Mary Ellen Pleasant
About This Project
Public interest in the vibrant abolitionist and San Francisco icon Mrs. Mary Pleasant (~1810-1904) continues to grow. She has been noted in various media outlets including several podcasts and a portrayal by Lisa Bonet on Drunk TV.
In the early 1990s three women became entranced by Mrs. Pleasants story. Two published non-fiction books (see recommended books) and the third has put together this website to share recent research findings. The technology boom of the last 20 years has made it possible to conduct extensive research via online resources.
However, some documents can only be viewed in person. Via this is a website recent research findings are being made available to the general public. The materials have been gathered from various Historical Associations across the US, online repositories and through compilation of family trees. Reference data is provided.
We wish to thank the Historical Associations for gathering, sharing and preserving this data.
Mary Ellen Pleasant Becomes a Rich, Black Abolitionist (feat. Lisa Bonet) - Drunk History
Historical Associations visited
Goochland County Historical Association, Goochland, VA
Library of Virginia, Richmond Virginia
Historical Association of Philadelphia, PA
Massachusetts Historical Society Boston, MA
Museum of African American History, Boston, MA
Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, MA
Nantucket Anetheum, Nantucket, MA
Library of Virginia, Richmond Virginia
Historical Association of Philadelphia, PA
Massachusetts Historical Society Boston, MA
Museum of African American History, Boston, MA
Nantucket Historical Association, Nantucket, MA
Nantucket Anetheum, Nantucket, MA
Websites / Articles
More coming Soon
Beth Winegarner
A special thanks for helping me track the original location of Lizzie and John’s burials and their relocation to Colma, CA.
Recommended
Susheel Bibbs
Ms. Bibbs has been a staunch advocate for Mrs. Pleasant, conducting original research into her story, creating a one-woman show and spearheading the campaign to erect a memorial at Mrs. Pleasant’s gravesite with the wording she desired, “She Was a Friend to John Brown.”
Ms. Bibbs has been a staunch advocate for Mrs. Pleasant, conducting original research into her story, creating a one-woman show and spearheading the campaign to erect a memorial at Mrs. Pleasant’s gravesite with the wording she desired, “She Was a Friend to John Brown.”
Lynn Hudson, The Making of Mammy Pleasant
This well researched book started as Dr. Hudson’s dissertation. Order from publisher or Amazon.