Richard M. Pancoast

Richard Montgomery Pancoast Sr. was born around 1850 in New Jersey. He was a brother of prominent Camden lawyer David Pancoast, and at the time of the 1880 Census, resided with him at 503 Cooper Street in Camden.

On November 15, 1882 Richard M. Pancoast married Laura Tomb Stockham, daughter of Charles F. Stockham. By 1887 they had moved to 205 Cooper Street. The City directories of Camden from 1887 through 1891 indicate that he was a commission merchant in Philadelphia. The Pancoast family began adding children, and at least five children were born, Charles, Richard, Laura, Mary, and James.

It would appear that Richard Pancoast enjoyed making toys for his young children to play with. He was on April 11, 1901 issued the first patent for the use of a combination yoyo (bandalore) and top. It was made from wood and had a very interesting shape. This was a “Design” patent instead of a “Utility” patent, which leads one to believe that yoyo-tops were known already and this shape was considered unique, not the idea of the combination. He had other patents, including one for the green corn scraper.

Richard Pancoast later moved to the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Oldest son Charles became a physician, Richard Jr. a lawyer. Richard Pancoast died in 1917, survived by his wife and children. He was buried at Friends Cemetery in Mullica Hill NJ.