1750-1797
Even before her 1773 marriage to the Reverend White, Mary Harrison had a high social standing. Her father was a sea captain and a former Mayor of Philadelphia. Together, William and Mary had eight children. As was often the case 200 years ago, only three of their children lived to adulthood. Mrs. White spoiled her children, pampered them, and worried about their welfare. She assisted in schooling them at home where they learned needlework, drawing, reading and writing. She entertained famous people in her home on Walnut Street and enjoyed long visits to their country home, "Brookland", on what is now Broad Street.
In late 1797, Mrs. White died in the house on Walnut Street. A sermon shortly after her death described her as "a valuable lady... courteous, humane, polite, engaging, tender hearted. She was beloved and copied at home". After Mrs. White's death, her oldest daughter Elizabeth was in charge of the home duties.
[Dear I must now bid you adieu MH]