Francis Jay Underhill

Francis Jay Underhill was an American bond broker. He worked with Fisk & Robinsonand later with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._%26_W._Seligman_%26_Co. J. & W. Seligman & Co.] in New York City.[1] He was actively involved in efforts to erect a memorial for his Colonial era ancestor Captain John Underhill at theUnderhill Burying Ground in Lattingtown, New York. He also served as Vice President and 4th President for the Underhill Society of America.

[edit] Biography
Underhill was born April 30, 1863.[2] He was engaged in the wholesale lumber trade in Buffalo for many years. While there he married Eliza Corning Otto of Buffalo. In 1900 he came to New York City and was a bond broker with Fisk & Robinson and later with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._%26_W._Seligman_%26_Co. J. & W. Seligman & Co.].

In his capacity as Vice-President of the Underhill Society of America, he was actively involved in efforts to erect a memorial in honor of Captain John Underhill at the Underhill Burying Ground that was erected in 1907, and dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907. Later, he would go on to serve as 4th President of the Underhill Society of America between 1924 and 1932. He also worked along with David Harris Underhill to compile materials for The Underhill Burying Ground.[3]

Following the death of his first wife in 1919, Underhill married his second wife Hendrika Charlotte de Gee of S'Gravenhage, The Netherlands, in 1928. He died May 21, 1938, at his residence at 129 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York.[1] The library of the late Francis Jay Underhill was published in catalog format following his death and numbered over 52 pages, reflecting the fact that he was very well read.[4] From his library, 217 volumes including a forty-eight volume set of the works of Sir Walter Scott, found their way to the Boston Public Library.[5]

Underhill was also a collector of antiques and art objects. Following his death the Boston Museum of Fine Arts was bequeathed two violins, one of which was an Antonio Stradivari violin of 1732, known as the "Red Diamond." He also left an estate of more than $10,000 in personal property that was given to the president and fellows of Harvard College.[6]

Underhill was a member of Grace Church, Broadway and Tenth Street in Manhattan, the Holland Society, Union League Club, Saint Nicholas Society in the City of New York, New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Garden City Golf Club, and Saint Andrews Golf Club.[1]

The role Underhill in the dedication ceremony was recognized in a re-enactment that took place in 2008.[7]

[edit] References

 * 1) ^ <sup style="line-height: 1em; ">a <sup style="line-height: 1em; ">b <sup style="line-height: 1em; ">c "F.J. Underhill Dead; Retired Bond Broker". The New York Times. May 22, 1938. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
 * 2) ^ Genealogical Record, Volume II. Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York. 1916. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
 * 3) ^ "Past Presidents". Underhill Society of America. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
 * 4) ^ The library of the late Francis Jay Underhill. Dauber & Pine Bookshops, Inc.. 1938. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
 * 5) ^ Annual report of the Boston Public Library, Volumes 78-88. Boston Public Library. 1930. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
 * 6) ^ "F.J. Underhill Left Violins to Museum". The New York Times. July 23, 1938. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
 * 7) ^ "Underhill Burying Ground Ceremonies Cast". Underhill Society of America. November 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2011.