The "Miss Sheafs" were Nancy and Mary Sheaffe, youngest daughters of
William Sheaffe, who had recently died, leaving a family of four
sons and six daughters. He had been deputy collector of customs
under Joseph Harrison, the last royal collector of the port. He left
his family penniless, and a small shop was stocked by friends for
Mrs Sheaffe. I have often seen her advertisements in Boston
newspapers.
Mrs. Sheaffe was Susanna Child, daughter of Thomas Child, an
Englishman, one of the founders of Trinity Church. She lived till
1811. The ten children grew up to fill dignified positions in life.
One son was Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe. Susanna, at the age of fifteen,
made a most romantic runaway match with an English officer, Capt.
Ponsonby Molesworth. Margaret married John R. Livingstone; she was a
great beauty. Lafayette, on his return to France, sent her a satin
cardinal lined with ermine, and an elegant gown. Helen married James
Lovell. (See Note 52.) Nancy, or Anne Sheaffe, married, in
September, 1786, John Erving, Jr., a nephew of Governor Shirley, and
died young, leaving three children,--Maria, Frances, and Major John
Erving. Mary married Benj. Cutler, high sheriff of Boston, and died
December 8, 1784, leaving no children. These Sheaffes were nearly
all buried in the Child tomb in Trinity Church.