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The Furniss and Furness Families
of Portsmouth and Durham, New Hampshire

Prepared by Sean Furniss

3. Mary2 (Polly) Furniss (Furness, Furnais) (Robert1) She was born 22 July 1766 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and baptized 27 July 1766 at Queen's Chapel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was listed as a sponsor of Sarah Ward, infant daughter of Mr. Samuel Furnald and Wife, who was baptized 4 August 1799. She died at Scarborough, Maine, in August 1851.[16]

She was married by the Reverend Joseph Willard on 20 November 1799 at Queen's Chapel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Nathan Tilton. The New Hampshire Gazette recorded the event: "Married - In this town, Mr. Nathan Tilton, a.m. to Miss Mary Furnais, daughter of Capt. Robert Furnais."[17]

Nathan Tilton was the son of Philip Tilton and Mary Batchelder. The town records for Scarborough, Maine contain the following: Reverend Nathan Tilton was born on 2 July 1772 at East Kingston, New Hampshire, and died on 4 October 1851. He graduated from Harvard in the class of 1796. On 2 October 1800, the trustees of the Second Congregational Church voted to offer Nathan Tilton $400 yearly as a salry or $600 settlement and $360 salary yearly during his ministry. He agreed to accept the position with the settlement and salary and was ordained Pastor of the Second Parish in Scarborough on 10 December 1800. He resigned from his position on 12 December 1827. "His natural character presented a marked combination of amiability and firmness, his clean and vigorous intellect was united with a rare modesty that often hid the charms which enhanced." "As a theologian, an Armenian at the time of his ordination he adopted the Unitarian view of the questions vexed in the New England churches..." "...he found in the Autum of life more than the pleasantness of spring and more than the fruit furness of summer." "...it was fitting that he should now be suffered to rejoin them, and with the falling leaves and dying flowers he has laid down in the dust."[18]

10.iMary F.3 Tilton born 20 January 1800 and died on 11 November 1891 in Bangor, Maine. She was never married. She as admitted as a member of the Second Congregational Church on 5 May 1822. She was mentioned in the will of William P. Furniss (her uncle) dated 26 May 1871, as being his niece, and received a bequest of $2,000 upon his death.[19]
11.iiJohn Furniss Tilton baptized at Scarborough, Maine, on 12 July 1801, a doctor.[20]
12.iiiHenry Augustus, Tilton the first, born 22 May 1803, baptized 2 July 1803, and died 9 May 1805 at Scarborough, Maine.[21]
+13.ivHenry Augustus, Tilton the second, born 19 March 1805, baptized on 19 May 1805 at Scarborough, Maine.
14.vAlmira (Elmira) Tilton born 28 April 1807, baptized 14 June 1807 at Scarborough, Maine, intentions to marry announced 24 August 1838, married 11 September 1838, at Scarborough, Maine, to James McLaughlin of Bangor, Maine.[22]
15.viWilliam Furniss Tilton born 4 November 1809, baptized 26 November 1809 at Scarborough, Maine, intentions to marry Sarah Blake of Kensington, New Hampshire, announced on 7 December 1839.[23]

4. Margaret2 Furniss (Furness) (Robert1) She was born 2 July 1770 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and baptized 8 July 1770 at Queen's Chapel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was married to Arthur B. Rogers. Based upon the baptism records of their children, the family lived in Concord, New Hampshire, in 1800 and in Bembrook, New Hampshire, in 1805.[24]

According to Nathaniel Bouton in The History of Concord in the section about Professional History - Lawyers: "Arthur Rogers, son of Maj. Robert Rogers, opened an office in Concord, 1793, but remained here in practice only a short time. Residing in different places until the death of Capt. Roach, in 1811, he returned to Concord, and was under guardianship - at first of Lewis Downing, and then of Issac Hall. He died not long after leaving Concord, at Portsmouth, in 1841. Arthur Rogers married Elizabeth Furness, and his mother was a Brown, and a daughter of Rev. Arthur Brown, of Portsmouth."[25]

Additional information about Arthur Rogers was found in The Bench and Bar of New Hampshire. "This son of the famous Ranger was probably quite well educated, and studied for the bar with John Sullivan of Durham, and with his cousin, Edward St. Loe Livermore of Concord, in which town he opened an office in 1793. He removed the next year to Barrington, and in 1797 to Pembroke. About the year 1800 he went to Plymouth for two or three years, and then returned to Pembroke. ... then [1812] removed to Concord and occupied the place [his mother's house] until 1832, when he went to Portsmouth. The latter part of his life he did not attempt to practice law; in fact, it is said that he was so exceedingly indiscreet and ignorant of his profession that he was unsafe to intrust with business. Under the blandest of manners he was suspected on concealing a tyrannical disposition."[26]

According to records from the New Hampshire Archives, about 1822, Arthur Brown Rogers was sold a lot of land on the Dark Plain in Concord, New Hampshire. The property records indicate that he was a resident of the island of St. Thomas, West Indies, where he was reported to be a merchant.[27] It is assumed that he was working for his brother-in-law, William Ponsonby Furniss who was established on St. Thomas.

Arthur B. Rogers was the son of Robert Rogers (Robert "The Ranger" Rogers, a hero of the French and Indian War) and Elizabeth Browne. His parents were divorced in 1778. His mother later married John Roche, an Irish shipmaster. She died in 1812.[28]

He was baptized 12 February 1769 at Queen's Chapel, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[29] His grandfather, Rev. Arthur Browne, was the minister who married Margaret Furniss' parents in 1764.

+16.iRobert3 Rogers born in Concord, New Hampshire, baptized 23 August 1795 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, died 2 October 1878, buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, New Hampshire.
17.iiArthur Brown Rogers, child of Arthur Rogers Esqr and Margaret his wife, aged 3 years (born about 1797), baptized 11 June 1800 at Concord, New Hampshire.[30]
18.iiiGeorge Augustus Rogers, child of Arthur Rogers Esqr and Margaret his wife, aged 1 year (born about 1799), baptized 11 June 1800 at Concord, New Hampshire.[31]
19.ivOctavious Theodore Rogers aged 3 years (born about 1802), baptized 5 June 1805 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, his parents, Arthur B. Rogers, Esqr., and wife of Bembrook, were listed as sponsors.[32]

5. John2 Furniss (Furnass, Furness, Furnifs, Furnace) (Robert1) He was born 16 December 1772 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[33] In the musters for the vessel Zealand, he was listed as Josh Furnace from 26 March 1798 until 22 April 1798 when he was discharged to the Wolverine. He was impressed into duty on the Wolverine on 23 April 1798. The Wolverine was an English gun vessel with a compliment of 60 men and began wages at Deptford and sea victualling on 24 February 1798. He was listed in the musters of the Wolverine as Jno Furnifs, prest from the Zealand, 23 April 1798, born in Portsmouth, America, age 25. The last muster which he appeared in from 1 December 1798 - 21 January 1799 indicates that he was from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was "killed in action off Barlogne"(sic) 6 January 1799.[34] Presumed to have been buried at sea.

The following newspaper article describes the last events that occurred in the life of John Furniss. "Died - In England, Mr. John Furness, aged 26, eldest son of Capt. Robert Furness of this town. This gentleman was impressed (owing to his not having a protection, to prove himself an American) about ten months since, from an American built vessel, which had been purchased in England, and was at the time of his impressment English property, under English colours in the African trade. His venerable father on hearing the news, made every exertion in his power, as early as possible, and obtained and forwarded proper documents for obtaining his discharge, but which unhappily did not arrive soon enough to restore him to his anxious friends and native country; having early in the month of January 1799 sailed in the Wolverine British ship of war, under the command of Capt. Mortlock, on a cruise off the coast of France - off Bologne a desparate engagement took place between the Wolverine and two French luggers, the British commander made his vessel fast to those of the enemy, who found means of exchanging a few shots to extricate themselves and made off, both the British and French commanders were killed during the action, and a great number of people on both sides -- in this engagement Mr. Furness was badly wounded, and survived but a few days, he was brave to the last, conscious of having done his duty in chastising the common enemy to mankind."[35]

On 15 October 1800, Margaret Furniss relinquished her right to administer the estate of her son, John Furniss. W. John Lane of London, a merchant, would act in her stead.[36]

6. Rebecca2 Furniss (Furnass) (Robert1) She was married 3 November 1794 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, by Justice of the Peace Nathaniel Adams to Moses Beaujean (Bayjean) of Boston, Massachusetts [Possibly an error. Most likely a resident of Basse Terre, Guadelope, West Indies]. Their marriage was reported in the Columbian Centinel on 15 November 1794.[37]

20.iCharles3 Beaujean baptized 29 November 1795 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His grandfather Capt. Robert Furnass was listed as a sponsor.[38]
21.ii.Moses Beaujean aged 9 months (born about September 1804) baptized 5 June 1805 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[39]

 


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References

[16] Birth Certification for Mary Furness, 22 July 1766, Control No. 027826, City Clerk, Portsmouth, NH, certified copy in possession of writer; Hammond, Vital Records of Queen's Chapel, p. 22 - record for Mary Furniss; Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, Portsmouth, p. 8 - record for Sarah Ward; Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 88-89, entry for death of Nathan Tilton, LDS microfilm 0,012,224, copy of original town records not the transcript, death record includes notation that his wife died two months previous to his death.

[17] Marriage Record for Nathan Tilton and Mary Furnass, New Hampshire Vital Records, copied by Barbara Marden, copy in possession of writer; Hammond, Vital Records of Queen's Chapel, p. 27; New Hampshire Gazette 4 December 1799, p. 3, col. 4.

[18] State's Copy of Records of East Kingston, NH, Town Records, p. 119, entry 40, family of Philip Tilton and his wife Molly, LDS microfilm 0,015,126; Barbara Marden, C.A.L.S., "The Tilton Family", The Essex Genealogist , Vol. 10, No. 2, p. 95; Records of the Second Congregational Church in Scarborough, Maine, p. 128 (typescript) copied 1895 by Augustus Moulton, typed 1926 by S. D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, provides information about the position and salary he was offered as minister; Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 88-89, entry for death of Nathan Tilton, LDS microfilm 0,012,224, copy of original town records his obituary.

[19] "Barbara Marden to author," letter of 21 March 1992, in possession of writer, letter provides information about birth and death; Records of the Second Congregational Church in Scarborough, Maine, p. 132 (typescript) copied 1895 by Augustus Moulton, typed 1926 by S. D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, provides information about membership of Mary F. Tilton; "Will of William Ponsonby Furniss," 26 May 1871, photocopy of original, with subsequent indentures, obtained from Malcolm Furniss and is in possession of writer; probably available in New York court records but this has not been verified.

[20] Records of the Second Congregational Church in Scarborough, Maine, p. 135 (typescript) copied 1895 by Augustus Moulton, typed 1926 by S. D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, provides information about baptism of John Furniss Tilton; "Barbara Marden to author," letter of 21 March 1992, in possession of writer, letter provides information about this individual.

[21] "Barbara Marden to author," letter of 21 March 1992, in possession of writer, letter provides information about Henry Augustus Tilton the first; Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 18, LDS microfilm 0,012,224, copy of original town records provides information about the birth and death of Henry Augustus Tilton the first; Records of the Second Congregational Church in Scarborough, Maine, p. 137 (typescript) copied 1895 by Augustus Moulton, typed 1926 by S. D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, provides information about the baptism of Henry Augustus the first.

[22] Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 18, LDS microfilm 0,012,224, copy of original town records information about the birth of Almira Tilton; Records of the Second Congregational Church in Scarborough, Maine, p. 140 (typescript) copied 1895 by Augustus Moulton, typed 1926 by S. D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, provides information about baptism of Almira Tilton; Town Records for Scarborough, Maine 1817-1879, p. 174 typed by Samuel D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, records marriage of Elmira Tilton and James McLaughlin by Rev. Nathan Tilton, intentions were announced 24 August 1838, p. 227.

[23] Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 18, LDS microfilm 0,012,224, copy of original town records information about birth of William Furniss Tilton; Records of the Second Congregational Church in Scarborough, Maine, p. 141 (typescript) copied 1895 by Augustus Moulton, typed 1926 by S. D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, provides information about baptism of William Tilton; Town Records for Scarborough, Maine 1817-1879, p. 229 typed by Samuel D. Rumery, seen in the Maine Historical Society, Portland, ME, records intentions of marriage.

[24] Birth Certification for Margaret Furness, 2 July 1770, Control No. 027825, City Clerk, Portsmouth, NH; certified copy in possession of writer; Hammond, Vital Records of Queen's Chapel, p. 33; Priscilla Hammond, Marriage Records - St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1795-1884 (tpyescript, 1940), p. 2, Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC; Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 10, 20, baptism records for Robert Rogers, Arthur Rogers, Octavious Rogers and George Rogers.

[25] Nathaniel Bouton, The History of Concord (Concord, NH: Benning W. Sanborn, 1856), p. 719, Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC.

[26] Charles H. Bull, The Bench and Bar of New Hampshire (Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1894), p. 614, Library of the Church of the Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City.

[27] Quit Claim Deed from Margaret Furniss to Arthur Brown Rogers, NH Deeds, NH Archives, Records Department, Vol. 234, p. 292-3, copied by Carol Connell, copy in possession of writer.

[28] Jack Palmer to author, electronic mail dated 1 Oct 1991, printed copy of mail in possession of writer. Letter cites various references about Robert Rogers, his family and his historic exploits; Bull, The Bench and Bar of New Hampshire, p. 614, information about his mother included.

[29] Hammond, Vital Records of Queen's Chapel, p. 31. The record of his parents marriage on 30 June 1761 can be found on p. 49 of this reference.

[30] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 10.

[31] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 10

[32] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 20

[33] Birth Certification for John Furnass, 16 December 1772, Control No. 027824, City Clerk, Portsmouth, NH, certified copy in possession of writer; Priscilla Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1795-1884 (typescript, 1940), p. 1, Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC, baptism record for Robert Rogers lists his parents names.

[34] "Admiralty Record for Josh Furnace," Musters for the Zealand 1797-1798, ADM36 12304, Public Records Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU, England, United Kingdom, abstract of records provided by Joan Crostwaithe, writer's aunt.

[35] New Hampshire Gazette 13 August 1799, p. 3, col. 5.

[36] Carl W. Barge to author, 29 Oct. 1991, letter references Administration of the estate of John Furness of Portsmouth - #6747 O.S. Letter in possession of writer.

[37] "Marriage record for Moses Beaujean and Rebecca Furnass," 3 November 1794, City Clerk, Portsmouth, NH, copy in possession of writer; Columbian Centinel (Boston, MA) 15 November 1794, p. 3, col. 1, Control # 2898, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[38] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, Portsmouth, p. 2.

[39] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, Portsmouth, p. 20.


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[Furniss Vohs HomePage] [Name Index] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index]

The Furniss and Furness Families
of Portsmouth and Durham, New Hampshire

Prepared by Sean Furniss

 

8. William Ponsonby2 Furniss (Furness) (Robert1) He was born 16 July 1790 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He died due to prostrate enlargement and abscess (20 days) and inflammation of the ascending colon and peritonitis (4 days) on 29 October 1871 at New York City. His death was reported in the newspaper as follows: died "... on Sunday morning, Oct. 29, at his residence, West 100th St., Bloomingdale, William P. Furniss. The friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, at St. Michael's Church, 100th St. and Broadway, at 2 1/2 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 1, without further invitation." He was buried at Trinity Cemetery, New York City, in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division, which he purchased 28 November 1865.[40]

William P. Furniss probably maintained a residence in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, until about the 1840's even while doing business in the West Indies. It is difficult to say where he lived between 1810 and 1820 but it is probable that part of these years were passed in Guadelope, West Indies, particularly since he was apparently married there. This is confirmed by the letter his son William Furniss wrote stating "My father was formerly a resident of Guadeloupe ..." While it is not possible to determine the exact years of his residence in St. Thomas, West Indies, it is probable that it included the time from the birth of his son William Furniss in 1821-1822 to 1833, the year when his son Hartman Kunn Furniss was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. On 23 May 1830, William arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the brigantine Caracas from St. Thomas. He was listed as being a 45 year old merchant accompanied by his servant John, age 25, from St. Thomas.[41]

In 1834, he lived in a home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Middle Street, which ran from Congress Street (Islington) by the Plains to Greenland. The family home in New York City, was listed as 11 Bond St. (located in the 15th Ward) from 1850 to 1872. His office was located at 35 Wall St. from 1861 until his death in 1871. His wife Sophia lived at Brevoorth House in 1873, then at 413 Fifth Ave, New York City, from 1874 until her death in May 1878.

William P. Furniss resided in St. Thomas for a number of years, where he was a businessman dealing in the West Indies trade and a supplier to passing vessels. The ship's manifest for the brigantine Mary which arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 16 April 1822, from the island of St. Thomas, listed the following cargo shipped by W. P. Furniss & Co.: 60 hogsheads of sugar, 1 barrel anis, 1 basket cassava, 1 barrel oranges, 1 box claret and 1 box Madeira wine.[42]

He apparently tried without success over a number of years, from 1822 to 1832, to obtain the position of American consul on St. Thomas. In a letter of 27 December 1822 supporting him for the position of American consul, merchants in New York City wrote that William Ponsonby Furniss "... has been for a number of years, a resident merchant at that island [St. Thomas] ..." In a 12 July 1832 letter to Edward Livingston, Secretary of State, the presidents of eight New York City marine insurance companies wrote that William Ponsonby Furniss of St. Thomas had been appointed their agent the past year and that they recommended his appointment as U.S. consul at St. Thomas. A review of the list of U.S. Consular Officers, 1789-1939, found no record of his ever having been appointed as consul in St. Thomas.[43]

He did succeed in obtaining the position of navy agent where he supplied the American naval vessels and then received a percentage of the amount expended. His business with the Navy lasted for many years and continued even after his return to New York City. He was addressed by the Navy as William P. Furniss, Esqr., New York of the firm Wm. P. Furniss & Co., Navy Agents, St. Thomas, as late as 1845.[44]

Robert L. Patterson wrote to Edward Livingston, Secretary of State, on 14 July 1832 to request William Ponsonby Furniss' appointment as U.S. consul at St. Thomas and noted "... I had the honor to introduce him to you last fall - at that time the Honorable Mr. Lutz of the Navy granted Furniss authority to act for that Department ..." His son, William Furniss, reported, in a letter of 28 May 1853, that his father was Navy Agent in St. Thomas.[45]

His appointment as Navy agent was confirmed by Navy Department in a letter of 17 October 1831. "Sir. In the event of any of the United States vessels of war, belonging to the West India Squadron, visiting the Island of St. Thomas, you are hereby authorized to furnish them with supplies, as they may lawfully require; for which you will be reimbursed by the proper officers of the Squadron, or by this Department, and allowed four per cent commission."[46] His commission was reduced to 2.5% in April 1833 and to 1% in January 1845.

The 1870 census lists his occupation as stockbroker. His death certificate lists his occupation in 1871 as gentleman. William P. Furniss made a significant amount of money in his business ventures. A look at the taxed items of the special luxury tax during the Civil War indicated that he was a man of some wealth. A review of the Assessment Lists of the Federal Bureau of Internal Revenue showed that on 7 April 1864, he was taxed $275.04 for $7138 of income, 2 one horse carriages, 1 two horse carriage, 1 billiard table and 1130 oz. of silver plate.[47]

"William P. Furniss acquired a plot along the southern boundary of the tract, and thereon he constructed the mansion with Corinthian columns, surrounded by acacias, now standing on the block between 99th and 100th streets, West End Avenue and Riverside Drive. One of its most characteristic features is an oval dining room, covering most of the ground floor, which was in former years the scene of many banquets. At Furniss' death in 1871, the plot was devised to his wife and six children, share and share alike, and the house with land surrounding it still remains in the family. It is now [1908] occupied by a colony of artists." The home known as the "White House" was sold in 1909 for $1,000,000. [48]

William P. Furniss of Portsmouth was reported to have married Sophia Huber (Hubber), of Philadelphia, in 1820 at Bassaterre, Guadelope in the West Indies. W. P. Furniss wrote that "she was born in Philadelphia, state of Pennsylvania." She was born between the years 1799 and 1803. Her passport application of 15 December 1857, was submitted by her husband and describes her as follows: Age 58, stature 5 feet 5 inches, forehead regular, eyes blue, nose small, mouth small, chin round and hair brown.[49]

Sophia Huber died of bronchitis on 3 May 1878 at 413 5th Avenue, New York City, and was buried 5 May 1878 at Trinity Cemetery, New York City, in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division.[50]

Sophia Huber was an independent traveler. The earliest record of Sohpia's travels was recorded on the passenger list for the brigantine Mary which arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from St. Thomas on 16 April 1822. Sophia was accompanied by a child (presumed to be her son William) and unnamed servant. Her baggage consisted of beds and bedding, three trunks, three [unreadable] boxes, one [unreadable], one basket, two boxes containing remnants of [appears to be Mays, assumed to be maize/corn], one box claret, one box raisins, one box nuts, one bag almonds, and remnant of case of gin. Three dozen coconuts.[51]

She was reported as arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 23 May 1829, on the ship Canton Packet from St. Thomas. She was listed as being 30 years of age, and was accompanied by her daughter Sophia - age 5, her son Gardner - age 1 1/2, and two unnamed servants, one of whom was accompanied by a 6 year old son.[52]

On 10 October 1838, Edward Funk, master of the ship Erie, listed Sophia and her children Sophia, Margaret and Gardner as passengers on his trip from Havre, France to New York, New York.[53] It is interesting to note that she was unaccompanied by her husband, oldest child William (who was attending Harvard at this time), and her two young sons Robert and Hartman.(who would have been ages 6 and 4 respectively). One can only assume that Sophia had left the two younger boys at home with their nannies while she traveled to Europe.

A woman named Mary Hubber was buried in the Furniss family vault on 26 November 1871. The New York Times reported her death as Mrs. Mary B. Hubber, a sister of Mrs. Wm. P. Furniss. She is probably a sister of Sophia Huber Furniss but may have been her sister-in-law. Mary Hubber was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, about 1801 (based upon her age reported at death). She died of pneumonia at age 70 on 24 November 1871 at the country home of William P. Furniss at 100 St. and 10th Ave, New York City.[54]

It is believed that her father was Issac Huber, a sea captain who resided at 112 Walnut St. in Philadelphia. He is believed to have died about 1804 since his will was proved 26 September 1804 with his wife Sophia Huber being the executrix and sole legatee. William King married Eliza Huber (believed to be the sister of Sophia Huber, Willam P. Furniss' wife) at Christ Church in Philadelphia on 2 December 1820. A William King, a clerk working at Moyamen Bank, resided at 186 South 9th Street in Philadelphia in 1842.[55]

William P. Furniss' will of 26 May 1871 gave "... to my wife, Sophia Furniss my house and lot No. 11 Bond Street, where I now live, ... also my country place at Bloomingdale, ... and the dwelling-house, stables and outbuildings, which place lies between Ninety-ninth and One hundreth Streets and the Eleventh and Twelfth Avenues, and contains about sixty lots of land, ... all my furniture, silver, plate, linen, paintings, statuary, engravings, works of art and books, ... I give to William C. Rogers, Five thousand dollars, and to my niece Mary F. Tilton, Two thousand dollars ..."[56] The remainder of his estate he divided up into shares which were used to provide an income to his children. It is possible that the William C. Rogers mentioned in this will could be a descendant of his sister Margaret Furniss Rogers but there is no evidence to indicate any relationship.

The bulk of the estate of William P. Furniss was left in trust so that his children received income but not any of the principal of the estate. Over a period of time this resulted in several legal actions over control of the funds of the estate. The first action took place in February 1874 when Leon Furniss initiated legal action on his father's estate. A short news article was printed, 2 February 1874, discussing the pending litigation regarding the estate of William P. Furniss. It indicated that the estate pledged as securities 1000 shares of New York Central and Hudson River Railroad stock, 1000 shares of Rock Island and 1500 shares of Lake Shore. A story on 18 March 1874 stated "THE FURNISS WILL CASE - On Monday last, Judge Van Brunt rendered a decision and ordered judgement for the plantiff in the case of Leon Furniss, plantiff, against the Executors of the estate of William P. Furniss, deceased, defendants. This decision makes a construction of the will of W. Furniss, and requires a partition of the estate, which, when carried into effect, will bring a large amount of valuable property into the market, including over 200 lots in the vicinity of Riverside Park, and other properties located on Wall and Broad streets."[57]

A second legal action occurred when Leon Furniss died and an indenture was placed on the funds on 23 May 1878 to provide for his widow Louise M. Furniss. A third action took place on 31 July 1882 after William Furniss died without leaving a will. This action took place to provide benefits to the wife (Louise Evelyn Chollet) and children (Grace Livingston Furniss and William P. Furniss ) of William Furniss. The fourth legal action took place to designate a new trustee for the funds assigned to Louise Eveyln Chollet, Grace Livingston Furniss and William P. Furniss. A fifth action took place when the Supreme Court in New York City entered an action on 30 April 1915 which would guarantee the interests of William P. Furniss and Grace Livingston Furniss. According to legal documents filed in regard to the estate of William Ponsonby Furniss only his son William Furniss had any children.[58]

The conflict over the estate of William P. Furniss was described in several newspaper articles. On 22 March 1912 the following information was reported in the New York Times: "TRUCE AGREED TO BY FURNISS HEIRS ... Steps toward the compromise of conflicting claims over the estate of William Ponsonby Furniss ... will probably prevent the $40,000,000 estate of the West Indian merchant from being the subject of lengthy litigation. ... The Furniss fortune was amassed originally in the West Indian trade by sailing vessels out of Portsmouth, N. H. It amounted to but $1,000,000 when Mr. Furniss, its founder, died in 1871. Its great increase was due to the inflation of New York realty values by augmentation of population. Mr. Furniss bought New York realty for investment. One of his holdings was six blocks in Riverside Drive, now built up with apartment houses."[59]

In an article published 3 February 1915, the New York Times stated: "$40,000,000 ESTATE SHRUNK TO $1,000,000 ... When Mr. Furniss died, he left a will that provided that his estate be divided into trust fund for the benefit of his widow, his three sons, ... and his three daughters, ... It also provided that the daughters should inherit the shares of the sons if they died first and that the children of the sons should not share in the estate." The New York Times reported on the will of Sophia Furniss in an article on 12 May 1878: "MRS. SOPHIA FURNISS' WILL - The will of the late Mrs. Sophia Furniss, executed July 16, 1873, was filed yesterday for probate in the Surrogate's office. The testatrix gives to the Home for the Aged of the Church of the Holy Communion $10,000; to her daughter, Sophia R. C. Furniss, all her silver-ware, household furniture, and personal effects; to each of her sons $20,000. The remainder of her estate she devises to her daughters. The executors are Jacob D. Vermilye, Charles Moran, and Sophia R. C. and Clementine Furniss."[60]

The 1870 census lists the following persons with the surname of Furniss at 11 Bond St., New York City: William, age 80, stockbroker; Sophia, age 65, wife; Sophia, age 40; Martha, age 19; Clementina, age 17; William, age 50, lawyer; and Hartman, age 40.[61] The ages listed in the census are wrong based upon their reported years of birth.. Since this is the only reference found to a Martha found in this family association, it is believed that this is either a reference to Margaret Elizabeth Furniss (who was born in November 1829 and who would have been 40 years old during the 1870 census) or another child for whom there are no other records. Because Margaret did not marry until 1871 and the uncertain status of Martha, Martha has not been listed as a child of William and Sophia.

+22.iWilliam3 Furniss born 23 June 1821 at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, died 14 April 1882 at New York City.
+23.iiSophia R. C. Furniss believed to have been born about 1824-1825, probably in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, died 11 February 1912 at Lenox, Massachusetts.
+24.iiiGardner Furniss born about November or December 1827, probably on the island of St. Thomas, died 13 December 1862 in New York City.
+25.ivMargaret Elizabeth Furniss born 7 November 1829, baptized 7 July 1830 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, died 16 March 1918 at New York City.
26.vRobert Livingston Patterson Furniss born 3 December 1831, baptized 9 February 1834 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Although he apparently served with the Union forces in 1862, no military service record for him has yet been found in the National Archives records. He was reported to have been "... wounded in the Battle of Malvern Hill near James River, Virginia." He died "On Tuesday morning, July 8 [1862], at his father's residence, Bloomingdale, 103d-st and 11th-av. ..." The funeral took place on 10 July 1862, at St. Michaels Church in Bloomingdale. Originally buried at St. Thomas' Church, New York, New York, body moved to Trinity Cemetery in 1866 and placed in the Furniss family vault.[62]
+27.viHartman Kunn Furniss born 2 December 1833, baptized 9 February 1834 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, died 16 November 1878 at New York, New Hampshire, buried at Trinity Cemetery 19 November 1878, body removed 31 May 1880, reburied at the Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, New Hampshire.
+28.vii.Leon Furniss born 23 December 1839 at New York City, died 27 July 1877 at New York City, buried at Trinity Cemetery.
+29.viii.Clementina Furniss born 23 November 1844 at New York City, died 23 August 1915 at Lenox, Massachusetts, buried at Trinity Cemetery, New York City.

9. Patrick2 Furness (unknown1) He died 9 November 1814 at Durham, New Hampshire. Although his parents names are not known at this time, it is known that he was the nephew of Robert Furniss of Portsmouth. In a land transaction made on 15 July 1775, the following information is recorded "...I Robert Furnis of Portsmouth in the County of Rockingham & Province of New Hampshire, Trader, in consideration of the natural love & affection which I bear to Patrick Furnis of said Portsmouth Mariner, my Brother's son..." in a transaction for two tracts of land in Grafton Co., New Hampshire. One of the tracts of land is part of the land grant given to Robert Furniss of Portsmouth and the remainder of which was reported in Robert's estate after his death. Patrick later transferred this land to his son William Furness.[63]

He was listed as being a mariner and resident of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in warrants issued on 13 and 20 July 1767. Patrick requested the first warrant after John Salter attacked him "... with force and arms made an assalitt [sic] on the body ... beat, wounded, & evilly [sic] treated & abused ... with clubs, sticks, & with his fists, strike, beat, bruise & abuse ... hurt, wounded, disabled, weakened & his life endangered ..." Patrick took further legal action against John Salter, master of the schooner Fox, for failing to pay the wages he was due for sailing from the Port of Piscataqua to Barbados, then to North Carolina and back to Portsmouth. While the vessel was in Barbados the vessel took on a cargo of rum and sugar. In North Carolina the vessel took on a cargo of pitch and tar, then sailed back to the Port of Piscataqua. After the voyage, John Salter owed Patrick Furniss seven pounds and ten shillings which he refused to pay.[64]

He is believed to be the Patrick Furness who signed a petition against the proposed change in road location at Durham on 21 May 1792. Patrick was taxed in Durham from 1783 until his death.[65] The 1790 Cenus listed 1 free white male over 16, 3 free white males under 16, and 2 free white females in the household of Patrick Furnass of Durham.

His first wife was Hannah Hanson. She was born on 29 August 1746 and died January 1808. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Hanson (born 6 April 1726, died 6 December 1782) and Anne Hodgdon (died 5 August 1803). Her grandparents were Thomas Hanson and Margaretta Maul. Her great grandparents were Thomas Hanson and Mercy. Her great great grandparents were Thomas Hanson and Mary.[66]

His second wife's name was Mary [-?-]. She was born in 1752 and died on 19 February 1831 at Durham, New Hampshire.

Stackpole and Meserve believed Patrick Furness to be the father of Edward and Robert. Canney also cites Patrick as the father of both Edward and Robert in his reference to early marriages in Strafford County.[67] I would agree with this because he was the only one I found in Durham who would fit the dates to be their parent.

+30iWilliam3 Furness born by 1780.
+31.iiEdward Furness born 19 June 1786, died 5 January 1822.
+32.iiiRobert Furness born 11 May 1788, died 27 March 1840 at Durham, New Hampshire.

 


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References

[40] Birth Certification for William Ponsonby Furniss, 16 July 1790, Control No. 027823, City Clerk, Portsmouth, NH, certified copy in possession of writer; Death Certificate for William P. Furniss, 29 Oct 1871, Certificate 100546, Department of Records and Information Services, Municipal Archives, 31 Chambers St., New York, NY 10007, certified copy in possession of writer; New York Times (New York, NY) 31 Oct. and 1 Nov. 1871, p. 5, col. 5/6, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author, 4 Aug. 1988. Original in possession of writer.

[41] "William Furniss to William H. Leonard, Secretary of State," 19 Nov. 1862, Letters of Application and Recommendation During the Administration of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, 1861-1869, Microfilm M650, Roll 18, frames 1110-1111, National Archives, Washington, DC; Passenger list for the brigintine Caracas 23 May 1830, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pa., 1800-1882, Microfilm M425, Roll 45, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[42] Manifest for the brigintine Mary 16 April 1822, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pa., 1800-1882, Microfilm M425, Roll 32, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[43] "New York merchants to John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State," 27 Dec. 1822, Letters of Application and Recommendation During the Administration of James Monroe, 1817-1825, Microfilm M439, Roll 7, frames 96-106, National Archives, Washington, DC; "Marine insurance companies to Edward Livingston, Secretary of State," 12 July 1832, Letters of Application and Recommendation During the Administration of Andrew Jackson, 1829-1837, Microfilm M639, Roll 8, frame 389, National Archives, Washington, DC; List of U.S. Consular Officers, 1789-1939, Microfilm M587, Roll 17, Frames 28-29, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[44] Letters Sent by Secretary of Navy to Commandants and Navy Agents, 1805-1865, Microfilm M441, Rolls 2, 3 and 4, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[45] "Robert L. Patterson to Edward Livingston, Secretary of State," 14 July 1832, Letters of Application and Recommendation During the Administration of Andrew Jackson, 1829-1837, Microfilm M639, Roll 8, frame 393-395, National Archives, Washington, DC; "William Furniss to ______ ," 28 May 1853, Letters of Applications and Recommendations during the Administration of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan, 1853-1861, Microfilm M967, Roll 18, National Archives, Washington, DC reference made to his father's work as Navy Agent on St. Thomas; Passport Application of William Furniss, Passport Letters, April 1, 1847 - June 30, 1847, passport 1739, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC, also references William Ponsonby Furniss' work in the public service of the United States on the island of St. Thomas.

[46] Miscellaneous Letters Sent by the Secretary of the Navy, 1798-1886, Volume 18, Page 327, Microfilm M209, Roll 7, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[47] 1870 U.S. Census, New York, Microfilm 593,Roll 1033, National Archives, Washington, DC; Assessment Lists of the Federal Bureau of Internal Revenue, 1862-1866, Microfilm M603, Roll T-65, frames 0190, 0447 and 0806, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[48] Hopper Striker Mott, The New York of Yesterday. A Descriptive Narrative of Old Bloomingdale (New York and London, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1908), p. 20-21, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 122 East 58th St., New York, NY; The World (New York City, NY), undated article about 1911-1912, "Aged Women Win in Contest over A Huge Estate", photocopy in possesion of writer.

[49] Columbian Centinel (Boston, MA) 12 July 1820, p. 2, col. 4, Control # 2898, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Passport Application of Sophia Furniss, Passport Letters, Vol. 143, Dec. 1, 1857 - Dec. 31, 1857, passport 3941, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; Passport Application of Sophia Furniss, Passport Letters, Vol. 143, Dec. 1, 1857 - Dec. 31, 1857, passport 3941, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; Passenger list for the ship Erie arriving 10 Oct. 1838 at New York, NY, Microfilm M237, Roll 39, National Archives, Washington, DC; based upon her stated age of 58 in the 1857 passport application her approximate year of birth would be 1799 and based upon her stated age of 35 on the passenger ship list of 1838 her approximate year of birth would be 1803; Passport Application of Sophia Furniss, Passport Letters, Vol. 143, Dec. 1, 1857 - Dec. 31, 1857, passport 3941, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[50] New York Times 6 May 1878, p. 8, col. 4; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988, original in possession of writer.

[51] Manifest for the brigintine Mary 16 April 1822, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pa., 1800-1882, Microfilm M425, Roll 32, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[52] Passenger list for the ship Canton Packet 23 May 1829, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pa., 1800-1882, Microfilm M425, Roll 44, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[53] Passenger list for the ship Erie arriving 10 Oct. 1838 at New York, NY, Microfilm M237, Roll 39, National Archives, Washington, DC

[54] New York Times 25 Nov. 1871, p. 5, col. 5.

[55] The New Trade Directory for Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA: Way and Groff, 1799), p. 148, microfilm, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia; Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania [Abstract of Philadelphia Wills, Part VIII] (Philadelphia, PA: Genealogical Society of PA, 1901), Vol. 62, p. 3488, File No. 84 Huber, Isaac, Will - Vol. 1, p. 240, Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution; Marriage of William King and Eliza Huber, Christ Church Records, Vol. VII, Philadelphia, PA, typescript, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA; Philadelphia City Directory, 1842, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA.

[56] New York City Wills 1851-1875: William P. Furniss, pr. 2 Nov. 1871, Book 202, p. 216.

[57] New York Times 2 Feb. 1874, p. 8, col. 4; New York Times 18 Mar. 1874, p. 8, col. 6.

[58] Transcript of a lawsuit filed by Irving Trust Company against Clinton C. Furniss and his family, Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, 21 Nov. 1938; the lawsuit has attachments for the indentures that were made to the will of William Ponsonby Furniss, typescript in the possession of Malcolm Furniss, photocopied by the writer.

[59] New York Times 22 Mar. 1912, p. 18, col. 3.

[60] New York Times 3 Feb. 1915, p. 11, col. 5; New York Times 12 May 1878, p. 9, col. 1; New York City Will Book 255:384.

[61] 1870 U.S. Census, 2nd enumeration, 12 th ED, 15th Ward, New York City, NY, p.64, line __, Microfilm M593, Roll 1033

[62] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 49; lists dates for both birth and baptism; New York Evening Post, 8 July 1862; New York Times, 9 July 1862, p. 5, col. 4; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988, original in possession of writer.

[63] Everett S. Stackpole and Winthrop S. Meserve, History of the Town of Durham, New Hampshire (n.p.: n. pub., n.d.), Vol. II, p. 200, seen in the Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, DC; Warranty Robert Furnis to Patrick Furnis, Grafton County land records, typed transcription of the original record, New Hampshire Archives, Records Management, Concord, New Hampshire, copied by Carol Connell, copy in possession of writer; Index Grafton County Records, entry for Patrick Furniss, dated 19 August 1796.

[64] Warrant # 19200 for the arrest of John Salter, dated 13 July 1767 and 20 July 1767, photocopy in possession of the writer.

[65] New Hampshire Provincal and State Papers, Vol. 11, p. 595; Stackpole and Meserve, History of the Town of Durham, New Hampshire, Vol. II, p. 200.

[66] Robert S. Canney, The Early Marriages of Strafford County, New Hampshire 1630-1850 (Bowie, MD: Hertiage Books, Inc., 1991), p. 186; The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. VI, 1852, p. 329-331, Library of Congress, photocopy in possession of the writer.

[67] Stackpole and Meserve, History of the Town of Durham, New Hampshire, Vol. II, p. 200; Canney, The Early Marriages of Strafford County, New Hampshire 1630-1850, p. 186.


[Furniss Vohs Home Page] [Furniss Vohs Name Indexes] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index] -----------------------------1841228196282936902791717456 Content-Disposition: form-data; name="userfile"; filename="Furniss05.html" Content-Type: text/html Furniss/Furness Families of NH - Part 5 of 10

[Furniss Vohs HomePage] [Name Index] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index]

The Furniss and Furness Families
of Portsmouth and Durham, New Hampshire

Prepared by Sean Furniss

 

13. Henry Augustus3 Tilton (Mary2, Robert1) He was born at Scarborough, Maine, on 19 March 1805. The Scarborough town records indicate that he served as a selectman during 1854 and 1855. Intentions of marriage are recorded in the town records for 1832, when Henry Augustus Tilton and Eunice B. Marshall recorded their intentions of marriage on 24 March 1832.[68]

Although the transcripts of the town records shows that there were six children attributed to this family, I was only able to document the first four in the original records.[69]

33.iHelen Augusta4 Tilton born 14 July 1833.
34.iiMaria Louisa Tilton born 30 September 1835.
35.iiiMargaret Furness Tilton born 21 August 1837.
36.ivJohn F. Tilton born 22 March 1840.
37.vNathan Tilton born 5 May 1843.
38.viAlmira Tilton born 24 July 1845.

 

16. Robert3 Rogers (Margaret2, Robert1) He was born in Concord, New Hampshire, and was baptized 23 August 1795 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His parents and his grandfather, Capt. Robt. Furnass, were listed as his sponsors at his baptism. He died 2 October 1878, aged 83 years, 6 months, and is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, New Hampshire.[70]

He was married to Sarah Lane. She was born about January 1797. She was from Gloucester. She died on 29 June 1882, aged 85 years, 6 months, and is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, New Hampshire [71]

Robert and Sarah came to Derry in 1835 when their son James was 2 yrs old.[72]

+39.iJames4 Rogers born 31 March 1833 in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
40.iiGeorge A. Rogers born about March 1835, died on 26 July 1840, aged 5 years, 4 months.

 

22. William3 Furniss (William Ponsonby2, Robert1) He was born 23 June 1821 on the island of St. Thomas in the West Indies (now part of the U.S. Virgin Islands).[73] In his passport application of 1847, he says that he "... was born on the island of St. Thomas in the West Indies. That at the time of said birth my father held an office under the Public Service of the United States in said Island." The location of birth was also noted in his application for a government appointment on 6 September 1861, when he wrote "... I was born in the island of St. Thomas." His passport application of 26 April 1847 describes him as follows: Age 26, stature 5 feet 10 1/2 inches, forehead high, eyes blue, nose aguiline, mouth small, chin round, complexion fair, face oval and hair chestnut. [74]

He died due to paralysis hemiplagia (which he had for 5 years) on 14 April 1882 at Grand Central Hotel, New York City. His death announcement in the New York Times read as follows "Died. On Friday, April 14, 1882, William, son of the late William P. Furniss. The friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services at St. Mary's Church, Manhattanville, on Monday morning, the 17th inst., at 10 o'clock." He was buried 17 April 1882 at Trinity Cemetery, New York City, in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division. He died intestate and the administration of his estate was granted to his son William Ponsonby Furniss on 8 May 1882.[75]

William Furniss attended North Andover Academy in Massachusetts under the tutelage of Simon Putman. He studied at Harvard University from 1835 to 1841. He was admitted to the senior class in September 1838 and the faculty voted to recommend him for an AB (Bachelor of Arts) degree on 12 July 1839. Simon Greenleaf, Royall Professor of Law wrote to the President of Harvard University on 25 August 1841 informing him that William had completed his two years of law studies.[76]

He spent his life as a traveler, writer and lawyer. He spent at least two years, 1847-1848, traveling through the old world. He authored at least eight books which were published between 1850 and 1874. The New York City directories between 1851 and 1876 list his occupation as lawyer and notary public. His correspondence, of 8 September 1861, to the State Department included a copy of a circular advertising his business at the Law and Collection Office of William Furniss, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, Notary Public and Commissioner of Deeds.[77] While he sought various positions at foreign missions with the State Department between 1853 and 1867, it appears that he was never successful in his quest.

William Furniss wrote a variety of travel type books, historical books and poetry. He used his own name and also wrote under the pseudonyms of Will De Grasse and William C. Kerr. Publications listed in card catalog of New York Public Library and in Allibornes's Dictionary of Authors are: 1) The World; or Scenes & Cities in Foreign Lands. (NY: D. Appleton & Co., 1850), 290p.; 2) The World Illustrated; or Scenes in Cities of Foreign Lands. (NY: D.W. Evans & Co., 1850), 290p.; 3) Land Voieglee or Views Across the Sea. A new edition of the "Old World." (NY: D. Appleton & Co., 1850), 290p., map and numerous tinted lithographs.; 4) Waraga, or the Charms of the Nile. (NY: Baker and Scribner, 1850), 456p.; 5) The Land of Caeser and the Doge, Historical and Artistic: Incidential, Personal and Literary. (NY: Cornish, Lamport & Co., 1853), 894 p. (see also Putmans Magazine, i. 230); 6) By Will De Grasse (Pseudonym), Swallows on the Wing, O'er garden springs of delight; a medley of prose & verse (NY: Michael Doolady, 1866) 81p plus 14 advertisements; 7) By William C. Kerr (Pseudonym), Ripraps: or, Drift thoughts wide apart (NY: De Witt C. Lent & Co, 1871) pt. 1 - 256p, pt. 2 - 117p.; and 8) Tetra-chordon; a pot pourri of rhythms and prose (NY: American News Co., 1874), 144p.

Books three, four, and five relate William Furniss' trip from Boston, Massachusetts, to Europe and Egypt in 1847 and 1848. The World Illustrated [78] is an unillustrated version of Land Voieglee. This trip apparently took place after his graduation from school and was his grand tour of the old world. The books reflect his economic/social position in life, his beliefs about the lower classes, his views on art and architecture, and his feelings about other types of government and religious beliefs. His writing makes frequent references to literature and the arts giving the reader the impression of a well educated gentleman with a background and biases that could be considered typical for the mid-1800's.

Land Voieglee is a narration of what William saw from May 1847 to December 1847. He left Boston on 16 May 1847 on the steamer Caledonia and landed in Liverpool, England later that month. In the letter he wrote to accompany his passport application, he noted that he would be traveling with Edward King, who may have been the person he referred to as "Major" in his writings.[79] During the time period covered by this book, he visited England, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Prussia, Saxony, Bohemia, Bavaria, Tyrol, Austria, Turkey and ended in Egypt. This book contains an 1849 map of Europe that was prepared by J. H. Colton of New York, sixteen tinted lithographs from William Furniss' original drawings and several ink drawings made by his friend Major. The map is useful in illustrating the names of the principal European cities and political divisions of that time period. The lithographs are detailed and finely drawn. The pen and ink drawings are humorous renditions of the travelers traveling the mountains on donkeys. The only traveler illustrated in the pen and ink drawings that was identifiable was Major (his description as being stout served as a clue). The other travelers illustrated in the drawings probably included William Furniss (who described himself as being slender) but this could not be confirmed.

The next book, Waraga, covers the period from December 1847 to March 1848. During this time period William Furniss spent 72 days traveling on the Nile River with two traveling companions. This 72 day trip cost the three travelers $300. They made numerous visits to historical sites along the nile. This was apparently a very popular trip to make as they met fellow travelers along the entire route. The book contains six colored lithographs. The reference made to the abdication of Louis Phillipe (King of France, 1830-1848), in the month of February, was the only reference found in the books which could be used to identify the years of these travels. (A short letter, with his passport application, dated 23 April 1847 confirmed the departure date as 16 May 1847.)[80]

William Furniss continued his trip from Alexandria, Egypt in March 1848. He described the trip through Malta, Sicily, and the city-states of Italy in his book The Land of Caesar and the Doge.[81] He visited Rome during Holy Week in order to see the religious ceremonies of the Catholic church. This book ends with his visit to the city of Venice in June 1848. There are no illustrations in this book.

The book Swallows on the Wing o'er Garden Springs of Delight; a Medley of Prose and Verse [82] is a collection of writings about a summer trip and poems on various topics. He noted that the title swallows on the wing is a reference to the upper class families who left the summer heat of the cities to enjoy the cooler airs of the country. He left New York City in July (probably 1865 since some of the work included here reflects the Civil War) and traveled to Vermont. He stayed in Stowe and took trips out to Mt. Mansfield, Hogback Mountain and Smugglers Notch. He traveled on to Montpelier, then to Brattleboro where he stayed at the Lawrence House which was kept by Emil Apfellbaum. These writing have many descriptive passages of the sights and people whom he met on the trip.

The remainder of Swallows on the Wing is made up of a collection of poems about the return of Civil War soldiers, flowers, faith, hope, charity and his family home in Bloomingdale. He includes a remedy for cholera: 2 oz Tincture of Myirh, 2 oz T. of Capsicum, 2 oz Essence of Peppermint, 1/3 oz Essence of Cinnamon, 1 gill best brandy ... give a tablespoon to half a wine-glass in half a teacup of hot water.

The advertisements found in Swallow on the Wing are interesting reading and add greatly to the historic perspective of the time. The most notable advertisement was one for Mathew Brady's National Photographic Gallery which provided a "... pictorial history of the troublous scenes through which the nation has just passed, ..."

The book Rip-Raps: or Drift Thoughts Wide Apart [83] is unusual in that it contains information about two distinct trips separated by over 20 years. The first part describes his travels in July 1866, while the second part begins in May 1842. At the end of the second book the writer noted that the two parts of the book "... bind together our `Drift thoughts,' which are so very wide apart, under one cover; ..."

The writer dedicated Rip-Raps to his friend Octavius A. Rogers, of Boston. It is presumed that Octavius A. Rogers is his cousin, related to William Furniss through his aunt Margaret Furniss (see person #4) who married Arthur Rogers. The high quality engravings found in this book are apparently based upon the drawings of William Furniss since notations are found about his making sketches at the locations which were illustrated. The preface of the book states that this is "... the seventh envoie of our fardels of sketches ..."[84] Based upon the publication dates of his known books it appears that this is, in fact, the seventh of his published works.

The first part of Rip-Raps describes his travels of July and August 1866 from New York City to Boston, Cape Cod, the Nantucket, Delaware and Pennsylvania. He describes geology, crops, inhabitants, buildings and places. It includes a liberal sprinkling of quotations from other authors, references to God and religious statements. Included in the book is a recipe for Hanover pudding: one cup of sweet milk; one cup of molasses; three cups of flour; one teaspoonful of soda; one cup of raisins; one cup of suet, chopped very fine; one teaspoon salt, boil three hours, to be served with wine sauce.

The second part of Rip-Raps relates the story of his travels from May to September 1842. On 17 May 1842, he visited the family of Judge and Mrs. King, his uncle, aunt and cousins, at their home at No. 168, South Ninth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mention of his cousin who was serving as an army officer is probably a reference to "Major" Edward King, who traveled with him during his trip to Europe in 1847. It should be noted that the Philadelphia City Directory for 1842 lists a William King, a bank clerk, living at 186 South 9th St. and a Judge Edward King, living on Spruce St. above Broad St.[85] This William King is believed to be married to Eliza Huber, the sister of William's mother.[86] The relationship, if any, between Judge Edward King and William King is unknown.

On 18 May 1842, while he visited Washington, DC, he stopped in the Capital Rotunda where he saw Greenough's statue of George Washington. He expressed what many viewers have felt over the years, and still feel (including the writer), when he wrote "... we cannot say that we were pleased with it for a Washington, for it reminded one as much of that of the Jupitor Stator, at Rome, as of the Father of America."[87]

He departed from Baltimore, Maryland, on 20 May by coach and traveled to Wheeling, West Virginia (which were, as are all the other West Virginia locations mentioned in these paragraphs, at that time part of the state of Virginia.). He took passage on the Steamship Pilot on 21 May and traveled the Ohio River to Cincinnati, Ohio, arriving 25 May. At Cincinnati he visited Rufus King, who had been a fellow law student at Harvard. Rufus King's mother was noted as being in Philadelphia, this leads one to assume that Rufus King and William Furniss may have been cousins. After attending the wedding of another law school classmate, Mr. Pugh, he traveled on steamer Boston to Maysville, Kentucky, on 7 June. On 9 June he listened to Henry Clay speak for 2 1/2 hours at Lexington, Kentucky. He visited Henry Clay's home on the 10th but Mr. Clay was not at home. William Furniss visited with Governor Letcher on the 10th and 11th at the capital in Frankfort.

He continued his travels on 19 June by steamboat to St. Louis, Missouri, then to Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, returned to St. Louis and then went to Peru, Illinois. From Peru he traveled overland by stage to Chicago, then left Chicago aboard a great lakes vessel the Illinois for Cleveland. From Cleveland he traveled across Ohio by canal packetboat to Columbus. He traveled back to Cincinnati, then crossed the Ohio River to Kentucky to visit the Mammoth Caves. He left Kentucky 6 September on board the Orpheus for Guyandotte, West Virginia. On 9 September he left by coach for Charlestown, West Virginia, and then travel on to the resort at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Tetra-chordon: a pot pourri of rhythms and prose is a collection of prose, writings about the values of springs, descriptions of leather tanning processes from various countries, a mineral assessment in North Carolina and a charter for a gold mine.[88] It appears that William and his father were involved in some type of mineral exploration in North Carolina. The book contains a transcription of a charter that states "An Act to incorporate the Excelsior Gold Mining Company in Cabarrus County" enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina on 16 Feb. 1855 so that William P. Furniss, William Furniss, and their associates Excelsior Gold Mining Company could explore and operate for gold and other metals.

On 28 May 1853, William Furniss wrote to the Secretary of State requesting an appointment abroad. He wrote "Encouraged by the late appointments of literary men to offices of high trust abroad & sustained by the conviction that ability and energy are the chief requisites insisted upon for the proper discharge of all duties, as well as for acceptance under the rules laid down by the heads of the Government & the State. I respectfully submit this application for a Secretaryship in the legations of Russia, Prussia or France or a consulate, where I may have the honor of continuing the same trustworthy offices towards the Government that were so long and ably sustained in the person of my Father, as Navy Agent at Saint Thomas. I have the honor to refer to the Honorable John A. Dix, Garret H. Stricker Jr. Esq. of New York and my uncle Judge King of Phil. as to my qualifications."[89]

On 6 September 1861, William Furniss solicited the post of consul of either St. Johns in the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. His address was listed on the letter as 35 Wall St., New York City. However, the circular advertising his business listed his home as No. 70, West 38th St. and his office as No. 335 Broadway, Room 3, Moffat Building.[90]

William Furniss wrote to Secretary of State William H. Leonard on 19 November 1862 to solicit the position of U.S. consul on the island of Guadelope in the West Indies. He wrote that he was "... familiar ... the French and Spanish and German languages."[91]

He wrote to William Seward, Secretary of State, on 13 May 1867. In requesting an appointment he wrote "... having learned from my respectful mother a Mrs. Wm. P. Furniss that she had the pleasure of meeting you during the past month of at Washington ..." On 17 May 1867, he wrote to President Andrew Johnson to apply for the position of U.S. Minister at the City of Berlin in the Kingdom of Prussia.[92]

He was married to Louise Evelyn Chollet on 13 May 1857, in St. Thomas Church, New York City, by the Rev. Mr. Morgan. Louise Chollet was born at New Bedford, Massachusetts, in the month of April (based on the 1900 census record) 1840 or earlier (subtracting 17 years from the year of her marriage to William Furniss in 1857). Her parents were William Chollet and Caroline McKean. She was reported to have been an invalid the three years (1901-1904) prior to her death and was cared for by her daughter Grace. She died at the Hotel Carlton, 203 W. 54th St., New York City, on 25 December 1904. The cause of her death was listed as heart failure with contributing cause of breast cancer which she had for six years. She was buried 29 December 1904 at the Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, Westchester County, New York.[93] Given her marriage in 1857 and a presumed of age of at least 17 (born at least by 1840), the reports of her age in the 1900 census (49 years old, born about 1851) and on her 1904 death certificate (55 years old, born about 1852) are in error.

His residences in the city of New York were 11 Bond St. (1847), 38 Great James (1859), 70 W 38th St. (1861), 11 Bond St. (1861-1872), 6 W. 38th St. (1873), 413 Fifth Ave (possibly the Irving House?) (1877-1879), 461 Fifth Ave (1879-1880), and the Grand Central Hotel (1882). (The 461 Fifth Ave. residence was also used by his sisters, Sophia R.C. Furniss, Clementina Furniss and Margaret (Furniss) Zimmerman, from 1880 until at least 1910). The family residences in 1875 and 1876 were in Bergen Point and Bayonne, New Jersey. Louise (Chollet) Furniss and her two children lived at Bergen Point, New Jersey, in July 1882. Louise (Chollet) Furniss was listed as living at 189 W. 100th St. in July of 1895. Louise (Chollet) Furniss and her daughter Grace lived at 1 W. 108rd St (1899-1900) and 478 Central Park West (1901-1902) both in New York City.[94]

William Furniss' offices were located at 335 Broadway, Room 3, Moffat Building (1861), 35 Wall St. (1861-1873), 15 Broad St. (1877), and 13 Broad St. (1877-1880).

+41.iWilliam Ponsonby4 Furniss baptized 2 October 1858 at St. Thomas Church, New York City, buried on 13 July 1929 in the family plot (lot 2285) in the Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, Westchester County, New York.
+42.iiGrace Livingston Furniss born 15 March 1868 at Bayonne, New Jersey never married, died 20 April 1938 at Rye, New York, and is buried in the family plot in the Kensico Cemetery, Westchester County, New York.

 


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References

[68] Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 18, entry for birth of Henry Augustus Tilton, LDS microfilm 0,012,224, copy of original town records not the transcript; Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records Vol. 5, 1854-1869, LDS microfilm 0,012,222, copy of original town records; Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records, 1816-1891, 1832, Intentions, p. 37, LDS microfilm 0,012,225, copy of original town records.

[69] Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 83, entry for birth of Helen Augusta Tilton, Maria Louisa Tilton, Margaret Furness Tilton, John F. Tilton, Nathan Tilton, Almira Tilton, LDS microfilm 0,012,223, transcript of original town records Town of Scarborough, ME, Town Records 1816-1891, pp. 65, entry for birth of Helen Augusta Tilton, Maria Louisa Tilton, Margaret Furness, Tilton John F. Tilton, LDS microfilm 0,012,224, copy of original town records.

[70] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 1; Willey, Willey's Book of Nutfield, p. 347; Willey's book contains information about place of birth, death, and place of burial.

[71] Willey, Willey's Book of Nutfield, p. 347; Willey's book contains information about death, place of burial and information about his wife.

[72] Willey, Willey's Book of Nutfield, p. 170.

[73] Will C. Kerr, Rip-Raps: or, Drift Thoughts Wide Apart (NY: NY: De Witt C. Lent & Co., 1871) pt. 1 - 256p, pt. 2 - 117p, Author's Edition, Engravings by H. B. Hall, pt. 1 p. 224; Alumni biography records for William Furniss, Record B 341, Quinquennial Collection, Harvard University Archives, Nathan Marsh Pusey Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138; Passport Application of William Furniss, Passport Letters, April 1, 1847 - June 30, 1847, passport 1739, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; a copy of Rip-Raps was obtained from the library of Perperdine University, Malibu, California - catalog # E 168 .F98, the book was in good condition. In pt. 2, p 49 of Rip-Raps William wrote "Now, Thursday, the 18th [June 1842] was quite an important day with us, as being the 21st anniversary of our life. It passed off quite quietly, even without the honor of a toast." While this would seem to indicate that he was born on 18 June 1821, that particular passage is found between his notes for the 22nd and 24th of June, with no mention of the event in the passages relating to 18 June. The previous passage also notes that the 22nd was a Wednesday, making it impossible for the 18th to be a Thursday. It is therefore assumed that his correct date of birth was 23 June 1821 which would agree with the Harvard alumni records which list 23 June 1821 as the birth date. At worst his birthday would fall somewhere between 18 and 23 June 1821. Both the Harvard alumni records and the passport letters list St. Thomas, West Indies, as the place of birth.

[74] "William Furniss to the Secretary of State," 6 Sept. 1861, Letters of Application and Recommendation During the Administration of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, 1861 - 1869, Microfilm M650, Roll 18, Frames 1110 -1111, National Archives, Washington, DC; Passport Application of William Furniss, Passport Letters, April 1, 1847 - June 30, 1847, passport 1739, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[75] Death Certificate for William Furniss, 14 April 1882, Certificate of Death 419206/12496, Department of Records and Information Services, Municipal Archives, 31 Chambers St., New York, NY 10007; copy in possession of writer; New York Times 16 Apr. 1882; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988, original in possession of writer; New York City Adminstration Book No. 134, p. 37, noted in typescript of Lewis D. Cook, F.A.S.G., of Philadelphia, PA, "The Furniss Family of New York," 6 pages, plus 9 letters, 2 death certificates, 1 marriage certificate and 1 birth certificate, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 122 East 58 th St., New York, NY.

[76] Will C. Kerr, Rip-Raps: or, Drift Thoughts Wide Apart (NY: NY: De Witt C. Lent & Co., 1871) pt. 1 - 256p, pt. 2 - 117p, Author's Edition, Engravings by H. B. Hall, pt. 1 p. 224, Perperdine University Library, Malibu, California - catalog # E 168 .F98, the book was in good condition, notes his attendance at North Andover Academy; Alumni biography records for William Furniss, Record B 341, Quinquennial Collection, Harvard University Archives, Nathan Marsh Pusey Library, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138; Harvard College Papers, 2nd Series, Vols. 9-10 (1838-1842), Microfilm UA I.5.131.10, (Vol IX, p.313; Vol. X, p 259 & 289); Records of the Faculty of Immediate Government of Harvard College, Vol XI, Microfilm UA III.5.5.2; photocopy of the Alumni biography records for William Furniss in possession of author, other records handcopied.

[77] "William Furniss to the Secretary of State," 6 Sept. 1861, Letters of Application and Recommendation During the Administration of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, 1861 - 1869, Microfilm M650, Roll 18, Frames 1110 -1111, National Archives, Washington,

[78] William Furniss, The World Illustrated; or Scenes in Cities of Foreign Lands. (NY: D.W. Evans & Co., 1850), 290p.; Cornell University Library, Ithacca, NY, seen in 1988.

[79] William Furniss, Land Voieglee: or Views Across the Sea. A new edition of the "Old World." (NY: D. Appleton & Co., 1850), 290p., map and numerous tinted lithographs, University of Delaware library, in relatively good condition in 1988; Passport Application of William Furniss, Passport Letters, April 1, 1847 - June 30, 1847, passport 1739, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[80] William Furniss, Waraga, or the Charms of the Nile. (NY: Baker and Scribner, 1850), 456p., Library of the State University of New York at Stony Brook, NY, seen in 1988. The pages and the drawings are in good condition but the pages have come loose from the original binding; Passport Application of William Furniss, Passport Letters, April 1, 1847 - June 30, 1847, passport 1739, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[81] William Furniss, The Land of Caeser and the Doge, Historical and Artistic: Incidential, Personal and Literary. (NY: Cornish, Lamport & Co., 1853), 894 p. (see also Putmans Magazine, i. 230), Library of the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. It appeared to be in good condition in 1988.

[82] Will De Grasse, Swallows on the Wing o'er Garden Springs of Delight; a Medley of Prose and Verse (NY: Michael Doolady, 1866) 81p plus 14 advertisements, New York State Library, Albany, New York - catalog # 818.4 F98, the book was in good condition in April 1991 but had been rebound.

[83] Kerr, Rip-Raps: or, Drift Thoughts Wide Apart.

[84] Kerr, Rip-Raps, p. vii

[85] Philadelphia City Directory, 1842, seen at the Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA.

[86] Marriage of William King and Eliza Huber, Christ Church Records, Vol. VII, Philadelphia, PA, typescript, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA.

[87] Kerr, Rip-Raps, pt 2, p. 7

[88] William Furniss, Tetra-chordon; a pot pourri of rhythms and prose (NY: American News Co., 1874), 144p; New York Public Library, New York, NY, in very poor condition in Sept. 1990. The pages were broken from the binding and the pages were very brittle.

[89] "William Furniss to ______ ," 28 May 1853, Letters of Applications and Recommendations during the Administration of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan, 1853-1861, Microfilm M967, Roll 18, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[90] "William Furniss to the Secretary of State," 6 Sept. 1861.

[91] "William Furniss to the Secretary of State," 6 Sept. 1861.

[92] "William Furniss to William Seward, Secretary of State and President Andrew Johnson," 13 & 17 May. 1867, Letters of Application and Recommendation During the Administration of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, 1861 - 1869, Microfilm M650, Roll 18, Frames 1113 -1114, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[93] New York Evening Post, May 1857; letter from "Marie Peters, Parish Secretary, Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue and Fifty-third Street, New York, NY, to Mr. [Lewis D.] Cook," 11 Apr. 1962 seen in Furniss Family folder in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, NY; Death Certificate for Grace Livingston Furniss, 20 April 1938, Certificate of Death 27026, Division of Vital Records, Department of Health, Albany, NY 12237; Lewis D. Cook, F.A.S.G., of Philadelphia, PA, "The Furniss Family of New York," 6 pages, plus 9 letters, 2 death certificates, 1 marriage certificate and 1 birth certificate, The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 122 East 58 th St., New York, NY; Ada Patterson, "The Story of a Successful Woman Playwright," The Theatre Magazine, New York (Nov. 1907), pp. 301-304 & xii; Nashville Public Library, Nashville, TN; p. xii includes the reference to Grace's mother Louise Evelyn Chollet illness; Death Certificate for Louise E. Furniss, 25 Dec. 1904, Certificate of Death 41792, Department of Records and Information Services, Municipal Archives, 31 Chambers St., New York, NY 10007.

[94] New York City Directories, Library of Congress


[Furniss Vohs Home Page] [Furniss Vohs Name Indexes] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index] -----------------------------1841228196282936902791717456 Content-Disposition: form-data; name="userfile"; filename="Furniss06.html" Content-Type: text/html Furniss/Furness Families of NH - Part 6 of 10

[Furniss Vohs HomePage] [Name Index] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index]

The Furniss and Furness Families
of Portsmouth and Durham, New Hampshire

Prepared by Sean Furniss

 

23. Sophia R.C.3 Furniss (William Ponsonby2, Robert1) She is believed to have been born about 1824-1825. Given the fact that she was listed as traveling with her mother from France to New York City in October 1838, the 1900 Census record indicating she was born in 1850 is in error. She died 11 February 1912 at Lenox, Massachusetts, buried 15 February 1912 at Trinity Cemetery, New York City, in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division.[95] Although the place of death is recorded in the Trinity Church records, a death certificate for her could not be found in either the states of Massachusetts or New York. She in not known to have ever married. She died testate but a copy of her will was not reviewed.

She lived at home with her parents at 11 Bond St. until at least 1870. She apparently lived with her sisters Clementina and Margaret Elizabeth (Furniss) Zimmerman at 461 Fifth Ave. (17th Ward), New York, New York, from about 1879 to at least 1910. She also had an estate called Edgecome at Lenox, Massachusetts, where she died in February 1912.

After her mother's death, Sophia provided funds to establish a residential shelter for boys at 129th St. and Broadway. The corner-stone of `Furniss Cottage' was laid by Bishop Potter. " `Furniss Cottage' is erected in the memory of Mrs. Sophia Furniss by her daughter Miss Sophia R. C. Furniss, and the contract has been taken by Ralph S. Townsend for $24,000. It is to be built with four floors, 90 feet by 41 feet and will accommodate forty boys. In the cornerstone were placed various articles, including several photographs and newspapers." The formal opening of the Furniss Cottage at the Sheltering Arms took place on 20 May 1882. At that time Sophia Furniss provided an additional $10,000 for the facility.[96]  

24. Gardner3 Furniss (William Ponsonby2 Furniss, Robert1 Furniss) He was born about November or December 1827 probably at St. Thomas, West Indies. He died in 1862. His death notice reads: "Died On Saturday afternoon, December 13, Gardner Furniss. The relatives and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday morning at half past ten o'clock, at St. Michaels church, Bloomingdale, 100th Street." He was probably named for Margaret Gardner, the mother of William P. Furniss. His name has been listed both as Gardiner and Gardner, however letters written by him and his father both show his name spelled as Gardner. His body was originally buried at St. Thomas' Church Cemetery. His body was moved to Trinity Cemetery, New York City, in 1866 and placed in the Furniss family vault.[97]

William P. Furniss wrote to President Franklin Pierce on 14 July 1855 seeking a secretaryship for his son Gardner. William P. Furniss wrote "... I had the pleasure to see your Excellency last month ..." and that his son Gardner "...was with Mr. Bedinger at Copenhagen fifteen or eighteen months... was popular at Court and with all the diplomatic corps ... is perfect in several of the modern languages and well calculated, by education and address, to fill any station which our government may see fit to confide in his care ..." An undated letter written by Garrit H. Stricker to President Pierce stated that Gardner Furniss "... is Master of the French, Spanish and English Languages, and he has had considerable knowledge of Duties of Diplomatic positions having been attached for several years to the Mission to the Court of Denmark in the capacity of Secretary and also lately as attache to the American Minister at the court of France ... is a gentleman of excellent character, and is connected with our oldest and most distinguished families." In a letter of application for a consulate position written to President James Buchanan on 10 July 1857, Gardner Furniss wrote from his home at 11 Bond St. in New York City "... I am familiar with three languages ... I have already served two years - without pay - as Secretary to the United States Legation at the Court of Denmark ..." An undated letter from members of Congress Elijah Ward, John Cochran and Wm. B. Maclay to President James Buchanan recommended Gardner Furniss "... for the appointment of Secretary of Legation at the Hague ... Mr. Furniss is familiar with the French language ..."[98]

Gardner Furniss' reputation as a gentleman was apparently not shared by everyone as indicated by two letters found in the National Archives. On 21 August 1857, O.O. Woodman a druggist from Vicksburg, Mississippi, wrote, from the city of New York, to Jacob Thompson (who is presumed to be a congressional representative from Mississippi) in Washington, DC, about the behavior of Gardner Furniss. Mr Woodman wrote "A Mr. Gardner Furniss of this City has been engaged in an intrigue with my wife & by means of drugged wine has obtained chriminal [sic] intercourse with her. And by threatening to take my life & to expose her obtained a large amount of money from her. In one letter to my wife he asserts that he had obtained an appointment from the Secretary of State to go to Europe ..." George B. Butler wrote a letter on 21 August 1857 to Lewis Cass about Gardner Furniss' behavior. Mr. Butler wrote "... Mr. Gardner Furniss - the person who figured lately in an affair at the New York Hotel with the wife of Dr. Woodman ... the newspapers describing that affair - which took place last Saturday [15 August 1857] - in which papers he is spoken of as Mr. F. It is truely the most disgraceful matter which for years has been given to the public."[99]

A narrative description and chronology of the events that took place between Gardner Furniss and Mrs. Carolyn Woodman (maiden name Carolyn Thomas) in Paris (France), New York City, and New Orleans, Louisiana, were described in some detail in a series of articles in the New York Times.[100]

According to the newspaper articles, Carolyn Woodman and her husband Oliver Otis Woodman were friends of the William Ponsonby Furniss family and had stayed at the Furniss residence in Bloomingdale on a number of occasions. Carolyn Woodman and Gardner Furniss were involved in what was termed a socially scandalous affair that took place between November 1854 and August 1857, beginning in Paris, France, and ending in the New York Hotel in New York City.

There were a series of allegations that Gardner Furniss had taken advantage of Carolyn Woodman's state of mind and extorted money and valuables from her. Their relationship ended about 15 August 1857 when her husband found them in questionable circumstances and fired four rounds from his pistol. The incident and subsequent events were described "... a scandalous affair at the New York Hotel. Mr. Woodman, a boarder there, returned suddenly to his room, one evening, discovered his wife and a Mr. Gardner Furniss, together under decidedly suspicious circumstances. The feelings of the enraged husband were openly expressed, and Mr. Furness[sic] concluded to leave suddenly, which he did without having time to don his pantaloons. Mr. Woodman soon after placed his wife in the Sanford Hall Lunatic Asylum, at Flushing ... Mrs. Woodman, by her friend Mr. Furness[sic], obtained a writ of Habeas Corpus ... denying that she was insane and demanding her release."[101]

After being released from the Sanford Hall Lunatic Asylum on 5 November 1857, Carolyn Woodman returned to Mississippi with her brother. Two weeks later she was sued for divorce by her husband in New Orleans.

25. Margaret Elizabeth3 Furniss (William Ponsonby2, Robert1) She was born 7 November 1829 and baptized 7 July 1830 at St. John's Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The 1900 Census record indicating she was born in 1852 is in error. She lived with her sisters Sophia and Clementina after her husband died. She died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 16 March 1918 at her residence 400 Park Ave., New York City. She was buried 19 March 1918 at Trinity Cemetery, New York City, in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division.[102]

She married to John J.[E.?] Zimmerman about 4 June 1871. John Zimmerman was noted by Clinton C. Furniss on 24 March 1927 to be the "Holland Ambassador" and the New York Evening Post, 4 June 1871, indicated he was Vice Consul General of the Netherlands for the United States. John Zimmerman and four others (Charles F. Zimmerman, Isabella F. Zimmerman, Herman Zimmerman and Mary E. Zimmerman), believed to be his children from a previous marriage, were all buried in lot 754, westerly division until 11 April 1983 when their bodies were moved to the Rosedale Cemetery, Orange, New York(?).[103] Margaret Elizabeth Furniss' body was left in the Furniss family vault.

Although based upon the name Mary E. and middle initials of F. one could be lead to believe that the four children of John Zimmerman might have been the children of Margaret Furniss, this does not appear to be the case. If Margaret Elizabeth Furniss was the mother of these children, she would have been about 43 years of age at the birth of the first child and in her late 40's by the time the last child was born, an unlikely probability. The statement in the The World that "Margaret married John E. Zimmerman, but there was no child"[104] and the removal of the Zimmermans from the Furniss family vault supports the contention that Margaret never had children.  

27. Hartman Kunn3 Furniss (William Ponsonby2, Robert1) He was born 2 December 1833 and christened 9 February 1834 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. His passport application of 9 January 1874 lists his birth date as 3 December 1833.[105] The age at death, (45 years, 1 month, 10 days) listed on his death certificate which gives a computed date of birth of 6 October 1833, is assumed to be incorrect based upon the records of St. John's Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and his passport application (both of which give December 1833 birth dates).

He died due to pleuro-pneumonia (which he had for 4 days) on 16 November 1878 at 438 Fourth Avenue, New York City. He was buried at Trinity Cemetery, New York City, on 19 November 1878 in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division but his body was removed and reburied in the Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, New Hampshire, on 31 May 1880. His monument was described as of fine churchly design of hope and the resurrection, with the words "Simply to thy Cross I cling."[106] He died testate but his will has not been reviewed.

He was listed in the Brown Historical Catalogue as being a student at Brown University at Providence, Rhode Island, from 1850 to 1852. Correspondence from the Brown University Archivist indicates that Hartman attended Brown University as a special student only from 25 March 1851 to 1 July 1851. While at Brown University, Hartman enrolled in two classes, analytic geometry and civil engineering. A copy of his bill for the semester is on file in the University Archives. The bill includes a listing of the demerits which he received for failing to attend lectures and missed prayers. His expenses for the semester totaled $37.75.[107]

During the Civil War he served with the U.S. Navy. His letter of appointment on 18 July 1861 instructed him to "... report to the Commandant of the Navy Yard Philadelphia for duty aboard the U.S. Steamer Louisiana". On 18 July 1861 he wrote a letter to the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, accepting appointment as Acting Master in the U.S. Navy. On board the U. S. Steamer Louisiana at Hampton Roads, Virginia, he wrote a letter to the Hon. Gideon Welles, on 21 December 1861 acknowledging the official dispatch of 11 November 1861 informing him of his appointment as Acting Volunteer Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy on temporary Service to take effect from the 5th of October.[108]

Hartman's initial duty assignment was with the U.S.S. Louisiana. From the dispatch of the U.S.S. Louisiana in Chincoteague Inlet in Virginia, it was reported that on 5 October 1861 at 9:00 am in the morning "Acting Master H. K. Furniss commanded the boats during the engagement with the rebels at Cockle's [Cockrell] Creek, which resulted in the destruction of the schooner fitting out as a privateer."[109]

He was later given command of the gunboat Valley City and instructed to take it in for repairs. The letter of 22 May 1862 written by Commander S.C. Rowan of the U.S.S. Louisiana stated "I have ordered Furniss to command the Valley City." On 28 May 1862, Commander Rowan instructed Acting Lieutenant H. Furniss "Sir: You will proceed without delay with the Valley City under your command to Baltimore, stopping en route at Hampton Roads ..." On 2 June 1862, Acting Lieutenant H. Furniss was writing his dispatches aboard the Valley City in Baltimore, Maryland, where he had taken the vessel for repairs.[110]

On 12 September 1862, Hartman Furniss was instructed to proceed with the Valley City to York River, Virginia, upon completion of repairs in Baltimore. The gunboat Valley City was in the York River off Yorktown, Virginia, on 18 September 1862. On 25 November 1862, Hartman was directed to take the Valley City to Plymouth, North Carolina, via the Hatteras Inlet. On 2 December 1862, the Valley City was at Elizabeth City, Virginia, with 4 to 5 tons of coal.[111]

Hartman was commanded to use the Valley City to support a landing of the 44th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia at Williamston or Jamesville, North Carolina, on 2 February 1863. A dispatch from Lt. Commander Flusser to Commander Murray on 6 February 1863 stated "Do not fail to write to the Admiral and urge him to give Furniss a better boat." In reference to the aborted landing of the 44th Regiment, it was noted that Hartman Furniss spoke to the Colonel of the 44th Regiment. "Furniss talked quite roughly to him, wished to know if his men came out here to fight or eat Uncle Sam's grub, etc. ..." The Valley City was located off the Nansemond River, Virginia, on 13 February 1863.[112]

On 13 May 1863, Hartman went off to break up some stores for the rebel army near Salmon Creek by the Chowan River off Plymouth, North Carolina. At 10:00 pm, on 22 May 1863, Hartman participated in raid that "... captured 5 rebel prisoners, among whom was the notorious Captain Kehore." Hartman was still operating off Plymouth, North Carolina, on 3 June 1863.[113]

He participated in an expedition to Williamston, North Carolina, on 5 July 1863. The gunboat Valley City was used to support the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry actions at Williamston. Hartman went to the town of Williamston under a flag of truce to demand the withdrawal of rebel forces. The Union forces occupied the town for an hour and a half before withdrawing.[114]

On the 14th of August 1863, Hartman had been drinking to the point of intoxication in the town of Newberne, North Carolina. He was walking past the Gaston House where he saw a 20 year old black man named John Williams leaning out the window. Hartman told John Williams "Take your head in out of the window you black son-of-a-bitch." Hartman then jumped though the window and attempted to strike John Williams but failed. John Williams restrained Hartman to keep him under control. Then Julis R. Fay, the steward of the hotel, told Williams to let Hartman go. Mr. Fay ordered Hartman to leave but Hartman refused. Hartman made several threatening statements to Julius Fay. Hartman finally left 15-20 minutes later when the local guards came. Hartman returned later that evening dressed in his Navy uniform and brought a number of his crew with him. The men forcibly took Julis Fay to a boat at the wharf. Hartman exchanged gunfire with the wharf guard as they took Fay out to the Valley City. After returning to the Valley City, Hartman told his crew to keep Fay on board as a prisoner. Fay was released the next morning when another officer came on board to get him.[115]

Hartman was tried at a Naval General Court Martial on Monday, 17 August 1863 at Newberne, North Carolina, for drunkenness and maltreating two inhabitants of Newberne, North Carolina. He was found guilty of all charges and ordered to separated from the Navy. His conviction was upheld and he was dismissed 12 September 1863. A presidential document, seen in the Kingsland House of the Queens Historical Society, states that Hartman received a pardon from President Abraham Lincoln on 27 July 1864.[116]

Like other members of his family, Hartman was a traveler. In 1874, he wrote to the State Department to request a passport in order to travel to "... the Continent of Europe & Elsewhere ..."[117]

He was married to the widow Adele Catherine AuFort on 4 February 1877 by the Reverend C. C. Tiffany. They were married for almost two years prior to his death. Hartman's widow reported she had no children from this marriage when she filed a pension claim on 28 July 1902. At the time of her pension request, she was 74 years old and a resident of Calistoga, California. Her attorney, Charles A. Sumner (Office in Room 33, 325, Montogomery Street, San Francisco, California) aided her in filing her Civil War pension claim. Her request for a pension was rejected because Hartman Kunn Furniss had not been honorably discharged from military service.[118]

He lived at his parents home at 11 Bond St., New York City, until at least 1870. His residence was listed as 440 E. 119th St (1873-1875) and 327 Lexington Ave (1878-1879) both in New York City.

His widow's address was 1992 Third Ave (18th Ward), New York City, from 1879-1881. Her mailing address in July 1902 was Box 78, Calistoga, Napa County, California.

 


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References

[95] Passenger list for the ship Canton Packet 23 May 1829, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pa., 1800-1882, Microfilm M425, Roll 44, National Archives, Washington, DC;.Passenger list for the ship Erie arriving 10 Oct. 1838 at New York, NY, Microfilm M237, Roll 39, National Archives, Washington, DC; her age was listed as 5 (b. ca 1824) on the passenger list of 1829 and 13 (b. ca 1825)on the passenger list of 1838; although the records of Trinity Church indicate that she died at age 80 years, 2 months and 9 dayswhich would have made her date of birth about 2 December 1831, this reported age is probably in error. It is thought to be an error because the baptism records for Robert Livingston Patterson Furniss list the date of 3 December 1831 as his birth date but do not mention a twin sister; 1900 U.S. Census; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988. Original in possession of writer.

[96] New York Daily Tribune (New York, NY) 25 May 1881, p. 2, col. 2; Library of Congress, Washington, DC; New York Daily Tribune 20 May 1882, p. 12, col. 1.

[97] Passenger list for the ship Canton Packet 23 May 1829, Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at Philadelphia, Pa., 1800-1882, Microfilm M425, Roll 44, National Archives, Washington, DC;.Passenger list for the ship Erie arriving 10 Oct. 1838 at New York, NY, Microfilm M237, Roll 39, National Archives, Washington, DC; his age was listed as 1 1/2 years old on the passenger list of May 1829 making his month and year of birth about Nov./Dec. 1827 and listed as age 11 on the passenger list of 1838 making his year of birth about 1827, he was probably born on the island of St. Thomas since his family generally resided there in those years; New York Herald (New York, NY), 15 December 1862, p. 5, col. 5, Control # 1330, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988. Original in possession of writer. Trinty Church records indicate his body was moved from St. Timothy Cemetery to Trinity Cemetery in 1866.

[98] "William P. Furniss to President Franklin Pierce," 14 July 1855, "Garrit H. Stricker to President Franklin Pierce," undated, "Gardner Furniss to President James Buchanan," 10 July 1857, "Congressmen Elijah Ward, John Cochran and Wm. B. Maclay to President James Buchanan," undated, Letters of Applications and Recommendations during the Administration of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan, 1853-1861, Microfilm M967, Roll 18, National Archives, Washington, DC; indexed under Gardner Furniss, begining with frame 101.

[99] "O. O. Woodman to Jacob Thompson," 21 August 1857, "George B. Butler to Lewis Cass," 21 August 1857, Letters of Applications and Recommendations during the Administration of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan, 1853-1861, Microfilm M967, Roll 18, National Archives, Washington, DC, begining with frame 101.

[100] New York Times 31 Oct. 1857, p. 2, col. 6; 2 Nov. 1857, p. 3, col. 1-4; 3 Nov. 1857, p. 1, col. 4-6 & p. 8, col. 1-2; 4 Nov. 1857, p. 4, col. 3-4; 5 Nov. 1857, p. 1, col. 5-6 & p. 8, col. 1; 6 Nov. 1857, p. 1, col. 3-4; 9 Nov. 1857, p. 4, col. 3; 18 Nov. 1857, p. 8, col.4; 21 Nov. 1858, p. 8, col. 3.

[101] New York Times 31 Oct. 1857, p. 2, col. 6.

[102] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 45; Passenger list for the ship Erie arriving 10 Oct. 1838 at New York, NY, Microfilm M237, Roll 39, National Archives, Washington, DC; the baptism records list the dates of birth and baptism, while the passenger list gives her age as 9 in 1838 thereby also supporting 1829 as her year of birth; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988. Original in possession of writer.

[103] New York Evening Post 4 June 1871; Photocopy of typescript prepared by Clinton Chollet Furniss on 24 March 1927, found in the papers of his son Clinton Chollet Furniss, in possession of the writer; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988. Original in possession of writer.

[104] The World (New York City, NY), undated article about 1911-1912, "Aged Women Win in Contest over A Huge Estate", photocopy in possesion of writer.

[105] Hammond, Baptism Records - St. John's Church, p. 49; Passport Application of Hartman K. Furniss, Passport Letters, 1 January 1874 -- 31 January 1874, passport 36496, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[106] Death Certificate for Hartman K. Furniss, 17 November 1878, Certificate of Death 305185, Department of Records and Information Services, Municipal Archives, 31 Chambers St., New York, NY 10007; copy in possession of writer; Willey, Willey's Book of Nutfield; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988, original letter in possession of writer. Willey's book describes the cemetery monument.

[107] Brown University Historical Catalogue 1764-1904 (Providence, RI, Brown University, 1905), p. 625; Hartman Furniss from New York, NY, was listed as being a student from 1850-1852; reference was seen at the Harvard University Archives, Cambridge, MA; Martha Mitchell, Brown University Archivist to author, letter dated 12 November 1991; photocopy of bill for expenses of Hartman Furniss; both in possession of writer.

[108] Letter of Appointment from Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, to Hartman K. Furniss, Orders Volunteer Officers, 8 May 1861 to 11 December 1861, entry no. 88, Record Group 45, Military Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; Letter of Acceptance from Hartman K. Furniss to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Acceptances Acting Masters, 14 May to 30 September 1861, entry no. 81, Record Group 45, Military Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; Letter of Acknowledgement from Hartman K. Furniss to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Letters from Volunteer Officers, Volume for Lieutenants, entry no. 89, Record Group 45, Military Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[109] Edward K. Rawson and Robert H. Woods, comp., Offical Records of the Union and Confederate Navies in the War of the Rebbelion (Washington, DC, Government Printing Office, 1897-1899), Series I, Vol. 6, p. 289; National Archives, Washington, DC.

[110] Rawson and Woods, Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 7, p. 416, 434, 446.

[111] Rawson and Woods, Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 8, p. 13, 75, 148, 249.

[112] Rawson and Woods, Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 8, p. 491, 503, 508, 522.

[113] Rawson and Woods, Records of the Union and Confederate Navies, Series I, Vol. 9, p. 20, 24, 58.

[114] Robert N. Scott, comp., Offical Records of the Union and Confederate Armies (Washington, DC, Government Printing Office, 1889), Series I, Vol.. XXVII, Part II, p. 870.

[115] Court Martial of Hartman Kunn Furniss, Records of General Courts Martial and Courts of Inquiry of the Navy Department, 1799 -1867, Microfilm M-273, Roll 111, Record Group 45, Military Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[116] Record for Hartman K. Furniss, Register of Volunteer Officers, May 1861 - October 1867, Volume 1, p. 3, Record Group 45, Military Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; Bill and Emilie Lord to author, undated note sent with letter of 11 Nov. 1991.

[117] Passport Application of Hartman K. Furniss, Passport Letters, 1 January 1874 -- 31 January 1874, passport 36496, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[118] Pension files for Hartman Kunn Furniss, Pension Files, Navy Dependents, NWO 0005826, Original No. 21742, National Archives, Washington, DC; contains information on his marriage and later residence of his wife.


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[Furniss Vohs HomePage] [Name Index] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index]

The Furniss and Furness Families
of Portsmouth and Durham, New Hampshire

Prepared by Sean Furniss

 

28. Leon3 Furniss (William Ponsonby2, Robert1) He was born 23 December 1839 at New York City. He died 27 July 1877 at his home at West 153 rd St. and St. Nicholas Avenue, New York City, and buried 30 July 1877 at Trinity Cemetery, New York City, in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division.[119] He died testate but his will has not been reviewed.

Leon Furniss lived a short life without much apparent purpose. An article in the New York Times is the only descriptive material found about his life. The article is summarized in the following statements: "SUDDEN DEATH OF LEON FURNISS. He shoots himself through the heart at his own house ... an end to a fast life. Mr. Leon Furniss ... committed suicide ... by shooting himself through the heart with a revolver. The deceased, who was a well known man of leisure, ... The son's annual income ... was $16,000 per year, the payment of which he generally anticipated long before it was due. He was a free liver, a lover of fast horses and gay society, and was well known to most of the upper class sporting men of the Metropolis. ... the manner of his demise was not unexpected, his reckless and prodigal temperament, added to his eccentric conduct of late, all pointing to some such termination of his career. ... nothwithstanding (sic) appearances, he was a man who valued life highly, and in this respect was one of the unlikeliest persons in the world to commit suicide, ... Owing to his irregular habits, his wife, Mrs. Furniss has for the past few weeks been living apart from him ... It is known that 10 days before his death he received a remittance of $1,600 as a portion of his income from the estate, and with this money had been on a prolonged `spree' up to within a day or two of his death."[120]

During the Civil War he served briefly with the U.S. Navy. He wrote a letter on 2 July 1863 to the Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, accepting appointment as acting Assistant Paymaster in the United States Navy.[121] He resigned on 13 October 1863.

He was married to Louisa M. Lynham on 21 July 1865 at Jersey City, Hudson Co., New Jersey. Louisa probably died between 1878 and 1882 since an indenture to the estate of William P. Furniss dated 31 July 1882 lists her as deceased.[122] No children known.

He lived at 72 Beaver and 365 Tenth St in May 1867. His home in July of 1877, where he died, was located at St. Nicholas Ave. and the corner of W. 153rd, New York City.  

29. Clementina3 Furniss (William Ponsonby2, Robert1) She is believed to have been born about 23 November 1844 at New York City. The month and day of her birth are probably correct since they were the same in her passport applications of 1875, 1898 and 1900.[123] However, the reported year of her birth on the passport applications varies between 1844 and 1858. It is assumed that the 1875 passport application listing her age as 30 and the year of her birth as 1844 is most likely to be correct. However, it should be noted that a note attached to her 1875 passport application, says "age uncertain, say 60." If she had been 60 in 1875, then that would indicate her of birth should be about 1815, however given the 1820 marriage date of her parents, this is unlikely. It is possible that she was born in the West Indies between 1822 and 1829 but this is speculation based upon the births of her younger brothers and sisters.

She died of cholarmia on 23 August 1915 at Edgecombe (her estate) on Sunset Ave., Lenox, Massachusetts, and was buried 27 August 1915 at Trinity Cemetery at New York City, in an above ground vault in lot 785, westerly division.[124] There is no record of her ever being married.

She lived at home with her parents at 11 Bond St. until at least 1870. She apparently lived with her sisters Sophia Furniss and Margaret (Furniss) Zimmerman at 461 Fifth Ave., New York City, from about 1879 to at least 1909. She had a home at 280 Madison Ave from 1912 to August 1915. She also had an estate called Edgecome at Lenox, Massachusetts, where she died in August 1915. Based upon her passport applications it is assumed that she traveled abroad in 1875 and 1898. In her passport application of 21 April 1900, she stated that she had left New York on a trip 15 March 1900 and planned to return to the United States within two years. Her letter of 5 September 1914 indicated that she had been traveling in Europe from 2 November 1913 to 29 July 1914.[125]

The will of Clementina Furniss, dated 16 June 1915, gives $25,000 to each of her cousins Signorina Marguerita Olliveri (daughter of Maggior Gen'l Luigi Olliveri of Milan, Italy) and Contessa Marie Bronzolo di Radicati (daughter of Maggior Gen'l Luigi Olliveri of Milan, Italy and wife of Count Epie Bronzolo de Radicati). The majority of her estate was left to her sister Margaret E. Zimmerman.[126] (Note: It is not known whether Clementina's cousins are the daughters of her mother's or father's sister. It is the belief of the writer that they are the children of her mother's sister since her father's sisters are fairly well accounted for in the family records. It is also possible that they may be only distant or honorific cousins.)

In 1912, Clementina Furniss offered to build the last remaining chapel of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City in memory of her family. William Grosvenor, Dean of the church, received approval of Clementina's request to present a formal offer to the Board of Trustees in June of 1912. She submitted her formal request to the Trustees on 9 October 1912. The firm of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson were selected to design the Chapel. The firm of Jacob and Youngs built the Chapel. The estimate for the chapel was $92,475 in July of 1913 and cost an estimated $150,000 by the time it was finished. In September 1914, Clementina wrote that her financial situation was difficult because the stock exchange was closed due to the war and the financial condition in America. Her stock (worth of over $300,000) could not be used and it was difficult for her to pay some of the bills for the Chapel.[127] The work on the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours was completed in the summer of 1916.

In reviewing the correspondence sent by Clementina to both the Dean and to the architects, it is apparent that Clementina was a fairly demanding person to work with on this project. She had differences of opinion with the architects during all phases of the work from design, to material selection, to actual construction efforts being made by the building contractors. For example, she stated that she "... did not wish Catholic Saints to adorn the windows ...", "... You will remember that I stated that the stone used in the building of the outside of the chapel should be the same as used in the construction of the King of Belmont Chapels..." and "... I cannot write further on these matters, for I am weary of the amount of correspondence that I have had on these three articles ..." The architect Mr. Cram wrote "I do not understand the situation at all and I cannot quite see what she is trying to do. I think it will be necessary for you to see her in person and allay her fears. It seems perfectly impossible for me to do this, though I have tried to do my best." Mr. Ferguson wrote "Her temper at the present time is manifestly quite impossible."[128]

The Chapel of St. Martin of Tours, also known as The French Chapel, was consecrated on 19 March 1918. It is named for a famous Gallican Bishop of the Fourth Century. It seats approximately 50 people. Both French and English services are held in the chapel.

The Chapel is built in the early 13th Century Gothic style. The altar is very simple and is of the same style of architecture as the Chapel. There are 20 windows which are medallion in form, of grissille work in geometrical design. They were made by Charles J. Connick of Boston, Massachusetts. They represent events in the lives of St. Martin and St. Louis of France. The Clerestory window above the Chapel was made by James Powell and Sons, London, England, United Kingdom.

In the Chapel, on the north side, is a statue of St. Joan of Arc, expressing her spiritual character. The sculptor was Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington. It was given to the Cathedral in 1922 by Mr. J. Sanford Saltus. In the Chapel are two stones from the Chateau de Rouen where the Maid of Orleans was imprisoned. In a smaller niche in the wall is a cross, given by the Marquis de Lafayette to the brothers of General Nathaniel Greene. Also in the Chapel is a Sevres Vase, given by the French government, a porcelain plaque, given to the Cathedral by King Albert of Belgium, and two bronze lanterns, given by the Belgian government.[129]

There are two dedications on the wall of the Chapel. The first one reads as follows: "The Chapel of St. Martin of Tours. Consecrated 1918. To the Worship of Almighty God. And in the loving memory of William P. Furniss and his wife Sophia Furniss and their daughter Sophia R.C. Furniss. " The second one reads: "To the Glory of God and in the loving memory of Clementina Furniss by whose gift this chapel was erected and Margaret Elizabeth Zimmerman daughters of William P. Furniss and his wife Sophia Furniss." An additional dedication was noted: "The Clerestory window above the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours is erected to the glory of God and in loving memory of Sophia R.C. Furniss and Mary B. Hubber by Margaret E. Zimmerman nee Furniss. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God."[130]  

30. William3 Furness (Patrick2, unknown1 ) In the Grafton County property records the following information was recorded on 5 March 1798 "... I William Furnass of Chester in the County of Rockingham, State of New Hampshire Blacksmith for ... one hundred and forty dollars ... paid by John Harriman of Plymouth ... convey ... certain tracts of land ... which I bought of my father Patrick Furnass ... being one fifth part of Robert Furnass' location."[131] Assuming that William had to have been at least 16 when his father transfered him title of the land in 1796, he would have been born by 1780.

He is believed to be the William Furness who was among the members of the St. John's Masonic Lodge in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that petitioned the New Hampshire legislature on 15 November 1799 for incorporation. The legislature authorized the incorporation on 10 December 1799. The lodge was actually incorporated 27 June 1821.[132]     

31. Edward3 Furness (Patrick2, unknown1) He was born on 19 June 1786 at Durham, New Hampshire. He died 5 January 1822. His estate was inventoried on 14 March 1823. The total value of the estate was £388 71s, of which £160 were loans he had given out in the period 1818-1819. The remainder of his estate consisted of one half of a hundred acre lot in Eaton (£87 50 s), 1 cow and a small quanity of ordinary hay (£16), 6 sheep (£12), 1 pig (£4), pair of wooden wheels (£10), old ox sled, 1 wheel barrow (£2), 1 old sleigh (£5), 3 tables, 7 dining chairs, 7 old kitchen chairs, 2 looking glasses, 1 blue tea set, 4 edged dishes, 1 small tureen, 3 decanters, 6 wine glasses, 6 tumblers, 11 plates, 1 lot of tin ware, 2 iron pots, 1 dish kettle, 1 tea kettle, dutch oven, frying pan, skillet, grid iron, fire dogs, pair iron candlesticks, 2 spining wheels, 3 flat irons, 2 feather beds, bed for children, carpenters tools, silver spoons, knives and forks, wearing apparel and other miscellaneous items.[133]

He was married on 27 May 1816 to Charlotte Dutch of New Castle. She was born on 25 July 1794 and died on 5 April 1874 at Durham, New Hampshire, and is buried in Lot 3, Space 4 at Old Durham Cemetery, School House Lane in Durham. Charlotte Dutch's second husband was John Gleason (born 3 April 1806, died 28 March 1838).[134]

+43.iWilliam Pepperell4 Furness born 24 May 1817, died 29 April 1895.
+44.iiEdward J. W. Furness born 16 September 1819, died 10 April 1852.
45.iiiCharlotte M. Furness born 7 September 1821, died 15 August 1862.[135]

   

32. Robert3 Furness (Patrick2, unknown1) He was born 11 May 1788. He died 27 March 1840 at Durham, New Hampshire, and is buried in Lot 39, Space 1 at Old Durham Cemetery, School House Lane in Durham. It is believed that he was the Robert Furness who was a sergant in Capt. William Wiggins' Company. He enlisted 11 September 1814 and was discharged 28 September 1814.[136]

He was married to Mary French on 14 April 1816. She was born 16 October 1791, died 22 May 1885, and is buried in Lot 39, Space 2 at Old Durham Cemetery, School House Lane, Durham, New Hampshire.[137]

46.iMary E.3 Furness married Philip Hait of Northwood on 17 December 1838.
47.iJohn W. Furness born 13 February 1823 at Durham, New Hampshire, died 5 March 1823 at Durham, and buried in Lot 39, Space 3 at Old Durham Cemetery, School House Lane in Durham.[138]
48.iiMargaret Furness born 16 August 1824 at Durham, New Hampshire, died 13 (15) August 1831, and buried in Lot 39, Space 4 at Old Durham Cemetery, School House Lane in Durham.[139]
+49.iiiGeorge W. Furness born 24 November 1831 at Durham, New Hampshire, died 14 October 1892 at Northwood, New Hampshire, and buried at Northwood.

 


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References

[119] Appointment Oath for Leon Furniss, Volume for Paymasters, Acting Assisting Paymasters, entry no. 180, Record Group 45, Military Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; New York Times 29 July 1877, p. 12, col. 4; Death Certificate for Leon Furniss, 28 July 1877, Certificate of Death 270178, Department of Records and Information Services, Municipal Archives, 31 Chambers St., New York, NY 10007; copy in possession of writer; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988. Original in possession of writer.

[120] New York Times 29 July 1877, p. 12, col. 4.

[121] "Leon Furniss to Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy," 2 July 1863, Volume for Paymasters, Acting Assisting Paymasters, entry no. 180, Record Group 45, Military Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC.

[122] New York Times 2 June 1878, p. 11, col. 1; International Genealogical Index, New Jersey, March 1992, p. 7,813, photocopy in possession of writer.

[123] Passport Application of Clementina Furniss, Passport Letters, 1-16 April 1875 - passport 44451, 1-13 July 1898 - passport 3271, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; Passport Application of Clementina Furniss, Passports Issued Abroad, Rome, Italy, 1900 - passport 681, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC

[124] New York Times 24 Aug. 1915, p. 11, col. 5; Death Certificate for Clementina Furniss, 23 August 1915, Standard Certificate of Death 433, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, State Department of Public Health, 150 Tremont Street, Room B-3, Boston, MA 02111; copy in possession of writer; "Phyllis Barr, Director of the Archives, Trinity Church to author," 4 Aug. 1988. Original in possession of writer.

[125] Passport Application of Clementina Furniss, Passports Issued Abroad, Rome, Italy, 1900 - passport 681, Record Group 59, Diplomatic Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC; "Clementina Furniss to Cram & Ferguson, Architects, Boston," 5 September 1914, Clementina Furniss file in the archives of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Cathedral heights, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10025, copy in possession of writer.

[126] "Last Will and Testament of Clementina Furniss," 16 June 1915, printed by Chas. P. Young Co., Printers, 19 Beaver St., New York, NY; original copy in the archives of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, copy in possession of writer.

[127] "Wm. M. Grosvenor to Dr. Ernest M. Stires," 11 June 1912, "Clementina Furniss to the Trustees of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine," 9 October 1912, "Clementina Furniss to Dean Grosvenor," 23 July 1913, "Clementina Furniss to Dean Grosvenor," 30 September 1914, Clementina Furniss file in the archives of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, copies in possession of writer; Descriptive statistics of the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours, undated typescript, archives of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, copy in possession of writer.

[128] "Clementina Furniss to Dear Friend [Dean Grosvenor]," 16 August 1913, "Clementina Furniss to Cram & Ferguson, Architects, Boston," 5 September 1914, "Clementina Furniss to Mr. Cram," 21 October 1913, "Mr. Cram to Rev. W. M. Grosvenor," 25 Oct. 1913, "Mr. Ferguson to Rev. W. M. Grosvenor," 8 Sept. 1914, Clementina Furniss file in the archives of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, copies in possession of writer.

[129] The Chapel of St. Martin of Tours (French and English Services), undated typescript description of the church chapels, p. 2, archives of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, copy in possession of writer; Descriptive statistics of the Chapel of St. Martin of Tours, undated typescript, archives of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, copy in possession of writer.

[130] Notes of Martha Furniss, June 1987, in possession of writer, also seen by the writer in Sept. 1990.

[131] William Furniss to John Harriman, Grafton County land records, Book 26, page 217, 28 Feb. 1798, copied by Carol Connell, copy in possession of writer.

[132] New Hampshire Provincal and State Papers, Vol. 13, p 306.

[133] Ceritification of Birth for Edward Furness, Department of Health and Human Service, Concord, New Hampshire; Stackpole and Meserve, History of the Town of Durham, New Hampshire, Vol. II, p. 200; Probate Records for Strafford Co., NH, Vol. 31, p. 131-133, seen at Strafford Co. Courthouse, Dover, NH, photocopy in possession of writer.

[134] Marriages by Rev. John Osborne, Lee, NH. In: New Hampshire Genealogical Record. Vol IV. p.129; Durham Historic Association, Inscriptions on Stones Found in Graveyards in Durham, New Hampshire, typescript, p. 26, Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

[135] Durham Historic Association, Inscriptions on Stones Found in Graveyards in Durham, New Hampshire, typescript, p. 26.

[136] Durham Historic Association, Inscriptions on Stones Found in Graveyards in Durham, New Hampshire, typescript, p. 26; Chandler E. Potter, The Military History of the State of New Hampshire. 1623 - 1861, Part 2, p. 197; Stackpole and Meserve, History of the Town of Durham, New Hampshire.

[137] Marriages by Rev. John Osborne, Lee, NH. In: New Hampshire Genealogical Record. Vol IV. p.126; Durham Historic Association, Inscriptions on Stones Found in Graveyards in Durham, New Hampshire, typescript, p. 26.

[138] Durham Historic Association, Inscriptions on Stones Found in Graveyards in Durham, New Hampshire, typescript, p. 26.

[139] Durham Historic Association, Inscriptions on Stones Found in Graveyards in Durham, New Hampshire, typescript, p. 26.


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