Edward L. Patterson

EDWARD LAWRENCE. PATTERSON died alone in Cherry Hill on March 5, 2006, 12 days after his 77th birthday. A bachelor, he had outlived his immediate family, and had lost contact with the family of his deceased brother. With no will and one to claim his body, he would have been buried in an unmarked grave at the Camden County potter’s field at Lakeland, in Gloucester Township, if not for the intercession of Merchantville funeral director Jeff Brown. A veteran and member of the American Legion, Mr. Brown discovered that Edward Patterson was an Army veteran, and arranged to have him buried with full honors at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown NJ.

Edward Lawrence Patterson was born in Philadelphia on February 21, 1929 to William Patterson and his wife, the former Annie Mary Conley. He lived in the city through at least 1995, from 1969 until then at 52 North 33rd Street. I probably passed him in the street or at Cartun Hardware on Federal Street dozens of times. In any event, Jeff Brown and I both felt that Mr. Patterson, in a way representing a very large number of men who led ordinary lives, but, with no family to remember them, disappear into the mists of time, deserved a better deal. Mr. Brown turned what papers and photographs that were found in Mr. Patterson’s possession at the time of his death. I spent a few days scanning them and trying to put them into some sort of cohesive order, and also spent time researching his family history. What you will find on this page is his story and that if his family, as best as I could piece it together.

With any luck a friend, schoolmate, or distant relative will find this page. If so, PLEASE contact me by e-mail.

Phil Cohen
Camden NJ
November 2006

John J. Conley, 63, head
Alice Conley, 67, wife
Anna M. Patterson, 33, daughter
Margaret M. Patterson, 2-5/12, granddaughter
Edward L. Patterson, 1-2/12, grandson

Anna M. Patterson stated that she was married. William Patterson, however, was not living here.

A bank book for an account opened in 1946 shows the name Anna Mary Patterson. The only logical explanation that I can deduce from the presence of the papers and pictures in Edward Patterson’s effect is that David was his younger brother, quite possibly a half-brother, as William Patterson’s name does not show on the document below with the baby’s thumb- and footprint.

In front of Central Pier in Atlantic City NJ. At left is grandfather John Conley. One of the women is probably his wife Alice. I’m guessing John Conley, who was born in 1863, to be at least 65 in this picture.

“Aunt Edna too My Niece Mary”

Photos probably taken in front of 422 South 6th Street, Camden NJ

After getting out of the military, Edward L. Patterson worked in Philadelphia at the port at the Pennsylvania Sugar refinery.

I’m guessing that Ed Patterson wrote this in the late 1960s.

Edward L. Patterson lists his house at 52 North 33rd Street for Sale with Zinman Realtors