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I stared at the plaque and the four blue gum trees, all that is left of the House of Mystery at 1661 Octavia Street. I heard an icy cold whisper. "Resurrect Me" she said. In stolen moments, I dig through the mislabeled miscellany of a life scattered. At the height of her success in San Francisco in the 1870’s, Mary Ellen Pleasant was worth over $30 million in 1875 dollars. Born on August 19th, 1814 perhaps the daughter of Louis Alexander Williams, a native Kanaka and Mary Ellen, a full blooded Louisiana negress. In 1835, she married a Cuban tobacco grower, Mr. James W. Smith, in Boston. He died in 1844 at their plantation in Charles Town, Virginia. A few years later, she married JJ Plaissance, the grandson of Henri Christophe, black emperor of Haiti, and they had a girl, Lizzie. They spent time in New Orleans with Marie Laveau, but were forced to flee upon threat of discovery of their Underground Railroad activities. She came to California on a ship that also carried a young Scotsman, Thomas Bell. In 1857, when Mary Ellen met back up with Thomas Bell, she owned three laundries, a saloon, and investments in the Athenaeum, Dennis and Brown Livery Stables and various other black-run businesses. She contributed $30,000 to John Brown, the new leader in the fight against slavery. A handwritten note was found on John Brown after he was arrested for the raid on Harper’s Ferry. It said: “The axe is laid at the root of the tree. When the first blow is struck, there will be more money and help. - MEP” After her business partner, Thomas Bell died in a fall, his widow, Theresa Clingan Bell, who had always resented Mary Ellen, set about destroying her reputation and taking title to her assets. She was forced to leave the mansion she had built at 1661 Octavia Street, and died in the small apartment of Olive Sherwood in 1904, nearly penniless. Her last request was that her tombstone should read “She was a friend of John Brown’s”, and there in Tulocay Cemetery in Napa where she was buried, that is indeed what appears on her grave marker.
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Built in 1875, occupied by Mary Ellen Pleasant and Thomas Bell in 1877.
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This 1884 Article from the Daily Alta is one of the earliest mentions of Mary Ellen Pleasant. She is testifying in the trial of Senator Sharon who claimed he was NOT married to Sarah Althea Hill, when indeed he was. The excerpt presented below was quite laudatory:
LAUDATION OF MAMMY PLEASANCE.
Mammy Pleasance's testimony was read, and at the close Tyler said an effort had been made to impeach her by insinuating that she had furnished the babies, for which Mrs. Bell had got $50,000 a piece. They did not prove it by producing the alleged mother of one of the babies, because a little bird had whispered to him that the defendant was the father of that particular child. From this on the laudation of Mammy was wild, eloquent and high flown. "I have known her for twenty-five years," said Mr. Tyler, "and do not believe that the gold of Ophir (Ophir was quoted in the big Board yesterday at 132 cents) would induce her to tell an untruth. For years she has been engaged in finding homes for the children of friendless women whose maternity was due to the debaucheries of wealthy rakes. I tell you that I would rather my soul would be behind that old black face than behind Mr. Sharon's money bags. All his ten, twenty or thirty millions, if put into his coffin, will have no effect in obtaining a passport from old St. Peter, for up beyond the pearly gates there is a great kingly Judge, whom gold cannot corrupt, and who will render justice to all. I say here that I believe I shall pass those pearly gates, and shall see that good old black soul, still retaining her kindness of heart in the act of passing a cup of cold water to assuage the burning thirst and torments of the man who has come into this Court-room to traduce her."
TYLER'S EXCORIATION.
Having consigned Mammy to a front seat on the throne, and the Senator to eternal hell, fire and damnation, Mr. Tyler passed on to the introduction of Sarah by the defendant to the latter' s friends and guests...
Mammy Pleasance's testimony was read, and at the close Tyler said an effort had been made to impeach her by insinuating that she had furnished the babies, for which Mrs. Bell had got $50,000 a piece. They did not prove it by producing the alleged mother of one of the babies, because a little bird had whispered to him that the defendant was the father of that particular child. From this on the laudation of Mammy was wild, eloquent and high flown. "I have known her for twenty-five years," said Mr. Tyler, "and do not believe that the gold of Ophir (Ophir was quoted in the big Board yesterday at 132 cents) would induce her to tell an untruth. For years she has been engaged in finding homes for the children of friendless women whose maternity was due to the debaucheries of wealthy rakes. I tell you that I would rather my soul would be behind that old black face than behind Mr. Sharon's money bags. All his ten, twenty or thirty millions, if put into his coffin, will have no effect in obtaining a passport from old St. Peter, for up beyond the pearly gates there is a great kingly Judge, whom gold cannot corrupt, and who will render justice to all. I say here that I believe I shall pass those pearly gates, and shall see that good old black soul, still retaining her kindness of heart in the act of passing a cup of cold water to assuage the burning thirst and torments of the man who has come into this Court-room to traduce her."
TYLER'S EXCORIATION.
Having consigned Mammy to a front seat on the throne, and the Senator to eternal hell, fire and damnation, Mr. Tyler passed on to the introduction of Sarah by the defendant to the latter' s friends and guests...
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San Francisco Call May 7, 1899
MAMMY PLEASANT ANGEL OR ARCH FIEND IN THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY?
In 1850, when the ship arrived in port which brought Mammy Pleasant and other pioneers around Cape Horn, the wealthy merchants and miners raced to the water front to engage her services, as she was heralded as one of the great Southern cooks. So many gentlemen wanted her she thought it only fair that they should bid for her services, and she would work for the highest bidder. So the bidding began, while Mammy stood on the deck with folded arms and placidly looked on while the figures ran up into the hundreds. Finally the sum reached $500, and everybody seemed to think that was about fair pay per month for a cook, even if she was the best one that ever came out of the South. But Mammy had her own ideas of the value of her services, just as she had on so many occasions afterward. "There's to be no washing," she stipulated. The delighted purchaser of her services nodded. "Not even dish washing," she added. Another nod of acquiescence. But when the lucky bidder offered at once to escort her with becoming pomp to his bachelor's quarters and install her as goddess of the cook stove. Mammy suddenly folded her arms and calmly announced that she had changed her mind. She declared all bids off and said she'd take time, think the matter over and would let them know later what she proposed doing.
The "house of mystery" has lost its most mysterious character. "Mammy" Pleasant and Mrs. Bell have separated. For the first time in twenty years greedy ears and prying eyes have been rewarded. Curious neighbors have at last had a peep behind the shroud of mystery that has settled like a pall over the Bell home, on the corner of Pine and Octavia streets. Mammy Pleasant's exit was in keeping with her role of the most mysterious mystery in the house of mysteries. She did not leave in gaudy daylight, nor yet under the shadow of black night, but in the dusk, which, according to any and every yellowback novel, is the hour of hours for weird scenic effect. She did not announce her departure to the neighbors in the approved "blue-book" manner. Instead, they heard a voice that rang harsh on the night air despite the soft Southern accent, "Let me out! Let me out! Mrs. Bell has locked me in her room! Let me out!" Silhouetted against the topmost window of the "house of mystery" was the figure of Mammy Pleasant. A few moments and the big doors swung open and Mammy Pleasant walked down the stairs, escorted on either side by a policemen. In the selfsame bonnet and plaid shawl which she wears in fair weather and in foul, to millionaire's palace and to pauper's hovel, with head erect and gliding step she left the house where for twenty years she has been the dictator. The officers of the law, having performed their duty in removing her from the house, allowed Mammy to take her way unescorted. Long before she reached the home of her friend, Mrs. Ferry, on Webster street, the lights had been put out, the shutters drawn, and the "house of mystery" had relapsed into its usual Impenetrable aspect. "Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Pleasant have quarreled," say the uninitiated. "Mrs Bell and Mrs. Pleasant have simply separated," say the initiated. "Mammy Pleasant has lost her influence over Mrs. Bell," affirm the disinterested. "Mammy Pleasant Is using her influence over Mrs. Bell," assert the Interested ones. "Mammy Pleasant has played her last card," say the wise ones. "Mammy Pleasant is playing her trump card," protest the wiser ones. Only time can decide which is right. „ Perhaps Mrs. Bell and "Mammy" have really quarreled. But more likely they have seemingly separated at Mammy's instigation and for a purpose. As one of the wiser ones explained it: "You see creditors are anxiously and eagerly eying the estate with a view to the payment of their bills. Mammy Pleasant denies that she ever ordered the goods charged. Mrs. Bell declares that she never received any of them. As purchaser and receiver of the goods they are equally responsible for the debts. But they refuse to assume either of these titles, nor does Mr. Bell accuse Mammy of being both purchaser and receiver. They disclaim any responsibility in the matter. And their denial smacks more of being genuine when they are supposed to be strangers and enemies and no longer warm allies." So there are those who thus interpret Mammy's last move. They will not believe that her influence over Mrs. Bell has waned. They ascribe her forcible ejecture as a clever guise to give the affair a realistic air and to satisfy Mammy's love for the spectacular. On the other hand there are those who believe that Mrs. Bell has finally awakened to the fact that she has been as putty in Mammy's hands; that the evidence offered at the trial last year took root in her mind and that Mammy's dismissal Is the result. At that trial Fred Bell endeavored to prove that Mrs. Bell was incompetent to manage the estate or to have charge of the Bell children. The family skeleton was dragged into full light for the public eye. Charges and counter charges were made. Mammy Pleasant was accused of being a black leech who had fastened herself on the Bell money sack until it was as dry as a sucked orange. Mrs. Pleasant was held up as the faithful black "mammy," who was constant to the end, whose hand went deep into her private pocket that her mistress might have luxuries. She was pictured as a black crook, a heartless wretch. She was painted whiter than the lilies of the field, as kind as the angels of mercy. The Bell family, save Fred Bell, saw naught but shining virtues in Mammy despite evidence calculated to make them think to the contrary. The door of the "house of mystery" was barred to the oldest son of the house of Bell. The latchkey was reintrusted to Mammy. In fact she had not even during the trial relinquished any of her rights as dictator. Until her departure last week it was thought that Mrs. Pleasant would reign as absolute monarch until the end. Those who know her best still think her power is supreme. Even Fred Bell, who has been readmitted to his mother's presence since Mammy's departure, is doubtful as to the genuineness of the quarrel.
Mammy Pleasant's last experience, real or studied, is a fitting climax to a life that would seem impossible even between the covers of a book. She came to California in '50. There was a price on her head in the South and she wanted to get as far away from home as possible. Her connection with the "underground railway" was an established fact and planters whose slaves she had helped cross the border to the free North demanded her life as a recompense. In the early fifties "a ship coming in through the Golden Gate" was a far rarer and more welcome sight in San Francisco than a gold nugget. So when the vessel on which Mrs. Pleasant was a passenger around Cape Horn put Into the harbor all of tent-covered San Francisco was there to welcome it. When the rich merchants, richer miners and good livers in town heard that there was a colored girl on the vessel and that she was "one of the greatest cooks that ever came out of the South" there was an excited and tumultuous scramble to engage her services. Tom Bell, Bill Sharon and a lot of other wealthy men held out well filled wallets as a bonus. But shrewd Mammy Pleasant held back; so many gentlemen wanted her she thought it only fair that they should bid for her services and she would work for the highest bidder. So the bidding began while Mammy stood on the deck with folded arms and placidly looked on while the figures ran up into the hundreds. Finally the sum reached $500 and everybody seemed to think that was about fair pay for a cook, even if she was the best one that ever came out of the South. But Mammy had her own Ideas of the value of her services, Just as she had on so many occasions afterward. "There's to be no washing." she stipulated. The delighted purchaser of her services nodded. "Not even dish washing," she added. Another nod of acquiescence. But when the lucky bidder offered at once to escort her with becoming pomp to his bachelor's quarters and install her as goddess of the cook stove Mammy suddenly folded her arms and calmly announced that she had changed her mind. She declared all bids off and said she'd take time, think the matter over and would let them know what she proposed doing. As she was the only cook that had come to town on that vessel the crestfallen millionaires, nabobs of provision houses and landburdened philosophers were obliged to wend their ways sadly saloonward or across lots and wait for the autocrat of the cook stove to make up her mind. Mammy took a room in town. Next day the plutocracy of the town were informed by notes that the new cook had determined to open up a boarding-house so that not any one particular man could monopolize her table dishes, but all good men could enjoy them. Twice in the years that followed Mammy Pleasant moved her house. Some of her clientele had lost their money, others had doubled and trebled their fortunes. They had become prominent in business or in the affairs of state. Whether they had married or remained single they came to Mammy Pleasant for advice. Black or white no other woman in this State has ever had the confidence of so many of its prominent men— and no other woman has ever helped in the exposing and concealing of so many family skeletons. People marveled at her intelligence and at the total lack of the usual characteristics of her race. Her skin was as black as ebony, but her features were not those of a negress. Many said that she was half Indian and she never disclaimed it. There was none of the cringing, whining slave about her. She dictated to every one who came in contact with her.
In those days Mammy's chief delight was matchmaking. Thomas Bell was interested in a protege of Mrs. Pleasant's. That that protege was already provided with a husband did not disconcert Mammy. The first incumbent was given his walking papers and Mr. Bell, with a marriage license, undertook his duties. Half a dozen others were likewise mated or mismated by Mammy. Then Cupid growing shy Mammy gave up her place and moved her household gods to another quarter. All sorts of idle and ugly rumors floated around. It was said that she dug pitfalls into which unheeding girls could stumble. It was at this time that Mrs. Pleasant met Sarah Althea Hill.
After a year or two Mrs. Pleasant went to act as housekeeper in the home of Thomas Bell. She took absolute charge of all the domestic arrangements. All money matters between Mr. and Mrs. Bell were arranged by Mammy. Every day, in the long period when events ran smoothly, Bell handed her $100 for the usual household expenses. Outside of this Mammy frequently visited his office to get a check for two or three thousand dollars for special things needed by Mrs. Bell. That is, Mammy always explained them that way, and Millionaire Bell was a generous provider for his family. All the household money passed through her hands, even the pocket money for the children. She is supposed to have used a great deal of it on the Sharon case and when still more was needed she succeeded in making Mr. Bell personally advance it.
In the height of his financial power Bell was reputed to be worth $10,000,000; when he died his estate was appraised at $2,500,000, and now there is a struggle among the heirs and creditors to get the pickings of what is left.
Her motives in the Sharon case, like all her other deeds, are open to argument. Her enemies say that she thought Sarah Althea would get a million, half or all of which she herself would finally obtain. Her friends say it was friendship untainted by mercenary motives that prompted her. Until Mr. Bell's sudden and mysterious death about seven years ago Mammy's position in the Bell household was never questioned. Fred Bell, the eldest son, first took the bit between his teeth and chafed under the high hand with which "Mammy" held the household reins. The other children and Mrs. Bell sided with Mammy. The Bells became financially embarrassed. Where was the money going? People said that "Mammy" was giving it with lavish hand to her innumerable proteges and retainers. It was even whispered that she could tell something of a hand that had helped Thomas Bell in his fall over the banisters which resulted in his death. When several years later Fred Bell was found in a crippled heap at the foot of the stairs in a house of one of Mrs. Pleasant's retainers, the accusing finger was again uplifted. Fred Bell himself was too much under the influence of liquor to remember how the accident happened. After the trial last year the court ordered that the four younger children be sent to boarding school. Marie, the oldest daughter, returned to the "house of mystery" with her mother and Mammy Pleasant. What happened no one knows, but one day Marie packed her things and went to live with friends. Since that day she has never seen or spoken to her mother. But she remained as completely under Mammy's control as though they were under the same roof. Mammy saw her constantly and is thought to have used her influence with both Mrs. Bell and Marie to widen the breach between them. To-day the inmates of the "house of mystery" are scattered to the four corners. Mammy Pleasant is living in one part of the city, in still another lives Marie Bell. In a flat out near Golden Gate Park Fred Bell is keeping house with his young wife. The other children are at school. Only Mrs. Bell, with a blind old man to wait upon her, remains in the "house of mystery." If Mrs. Pleasant has property or money she has safely concealed it under other people's names. Her's is not the greed of accumulation. it is the greed for the power of distribution and expenditure. If she has ducats hidden away they are down so deep that not even the lawyers can find them. The general belief is that she has dissipated into thin air not only all her own money, but almost all the money entrusted to her by other people. "Mammy Pleasant has the evil eye," said a man who has known her long and well. "Every one who has ever come under it has met with unhappiness and misfortune. For Sarah Althea, the bars of the madhouse, and for Mrs. Bell, utter and absolute loneliness and the faculties still left to realize it. The other women— and their name is legion— life lines have been closely entwined with Mammy's have likewise gathered but the fruit of the dead sea. "Mammy is an incomprehensible mixture— a generous giver and taker, not only of her own but of other people's possessions. She has not a spark of affection, nor an atom of conscience. She is the smoothest talker and the shrewdest woman in San Francisco. She is childish in her vanities, diabolical in her schemings. A woman to whom the feeling of power is the breath of life, and one who realizes that it is money that gives power. An intellectual giant, but a moral idiot." "Mammy Pleasant is the dearest old thing," said the girl who is Marie Bell's intimate friend. "If you knew her and talked to her you'd never believe all the lies people tell. Do you suppose Marie would listen to Mammy if she wasn't sure that she's the best friend the Bells ever had. You can't make me believe a word of the ridiculous falsehoods they tell about Mammy's taking the Bell money. Why, the poor woman wears the same dress year in and year out. She's white inside even if her skin is black. Nobody knows what Mammy Pleasant has done for the Bell family." Which is only too true. Nobody does know what she has done for the Bells. Has she been the fiend the archangel in "the house of mystery?'
MAMMY PLEASANT ANGEL OR ARCH FIEND IN THE HOUSE OF MYSTERY?
In 1850, when the ship arrived in port which brought Mammy Pleasant and other pioneers around Cape Horn, the wealthy merchants and miners raced to the water front to engage her services, as she was heralded as one of the great Southern cooks. So many gentlemen wanted her she thought it only fair that they should bid for her services, and she would work for the highest bidder. So the bidding began, while Mammy stood on the deck with folded arms and placidly looked on while the figures ran up into the hundreds. Finally the sum reached $500, and everybody seemed to think that was about fair pay per month for a cook, even if she was the best one that ever came out of the South. But Mammy had her own ideas of the value of her services, just as she had on so many occasions afterward. "There's to be no washing," she stipulated. The delighted purchaser of her services nodded. "Not even dish washing," she added. Another nod of acquiescence. But when the lucky bidder offered at once to escort her with becoming pomp to his bachelor's quarters and install her as goddess of the cook stove. Mammy suddenly folded her arms and calmly announced that she had changed her mind. She declared all bids off and said she'd take time, think the matter over and would let them know later what she proposed doing.
The "house of mystery" has lost its most mysterious character. "Mammy" Pleasant and Mrs. Bell have separated. For the first time in twenty years greedy ears and prying eyes have been rewarded. Curious neighbors have at last had a peep behind the shroud of mystery that has settled like a pall over the Bell home, on the corner of Pine and Octavia streets. Mammy Pleasant's exit was in keeping with her role of the most mysterious mystery in the house of mysteries. She did not leave in gaudy daylight, nor yet under the shadow of black night, but in the dusk, which, according to any and every yellowback novel, is the hour of hours for weird scenic effect. She did not announce her departure to the neighbors in the approved "blue-book" manner. Instead, they heard a voice that rang harsh on the night air despite the soft Southern accent, "Let me out! Let me out! Mrs. Bell has locked me in her room! Let me out!" Silhouetted against the topmost window of the "house of mystery" was the figure of Mammy Pleasant. A few moments and the big doors swung open and Mammy Pleasant walked down the stairs, escorted on either side by a policemen. In the selfsame bonnet and plaid shawl which she wears in fair weather and in foul, to millionaire's palace and to pauper's hovel, with head erect and gliding step she left the house where for twenty years she has been the dictator. The officers of the law, having performed their duty in removing her from the house, allowed Mammy to take her way unescorted. Long before she reached the home of her friend, Mrs. Ferry, on Webster street, the lights had been put out, the shutters drawn, and the "house of mystery" had relapsed into its usual Impenetrable aspect. "Mrs. Bell and Mrs. Pleasant have quarreled," say the uninitiated. "Mrs Bell and Mrs. Pleasant have simply separated," say the initiated. "Mammy Pleasant has lost her influence over Mrs. Bell," affirm the disinterested. "Mammy Pleasant Is using her influence over Mrs. Bell," assert the Interested ones. "Mammy Pleasant has played her last card," say the wise ones. "Mammy Pleasant is playing her trump card," protest the wiser ones. Only time can decide which is right. „ Perhaps Mrs. Bell and "Mammy" have really quarreled. But more likely they have seemingly separated at Mammy's instigation and for a purpose. As one of the wiser ones explained it: "You see creditors are anxiously and eagerly eying the estate with a view to the payment of their bills. Mammy Pleasant denies that she ever ordered the goods charged. Mrs. Bell declares that she never received any of them. As purchaser and receiver of the goods they are equally responsible for the debts. But they refuse to assume either of these titles, nor does Mr. Bell accuse Mammy of being both purchaser and receiver. They disclaim any responsibility in the matter. And their denial smacks more of being genuine when they are supposed to be strangers and enemies and no longer warm allies." So there are those who thus interpret Mammy's last move. They will not believe that her influence over Mrs. Bell has waned. They ascribe her forcible ejecture as a clever guise to give the affair a realistic air and to satisfy Mammy's love for the spectacular. On the other hand there are those who believe that Mrs. Bell has finally awakened to the fact that she has been as putty in Mammy's hands; that the evidence offered at the trial last year took root in her mind and that Mammy's dismissal Is the result. At that trial Fred Bell endeavored to prove that Mrs. Bell was incompetent to manage the estate or to have charge of the Bell children. The family skeleton was dragged into full light for the public eye. Charges and counter charges were made. Mammy Pleasant was accused of being a black leech who had fastened herself on the Bell money sack until it was as dry as a sucked orange. Mrs. Pleasant was held up as the faithful black "mammy," who was constant to the end, whose hand went deep into her private pocket that her mistress might have luxuries. She was pictured as a black crook, a heartless wretch. She was painted whiter than the lilies of the field, as kind as the angels of mercy. The Bell family, save Fred Bell, saw naught but shining virtues in Mammy despite evidence calculated to make them think to the contrary. The door of the "house of mystery" was barred to the oldest son of the house of Bell. The latchkey was reintrusted to Mammy. In fact she had not even during the trial relinquished any of her rights as dictator. Until her departure last week it was thought that Mrs. Pleasant would reign as absolute monarch until the end. Those who know her best still think her power is supreme. Even Fred Bell, who has been readmitted to his mother's presence since Mammy's departure, is doubtful as to the genuineness of the quarrel.
Mammy Pleasant's last experience, real or studied, is a fitting climax to a life that would seem impossible even between the covers of a book. She came to California in '50. There was a price on her head in the South and she wanted to get as far away from home as possible. Her connection with the "underground railway" was an established fact and planters whose slaves she had helped cross the border to the free North demanded her life as a recompense. In the early fifties "a ship coming in through the Golden Gate" was a far rarer and more welcome sight in San Francisco than a gold nugget. So when the vessel on which Mrs. Pleasant was a passenger around Cape Horn put Into the harbor all of tent-covered San Francisco was there to welcome it. When the rich merchants, richer miners and good livers in town heard that there was a colored girl on the vessel and that she was "one of the greatest cooks that ever came out of the South" there was an excited and tumultuous scramble to engage her services. Tom Bell, Bill Sharon and a lot of other wealthy men held out well filled wallets as a bonus. But shrewd Mammy Pleasant held back; so many gentlemen wanted her she thought it only fair that they should bid for her services and she would work for the highest bidder. So the bidding began while Mammy stood on the deck with folded arms and placidly looked on while the figures ran up into the hundreds. Finally the sum reached $500 and everybody seemed to think that was about fair pay for a cook, even if she was the best one that ever came out of the South. But Mammy had her own Ideas of the value of her services, Just as she had on so many occasions afterward. "There's to be no washing." she stipulated. The delighted purchaser of her services nodded. "Not even dish washing," she added. Another nod of acquiescence. But when the lucky bidder offered at once to escort her with becoming pomp to his bachelor's quarters and install her as goddess of the cook stove Mammy suddenly folded her arms and calmly announced that she had changed her mind. She declared all bids off and said she'd take time, think the matter over and would let them know what she proposed doing. As she was the only cook that had come to town on that vessel the crestfallen millionaires, nabobs of provision houses and landburdened philosophers were obliged to wend their ways sadly saloonward or across lots and wait for the autocrat of the cook stove to make up her mind. Mammy took a room in town. Next day the plutocracy of the town were informed by notes that the new cook had determined to open up a boarding-house so that not any one particular man could monopolize her table dishes, but all good men could enjoy them. Twice in the years that followed Mammy Pleasant moved her house. Some of her clientele had lost their money, others had doubled and trebled their fortunes. They had become prominent in business or in the affairs of state. Whether they had married or remained single they came to Mammy Pleasant for advice. Black or white no other woman in this State has ever had the confidence of so many of its prominent men— and no other woman has ever helped in the exposing and concealing of so many family skeletons. People marveled at her intelligence and at the total lack of the usual characteristics of her race. Her skin was as black as ebony, but her features were not those of a negress. Many said that she was half Indian and she never disclaimed it. There was none of the cringing, whining slave about her. She dictated to every one who came in contact with her.
In those days Mammy's chief delight was matchmaking. Thomas Bell was interested in a protege of Mrs. Pleasant's. That that protege was already provided with a husband did not disconcert Mammy. The first incumbent was given his walking papers and Mr. Bell, with a marriage license, undertook his duties. Half a dozen others were likewise mated or mismated by Mammy. Then Cupid growing shy Mammy gave up her place and moved her household gods to another quarter. All sorts of idle and ugly rumors floated around. It was said that she dug pitfalls into which unheeding girls could stumble. It was at this time that Mrs. Pleasant met Sarah Althea Hill.
After a year or two Mrs. Pleasant went to act as housekeeper in the home of Thomas Bell. She took absolute charge of all the domestic arrangements. All money matters between Mr. and Mrs. Bell were arranged by Mammy. Every day, in the long period when events ran smoothly, Bell handed her $100 for the usual household expenses. Outside of this Mammy frequently visited his office to get a check for two or three thousand dollars for special things needed by Mrs. Bell. That is, Mammy always explained them that way, and Millionaire Bell was a generous provider for his family. All the household money passed through her hands, even the pocket money for the children. She is supposed to have used a great deal of it on the Sharon case and when still more was needed she succeeded in making Mr. Bell personally advance it.
In the height of his financial power Bell was reputed to be worth $10,000,000; when he died his estate was appraised at $2,500,000, and now there is a struggle among the heirs and creditors to get the pickings of what is left.
Her motives in the Sharon case, like all her other deeds, are open to argument. Her enemies say that she thought Sarah Althea would get a million, half or all of which she herself would finally obtain. Her friends say it was friendship untainted by mercenary motives that prompted her. Until Mr. Bell's sudden and mysterious death about seven years ago Mammy's position in the Bell household was never questioned. Fred Bell, the eldest son, first took the bit between his teeth and chafed under the high hand with which "Mammy" held the household reins. The other children and Mrs. Bell sided with Mammy. The Bells became financially embarrassed. Where was the money going? People said that "Mammy" was giving it with lavish hand to her innumerable proteges and retainers. It was even whispered that she could tell something of a hand that had helped Thomas Bell in his fall over the banisters which resulted in his death. When several years later Fred Bell was found in a crippled heap at the foot of the stairs in a house of one of Mrs. Pleasant's retainers, the accusing finger was again uplifted. Fred Bell himself was too much under the influence of liquor to remember how the accident happened. After the trial last year the court ordered that the four younger children be sent to boarding school. Marie, the oldest daughter, returned to the "house of mystery" with her mother and Mammy Pleasant. What happened no one knows, but one day Marie packed her things and went to live with friends. Since that day she has never seen or spoken to her mother. But she remained as completely under Mammy's control as though they were under the same roof. Mammy saw her constantly and is thought to have used her influence with both Mrs. Bell and Marie to widen the breach between them. To-day the inmates of the "house of mystery" are scattered to the four corners. Mammy Pleasant is living in one part of the city, in still another lives Marie Bell. In a flat out near Golden Gate Park Fred Bell is keeping house with his young wife. The other children are at school. Only Mrs. Bell, with a blind old man to wait upon her, remains in the "house of mystery." If Mrs. Pleasant has property or money she has safely concealed it under other people's names. Her's is not the greed of accumulation. it is the greed for the power of distribution and expenditure. If she has ducats hidden away they are down so deep that not even the lawyers can find them. The general belief is that she has dissipated into thin air not only all her own money, but almost all the money entrusted to her by other people. "Mammy Pleasant has the evil eye," said a man who has known her long and well. "Every one who has ever come under it has met with unhappiness and misfortune. For Sarah Althea, the bars of the madhouse, and for Mrs. Bell, utter and absolute loneliness and the faculties still left to realize it. The other women— and their name is legion— life lines have been closely entwined with Mammy's have likewise gathered but the fruit of the dead sea. "Mammy is an incomprehensible mixture— a generous giver and taker, not only of her own but of other people's possessions. She has not a spark of affection, nor an atom of conscience. She is the smoothest talker and the shrewdest woman in San Francisco. She is childish in her vanities, diabolical in her schemings. A woman to whom the feeling of power is the breath of life, and one who realizes that it is money that gives power. An intellectual giant, but a moral idiot." "Mammy Pleasant is the dearest old thing," said the girl who is Marie Bell's intimate friend. "If you knew her and talked to her you'd never believe all the lies people tell. Do you suppose Marie would listen to Mammy if she wasn't sure that she's the best friend the Bells ever had. You can't make me believe a word of the ridiculous falsehoods they tell about Mammy's taking the Bell money. Why, the poor woman wears the same dress year in and year out. She's white inside even if her skin is black. Nobody knows what Mammy Pleasant has done for the Bell family." Which is only too true. Nobody does know what she has done for the Bells. Has she been the fiend the archangel in "the house of mystery?'
| 1892_10_17_sfcall_death_in_a_stairwell.pdf |
San Francisco Call October 17, 1892
DEATH IN A STAIRWELL. The Fatal Fall of Capitalist Thomas Bell DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS. While Moving About His Home in the Darkness He Took the Wrong Door----His Busy Life.
Thomas Bell of the firm of Thomas Bell & Co., commission merchants, died suddenly at his residence, 1661 Octavia street, at 1:30 o'clock yesterday morning, from injuries he received three hours before his death. Mr. Bell has been an invalid for several weeks. On Saturday evening he passed an hour in the company of his children quite pleasantly, and at 9 o'clock he retired to his bedroom. At 10:30 the colored butler heard his master's voice crying out, "Where am I?' and immediately afterward there was a noise, which seemed to come from the rear end of the lower hall. The butler hastened to ascertain what was going on, and when he arrived at the foot of a winding staircase which leads to the upper floor he was horrified to see the form of Mr. Bell, dressed in his nlghtclothes only, lying apparently lifeless on the carpet. He summoned assistance, and when the aged capitalist was returned to his couch it was found that he was still alive, but doubtless badly injured, and unconscious. Dr. Peter A. Kearney, who was Mr. Bell's physician, was summoned, and when he arrived he found that his patient had sustained a violent concussion of the brain, and, in addition, had cerebral hemorrhage. Bell was beyond medical aid, and, as stated, he breathed his last at 1:30 without recovering consciousness. Investigations were made, and from them the following theory of how the accident occurred was arrived at. Bell's bedroom is connected with a bathroom, which also has as outlet through a door leading directly to the winding stairs, at the foot of which he was found. It is supposed that he visited the bathroom and, becoming absent-minded, mistook the door that leads to the stairs for his bedroom door when he wanted to return to the latter apartment. He was very weak and exhausted from his illness, so when he stepped across the threshold and lost his footing he could not recover his balance, and fell over the low balustrade down to the bottom of the stairwell. Thomas Bell was a native of Scotland and was a little over 70 years old. There are few men in this city who have been closer identified with its history and who are more widely known in the world of finance and commerce than he. When quite a boy Bell left his native country to go to Valparaiso, where he became a clerk in a large mercantile house, and it was as an agent for that firm that he first visited San Francisco, early in 1850. He decided to make California his home at that time, but first he returned to Valparaiso to sever his connection with his employers there. In the latter part of the same year he arrived here for the second time, and for forty-two years he has resided constantly in San Francisco. Presley C. Hyman, the mining man, who has been a most intimate friend of Bell during all these years, gave his career in this city yesterday to a Call reporter. Shortly after arriving here he associated himself with two others, and they founded the firm of Bolton, Barron & Co., which after a few years became Barron & Co. Eustace and W. E. Barron and Thomas Bell were the partners in this latter firm, which for many years was the leading broker, mining and commission house on the Pacific Coast. It was during these years that Bell laid the foundation for what later became a large fortune. There was no mining deal in the great Comstock days that he had not something to do with. He and his partners were the agents for all the big European and South American houses who did business with California, and when the Barrons died somewhere in 1872 or 1873 the business all fell into the hands of Bell, who took George Staake into partnership, and so created the present firm of Thomas Bell & Co. Bell was one of the originators and incorporators of the first Bank of California in 1864, and when that institution closed its doors years afterward it was Bell who, with D. O. Mills, cabled to the Rothschilds' and got them to become responsible for the bank's paper, thereby enabling it to resume business. Bell, besides his other multifarious business connections, was also the quicksilver magnate of the Pacific Coast, controlling as he did the New Almaden, the New Adria and the Standard quicksilver mines. He was also the owner of the Triompho silver mine near San Blas in Mexico, and when his estate is settled it will be found that he owns mining properties in many parts of the country. It was Bell who built the Central American Railroad, which runs from Guatemala to San Jose de Guatemala, and which he sold some four years ago to a syndicate. In Santa Barbara County there is a magnificent ranch covering 30,000 acres owned by Bell, and another ranch located in Sonoma County is owned partly by his widow and partly by Mrs. Mary E. Pleasant, the Mammy Pleasant of Sharon trial fame, who for over twenty years has been Bell's trusted housekeeper and confidential friend. The very valuable property on Octavia and Sutter streets, where the Bell family resides, was some years ago deeded to his wife by Bell. Mrs. Bell was out of town when the accident which resulted so sadly occurred. She was at her ranch in Sonoma County, but a dispatch was sent her yesterday and she is expected home to-day. Besides the widow Bell leaves six children, three boys and three girls. The eldest son, Fred, is 18 years old, and has just returned from Atlanta, Ga., where he has been at college. The oldest daughter is 16 years of age and is a pupil in the Oakland Convent. The other younger children are at home. Bell was a very quiet and almost unsociable man, but he spent large amounts of money in an unostentatious way for charitable purposes, and there are many people in this community who are largely indebted to him for the timely assistance he rendered them in the hours of need. Of late years Bell preferred to spend all the hours he did not devote to business at home. He was not connected with any fraternal organization and never strove for political honors. On 'change in London, Glasgow, New York and San Francisco for many years his name has been synonymous with honesty, pluck and clear business judgment. The funeral will take place on Wednesday from the family residence.
DEATH IN A STAIRWELL. The Fatal Fall of Capitalist Thomas Bell DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS. While Moving About His Home in the Darkness He Took the Wrong Door----His Busy Life.
Thomas Bell of the firm of Thomas Bell & Co., commission merchants, died suddenly at his residence, 1661 Octavia street, at 1:30 o'clock yesterday morning, from injuries he received three hours before his death. Mr. Bell has been an invalid for several weeks. On Saturday evening he passed an hour in the company of his children quite pleasantly, and at 9 o'clock he retired to his bedroom. At 10:30 the colored butler heard his master's voice crying out, "Where am I?' and immediately afterward there was a noise, which seemed to come from the rear end of the lower hall. The butler hastened to ascertain what was going on, and when he arrived at the foot of a winding staircase which leads to the upper floor he was horrified to see the form of Mr. Bell, dressed in his nlghtclothes only, lying apparently lifeless on the carpet. He summoned assistance, and when the aged capitalist was returned to his couch it was found that he was still alive, but doubtless badly injured, and unconscious. Dr. Peter A. Kearney, who was Mr. Bell's physician, was summoned, and when he arrived he found that his patient had sustained a violent concussion of the brain, and, in addition, had cerebral hemorrhage. Bell was beyond medical aid, and, as stated, he breathed his last at 1:30 without recovering consciousness. Investigations were made, and from them the following theory of how the accident occurred was arrived at. Bell's bedroom is connected with a bathroom, which also has as outlet through a door leading directly to the winding stairs, at the foot of which he was found. It is supposed that he visited the bathroom and, becoming absent-minded, mistook the door that leads to the stairs for his bedroom door when he wanted to return to the latter apartment. He was very weak and exhausted from his illness, so when he stepped across the threshold and lost his footing he could not recover his balance, and fell over the low balustrade down to the bottom of the stairwell. Thomas Bell was a native of Scotland and was a little over 70 years old. There are few men in this city who have been closer identified with its history and who are more widely known in the world of finance and commerce than he. When quite a boy Bell left his native country to go to Valparaiso, where he became a clerk in a large mercantile house, and it was as an agent for that firm that he first visited San Francisco, early in 1850. He decided to make California his home at that time, but first he returned to Valparaiso to sever his connection with his employers there. In the latter part of the same year he arrived here for the second time, and for forty-two years he has resided constantly in San Francisco. Presley C. Hyman, the mining man, who has been a most intimate friend of Bell during all these years, gave his career in this city yesterday to a Call reporter. Shortly after arriving here he associated himself with two others, and they founded the firm of Bolton, Barron & Co., which after a few years became Barron & Co. Eustace and W. E. Barron and Thomas Bell were the partners in this latter firm, which for many years was the leading broker, mining and commission house on the Pacific Coast. It was during these years that Bell laid the foundation for what later became a large fortune. There was no mining deal in the great Comstock days that he had not something to do with. He and his partners were the agents for all the big European and South American houses who did business with California, and when the Barrons died somewhere in 1872 or 1873 the business all fell into the hands of Bell, who took George Staake into partnership, and so created the present firm of Thomas Bell & Co. Bell was one of the originators and incorporators of the first Bank of California in 1864, and when that institution closed its doors years afterward it was Bell who, with D. O. Mills, cabled to the Rothschilds' and got them to become responsible for the bank's paper, thereby enabling it to resume business. Bell, besides his other multifarious business connections, was also the quicksilver magnate of the Pacific Coast, controlling as he did the New Almaden, the New Adria and the Standard quicksilver mines. He was also the owner of the Triompho silver mine near San Blas in Mexico, and when his estate is settled it will be found that he owns mining properties in many parts of the country. It was Bell who built the Central American Railroad, which runs from Guatemala to San Jose de Guatemala, and which he sold some four years ago to a syndicate. In Santa Barbara County there is a magnificent ranch covering 30,000 acres owned by Bell, and another ranch located in Sonoma County is owned partly by his widow and partly by Mrs. Mary E. Pleasant, the Mammy Pleasant of Sharon trial fame, who for over twenty years has been Bell's trusted housekeeper and confidential friend. The very valuable property on Octavia and Sutter streets, where the Bell family resides, was some years ago deeded to his wife by Bell. Mrs. Bell was out of town when the accident which resulted so sadly occurred. She was at her ranch in Sonoma County, but a dispatch was sent her yesterday and she is expected home to-day. Besides the widow Bell leaves six children, three boys and three girls. The eldest son, Fred, is 18 years old, and has just returned from Atlanta, Ga., where he has been at college. The oldest daughter is 16 years of age and is a pupil in the Oakland Convent. The other younger children are at home. Bell was a very quiet and almost unsociable man, but he spent large amounts of money in an unostentatious way for charitable purposes, and there are many people in this community who are largely indebted to him for the timely assistance he rendered them in the hours of need. Of late years Bell preferred to spend all the hours he did not devote to business at home. He was not connected with any fraternal organization and never strove for political honors. On 'change in London, Glasgow, New York and San Francisco for many years his name has been synonymous with honesty, pluck and clear business judgment. The funeral will take place on Wednesday from the family residence.
1890's Mary Ellen Pleasant Address Book selected pages courtesy of SF Public Library, Helen Holdridge Collection
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| 1895_07_18_sfcall_the_colored_pioneers.pdf |
1896 Two original letters from Mary Ellen Pleasant from her biography file at the Bancroft Library in Berkeley and transcription. I believe the first one was dictated - the handwriting from the second letter more closely resembles examples in the Helen Holdridge files at San Francisco Public Library - History Room.
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| 1897_09_23_sacramento_daily_union_the_hawaiian_treaty_and_mepleasant.pdf |
| 1897_10_07_sfcall_mrs_pleasant_is_good_and_mad.pdf |
| 1898_03_27_sfcall_mepleasant_insolvent_forcing_her_to_the_wall.pdf |
| 1899_07_09_sfchron_queen_of_the_voodoos.pdf |
| 1900_06_denverpost_mammypleasantbankrupt.pdf |
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| 1904_01_12_sfexaminer_mammy_pleasant_will_work_weird_spells_no_more.pdf |
| 1904_01_13_sfcall_her_epitaph_is_written.pdf |
| 1904_01_16_sfcall_leaves_estate_to_sherwoods.pdf |
| 1905_05_19_sfcall_teresabell_offers_site_for_lowell_high_school.pdf |
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| 1923_sfchron_they_are_not_my_children_mrs_bell_said.pdf |
| 1940s_negro_world_digest_she_was_a_friend_of_john_brown_by_earl_conrad.pdf |
| 2010_12_by_jean_libby_mep_at_tulocay_john_brown_the_abolitionist_blog.pdf |
| 2011_06_27_marker_for_mother_of_civil_rights_in_california_-_sfgate.pdf |