JOth Report of the Record Commissioners (Boston: Registry Department of the City, 1903). 28 Vila I Records of Gloucester, Massachusetts, lo the laid of the Year I Hi') (Salem, Mass.: Essex Institute, 1917, 192.3) 1:398; parents' marriage at 2:398. 29 Record of the Deaths and Burials in the North District, Boston Death 1810-1821, North District, 1819, 20:99, Boston City Hall Archives. Also. Robert.!. Dunkle and Ann S. Lainhart, Inscriptions and Records of the Old Cemeteries of Hoslon (Boston: New England His¬ toric Genealogical Society, 2000), 275. Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven |note 24], 1 160. 22 2012 The Family of Benjamin Mecotn 23 month 1 November] 1790 under the care of the Pine Street Monthly Meet¬ ing, Philadelphia, DANIEL BRITT. 4 vii. MARY' MECOM, born say 1768; died by 1 March 1798 in Philadelphia; mar¬ ried [ROBERT?] CARR. vii. JOHN Ross' MECOM, born 24 October 1771 in Philadelphia;-11 probably died young. 1J 2. SARAH1 MECOM (Benjamin'’ Mecom, Jane1 Franklin, Josiah', Thomas') was baptized 1 October 17S8 at Brattle Street Church, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.11 Sarah married say 1778 (estimating age 20 at marriage)1' BENJAMIN SMITH, who was born about 1735 (age at death) pos¬ sibly in Burlington, New Jersey, son of Ralph and Olive (Clarke) Smith.11 Benjamin died “the 1st of 9th month last [September 1800] in the forty sixth year of his age.”-16 They were received into membership in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Northern District, 8th day 9th month [September] 1 79 1. 37 31 John T. Humphrey, Pennsylvania Births, Philadelphia County. /“66 1780 (Wash¬ ington, 1)0; Humphrey Publications, 1995), 348. Humphrey derived the birth date front the baptismal records of the Second Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, but did not record the baptism date. ■1“ John is not mentioned in any records of bis siblings as adults. When Daniel Drill, bushand of Elizabeth Mecom, wrote his will |nolc lo|, he named all of his wife’s sisters, but made no mention of John. 33 Dunklc anil l.ainhart, Boston Church Records [note l 1 1. record 57. 3 1 7. 3 i Theirs may be the marriage recorded 30 August 1 778 at St. Michael’s and Zion Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, between benjamin Smith of Burlington County and Salome Mecom; witnesses James breston and Nathan Smith? |.s7c|. Robert I„ Hess and I'. l-dward Wright, Hiyhteenth Century Records of the Centum l.iillieran Church of Phila¬ delphia ( Lewes, Del.: Colonial Roots, 2004 ), 4:979. 1ÿ C. A. Hoppin, “The Making of Smith: compiled at the request ofT. (iuilford Smith: The Smith family of Hingham and Cape Cod, Mass., Burlington, N.J., Philadelphia, Pa. and buffalo, N.Y. and forty-six allied families including Howland. Ncwburry, Ogden, Low, Tunes, Klinckcn, Williams, Levering, Sell, and others, with illustrations," manu¬ script at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (Ml ilm XR i89:2). That he is a son of Ralph and Olive (Clarke) Smith is deduced from his l August 1 796 will |note I 1 1, wherein he names his "brother Newberry Smith” as one of his executors. Newberry is a son of Ralph and Olivia. If the relationship is other than that of full siblings, the parents may be different. The place of birth is deduced from residence of parents. 36 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Northern District, Minutes, 1 795 1804, recorded 27th 1st month (January | 1801, page 422, reel MRPIl 41 I; microfilm at Friends Histori¬ cal Library, Swarthmorc College. 37 Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania (Junkers [note 9], 7:316. 24 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 18 Children of Benjamin and Sarah1 (Mecom) Smith, born probably in Philadelphia (order uncertain):'8 i. ELIZABETH SMITH, no further record. ii. MARTHA SMITH, no further record. 5 iii. SARAH SMITH, married 14 April 1812 in Philadelphia GEORGE D.JONES. iv. BENJAMIN SMITH, born about 1786 (age 16 at death); drowned and was bur¬ ied 26 August 1802 in the friends Burial Ground, Philadelphia.59 v. SAMUEL SMITH. vi. MARY SMITH. 6 vii. WILLIAM ROSS SMITH, born 29th day 3rd month [March] 1793; died IS June 1864 in Philadelphia; married about 1823 ELIZABETH ALLEN. viii. JOHN SMITH. ix. JANE SMITH, born 24th day third month |March] I795;'1 died 14 November 1872 in Philadelphia and buried in the Friends Cemetery, she was dis¬ owned by the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Northern District, 28th day ith month [ April ] 1829 for joining the 1 1 ieksites. I 3 x. HANNAH SMITH, born 4th day 8th month |August ] 1797. ' 1 xi. THOMAS SMITH. ( Benjamin ' Mecom, Jane ’ Franklin, Josiah', Thomas') was baptized 13 October 17(>3 in New Haven Congregational Church, New Haven, Connecticut, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Ross) Mecom.'5 She died, probably of complications from childbirth, and was buried 11th day 7th month |July] 1795 under the care of the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District, six days after her un¬ named infant child. 8’ Elizabeth married 3rd day 1 1th month | November] 1790 under the care of the Pine Street Monthly Meeting, Philadelphia, DANIEL BRITT.■17 Daniel was from New Castle County, Delaware. He sur¬ vived her by only a few years and died between the 1st day 3rd month 3. ELIZABETH1 MF.COM 58 The list of children was abstracted from Iloppin's “The Making of Smith” [note 35 1, page 4 of a section identified as “Papers sent by Jacob 1.. Smith, 1015 Green Street, Philadelphia, and in the possession of Mrs. kcvbrandt, his sister, at the same address. They were confided to Mrs. Levbrandt by her aunt, Penelope Smith, and reached T. Guilford Smith this day, May 21, 1 900.” The transcription for the family groups in this part are on page 4 of a different section: “From a small book called ‘Family Records, R & M. S. 1828' The Property of Cornelia A. Smith." Benjamin is one of several descend¬ ants treated. 59 The Gazelle of the United States, XXII, #3092 (1 September 1802), 2, in “Correct l ist of all the Burials, in the Friends Burial Ground, in the 7th and 8th months, 1802." 0 Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers |note 9[, 7:3 16. 11 Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers |note 9 1, 7:316. 11 Philadelphia Deaths [note 20 1 . 13 Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers [note 9 1, 7:316. 11 Hinshaw, index to Pennsylvania Quakers |note 9], 7:316. *5 Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven [note 24 [ , 1 160. Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers |note 9), 8:24. ■17 Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers | note 9], 8: 136. 2012 The Family of Benjamin Mecom 23 [March] 1798, when lie signed his will, and 12 April 1798, when it was probated in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware. |S Elizabeth was received into the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, North¬ ern District, 26th day 2nd month [February] 1788 on certificate from the R&P*9 Monthly Meeting,so and passed through to the Southern District 23rd day 7th month [July] 1788, when she was received from the R&P Monthly Meeting. Sl Daniel was received into the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District, 23rd day 1 1th month [November] 1783 on certificate from the Wilmington Monthly Meeting.'’2 He soon became master of a Negro school run by the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. In the sixth month IJunel 1790 Elizabeth became mistress of a second Negro school. Daniel received a salary of £100; Elizabeth’s salary was half that. Under their tutelage, attendance at the schools grew to about 80. Between 1793 and 1798 Daniel retired because he was "aged and infirm.”'*-'' Children of Daniel and Elizabeth' (Mecom) brill: i. MARY BRITT, born 2-itli day 8th month [August | 1791 in Philadelphia;'’ died possibly 22 July 1822 in Philadelphia;*’*’ married by 23th day 2nd month [February) 1819 probably in Philadelphia [ ] HAMILTON, when she was dismissed from Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for marrying out of unity.*’6 Shortly after the death of her father, Mary was granted a certificate 27th day 1 lilt month [November] 1799 to the Burlington Monthly Meet¬ ing from Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District.S7 The Burling¬ ton Monthly Meeting accepted her certificate 6th day 6th month ||unc| 1800. On 3rd day 1 2th month [December! 1810 she was given a certificate to the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Northern District.SK ii. LYDIA BRITT, born 21st day 10th month [October] 1792 in Philadelphia;’’1ÿ buried there 28th day 1 0th month |October) 1792.(<!l ’ — Britt will | note 10). "Be it Remembered that 1 Daniel Britt, now residing in the Bor¬ ough of Wilmington in the County of New Castle and State of Delaware, late of the City of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania being weak in body but of sound disposing mind and Memory . . .” 16 This was likely the Rahway and Plainfield Monthly Meeting of New Jersey. so Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania (Junkers |note 9|, 7:22s. ’ 1 Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania (Junkers |notc 9 1 , 8:1 36. Hinshaw, Index lo Pennsylvania (Jankers [note 9], 8:24. Thomas Woody, Parly (Junker P.ducation in Pennsylvania (New York: Columbia University, 1920), 243 44. s 1 Hinshaw, Index lo Pennsylvania (Jankers |note 9|, 8:24. s** Philadelphia Deaths |notc 20 1. "Mary Hamilton aged 30 years died last evening of Dysentary. Philad’a July 22nd 1822. Geo. B. Wood.” This Mary is the right age to be Mary Britt, but more research is needed for confirmation. William Wade Hinshaw, T.ncyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 6 volumes (Ann Arbor, Mich.; Edwards Brothers, 1936-1930), 2:471. “Mary Hamilton (late Brill)” was dismissed 23th day 2nd month 1819 for marrying out of unity. 3Hinshaw, Index lo Pennsylvania (Jankers |note 9|, 8:24. *is Hinshaw, lincyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy [note 36 1 , 2:200. Hinshaw, Index lo Pennsylvania (Jankers |note 9|, 8:2 i. 26 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. -48 iii. GEORGE D. BRITT, born about 1794 (age at death); died 3 October 1816 in Philadelphia. His obituary ran in Paulson's American Daily Advertiser two days later: "Died, on Thursday evening, of a short but severe illness, in the 23d year of his age, George 1). Rritt. His friends and acquaintances, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral front Sarah Smith’s dwelling, No. 73, Cherry-street, at 3 o’clock this afternoon.””1 After his father’s death, George was placed under the care of Radnor Monthly Meeting front Phila¬ delphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District, 27th day I lilt month [Novem¬ ber| 1799.62 iv. | INFANT] BRITT, buried 5 th day 7th month [July] 1793 in Philadelphia.6ÿ 4. MARY' MECOM, ( Benjamin ' Mecom, Jane1 Franklin, Josiah', Thomas') was born say 1 768.61 She died before I March 1798 probably in Philadel¬ phia.6'’ Mary married [ROBERT?] CARR.66 Child of Robert and Mary1 (Mecom) Carr: i. EDWARD MECOM CARR, living I March 1798 67 3. SARAH SMITH ( Sarah 1 Mecom , Benjamin\ Jane1 Franklin, Josiah', Thomas') was born about 178.3 (age at death) probably in Philadelphia. She died there 23 May 1 834, age 7 1 , of typhus fever and was buried in her son George's family lot in Woodlands Cemetery.68 Sarah married 14 4th month |April| 1812 in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Northern Dis¬ trict, GEORGE D. JONES.69 lie was born about 1782 (age at death) probably in Philadelphia, son of Daniel and Margaret (Moore) Jones."o He died 6,1 llinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers [note 9|, 8:2). 61 Paulson's American Daily Advertiser, XI.V, #12,445 (5 October 1816), 3. Pennsylvania Quakers [note 9|, 8:24. <>3 llinshaw. Index to Pennsylvania Quakers [note 9], 8:24. 61 Mary is placed in the six-year gap between the baptisms of known children. In 1768 the family left New Haven and moved to Philadelphia. It is unlikely that she was born in time to be baptized al New Haven, as two of her sisters were. No baptism has yet been found for her in Philadelphia. One theory is that while the family was relocat¬ ing, Betsey (Ross) Mecom brought her children to visit her parents in Elizabethtown, N..)., and that Mary was born there. If she was baptized at Betsey’s home church (f irst Presbyterian) the records would have been destroyed in the 1780 fire, which would explain why she is the only child for whom no baptismal record can be found. 6S Daniel Britt's 1798 will [note 10] calls Mary Carr "deceased.” 66 Daniel Britt's 1798 will |note 10] gives Mary’s surname as Carr. A good candidate for her husband is Robert Carr, brassfounder, who lived a few doors away from Benja¬ min Smith in 1795 [note I2| and may be the man of the same name who was a witness to Smith's will |note 1 1 1. 67 Daniel Britt’s 1798 will [note 101 names “Edward Mecom Carr, son of Mary Carr deceased” as a contingent beneficiary. I,:-; Philadelphia Deaths [note 20|. Also, Woodlands Cemetery, lot card for section C, lot 559. There was originally a stone for her, hut it was missing by 19.38, when a WPA project surveyed the cemetery. 69 llinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers |note 9], 7:321. 11 Charles P. Keith, The Provincial Councillors of Pennsylvania Who Held Office Between I7.if and 1 776, and Those Burlier Councillors Who Were Some Time Chief 62 llinshaw, Index to 2012 The Family of Benjamin Mecom 27 there 1 1th day l()th month |October| 1831, age 49, of rheumatism, and was buried in the Friends Cemetery.7 1 George was received into the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Northern District, 24th day 3rd month [March] 1807.72 He was a cabinetmaker.7ÿ Children of George I). and Sarah (Smith) Jones, born in Philadelphia: 1 i. BENJAMIN SMITH JONES, born 13th day 2nd month | February | 1 8 1 3f 7 died 7 October 1862 in Kennett Square, Chester County, Pennsylvania;76 married 13 January 1846 in New Brighton, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, JANI: ELIZABETH HITCHCOCK.7 She was born 13 May 1813 in Vernon, Oneida County, New York, daughter of Reuben and Electa (Spaulding) Hitch¬ ,s cock; died 13 January 1896 in Vernon, where she had returned after her husband's death.~9 Benjamin and Jane were prominent abolitionists. From 1847 to 1849 they were editors of the Anti-Slavery llugle, the official publication of the Ohio American Anti-Slavery Society. They were friends and colleagues of William I.loyd Garrison. 0 Jane was also an ardent supporter of women’s rights, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton included Jane in her History of Woman Suffrage,H 1 ii. EDWARDJONES, born 25th day ith month (April) 181 S.siii. GEORGE DILI.WYN JONES, born 1 Sth day 1st month (January] 1817;8'' died 7 April 1834 in Philadelphia;*1 married about I8S08S probably in PhiladelMagistrates of the Province amt Their Descendants (Philadelphia: W. P. Sharp Printing Company. 1883), 73. 71 Ilinshaw, encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy |note 36 , 1 2:709. Hinshaw, Index to Pennsylvania Quakers |note 9 1, 7: 181. 7.3 Keith, Provincial Councillors and Descendants|note 70 1. 73. 74 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records, Philadelphia, Pa.: births and burials, 1686 1829 (an 1877 transcription of originals by Caleb Clothier, l ibrarian of the Friends' Library in Philadelphia; photocopy by the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania |I’ll 1 E: I |), Book B:76 (page 690 of GSP photocopy). Also, Hinshaw, encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy [note 36], 2:38.3. 7 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records [note 74), Book 11:76 (page 690 of GSP photocopy). Also, Hinshaw, encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy [note 36|, 2:383. liberator, Xl.ll, #43, whole #1633 (24 October 1862), 171; copies at Boston Public Library and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Edward T. James, et al„ Notable American Women, 1607 / 9 50 ( ( Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971), 2:283. Some sources report that he had a first marriage in 1843, but no conclusive evidence of this has yet been found. 8 Mrs. Edwartl Hitchcock, Genealogy of the Hitchcock family (Amherst, Mass.: the author, 1 899), 276-77. 79 James, Notable American Women |note 771, 2:286. «0 James, Notable American Women |note 77], 2:283-86. 81 Elizabeth Cady Stanton, et al., cds„ History of Woman Suffrage (Rochester, N.Y.: Charles Mann, 1887), 1:104 10, 168-70,330,694-99. 82 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records [note 74 1, Book 11:76 (page 690 of GSP photocopy). Also, Hinshaw, encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy [note 36 1, 2:383. 87 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records |notc 74], Book 11:76 (page 690 of GSP photocopy). Also, Hinshaw, encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy |note 36|, 2:383. 81 Philadelphia Deaths [note 201. 28 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 48 phia GULIELMA MARIA SPRINGETT PENN COOK. She was horn 14 December 1824 in Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey, daughter of Richard and Iilizabeth (Shrcve) Cook;86 died 12 February 1910 in Philadelphia.87 When George died, Gulielma and Margaret Jones purchased a 160 sq. ft. lot in Woodlands Cemetery.88 George and Gulielma were also active aboli¬ tionists. Before their marriage Rev. Henry Grew and his family resided with George and his mother.89 After George's death, Gulielma lived with Henry and a few relatives.90 Henry's daughter, Mary Grew, later lived with Gulielma, and at her death Mary was buried in George and Gulielma’s fam¬ ily plot in Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia.91 iv. MARGARET JONES, born 14th day 10th month |October] 1818;92 died 12 December 1891 in Philadelphia;9-' married 3 February 1833 CYRUS BUR¬ LEIGH.9* lie was born 8 February 1820 in Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut, son of Rinaklo and Lydia (Bradford) Burleigh;9"5 died 7 March 1833 in Sunnyside, Chester County, Pennsylvania.9" Cyrus and Margaret were also ardent and well-known abolitionists. Unfortunately, they were only married for a month when he died, lie had been in declining health for a long time. Speaking to his significance in the KS Based on birth of first known child, Lillian, 21 July 1831 (Ilinshaw, lincyclopetlUi of Quaker Genealogy [note 36], 2:709). However, it appears to have happened after the 1830 census was taken on 30 August |note 89]. 8" L. P. Allen, 7 lie Genealogy and History of the Shrere Family from IMI (Green¬ field, 111.: the author, 1901 ) 93 96. 87 Philadelphia Deaths (note 20]. Also, Allen, Shrere Family |note 86], 96. 88 Woodlands Cemetery | Philadelphia], lot card for section C, lot 339. so Sarah Jones household, 1830 ll.S. Census, Philadelphia, North Mulberry Ward, page 916|stamped 439B], #1780/1987 (NARA M432, roll 813): Sarah Jones, 60, Penn'a; George Jones, 30. cabinet maker, Penn'a; Margaret Jones, 28, Penn'a; William Webster, 28. sawyer, Penn'a; Henry Grew, 68, minister Baptist, England; Iilizabeth Grew, i8. Connecticut; Mary Grew, 34, Connecticut; Susan Grew, 40, Connecticut; Joanna Peo¬ ples, 24, Ireland. 9(1 Henry Grew household, I860 ll.S. Census, Philadelphia, 10th Ward, East District, page 89 |stamped 3231. #373/636 (NARA M633, roll 1 160): Henry Grew, 78, Episcopal minister, $300 real, $32,800 personal, England; Eliz’th Grew, 37, $400 personal, Conn't.; G. M. Jones, 33, $4,000 personal, N.J.; Ann E. Cook, 40, school teaching, N.J.; Josiah Pierce, 23, clerk. Pa.; Eliz’th Shreevc, 18, N.J.; Job Shrccvc, 17, app machinist, N.J.; Caroline Shreevc, 14, N.J.; Isabella Jones, 6, Pa.,; Maria Baynard, 30, domestic, Del. 91 Woodlands Cemetery |Philadelphia], lot card for section C, lot 339. 92 Philadelphia Monthly Meeting records |notc 74], Book 15:76 (page 690 of GSP photocopy). Also, Ilinshaw, Fncyclopeilia of Quaker Genealogy [note 36], 2:383. 95 Unitarian Church register, 2:138; image online in Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708 1983, at Aneestry.com. 91 Ira V. Brown, Mary Grew, Abolitionist and Feminist, IRI.i IS'Xt (Cranhury, N.J.: Associated University Presses, 1991 ), 36. 98 Lorraine Cook White, comp., Ihe Harbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records (Baltimore, McL: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1994 2002), 33:108. Lydia (Bradford) Burleigh was a descendant of Mayflower passenger William Bradford (Elias Child, Genealogy of the Child, C.hil<ls, and C.hilde Families |Utica, N.Y.: the author, 1881|, 165-68.) 9" Brown, Mary Grew |note 94 1, 36. Also, liberator (23 March 1833), 46; copies at Boston Public Library and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The Family of Benjamin Mecom 2012 29 movement, eulogists at his funeral included noted abolitionists Henry Grew and his daughter Mary, as well as Lucretia Mott. Cyrus and Margaret are buried in her brother George's family plot in Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia.97 6. WILLIAM ROSS SMITH (Sarah' Mecom , Benjamin\ Jane1 Franklin, Josia/T, Thomas') was born 29th day 3rd month [March] 1793 in Phila¬ delphia.98 He died there IS June 1864.99 He married by say 1823 ELIZABETH ALLEN.100 She was horn about 1794 or 1793 (ages in 1870 cen¬ suses) in New Jersey.11,1 She died 11 July 1871 probably in Philadel¬ phia.102 They are buried in Woodlands Cemetery.10ÿ Children of William Ross' and Elizabeth (Allen) Smith,101 born probably in Philadelphia: i. ELLIOTT SMITH, born about 1826 (age at death); died of bronchitis 1 June 1833, age 29, in Philadelphia;10"’ buried in Woodlands Cemetery. I0() ii. PRISCILLA SMITH, no further record. iii. EMILY L. SMITH, born about 1831 (age at death); died 19 April 1879, age 48, in Mount Joy, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania;107 buried in Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia. ins iv. HELEN M. SMITH, born about 18.33 (age at death); died 20 January 183.3, age 17, of consumption in Philadelphia. 109 9 Woodlands Cemetery | Philadelphia], lot card for section C, lot 3S9. Pennsylvania (Junkers [note 9[, 7:316. 99 Philadelphia Deaths (note 20 . 1 mo Date estimated, based on birth of first known child about 1826. 1(11 Elizabeth Smith household, 1870 11.S. Census, Philadelphia, Ward I t, District 41, 1st enumeration, 6 July 1870, page 134 |stamped 13611], #1091/1 143 (NARA M39.3, roll 1426): Elizabeth Smith, 73, keeping house, $12,000 real, $8|?],000 personal, New Jer¬ sey; Emily Smith, 38, at home, Penn.; Earnest Emmcrson, 6, Penn. Also, Elizabeth Smith household, 1870 H.S. Census, Philadelphia, Ward 14, District 41, 2nd enumeration, 21 November 1870, page 41 |stamped 360|, 343 Thirteenth Street (NARA M393, roll 1426): Elizabeth Smith, 76, [places of birth omitted throughout |; Emily Smith, 39; Ern¬ 98 Hinshaw, Index lo est Emerson, 6. 102 Public ledger, LXXI, #9.3 ( 1 2 July 1871), 2. The administration of her estate indi¬ cates that she was residing in Eranklbrd when she died (Philadelphia Wills, 72:403, no. 332), but no record was found in Philadelphia Deaths. 103 Woodlands Cemetery |Philadelphia!, lot card for section D, lot 80. Also buried in the lot is Jane (Mecom) Kinsman, William's great-aunt and the last survivor among ben¬ jamin Franklin’s nieces and nephews. 10 I Iloppin, "The Making of Smith," (note 33]. 103 Philadelphia Deaths (note 201. 100 Woodlands Cemetery [Philadelphia], lot card for section 1), lot 80. The lot card indicates he was buried 13 June 1836. This is likely a transcription error for 1833. 10 Philadelphia Deaths |notc 20], 108 Woodlands Cemetery [ Philadelphia ], lot card for section D, lot 80. 109 Philadelphia Deaths |note 20]. According to her death record, she was buried in the Friends Cemetery, but the records of Woodlands Cemetery show that she was bur¬ ied there 19 February 1.833 (Woodlands Cemetery [Philadelphia], lot card for section I), lot 80).