Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Estelle Skidmore Doremus 1830 ~ 1905

Mrs. R. Ogden Doremus was appointed regent of the New York City Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, January 1, 1892, by the Committee of Safety, and this election was unanimously confirmed by the chapter at its next meeting on May 19, 1892. She was also made corresponding secretary and has been performing the duties of both offices until the present time.

Mrs. Doremus, the daughter of Captain Hubbard Skidmore and Caroline Avery Skidmore, was born in the city of New York and educated under the care of the celebrated Madam Mears. She was married in New York to Dr. R. Ogden Doremus, the distinguished professor of chemistry, October 1, 1850. The ceremony took place in the South Dutch Church, comer of Fifth Avenue and Twenty-First Street, the oldest church organization in the city of New York. The original edifice was built by the Dutch within the fortification walls at the Battery.

Mrs. Doremus, maternal grandfather, Thaddeus Avery, of Mount Pleasant, Westchester County, New York, was born October 19, 1749, and died November 16, 1836. He was captain of cavalry during the Revolution and at one time paymaster of the Westchester troops. Mrs. Doremus is richly endowed by nature with a graceful and commanding figure, beautiful features, and a brilliancy of complexion rarely seen. Her tact in securing representative audiences, premiums on boxes at the Charity Ball, for the benefit of the Nursery and Child's Hospital (which the revered mother of her husband was instrumental in founding) inaugurated entertainments which continue to be successful to the present time. Never have the receipts been so large as when under her management. In Paris, during the Empire, her receptions were the favorite resorts of our distinguished American colony, and of French scientists and army officers. Here among other celebrities. Mile. Christine Nielsson sang while yet a pupil. Mrs. Doremus' table at the fair of the Princess Czartoryska, for the benefit of the exiled Poles, attracted American residents in the gay capital. Before the late war she gave efficient aid to the "Metropolitan Fair."

During the war, in 1863, she was among the most zealous and indefatigable workers for the sanitary fair, which secured $1,400,000 for the sick and wounded soldiers. Her scientific table, with its marvels of the microscope and other philosophical instruments, always surrounded by the wit and wisdom of the day, added greatly to swell the donations.

By a vote for the most popular lady at the French fair, held in New York for disabled soldiers, during the Franco-Prussian War, she was honored with the ambulance decoration of the Red Cross, set with diamonds. Successful performances of the play of ''Cinderella" were planned and conducted by her, in 1876, in the New York Academy of Music, for the benefit of the "Women's Pavilion" at the Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia. She secured the hearty co-operation of the parents and children of our best families. She rendered efficient aid in the performances of pantomimes on the "Mistletoe Bough" and "Sleeping Beauty," at the Academy of Music, for the Mount Vernon fund. She never allowed her charitable and patriotic work to interfere with the duties and responsibilities as a mother of eight children, seven sons and a daughter. Her nursery witnessed her greatest triumphs. She has been for many years a communicant in the South Reformed Church of New York.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.