Staunton

Born Matilda Staunton Craig in 1862 and known to her family as "Aunt Daisie."

Family History

The Staunton Farm Foundation is a family foundation established in 1937 in accordance with the wishes of Matilda Staunton Craig, who wanted her estate to be used to benefit people with mental illness.

The Latest News on the 75th Anniversary Celebration:

A timeline of the events of the weekend is now available!

Letter sent to all Family Members:

Did you know that 74 years ago an innovative ancestor of yours started what is now the largest private funder of mental health related needs in the ten county area surrounding and including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? Her name was Matilda Staunton Craig (married name Heck) though she was better known as “Daisie” Craig and to successor generations as Aunt Daisie. Daisie was born in 1862 to Joseph Craig and Matilda Staunton Craig of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania (now known as the north side of Pittsburgh). Joseph and Matilda had nine children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. Daisie’s surviving siblings were William, Mary (aka Mollie), Edwin, Joseph, George, Percy and Pressly (aka Uncle Doc). You are receiving this letter because you are a descendant of one of those siblings.

Daisie’s entrepreneurial brother Joseph W. Craig worked in the Pittsburgh Oil Exchange at the age of 23 and quickly became a successful oil trader. After that he became a very successful oil and gas explorer and producer in Western Pennsylvania and surrounding states. He was responsible for the creation or success of numerous energy related businesses including Chartiers Oil Co., Greensboro Gas Co., New Castle Gas Co., Fort Pitt Gas Co., Freedom Oil Co. (whose most famous surviving brand is Valvoline). His brothers Percy, Pressly, Edwin and George all became involved in these businesses in one way or another. With his wealth Joe Craig built many of the buildings in what is known as the “Strip District” in Pittsburgh.

Aunt Daisie held interests in most of these enterprises making her a wealthy woman. Over the years she witnessed various degrees of mental illness amongst her siblings. At her death in 1933 she left the bulk of her estate to helping those with “curable neurotic illnesses.” In March of 1937 Staunton Farm Foundation was incorporated. The Foundation was named after Joe Craig’s beloved rural property across the river from Sewickley, PA which after his death was owned by Daisie. Over the past 74 years Daisie’s innovative bequest has grown into today’s Staunton Farm Foundation with assets of more than $50 million and making $2.5 million in annual grants. Many descendants of Daisie’s siblings have served or currently serve as Board members of the Foundation, a tradition we hope continues into the future.

Thanks to Daisie’s generosity this letter is not a solicitation for money.  The purpose of this letter is to make you aware of your connection to this philanthropic legacy and to encourage you to learn more. Specifically, the year 2012 will be the 75th anniversary of the creation of this important institution. As someone who is related to Aunt Daisie you are invited to be part of the Staunton Farm Foundation’s 75th Anniversary Celebration to be held June 15-17, 2012 in Pittsburgh. At this event you will learn more about the Staunton Farm Foundation, and how you might become involved in the future. You will also learn about Daisie’s family history and yours.

We will be contacting you soon with more detailed Anniversary information and how you can attend. In the meantime, please view the Staunton Farm Foundation web site and the family history web site to learn more about the Foundation and your family history. If you have any questions please contact April McCoy at Staunton Farm Foundation. She can be reached at 412-281-8020 or by email at office@stauntonfarm.org. If you have relatives who we missed please let April know.

 

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