Rosencrantz Family: Third Generation
Adult Life of Elijah Rosencrantz II
By 1850, 36-year-old Elijah Rosencrantz II became acquainted with 18-year-old Cornelia “Killie” Dayton through family visits between Bergen County and New York City. Elijah was a successful entrepreneur who had recently expanded and modernized the Hermitage, reflecting both his ambition and refined taste. Killie came from a cultured and well-connected family with deep colonial roots, including ties to the Dayton, Billings, Livingston, and Schuyler families. Their match joined two longstanding local families and reflected both personal affection and shared social standing. Elijah and Killie were married on June 3, 1851.
Elijah and Killie
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Killie Dayton Rosencrantz (1834-1867) was the wife of Elijah Rosencrantz and a key figure at The Hermitage during the challenging years following the Civil War. Despite battling tuberculosis, she gave birth to four children and brought a cosmopolitan style and status to the Rosencrantz family. Killie played a vital role in uniting the Rosencrantz and Dayton families, which were influential in the founding of Ridgewood and the establishment of Christ Church. She also supported the family’s cotton mill business through difficult times, including the Civil War. Her untimely death at a young age from tuberculosis exemplified the harsh impact of the disease on many families in 19th-century America.
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Charlotte Caroline “Lillie” Dennis Rosencrantz (1846-1910) came to The Hermitage as a young guardian for Elijah’s youngest children after Killie’s passing.
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, she married Elijah in 1870 and became a devoted stepmother and manager of the household. Known for her nurturing spirit, Lillie balanced family responsibilities with maintaining strong ties to her Southern roots.
She played a key role in supporting the Rosencrantz family through changing times and was beloved by her stepchildren.
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, she married Elijah in 1870 and became a devoted stepmother and manager of the household. Known for her nurturing spirit, Lillie balanced family responsibilities with maintaining strong ties to her Southern roots.
She played a key role in supporting the Rosencrantz family through changing times and was beloved by her stepchildren.
William "Willie" Dayton (1852-1915)
After returning from Europe, William Dayton briefly managed a paper mill in Orange County, New York. Unfortunately, the mill began production just as the national Panic of 1873 triggered a widespread economic depression. When the operation shut down, William (often called Willie) returned to Ho-Ho-Kus to work alongside his father in the family’s cotton mill.
That same year, William’s great-grandfather, Samuel Dayton, passed away at the age of 90. In his will, he left $2,500 to each of the four children of his granddaughter Killie, including William.
That same year, William’s great-grandfather, Samuel Dayton, passed away at the age of 90. In his will, he left $2,500 to each of the four children of his granddaughter Killie, including William.
John Rosencrantz II (1853-1914)
John was 21 years old when he returned in 1874 from serving as secretary to Captain John Quincy Adams during an around-the-world cruise on the USS Iroquois. In Philadelphia, he met and married Lavenia "Venie" Miller in 1884. The couple later moved to Ho-Ho-Kus when John secured a job with the Metropolitan Line, a steamship company where Samuel Dennis—a relative of Lillie, Elijah’s second wife—was an officer. Like Lillie, Samuel and his family had come from Richmond and settled in Ridgewood, joining Christ Church by 1878.
John’s position with the Metropolitan Line provided the means to build a house in 1892 on Rosencrantz property just south of the Hermitage. His sister Bess, sold him the land for $1.00. John and Lavina did not have children. He passed away in 1914 at the age of 61, and Lavina died in 1943.
John’s position with the Metropolitan Line provided the means to build a house in 1892 on Rosencrantz property just south of the Hermitage. His sister Bess, sold him the land for $1.00. John and Lavina did not have children. He passed away in 1914 at the age of 61, and Lavina died in 1943.
Mary Elizabeth "Bess" Rosencrantz (1855-1943)
Bess, the only daughter of Elijah II and Cornelia Rosencrantz, was a lively and influential presence at The Hermitage. After completing her studies at St. Mary’s Hall in 1874, she moved to Philadelphia to assist her widowed uncle John with his children, staying there until his death in 1883. During these years, Bess led an active social life, attending plays, parties, and dances, and maintaining close ties with friends and family back in Bergen County.
Returning to Ho-Ho-Kus, she embraced a wide range of interests, including painting, tennis, croquet, billiards, golf, boating, and gardening, while becoming a beloved aunt to her brother Willie’s children. Known for her warmth and hospitality, she frequently entertained guests, including the acclaimed actor Joseph Jefferson, and traveled extensively, reflecting her curious and spirited nature. She and her niece Mary Elizabeth ran the Tea Room at the Hermitage from 1917-1931. Bess's passion for socializing, culture, and outdoor activities made her a vibrant force in her community for decades.
Returning to Ho-Ho-Kus, she embraced a wide range of interests, including painting, tennis, croquet, billiards, golf, boating, and gardening, while becoming a beloved aunt to her brother Willie’s children. Known for her warmth and hospitality, she frequently entertained guests, including the acclaimed actor Joseph Jefferson, and traveled extensively, reflecting her curious and spirited nature. She and her niece Mary Elizabeth ran the Tea Room at the Hermitage from 1917-1931. Bess's passion for socializing, culture, and outdoor activities made her a vibrant force in her community for decades.
George Suffern Rosencrantz (1865-1934)
George Suffern was raised by his stepmother Charlotte. He attended the Ho-Ho-Kus Valley School, which his father helped found. In 1887, at age 22, George suffered serious injuries in a bicycle accident at the Bergen County Agricultural Fair but recovered and began a career as an insurance assessor, traveling extensively.
He courted Katherine Levick, a London-born woman raised in a well-off family in Ho-Ho-Kus. During the early 1890s, George worked in multiple states while Katherine enjoyed local social activities like tennis, croquet, and visiting friends, often at The Hermitage.
The couple married in 1893 and settled in Boston, where George established himself as a successful insurance underwriter with Rosencrantz, Huzard and Co. They had no children and moved to Ridgewood in the 1920s.
He courted Katherine Levick, a London-born woman raised in a well-off family in Ho-Ho-Kus. During the early 1890s, George worked in multiple states while Katherine enjoyed local social activities like tennis, croquet, and visiting friends, often at The Hermitage.
The couple married in 1893 and settled in Boston, where George established himself as a successful insurance underwriter with Rosencrantz, Huzard and Co. They had no children and moved to Ridgewood in the 1920s.
Henry "Harry" De Witt Rosencrantz (1872-1890)
Harry was the only child of Elijah and his second wife Charlotte, was born in 1872. Though seriously ill as a baby, he recovered and enjoyed an active childhood filled with school and play. In 1884, he earned a certificate of merit from Grammar School #35. As a teenager, Harry was well-liked both within the Rosencrantz family and the local community. Newspaper reports from the late 1880s highlight his prominent role in social events at The Hermitage and throughout Ho-Ho-Kus.
Due to ongoing health issues, his mother Lillie moved with him to the higher, supposedly healthier area of Allendale, several miles north of The Hermitage. Tragically, in January 1890, just ten days after sending condolences for a friend’s passing, Harry himself died suddenly from rheumatic fever.
Due to ongoing health issues, his mother Lillie moved with him to the higher, supposedly healthier area of Allendale, several miles north of The Hermitage. Tragically, in January 1890, just ten days after sending condolences for a friend’s passing, Harry himself died suddenly from rheumatic fever.