Thomas Mumford Seabury (1821-1907) was a Newport bank clerk who established a shoe and boot shop on Thames Street around 1842. He also served as a city council member, state senator and deacon of the Central Baptist Church. As demand and manufacturing changed over time, Seabury enlisted his three sons and, in 1893, incorporated the business as T. Mumford Seabury & Co. The store thrived at 214 Thames Street on the corner of Church Street (now Queen Anne Square across from Starbucks) until 1942 when T. Mumford Seabury, Jr. retired and died the following year. His family members included Rt. Rev. Samuel Seabury, the first Episcopal Bishop of the United States.
The Newport Historical Society’s new reproduction “Seabury” shoe, manufactured by American Duchess Historical Footwear, is part of the Society’s Seabury shoe collection which may have a connection to the T. Mumford Seabury & Co. store.
A 1913 photo showing a parade of apprentice seamen marching on Thames Street (NHS P1074). A sign promoting shoes sold at the T. Mumford Seabury & Co. store sits on the top of the background building.