
From the 1840s through the 1880s, thousands trekked westward, carrying only a few belonging and supplies for the journey, and settling on the western frontier, forever changing the American West.
1841 Marriage / PartnerWilliam Henry VANDERBILT and Maria Louisa KISSAM 28 September 1841, Bethlehem, Albany, New York, USA
He was 20 years old.
1843 Birth of ChildCornelius VANDERBILT was born 27 November 1843, Staten Island, New York, USA
William Henry was 22 years old.
1845 Birth of ChildMargaret Louisa "Maggie" VANDERBILT was born 23 July 1845, Staten Island, New York, USA
William Henry was 24 years old.
1846 Birth of ChildAllen VANDERBILT was born 11 December 1846, Staten Island, New York, USA
William Henry was 25 years old.
1847 Death of ChildAllen VANDERBILT died 20 November 1847, Staten Island, New York, USA
William Henry was 26 years old.
1849 Birth of ChildWilliam Kissam VANDERBILT was born 12 December 1849, New Dorp, Richmond, New York, USA
William Henry was 28 years old.
1852 Birth of ChildEmily Thorne VANDERBILT was born 31 January 1852, Staten Island, New York, USA
William Henry was 30 years old.
1854 Birth of ChildFlorence Adele VANDERBILT was born 8 January 1854, New Dorp, Richmond, New York, USA
William Henry was 32 years old.
1856 Birth of ChildFrederick William VANDERBILT was born 2 February 1856, New Dorp, Richmond, New York, USA
William Henry was 34 years old.
1860 Birth of ChildEliza Osgood VANDERBILT was born 20 September 1860, Staten Island, New York, USA
William Henry was 39 years old.
1862 Birth of ChildGeorge Washington VANDERBILT was born 14 November 1862, New Dorp, Staten Island, New York, USA
William Henry was 41 years old.
1867 Marriage of ChildCornelius VANDERBILT married 7 February 1867, Staten Island, New York, USA to Alice Claypoole GWYNNE

1870 - June 26 - Christmas becomes a Federal holiday in the United States. It was still illegal in some states.
1879 - May 30 – New York City's Gilmore's Garden is renamed Madison Square Garden by William Henry Vanderbilt, and is opened to the public at 26th Street and Madison Avenue.
Originally it was a railroad passenger depot located at East 26th Street and Madison Avenue, the New York and Harlem Railroad, before they would move in 1871. Then, with tented roof, it would become P.T. Barnum's Great Roman Hippodrome. In 1876, the theatre became Gilmore's Garden, after Patrick Gilmore, a band leader. The building under his name housed flower shows, pedestrian marathons, the first Westminster Kennel Club Show in 1877, beauty contests, and concerts. Owned by the Vanderbilt family, William renamed it Madison Square Garden in 1879, continuing to present a variety of shows; boxing, track and field, and Barnum back with the elephant Jumbo. The first building had a capacity of ten thousand and was open-air.
Source / record details
americasbesthistory.com
May 30, 1879
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