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Thompson Family History

Telling the story straight, no matter how painful or unsavory.

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Clergy Inhabit Mabel Thompson Filor’s Old Stony Point Estate

The front facade of Mabel Thompson Filor's house in suburban New York

Mabel Thompson may not be as famous as her well-heeled older brothers William Boyce and Joseph Edward, but she was very wealthy nonetheless. Born in Butte, Montana, in 1886, Mabel married a stockbroker, Walter Filor, eight years her senior. He earned enough to buy Mabel a very impressive, 150-acre estate in Stony Point, New York, that overlooks the Hudson River. The property was formerly known as the Greyridge Farm.

Clergy live in Mabel’s former home today, as we discovered on a visit to the site last winter. The grounds are home to The Marian Shrine, a Catholic retreat center. Provincial Fr. Ernest Giovani purchased the property in 1945 from Mabel’s estate, after Filor died, for $120,000. My father used to visit the home as a child. Here’s photographic evidence.

Bill and Boyce Thompson chill on Aunt Mabel's lawn

I’m happy to report that the house is still in very good shape, based on a tour given to us by Father Bernie, one of 11 clergy who live there. Very little looks to have changed on the interior of the house. The original fireplace and mantel still grace the living room, along with a second one in the dining room. Tile work around the heater in the dining room and millwork in the front hall looks to be original as well.

At some point, the new owners look to have enclosed the back porch. Also, the awnings in the picture at right regrettably no longer grace the facade.

The layout of the home builds on the lot’s orientation. Most of the living spaces — the dining and living rooms — are along the back of the home, which faces a great lawn with commanding views of the Hudson River. The front of the home, with a semi-circular drive, faces the woods. A statute of St. Peter, no doubt added by the current owners, greets travelers as they come and go.
The current nursery building, originally the chauffeur’s lodge, was part of the property bought from Mabel’s estate. A second building may have been added later. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

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