Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Cyrus Bustill

(1732-1806)

Photographed By Trinket Troy, March 6, 2008

1. Cyrus Bustill Marker

Inscription. 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.

Erected 1992 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 39° 57.117′ N, 75° 8.628′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is on Arch Street west of North 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Arch Street parallels Market Street one block north. It is one way west. 2nd Street is one way south, so from Market Street take Front Street to Arch. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to the Betsy Ross House (within shouting distance of this marker); Betsy Ross (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Betsy Ross (about 300 feet away);

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Betsy Ross House (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Betsy Ross (about 300 feet away); The historical value of Betsy Ross (about 300 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Welcome to the Betsy Ross House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

More about this marker. There is a bakery today on the site named Tarts. Marker is in front of the bakery.

Also see . . .
1. Cyrus Bustill (1732–1804). “Cyrus Bustill was born enslaved in Burlington, New Jersey, the son of European American attorney Samuel Bustill and one of his enslaved Africans. Samuel Bustill sold his son to Quaker Thomas Prior, a baker who taught Cyrus his trade. Prior liberated Bustill in 1769, making him one of the 104 enslaved Africans manumitted by Friends in Burlington Quarterly Meeting of Friends from 1763–1796.” (Submitted on March 21, 2008.)

2. Cyrus Bustill - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

2. Cyrus Bustill Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2008, by Trinket Troy of Burke, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,421 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 21, 2008, by Trinket Troy of Burke, Virginia. 2. submitted on July 25, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of Marker and bakery from across the street • Can you help?