Lloyd MIFFLIN, Sr.

Lloyd Mifflin, Senior  was an uncle of John Houston Mifflin. In fact, he was his very favorite uncle. As a young child, John wrote his uncle in Philadelphia to suggest that when he reaches two years older than he was when writing, that perhaps his uncle would buy him a box of paints. A cheeky and charming request from a young child. I'm certain Lloyd followed through. John Houston Mifflin loved his uncle so much—admired and respected him—that John named a son after him. Although Lloyd, the painter and poet, didn't attach 'Jr.' to his name very often, he usually did when writing to family members. 

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The day of Lloyd's (Jr.) birth, John Houston made a point to write his uncle to share the news of his namesake: "Dear Uncle, I wrote thee a long but hurried letter by Samuel Mifflin yesterday in that I told thee we were all as well as usual—Elizabeth has been a month past. At three o'clock this morning came to the house of the subscriber—a (very) young man—light, or perhaps sandy hair—fair complexion—blue eyed—long head—large nose, etc. Who will favor this little nameless native with a name? It is a very doubtful compliment, dear uncle, to call some little mischief of a boy—or haply at best some indifferent commonplace man after one that you very highly esteem. But if thee will permit it, it would gratify Elizabeth exceedingly TO CALL HIM 'LLOYD.' And if thee will risk it the promise to do my best to make him a good citizen—an honest man if he lives. If he is like his brother Bethel, thee will not blush for his capacity I think. He is much larger than Bethel was [Bethel lived only 5 years, 1845-1850]. Elizabeth Had A Terrible Night FROM 11 to 3 but this morniing seemed comfortable and very cheerful. Our friend, the rest of us as usual—With a great deal of love to Aunty Hannah, Very Affly thy nephew, J. H. M."

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Lloyd Mifflin, Sr. lived many of his early adult years  on Shoemaker Lane, in Germantown, just outside of Philadelphia. He chose banking as his occupation, but his heart was deeply embedded in the process of invention. He was the inventor of a curious and ingenious carpet-weaving machine, which fell just short of being celebrated. Lloyd also invented an improved version of a sun-dial. Both of these inventions were mentioned in a History of Germantown Road. Later, in 1816, he moved to Philadelphia where his banking interests demanded more of his time and attention. In April 1823, Lloyd married Hannah Hacker in Gloucester, New Jersey. Hannah passed in 1863 at the age of 78. The Hacker family was from Salem, Massachusetts.

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Lloyd Sr. is included here not only because John Houston Mifflin named a son after him, but because Lloyd Sr. was such a supportive force to John's choice in a life of the arts—support he likely didn't receive from his own father or other Mifflins. That same encouragement and support was, in turn, shown to his own son, Lloyd, Jr. John Houston Mifflin nor Lloyd Mifflin, Jr. would not have been the men they turned out to be without Lloyd, Sr's influence.​​