Caleb Smith and Mary (FOSTER) MALTBY
His Parents - DeGrasse and Sarah (SMITH) MALTBY
Spouce's Parents -
Kids - Alice
CFH-BCA. Caleb Smith MALTBY, b. Aug. 10, 1811, Pittsburgh, Pa., (DeGrasse 5, Benj.4, Benj.3, Dan.2, Wm.1).
He m. at Pittsburgh, Pa., Mary FOSTER of Wheeling, Va. He was a very wealthy man, and said to be worth twenty million, having made his money in the Oyster business.
He owned the old MALTBY Place, 10 Howe Street, New Haven; a summer residence on the shore of Long Island Sound at West Haven; later purchased for a family seaside Club, "the Ansantawae," of which my people were members. He also owned a county estate "Althea Lodge" at Greenwich, Conn., and a town house in New York, and I should add, a hotel in Baltimore.
Once while the compiler was spending some days in that city, an old "darkie" was driving us about--and naturally did not know our name. We came to an old hotel, which he pointed out, explaining that it was the "old Maltby Hotel." A gentleman arrived one evening ask- ing for a room, and was told there was not a room to be had. The reply was: "How much do you want for this hotel?" The manager named a price, and the gentleman said "Very well, I'll buy it and I'll sleep here tonight." True or not, the story is quite in keeping with his character.
The New Haven and West Haven residences I am able to describe as my father rented No. 10 Howe Street. The frontage occupied three- quarters of a long block, between George and Oak Streets, in depth it was a full block, extending back to Dwight Street. The house was brown stucco, and on either side of the front walk were four brown- stone pedestals, two on each side, surmounted by life-size marble figures of Greek Goddesses. At the left side of the house, a fair distance away, was an exceedingly large conservatory, entirely of glass, some 35 feet long and very high, filled with roses and choice flowers. Still to the left of this was the rustic summer house with built in table and seats circling the entire walls. Paths, bordered by unusual shrubs and trees, led in and out. At the right of the house, an oyster shell drive led in from the carriage entrance, centered by a large round grass plot, in the middle of which was a large fountain--with double basins. Keeping on, behind the house, we come to the Ice-house. This was formerly supplied by ice from Maltby Lake. The crypt for the ice was covered and a delightfully cool place in summer. It had a floor for garden furniture, stands for plants, and the super-structure was a pyramid in lattice work, all shaded by ancient and huge weeping willow trees. Nearly opposite was a very large pond--almost a small lake, filled with large gold and silver fish, and in the center a tall fountain. A rustic bridge spanned the large pond from the small pond. The path led back to the stable, where at the right was a grove of evergreen trees, so planted that the center formed a cool room; at the left was the Graperey--another large glass conservatory--but some feet smaller than the one for flowers. This contained numerous varieties of rare grapes--with a small house for the gardener, adjoining. Toward Dwight street was the fruit orchard and a section for berries, gooseberries, currants, red, black and white, also strawberries, etc.
The house was large. At the left of the front door was the long drawing room, ending with full length glass doors opening into the billiard room; while off to the left side was the conservatory, a joy of a place to a child--camellias from white, through all shades of pink, and into deepest red, were in large tubs, jasmine, helitrope and other fragrant smaller plants were also mingled with their more showy neighbors.
The billiard room had a beautiful parquet floor--and opening to the left, was a card room, and behind that a smaller room used as an office. At the right of the front door was a large Library be- hind which was the dining-room--and from this still to the right, was a cheery, sunny morning room. The kitchen back of the butler's pantry, had a dumb waiter--(in which I have ridden many times) down to a summer kitchen and the servant's dining room. Needless to say all materials were of the best. All bedrooms had heavy mahogany doors, so thick my grandfather measured them--2 1/2 inches. Mr. Maltby always feared burglars and the house was equipped with a burglar alarm, supposed to be out of order, until one night at 2 A.M. it suddenly went off.
Although we were only there a year, and scarcely that, as three months of this period were spent in California for my mother's health--it has always been very fresh in my memory. Our stay was cut short by "Greek meets Greek," or in this case Maltby met Maltby.
Mr. Maltby broke his contract. Although my father was only thirty-three at this time, he brought a law suit against C. S. Maltby. My father's father said "George you're crazy. No one wins a law suit against C. S.--not even the smartest lawyer." Father said, "I'm not having a lawyer, I'll state my own case." The day came for the trial and my father went to the Court House. C.S. Maltby did not appear, but his lawyers met him and said "Mr. Maltby would like to have this case settled out of Court." To which my father agreed. Settled satisfactorily, but we moved.
I met C. S. Maltby once when I was six years old. He was fairly short, heavy build--in fact much the same build as my Grandfather, who was his 2nd cousin. He was immaculately dressed, silk hat, etc., and I confess I rather liked him--and certainly I had always the warmest feelings for his grandchildren whom I knew slightly in after years, William Maltby Copp and Ethel Copp.
Children of Caleb Smith Maltby and Mary Foster:
CFH-BCA-a. Alice Maltby, b. Apr. 4, 1843.
CFH-BCA-b. Emma " b. Mar. 19, 1846.
Note. The following probably refers to Caleb Smith Maltby. "Maltby Colliery, at Maltby station, on the D. L. and W. Railroad, is operated by C. S. Maltby, with Oscar A. Fowler as general superinten- dent. Charles Smith mine boss and A. B. Tyrell, outside foreman. In 1878 this colliery employed 118 men and 11 boys under ground, and 44 men and 72 boys on the surface, and in 107 days work produced 30,000 tons of coal." (The Kingston Township, Luserne Co., Penn., Hist. of Luserne, Lackawanna and Wyoming Cos. Penn. W. W. Munsell and Co., Pub., 1800, p. 305).
Oscar A. Fowler was 1st cousin of C. S. Maltby. His mother was Rebecca Maltby, sister of DeGrasse, father of Caleb Smith Maltby. Charles Smith. Could this be Carlos Smith who mar. Isabella Graham Maltby, dau. of Julius who was brother of DeGrasse?
CFH-BCA
Parents
Alice