Charles Bathgate Beck Explained

Charles Bathgate Beck (1853–1893) was a wealthy lawyer who lived in what is now the West Farms section of the Bronx.

He left in his will $300,000 to Columbia University to endow the law school's Charles Bathgate Beck prize.^{[1] [2]} He also left $100,000 (equivalent to $150,000,000 in 2021) to The First Presbyterian Church of West Farms for the construction of a new building.^{[3] [4]} Bathgate, a trustee of the church, left the money in memory of his mother.^[5]

Charles had inherited his estate from his uncle, Alexander Bathgate. Alexander was not known to have any legitimate children until after his death when his housekeeper, Delia Malloy, claimed to be his wife and the mother of his two children. The children contested the will.^[6]

In 1904, 391 lots which had been part of the Beck estate were sold by J. Clarence Davies to Henry Morgenthau.^[7] During the title search, it was discovered that title to the lots, worth $240,000 had previously been transferred by one of the last three Bathgate heirs to his daughter, Miss Margaret Bathgate during a period of financial trouble. It had subsequently been intended that the title be transferred back, but this second transfer had never been properly filed.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Academic Recognition and Prizes . 2022-08-15 . www.law.columbia.edu . en.
2. Book: Chamberlain, Joshua Lawrence . Universities and Their Sons: History, Influence and Characteristics of American Universities, with Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Alumni and Recipients of Honorary Degrees . 1899 . R. Herndon Company . 309 . en.
3. Book: Jenkins, Stephen . The Story of The Bronx 1639-1912 . G. P. Putnam's Sons / The Knickerbocker Press . 1912 . New York . 281.
4. News: 1893-10-21 . Millions Given to Charity; Charles Bathgate Beck's Fortune Left for the Public Benefit. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-08-15 . 0362-4331.
5. Web site: 2014-01-04 . Beck Memorial Presbyterian Church - Historic Districts Council's Six to Celebrate . 2023-04-05 . 6tocelebrate.org . en-US.
6. News: 1894-10-08 . Charles Bathgate Beck's Millions; Suit Brought to Have the Court Declare His Will Valid. . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-08-15 . 0362-4331.
7. The source gives the last name as "Morgenthal"; this is probably a typo.
8. News: December 15, 1904 . Forgotten Deed Makes Her Rich . 13 . The Minneapolis Journal . April 5, 2023 . Library of Congress: Chronicling America.