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Funeral of Frances Duncan Allaire
Sunday March 30 • 12 noon-3 p.m. • Admission Free • Program at 2 p.m.
Visitors may notice unusual customs taking place in our village this fateful day. For an explanation of some of these customs, visit our 19th Century Mourning Customs Page.
On 25 January 1804, James Peter Allaire wed his second cousin Frances Duncan, the same year he opened a small brass foundry at 466 Cherry Street in Manhattan. The following year, James and Frances would have their first child, Charles Browne Allaire, born on 20 January 1805. James and Frances would have nine children all together.
The Allaires would share many happy times together as well as sad ones. James' business dealings would keep them separated for long periods, four of their nine children would pass away while still infants, but James' business interests would grow, along with his reputation as a master at his trade, and the Allaires would prosper. Through all the joys and sadness they would remain truly devoted to each other.
Sadly tragedy would strike the couple. After nearly 30 years of marriage Frances would become gravely ill and suffer for several years. While we do not know exactly from what Frances suffered, we do believe it may have been the Coughing Disease, Tuberculosis. About that time New York would be hit by a major outbreak of cholera. Hardest hit would be the 12th Ward, where the Allaire Family maintained their residence. Out of fear for the health of his family, especially his ailing wife, James Allaire would install them in what is now known as The Big House at the Howell Works. Allaire hoped the country air would help to improve his wife's health as well. Allaire petitioned for aid from his first cousin once removed, Calicia Allaire Tompkins, to care for his wife and moved her to the Howell Works as well.
Unfortunately, despite all of his efforts, on 23 March 1836 Frances Duncan Allaire, the first wife of James P. Allaire, founder and owner of the Howell Iron Works Company, passed away. Death at home was still commonplace in the 19th century. Friends and neighbors would gather at the house of the deceased to pay their respects as the family would serve refreshments such as tea, bread, and cake. Prior to that, families would go into debt trying to feed everyone, usually the whole town. News of the death would be communicated by the ringing of the church or meeting house bell.
The Historic Village at Allaire will present a re-creation of the funeral of Frances Duncan Allaire. This is one of only approximately a dozen historically recreated funerals in the United States and the only one re-enacted in New Jersey. The Howell Works residents will depict the mourning customs of the 1830s. The re-creation will begin as the funeral procession makes its way from the Allaire household to the Chapel. The villagers will join the procession and participate in the funeral service held in the Chapel. The Rev. Tanser will give the eulogy.
After the service, villagers and visitors are invited to pay their respects to the surviving family members back at the Allaire Home. Frances Duncan Allaire was buried in the Allaire Cemetery in the Old Huguenot Cemetery of New Rochelle, also the resting place of James Peter Allaire. Because of the construction of I-95, the cemetery is now part of the churchyard of Trinity St. Paul's Church at 311 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, NY.