Francis Jay Underhill
Francis Jay Underhill | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Chelsea, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 1938 (aged 75) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Bond dealer, art collector |
| Known for | Funding the Panama Canal; collecting fine art and musical instruments including the "Red Diamond" Stradivari violin; 4th President of the Underhill Society of America |
Francis Jay Underhill (1863–1938) was a prominent American bond dealer associated with Fisk & Robinson and subsequently J. & W. Seligman & Co., playing a significant role in funding the Panama Canal. His financial achievements allowed him to amass a collection of fine art and musical instruments, notably including the distinguished 1732 Antonio Stradivari violin known as the "Red Diamond." He also held the position of the 4th President of the Underhill Society of America.
Biography
Born on April 30, 1863, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Underhill started his professional journey as a bank clerk before relocating to Buffalo, New York. There, he was employed by the Standard Oil Company and married Eliza Corning Otto. From 1885 to 1900, he managed F.J. Underhill & Co., a business focused on manufacturing and wholesale distribution of pine and hardwood lumber. Following financial difficulties, he shifted his career to banking in New York City, joining Fisk & Robinson and later J. & W. Seligman & Co., where he also served as a delegate at the 1902 American Convention of Bankers.
Underhill and Eliza had one daughter, Helen, who passed away in childhood. After Eliza’s death in 1919, he remarried in 1928 to Hendrika Charlotte de Gee from The Hague. Letters written by Underhill during his European travels prior to this marriage are preserved by the Underhill Society of America.
His memberships included notable institutions such as Grace Church (Manhattan), the Holland Society, Union League Club, Saint Nicholas Society of New York, New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Garden City Golf Club, and Saint Andrews Golf Club.
Participation in Underhill Society of America
In 1900, Underhill contributed to organizing the 8th reunion of the Underhill Society of America held in Locust Valley, New York.
As Vice-President of the society, he was instrumental in commissioning a memorial for Captain John Underhill at the Underhill Burying Ground, which was completed in 1907. During its dedication ceremony on July 11, 1908, Underhill presented the acceptance address prior to remarks made by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Serving as the society’s 4th President from 1924 until 1932, Underhill collaborated with David Harris Underhill to compile and edit The Underhill Burying Ground, published in 1926, which detailed the historic property granted to Captain John Underhill.
Between 1927 and 1930, he worked alongside descendants such as William Wilson Underhill and Myron Charles Taylor to commission Henry C. Shelley’s biography John Underhill: Captain of New England New Netherland, released in 1932. At the same time, John H. Morrison authored The Underhills of Warwickshire.
Death and bequests
Underhill passed away on May 21, 1938, at his home in Brooklyn. His will established trusts amounting to $34,000 for his widow Henriette Charlotte, housekeeper Mary Ewel, and family members including Janette Corning Otto. Among his philanthropic gifts were $2,000 allocated to Buffalo Children's Hospital and funds designated for Christmas toys at Grace Church in Manhattan.
His extensive collection of books was cataloged after his death in a 52-page volume. From this library, 217 books—including a complete 48-volume series of Sir Walter Scott’s works—were donated to the Boston Public Library.
An avid collector of antiques and art objects, Underhill’s estate contributed numerous pieces to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, featuring two violins among them—one being the famed 1732 "Red Diamond" Stradivari.
Furthermore, he bequeathed more than $10,000 worth of personal effects to the president and fellows of Harvard College.