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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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