Heard, Elizabeth Ann

Person

Dates

Existence: 1802 - 1865

Biography

Elizabeth Ann Farley (1802-1865) was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1802. She married George Washington Heard (1793-1863) in 1823 and had six children: John; Augustine; Margaret; Albert Farley; and George Washington, who later legally changed his name to George Farley Heard. George Washington Heard's brother, Augustine Heard, was a successful merchant dealing in the China trade. Augustine did not have any children, and therefore Elizabeth and George Washington's four sons all took their turn working for the family business in China. George Washington was involved in business in Ipswich until 1837 when he moved to Boston to become a partner in James Haughton & Company, a dry goods dealer. While George worked in Boston, Elizabeth continued to live in Ipswich at the family homestead and became actively interested in the education of young women. She met Zilpah Polly Grant who founded the Ipswich Female Seminary and contributed money to similar endeavors. While in Ipswich she received letters from her sons discussing their love for her and their worldly view as businessmen running a family company.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Elizabeth Heard papers

FOUND IN: Baker Library Special Collections and Archives, Harvard Business School

Collection Identifier: Mss:766 1829-1864 H435

Overview:

The Elizabeth Heard papers contain correspondence sent to her by her sons and brother-in-law Augustine Heard, while they were in China working for the family firm, Augustine Heard & Company.