Cyrus Bustill Business

Neighborhood:Center City

Address:
210 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Significance:
Born into slavery in Burlington, N.J., Cyrus Bustill (1732-1804), a Quaker, made his living as a baker and owned a bakery at this address. Legend states that during the American Revolution, Bustill risked his life to take bread to George Washington's starving troops at Valley Forge. Following the Revolution, Bustill became one of the founders of the Free African Society in 1787. After he retired from baking, he opened a school for black children at his home at 3rd and Green Streets.

Type of Historic Resource:bakery

Extant: no

Historical Marker:PA Historical Marker (PHMC database lists it as missing)

Text of Historical Marker:
Born of White, Black, and Native American descent, he bought his freedom and became a baker of bread for Revolutionary troops. A founder of the Free African Society, he later opened a school for Black children while living here.