Mary Singleton Copley Pelham facts for kids

Mary Singleton Copley Pelham (born around 1710, died 1789) was an Irish-American who settled in the American colonies. She was the mother of famous artist John Singleton Copley. Mary ran a successful tobacco business. She also taught classes in subjects like art and good manners. Mary was widowed twice during her life. Her sons, John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham, both became talented artists. She was also a stepmother to five children from her second husband's previous marriage.

Mary's Early Life

Mary Singleton was born in Ireland around 1710. Her parents were Jane (Bruffel) Singleton and John Singleton. She grew up with two siblings in Quinville Abbey in County Clare, Ireland. Her family, the Singletons, had moved to Ireland from England in 1661.

Family Life and Marriages

Mary Singleton married Richard Copley in Ireland around 1735. Richard's father was likely Charles Copley, a well-known sheriff and alderman in Limerick. Their son, John Singleton Copley, was born on July 3, 1738.

Soon after John's birth, the family moved to Boston in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Richard opened a tobacco shop on Long Wharf. Richard Copley passed away before May 1748.

John Singleton Copley, A Boy with a Flying Squirrel (Henry Pelham) (1765)

On May 22, 1748, Mary married Peter Pelham at the Trinity Church in Boston. She became known as Mary Singleton Copley Pelham. Peter Pelham was a schoolmaster and an artist. He was known for painting portraits and making prints.

Mary and Peter had a son together, Henry, born on February 14, 1749, in Boston. Peter also brought five children from his previous marriages into their new family.

Supporting Young Artists

As John grew up, he had access to Peter Pelham's art supplies. This included prints, books, and engraving tools. John also learned from his stepfather, Peter. Peter Pelham died in December 1751.

Henry later studied art with his half-brother John. They were very close. Henry worked in John's art studio, painting portraits. Around 1772, Henry started painting tiny portraits called miniatures. Mary Pelham strongly supported her sons' interest in art. She was the leader of what became one of America's first art families.

After Mary's death, John wrote about how much her support meant to him. He said she was kind, full of life, and very important to his art development.

Your fame, my dear son, is sounded by all who are lovers of the art you bid fair to excel in. May God prosper and cause you to succeed in all your undertakings, and enroll your name among the first in your profession.

John Singleton Copley, Portrait of the Copley family (1776)

By 1753, John was creating unique prints and paintings. He painted portraits of important people in Boston. John married Susanna Clark and they started their own family.

John traveled to Europe to study art from 1774 to 1775. In 1775, the American Revolutionary War began. Susanna left Boston with three of her children and went to London. Mary Pelham took care of her infant grandchild. Sadly, the child died in January 1776.

Her son Henry, who supported the King, joined the Copleys in London in August 1776. Henry's business in Boston had suffered. He also worried about his safety after a mob attacked him. Henry found success in London and later settled in Ireland. Mary Pelham never saw John or Henry again after they left Boston.

Business and Teaching Career

Boston in 1768, with Long Wharf extending into the harbor, engraving by Paul Revere

After her first husband Richard Copley died, Mary Pelham took over his tobacco business. She sold tobacco to both individuals and other businesses. John likely spent time with his mother in the shop, which was below their home.

In July 1748, Mary moved the business to Lindel's Row. She and John also moved into Peter Pelham's house there. Mary Pelham continued to run the tobacco business even during the Revolutionary War.

Mary and her husband Peter also advertised that they taught various subjects. These included arithmetic, reading, writing, and French. They also offered classes in painting on glass, needlework, dancing, and English manners.