Helen (Phelps) Stokes (1846-1930)

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.