Alan Crawford

Back in April I published an article about a game of poker with outrageous stakes resulting in a scandal. How about this week we take a look at the magnificent home of Francis Payson Weed in Balmville, the figure central in this epic tale of chicanery and trickery. I’m privileged to have been there, graciously invited by the current owners. Hats off to Bonnie and Dave! Best chacuterie board ever!

I was gobsmacked seeing the interior. I can only imagine what life must have been like there in the 1880s. The elegance of the period clothing and furniture signified the culture of the day. This was the estate of a wealthy family which commanded a majestic view of the countryside and Hudson River below.

Glen-Lily, the home of Mr. Weed, appeared and graced the Balmville landscape in 1882. The grounds are meticulously groomed and a bronze statue by Toni Putnam, named Cernunnos, add to the persona of Glen-Lily, greeting you as you drive in. Cernunnos was “the Horned God” of the Celts, also referred to as “the keeper of the forest” and “lord of the animals.”

There is a lengthy history associated with Glen-Lily and for the purpose of this article we will focus on the mansion only. The earlier history will be detailed in a future article.

Francis P. Weed, and his wife, Harriet L. Williams, took ownership on October 12, 1881, from Isaac C. Wood, who briefly owned the land for a few years with the intent of building on it, but did nothing to develop it. Mr. Wood had purchased the property from William Edward Warren’s estate after he passed away in 1877. The sale price for this beautiful parcel? A pittance by today’s real estate values! A mere $12,000!!! And the Wood family? Another name associated with the early years of our area.

William Edward Warren’s ancestors can be traced back to the early 1700’s. This family name is well documented in the early history of our nation. William’s home is another of the Gothic Revival houses in Newburgh, built in 1854, designed by Calvert Vaux, located at 196 Montgomery Street.

After buying the land and building Glen-Lily, the Weeds sold Glen-Lily in 1891, living there for only ten years, for the sum of $35,000 to a Mrs. Braman of New York City and relocated to Hartford, Connecticut. Sadly, a year later after the move, on July 26, 1892, their only son, Harvey, who had been in poor health and confined to bed for an extended period, passed away at the age of 40. Harvey had graduated from Yale, studied law, eventually passing the bar, and was associated with the practice of Fullerton and Anthony in Newburgh. He remained with Mr. Anthony moving to the office on Third Street. In 1886, he moved on to New York City having an office in the Potter Building.

Marian Johnes Weed, the daughter of Francis and Harriet, went on to marry Charles Storrier Stearns in 1895. What I found to be intriguing is the fact that all the Weed family members, even after moving to Hartford, returned to be buried at the Cedar Hill Cemetery. Perhaps fond memories of Glen-Lily beckoned them home.

The spacious grounds of Glen-Lily with the outstanding view of the Hudson River leaves one in awe. I can only imagine how breathtaking this was in 1882, hosting lawn parties with ladies playing croquet which was fast becoming a favorite pastime. The men, movers and shakers of their times, smoking fine cigars while sipping on fine bourbon and brandy, had to be a Kodak moment. I can almost smell the sweet aroma of a fine Cuban…