Eugene Dutilh (1814-1895)

Jean-Joseph-Eugène Dutilh, Silk Importer & President of the Phoenix Bank, N.Y.

Associated Houses

Glenclyffe

Garrison-on-Hudson

He was born at Smyrna, Turkey. He came to New York from Liverpool in 1836 with his elder brother, August, when they were described as "Dutch Merchants". Eugene became the Greek Consul at New York, probably because his mother was born in Greece and he spoke the language. He worked with Edward W. Laight who was the trade partner of the Dutilh family in Rotterdam and in 1840 married his daughter, Susan. In 1850, they were living in one house with Edward Laight, Edward Laight's son (Susan's younger brother), also called Edward, and Eugene's younger brother, Henri. Marian Gouverneur wrote: "The Laights were prominent in New York society and Edward was known as a society beau, as he was remarkably handsome. He was a good deal of a flirt and transferred his affections with remarkable facility from one young woman to another. His sister married a Greek, Mr. Eugene Dutilh, a gentleman of culture and refinement, who owned a beautiful place at Garrison-on-Hudson (Glenclyffe)".

In 1861, Eugene sold Glenclyffe to Hamilton Fish when the Civil War necessitated that he move his business operations to Liverpool. After the war, they returned to New York and Eugene became President of the Phoenix National Bank, 45 Wall Street. In 1870, Eugene was living with his wife and three Irish servants in Middletown, Richmond, New York. he and his wife died without children and are buried in the Laight family tomb at Trinity Church, Manhattan. His brother-in-law, Francis Cottenet, built Nuits in Irvington, N.Y.
Contributed by Mark Meredith on 25/08/2019 and last updated on 26/08/2019.