Ogden Goelet

Ogden Goelet (June 11, 1851 New York City – August 27, 1897 Cowes, Isle of Wight) was an American heir, businessman and yachtsman from New York City during the Gilded Age. With his wife, he built Ochre Court in Newport, Rhode Island, his son built Glenmere mansion, and his daughter, Mary Goelet, married Henry Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe.

Early life Ogden Goelet was born on September 29, 1851, in Manhattan, New York City to Sarah Ogden (1809–1888) and Robert Goelet (1809–1879). His father was a prominent landlord in New York City, as was his uncle, Peter Goelet, who was named after Peter Goelet, Ogden's great-grandfather. His parents resided at 5 State Street, overlooking the Battery in Manhattan. His paternal aunt, Hannah Green Goelet, was married to Thomas Russell Gerry, a son of U.S. Vice President Elbridge Gerry. His grandfather was the merchant and landowner Peter P. Goelet. Through this marriage, Goelet was a first cousin of Elbridge Thomas Gerry. After his father's and uncle's deaths, he inherited almost half their fortune, along with his brother. In New York, he was one of the stockholders of the Metropolitan Opera House, holding Box No. 1. Conveniently, 400 was the number of people that could fit into Mrs. Astor's ballroom. Mary was known as one of the viceregal leaders of the Ultra-fashionable 150, among Mrs. Astor, Mrs. Ogden Mills, Mrs. John Jacob Astor, and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr.

Yachting

He had several yachts including a schooner, Norseman that was designed by William Townsend and built in 1881 at the Richard & Cornelius Poillon shipyard in Brooklyn. From 1893 he also chartered Lillie Langtry's yacht White Ladye. His final yacht was named Mayflower and was designed by George Lennox Watson in 1896 and built on the Clyde (Scotland) by J & G Thompson. After Goelet's death the yacht was sold to the US Navy and became .

Goelet's admiration for yacht racing led him to offer what became known as the Goelet Cup. Goelet awarded 31 trophies before his death in 1897. John Jacob Astor IV continued the tradition after Goelet's death.

Homes Goelet and his wife owned a townhouse at 608 Fifth Avenue in New York City and a villa in Nice, France. When in London, they lived at Wimbourne House.

Personal life In 1878, he married Mary Rita Wilson (1855–1929), daughter of Richard Thornton Wilson Sr. and Melissa Clementine Johnston. Her siblings included the banker Richard Thornton Wilson Jr. and socialite Grace Graham Wilson, who was married to Cornelius Vanderbilt III. Robert Wilson Goelet (1880–1966), who built Glenmere mansion.

He was a member of the New York Yacht Club for 17 years, as well as the Knickerbocker Club, Metropolitan Club, and Union Club. His family and body sailed back to the United States and his funeral was held aboard his yacht in Newport and he was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York). His widow died in 1929.

Estate In his will, except for single bequests of $50,000 and $5,000, Ogden Goelet bequeathed the entirety of his estate to his widow and children.In his will, he left his entire estate to his wife and two children. To his widow he bequeathed: A life interest in the couple's box at the Metropolitan Opera House, which would then revert to their daughter; His household possessions, including artworks, jewellery, books, etc. An annuity for life of $150,000; A life interest in the couple's New York home at 608 Fifth Avenue, and his property in Newport. was to be held in trust, with his widow receiving 50% of the income for her life, and each of his children receiving 25% of the income during their lifetimes; after his wife's death his two children were bequeathed the whole of the trust income for life in equal shares.