Arthur Laws
(Employed 1908-1931)
Arthur Laws was employed as the butler for the Foerderer family from about 1908 until his death in 1931.
Read More
He was born at Doctors Hall Plantation, a sharecropping plantation in Richmond County, Virginia, in 1875 but eventually joined the migration of young black men from the post-Civil War south to more promising lives in northern cities. As the butler, he was the highest-ranked of all the domestic staff at Glen Foerd, though records show he was paid less than some of the white employees he oversaw. Arthur Laws was a dedicated worker who spent almost all of his time at Glen Foerd, while his children and wife lived in a home the couple owned in North Philadelphia. Stories from his descendants make note of his occasional visits home to his family, where he would don the same fine livery he wore at Glen Foerd, lay the table out with fresh flowers and fine silverware, and treat his own family with all the elegance and grace of his position at Glen Foerd. By the time his children were in their teenage years, Arthur and his wife Mary had both died. The Foerderer family paid for their continued care and education, and descendants of Arthur Laws still visit the Mansion today.
Elizabeth "May" Prettyman
(Employed)
Another employee, Elizabeth “May” Prettyman, came to Glen Foerd to be the estate’s Governess.
Read More
While her career began as a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Delaware, she later became the Governess for some of the area’s wealthiest families including the Rothchild and Biddle families. She lived on the mansion’s third floor, by the children’s bedrooms. Her suite included a bedroom, sitting room and bathroom. While at Glen Foerd, she met and fell in love with Glen Foerd’s gardener, Joseph McGowen. The relationship must have caused a stir. Not only was it considered improper for servants of the same employer to have romantic relationships, but Joseph was many years May’s junior. The relationship, and subsequent marriage, ended May’s employment at Glen Foerd. May left Glen Foerd with $10,000 in the bank. With her savings, she purchased a duplex in northeast Philadelphia for $1,200. Joseph and May had two children and lived at the same address throughout their married lives.