Mary Ewing Outerbridge (1852-1886) Importer of the Lawn Game Tennis to the United States from Bermuda (b. February 16, 1852, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA - d. May 03, 1886, New Brighton, Staten Island, Richmond County, New York City, New York, USA) Mary is the daughter of Alexander Ewing Outerbridge (1816-1900) and Laura Catherine Harvey (1818-1867) and her siblings include: Albert Albany Outerbridge; Joseph Outerbridge; August Emelio Outerbridge; Harriett Harvey Outerbridge; Alexander Ewing Outerbridge II; Laura Catharine Outerbridge; Adolph John Harvey Outerbridge; and Eugene Harvey Outerbridge who was the first president of the New York and New Jersey Port Authority. On February 02, 1874 Mary returned from Bermuda aboard the ship "S.S. Canima" and introduced lawn tennis to the United States. The modern game of lawn tennis was commercialized in 1873 in England by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield of the British Army. One of the Major's men brought the game and equipment to Bermuda when posted there in 1874. Mary played the first games in the US at the Staten Island Cricket Club on a hourglass shaped court. In 1880 Mary and her parents were living in the Castleton area of Staten Island and her father was working as a clerk as was her brother Adolph. The family had two servants. Mary died in 1886 and is buried in Silver Mount Cemetery with her parents. There is a reference to her in the New York Times on April 28, 1931, page 26 crediting her with introducing the game to the United States.
Copyright © 2003 Richard Arthur Norton
Copyright © 2003 Richard Arthur Norton
Mary Ewing Outerbridge (1852-1886) Importer of the Lawn Game Tennis to the United States from Bermuda (b. February 16, 1852, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA - d. May 03, 1886, New Brighton, Staten Island, Richmond County, New York City, New York, USA) Mary is the daughter of Alexander Ewing Outerbridge (1816-1900) and Laura Catherine Harvey (1818-1867) and her siblings include: Albert Albany Outerbridge; Joseph Outerbridge; August Emelio Outerbridge; Harriett Harvey Outerbridge; Alexander Ewing Outerbridge II; Laura Catharine Outerbridge; Adolph John Harvey Outerbridge; and Eugene Harvey Outerbridge who was the first president of the New York and New Jersey Port Authority. On February 02, 1874 Mary returned from Bermuda aboard the ship "S.S. Canima" and introduced lawn tennis to the United States. The modern game of lawn tennis was commercialized in 1873 in England by Major Walter Clopton Wingfield of the British Army. One of the Major's men brought the game and equipment to Bermuda when posted there in 1874. Mary played the first games in the US at the Staten Island Cricket Club on a hourglass shaped court. In 1880 Mary and her parents were living in the Castleton area of Staten Island and her father was working as a clerk as was her brother Adolph. The family had two servants. Mary died in 1886 and is buried in Silver Mount Cemetery with her parents. There is a reference to her in the New York Times on April 28, 1931, page 26 crediting her with introducing the game to the United States.
Copyright © 2003 Richard Arthur Norton
Copyright © 2003 Richard Arthur Norton
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