First Class Passengers

I have emboldened the above quote and separated it, because I feel it is very significant. The following is the rest of the article as it was in 1911.

As Colonel and Mrs. Astor sped away in the huge swift gray automobile toward the yacht landing, where the special launch was waiting to bear them across the bay to the yacht, he waved aside all questioners with the statement that W. A. Dobbyn, his confidential and business secretary would make public all the details.

Official statement issued.

Mr. Dobbyn then issued this formal statement:

"Colonel John Jacob Astor and Miss Madeleine T. Force were married at Newport to-day by the Rev. Joseph Lambert of the Elmwood Temple Congregational church of Providence.

"The bride was given away by her father, William H. Force. Miss Katherine Force, sister of the bride, acted as maid of honor and Vincent Astor was the best man.

"Those who witnessed the marriage were Mr. and Mrs. William H. Force, parents of the bride, Miss Katherine Force, sister of the bride, Mrs. Elder Vincent Astor, William P. Sheffield of Newport and W. A. Dobbyn of New York."

On board the Noma.

Within less than an hour from the time that they had gone ashore to be married Colonel Astor and his beautiful bride were aboard the Noma headed for the open sea.

Although everyone closely connected with Colonel Astor or the bride disclaimed any knowledge of the probable destination of the yacht it is generally believed that the honeymoon will be spent in the quietness of Ferncliff on the Hudson, the secluded ancestral estate of Colonel Astor.

It was shortly after 2 o’clock this morning when the Noma from New York, carrying Colonel Astor, Miss Madeleine Force, her sister, Miss Katherine Force, and William H. Force, the brides father, dropped anchor in the bay.

Mrs. Force, the brides mother, accompanied by Mrs. P. T. Elder, a personal friend, slipped into Newport and were driven to the Munchinger-King Inn.

In between these happy events a serious and potentially unpleasant one occurred. The following is from the same News paper;

Those aboard the yacht were astir early. The sky was heavily overcast with dark gray clouds and the old adage "Happy is the bride that the sun shines on" seemed likely to lack fulfilment for Madeleine Force. There was a cold penetrating twang to the salt air during the early morning that called for the overcoats and sweaters.

Whether the question of luck was involved or not, there went out from shore Deputy Sheriff Frank P. King, headed for the Noma just as the Astor-Force party sat down to breakfast at 8 o’clock. As soon as Colonel Astor was informed that he was sought by the process server he said he was ready to accept service.

A summons was given him in a damage suit for $30,000 brought by Bridget McCrohan and her children. The action grows out of the death of Eugene F. McCrohan son of the woman who was killed at Beechwood in the summer of 1910, while doing some electric wire work on the estate at Beechwood.

Just a few minutes before 9 o’clock Colonel Astor, Miss Force and the others of the party went ashore. From an obscure spot two limousine automobiles dashed up, the party got in and hurried away. The carefully planned strategy worked out just as was intended and the newspaper men were left behind. Colonel Astor and party drove direct to the office of the town clerk.

Bride was flurried.

Colonel Astor appeared agitated, Miss Force somewhat unconcerned in appearance, kept her head in the air, apparently seeing no one. City clerk Fullerton had the licence all ready. This had been arranged by the Newport attorney.

It was not until the house was reached that the change as to the clergyman was known. The Rev. Dr. Lambert had been rushed from Providence.

The most striking feature of this marriage was its democratic simplicity.

Surrounded by all that is typical of the lavish display of wealth, in the one center of pleasure and fashion that American society has adapted, the bride and bridegroom and all with them brushed aside every convention.

No new clothes.

Miss Force wore a semi-hobble travelling gown of dark blue material. It was not new.

Colonel Astor wore the same business suit of blue chevlot, varied only by a thin pin stripe, by which he was so frequently recognized while making daily calls upon his fiancée.

Witnesses of the ceremony to-day all noted that the only gem worn by the bride was the huge solitaire diamond in her engagement ring. All members of the little wedding party wore their street clothes.

Miss Katherine Force, sister of the little bride, was dressed in black which fitted closely to her trim figure. She wore a huge white polo coat and a wide brimmed velvet hat to match. Mrs. William H. Force, the mother, wore black lace over white silk and a large black hat. Mrs. Elder, a friend of the brides mother, was attired in a gray walking suit.

Two other noteworthy events regard the two preachers. The standby preacher, The Rev. Edwin Straight, known as the ‘carpenter preacher’, was clearly upset that he was not used. This makes me wonder if he knew he was a standby. From the Syracuse Herald;

The Rev. Edwin Straight, the "carpenter preacher" who went to Newport last night to be in readiness to perform the ceremony, is chagrined over what he declared was bad treatment. He arrived home at noon. He had been at Newport all night, staying at a hotel waiting to be called to the Astor residence.

"I am pained, humiliated and distressed over the treatment accorded me," said Mr. Straight, "I shall have something to say later about it too. I feel that I have been made a cats paw,"

The other event that I feel should be highlighted is that involving the Preacher who did carry out the marriage ceremony, Rev. Dr. Joseph Lambert, pastor of the Elmwood Temple Congregational Church, Providence, Rhode Island.

Here is a quote included in the Syracuse Herald from the Rev. Edward T. Root;

Congregational church circles in this city are greatly stirred over the announcement that Mr. Lambert tied the wedding knot. The Rev. Edward T. Root, head of the Rhode Island federation of churches, said:

"I think the whole matter is disgraceful. I suppose it was the question of $1,000. It must have been the money that made him do it."

Mr. Lambert may be asked to resign.

Soon after the wedding the newlyweds headed to Europe for their honeymoon. Eventually boarding the Titanic, which was on its maiden voyage, at Cherbourg, France, in order to return home. Many seemed to have thought that the trip abroad was also taken in order to escape from public gaze for a while thus allowing gossip and intrusion into their affairs to die down.

Some also thought the Astor’s were returning early, so that Colonel Astor could make changes to his will. He had already made some changes reflecting the fact that he now had a new wife, but it appears he wanted to add or strengthen the provisions.

This makes sense in the light of the fact that Madeleine was now pregnant with John Jacob’s child.

I feel the Titanic story is very well covered and much has been written that includes details of what John and Madeleine apparently did on board. I have decided not to go into great detail here because of this, but am adding a few things which I feel warrant a particular mention.

They boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg. With the couple traveled John’s manservant, Mr. Victor Robbins. Victor was married with children at the time and he had been with Colonel Astor for at least five years. Victor perished in the sinking.

As well as Mr. Robbins there was Madeleine’s maid, Miss Rosalie Bidois, her private nurse, Miss Caroline Louise Endres and the couple’s pet dog an Airedale called Kitty.

They occupied cabin numbers C62-64.

On the night of the sinking, April 14-15, 1912, John Jacob is reported by many to have remained calm, he is also said to have helped many into lifeboats.

At one point, apparently to help keep his young wife calm, he was seen sitting in the gym cutting into a lifejacket so that he could show her what kept it afloat.

When it came to the time for Madeleine to enter a boat herself John is said to have asked if it was possible to travel with his pregnant wife, but upon refusal he did not create a fuss. After saying farewell to his wife for the last time, he stepped back.

He is recorded by some, such as fellow passenger Archibald Gracie, to have been seen standing alone have a quiet smoke.

Before Colonel Astor’s body was found, members of his family, including his son, Vincent, had apparently been planning to have the wreck blown up in order, it was hoped, to release Colonel Astor’s body.

However, on April 23 his corpse which had been found by the cable ship, Mackay-Bennett, was identified. Numbered as 124, it was eventually returned to his family for burial in the family plot.

From the Wintoba free press;

New York, May 6. Funeral services over the body of John Jacob Astor, one of the victims of the Titanic disaster, were performed Saturday in the little Episcopal church of the Messiah, at Rhinecliffe on the Hudson, Rev. Dr. Saunders, rector of the church, officiated, assisted by Rev. Dr. W. T. Manning rector of Trinity, New York.

Mrs. Ava Willing Astor, Colonel Astor’s first wife, did not go to Rhineland, the Astor home. After the services the body brought to this city where internment took place in Trinity cemetery on Washington Heights. Mrs. Madeleine Force Astor went to the grave with the other mourners.

Several contemporary sources mention the displays of weeping and sadness among those who knew John Jacob, not least of all his son, Vincent, I am aware that a newspaper is hardly likely to say otherwise, but in this case I do believe it to be true.

Eventually Colonel Astor’s will was executed on 18 September 1911. To his son, Vincent, he left;

a) All the lands and personal property at Rhinebeck, N.Y, over which the testator was given a power of appointment by his father's will.

(b) All the lands and personal property at Rhinebeck which belonged to him absolutely at the time of his death.

(c) The house and grounds at Newport, R.I with all personal property therein over which he had a power of appointment under his father's will

(d) All the pictures and statuary left to him for life by his father’s will with power of appointment

(e) All his jewellery wearing apparel, personal effects, yachts and boats

To his wife, Madeleine Talmadge Force Astor, He left the Town house and stable at Fifth Avenue and Sixty-fifth street, together with the books, paintings, pictures, engravings, marbles, bronzes statuary and objects of art plate and silver-plated ware linen, china glass, household effects useful and ornamental therein contained and now herein above disposed of to have and to hold the same for so long during her life as she shall remain his widow. Upon her death or remarriage all this property is bequeathed to the testator's son, William Vincent Astor.

Also for his wife, he left a trust fund of $5,000,000 she was to have this for the rest of her life so long as she remained his widow. Upon her death or remarriage, the money would go to William Vincent Astor.

He also left her a outright legacy of $100,000 payable immediately on the event of his death and all horses and other live stock, and all carriages and harness and stable furniture and all automobiles and all provisions and supplies belonging to him at the time of his death.

His daughter, Ava Alice Muriel Astor was left a trust fund of $5,000,000. During her minority, the trustee's were to determine how much she should have for her maintenance and education. Once she reached majority, she received the absolute sum of money.

A trust fund of $3,000,000 was to be given to any child who survived him other than his two children, William Vincent Astor and Ava Alice Muriel Astor. The child would attain the money up reaching majority (21 years of age.)

Astor also left various amounts of money to his employee's. He also left a reasonable sum of money to St. Paul's school in Concord, New Hampshire.
As can be seen, John had fortunately had the foresight to include something for future children not yet born.

There was much talk of his first wife being left out of the will but on reflection I feel she had received a very good settlement from the divorce.

I hope you find this short biography interesting, I will be looking to add to it as and when other things are brought to my attention or come to light.

Graham Fox June 7 2006

1910 United States Federal Census, Rhinebeck, Duchess, New York.

1.1 Magdalen Astor born in 1788, daughter of John Jacob Astor and Sarah Todd. Magdalen died in 1832, 44 years old. Magdalen:

1.2 William Backhouse Astor was born 10-09-1792 in New York, New York, son of John Jacob Astor and Sarah Todd. William Backhouse died 24-11-1875 in New York, New York, 83 years old. William Backhouse married, aged 26 years old, in 1818 in New York, New York to Margaret Rebecca Armstrong, who was 20 years old. Margaret Rebecca was born in 1798 in New York, daughter of John Armstrong and Alida Livingston. Margaret Rebecca died in 1872, 74 years old.

1.2.1 Emily Astor born in 1819 in New York City, New York, daughter of William Backhouse Astor and Margaret Rebecca Armstrong. Emily died in 1841, 22 years old. Emily married  Samuel IV Ward. Samuel IV is born in 1814. Samuel IV died in 1884, 70 years old.

1.2.2 John Jacob III Astor born 10-06-1822 in New York, New York, son of William Backhouse Astor and Margaret Rebecca Armstrong. John Jacob III died 22-02-1890 in New York, New York, 67 year old. John Jacob III married,aged  24 year old, in 1846 to Charlotte Augusta Gibbs, who was 24 years old. Charlotte Augusta was born in 1822 in New York, New York, daughter of Thomas Stanyarne Gibbes. Charlotte Augusta died in   1887, 65 years old.

Child of John Jacob III and Charlotte Augusta: