[Furniss Vohs HomePage] [Name Index] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index]
The Furniss and Furness Families
of Portsmouth and Durham, New
Hampshire
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. | i | William Pepperell4 Furness born 24 May 1817, died 29 April 1895. |
| + | 44. | ii | Edward J. W. Furness born 16 September 1819, died 10 April 1852. |
| 45. | iii | Charlotte 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. | i | Mary E.3 Furness married Philip Hait of Northwood on 17 December 1838. | |
| 47. | i | John 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. | ii | Margaret 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. | iii | George W. Furness born 24 November 1831 at Durham, New Hampshire, died 14 October 1892 at Northwood, New Hampshire, and buried at Northwood. |
[Previous Page] [Page 7 of 12] [Next Page]
[Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index]
[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.
[Furniss Vohs Home Page] [Furniss Vohs Name Indexes] [Furniss/Furness Table of Contents] [Furniss/Furness Index]