Who is Agnes van Rhijn Based On in HBO's The Gilded Age?

If you enjoy the HBO show The Gilded Age as much as I do, then you might be wondering who inspired the character of Agnes Van Rhijn played by Christine Baranski.
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What we know so far about who is Agnes in The Gilded Age is that she is a widow with the last name of Van Rhijn and her sister, Ada is a spinster who goes by Miss Brook. In a early episode it was revealed that Agnes had to marry a cruel man for his money because her brother Henry Brook had lost the family fortune. Ada explains to their niece Marian about the man Agnes had to marry: “And he was not an easy man. He was not a man you would like to be alone with.”
It seems that one thing that we do know about Agnes is that she represents old New York and the old money families that make up the upper echelons of society in the Gilded Age.
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#thegildedage #thegildedagehbo #gildedage #agnesvanrhijn
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[@bren6176]

The answer is - Louisa Barnewall Van Rensselar. She was the only widowed Mrs. Van R… on the original list of 400. Her grandmother was a Livingston.

[@jklmnoqr]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and this fascinating piece of information.💐💐💐💐💐

[@jaquangregg712]

I love agnes she comes of initially as a character I wouldn’t like but watching the show she definitely grew on me

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

I agree! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@SquidwardsHere]

I agree. I've watched other shows w/ Christine Baranski starring & liked her in those (esp The Good Wife & The Good Fight). First few episodes of The Gilded Age, I was really unsure how I felt about Ms. Baranski playing Ms. Agnes Van Rhijn. At first I thought the character might have been better suited if it were someone else in the role. I just didn't feel like Ms. Baranski was a good fit for a "period piece" but as the season continued on, I was pleasantly surprised. I soon only seen Agnes Van Rhijn, not Christina Baranski playing Agnes. She made this character come to life w/ a certain spark that may not have farred as well if Agnes was cast as someone else.

[@anitamartinez9309]

I love her I don't think she's bad she reminds me of my grandmother sisters. She is old school she doesn't want to lose her money that is the main reason and since her family actually were in lineage of some Royalty from Scotland she has a right to see Vanderbilts as new money since they would not be considered on the same level if they were in Europe. They may have had money but not exactly the title.. I would maybe felt the same but I probably wouldn't be against them or look down on them. They are American royalty

[@rachelharrison7961]

A Livingston helped draft and signed the Declaration of Independence. That ‘s probably one of the sources of Agnes’ pride in the family name.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Very true. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

They were major landowner in New York State tho

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

Wonderful show! Agnes is very stiff - but I think she's right about the lawyer who likes Marian. He is not what he seems. He's a social climber and not marry Marian but marry a rich woman with prestige!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for your thoughts!

[@laureneras9523]

I don't trust that lawyer either. I like the chemistry Marian had with young Mr Russell (he saved Pumpkin!)

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

@@laureneras9523 Me, too! Probably a better match even though Agnes will hate it! He seems like a nice young man who just honestly likes her.

[@pineo81]

Marion is my least favourite character, Peggy is so much more interesting. I hope Marion marries young Russell tho. I love Agnes, she knows a Gigolo when she sees one.

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

@@pineo81 I think Peggy is a great character as well. Really they all are. And actors who portray them are top-notch. Peggy is intriguing because she has confidence in herself and in her writing ability - an industry dominated by men. When I first saw her in the series opener, I thought, "I'll bet she has a hell of a back story." Turns out she does!

[@04straw]

I have no clue who might be the basis of Agnes' character. That's why I come here! But whether or not she's based on an actual person is really irrelevant to me. I love the character and I love Christine Baranski! She's wonderful in everything I've seen her do. Thanks for another fascinating video.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for your thoughts and I so agree!

[@justmetoni1478]

Ms. Buranski is excellent in this role.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Agreed!

[@carolinekaplan542]

She’s fantastic in every role

[@RPhilli-wg4xk]

I agree. I have not been disappointed in anything I have ever seen Baranski in, from The Grinch to The Birdcage and anything else. She has the best one liners of the show. I cracked up when she said she hoped "the Rev. Forte carried Ada over the threshold in the dark of night. It wasn't a sight for human consumption." Great line. The show has been awesome! It has peaked my interest even more into history that I already absolutely loved but have been burning up the searches since this series started.

[@karifredrikson8492]

“ Age of Innocence” by Edith Wharton, is a terrific book about the Gilded Age.

[@ClarisseRockinThatBow]

Also "House of Mirth." That's the dark side of the Gilded Age.

[@videopokergal4194]

@@ClarisseRockinThatBow Oh, thank you both; I would love to read!😁

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Age of Innocence has also been made into a film

[@joanamariafuriosancho6005]

I think this series is a bad copy, for example the first season, even the flowers blossoming

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

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[@LightoftheMoon]

I hadn't thought of the civil war angle and honestly haven't had any time to look into it. Thanks for uploading this. I will watch the comments to see if anyone knows 🙂

[@jessicarobinson4563]

I’m guessing van Rensselaer or van Cortlandt family either way you can trace everyone from the astors Stuyvesant Bush and Bayard families to the Roosevelt’s. Most powerful bloodlines in the world. Who also are tied to the first Corp. Dutch East India company

[@JRobbySh]

Certainly has to do with the loss of the family fortune. Maybe a connection with the Southern cause. such as the disruption of the cotton trade. Recall that Natchez, Missippi had more millionaires in 1850 than New York City.

[@finestkindmedicinal5967]

Love Gilded Age & it's great having this backup information, thank you, again!!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

You bet! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@videopokergal4194]

I love Aunt Ada's portrayal and Cynthia Nixon's character of her!😁

[@costrow3100]

The Vanrensalier family had connection to the Broecks and Schulyer lines and the Livingstons of early New York. They were an early Dutch American family. The train station and airport in Albany has the family as a namesake. Alexander Hamilton married one i of Phillip Schuyler’s daughters.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thank you for this information and thanks for joining the conversation!

[@here_we_go_again2571]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory The Roosevelt family were some of the first settlers The Dutch at one time controlled all of the Hudson river from New Jersey/NYC (formerly New Amsterdam.) to modern Albany, NY (formerly Fort Orange) There are little towns on both sides of the Hudson river that have the names of the original settlers. all the way up the river

[@wcryan31]

Van Rensselaer

[@riccardoraccis8119]

Agnes and Ada's mother was a Livingston. Their father side attived in New York 150 Yeats before from Pennsylvania.

[@jimmyanngladfelter9659]

Love this show, love this character!!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@ckallen1546]

It’s very tough stuff to follow. So far the only “soldier” I have been able to find in that general era is Alexander Hamilton Jr. graduate of West Point and Civil War veteran. Who married Angelica Livingston…who also had two sisters (one a spinster it appears so far). So Alexander and Angelica’s marriage would have been a very profitable alliance. I’m still researching…the entire 1800s. But there are SO MANY of them. Even with some not marrying, or having no children! I have perhaps (prematurely) not followed the Livingstons who married into English nobility.

[@longislandfanvictor3812]

Agnes and her sister were born well before the Civil War. Their father Mr. Brook was most likely a veteran of the Revolutionary war. Since this show takes place in 1882, the civil war was only 17 years prior to the time in this show. Agnes was already married to Mr Van Rijn in the early 1850:s. Actually it was Marion who referred to her father as General Brook in the first episode with Mr Raikes, not Agnes.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Yes, that sounds about right. Thanks!

[@ghazalehaghamiri4769]

Agnes tells that she married 40 years ago, in 1842. But yes, the General was their brother not father.

[@jukukwakuattionu5080]

But their father is also a soldier

[@Ella-rx2vm]

@@ghazalehaghamiri4769 Agnes says to Ada: "You're a soldier's daughter" - so their father was a soldier as well.

[@newgrange752]

Her father also could be a veteran of the war of 1812. Or other conflicts that happened. The one thing that I took from Ada saying about "he was not the kind of man you would want to be alone with" I am wondering if Agnes's husband did "something" to Ada, and that is why Agnes "takes care of her" . Just a thought.

[@LeslieKlinger]

Van Rhijn is the surname of Rembrandt, the Dutch master painter. It is obviously an allusion to the orignal Dutch families that settled New York but I wonder which one?

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

I think you are spot on. I was hoping to find which one but could not. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@hellobecky84]

Great tip on a really insightful video, thanks!

[@mesogeia3403]

I would say the Van Rensselaers judging by the Dutch surname

[@jllumpas6192]

i love her because she's always right ❤️

[@ashsar2408]

I think she is the personification of Old New York values placed there to juxtapose New New York values.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Good assessment. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@Annie_Annie__]

This. It’s why she has an English maiden name and a Dutch married name.

[@essiefowler9775]

It’s the best show on TV since Downton Abbey with wonderful actors and actresses

[@deannewarner1354]

Christine plays Aunt Agnes perfectly. She is very closed off but she understands human nature and truly cares Abt her family

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@Jan96106]

She showed that by coming to her sister's wedding. The two sisters forgave one another by a look before the wedding vows were said. And such a dramatic entrance to the wedding. I usually don't like melodrama, but this show has me hooked.

[@pdmasoh]

I suspect Agnes’ and Ada’s father would have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War and/or the War of 1812…not the Civil War.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

You know that makes sense! She said Civil war and soldiers daughter in same sentence but the math doesn't work, does it? Good thinking on your part and not so good on mine. Thanks!

[@wendylucas9855]

Luv this show,only 2 episodes left. I look so forward to Monday nites don't know what Iam going to do.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Gentleman Jack is back in April! Maybe that can be your next period piece. PLus the Downton Abbey movie is out soon, too!

[@04straw]

I agree! I went into panic mode when I heard only 2 episodes were left.

[@1rjona]

Based on the show, Brooks seems to be a military family from Pennsylvania. Agnes and Ada's father is a soldier and their brother , who is Marion's father , is an army general

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks, that is what I have as well. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@LadySlippers]

Even Army officers can be referred to as soldiers -- so that doesn't preclude their father and brother being an officer. In fact, based on the money, I would assume their father and brother were commissioned officers.

[@uno1r]

Omg thank you for this info 🥺😭

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Of course!!

[@alexsasan]

Agnes maiden name is Brook. maybe look in to Dirck Ten broeck and Cornialia stuyvesant. She was the daughter of margeret ( livingston) stuyvesant. Hé had 2 sisters, 1 was maried and 1 unmaried. His father whas Abraham Ten Broeck. He was à politician and militrie man.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

That is good information. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@texas1949]

Yep. Your videos are most enjoyable! Thanks for sharing.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for watching!

[@mr.rightnow.7300]

I think the Van Rijans are a fictional family playing typical old money people. I like the mix though. Fictional with actual characters in history. Makes it more interesting. In ep 9 we see Agnes and Ada at Gladyses ball. I can't wait to see HOW. Lol. At least I think it's gladyses ball. You could see her face tho when she walked into the Russell's home for the first time as she looked up. It wasn't of look of discust or hate. It was a look of awe and amazement. Maybe she had a change of heart and went. I'm sure Bertha sent an invitation to them, esp after that scene where she bursts into the luncheon. Lol. LOVE this show so far.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Yes it was a look of awe! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@deb7518]

Yes, I loved that scene as well!!

[@caroledoerr6872]

I believe that Agnes is portraying the religious roots of the Livingstons accurately. She is definitely inflexible in a religious manner!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Good point. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@strawberryshortcake4342]

Some of that “religious inflexibility” included the early abolitionists! Remember, Doylestown Pennsylvania (Marion’s hometown) was originally a Quaker settlement!

[@caroledoerr6872]

@@strawberryshortcake4342 Any belief system that is used to create a better situation is very helpful. Unfortunately many just want to exclude others who don't share their beliefs which is against many religious teachings. Everyone must choose the path that they will follow.

[@strawberryshortcake4342]

@@caroledoerr6872 I just don’t think it’s fair to accuse the people who were forced to leave England of inflexibility. The Puritans in New England didn’t get everything right, but they started the experiment in religious freedom. It was Congregationalist John Quincy Adams that argued in the Supreme Court for the freedom of the slaves aboard the Amistad. Roger Williams created a colony that welcomed all religions. Massachusetts had the highest literacy rate in the world because they thought everyone should be able to read the Bible for themselves instead of blindly believing whatever the King wants them to believe. Good for Agnes for standing by those values.

[@strawberryshortcake4342]

The Netherlands and New Amsterdam both had religious freedom.

[@SyIe12]

👍⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great information

[@johndbyrnes]

Philip Livingston (son of Robert Livingston) signed the Declaration of Independence representing New York. The Livingston(s) married into the Bogardus family that traces its family back to 1633 with Diminie Everardus Bogardus who owned Dominie’s Bowery and the Jans Farm (Anneke Jans-Bogardus). He lease land for a church to the local parishioners for one rose a year. The land for that church is now the land that the Trinity Church in Manhattan sits on. I am the 12th generation from Dominie Everadus Bogardus and 10th generation from Philip Livingston. Both the Livingston and Bogardus families were in Manhattan during the time of the so called Gilded Age!

[@videopokergal4194]

I like this lawyer and think he's a great character. 😊

[@cathydanielson9995]

I think YT had a glitch, so I'll try posting this again! By adding an "s" to the end of "Brook," there definitely is a possible answer for at least some inspiration for the fictional family (if the Brook family actually had any basis in anyone real, I guess.) My father's side of the family, the Brookses, have lived in North Carolina since 1750 (obviously, it wasn't a state yet at that point. The first ancestor in the US, John Brooks, was a cousin to the Earl of Cheshire and was transported as a criminal from Britain to the colonies in 1660 to what would later become Virginia. The family legend is that he murdered someone and was saved from hanging by his family connections; no idea how true that is. The Brooks family moved to Person County, NC in 1750.) The Brookses were Southern landowners during the Civil War. Aaron W Brooks, my great-great-great grandfather, died in a Union prison camp during the war. There's clearly no guarantee that the Brook family had anything to do with my ancestors, but their history is well known, and all kinds of information can be used for fictional composite characters, including people who were certainly living at the time but weren't even on the same side. At the very least, I think it's an interesting theory And some people in the family actually have spelled their names without the "s", including some who moved to New York in 1680. There were even a couple who did move to Pennsylvania. It's all on ancestry.com, but I don't think the direct link will work. Aaron Brooks 1823-1865 Birth 1823 • Person, North Carolina, United States Death 10 APRIL 1865 • Ft. Delaware, Delaware, USA Just in case, here's the direct link: www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/79626191/person/32410737072/facts

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Wow, interesting. Very interesting. Just so you know, when you put links in a comment they are held until the channel creator reviews them. In your case, I did let the comment become public because it is too good to not be seen. Adds to the discussion so well. Thanks!

[@cathydanielson9995]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory Thanks! :)

[@inakirstein4310]

Thank you! Very interesting info!!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Our pleasure!

[@noldaker]

All fictional characters so I searched by name...Dutch -Common spelling variations are Van Rhijn...The most famous is "Rembrandt" Harmenszoon van Rijn...who dropped the van Rijn. Hope this helps. Enjoying your segments. :)

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

I know I cam across all the different name variations for both van Rhijn and Brook. People who do genealogy must have a strategy for keeping track. Lots of information out there for sure. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@noldaker]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory :)

[@taurahelms3068]

The Livingston's brought about a lot of ancestors that we are familiar with. Being well-known has very little to do with talent sometimes and more to do with your family's lineage and social standing.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@LSTEdD1]

Also read that on his mother, Dunham’s side Barak Obama is connected to Holland ( old New England), Bush, and Cheney families, among others. Heard President Obama mention it on television as well.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

That's interesting. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@LSTEdD1]

You are welcome. Meant to write Howland,, not Holland.😊

[@kbf6434]

Almost all the Presidents are related to each other in some way.

[@pagemastrogiovanni9195]

This young girl for a social science fair showed how all the Presidents are related except for one at the time. It's bit like how all the Royals are related. Megan Markle on her father's side is related to the Royals and President Bush and few other Presidents. "The actress is a direct descendant of England's King Edward III, who ruled from 1327 until 1377, according to genealogist, Gary Boyd Roberts. That technically makes her and Harry 17th cousins.With this newfound genealogical connection, Markle's other royal very-distant cousins include Her Majesty the Queen and Princess Diana, the organization states. She's also distantly related to U.S. presidents like George W. Bush, George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, and Calvin Coolidge." "What do Barack Obama, Thomas Jefferson, George W. Bush and the other past U.S. presidents have in common? Besides holding the coveted title of commander-in-chief, it appears that all of them but one are cousins. Only eighth president, Martin Van Buren, was not related to King John."

[@LSTEdD1]

Thank you so much for posting this! Perhaps I am related to architect Richard Morris Hunt on my mother’s (Hunt) side after all !! 😊☀️

[@bryandawkins]

watching Agnes and Bertha I said to myself I know these characters then it came to me they were Mamie and Emily Baldwin from the Waltons 1972 to 1981 the older sister bosses younger sister around and the younger sister has a kind heart and a failed love

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

It is kind of a classic sibling interaction in literature, now that you mention it. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@stephaniecarver8868]

That is exactly who I thought about as well!

[@bookmouse2719]

'Our Miss Brooks' Hey Jane Wyatt was Ronald Reagan's first wife.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

And she was from the Livingston line! Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@4evermistyblu]

Great information ℹ️

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Glad you think so!

[@ericelmore]

Most likely Agnes is fashioned after Ruth Livingston Mills of Staatsburg NY, who also married Mr. Mills for money although she decended from our most famous soldier of all...George Washington.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

I did look at Ruth Livingston Mills and couldn't find a lot of correlation. So many women did marry for money so it's hard to tell. I wanted it to be her for sure. I thank you for your thoughts on this.

[@ericelmore]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory No worries! You are doing a fantastic job with these videos. I'm a Gilded Age junkie...not just the show, but the era and history. Have been for 30 years.

[@kbf6434]

George Washington did not have children. He has no descendants.

[@lisacamp1964]

I hope they smooth her character out a bit next season, show some vulnerability, softness or redeeming qualities because right now Christine Baranski is playing it so hard and rough

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

I am betting that will happen. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@Richardsonprincess00]

Wishing on more details on Agnes in an upcoming season soon.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Same here Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@elizabethphilippstrelczuk8363]

Bravo bravo I’m love it

[@kevinrobinson1056]

We may hope they have not inherited the murderous dynastic habits of Nicholas Van Rhijn of Dragonwyk as played by Vincent Price in the 1946 film Dragonwyk

[@hl7852]

I’m thinking General Brooke of Pennsylvania. A Union general during the American civil war. However he didn’t pass until 1926.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Quite possible Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@Missticc]

Believe she is saying you are a Brugh or Ms. Brugh and it sounds like Brooks. Livingston is one of the first family’s of New York. Matter of fact, Phillip Livingston father in law is a Van Brugh.

[@historychannelpodcasts]

This last episode with Agnes storming in on the Russell's seems so out of character and contrived. I really like the Agnes character and think the writers did her a dis-service with this plot line. I would like to see more of her character but in a better lights. Just my 2 cents. Love your videos, BTW!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

I am looking forward to more seasons where the character of Agnes will gain some more depth. Love the show and Thanks for your thoughts.

[@kevinchambers1101]

I have to agree with you. I also found it quite out of character. But then again, it is a TV drama ment to entertain.

[@joelsmith5461]

Even after Agnes stormed into the Russell house (which may have been out of character but I can understand that she had reached her limit and was furious to find out that her head butler had gone there to assist Mrs Russell's party). But later Agnes even says that doing that was a mistake and that she reacted without thinking. Thank goodness that the quick thinking of Marion and her late husband's niece (who's name escapes me at the moment) allowed her realize her mistake in her actions and politely leave without embarrassing herself severely

[@RPhilli-wg4xk]

Isn't Bannister an interesting character? He too has some good lines.

[@lj5801]

Minor point: Mary of Scots was betrothed to the Dauphin (later king) of France. Enjoyable video.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks! Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@lj5801]

@@notnek202 I was just pointing out that Francis was only the Dauphin when they were betrothed, not already the king.

[@johnschroeter9743]

The Livingston, Schuyler and van Rensselaer families heavily intermarried and have many descendants.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Yes I did get pick that up and found it all very confusing. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@hollyfulton2636]

Ok you need to look to the sisters from Ringwood manor in Ringwood NJ. I believe they were part of the "400 club" . I can't remember both names but Sarah was ahead of her time not having married *on purpose*. She didn't want a man telling her what to do and she was very accomplished. Look to the Cooper-Hewitt museum in New York which I believe they sisters in the show were even putting in a museum if I'm not mistaken? I know you have said for other characters that the writer liked to use more than one person for a character and so I think these 2 sisters could have played a huge part!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thank you for this additional information and welcome to the conversation!

[@hollyfulton2636]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory thank you I just can't get enough.... here's a link to the "Hewitt sisters' on Wikipedia.... The other sister was Eleanor.....

[@hollyfulton2636]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory it won't let me post the link From Wikipedia but if you look them up the piece that is on them is so close to the sisters in the show....

[@duckfarmer8630]

The blue dress is the same one worn by Jane Wyatt as Aunt Polly wore on Disney's Pollyanna. Also Aunt Mary Drexel on Disney's Happiest Millionaire.

[@TappanZee1234]

I would this she is based on The Mrs Astore who avoided the Vanderbilts until she couldn’t avoid it when Alva Smith Vanderbilt through her famous ball at 660 Fifth Avenue in March 1883.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[@tygressblade]

Isn’t Cindy Crawford related to the Livingstons from the Knickerbocker society of old Nee York?

[@brettanderson3160]

You might consider the Rhinelander family (pronounced Rye-lanner) as a possible source.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thank you for the contributing thought.

[@leathervogel5242]

The reality of any good writer is that Julian Fellowes took aspects of many different real life blue bloods of New York society prior to and during the gilded age to create the personalities and characters that are strictly fictional for a television series based on entertainment not fact. One will not be able to determine any specific lineage of any specific character… And here is a prime example you would never have an African-American woman as a secretary to woman of her statue living in her home even if it was below stairs… You have to realize the television is written for entertainment and to mass appeal nothing to do with factory history they just throw that in as a courtesy to entrap the minds of Americans. Sorry to be a realist!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@margaretmaynard7]

I agree. Blacks back then weren't seen in the upper classes.

[@miniprepper8284]

You can still see the reality of this arrangement in some older towns in the US. There is a row or area of the mansion type homes and almost adjacent to that row (2 or 3 streets away) is another row of very modest dwellings intended to be used for servant lodgings. Black and white servants would have been segregated even within these areas. At the Martin house in Buffalo, we toured the small house on premises that was built for the gardener. Other servants lived off site.

[@djbowus]

What do u think her networth was

[@gracegrasso9376]

Love the show.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Me too! Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@mz.lippey8791]

THE CASTLES WEREN'T BUILT BY DARK AGES WHILE PEOPLE WERE HORSE&CART! LOOK INTO TARTARIAN BUILDERS!

[@Anonom2012]

Having researched old New York extensively...I assume the English Julian took a lot of artistic licenses. The old New York depicted isn't quite...there. There was no Agnes or Patrick in either the Livingston or Morris families. There was certainly no one by the name of Brook. The Livingston who lived at Clermont did indeed...mismanage money...in the mid 19th-century and sold off much of the interior, but the extended family banded together and saved what they could. Of course, "Livingston Manor" could also refer to another Livingston house at Sleepy Hollow; the Philip who lived there had a ton of children. Your best bet would be to research the Aldermen of New York and see if Julian based anything on fact. I can't recall what the Van Rensselaers were doing in the mid-19th century...but hey. "Van R" might signify something.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thank you for your suggestions. I am pretty sure that Agnes is purely fictitious as far as known historical figures. I tired my best to cross reference Brook and the Livingstons but that didn't fly. The Van Rensselaers is interesting. Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@micca903]

They explained this in one of the podcasts if I remember correctly. They have to be careful about using real people because of libel or slander, one of these legal terms or maybe both. They couldn’t write aunt Agnes in a tawdry affair if they had to think about the living descendants.

[@aliciahowell9617]

My husband is a Morris descendant and also a McKean (Founding Father, former Gov, attorney and judge and responsible for a large part of the creation of the Supreme Court). We have some interesting family photos, silhouettes and albums that passed down through the family. His father and aunts all have middle names that reflect the prominent family lines. McKean, Thompson, Lewis and Morris are used as middle names. His grandparents was a Mayflower descendant and was a history and genealogy fan. I am the first person in a couple generations to have the same interest and thus have ended up with most of the family records. It was like a wonderful present to see it all and research who some of the more prominent family members. They are far less excited and into hearing about it all but have become more interested as my research expanded. I’ve run his family lines back to the 16th century. His family came from Philadelphia and we’re some of the first settlers of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island and NY.

[@vita33]

probably Julian Fellowes got his information re the Livingstons from Christine Baranski talking about her late husband's ancestry.

[@Anonom2012]

@@aliciahowell9617 IF you have any photos showing house interiors, can you PM me? Also, have you seen Susan Livingston Kean's letters at Kean University Library?

[@junebalsam3539]

Well done and thank you.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thank you too!

[@saludsinfiltros6854]

She is a mood, ❤️

[@JudyBirdChronicles]

Wasn't New York once called New Amsterdam, not New Netherland?

[@anitamartinez9309]

I know this sounds like a lie but I am of mixed race lots of Jewish ethnicity on one side and Dutch and English. I did an ancestry test I saw Vanderbilts and a few Astors in my search distant relatives I even saw Fish I searched the areas where we're from and of course I'm not naming everyone. My question is it possible even though these families at that time were against each other is it possible that they intermarried or secretly had children by rival families. I saw Livingston also I will have to research if it is the same families. I am also part latina . They are not I repeat NOT part of any Latino side but a white side from the areas of ny and some England etc etc. is it possible that Van Rhijn May actually be a name . If you are ancestry maybe you can search the Livingston family tree going forward, maybe it's another Dutch family. I am no where near wealthy but I am just curious if these families possibly had children with other rival families. Anyone have any names or proof?? Thank you 😊

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

I don't know about secretly but all of these families intermarried - just like the European royals they so admired! Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@giselematthews7949]

William Thomas Harbaugh Brooks (January 28, 1821 - July 19, 1870) was a career military officer in the United States Army, serving as a major general during the American Civil War.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks I saw that in my research. No record of marriage or children so couldn't connect him to the Brook (no s) family. Thanks though!

[@DreamGirl650]

Betha is looking to marry Gladys to European nobility.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Yep, pretty sure of that. Did a video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sICkq2Sij9eFnq8

[@elainedefreitas8106zw]

Nails on a chalk board

[@NM-pg7zm]

Maybe Brook is spelled Broek (the Dutch spelling)

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thank you. Good suggestion.

[@naturalcambion3747]

Who would have guessed that Agnes is Maryanne Thorp’s great grandmother. Dr. Dick didn’t stand a chance. 🤭

[@helenshack2838]

Shouldn’t you be directing your question to Julian Fellows who wrote the script ? He must know about the Brook family history and who they are representing.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Gee, do you think he would answer? It certainly would take some time to get a response! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@helenshack2838]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory sure why not ?

[@calicomist9213]

Could Marian be based on Edith Wharton?

[@vita33]

See Edith Wharton, THE OLD MAID.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Yes, I am inclined to think that Agnes is based an Edith Wharton character. I was looking for something more factual but there it is! Thanks!

[@vita33]

Wharton probably based the sisters in THE OLD MAID on people she knew or had heard about.

[@vita33]

Also: look into the family of Baranski's late husband.

[@vita33]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory Christine Baranski's late husband, Matthew Cowles' great-grandfather was Joseph Drexel, who founded Drexel Banking's New York Branch with JP Morgan.

[@RaAngel1248]

Damn so the Livingstons stole 168,000 acres from the Natives and called it Livingston Manor? The audacity of these people in real life is disgusting. But I do enjoy the show 😅

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

They weren't alone in their pillage of America's land and people but yes, I too enjoy the show! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@here_we_go_again2571]

The entire Patroon system resettled Dutch and other European Protestants ( English, Frence Scots) along the Hudson river from New Jersey'/ New York City to what is now Albany and Troy New York. It wasn't a serfdom situation but the original families made a lot of money selling land. Some of the scenes in Gilded Age were filmed in Troy,NY where the old 1700's row houses still exist.

[@ActuallyAstin]

I want more Agnes and less Bertha!

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Season 2 perhaps? Thanks for your thoughts.

[@serenagutierrez395]

I agree.

[@patriciaangelo1585]

Not me, Bertha is my favorite!!!

[@ryanamari2233]

Agnes is someone you hate to love … poor Ada and Marian

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

She is certainly a woman of character! Love Christine Baranski! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@sailorgirl4life197]

We have to give her some slack, she was brutually abused for years.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

@@sailorgirl4life197 I agree. Imagine being married to a cruel man and not being able to get out of the marriage. Women had it hard in that era so more power to Agnes to stay strong! Thanks for your thoughts.

[@sandra-jones]

@@sailorgirl4life197 I also have a sneeking suspicion that she is right about the lawyer's intentions. I hope I'm wrong.

[@serenagutierrez395]

@@sandra-jones Yes, I caught something this last episode that made me change my opinion of Mr. Raikes

[@teresap268]

Thanks

[@atyg1967]

Stuyvesant family.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks!

[@sshaw4429]

Perhaps just a compilation of several families, we know from history old money families were snobs. Great to have these little insight videos though. But I will say Gilded Age can’t hold a candle to DOWNTON Abbey. Much because the acting can’t hold a candle to those actors.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Old money families in America were def snobs. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@Sallydf084]

Love these ladies but you need to fashion Agnes Aida and Maryann with more richer clothing like the Russell as they are also wealthy a lot off us agree , these ladies were on the scene before the Russell’s , so they should wearing clothing on that same level , you fashion the Russell’s way too higher than them , and it should not be .

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@mz.lippey8791]

LEARN ABOUT WHO THE REAL BUSH'S ARE! WATCH LINDA PARIS "MCALLISTER TV ONLINE" BARBARA BUSH IS RELATED TO ALISTAIR CROWLEY!

[@cunderw12]

So you don’t know lol

[@tirzahjoseph2583]

Quick p

[@theconfusedphilosopher4724]

One of the most deplorable people in the show. Her selfishness borders on narcissism and she has a level of mean spiriteness that makes Mrs Russell look agreeable.

[@dmac7403]

You know what I find a lot easier to let characters just be who they are instead of trying to compare them to somebody else it's just more confusing and at the end of the day it's just a whole bunch of extra information it's not worth very much and doesn't really have anything to do with the story.

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Thanks for joining the conversation!

[@Anonom2012]

I tend to think that these characters are representation of figures, and not based on any one person.

[@dmac7403]

@@Anonom2012 I can see that being a good way to develop a character ,we'll have them start from nothing, use a exaggerated historical time line event event to lay the foundation , Americans love the rags to riches stories since we're all pretty much from somewhere else who's families all pretty much started at ground zero .

[@strawberryshortcake4342]

Except that Fellos is borrowing from American history with what, so far, seems to be deliberate white-washing of the Robber Barons. Assuming that Mrs. Russell plans for her daughter what Alva Vanderbilt planned for Consuelo, my opinion of Mrs. Russell’s patriotism is very low. Income distribution in the pre-Civil War North was much more equal than in the Gilded Age. I don’t think Fellows did sufficient research. He’s trying to transplant his own family history onto Gilded Age New York.

[@DreamGirl650]

I find history fascinating. Sorry you think it’s “boring”.

[@saul.t.2.969]

Sooo, you don’t know whose Agnes is either? What’s the point of this video?

[@fannie3911]

This show sucks! I’m so disappointed .

[@fabulouswomeninhistory]

Really? Maybe you will like The Bucaneers coming Nov 8 I think.

[@fannie3911]

@@fabulouswomeninhistory thank you. I love these kinds of shows. But this one ugh!

[@judybartels4339]

Love the show!