Four Generations of the Bacon/Atkinson/Ellis/Comly/Watson Family in Powelton

Many Poweltonians know that Edmund Bacon spent his early years at 3603 Baring St. in the heart of Powelton. Bacon was a major force in urban planning in Philadelphia and, for better or worse, had a substantial impact on the city. Today, he is better identified as the father of actor/musician Kevin Bacon and musician Michael Bacon and father-in-law of Kyra Sedgwick. The story of the Bacon family is classic Powelton involving intermarriages between neighboring families. Edmund Bacon’s roots in Powelton go back three generations. His great-grandmother, Martha Bacon (1821-1886), was widowed in 1855. In 1870, she was living at 604 N. 7th with her son Thomas P. (1848-?). The house was owned by another widow, Hannah Ellis (1827-1899), who lived there with her two daughters, Annie and Edith. By 1880, Thomas Bacon and Annie Ellis were married and living in Powelton at 3212 Baring St with their 6-year-old son, Ellis W. Bacon (1874-1961) and Thomas’s mother. Ellis married Helen Comly who grew up at 3408 Hamilton. The full list of Edmund Bacon’s ancestors who lived in Powelton (with known dates) is as follows: Edmund Norwood BACON (1910-2005) 1920: 3603 Baring Parents: Ellis Williams BACON (1874-1961) 1880-1900: 3212 Baring, 1910-1920: 3603 Baring Helen Atkinson COMLY (1872-1966) 1880: 3408 Hamilton, 1900-1920: 3603 Baring Grandparents: Thomas Pryor BACON (b.1848) 1880-1920: 3212 Baring Annie Elizabeth ELLIS (1850-1920) 1880-1920: 3212 Baring Robert COMLY (b.1843) 1880: 3408 Hamilton, 1887-'90: 3521 Hamilton, 1900-'20: 3311 Arch Lydia Tatum ATKINSON (1843-1901) 1880: 3408 Hamilton, 1887-'90: 3521 Hamilton, 1900: 3311 Arch Great-Grandparent: Martha White WATSON [Bacon] (1821-1886) 1880: 3212 Baring