Goelet family

Brothers Robert Goelet (1841-1899) and Ogden Goelet (1846-1897) were the scions of a wealthy New York family that had made vast investments in real estate over several generations. Upon the death of their father Robert R. Goelet (1809-1879) and their bachelor uncle Peter (c.1800-1879), they inherited holdings throughout Manhattan. The brothers maintained the empire and expanded it to Newport as well, building neighboring homes on Ochre Point. The Goelets were very much a part of high New York society and were founders of the New York Metropolitan Opera.

Older brother Robert married Harriett Louise Warren and had two children, Robert “Bertie” Walton Goelet and Beatrice Goelet. He graduated from Columbia College in 1860 and later studied law and passed the bar. He was regarded by his peers as a wise businessman with good financial judgment. In later years, the family’s main residence was at 591 Fifth Avenue in New York.

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