The Powers were a proud family of prominence, having been among the first settlers in Providence after Roger Williams founded the colony in 1636. The Power name, specifically “Nicholas Power,” descended as far as seven generations, ending with Sarah Helen Whitman’s younger brother, Nicholas Power VII. He died in infancy and the generational name died with him.

Many of the Nicholas Powers were seafaring men, many of whom had died at sea. One of the first Power men to be buried in soil was Nicholas Power III, who died in 1734 and is buried at the North Burial Ground. His son, Nicholas Power IV, was lost at sea, but had three children before his death. Those children were Mary, Ann, and Captain Nicholas Power V. All of whom are buried at the North Burial Ground in the Power family lot with Sarah Helen Whitman.

Captain Nicholas Power V married Rebecca Cory Power in 1766. They had three daughters and a son, Nicholas Power VI (Whitman’s father). Whitman was born and raised for the first five years of her life in her grandparents’ house. They were a major influence on her in those primitive years. Whitman gained a lot of her grandfather’s personality. He was said to be very smart, witty, kind, caring, tender, and strong. He had a deep affection for his children and grandchildren.

Whitman’s grandmother, Rebecca, was an avid gardener. She taught her granddaughters how to raise and keep a beautiful garden. Whitman was known for her green thumb throughout her whole life. Many Providence folks admired the beautiful flower beds that Whitman grew, and they often asked her for advice for growing and maintaining their own gardens. As we know, Whitman grew a rose garden so beautiful that Edgar Allan Poe himself immortalized it in a poem, calling it “an enchanted garden.” Rebecca Power died on October 29, 1825.