New-York tribune., 1892-01-01
MRS. R. L. STUART DEAD.
MILLIONS FOR PUBLIC REQUESTS.

TON WILL FARE BDs

Stuart died at her home, No. s71 Ffth-ave yesterday
morning. She the daughter OF Robert Macrae,
one Of the old and wealthy merchants of New-Yoik,
who at time had nine business partners in as
mGny different cities of the United States For the
last few years Of her life Mrs Stuart had been an in
valid and this misfortune further heightened four
years ago when she fell and broke her hip 50 that
afcrward she was unable walk without the aid OF a
CrUtch She eighty years old, about the same
age President McCosh. OF Princeton College and
lad been his warm friend since lie came TO this
country. Her sister married Christopher Il. Rob
ert lSit had children and died some years ago.
Like her husband, Mrs. Stuart the last Of long
line. Therc no heirs I'm this country, and none
in Scotland than a thirty cousin The
great estate will be divided among charities and II
is certain that Princeton College and It's Theological
school will be the largest benefciarics and probably
to such extent that all the plans Of ex-Presdent
McCosh for making it of the greatest Of learn
ing IN the world can be carried out at
Robert L. and Alexander Stuart, whose names
always associated in business, the OF
Kimoch Stuart, Of Edinburgh, Scotland, who came to
this country In 1sO5 Robert born at No. DO
Barolayst., July c1, 1906. In the same house in
upper story lived Lemolre the architect Of the City
Hall. At that time the population of Ncw-York was
1910. The brothers Stuart continued the business
Of their father the manufacture OF candy, from 1928
1856, but In 1882 they began to refine sugar by
steam, process I'LL that time not very successful
and In this they acted contrary 10 the advice of W. H.
Havemeyer The firm Of r. L. & A. Stuart
changed tn the death of Alexander in 1879, period
Of ffty-one years. The Office Of the firm then
at No. 100 ChambeTsst., and this the first
dweiilng house in the cty into which gas was intro
duced. The brothers erected the fve-story building
at Greenwich and Chambers sts., and O nine-stOry
building at Greenwich and Reade sts and three build
ings in the north side Of Readeet In 1884 their
Mbit oi refined sugar at the I.ercan Institute Fair
held in Nibo's Garden, WAS the envy Of other refn
ers. They finally erected the large building at
Greenwich and Resde sts.. where they able to
refine "a 600 pounds Of sugar annually.
AZ Of high integrity they were we'll known In
the commercial world. and during the Civil War the
stuarts among the heaviest subscribers 10 the
first 81 900 600 Of the loan and the
supporters Of the Government In all It's various
measures. IN 1873 the brothers retired from active
business and put their business in order for general
mercantile In the draft riots in New York their
refusal to allow their men 10 join tie mobs brought
them into great danger Mrs. Stuart stood in upper
window Of her home. TwoGdethst. and Fifthave.,
the mob passed uptown.
The stuarts were earnest Presbyerians Of the old
school, and In 1851 we're members Of the church Of
the Rev. Dr. James W. Alexander, at Nineteenth st.
and Fftllave and afterward of DR.. John Halls
church they were the means of moving Dr. Halls
church uptown. Scarcely deserving charity can be
mentioned 10 which they not contributors ard
for twenty-five years preceding the death OF Alexander
the Presbyterian Board OF Foreign Missions and Of
Home Missions each received $4,000 annually from
them.
Their gifts are estimated at 300 900 a year. and the
same amount given each year, whether business
was good or poor. 1t is known positively that up TO
1879 their aggregate gifts to charities and institutions
Of learning amounted 10 1891 900. At the time OF
his death on July -, 1882, Robert had gwen TO the
Of religion. charity and education S5OoOoO more
Though Alexander a bachelor and continued to
live in Chambers-st after Robert and his wife moved
uptown, all three were devotedly attached to one
another, and each made will providing that on the
death Of ono of them the other should have all
the property and this in turn should 90 to the last
survivor Alexander died first, and Robert next. and
in each the provisions OF the on VIII were
carried out Mrs. stuartS will was drawn by Judge
Van Worst. A codicil was added in 1es9.
All three Of t1e stuarts were morbidly sensi-
five In regard to having their charitable gifts
made public. and many Of their gifts have
not been known for years II is an open secet that
Mrs Stuart the person who gave 100000 to secure
the property OF the New-York Historical Society IN
Fichth-ave One cold March day since her husbands
death Mrs Stuart went to President McCoeh with
che ok for s154O00 having learned that this sum was
needed TO put the Princeton School OF Philosophy on
firm basis Stuart Hail. at Princeton, was the git OF
the Stusrs, tie house and grounds OF It's p'cs
dent To the PRESBYTERIAN Hospital r. L. Stuart who
was president OF its Board Of Trustees gave $4,000 In
1880 and in the same year he gave 100000 to the
san Francisco Theological school and the same amount
10 Princeton College and Princeton Theological Schoo
DR.. Patton has recently received $4,000 from Mrs
Stuart for Princeton; the Of Church Extension
las also received generous aid. Conservative est
mates place her gifts $50 at nearly 81 100000
BY all her friends Mrs. stuart was known as
woman # fcrvart plcy, great strength Of character
and wonderful judgment. she is said to have been
The "balance wheel IN the business Of r. l.. d \.
Stuart.
To friend she recently said al do not know why
] was brought into This world unless 1t was 70 make
a wise distribution Of this property She, John =.
KennAly Of No. West Ffty -seventl-stp ana George
G. Williams. president OF the Chemical National Bank,
were the executors Of her husbands estate. and as
these two gentlemen have since been her advisers IN
business affairs they will undoubtedly be named ~
the executors 0f her Will. which VIII he offered foF
probate Monday. -
1ie estate consists Of real and personal prop
eIy; Ine large house 30 no. el vaiuaIic mann
oil paintings aad aAtqu.tes IL - one & OF
the rnest In the city, for MI stuart was
an enthusiastic collector The sTea.eT Rt ,b.rc 1 , +
tie store occupied by Eertcr Brothels IWehuetn,sC
and Ffthave the property IN the cat side OF Green
wichst between Roade ana Chan1erS s5' n,ea % d" "a"
,hambers-et stores in cadest. and in Washington
st. New-YoIk City bonds. Government bonds 1nd
s%8a ss5r: sJs are e asS csemca hc Rsn S s soc
All this property, valued, IL IS estimated at about
$1,000 600 will he d tributcd 10 great number oi
nublic n-ttuons. No home or organization VIII
whole family always took In Princeton Coiege ana Mr.
ecuarts connection with the Presoytcrian hospiV1
they viii undoubtedly come first IN me WI. -. .,o
Dr. John Hall will preach the funeral sermon ut the
house q II O'Clock Monday morning; ana uie
burial viii be at the family vault In Greenwood
Cemetery