The Northern Liberties Neighborhood: Henry Disston's Start in America

Henry Disston arrived in Philadelphia in 1833 after a two month crossing from England with his father and sister.  As noted in the previous article, Thomas Disston died three days later, leaving the teenagers orphaned and in what would seem a difficult position.  The Disstons were not hopeless, though.  They were staying with acquaintances the Disston parents knew from England, the William Quantrells, who owned a grocery store at 124 N. 3rd Street in the Northern Liberties section of the city.  The Quantrells helped find Henry employment as a saw maker's apprentice with William and Charles Johnson, where he stayed for the next seven years.  Marianna Disston would live with the Quantrells until she was married. 

After having traveled so far, Henry Disston was to stay in a remarkably narrow sphere for the next 14 years of his life.

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