Esther Maria Lewis Chapin
Encyclopedia
Esther Maria "Lili" Lewis Chapin (June 17, 1871 – June 21, 1959) was an American
socialite. She was a direct descendant of Betty Washington Lewis
, the sister of George Washington
. An evening gown she wore in 1888 set a world auction record when sold in 2001.
, Switzerland
in 1871 and was raised in Hoboken, New Jersey
. Her father was Colonel Edward Parke Custis Lewis
(1837-1892), who served as United States Minister to Portugal
under President Grover Cleveland
from 1885 to 1889. Her mother was Mary Picton Stevens (1840-1903), daughter of Edwin Augustus Stevens and formerly the wife of Muscoe Russell Hunter Garnett
. Her paternal great-grandparents were Lawrence Lewis
, a nephew of George Washington
, and Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis
, a granddaughter of Martha Washington
.
In 1888, at the age of 17 or 18, while her father was serving as Minister to Portugal, she was presented to Queen Victoria wearing a gown designed by Charles Frederick Worth
, the world's first couturier
. On May 29, 2001, the gown, which has a 23-inch waist and a 10½-foot detachable train, was sold at the Doyle New York
auction for $101,500, at the time a world auction record for an antique dress.
After her father's diplomatic tenure ended in 1889, the family returned to their Hoboken home. On May 19, 1894, Esther Maria Lewis married Charles Merrill Chapin at Trinity Church in Hoboken. They had two children: Mary Stevens Chapin (born November 10, 1895) and Charles Merrill Chapin, Jr. (born May 27, 1898).
In 1959 Lewis died in Bernardsville, New Jersey
at the age of 88.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
socialite. She was a direct descendant of Betty Washington Lewis
Betty Washington Lewis
Betty Washington Lewis was the younger sister of George Washington and the only sister to live to adulthood. She was the first daughter of Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. She is considered a "founding mother" of America.She was born Elizabeth Washington in Westmoreland County,...
, the sister of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. An evening gown she wore in 1888 set a world auction record when sold in 2001.
Biography
Esther Maria Lewis was born in GenevaGeneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
in 1871 and was raised in Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken, New Jersey
Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...
. Her father was Colonel Edward Parke Custis Lewis
Edward Parke Custis Lewis
Edward Parke Custis Lewis was a Confederate Army colonel, lawyer, legislator, and diplomat who served as United States Minister to Portugal from 1885 to 1889.-Biography:...
(1837-1892), who served as United States Minister to Portugal
United States Ambassador to Portugal
This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Portugal.Bilateral diplomatic relations between the United States and Portugal date from the earliest years of the United States. Following the Revolutionary War, Portugal was the first neutral country to recognize the United States. On February...
under President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
from 1885 to 1889. Her mother was Mary Picton Stevens (1840-1903), daughter of Edwin Augustus Stevens and formerly the wife of Muscoe Russell Hunter Garnett
Muscoe Russell Hunter Garnett
Muscoe Russell Hunter Garnett , was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Virginia.Garnett was the son of James Mercer Garnett and Maria Garnett. He was the grandson of James M. Garnett and nephew of Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter. He was born on his family’s "Elmwood" estate...
. Her paternal great-grandparents were Lawrence Lewis
Lawrence Lewis (1767–1839)
Lawrence Lewis was a nephew of George Washington who married Nelly Custis, a granddaughter of Martha Washington....
, a nephew of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, and Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis
Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis
Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis , known as Nelly, was the granddaughter of Martha Washington and the step-granddaughter of George Washington.-Childhood:Nelly was the daughter of John Parke Custis and Eleanor Calvert Custis...
, a granddaughter of Martha Washington
Martha Washington
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington is considered to be the first First Lady of the United States...
.
In 1888, at the age of 17 or 18, while her father was serving as Minister to Portugal, she was presented to Queen Victoria wearing a gown designed by Charles Frederick Worth
Charles Frederick Worth
Charles Frederick Worth , widely considered the Father of Haute couture, was an English fashion designer of the 19th century, whose works were produced in Paris.-Career:...
, the world's first couturier
Couturier
A couturier is an establishment or person involved in the clothing fashion industry who makes original garments to order for private clients. A couturier may make what is known as haute couture. Such a person usually hires patternmakers and machinists for garment production, and is either employed...
. On May 29, 2001, the gown, which has a 23-inch waist and a 10½-foot detachable train, was sold at the Doyle New York
Doyle New York
Doyle New York is one of the world's largest auctioneers and appraisers of fine art, jewelry, furniture, decorations and other specialty categories. Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Doyle offers approximately forty auctions each year...
auction for $101,500, at the time a world auction record for an antique dress.
After her father's diplomatic tenure ended in 1889, the family returned to their Hoboken home. On May 19, 1894, Esther Maria Lewis married Charles Merrill Chapin at Trinity Church in Hoboken. They had two children: Mary Stevens Chapin (born November 10, 1895) and Charles Merrill Chapin, Jr. (born May 27, 1898).
In 1959 Lewis died in Bernardsville, New Jersey
Bernardsville, New Jersey
Bernardsville is a borough and affluent suburb in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. Bernardsville has the 10th-highest per capita income in the state. Nationwide, Bernardsville ranks 75th among the 100 highest-income places in the United States...
at the age of 88.