New Research Findings
(regularly updated)
Elizabeth B Jones Smith Peck
Born to James W and M. Ellen Smith in July 1845 was daughter Elizabeth Jones Smith Phillips Peck, referred to as "Lizzie". Some have suggested Lizzie was the daughter of John J Pleasant. We cannot definitively know but the Vital Statistics book in the...
Marriage to John J Pleasant(s) 1848?
Mrs. Pleasant gave a specific year for her marriage to John J. She also stated they were married at "Gore Catholic Church in Charlestown". The year and location have been difficult to confirm. Research indicates James W Smith, carpenter of Boston, still had a...
John J Pleasants (2nd husband)
John J Pleasants (the "s" was dropped after arriving in California), second husband to Mary Ellen, stated in the federal 1870 census record that he was born in Virginia. William Willmore, an employee of MEP's stated John was born at "Contention" in Goochland County,...
James W. Smith (1st husband)
In 1902, 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 in Charlestown, West VA)
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 nearby...
John A Williams (MEP’s father)
In the her 1902 interview, Mrs. Pleasant (MEP) stated that her father was a merchant in Philadelphia. Interestingly The Pandex article states his name was Louis Alexander Williams but Davis' later edition of the story, circulated in various newspapers (including the...
9 Barley Street (birthplace)
In 1895 and again in 1902, 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. MEP maintained close friendships with the widow Phebe Folger Hussey and her...