After his father's death in 1814, Mount was sent to live with his uncle and aunt, Micah (1777–1825) and Letty (c. 1777 – 1835) Hawkins in New York City while his mother moved back to her father's home in Stony Brook. His Uncle Micah was an established composer, playwright, mimic, and poet who played the piano, flute, and violin, who helped inspire Mount's passion for music. Mount returned to his grandfather's farm in 1815, where he stayed until moving back to New York City to work as an apprentice in his older brother Henry's sign and ornamental painting business where he cultivated his artistic skills.