The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-14

Origin, Aim and Advancement Of the Work.
What II Has Accomplished.

seen better days, but whose declining years were
saddened by poverty and oftentimes by the need Of
q certain home. Their former position In society
as regarded education and general respectabllity
naturally forbade the thought OF their seeking an
asylum In the poorhouse, and yet there seemed TO
be no other place where they could spend their de-
Ginning days-no spot that would recall the memo
ries and comforts OF home. For the relief Of just
this class q few benevolent ladies' were moved to
compassion.
Several meetings were held for the discussion OF
their plans, when, In the OF 1918, associs
ton was formed, which WAS called "a Society for
the Relief OF Aged INDECENT Females" After con-
tinued ana dscouraging Efforts sunncient num-
Der Of subscribers obtained to warrant the en-
terprise and the 7th Of February 1914 their frst
meeting was held In the session room OF the old
brick Presbyterian church, which at that time was
built on the site now occupied by the New York
Times building A constitution was then adopted
and board OF sixteen managers was duly elected.
The board consisted Of the following ladies, VIII
Mrs. James Dunlap, first drectress; Mrs B. M. Num-
ford, second directress; Mrs. John Bingham, trea-
surer and Mrs. Renssalear Ravens, secretary. The
becca Leggett. Miss Hardenbrook, Miss Ann Glass,
MISS Ann Nichols, Mrs. Della Henry, Mrs. BENJAMIN
De Forest, Mrs. Anne Church. Mrs Sarah Gum, Mrs.
Elizabeth Post, Mrs. Jessie baldwin, Mrs. Richard
Cunningham and Mrs. Tyler Maynard.
OF that arst board there remain but Two sur
part In the management OF the affairs OF the nstitu-
ton, advancing It's interests with her matured ex-
perience and her faithful prayers. The lady Is Mrs.
Goldsmith, who was at the formation OF the asso-
citation Miss Leggett.
managers continued TO meet in the Brick church
session room until May 1917, when they reinqulshe
three years met alternately at each others resi-.
dence after which time che meetings were regularly
na e. the q MISS ssrn bn
ing In 1885, From 1924 10 1888 the annual meetings
were held IN the consistory room OF the Collegiate
Reformed Dutch church in Fulton street.
In 1915 the association received from the Common
Council the sum OF $500, ana during the following
moneys ever 1eeevea BY ae pnsta
funds that were needed for the furtherance OF the
tencs enema hs looked 70 charity
mons and collections In the churches and TO the
private subscriptions OF individual friends.
In the winter OF 1929 auxiliary society was
formed under the direction OF Mrs. L. Mowatt and
Miss Ann Domin1ck NOW Mrs. Gillet the present
suitable clothing for the outdoor pensioners, OF
whom there are at present one hundred, and is aid
has been felt to be OF lncalcu able value. Over
81, 900 was expend ID on them last year.
In lsss the project OF erecting building which
s pro ~ to the rsnds Of the Tss
want Of such building had long been felt. In the
winter OF 1884 sermon on behalf Of the society.
the Rev Or. Schroeder in the Church Of the Ascen
sion then in Canal street, after which collection
the preacher In setting forth the claims Of this par
cular class OF the poor that his appeal touched the
hearts Of many Of his hearers on their return from
band, ''COuld we not afford to give them little
iandW The suggestion was complied ". WITH. and
by Mr.. Stuyvesant. A subscription list was at once
opened. which Mr. John JACOB Aston headed with
raised within year. The managers now awoke
to new zeal and became earnest In their endeavors
e association d to many Of the merchants Of the
city. and their appeal was not in vain Within the
year the condition OF MT As a; was compiled with
until 1887 committee OF gentlemen, composed Of
MessIs. Arson G. Phelps, G; G. Goddard. George
erection. 1t Is truly the matron remarked TO the
writer yesterday, not only retreat for the aged,
the munidcent charity OF the merchants of New
York.
an infirmary, soon became apparent to the Board
Their plan laid before Mr. Astor who gave his
SANCTION and pledged himself for $1,000 toward the
erection OF an additional building Other lesser
sums were contributed, until the management felt
authorized In pushing forward their nndortaRIns
and building begun upon n, which was completed
The asylum building occupies the whole of four
lots Twentieth street, between Second and Third
avenues. 1t is four stories hgn, beside the base
ment and subcear The basement contains the
reception rooms dining room, kitchen, laundry and
infrinary, with all the Accommodation for culinary
purposes. The principal story Is reached oy
douole light OF stairs, and is entered by large
doorway, from which hall eighteen feet wide runs
the entire length OF the building, with the exception
OF small adjoining building OF twelve rooms. This
story Is occupied by suit OF rooms consisting OF
two parors chapel and four sleeping rooms. Each
OF the upper stories contains twelve ro0ras which
are used "a sleeping apartments by the inmates.
Visitors to the home are under no more restrictions
than visiting private residence. The interior OF
tile institution ls substantially furnished The
stairs together with all the doors and window trim
minps are or plain DEVICE though the halls and YES
tbules are floored with mosaic tiles. The exterior
OF the building Is OF brown stone and brick, with an
occasional commentator OF North river graywacke
OF age and have proper testimonials with regard to