Baroness of Hobcaw: The Life of Belle W. Baruch

Epilogue

Epilogue As often happens when someone of great wealth dies, there was dissension and controversy following Belle Baruch’s death. Belle had often expressed the wish to be buried at her beloved Hobcaw Barony but had not so designated in her will. Bernard Baruch insisted that she be interred in the family burial plot at Flushing Cemetery in Queens. Disregarding her Catholic baptism , Baruch held the funeral services at the Chapel of the Beloved Disciple, Heavenly Rest Church, where Belle had worshiped since childhood. Bernard Baruch refused to have the foundation named in his honor. Some felt he was annoyed that Belle had not consulted him about her plans, but then she thought she had time. Certainly she did not expect to predecease her father. He was also ninety-three years old and perhaps thought he had garnered sufficient honors for a lifetime. In the end all agreed to call it the Belle W. Baruch Foundation, which was considered even more appropriate because of Belle’s reverence for the “land between the waters.” Belle bequeathed lifetime residency at Hobcaw House to her sister, Renee Baruch Samstag, as well as the income from a generous trust. Renee, stating that there were too many sad memories at Hobcaw, relinquished her life interest in the property to the trustees of the foundation. Ella Severin was named a trustee of the foundation and was given lifetime residency at Bellefield Plantation in Belle’s will. She was also given the income from a large trust, Belle’s New York apartment, and other personal belongings. Belle left numerous bequests totaling $153,000 to private individuals as well as to charitable and religious organizations in both New York and Georgetown, South Carolina. Belle’s greatest legacy, Hobcaw Barony, was left to future generations of Americans. This page intentionally left blank ...