Notes:

Charlotte Masaryk


Charlotte Garrigue Masaryk (November 20, 1850-May 13, 1923), first First Lady of Czechoslovakia, was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her father was Rudolph Garrigue, a businessman of Huguenot background whose parents and sister were Unitarian. Her mother was Charlotte Lydia Whiting, whose interest in transcendentalism led her to write to Ralph Waldo Emerson and be in contact with Brook Farm . In trying times Masaryk's Unitarian faith and character had a singular influence on her adopted country in central Europe.
Charlotte and two of her ten siblings were christened at their home by Frederick A. Farley, minister of Brooklyn's First Unitarian Church. Later Charlotte and her family moved to the Bronx. Hoping to be a concert pianist, Masaryk at seventeen went to Leipzig, Germany, where prolonged practice permanently damaged her hand. Her promising career ended after three years' study.
Back in the Bronx she took up mathematics and taught piano and corresponded with the daughter of the family she had stayed with in Leipzig, whose letters were filled with descriptions of Thomas Masaryk, then boarding with them. In 1876 Charlotte returned to Leipzig to meet the man she would marry and who would become the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia. That same year he received his doctorate from the University of Vienna and soon they were studying and discussing books together. He admired her desire for precise knowledge and her deep religious feeling and declared her magnificent intellect better than his own. When she left to visit other European friends before returning to the United States, he proposed to her in a letter. On March 15, 1878 they were married, first in a civil ceremony at New York's City Hall and then in a Unitarian ceremony in the double parlor of her parents' large Bronx home.
Returning to Europe, the couple lived in Vienna where Thomas Masaryk taught at the university until 1881, when he was engaged to teach philosophy in that half of Prague's Charles University in which the Czech language would be used. Charlotte Masaryk and their children, who eventually numbered five (four survived infancy), joined him in Prague, where he was prominent in the movement to restore the Czech language. Considering her husband's work for Czech nationalism the most important part of their lives, Masaryk refused to entertain his desire to move to the United States both in 1886 and again in 1899 when he was the most hated man in Bohemia. His refusal to accept forgeries of ancient manuscripts to bolster Czech identity triggered the first period of hostility. The second followed his stand against anti-Semitism and crude superstition when Leopold Hilsner, a poor Jew was accused of committing a ritual murder. Knowing that her presence would shield her unpopular husband from possibly lethal assault, Masaryk accompanied him to his lectures. She fearlessly addressed angry anti-Semitic students who threatened her family and who demonstrated outside her home.
Charlotte Masaryk learned the Czech language, literature, history, and music, always her first love, and became a striking presence in Prague. A post-World War I edition of the works of the Czech nationalist composer Bedrich Smetana was dedicated to her as the "true friend of Smetana's genius." She had popularized his music through research and writing. Believing that the highest purpose of Christianity was to help those in need, Masaryk concerned herself with social problems. She worked in the Czech women's movement, bolstering it with her translation into Czech of John Stuart Mill's Subjection of Women. She made her husband "the most influential male intellectual involved with the woman's movement." He later admitted that he was "only a peddler" of her opinions on women's rights and that she had authored Polygamy and Monogamy, one of his major statements favoring equality for women. In 1906 she demonstrated with workers demanding free and equal suffrage and the secret ballot. The next year she and her husband attended the International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston where he spoke, arguing for a religious life transcending ecclesiastical forms of religion.
After he proved that Austro-Hungarian officials had forged documents to justify annexation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Thomas Masaryk was reviled in the empire, appreciated in the incubating "Czech nation," and internationally renowned. By 1913 he was the most beloved man in Prague. Charlotte Masaryk had worked with him to educate the Czech people for democracy, helping them overcome their prejudice and intolerance. "Without her," he later maintained, "I wouldn't have had a clear sense of . . my political task."
When World War I broke out, Thomas Masaryk, who was out of the country with his younger daughter Olga, was sentenced by Austro-Hungarian authorities to a traitor's death. He joined the Allied powers and worked to gain recognition for the Czechoslovak National Council. Austro-Hungarian forces persecuted his wife in Prague, sent their daughter Alice to prison in Vienna, and forced their younger son Jan into the army. Their older son Herbert died from typhus while working in a Galician refugee camp. Alone, harassed and ill from heart disease and depression, Charlotte Masaryk maintained her courage and gave her daughter Alice "the strength to go on" during her eight months in prison by writing her nearly a hundred wonderfully supportive letters.
In 1918 Czechoslovakia, the nation Thomas Masaryk had fathered, was recognized by France, England, and the United States. Under its new constitution he was elected its first president in 1920 and re-elected in1927 and 1934. Prevented by illness from participating fully in the victory she had helped win, Masaryk died at their summer home near Prague. Ever grateful for her help, her husband proclaimed that her uncompromising political positions and truthfulness had greatly influenced his development. She made it possible for him to accomplish concrete reforms by moderating the scope of his original designs. Czech writer Oldra Sedlmayer declared, "Neither golden letters nor marble monuments can express the moral contribution, the price in human suffering which that daughter of free America paid in the life and work of our president."
Charlotte Masaryk's family treasured the First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn as the place where the seeds of her future strength had been planted. Both her husband and her son Jan spoke from its pulpit and her daughter Alice planned a stained glass window there in her memory. After World War II interrupted that plan, the women of the First Church in 1957 gave a clerestory window picturing Bohemian Reformer Jan Hus in memory of Charlotte Masaryk and in honor of John Howland Lathrop. Lathrop, the ninth minister of the First Church, headed a relief program in Czechoslovakia following World War II, which gave rise to the Unitarian Service Committee. Alice Garrigue Masaryk, Alice Garrigue Masaryk, 1879-1966: Her Life as Recorded in Her Own Words and by Her Friends (1980), contains many of her mother's letters. See also Barbara K. Reinfeld, "Charlotte Garrigue Masaryk, 1850-1923," Czechoslovak and Central European Journal (Summer/Winter 1989): 90-103, Stanislav Polak, Charlotta Garrigue Masarykova (1992); and American National Biography, s.v. "Masaryk, Charlotte Garrigue." H. Gordon Skilling, T. G. Masaryk: Against the Current, 1882-1914 (1994), has considerable information. See also "Brooklyn's First Lady of Czechoslovakia," in Donald W. McKinney, When the Pulpit Starts to Creak (1992); Olive Hoogenboom, The First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn: One Hundred Fifty Years (1987); Roman Szporluk, The Political Thought of Thomas G. Masaryk (1981); George J. Kovtun, Masaryk and America: Testimony of a Relationship (1988); and George J. Kovtun, ed., The Spirit of Thomas G. Masaryk (1850-1937): An Anthology (1990). A short obituary is in the New York Times, May 14, 1923.

Charlotte married Masaryk, President of Czechoslovakia Tomas Jan (Garrigue) on 15 Mar 1878 in New York's City Hall, New York, United States. Tomas was born on 7 Mar 1850 in Hodonin, Moravia, Slovakia; was christened on 7 Mar 1850 in Goeding, Hodonin, Czechoslovakia; died on 14 Sep 1937 in Lany, Bohemia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Masaryk, Jan Garrigue was born on 14 Sep 1886 in Prague, Czech Republic; died in 1948 in Czechoslovakia.
2. Masaryk, Herbert was born on 1 May 1880.
3. Masaryk, Alice was born on 3 May 1879 in Vienna, Austria; died in 1966.
4. LIVING

Notes:

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 about Mr. Rudolphus Peter Garrigue
Name: Mr. Rudolphus Peter Garrigue 24 or 27 male Gentleman Denmark
Arrival Date: 1 Nov 1845
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1818
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Bremen, Germany
Ship Name: Westphalia
Search Ship Database: Search the Westphalia in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Line: 6
Microfilm Serial: M237
Microfilm Roll: M237_60
List Number: 906
Page Number: 1

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Boston Passenger Lists, 1820-1943 about Rudolph Garrigue
Name: Rudolph Garrigue
Arrival Date: 5 Jul 1849
Age: 27 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1822
Port of Departure: Halifax and Liverpool, Nova Scotia
Ship Name: Canada
Port of Arrival: Boston, Massachusetts
Microfilm Roll Number: M277_30
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1850; Census Place: Brooklyn Ward 6, Kings, New York; Roll: M432_519; Page: 266; Image: 208.
914/1667 Rudolph Gainerge 28 male bookseller Denmark
Charlotte 24 fem Canada
Emily 01 fem New York
Augusta 8/12 fem New York
Mary Mott 16 fem Ireland
Catherine Ryan 20 fem Ireland
William Keniesey 24 male Porter Germany
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1860; Census Place: Morrisania, Westchester, New York; Roll: M653_878; Page: 0; Image: 216.
1503/1648 Rudolph Garrigne 36 male Scot F L Co. Germany
Charlotte 36 fem Canada
Emily 11 fem New York
Augusta 10 fem New York
Charlotte 09 male New York
Waldesmar 08 male New York
Isabella 06 fem Germany
Eveline 05 fem New York
Rudolph 03 male New York
Aurellia Bullig 18 fem Germany
Cath Meghu 40 fem Germany
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1870; Census Place: Morrisania, Westchester, New York; Roll: M593_1117; Page: 83; Image: 165.
449/443 Garrigue Rudolph 48 male white Fire Insurance Agent 10,000/5000 Denmark
parents foreign born
Charlotte 44 Fem white Keeping House New York
Emily 21 fem white at home New York father foreign born
August 20 fem white at home New York father foreign born
Charles 19 male white Fire Insurance Clerk New York father foreign born
Waldemar 18 male white at home New York father foreign born
Zella 17 fem white New York father foreign born
Eva 14 fem white New York father foreign born
Rudolph 12 male white New York father foreign born
Ella 11 fem white New York father foreign born
Alice 09 fem white New York father foreign born
Alexander 08 male wite New York father foreign born
Laura 06 fem white New York father foreign born
Bertha 04 fem white New York father foreign born
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New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 about Reed Garrigue
Name: Reed Garrigue
Arrival Date: 27 Sep 1871
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1822
Age: 49
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Hamburg, Germany and Le Havre, France
Destination: United States of America
Place of Origin: United States of America
Ethnicity/Race­/Nationality: American
Ship Name: Cimbria
Search Ship Database: View the Cimbria in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: New York
Line: 24
Microfilm Serial: M237
Microfilm Roll: M237_349
List Number: 973
Port Arrival State: New York
Port Arrival Country: United States
Accompanied by wife Charlotte
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New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 about Rudolf Garrigue
Name: Rudolf Garrigue
Arrival Date: 21 Oct 1875
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1821
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Hamburg, Germany and Le Havre, France
Destination: United States of America
Place of Origin: United States of America
Ethnicity/Race­/Nationality: American
Ship Name: Fresia
Search Ship Database: Search the Fresia in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: New York
Line: 12
Microfilm Serial: M237
Microfilm Roll: M237_400
List Number: 956
Port Arrival State: New York
Port Arrival Country: United States
Accompanied by son Alexander 12 years old
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U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 about Rudolph Garrigue
Name: Rudolph Garrigue
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1822
Birth Place: Denmark
Passport Issue Date: 9 Apr 1878
Passport Includes a Photo: N
Source: Passport Applications, 1795-1905 (M1372)
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1880; Census Place: New York (Manhattan), New York City-Greater, New York; Roll: T9_899; Family History Film: 1254899; Page: 363.1000; Enumeration District: 669; Image: 0733.
Household Record 1880 United States Census
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Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Rudolph GARRIQUE Self M Male W 58 COPENHAGEN DEN Fire Insurance GER DEN
Charlotte L. GARRIQUE Wife M Female W 54 CAN Keeps House NY CAN
Evelin C. GARRIQUE Dau S Female W 24 NY None COPENHAGEN CAN
Eleanor GARRIQUE Dau S Female W 21 NY Teacher COPENHAGEN CAN
Alice GARRIQUE Dau S Female W 19 NY None COPENHAGEN CAN
Alexander GARRIQUE Son S Male W 18 NY Grocer COPENHAGEN CAN
Laura GARRIQUE Dau S Female W 16 NY None COPENHAGEN CAN
Bridget BURKE Other S Female W 26 IRE Housework IRE IRE
Mary MCGILL Other S Female W 24 IRE Housework IRE IRE
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Source Information:
Census Place District 15, New York, New York (Manhattan), New York City-Greater, New York
Family History Library Film 1254899
NA Film Number T9-0899
Page Number 363A
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Rudolph married Whiting, Charlotte Lydia on 15 Sep 1847 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States. Charlotte (daughter of Whiting, William Loring and Starr, Mary E.) was born on 5 Feb 1826 in Augusta, Grenville, Ontario, Canada; died on 24 Jan 1891 in New York City, New York, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• FamilySearch Id: K6QB-VMM

Notes:

1850; Census Place: Brooklyn Ward 6, Kings, New York; Roll: M432_519; Page: 266; Image: 208.
914/1667 Rudolph Gainerge 28 male bookseller Denmark
Charlotte 24 fem Canada
Emily 01 fem New York
Augusta 8/12 fem New York
Mary Mott 16 fem Ireland
Catherine Ryan 20 fem Ireland
William Keniesey 24 male Porter Germany
===========================================================================
1860; Census Place: Morrisania, Westchester, New York; Roll: M653_878; Page: 0; Image: 216.
1503/1648 Rudolph Garrigne 36 male Scot F L Co. Germany
Charlotte 36 fem Canada
Emily 11 fem New York
Augusta 10 fem New York
Charlotte 09 male New York
Waldesmar 08 male New York
Isabella 06 fem Germany
Emeline 05 fem New York
Rudolph 03 male New York
Aurellia Bullig 18 fem Germany
Cath Meghu 40 fem Germany
======================================================================

Other Events:

• FamilySearch Id: LWF8-XHV

Notes:

1850; Census Place: Chicago Ward 7, Cook, Illinois; Roll: M432_102; Page: 371; Image: 544.
3789 / 3829 W. L Whiting 52 male Merchant $4500 New York
Mary L 48 fem Connecticut
Mary E 28 fem Canada
Emma 26 fem Canada
Harriette 20 fem Canada
Lizzie N 18 fem Canada
Abbie N 09 fem Canada
Theodore Knudsen 27 male Architect Norway
Tailbon Jones 28 male lumber merchant$15,000 Virginia
Johanna Phalm 17 fem Ireland
Winfred Kelley 16 fem Ireland

William married Starr, Mary E. on 9 Nov 1820 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, United States. Mary was born on 3 Feb 1799 in New London, New London, Connecticut, United States; was christened on 27 Oct 1799; died on 11 May 1863 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

1850; Census Place: Chicago Ward 7, Cook, Illinois; Roll: M432_102; Page: 371; Image: 544.
3789 / 3829 W. L Whiting 52 male Merchant $4500 New York
Mary L 48 fem Connecticut
Mary E 28 fem Canada
Emma 26 fem Canada
Harriette 20 fem Canada
Lizzie N 18 fem Canada
Abbie N 09 fem Canada
Theodore Knudsen 27 male Architect Norway
Tailbon Jones 28 male lumber merchant$15,000 Virginia
Johanna Phalm 17 fem Ireland
Winfred Kelley 16 fem Ireland

Other Events:

• FamilySearch Id:

Notes:

BIRTH: Also shown as Born Norwich, New London, Connecticut, United States.

DEATH: Also shown as Died 2 Sep 1844

BIRTH: Also shown as Born Norwich, New London, Connecticut, United States.

DEATH: Also shown as Died 2 Sep 1844

John married Leffingwell, Lydia on 5 Feb 1793 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, United States. Lydia was born on 6 May 1773 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, United States; died on 6 Mar 1809 in Connecticut, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

GIVEN NAMES: Also shown as Lydia Ann

BIRTH: Also shown as Born of Norwich, Conn.

Notes:

MARRIAGE: Also shown as Married 7 Feb 1793