William Willett McAlpin

"He... [William Willett McAlpin, Sr.]... never attended college and to my knowledge never worked. He contracted TB at an early age, which may account for why he never worked." Joan McAlpin Shiland Tilghman (2013).

David Hunter McAlpin was the father of William Willett McAlpin, Sr. David Hunter McAlpin's will is filed in the Morris County Surrogate's Office (New Jersey). [There is evidence that it was filed in 1903] The total value of his estate (probate and non-probate) was in the range of $7 million. He left his residence (on West 55th Street) to his wife (Cordelia Rose McAlpin), as well as a yearly income of $18,000 (which was in addition to what she had received in a prenuptial agreement). William Willett McAlpin was a residuary legatee under the will of his father.

11 East 90th Street, N.Y.C, N.Y. Originally McAlpin-Minot house, now part of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. Architects: Barney & Chapman (1902-1903); A. Wallace McCrea (1929-1930). "This handsome, four-and-one-half-story house of restrained architectural detail was built for M. Louise McAlpin and her husband William [Willett] McAlpin, the tobacco heir. Inspired by Beaux-Arts traditions of the French 18th century townhouse, it originally featured a brick-and-limestone bowfronted facade and columned portico. The facade and interior were redesigned in 1930 at the behest of the owner Grafton W. Minot, a member of a prominent Boston banking company, with the resulting neo-Renaissance details. As with No. 9, the mansion is currently owned by the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum." As per the Carnegie Hill Architectural Guide.....Across the street from the McAlpin house, at 2 East 90th St., is The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest. In its chapel, Joan McAlpin Shiland (a granddaughter of William Willett McAlpin) and Richard Austin Tilghman were married.

William Willett McAlpin and his family had two residences, a winter residence and a summer residence. The winter residence was the aforementioned 11 East 90th St., N.Y.C., N.Y. The summer residence was Camp Wyndover, Upper St. Regis, Spitfire Lake, Adirondacks, New York. In the vicinity of Camp Wyndover was The St. Regis Yacht Club. Among its members in 1903 were Mr. McAlpin, William G. Rockefeller, and Whitelaw Reid.

In 1912, the blue-eyed William Willett McAlpin was 54 years of age. His hair was now gray. He stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall. His forehead was high and broad, his complexion florid, his face oval, and his chin round. That year he traveled with his wife (Mary Louise Close McAlpin) and one minor child (probably Gladys Close McAlpin Irwin) to Russia. He almost certainly was in Russia in September of that year. There is evidence that the three visited Moscow and Saint Petersburg. They traveled under a joint U.S. passport (No. 70078), dated April 11, 1912. The framed passport is in the possession of Alicia Shiland Rounds, 107 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston, MA. (2013).

Oct. 13, 1921 Andrew Shiland, Jr., a brother of Leonore McAlpin Shiland (Taylor), is gravely ill with polio. On that date, their maternal grandfather (William Willett McAlpin) pens a letter of concern and support to their mother (Harriette Louise McAlpin Shiland). At the end of the letter, he turns his attention to Leonore: “I trust dear little Leonore is in good health & I pray she will escape this sickness. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ & the love of God, & the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you & yours ever more. Lovingly, Father.”

Oct. 16, 1921 William Willett McAlpin pens a letter to his daughter (Harriette Louise McAlpin Shiland). The subject is her young son, Andrew Shiland, Jr., who is battling polio and who is referred to in the letter as “André”: “…How thankful I am for the good news received today concerning André, that his suffering is not so intense & that you and Andrew (Andrew Romaine Shiland) were so much encouraged over his condition…To God be all honor, praise & glory. I know God has heard our prayers & in His wisdom will answer them as is best…My Darling, I have been seriously thinking of later, if André’s life could not be consecrated to his God. Have him educated to be a minister of Jesus Christ. His education could be planned with this point in mind. More young men are needed in the ministry. We have more than enough lawyers, doctors, business men & men in all professions except the ministry. Andrew’s grandfather (Rev. Andrew Shiland) was a minister in the Presbyterian Church. Why could André…[not]…follow in his footsteps [?] I do wish you and Andrew (Andrew Romaine Shiland) would make this a subject for earnest prayer.”

William Willett McAlpin is interred with his wife (Mary Louise Close McAlpin) in the McAlpin mausoleum, The Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York (Plot Golden Rod.) Also interred in the mausoleum is Miss Louise Harvey, who had been the governess of their children. One of their children, Gladys Close McAlpin Irwin, and her husband, William Fletcher Irwin, also are interred in the mausoleum. Outside and in front of the mausoleum is the gravesite of Andrew Shiland, Jr.