Last updated: February 24, 2021
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Mary Newport Founds a Baking Dynasty
Mary Newport –champion of industrious women and founder of a baking dynasty – established herself as a successful businesswoman in 18th century Philadelphia. An accomplished baker, Newport not only ran a pastry shop but also instructed young ladies in the art of baking - before and after the Revolutionary War. Newport’s support for women continues to the present day through the establishment of a trust that is still active seven generations later.
Very little is known of Newport’s early life, including her date and place of birth. In 1759, the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) listed Mary Newport as a member. Newport never married, choosing to remain single in a society with limited opportunities for female education and job training. But, as a feme sole or “woman alone,” Newport had the rights to buy, sell, and will property, bring suit in court, and earn and keep her own wages – opportunities not available to married women who were bound under coverture laws that gave women subordinate legal status during marriage.
Newport purchased her own home – a two story brick dwelling with two rooms on each floor and an adjoining kitchen – at 7 Norris Alley, between 2nd and Front Streets, in 1762.1 Here, Newport operated her businesses. A few sources refer to Newport’s work in dressmaking and millinery services, but the tax records and census data from the late 1760s to 1790 list Newport as a pastry cook.
Many Philadelphians knew of Mary Newport and considered her baked goods top notch. Hannah Thomson, wife of the secretary of Congress Charles Thomson, tried to coax John Mifflin to New York by writing “I wish cousin Isaac and you would come and eat yr Christmas dinner here. I will give you as good mince pies & fat a turkey as you can procure either from Molly Newport or Market Street.”3 Known for blistering criticism and amusement at the expense of others, Mifflin described one occasion where he felt Newport stayed “upon a slender invitation” to tea at the home of Anna Gibson, where she regaled those present with a story of selling pound cake at a fair. Even though he may have liked her pies, John Mifflin wrote in his journal, “We laughed much at the poor gripus for unfolding her scraping stingy tricks.”4
Remembered in history as Mrs. Goodfellow, Elizabeth Baker was one of many women to benefit from opportunities provided by her aunt Mary Newport – a woman whose name and story has long been forgotten.
2. Norris, Mary. August 14, 1784. “Statement of account from Mary Norris to Mary Newport.” In Norris Family papers, edited by Pennsylvania Historical Society. Jumbles are cookie-like pastries made of nuts, flour, eggs, and sugar with vanilla, anise or caraway seed for flavoring.
3. Hannah Thomson to John Mifflin, September 17, 1786. In "Letters of Hannah Thomson, 1785-1788," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 14, April 1890, p. 35.
4. From John Mifflin’s journal as quoted in “Sensibility and the American Revolution” by Sara Knott, Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, 2009.
5. Newport, Mary. 1792. “Philadelphia County Wills” in Philadelphia, PA. Elizabeth Newport received 100 pounds plus household furnishings and all of her aunt’s china. Elizabeth Baker received 200 pounds and two silver tablespoons.
6. Mary Spiers, Newport family history research email, November 12, 2019. The park wishes to recognize Mary Spiers for bringing Mary Newport's story to our attention, and for generously sharing her research with us.
7. Mary Spiers, Newport family history research email, November 12, 2019.
8. The Federal Gazette and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, June 18-22, 1792, page 1.
9. The Federal Gazette and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, June 21-27, 1792, page 3.
10. Mary Spiers, Newport family history research email, November 12, 2019.
Early Life
Very little is known of Newport’s early life, including her date and place of birth. In 1759, the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) listed Mary Newport as a member. Newport never married, choosing to remain single in a society with limited opportunities for female education and job training. But, as a feme sole or “woman alone,” Newport had the rights to buy, sell, and will property, bring suit in court, and earn and keep her own wages – opportunities not available to married women who were bound under coverture laws that gave women subordinate legal status during marriage.Newport purchased her own home – a two story brick dwelling with two rooms on each floor and an adjoining kitchen – at 7 Norris Alley, between 2nd and Front Streets, in 1762.1 Here, Newport operated her businesses. A few sources refer to Newport’s work in dressmaking and millinery services, but the tax records and census data from the late 1760s to 1790 list Newport as a pastry cook.
Pastry Cook
Among Newport’s pastry customers were Philadelphia’s elite. The Norrises, a family of prominent merchants and politicians, placed an order for baked goods for a party in 1784. The order included “6 pyes, 8 puddings, 12 pounds of Lune cake, 12 pounds of jumbles, and 20 pounds of pound cake.”2Many Philadelphians knew of Mary Newport and considered her baked goods top notch. Hannah Thomson, wife of the secretary of Congress Charles Thomson, tried to coax John Mifflin to New York by writing “I wish cousin Isaac and you would come and eat yr Christmas dinner here. I will give you as good mince pies & fat a turkey as you can procure either from Molly Newport or Market Street.”3 Known for blistering criticism and amusement at the expense of others, Mifflin described one occasion where he felt Newport stayed “upon a slender invitation” to tea at the home of Anna Gibson, where she regaled those present with a story of selling pound cake at a fair. Even though he may have liked her pies, John Mifflin wrote in his journal, “We laughed much at the poor gripus for unfolding her scraping stingy tricks.”4
Heirs Inherit Wealth
When Newport died in May 1792, her estate totaled an impressive 3,145 pounds plus the value of two homes and their contents.5 She left more of her wealth to her female descendants than her male heirs, passing down each of her homes to young nieces named Mary.6 Newport also left sizable sums to two nieces named Elizabeth. These two women – Elizabeth Newport and Elizabeth Baker – promptly placed ads in the local newspapers, each one claiming to be the successor to Mary Newport.7Pastry Ad Wars
Twenty-four year old Elizabeth Baker fired the first shot in the “pastry ad wars,” designating herself as “Successor to the late MARY NEWPORT, Pastry Cook,” and informing customers that she had moved from 7 Norris Alley to Walnut Street, between Front and Second Streets.8 Her nineteen year old cousin Elizabeth Newport responded with an ad of her own, claiming to be the “Successor to her late Aunt, MARY NEWPORT.” Elizabeth Newport informed customers that she continued the pastry business at 7 Norris Alley, and that “young ladies taught as usual.”9 The competition between cousins proved short-lived. Elizabeth Newport soon moved to western Pennsylvania and married. If she continued pastry making, she did so while caring for her eight children.10Mrs. Goodfellow, the Successor to the Pastry Business
Elizabeth Baker continued to claim succession to her aunt’s pastry business, even advertising that “Young ladies TAUGHT, on moderate terms.” Married and widowed three times, Elizabeth Baker Pearson Coane Goodfellow became one of Philadelphia’s best-known pastry cooks, establishing a reputation for the finest desserts as well as for her cooking school for young women.Remembered in history as Mrs. Goodfellow, Elizabeth Baker was one of many women to benefit from opportunities provided by her aunt Mary Newport – a woman whose name and story has long been forgotten.
Newport's Legacy
Newport also left 400 pounds in her will for the establishment of a trust for Quaker women, specifically “poor old honest industrious Maidens & Widows as may land in need of Support.” Administered by the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, the Newport-Richardson Trust is still actively assisting women today. Mary Newport’s awareness of the challenges faced by women and her legacy of support for women’s economic opportunities lives on.Sources
1. The house no longer stands at 7 Norris Alley. It was located near the present-day location of the Thomas Bond House on 2nd Street, near Walnut Street.2. Norris, Mary. August 14, 1784. “Statement of account from Mary Norris to Mary Newport.” In Norris Family papers, edited by Pennsylvania Historical Society. Jumbles are cookie-like pastries made of nuts, flour, eggs, and sugar with vanilla, anise or caraway seed for flavoring.
3. Hannah Thomson to John Mifflin, September 17, 1786. In "Letters of Hannah Thomson, 1785-1788," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 14, April 1890, p. 35.
4. From John Mifflin’s journal as quoted in “Sensibility and the American Revolution” by Sara Knott, Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, 2009.
5. Newport, Mary. 1792. “Philadelphia County Wills” in Philadelphia, PA. Elizabeth Newport received 100 pounds plus household furnishings and all of her aunt’s china. Elizabeth Baker received 200 pounds and two silver tablespoons.
6. Mary Spiers, Newport family history research email, November 12, 2019. The park wishes to recognize Mary Spiers for bringing Mary Newport's story to our attention, and for generously sharing her research with us.
7. Mary Spiers, Newport family history research email, November 12, 2019.
8. The Federal Gazette and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, June 18-22, 1792, page 1.
9. The Federal Gazette and Philadelphia Daily Advertiser, June 21-27, 1792, page 3.
10. Mary Spiers, Newport family history research email, November 12, 2019.