Chosen Families Project #8: Jessie Cooper Pratt
Now that my semester has ended, I will back on board with the project. For this piece, I am discussing this beautiful portrait of Jessie Copper Pratt; seen in the cabinet card, she wearing is wearing a set of pearls, which could possibly be her mothers. Here is is her and her families story:
Jessie Copper Pratt was born December 1873 in Millburn, Essex County, New Jersey to parents Frederic Snow Pratt (1837-1908) and Phoebe Elizabeth (Smith) Pratt (1844-1892). Her parents married October 26, 1869 in Essex County, her father worked as a Jewelry merchant. Frederic was born in Brewster, Massachusetts in 1836 to parents Enoch Pratt & Mercy Snow. They had her brother Mortimer Pratt on Nov 8th, 1871. Soon tragedy struck her family when her mother passed away on May 3rd, 1892 in Millburn at the age of 47. Her mother left a probate to her husband and family, giving her daughter silverware and jewelry. Jessie was only 18 at the time of her passing. Soon her brother would pass away in 1895 when Jessie was 22. The photograph dates before his passing, with the back of the photograph reading “To Mortimer, With Love From Jessie.” Her father lived together with Jessie until his passing in 1908.
Jessie would never marry, and would live in the Millburn area her whole life. She would stay working as a typewriter (1900) and owning a Boarding House (1920,1930) on Rector Street. She was an active member of St. Stephen’s Churchs’ Woman’s Guild and Women’s Evening Group, which hosted tea and other entertainment events. She died at Llewellyn Nursing Home in Orange, New Jersey after a long illness her obituary writes (https://www.digifind-it.com/millburn/data/item/1950/1950-11-09.pdf) . She is buried with her parents and brother in Saint Stephens Episcopal Cemetery, located in Millburn. Unfortunately, with her having no children and her brother passing at a young age, there are not likely any direct relatives available. However, if you do relate to her in any way I encourage you to email me.
Woman’s Guild Event
Headstone located in Millburn
Obituary of Jessie C. Pratt in The Millburn and Short Hills Item
The photograph itself was taken by Hugh J, Brady, at the time located in Orange, New Jersey at the corner of Main and Park Sts, with the photograph dating from aprox. 1888-1892 according to index records of the photographer himself. (https://www.langdonroad.com/bra-to-brit) .
If you have any relation to Jessie or interested in the photograph, please contact me here or at jrebelogenealogy@gmail.com. Thank you for reading about the life and family of Jessie C. Pratt.
