Mary Goelet
The Duchess of Roxburghe | |
|---|---|
Mary Goelet (1903) | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mary Goelet 6 October 1878 New York City, United States |
| Died | 26 April 1937 (aged 58) London, England |
| Spouse | |
| Children | George Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe |
| Parents | |
| Relatives | See Goelet family |
Mary "May" Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe (née Goelet; 6 October 1878 – 26 April 1937[1]), was an American-born heiress and socialite who married into Scottish nobility.
Early life
Mary Goelet was born in 1878. Her parents were Mary Wilson[2] and Ogden Goelet, a prominent heir and landlord in New York City and great-grandson of Peter Goelet, heir to one of the largest fortunes of the time. Her only sibling was a younger brother, Robert,[3] who built Glenmere Mansion.[4]
Through her mother, she was a niece of Richard Thornton Wilson Jr. and Grace Vanderbilt.[5] Through her father, she was a niece of Robert Goelet, a first cousin of Robert Walton Goelet, and a granddaughter of Robert Goelet Sr., co-founder of the Chemical Bank of New York.[6]
Following her father's death in 1897, upon her 21st birthday she inherited $500,000 outright and a $10,000,000 Trust fund.[7] Under the terms of her father's will, she would also receive half of his $30,000,000 residuary estate following the death of her mother.[7]
Personal life
In 1897, she was rumored to be engaged to William Montagu, the 20-year-old 9th Duke of Manchester.[8][9][10] He later married a different American, Helena Zimmerman, daughter of industrialist Eugene Zimmerman of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1900.[11]
In late December 1898, she was rumored once more to be engaged to Viscount Crichton, eldest son and heir of 4th Earl Erne.[12]
On 10 November 1903, she married Henry John Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe.[13][14][15] He was the eldest son of the 7th Duke of Roxburghe and Lady Anne Spencer-Churchill (fourth daughter of the 7th Duke of Marlborough and Lady Frances Vane).[16] His first cousins were the 9th Duke of Malborough (who famously married Consuelo Vanderbilt) and Sir Winston Churchill. After ten years of childlessness, Mary gave birth to a son and heir:
- George Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe (7 September 1913 – 26 September 1974), who succeeded his father in 1932.[17]
The Duchess of Roxburghe died on 26 April 1937, in London.[1][18]
Life in Scotland
The Duke and Duchess settled at Floors Castle, where Mary decorated the ancient residence with her own collection of art including a priceless series of 17th century Gobelins Manufactory tapestries.[19]
At the time of her marriage, she was the wealthiest American heiress, with a trust fund of $10,000,000 from her father's estate and a further reversionary interest in half of his $30,000,000 residuary estate.[7]
In 1913, she first became a guest of Queen Mary and King George V at Windsor Castle. She and the Duke were also the guests of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.[18]
In 1929, she inherited $3,000,000 after the death of her mother,[20] as well as the Goelet art collection.[18] Under the terms of her father's will, half of his $30,000,000 residuary estate passed to Mary following her mother's death.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b "DUCHESS LEFT FORTUNE; Roxburghe Estate Was Founded by Money of American Heiress" (PDF). The New York Times. 21 November 1937. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "MRS. OGDEN GOELET DIES OF PNEUMONIA; Duchess of Roxburghe's Mother Long Noted for Her Lavish Entertaining. WAS HOSTESS TO ROYALTY Edward VII, as Prince of Wales, Among Guests--Sister of Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt and R.T. Wilson. Her Hospitality. Duchess of Roxburghe Daughter" (PDF). The New York Times. 24 February 1929. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ "ROBERT GOELET, FINANCIER, DEAD; Real-Estate Millionaire, 86, Was a Social Leader" (PDF). The New York Times. 7 February 1966. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ Foreman, John (14 November 2012). "Big Old Houses: A Better Fate Than Many". New York Social Diary. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ MacColl, Gail; Wallace, Carol (January 1989). "To Marry an English Lord". Workman. ISBN 0894809393.
- ^ "Robert W. Goelet Dies In Home At 61. Corporation Director, Owner of Large Realty Holdings Here, Succumbs to Heart Attack. He Inherited $60,000,000. Sportsman, a Leader in Social Circles in Newport and New York, Kin of Early Settlers" (PDF). New York Times. 3 May 1941. Retrieved 26 July 2010.
Robert Walton Goelet of New York and Newport, R. I., a member of one of New York's oldest and wealthiest families, died of a heart attack yesterday at his ...
- ^ a b c d Floors Castle (31 May 2023). "The Goelet Family". Floors Castle. Roxburghe Estates. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "MISS GOELET'S BETROTHAL.; Reason to Believe She Is Engaged to the Young Duke of Manchester, in Spite of Denials" (PDF). The New York Times. 13 July 1897. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "MANCHESTER-GOELET AFFAIR.; The Daily Telegraph Makes no Apology for Its Story" (PDF). The New York Times. 12 July 1897. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "THE DUKE DENIES IT.; His Grace of Manchester Says the Report of His Engagement to Miss Goelet Is Untrue" (PDF). The New York Times. 11 July 1897. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "DUKE OF MANCHESTER WEDS MISS ZIMMERMAN; Married to Daughter of Cincinnati Railway Man Nov. 14. RELATIVES NOT NOTIFIED Dowager Duchess Did Not Credit Re- port Until Examination of Register of London Church Convinced Her It Was True" (PDF). The New York Times. 20 November 1900. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "MISS GOELET MAY MARRY; Handsome Viscount Crichton Thought Likely to be Happy Man". The New York Times. 25 December 1898. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ Times, Special To The New York (3 September 1903). "DUKE OF ROXBURGHE TO WED MISS GOELET | Engagement Announced in London and Confirmed at Newport. | NEW YORK WEDDING EXPECTED | It is Believed the Couple Will Be Married Here in the Autumn - The Duke Now Mrs. Goelet's Guest". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "THE ROXBURGHE WEDDING; Private Rehearsal Held at St. Thomas's Church. Programme of Today's Ceremony -- Simple Reception to Follow at the Goelet Residence -- Some of the Gifts" (PDF). The New York Times. 10 November 1903. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "MOTHER AND SISTER OF ROXBURGHE HERE; Duchess Denies Story of Objection to American Brides. Plans for the Wedding Complete -- The Decorations at the Church and Home of the Bride" (PDF). The New York Times. 8 November 1903. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ Quinault, Roland (2004). "Churchill, John Winston Spencer, seventh duke of Marlborough (1822–1883)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/5403. (Subscription, Wikipedia Library access or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Times, Special To The New York (6 January 1954). "DUKE OF ROXBURGHE MARRIES IN LONDON" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ a b c Times, Wireless To The New York (27 April 1937). "DOWAGER DUCHESS OF ROXBURGHE DIES; New York Heiress Was a Close Friend of King George V and Queen Mary" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "Illustrated Guide to Places to Visit - Floors Castle". Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ Times, Wireless To The New York (7 August 1929). "DUCHESS INHERITS FORTUNE; Former Miss Goelet Receives $3,000,000 From Mother's Estate" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 28 November 2016.