Ancient Faces ~ "THE" Mrs. Astor

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Our lady this week is Caroline Webster Schermerhorn, Mrs. William Backhouse Astor (1830-1908). She was the stout and snobbish daughter of a millionaire merchant. Caroline’s roots went back to the original Dutch patroons, thereby providing her with social bragging rights. The 22-year old bride was ambitious and determined and one of her first acts was to insist that her husband drop his “vulgar” middle name. Her feud with her sister-in-law Charlotte Augusta Gibbes, Mrs. John Jacob Astor III who by rights was "THE" Mrs. Astor stemed from Charlotte's unfortunate tendency to include on her guest lists writers and painters and even an actress or actor. The sisters-in-law whose houses shared the block could not have been more different. Caroline vocally admonished Augusta’s mixing with those beneath her social station and could not understand her obsession with charity. She was called "The Gatekeeper" and created her famous "400" (Supposedly the number of people her ballroom could hold). Unlike Augusta's, Caroline Astor’s guest list was stringently restricted. No Jews or Catholics were invited to her ballroom or dining room. One story tells of the time that August Belmont threatened to capsize the financial community if he and his wife were not issued an invitation to an upcoming ball. Under pressure, Caroline sent the invitation. When Mr. and Mrs. Belmont arrived at the Astor house, they were the only guests. On the death of J.J.Astor III in 1890 Caroline declared herself "THE" Mrs. Astor although that title should have gone to the wife of her nephew William Waldorf Astor. Although Caroline Astor’s stubborn tenacity ended in her keeping the title “Mrs. Astor,” her nephew however would deal the deciding blow in the battle. Before leaving the United States to live in England, William razed his father’s grand mansion. After briefly toying with the idea of building a stables next to Caroline Astor’s mansion, he constructed the hulking Waldorf Hotel in 1893 it diminished Mrs. Astor’s house and forced her to share the block with travelers and businessmen. After the nerve-racking construction that shook her staid home was completed, the avenue in front of her house was filled with noisy carriages and hansoms and the sidewalk bustled with rushing travelers. He had his revenge but Caroline remained "THE" Mrs. Astor.