Through the influence of his uncle, U.S. Envoy to FranceSilas Deane (the husband of his mother's younger sister, Elizabeth Saltonstall),[2] he was a private secretary to Benjamin Franklin during the latter part of his official residence in Paris.
Mumford was also a member of the Société Française de Bienfaisance de New-York (also known as the French Benevolent Society of New York), which was established to help needy French and Swiss immigrants in 1806. In addition to its philanthropy, it was also a social club for its members.[4]
Personal life
On November 2, 1793, Mumford was married to Anna Van Zandt in the Reformed Dutch Church. Together, they were the parents of:[2]
Benjamin Franklin Mumford (1796–1817)
Tobias Van Zandt Mumford (1796–1875), who married Mary Oliver Manwaring of Philadelphia. After her death, he married Catherine Brooks of New York.[2]
After the death of his first wife, he remarried to Letitia Van Toren in 1810. Together, they lived at 23 Broadway and were the parents of:[2]
Gurdon Saltonstall Mumford Jr. (1811–1870), who married Catherine A. Snow (b. 1819) in 1866.[2]
George Clinton Mumford (b. 1812), who died in infancy.[2]
Anne Letitia Mumford (b. 1812), who married John Osgood.[2]
Emma Letitia Mumford (1814–1879), who died unmarried.[2]
George Washington Mumford (b. 1814), who died in infancy.[2]