Mary Jane Morgan

Mary Jane (Sexton) Morgan (1823–1885), initially a schoolteacher, became a fine art collector after her marriage to Charles Morgan. She was the second wife of the man who earned a fortune in the iron, railroad, and steamship industries. She also grew and collected orchids. was born in 1823 in New York City. Her father, an East Indian trader,

Mary Jane, one of eight children, was educated at private schools in the city. At Mme. Hallet's school, only French was spoken. She finished her education at Dr. Schroeder's school and began teaching French and mathematics. (The Texas State Historical Association states that they were married one day earlier, on June 24, 1851.) After her death, the children attended Dr. Schroeder's School on Broadway in Manhattan. Charles met Mary Jane there and they were married. He built a fine house at 7 East 26th Street in New York City. She had step-grandchildren from her husband's first family. Her total art collection, many of which were displayed on the walls of rooms, corridors, and stairways at her house at 7 East Twenty-Sixth Street was estimated at $32 million . She was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York. Charles and his first wife, Emily, are also buried at Green-Wood. All three are interred in section 81.