Robert Ralston (1761-1836)
East India Shipping Merchant & President of the Philadelphia Common Council
As regards his daughters, an interesting reference is made in a poetic effusion, written by an anonymous Philadelphian, in 1825, and published, with other matter, under the title of Microcosmus Philadelphicus; in Two Epistles to My Cousin Tom in New York, by Notus Nulli, Esq., M.R.T. A. and Other Poems. The writer, in verse, portrays the leading Quaker City belles of his day, not exactly calling them by name, but indicating their identity with perfect clearness, nevertheless. After references to Miss Markoe, Miss Cox and Miss Chapman, the versifier presents the Misses Ralston:
The Misses Ralston are here, whose minds a rich treasure,
Of Excellence, knowing no limit or measure;
Not mere negative virtues, their high name exalt;
Though no slight praise it is, to be free of all fault.
Pure as light, like the spirits celestial above,
Breathing kindness, benignity, charity, love.
If to seek out the wretched, their woes to assuage,
If to succour the helpless-to comfort old age,
If the widow to cheer, with a tender address,
If to dry up the tears of poignant distress,
If the hungry to feed, if the orphan protect,
Are the labours of love which claim all our respect:
If these be the dictates of Heaven, allowed,
And of which all mankind, but the doer, is proud;
By example and precept, this lesson is taught,
By their sire, whose benevolent heart is full fraught
With love to his Maker, most remarkably shown,
In a love for his creatures, almost like His own.
In such sentiments nurtured, Misses Ralston I see,
What your hearts, and your lives, and your actions must be.
The Misses Ralston are here, whose minds a rich treasure,
Of Excellence, knowing no limit or measure;
Not mere negative virtues, their high name exalt;
Though no slight praise it is, to be free of all fault.
Pure as light, like the spirits celestial above,
Breathing kindness, benignity, charity, love.
If to seek out the wretched, their woes to assuage,
If to succour the helpless-to comfort old age,
If the widow to cheer, with a tender address,
If to dry up the tears of poignant distress,
If the hungry to feed, if the orphan protect,
Are the labours of love which claim all our respect:
If these be the dictates of Heaven, allowed,
And of which all mankind, but the doer, is proud;
By example and precept, this lesson is taught,
By their sire, whose benevolent heart is full fraught
With love to his Maker, most remarkably shown,
In a love for his creatures, almost like His own.
In such sentiments nurtured, Misses Ralston I see,
What your hearts, and your lives, and your actions must be.
Parents (2)
Children (12)
Matthew Clarkson Ralston
Merchant, of Philadelphia & Early Promotor of Railroads in Pennsylvania
1789-1840
Ashbel Green Ralston
Importer & Dealer of Railway Equipment, of No. 4 South Front Street, Philadelphia
1796-1857