| 4. |  Leonard Walter Jerome  (3.Aurora3, 2.Sarah2, 1.Abigail1) was born on 3 Nov 1817 in Pompey, Onondaga County, New York; died on 3 Mar 1891 in Brighton, Sussex, England; was buried after 3 Mar 1891 in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Other Events:
- Group: Descendant of Mayflower Passenger
- Group: Famous Historical Figure
- Group: Hall Direct Descendant
- Group: Halls of Middletown - DNA Family 006
- Group: Mayflower - Dr. Samuel Fuller
- FamilySearch ID: LVVN-LNK
- FindaGrave Memorial ID: 3333
- 1850 Census: 6 Aug 1850, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
- Death Registration: Between 1 Jan 1891 and 31 Mar 1891, Brighton Registration District, Sussex, England; Vol. 2b, p. 218
Notes:
From FindaGrave:
Lawyer, Stockbroker, Thoroughbred Racing Enthusiast. Winston Churchill's maternal Grandfather.
Leonard Jerome was the son of Aurora Murray and Isaac Jerome. Leonard was born November 3, 1817, on a farm in upstate Pompey Hills, New York, (near Syracuse), and went on to study law, graduating from Union College in Schenectady, New York.
As a young man, he and his brother Lawrence moved to Palmyra, New York, to work in their uncle Hiram's law office, before Leonard set up practice in Rochester, New York. While living in Rochester, Jerome became involved in local politics and the newspaper business. founding the Rochester Daily American. He later sold his interest in the paper and moved to New York City, where he became a notable and flamboyant stock market speculator and promoter, becoming known as "The King of Wall Street". In the process, over his career, Jerome made— and lost— at least three fortunes.
A patron of the arts, he was the founder of Manhattan's Academy of Music. It has also been alleged that Jerome had an affair with the famous Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind— for whom his eldest and most famous daughter, Jennie, was named.
Leonard Jerome was also an avid sportsman and enjoyed yachting with his friend, William K. Vanderbilt. They, along with their friends and partners August Belmont and William Travers, had a special passion for thoroughbred horse racing, and helped found the American Jockey Club.
In purchasing The Bathgate estate and mansion near Old Fordham Village in Westchester County, Jerome was instrumental in building the Jerome Park Racetrack in what is now The Bronx, in conjunction with fellow financier August Belmont, Sr., where the first Belmont Stakes was held in 1867. A resident of Brooklyn, along with William K. Vanderbilt and other investors, he founded the Coney Island Jockey Club, which in 1884 built the Sheepshead Bay Race Track.
In 1849, he married Clarissa Hall (1825-1895) with whom he had three lovely daughters who were acclaimed wherever they went, becoming known as 'the Good, the Witty and the Beautiful.' The eldest, Jennie ('the beautiful'), married Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill, the younger son of the Duke of Marlborough, and gave Leonard Jerome two grandsons: Winston Churchill, later Prime Minister of Great Britain, and a second son, John (known as "Jack" in the family).
The second daughter, Clara— also known as Clarita-- ('the good') married Moreton Frewen (1853-1924), who had squandered his capital on gambling, sports and a series of failed money-making schemes.
The youngest, Leonie ('the witty') married Irish Baronet Sir John Leslie, 2nd Bt. (1857-1944). They had 4 sons, including Shane Leslie, who later converted to Catholicism and became a well-known writer. In later life. Leonie became a good friend to Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught – a younger brother of Edward, the Prince of Wales (who became a great friend, in turn, to Leonie's sister Jennie).
Leonard Jerome's wealth afforded his daughters the opportunity to spend much time in Europe, particularly in Napoleon III's France, where they associated with the aristocratic elite of the day.
Some interesting historical footnotes: The Jerome Mansion, on the corner of Madison Avenue and 26th Street, had a full theatre and even horse stables, as well as a beautiful view of Madison Square Park. It was later sold and housed a series of private clubs. Some of the funds from the sale helped support the country lifestyle of Winston Churchill, prior to his rise to political power. The mansion was torn down in 1967.
Jerome Avenue in Brooklyn is named in Leonard Jerome's memory, as is Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. In the Bronx,
The Old Bathgate mansion served as a summer home for the Jerome family and their friends. Jerome Park, which was built on the estate, was once the site of a horse racing track, which was replaced by the Jerome Park Reservoir. In the early 1900's, The Old Bathgate mansion would later be razed and replaced by The Kingsbridge Armory.
Leonard Jerome died on March 3, 1891, at the age of 73 in Brighton, England. His body was brought home for interment in the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.
Group:
Passenger or Descendant of the Mayflower
Group:
Famous People
Group:
A person who is a direct descendant of any colonial New England Hall Family
Group:
Descendants of John Hall and Esther Willicke of Middletown, Connecticut
Group:
Descendant of Dr. Samuel Fuller of the Mayflower
FamilySearch ID:
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LVVN-LNK
FindaGrave Memorial ID:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3333
1850 Census:
Ward 6, p. 224a
Lenard Jerome 34 M Secretary of Telegraph Line --- New York
Clara " 25 F "
Death Registration:
Leonard Walter Jerome, age 73, died.
Leonard married Clarissa "Clara" Hall on 5 Apr 1849 in Palmyra, Wayne County, New York. Clarissa (daughter of Ambrose Hall, Jr. and Clarissa Wilcox) was born on 16 Jul 1825 in Palmyra, Wayne County, New York; died on 2 Apr 1895 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England; was buried after 2 Apr 1895 in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:
- 5. Clarita "Clare" Jerome was born on 15 Apr 1851 in Brooklyn Heights, Kings County, New York; died on 20 Jan 1935 in Hastings Registration District, Sussex, England.
- 6. Jeanette "Jennie" Jerome was born on 9 Jan 1854 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York; died on 29 Jun 1921 in Paddington, Middlesex, England; was buried after 29 Jun 1921 in Saint Martin's Churchyard, Bladon, Oxfordshire, England.
- 7. Camille Jerome was born in 1855; died in 1861.
- 8. Leonie Blanche Jerome was born in Aug 1859; died on 21 Aug 1943.
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1702 - 1747 (44 years)
Aurora Murray 
