Francis William Jones Hurst

Francis William Jones Hurst (February 13, 1840 – July 21, 1902), a native of the British West Indies, was a major figure in the cross-Atlantic shipping business in the 19th century. During the American Civil War, he captained ships that ran the Union blockade of Confederate ports. From the War's end to his death, he was the New York-based manager for the National Steam-Ship Company (also known as the National Line). The National Line brought goods and thousands of emigrants from ports in the British Isles to New York.

Early life Francis William Jones Hurst was born in St. John's, Antigua (then in the British West Indies) on February 13, 1840. His father was Alphoso John Hurst and his mother Sarah Esther Tuzo, both Bermudians. His aunt Mary Hurst was the wife of John Harvey Darrell, Chief Justice of Bermuda 1856-1871.

Hurst completed his education in Bermuda, and relocated to London, where in 1856 he began his mercantile career. One such ship, the Banshee, was the first steel-built vessel to cross the Atlantic. The Banshee made eight successful runs between the Bahamas and Wilmington, North Carolina, before being captured on its ninth voyage in November 1863.

Society and philanthropy He was the longstanding treasurer of the New York Yacht Club, and was a three-time president of the St. George's Society of New York (from 1880–81, 1889–91, and 1895–96). Caroline's parents then assisted Hurst to raise his three daughters, namely:

Florence Jaffray Hurst (1870–1967), who married J. Borden Harriman (1864–1914) in 1889. Ethel Wentworth Hurst (b. 1871), who lived in Hamilton, Bermuda. Caroline Elise Hurst (1873–1961), who married banker and teacher George Hope Mairs (1866–1933) of New Jersey, in April 1894.

Hurst and his daughters would spend their winters in a Fifth Avenue mansion, while spending their summers in an Irvington, New York estate. He died soon thereafter, on July 21, 1902.