Mary Singleton

Mary Singleton Copley Pelham (c. 1710 – April 29, 1789) was an Irish-American colonial settler. Her son was the artist John Singleton Copley. She operated a tobacco retail and wholesale business and taught education, art, and manners classes. By 1751, she had been widowed twice. Her sons, John Singleton Copley and Henry Pelham were accomplished artists. She was step-mother to her second husband, Peter Pelham's five children.

Early life Mary Singleton was born c. 1710 and was the daughter of Jane (Bruffel) Singleton and John Singleton. She had two siblings and lived in Quinville Abbey in County Clare, Ireland. Her Singleton ancestors came to Ireland in 1661 from Lancashire, England.