Born in Baltimore, Benjamin was the third child born to Reubenand Frances Gratz Etting. His was partof a less affluent (though by no means destitute) branch of thelarge, prominent Gratz-Etting family, centered in Baltimore andPhiladelphia.

Likehis uncle Solomon, Benjamin became amerchant. He established himself in Philadelphia and was involved inwhat has been termed the Old China Trade, commerce between the earlyrepublic and the Qing Empire under the Canton System. Exporting goodslike furs, metals, grains and ginseng from Appalachia, the Americantraders would, in turn, import porcelains, tea, spices, textiles andfurniture. At twenty-four Etting set sale for Canton and he remainedthere for three years, until 1825.

Heremained very close with his extended family, including cousins andaunts and uncles in Baltimore. A letter from his aunt Sally,written soon after his return from China, demonstrates her affectionfor him, her familiarity with his business, and the novelty andexcitement of the items he has brought back from his voyage. “Haveyou sold all your goods,” she asks, “and have you done well bythem?”

I believe no one takes a more sincere interest in you than your poorold Aunt Sal. Have you many chests of tea such as my brother[Solomon] got from you, and what is the price? He tells me he don’tknow as the chest was a present from you to Rachel[Gratz Etting]. If they are not too high I think it likely I coulddispose of them.

You have not let us know what we owe you on the china. ‘Tis verybeautiful, and every time I look at it I see something new to admire.My dear Ben, bring down a little black tea, for we cannot get such asyou have been drinking…

I have no news to tell you, for in the literal translation of theword I am a very homely girl.

In1830 Etting married Harriet Marx of Richmond, Virginia, daughter ofJoseph and RicheaMyers Marx. Etting sailed for China three more times, in 1831,1835 and 1837. He and Harriet had five children together, whom theyraised in Philadelphia.