Bessie Strong Correspondence to Alice Austen
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:36:46 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:24:18 PM
Added description
Description
Bessie Strong Correspondence to Alice Austen (1890)
Overview
This collection comprises a series of handwritten letters written by Bessie Strong to her friend and fellow Staten Island photographer, Elizabeth Alice Austen, during the year 1890. The documents are digitized as high‑resolution JPEG scans of the original envelopes and pages, accompanied by typed transcriptions in plain‑text format. The material is organized by month, with seven letters dated in June and two in July, all addressed to “Miss E. A. Austen, Rosebank R., Staten Island.”Background
Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering American photographer whose practice centered on portraiture and documentary work in late‑Victorian New York. Bessie Strong, a close friend and correspondent, was a member of the same social circle of upper‑middle‑class Staten Island families. The letters were produced while Strong was traveling through Connecticut, Ohio, and New England, and they provide insight into the social and cultural milieu of the period, including the Yale‑Harvard Regatta and regional travel.Contents
The collection contains 9 letters, each describing travel experiences, social encounters, and personal reflections. Key subjects include:- Travel: Journeys by sea and rail to New London, Kent, Ironton, Norwich, and Plymouth; descriptions of train rides and harbor scenes.
- Social life: Invitations to tea, picnics, and “whist parties”; mentions of friends such as Mr. Fred Janssen, Mrs. Briscoe, Miss Peck, and Mrs. L. A. Harwood.
- Family: References to Strong’s children (Joseph, Richard, two daughters, and a baby) and to the death of a relative.
- Photography: Mentions of cameras and a “Steinway piano” purchase.
- Events: Participation in the 1890 Yale‑Harvard Regatta, with vivid recollections of flags and college camaraderie.
Each letter is accompanied by a transcription that preserves the original phrasing and spelling, allowing researchers to access the content without handling the fragile originals.
Scope
The material covers a single calendar year (1890) and is geographically focused on Staten Island, Connecticut, Ohio, and New England. It documents personal correspondence rather than formal business records, and it excludes any photographic negatives or business ledgers. The collection offers a valuable window into the everyday life and social networks of a Victorian‑era woman in the New York metropolitan area.Raw Cheimarros Data
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", residence: @staten_island}
@bessie_strong:person {relationship: "correspondent of Alice Austen"}
@staten_island:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@new_london:place {state: @connecticut, country: @united_states}
@kent:place {state: @connecticut, country: @united_states}
@ironton:place {state: @ohio, country: @united_states}
@norwich:place {state: @connecticut, country: @united_states}
@plymouth:place {country: @united_states}
@bessie_strong_correspondence:collection {creator: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, date_range: {start: @date_1890, end: @date_1890}, subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Travel","Family","Photography","Victorian era","Staten Island","Yale-Harvard Regatta"]}
@file_pinax:document {title: "Bessie Strong Correspondence to Alice Austen", creator: @bessie_strong, institution: "Alice Austen House", created: @date_1890, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Travel","Family","Photography","Victorian era","Staten Island","Yale-Harvard Regatta"], places: [@staten_island, @new_london, @kent, @ironton, @norwich]}
@letter_1890_july_3004:document {date: @date_1890_07, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_july_3004_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Visit to Plymouth, church funeral, camera, daughter Elizabeth"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_july_3004
@letter_1890_july_3004 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@letter_1890_july_3005:document {date: @date_1890_07, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_july_3005_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Daily routine, children Joseph, Richard, two girls, horse drive, farewell"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_july_3005
@letter_1890_july_3005 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@letter_1890_june_1001:document {date: @date_1890_06, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_june_1001_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Letterhead: Miss E. A. Austen, Rosebank R., Staten Island"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_june_1001
@letter_1890_june_1001 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@letter_1890_june_1002:document {date: @date_1890_06, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_june_1002_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Travel narrative: cruise, Yale party, New London, Kent, train observations"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_june_1002
@letter_1890_june_1002 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@letter_1890_june_1003:document {date: @date_1890_06, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_june_1003_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Train ride description, Harvard flag souvenir, Mr. Saunders graduate '84"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_june_1003
@letter_1890_june_1003 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@mr_saunders:person {affiliation: @yale_university, graduation_year: @date_1884}
@letter_1890_june_1004:document {date: @date_1890_06, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_june_1004_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Ironton, Ohio train, Harvard and Yale flags, sailing scene"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_june_1004
@letter_1890_june_1004 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@letter_1890_june_1005:document {date: @date_1890_06, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_june_1005_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Norwich visit, Mr. Fred Janssen, Mrs. Briscoe, social gatherings"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_june_1005
@letter_1890_june_1005 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@mr_fred_janssen:person {}
@mrs_briscoe:person {}
@letter_1890_june_1006:document {date: @date_1890_06, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_june_1006_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Norwich picnics, Miss Peck tea, upcoming departure, staying with Mrs. L.A. Harwood"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_june_1006
@letter_1890_june_1006 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@miss_peck:person {}
@mrs_l_a_harwood:person {}
@letter_1890_june_1007:document {date: @date_1890_06, sender: @bessie_strong, recipient: @alice_austen, source_file: @file_1890_june_1007_bessie_strong_jpg, content_summary: "Travel anecdotes, games, drives, friends' visits"}
@bessie_strong -> wrote -> @letter_1890_june_1007
@letter_1890_june_1007 -> addressed to -> @alice_austen
@yale_harvard_regatta:event {year: @date_1890, description: "Yale-Harvard Regatta"}
@letter_1890_june_1003 -> mentions -> @harvard_university
@letter_1890_june_1003 -> mentions -> @yale_university
@mr_webster:person {}
@letter_1890_june_1004 -> mentions -> @mr_webster
@letter_1890_june_1005 -> mentions -> @mr_fred_janssen
@letter_1890_june_1005 -> mentions -> @mrs_briscoe
@letter_1890_june_1006 -> mentions -> @miss_peck
@letter_1890_june_1006 -> mentions -> @mrs_l_a_harwoodMetadata
Files (9)
OCR Text
And I had a flying in he asked us to visit to Plymonth, staying up to church with him over night with Eff Thursday P.M. To hear funeral and returned the Chris - rays, Anot next afternoon. When I saw thy figuration (only speaking) & Exete April 18th with Eff tomorrow up to the Aunt Mary. Grad 23 Dr. poor Lucy was b long trumpet as to be should see that hit swelling on every one of nature; And it have hope hit days. Lovely. Sold so Irish home &c here last God just my camera and shall stay first Beggar my visit in specially till the 8th. Had Weston from that dead pitched little child 'quid viscolay the fie. Put he with me in Littleton it from child till let she had to give it up at last. And gave my daughter Elizabeth (Eddie)
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You would groan at the house keep, for breakfast at 8.30 every morning, except Sunday I do not mind it at all, and have only had one nap since it came. That was yesterday and the "grandmother" was the cause of her. Had three drives on Saturday, however, and shall probably go to the depot of Herbert this P.M. They have a gentle horse which I am allowed to drive. The children simply irresistible; wish you could see them. Joseph is growing large, but the two little girls, and Richard are the dearest things, and the baby very cunning. Richard is such a think, not yet three years old but sharp and a thorough boy. He has been having eref since I came, he has his own pitchfork and goes out with the milk. But I must write to Bessie this morning, so farewell.
OCR Text
Miss E. A. Austin Rosebank R. Staten Island. N.Y.
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My dear Alice: My promise goes off on the exact date, so the States cruise. They did not go to Italy to stay over, and the "year" begins today, and the "year" again. I only write out the other greetings, but we did not wish necessity to send me back. We went that Yale was sick down to New London, and travel only to Kent from there, or the "year" ration. Train, yet have been loved the cream along party! You had him the shore, here slept by the hat box.
OCR Text
to finish. The road runs right along the river, so nothing could be better arranged. The observation train is simply composed of a lot of open freight-cars, with seats arranged in them, as they are at a circus, so you face the water. They were thirty-two cars in our train I believe, and it was the prettiest sight to look back as we rounded a curve, and see all the flags waving, and hear the boys shouting. We were right in with most of the college fellows, and such enthusiasm. Harvard was not at all well represented on the train, but several of our party bore her colors. Mr. Saunders, a graduate in '84 sat next to me; I wore his ribbon and was presented with a Harvard flag when he left us. It shall adorn my wall when I return to G.B., as a souvenir of one of the jolliest events I have ever attended.
OCR Text
ran against Mr. Webster as we left the train in Ironton, Ohio. He could hear the horses distinctly. At just Harvard and Ray it got the Adalberly very green looked almost as not visible. He came here as their flag o' honor left from Sam Gordon Yale raised all, and one hour about ten. We had raised but Howard soon went ahead again sail & r two delightful when there was excitement and the moonlight on But it soon became violent that Harvard the water something perfect. Fish spoke But it was looking, and after could have seen the that Yale gained steadily home in the afternoon; they were a tragic scene; silent save without treaty steam-yachts
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resided those sloops rigged, all dressed, and as the crew came down the noise from the guns and whistles was almost deafening. I longed for a camera many times. Mr. Fred Janssen was on the boat and in our car. He and his sisters visit Mrs. Briscoe here. Norwich people are simply charming; they are so attentive we hardly have breathing space. They began to call on Monday night, Miss Peck was the first, and on Tuesday quite a number were here. I was not able to see them for Monday, scarcely slept at all and did not get up till noon. My journey was not unalloyed this, but I got through better than I feared. The Macaulays sent me to the Station by their coachman, and Bessie met me at Norwich. Mrs. Cogswell took Bessie and me
OCR Text
Miss Peck and ourselves were gone all the morning, and I was treated to some of the most beautiful views. Norwich is surrounded by hills, and the scenery is grand. This P.M. we have a picnic in prospect, Tuesday another, and Wednesday night Miss Peck gives me a tea. Don't you think I shall be spoiled? I shall leave here on the 7th probably, after which my address will be Mrs. L.A. Harwood
OCR Text
lovely drive about home from the 10th week, from the same cause into the airing traced her. At eight we retired thereby missing Collo, but one of them came again that evening. Wednesday P.M. an afternoon where we played wonderful game for a prize. Morning Miss Beck has a long drive, the States' horses wagonette, and yesterday morning another Bessie's friends took
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:36:46 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:21:31 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:45:53 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:24:18 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Bessie_Strong_Correspondence"
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