Helen (Phelps) Stokes (1846-1930)

Mrs Helen Louisa (Phelps) Stokes

She was born in New York City and was brought up from 1854 between her father's townhouse, 229 Madison Avenue (next door to her relations John Jay Phelps and William E. Dodge), and his country home in Saratoga. In 1865, she married Anson Phelps Stokes. They were very distant cousins through their mutual ancestor George Phelps who came to America in 1630. They were the parents of 9-children many of whom became notable social reformers and philanthropists. They often visited England where her husband enjoyed grouse shooting, fox-hunting, and racing his yachts at Cowes on the Isle of Wight. In 1889, they and two of their daughters (Sarah and Helen) were presented at court to Queen Victoria. They lived between various houses on Madison Avenue in New York City; Bay Villa on Staten Island; the 100-room Shadow Brook at Lenox, Massachusetts; and, Brick House at Darien, Connecticut. She outlived her only sister and when her father died she inherited his home at 229 Madison Avenue and $1 million. She and husband lived for sometime at 229 before selling it in 1905 to J.P. Morgan and buying back their old home at 230 Madison Avenue.

Parents (2)

Isaac Newton Phelps

Isaac Newton Phelps, Merchant & Banker, of New York City

1802-1888

Sarah (Lusk) Phelps

Mrs Sarah Maria (Lusk) Phelps

1808-1867

Spouse (1)

Anson Phelps Stokes

Anson P. Stokes, Merchant Banker, of Phelps, Stokes & Co., New York

1838-1913

Children (9)

Isaac Newton Phelps Stokes

"Newton" Phelps Stokes, Architect & Historian, of 118 East 22nd St., New York City

1867-1944

Sarah (Phelps Stokes) Halkett

"Aunt Sadie" Sarah Maria (Phelps Stokes), Baroness Halkett; Children's Author

1869-1943

Helen Olivia Phelps Stokes

Helen Phelps Stokes, Artist & Pioneer of Welfare Reform

1870-1945

James Graham Phelps Stokes

"Graham" Stokes, Socialist Writer & Political Activist

1872-1960

Anson Phelps Stokes

Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes Jr., of New Haven & Shadow Brook Farm, Lenox

1874-1958

Ethel (Phelps Stokes) Hoyt

Mrs Ethel Valentine (Phelps Stokes) Hoyt, of Rowayton, Connecticut

1876-1952

Caroline (Stokes) Hunter

Mrs Caroline Margaretta Phelps (Stokes) Hunter, of Noroton Heights, Conn.

1878-1964

Mildred (Stokes) Hooker

Mrs Mildred Evelyn Phelps (Stokes) Hooker, of 175 71st Street, New York City

1881-1970

Harold Montrose Phelps Stokes

Harold M. Phelps Stokes, of 230 Madison Avenue, New York City

1887-1970

Associated Houses (4)

Bay Villa

New Brighton, New York

The Homestead

Lenox, Massachusetts

Shadow Brook

Lenox, Massachusetts

Brick House

Darien, Connecticut

http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2114.pdf