by Nancy Armitage
In 1913, Mrs. Arabella “Belle” D. Huntington had been a widow of 14 years. Her husband, Collis P. Huntington (one of the USA “Big 4” railroad fame) had died in 1900. C. P. Huntington had passed away at 79 years old in August of 1900. Mrs. Arabella Huntington went into deep mourning for several years after he died. Her correspondence to her niece, Carrie Huntington Holliday, states how very much she missed Collis. In her letters, she talked of how she couldn’t believe her husband wasn’t going to walk into the room again. It was Edwardian etiquette for a wife to wear black for a full year after her husband died. Mrs. Collis P. Huntington wore black for many years after Collis died. But 14 years after Collis Huntington’s death, she married Mr. Henry “Edwards” Huntington in the summer of 1913.
Mrs. Arabella Huntington was so very sad after her husband Collis passed on, that she decided to travel to Paris, France. Paris was one of her favorite place on earth, it might cheer her up. In early 1900’s, Arabella stayed at the Paris Ritz Hotel; for long extended trips in Spring & Summer. Belle went to tea at the Ritz with her friends & traveling guests. She bought French antiques from Joseph Duveen & jewelry from Cartier, also Tiffany & Co. Often, Mrs. Arabella Huntington arrived in Paris in Spring or her birthday month: June. In October, she was traveling home to America on a Cunard ship. She would be returning to the States; back to her mansion at No. 2 East 57th Street in New York City and beloved Throggs Neck estate. To celebrate Thanksgiving & Christmas with her son, Archer & his 1st wife, Helen Huntington. An exception was in 1903, when Belle, Archer, & Helen Huntington celebrated Christmas & New Year’s in Paris together. Through ship records, I found out that in January of 1904, the Huntington family sailed home to America.
In 1910, Mr. Henry “Edwards” Huntington had built & moved into his Huntington Mansion in Southern California; the property was called the “San Marino Ranch” by Pasadena. He hired a small servant staff of 5 people, to help him run this large house. I’m sure he wanted to share all his treasures & the beauty of the ranch with a partner, a wife.
In 1911-1912, there is evidence in Mr. Henry E. Huntington private papers & ledgers that he was “courting” Mrs. Arabella D. Huntington of New York City. I found in Mr. H. E. Huntington’s bank- check ledgers, that he showered “Belle” with sweet sentimental gifts. These surprise presents were always labeled “G & D” meaning, “Gift-Wrapped & Delivered”. There was stunning jewelry from Tiffany & Co. worth $1,500.00, boxes of Huyler’s chocolate candies, & French “BonBons”, Apricot Cordial, Gorham sterling silver serving pieces, & large fragrant flower arrangements. All delivered to Mrs. Arabella Huntington’s at her New York City mansion. All things she enjoyed very much.
By 1912-1913, wedding plans were being arranged for Henry “Edwards” & Arabella “Belle” Huntington to get married in Paris. A lovely romantic place to get married, & one of Belle’s favorite places on earth! The famous art dealer, Joseph Duveen, not only sold them world-renowned master paintings (Gainsborough. Romneys, & Reynolds) & beautiful French & English antiques; he was also their Huntington’s friend. Duveen helped them with their intimate romantic wedding in Paris.
Duveen had also helped both of them decorate their large Huntington mansions, (Arabella’s (2) Paris mansions & Edward’s San Marino Ranch mansion). In fact, their Parisian wedding reception was probably at Mrs. Arabella Huntington’s favorite hotel: Hotel Bristol, where she was staying in Paris, France. The Hotel Bristol might have catered the Huntington’s wedding reception & formal luncheon at the Hotel Bristol.
Other possibilities for the Huntington’s wedding reception might have been at the Paris Ritz Hotel or Maxim’s Paris, which she also enjoyed. Joseph Duveen’s was planning the Huntington wedding; his favorite restaurant in Paris was Café de la Paix. This Paris café was famous for their French Onion Soup, Foie Gras De Canard, & Tournedos de Boeuf & Leg of Lamb, with Haricots Verts, Petits Pois a la Francoise, French Cheese course with Goat cheese, Crème de Chocolate au lait & Chantilly au café in a French Crepe & Parisian Opera Cake. All French delicacies that the Huntington’s loved.
So Mr. Henry Edwards Huntington needed to apply for a U.S. Citizen passport to travel to Europe & France. On April 16, 1913, in Los Angeles Country, CA his US passport was issued on this date. Henry Edwards Huntington’s Passport description: Age: 63 Stature: 5ft, 10 1/2 ” Forehead: High Eyes: Blue Nose: Straight Mouth: Large Chin: Prominent Hair: White Complexion: Fair Face: Oval.
It is interesting to note, per HEH Collections Curator, Dan Lewis (at the Huntington Library San Marino, CA) that the Huntington’s got married 1st in downtown Los Angeles, CA. In a letter, from H.E. Huntington to his sister, Carrie Holladay he refers to that ceremony as the “Legal” one.
Also, I found in the Huntington Land & Improvement Co. ledgers, (one of HEH’s company) dated April of 1913. There is evidence that Mrs. Arabella Huntington was a guest at the San Marino Ranch Mansion. The Head Housekeeper of the Huntington Mansion on the San Marino Ranch, Miss Nora Larsen was instructed to have a newspaper delivered to Mrs. Arabella Huntington’s room every morning. Also, I found Millinery (Hats) receipts purchased by Mrs. Arabella Huntington made in April of 1913 in downtown Los Angeles, CA.
There were several reasons why H. E. “Edwards” Huntington & Arabella “Belle” Huntington traveled to Europe separately (in two different ships from NYC). One was the birth of Edward’s grandbaby. Born on May 16, 1913, Baby Howard Huntington Jr., the son of Howard E. Huntington & Leslie Huntington of Oak Knoll, Pasadena, CA. Another reason they traveled separately was Mrs. Arabella D. Huntington was trying to sell her (2nd) Paris Mansion, located at 20 rue de la Lubeck in June 1913. She enjoyed this Parisian mansion since 1910. Document HEH Coll. 12445 Box 162 (HEH Correspondence) Huntington Library San Marino, CA
It is highly likely that Belle sailed on the “S. S. Venezuela” ship on May 31, 1913. I found one of the ship menus in the Huntington Menu Ephemera (located at the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA), the ship’s French-themed Luncheon menu, en route to Paris, France on that date.
The “Dejeuner” [Luncheon] menu for the “SS Venezuela ship” (in French) reads: Beurre [Butter with fresh French bread], [Relish dish:] Radis [Radishes], Oignons [Pickled Onions], Verts [Pickled or Fresh Green Beans], Cervelas [French gourmet sausages], Oeufs au choix [eggs], Mayonnaise de Poisson [Chicken salad with Mayonnaise, or sandwiches], Saucisse au vin Blanc, Rump Steak grilles Bercy, Pommes Nouvelles [Baby New Potatoes with herbs] Fromage [French cheese course with Camembert & Gruyere], Patisserie [French pastries like Chocolate Croissant, Opera Cake, or Macaroons] Camomile [Chamomile herb tea], Filleuil.” Document: HEH Collection MS E41-41 Huntington menu collection (Huntington Library, San Marino CA) It was written in Mr. H. E. Huntington small biography: HEH his life & his collections, that Mr. Huntington went abroad to France on a Lloyd ship.
Joseph Duveen had a suite of rooms at the Claridge Hotel in London, England. Duveen invited Mr. H. “Edwards” Huntington to stay at the Claridge before the Huntington nuptials in Paris. Mr. Huntington’s stay was most likely several days or a week before June 16, 1913 – his wedding day. London was the rare book capital of the world, a favorite of Mr. H. E. Huntington. So Mr. Huntington must have had a fine old time checking out rare book stores, art museums, & Duveen’s antique shop, while he was in London. Meanwhile, Mrs. Arabella Huntington was located at one of her favorite hotels: the Bristol Hotel in Paris, France.
Henry “Edwards” Huntington & Mrs. Collis Huntington (Arabella) wedding took place on Wednesday, July 16, 1913, On the Huntington’s Paris – French wedding document, it was states Henry Edwards Huntington & Arabella Yarrington (her maiden name) shared nuptials. They got married at the American Church in Paris at 12:00 noon. It was reported on the front page in newspapers across America… that Mrs. Arabella Huntington had married her nephew; which H. E. Huntington technically was. H. E. Huntington was Collis Huntington’s favorite nephew. They both inherited millions of dollars from Collis P. Huntington.
Only very close family & friends were invited to celebrate. The Parisian wedding luncheon & reception was probably a sit-down multi-course meal for 10-12 guests . It was most likely hosted at Hotel Bristol, maybe Paris Ritz or Maxims are possibilities. The wedding guests were as followed: Edwards & Belle, her son, Archer Huntington (Belle’s son) & his first wife, Helen Huntington, Princess Clara von Hatzfeldt, Mrs. Stone (Mrs. Roy Stone), Mr. Varnum (HEH’s private secretary) Jenny McLain, & Mani de Bourin (Sp.) Document: a letter from HEH to his sister Carrie (below).
As for wedding presents, H. E. Huntington presented his wife with 2 elaborate & stunning necklaces. I have seen these 2 royal-like necklace drawing-watercolors. Most likely made by Cartier or Tiffany & Co. one necklace of rubies & other one was pure sapphires. These drawings are documented in Shelley Bennett’s book: a Art of Wealth.
But the wedding gift, H. E. “Edwards” Huntington really wanted to give her new wife was the grand & royal Chateau de Beauregard. It was built by Napoleon III to his favorite mistress: Miss Harriet Howard. The Chateau de Beauregard was located 20 minutes from Paris. The Chateau de Beauregard’s address: La Celle-St. Cloud, Le Chesney – Seine et Oise, Paris, France . He asked for help in every place & person he could ask, to help him buy the Chateau. The best they could do was 10-year lease of the chateau, from the owner Baron Maurice De Forest from 1913-1923. Which the Huntingtons did lease for 10 years: H. E. Huntington paid all the chateau bills, paid 30 employees in the chateau (yearly). He bought new plants, veggies, herbs, roses, flowers, & trees for the Chateau grand gardens & renovated the chateau, also. But Mrs. Arabella Huntington did truly enjoy her time there, but HEH always favored the San Marino Ranch much more.
The Huntington’s spent a good portion of their 5-month honeymoon renovating the Chateau Beauregard at the cost of $100,000.00 & annual lease fee of $75,000.00. I’m sure Belle was in her element, she loved to interior decorate, she had done that in 7 or more houses & mansions she owned. Receipts of buying beautiful French fabrics & tassles for curtains, chairs, & couches, new hand-painted French porcelain sinks, French Gilded mirrors, etc.
The Chateau de Beauregard had 187 Hectares of gardens (400 acres), of forests, apple orchards (20 apples trees) & nut orchards ( pecans & walnuts trees) & 20 Virginia cedar trees & 30 Pitch trees. There was the Chateau building, and another large French large U-shaped mansion, Fleurante: Flowers & many Hot houses, & 4 acres for cattle. The famous “Bel Ebat” (with its own chateau Bel Ebat) with its valuable race horse stable (that the Huntingtons could not touch like the massive French wine cellar in the basement). Also, there was also 2 hectares (4 acres) of Kitchen walled garden “La Chataigneraire”. They also had Watchman houses, Farm buildings, Orangeries, Dairy, Farmers House, Barns, & lovely formal rose gardens & such. Document: HEH Coll. HEH 12/ 23-27 (Box 7) uncat Huntington Library, San Marino, CA
As for the extensive honeymoon, Mr. & Mrs. H. E. Huntington had a 5-month honeymoon stay in Europe. Probably the longest honeymoon in Gilded Age history! On July 15, 1913, a month after the nuptials of Edwards & Belle Huntington. They were lodging at the Hotel de Castigione Paris, located at 12, rue de Castigione in France. On hotel stationary, H. E. Huntington writes to his sister, Caroline Holladay, excited about his wedding to come:
“My dear sister, Before you receive this I expect I shall be married. The ceremony to be at the American Church, Wednesday noon. We’ll then leave for Lausanne [Switzerland]. Guess Archer, Helen, and Clara [Huntington-Hatfeldt] will arrive tomorrow. Mrs. Stone is with Bell, & in addition to their three will be– only Mr. Varnum, Jenny McLain & Mani de Bourin [sp.] I will cable you after the ceremony. My address will still be C/O Morgan Hargin [sp.]. I cannot tell you how happy I am, my dear sister & I hope to make up for all I have lost & again, I have a home such I never had. Bell is so good & kind to me. And I know she will make my life a happy one. She is now suffering from a hard cold caught the day before yesterday. With very much love to you ones & all em (sp.) Your affection ally, Brother,” Document: HEH Coll. 656 Box 131 (Letter for H. E. Huntington to his sister, Caroline Huntington Holladay) at Huntington Library San Marino, CA
After July 16-26, 1913, the newly married couple Mr. & Mrs. Henry “Edwards” Huntington (Arabella) were staying at the Hotel Bristol in Paris, France. In the Huntington archives, I found preserved Hotel Bristol receipts of sumptuous French food eaten there. They ate Peach & Fruit Compotes, French omelets, French Tea fusions, Potage St. Germain (Fancy Pea soup), special French cakes, & French patisseries (pastries) like chocolate croissants. The Huntingtons & their entourage ate breakfast, lunch, tea, & dinner there, depending on their day excursions to visit museums, etc. Also, they also took week trips to South of France, Dijon, & Switzerland.
After the nuptials, the Huntingtons traveled around France (Fontainebleau & Dijon). While staying in Fontainebleau, France, Edwards wrote some letters. These letters (below) written to his favorite sister, Carrie, were recorded on July 20, 1913. They were lovingly written on Hotel de France & d’ Angleterre Hotel stationery.
“July 20, 1913
My Dear Sister, …… we had a quiet wedding first being married by the mayor (which was the legal wedding) then by Dr. Allen at the American Church [Paris] none were present but Archer & Helen [Huntington] and [Princess] Clara [Hatzfeldt], Mrs. Stone, Natili, Varnum, & Gen. Bartlett. We left immediately after & motored to Fontainebleau in the afternoon”. Document: HEH Collection 657 Corr. Box 131 Huntington Library San Marino, CA
Btw, it sounds like the Huntingtons actually got married 3 times by this above letter. 1st : In downtown Los Angeles. CA 2nd: Mayor’s office in Paris, France 3rd: American Church in Paris.
From July 26, to August 3, 1913, staying in Lausanne, Switzerland: Mr. & Mrs. H.E. Huntington are staying at the Hotel Savoy in Ouchy, Switzerland. Belle is taking “The Cure” in Lausanne, like a spa with mud baths (for arthritis). Many letters & receipts were found during this time period. Document: HEH Coll. HEH 12/ 23-27 (Box1- 7) uncat Huntington Library, San Marino, CA
By October 27. 1913 The H. E. Huntingtons have said “Good bye for now France” & are sailing on the “George Washington” ship home to NYC. The “S. S. George Washington” (Cunard) ship, is the largest ship in the world at the time. to get to their ship in the northern part of France, they traveled north on 2 trains: with their large Huntington entourage from St. Cloud train station to Paris, then from Paris to Cherbourg. It was at the Cherbourg port, that the Huntingtons would embark the S. S. “George Washington” & sail across the Atlantic Ocean to NY harbor. The Huntingtons were listed as followed. Huntington, Henry C. [E.] age 63 born in New York [state} & Huntington, Arabella, age 56 [63 yrs] & born in Alabama, both living No. 2 57th Street NYC ,NY. They were traveling with H. E. Huntington’s private social secretary: Robert Varnum age 48 & his wife Catherine, age 47. Document: http://www.ellisisland.org Nancy Note: Arabella is fibbing about her age again….
The H. E. Huntingtons usually traveled with a very large entourage of employees & servants. These records don’t show it, but Mrs. Arabella Huntington always traveled with a large entourage. As followed: with her private secretary: Miss Carrie M. Campbell, her ladies maid: Miss Jeanne Reifer, Mr. H. E. Huntington traveled with his Gentlemen’s valet, Mr. Alfonso Gomez (who was also 2nd Butler at the time, he was hired in 1911), also his personal secretary, Mr. Varnum & his wife, Catherine Varnum & the Head/1st Butler Mr. Angus Mc Gillivary from No. 2 East 57th St. NYC NY, These employees & servants often traveled to all the different Huntington mansions through the year with the Huntingtons. Sometimes, there were more servant staff that traveled with them: like 2 Butlers, 2 Footmen, a Cook, a Chauffeur, sometimes 2 Chauffeurs, their Social secretaries, Mrs. Huntington’s Ladie’s personal maid, & Mr. Huntington’s Gentlemen’s valet.
Documents:
HEH Coll 12445 Box 162 (HEH correspondence Belle Huntington sells Lubeck Mansion in Paris; HEH Coll. 657 Corr Box 131 June 13 Letter HEH to his sister Carrie Holliday, Huntington Library San Marino, CA Dr. Bennett’s show “Belle of San Marino” at the Huntington Library, J.G. Camerino lace merchant, 1902 invoice , states Mrs. Arabella Huntington was staying the Ritz Hotel Paris (ADH timeline), Book: HEH a Biography, by Thorpe Mr. Huntington passport info, Book: Henry Edwards Huntington his life & collections by Spurgeon p.28, Hertrich book;
Inside the Huntington's Story 