USA > New York > Long Island historic homes, ancient and modern : including a history of their founders and builders > Part 6
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member of the Board of Managers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, and Trustee of King Hall, Washington, D. C., founded and largely endowed by himself, for the higher education of the colored race, he held up to the time of his death. He was a deputy to the Federal Council on every occasion from its formation in 1871, and a deputy to eight successive Triennial General Con- ventions of the Church. He was also a lay member of the Cathe- dral Chapter of Long Island, and, following the example of his ancestors, he was a liberal benefactor of Grace Church, Jamaica. He and his wife were greatly interested in the New York Asylum for the Blind, of which he was a manager, and it has been truly said that in all his efforts to promote benevolent objects, his wife and daughters were ever ready to join with him.
" Mr. King became a member of the New York Historical Soci- ety in 1881. In 1887 he was elected its eighteenth President, and, devoting himself to its interests, was annually re-elected to the same office. He delivered the address at the eighty-third anniversary of the founding of the society, Nov. 15, 1887, the subject of his ad- dress being ' The framing of the Federal Constitution and the causes leading thereto.' This address was published by the society. At a meeting held June 5, 1900, Mr. King presented and read a memo- rial of Robert Schell, late Treasurer of the society.
" He was very seldom missing from the presidential chair at the monthly meetings of the society, and was a frequent visitor to the library, looking over, with Mr. Kilby, the librarian, the latest addi- tions to the books and manuscripts. The last time he presided was at the meeting on October 2nd. Mr. King's elder brother, Dr. Charles Ray King, was then the oldest member of the society.
"Our late President was deeply interested in procuring a new
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building for the society, and it was under his inspiration that ten full city lots, in the block between Seventy-sixth and Seventy-seventh streets, west of the Park, were purchased as a site for the purpose. He had intended, early in the year, to call a meeting of the society, to take steps for raising the money to build at least a part of it.
"This is but an imperfect summary of the many good deeds of our friend's busy and well-spent life. It reveals a man of marked manliness of character, with a singularly sweet and loving disposition. Holding decided views, conscientiously maintained, on questions which came before him, they were not put forward without a due regard for those who differed from him. Notwithstanding the mul- tiplicity of works in which he engaged, they were always accompanied by such modesty and reticence that few, even of his intimate friends, were aware of the energy and punctuality with which he devoted himself to the duties which he voluntarily assumed for the good of others. Of all the boards and committees of which he was a mem- ber he was never absent from a meeting unless prevented by other imperative duties. For twenty years it has been my privilege to sit beside him in the Board of Managers of our Missionary Society. In all that time I have been a constant observer of the careful and con- scientious manner in which he discharged its important responsibili- ties. In addition to all these public duties, how many days and hours he devoted to personal acts of kindness will never be known until that day when their recipients will rise up and call him blessed. His heart and his hand were always open to every appeal of suffering and want.
"Such was the honorable and noble life of our late President- devoted to the good of others, free in every stage of it from the re- proach of weakness or of personal ends, marked throughout by high
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aims conscientiously carried out, by an enlightened love of goodness, and by the unhesitating devotion of the individual, his faculties and his possessions to the service of God and his fellow men.
" In private life he was what we are accustomed to describe as a gentleman of the old school. As the first Bishop of Long Island has truthfully recorded: Manners with him was a phase of morals. Courage and politeness were, in his view, only other names for ben- evolence in small things. He not only believed in saying what is true and doing what is right, but in saying and doing it with kindly regard to the feelings and circumstances of others. His gracious af- fability was more than a sentiment, because it stood for the dignity of a principle.'
" Lastly, I do not hesitate to hold up his life as a pattern of an humble, sincere and devout Christian man. Accepting with his whole heart the fundamental truths of the Christian faith as set forth in the ancient creeds, illustrating them in his daily walk and conver- sation, his constant aim was, as the Lord requires, 'to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God.'
"And so when the end came, it was in keeping with his life. As every Christian should desire to die-surrounded by his children, with mental abilities unabated, receiving from a beloved pastor the last viaticum -- he calmly fell asleep and was gathered unto his fath- ers, having the testimony of a good conscience, in the communion of the Catholic Church, in the confidence of a certain faith, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and only hope, in favor with his God, and in perfect charity with the world.
" His funeral services were held in St. Thomas' Church, which, though the weather was very stormy, was filled with the representa-
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tives of the various institutions for which he had labored, and a large number of the leading men of the city. His body was laid in the grave by the side of his ancestors and kindred, under the shadow of the old church at Jamaica, Long Island, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection and the life of the world to come. There we left it, with the words on our lips and in our hearts: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.'"
Mr. King married, Feb. 21, 1839, Mary Colden Rhinelander, only daughter of Philip and Mary Colden Hoffman Rhinelander, of New York, son of William Rhinelander, Jr., son of William Rhine- lander (1), son of Philip Jacob Rhinelander, the ancestor of the Rhinelander family.
Philip Jacob Rhinelander was the first of this Huguenot family who sought refuge in America from the persecutions caused by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. On his arrival in America, in 1686, he settled in New Rochelle, Westchester Co., N. Y., where he purchased considerable property, and there died at a good old age. He was born in that part of the Rhine subject to France, four miles from the town of Oberwessel.
William Rhinelander (1), son of Philip Jacob Rhinelander, was born at New Rochelle, N. Y., in 1718. He later removed to New York city and purchased the land at 28 and 30 Spruce street, and lived there until his death, Sept. 7, 1777. He was buried in Trinity Church yard. He married Magdalen Renaud, sometimes spelled Reynaud, daughter of Stephen Renaud, of New Rochelle, and his wife Magdalen. They had William (2) and other children.
William Rhinelander (2), son of William (1) and Magdalen
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(Renaud) Rhinelander, was born in New York, May 27, 1753. In 18to he purchased No. 243 Broadway, and there lived until his death, Sept 9, 1825. He was Trustee for the family and an exten- sive land owner. He married Mary Robert, sometimes spelled Robart, (born 1755, died Feb. 13, 1807,) sister of Col. Robert, who was a line officer under Gen. Washington during the American Rev- olution, and descended from Daniel Robert, who was the first of the Huguenot family of that name who came to America. William Rhinelander (2), by his wife Mary ( Robert) Rhinelander, had among other children, Philip.
Philip Rhinelander, son of William (2) and Mary (Robert) Rhinelander, was born April 14, 1788, died Feb. 57, 1830. He was a man of considerable prominence in the State and active in public affairs. He was a member of Congress, also of State Conven- tion to form Constitution. He married, in 1822, Mary Colden Hoffman, daughter of Hon. Josiah Ogden Hoffman and his wife, Mary Colden, and grand- daughter of David Colden. Their daugh- ter, Mary Colden Rhinelander, born April 7, 1818, died Jan. 12, 1894, was married, Feb. 21, 1839, to John Alsop King.
The children of John Alsop King and his wife, Mary Colden Rhinelander King, were:
1. Mary Rhinelander King.
II. Cornelia Ray King, died early.
III. Alice King, married Gherardi Davis.
IV. Frederic King, died in childhood.
V. Ellen King.
Miss May Rhinelander King, who occupies the beautiful home- stead at Great Neck, is now the only representative of this branch of the King family residing on Long Island.
GRACEFIELD.
THE HOME OF HON. WILLIAM R. GRACE, EX-MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY.
This delightful country seat, for the past thirty years or more the summer home of Hon. William R. Grace, has many advantages not found in the later and more pretentious homes for which Great Neck is noted. Rest, retirement, recreation and healthfulness were the princi- pal objects sought by Mr. Grace, and these have been attained in the highest degree. Nature has supplied all that is required, and art would de- tract rather than improve the beauties of the place. This, for generations, was known as the " Mott Manor," and here the descendants of the quaint old Quaker, Adam Mott, the founder of the Long Island Motts, lived in peace and qui- etness, cultivating their broad WINTER SCENE AT GRACEFIELD. acres and enjoying the beauties
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which nature had so lavishly provided, caring little for that which lav beyond their own immediate vision.
Gracefield homestead is situated on one of the highest points of Great Neck harbor, at an elevation of about one hundred feet above tidewater, and commands an extended view of the harbor from Man- hassett Bay to Long Island Sound. Port Washington, which has become famous as the home of the millionaires, lies about a mile to the east on the opposite shore, and beyond, as far as the eye can reach, is Long Island Sound, clearly discerned on a bright day by the fleet of sails and passing steamers. Harbor Hill lies directly op- posite, and a little to the south are the waters of Manhassett Bay.
In its general appearance the old house remains much the same as when the last Mott left it. Alterations and additions have been made as occasion required, but the general features have been pre- served. The broad piazza in front was added by the present owner, but the old double doors which open to the rear entrance have undergone no change. The broad, hand-made shingles, which cover the main house and which have sheltered it from the storms of many winters, still remain firm in their place, and the recent additions conform to the style in every respect, both in exterior and interior. The house, as was the custom, has a southern exposure, and the land slopes gently on three sides. About fifty vards in front of the house is a deep ravine, spanned by a rustic bridge, beneath which flows a rippling stream down the hillside into the bay, where for hundreds of years it has continued its course amid the many changing scenes that have occurred.
" Men may come and men may go,
But I go on forever, forever."
The house is surrounded by a forest of trees, which during the
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summer partially conceal it from view but give to it an additional charm and home-like appearance. Several acres of well kept lawn stretch out along the highway, a portion of which is utilized for polo grounds, lawn tennis and other summer amusements.
Gracefield proper embraces some two hundred acres, and on the opposite side of the street are the large stables, the lodge and other outbuildings. A fine herd of Jersey cows graze over the rich pasture lands, affording an abundant supply of rich milk for the family and the numerous summer visitors which the hospitable proprietor de- lights to entertain. Within the enclosure of the pasture lands is a never failing spring of pure, cold water, a constant reminder of the past. The Indian drank from this long before he learned the use of the "fire water" which parched his throat and turned his brain, and from this spring the generations of Motts quenched their thirst dur- ing the heat of the long summer days.
THE GRACE AND ALLIED FAMILIES.
LINE OF HON. WILLIAM R. GRACE.
The recent leasing of the famous Battle Abbey by Mr. M. P. Grace recalls the fact that the name of his ancestor who participated in the Battle of Hastings is found in the Domesday Book, a des- cendant of whom joined in the conquest of Ireland. [Mr. Grace is a brother of Hon. William R. Grace, ex-Mayor of New York City.]
Baron Otho of England, of Saxon descent, living in the 10th of Edward the Confessor, was father of Castellan Walter Fitz Otho, born about A. D. 1000, who, at the general survey of the kingdom in 1078, was Castellan of Windsor and was appointed by William the Conqueror, Warden of the Forests in Berkshire.
Governor Raymond Fitz William Fitz Gerald, surnamed Le Gros, born about A. D. 1118, was the second son of William Fitz Gerald Fitz Walter, and was 15th in descent from Baron Otho. He went to Ireland and had a principal share in the conquest of that king- dom.
Says a well known writer on genealogy: "The old and eminent family of Grace ranks among the earliest of the Anglo Norman set- tlers in Ireland. Under the banner of Richard de Clare (the well known Strongbow), Raymond Fitz Walter, surnamed Le Gros, landed in that kingdom. He became its Viceroy in 1156, and, marrying Basilia de Clare, Strongbow's sister, acquired the extensive district in the County of Kilkenny, still known as 'The Cantred of
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Grace's Country.' To this gallant soldier the Graces trace their origin.
" Baron Raymond Fitz William Le Gros, eldest son of Governor Raymond Fitz Walter Le Gros, of County Kilkenny, Ireland-from whom sprang the family of Grace-was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, A. D. 1180. He was a principal sharer in the reduction of Ireland, and when King Henry I. became jealous of Strongbow (Earl de Clare) and, to prevent his growing power, commanded all the English to return to their own country by the ensuing Easter, Raymond was despatched to the King, then in Aquitaine, to appease his jealousy by submitting, in the Earl's name, his conquest to his pleasure.
"After the execution of this commission he performed many ex- traordinary and signal services against the Irish, by which, in a great measure, he preserved the English army from destruction and retained the Kingdom of Ireland in subjection to King Henry I., and for this seasonable relief of Earl Strongbow de Clare and his small army, then cooped up at Waterford by the citizens (who were conspiring their murder), had that Earl's sister Basilia given him in marriage, and, as a portion with her, the lands of Idrone, Tothard and Glass- arigg, with the Constableship of Linster. He became Baron of Courtstown or Tullaroan and Lord of Grace's Country. He mar- ried Margaret, daughter of Robert Fitz Warren of Wales. His lin- eal descendant in the 12th generation was Sir John Le Gros."
Sir John Le Gros, born in Courtstown, Ireland, A. D. 1475, (surnamed Criosearaium, the Iron Belted, ) son of Raymond Fitz Walter Le Gros, was living in 1520 to 1534. He married Cath- arine, daughter of Pierce Le Poer, of Curaghmore in the city of Waterford, and had two sons:
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John Le Gros, born about A. D. 1500. Sir Oliver Le Gros, born about A. D. 1 505.
The former (called More the Great) became Baron of Courts- town and Lord of Grace's Country at Tullaroan in 1543, and built the Castle of Courtstown.
Sir Oliver Grace, Knight, the second son, born about A. D. 1505, (surnamed " ciall inhar," The Wise,) of Ballylinch and Legan Castles, County Kilkenny, was Lord of Carney in Tipperary and Member of Parliament for that city in 1559. He married Mary, daughter of Sir Gerald Fitz Gerald, third Lord Decies, by his wife Ellice, daughter of Pierce Butler, eighth Earl of Ormonde; dying in 1580 he was succeeded by his son,
Gerald Grace, (surnamed Marcash, The Horseman,) of Bally- linch Castle, born about A. D. 1540. He married Margaret, daugh- ter of Sir Robert Hartpole, of Shrule Castle in Queens County, and was succeeded by his son Oliver.
Oliver Grace, (surnamed Skconaugh, The Handsome,) of Bally- linch Castle, was born about A. D. 1575, died Aug. 27, 1620. He married Margaret, daughter of Edmund Butler, second Viscount Mountgurnt, and was succeeded by his son Gerald.
Gerald Grace, (called Reenin, The Traveller,) of Ballylinch Castle, was born about A. D. 1610. He fell at the battle of Kil- brush, April 15, 1642, and a confiscation by the Commonwealth of estates to the extent of 17,000 acres followed. He married Ellen, eldest daughter and eventually co-heir of Edmund Butler, third Lord of Dunboyne (and his wife Margaret, sole heir of Thomas, fourth Lord Caher) and was succeeded by his son,
William Grace, who was styled of Ballylinch Castle, but resided
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at Barrowmount, County Kilkenny, was born April, A. D. 1635. He married Elenor, sister of Edward, second Viscount of Galmovs (by Margaret, his wife, daughter of Nicholas, first Lord Nether- worth, widow of James, the eldest son of Pierce Butler, Viscount Skerrin, ancestor of the Earls of Carrick ), and had issue Oliver Grace, 1660, and Frace, 1665.
Honorable Oliver Grace, eldest son of William, born about 1660, was in Parliament and held the office of Chief Remembrancer of the Exchequer in Ireland, and settled at Shauganagh, now called Gracefield, in Queens County. He married Elizabeth, only surviv- ing child of John Bryan, Esq., of Baronmore, County of Kilkenny. His second wife, Ursula, second daughter and eventually co-heiress of Walter Walsh, Esq., of Castlehoel, by his wife, Hon. Magdalen Sheffield, sister of Edmund Sheffield, second Earl of Mulgrave, and ultimately sole heiress of Edmund Sheffield, last Duke of Bucking- ham and Normandy.
By his first wife, Elizabeth Bryan, Honorable Oliver Grace had seven children, of whom the eldest was Michael.
Michael Grace, son of Honorable Oliver and his wife Elizabeth (Bryan) Grace, was born about 1682. He inherited as co-heir-at- law, with his nephew (the son of his sister Lettice), Robert Grace, of Courtstown, the undivided estates of the Sheffield family in the counties of Sussex, Middlesex and York. He died 1760. He mar- ried Mary, daughter of John Galway, Esq., of Lota House, County Cork, by Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of William Meade, Esq., of Ballintobber, and sister of Sir John Meade, Baronet, grandfather of the first Earl of Claniwilliam. He had issue four children, of whom was John Grace (1).
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John Grace (1), son of Michael and Mary (Galway) Grace, was born about 1706; died before 1760, leaving son John ( 2).
John Grace (2) son of John (1), of Queens County, Ireland, was born about 1740. He had three sons, the eldest of whom was John (3).
John Grace (3), son of John (2), was born about 1770, in Queens County, Ireland; died at Banhagher, Kings County, Ireland. He married, about 1797, Alice Horenden, of that county, and had a son James.
JAMES GRACE, son of John (3) and Alice ( Horenden ) Grace, was born in Queens County, Ireland, in 1798. He resided at the Shef- field House in the same county; died at the "Faramouth House," same county, Feb. 5, 1869. He married in Limerick, Ireland, in 1827, Ellen Mary Russell, daughter of Michael Russell, of Nenagh, County of Tipperary, Ireland, and had issue:
1. Alice, born at Sheffield House, Queens County, Ireland, 1828; died 1875.
II. Ellen M. born at Sheffield House, 1829.
III. WILLIAM RUSSELL GRACE, born at Riverstown, Cove of Cork, May 10, 1832. ( See record. )
IV. John W., born at Sheffield House, 1836.
V. Morgan S., born at Sheffield House, 1839.
VI. Sarah M., born at Sheffield House, 1840.
VII. Michael P., born at Sheffield House, 1843.
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Fon. William R. Grace, third child of James and Ellen Mary (Russell) Grace, was born at Rivertown, Cove of Cork, County Queens, Ireland, Mav 10, 1832. The self-reliant spirit, boldness, energy and determination, characteristic traits of his ancestors, were carly developed in him. With a fair education to begin life, he came to this country at the age of fourteen and entered a shipping office as clerk, and in less than four years he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of the business to enable him to start for himself. His habits were fixed and his character as mature at that carly age as many men ten years his senior. He returned home with a fixed purpose to start in business for himself. He submitted his plans to his father, who had confidence in his son's ability and good judg- ment, and, acting on the advice of the former, he went to Liverpool and established the firm of William R. Grace & Co. After two years' experience he became satisfied that the opportunities for suc- cess in the New World were much greater than in the Old. He sold out his business and returned to the home of his adoption. The trade with the South American states at this time was comparatively in its infancy. He visited Peru, Lima and Callao, where he established, in the early fifties, the firm of Bryce, Grace & Co. Business prospered, and in the course of a few years his firm had achieved a world-wide repu- tation and controlled most of the foreign shipping trade of the South American coast, with agencies at Valparaiso, Liverpool, Boston, Bal- timore and other cities. The firms of William R. Grace & Co., of New York, Thomas Williams & Co., of Liverpool, J. W. Grace & Co., of San Francisco, and Grace Brothers & Co., of Callao, with William R. Grace as the guiding and controlling spirit, became known throughout the civilized world, and Mr. Grace himself was recog- nized as one of the ablest and most successful of New York mer-
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chants. The carrying trade of these several firms embraces almost every article to be found in the list of exports and imports of the South American states. The facilities offered by this firm helped to develop an immense amount of territory and largely increased the commerce of the whole world. For several years after he established the first house he spent most of his time in travel, looking after his various interests and the new firms founded by him. In 1865, just after the close of the war, he decided to settle permanently in New York, and from that time forth has been identified with the city's interests and has contributed largely to its prosperity. Other busi- ness interests occupied his attention. He became President of the Export Lumber Co., a director of the Marine National Bank, the Lincoln National Bank and the Emigrant Savings Bank, and was made Receiver of the Continental Life Insurance Co. During the great famine in Ireland, in 1880, he entered heartily into the relief plan adopted by the New York Herald, and when a U. S. steamship was selected to carry the generous contributions to that suffering coun- try, Mr. Grace contributed one-fourth of the entire cargo, besides the services of his clerks in the prosecution of all clerical duties con- nected with the work. The entire cost to Mr. Grace in this noble enterprise was some $50,000. Publicity in this matter was unavoid- able, but his generous gifts to other deserving charities are known only to himself and the recipients of his kindness.
Mr. Grace, while interested in all public matters pertaining to the interests of his adopted city, had never taken a very active inter- est in politics until 1880. The affairs of the city at that time were in a very unfortunate condition. Politicians were in control and the people were made to suffer. Mr. Grace's candidacy was sought for the mayoralty as one on whom all parties could unite, and he was
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finally induced to accept the nomination. Some of his enemies sought to inject religious issues into the campaign, but, in spite of this, he was elected by a handsome majority, and those who had pre- dicted the evil results were sadly disappointed, for Mr. Grace gave the city one of the best and most impartial administrations it had ever enjoyed. There was no favoritism, and Mr. Grace conducted the affairs of his office the same as his own private affairs and gave the city a clean, honest government.
It was during his administration as Mayor that the movement was first started to erect a monument in New York City to the mem- ory of Gen. Grant, whose death occurred at this time. The Grant Monument Association was organized with Mayor Grace as Presi- dent. About half a million of dollars was raised in the course of a few months and efforts were kept up for further increasing the fund. In the meantime the Grand Army of the Republic started a move- ment for the erection of a monument in Washington, and it became necessary to counteract this influence by placing Grand Army men on the Executive Committee. Mr. Grace and others resigned, the movement received a new impetus with Gen. Horace Porter at the head, and resulted in the completion and erection of the monument at Riverside Park. To Mayor Grace and his associates, however, be- longs the credit of starting the movement and raising a fund which assured its ultimate success.
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