Austen Family Correspondence Collection, 1892
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:42:03 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:27:18 PM
Added description
Description
Austen Family Correspondence Collection, 1892
Overview
This digital collection comprises scanned images of handwritten letters written in 1892 by members of the Austen family, addressed primarily to Lottie (Alice Austen’s daughter). The files include high‑resolution JPEG scans, OCR‑derived text, and accompanying metadata in JSON format. The collection is part of the Austen Family Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House in Staten Island, New York.Background
The Austen family were prominent residents of Staten Island during the late Victorian era. Alice Austen (1866‑1952) was a pioneering photographer whose household maintained an active social network that extended to Albany, New York, and Europe. The correspondence reflects the family’s domestic life, social engagements, and cultural interests, offering insight into upper‑middle‑class life in the 1890s.Contents
- Four dated letters (March 10 and March 16, 1892): Each letter is preserved as a JPEG scan with embedded OCR text.
- Metadata files: JSON records describe the collection, individual letters, and associated entities (people, places, and objects).
- Subject matter: The letters mention a wide range of topics—family visits, theater outings, music purchases, pets, weather, and travel. Notable references include the “Hungarians” opera, a “dream book,” and a “dream book about goats.”
- Correspondents: Names such as Widmayer, Lion James, Marie Fonten, Hon Henderton, Emily, F.J., Mrs. Hart, Dr. Smith, Harry Blesander, Hegmitch, Mayo, Joseph Hume, Mr. Hayard, Mary Richardson, Willie Sharp, Lucy, Clara, Lily Mullen, and Rev. George Henry Lee appear in the letters, illustrating the family’s extensive social network.
Scope
The collection covers personal correspondence from 1892, centered on Staten Island and Albany, with occasional references to Europe. It documents everyday life, social events, and cultural pursuits of the Austen family, excluding official or public records. The material is valuable for researchers studying Victorian domestic culture, social networks, and the personal life of Alice Austen and her relatives.Raw Cheimarros Data
@austen_family_correspondence:collection {title: "Austen Family Correspondence Collection, 1892", creator: "Austen family", institution: @alice_austen_house, date: @date_1892, description: "Personal letters and correspondence from the Austen family, primarily addressed to Lottie, discussing family matters, social events, and cultural activities in 1892.", language: "en"}
@alice_austen_house:organization {location: @staten_island}
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", residence: @staten_island}
@staten_island:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@julia_t_martin:person {relationship: "close friend", location: @albany}
@julie_bredt:person {}
@violet_m_e_ward:person {}
@isabella_king:person {role: "photograph buyer"}
@bessie_strong:person {}
@widmayer:person {note: "skipped without paying rent"}
@lion_james:animal {type: "horse"}
@marie_fonten:person {description: "has some good songs, described as \"the charm of a young widow's looks\""}
@grandpa:person {relation: "grandfather of Lottie"}
@phil:place {description: "likely a venue"}
@thames:place {}
@hon_henderton:person {}
@emily:person {}
@fj:person {}
@mrs_hart:person {}
@dr_smith:person {}
@harry_blesander:person {}
@hegmitch:place {}
@mayo:place {}
@joseph_hume:person {}
@mr_hayard:person {}
@mary_richardson:person {}
@willie_sharp:person {}
@lucy:person {}
@clara:person {}
@lily_mullen:person {}
@dog:animal {}
@lady:person {}
@mama:person {}
@frankie:person {}
@rev_george_henry_lee:person {title: "Reverend"}
@joseph_johnson:person {}
@doctor:person {}
@minister_w_virginia:person {}
@jean_de_bethke:person {}
@madame_de_barrié:person {}
@huguenots:concept {}
@file_pinax:file {filename: "pinax.json", type: "Metadata (PINAX)"}
@file_1892_3_10_march_8006_aca_copy_jpg:file {filename: "1892_3-10-March 8006-ACA copy.jpg.ref.json", type: "Image/Asset with OCR"}
@file_1892_3_10_march_8007_aca_copy_jpg:file {filename: "1892_3-10-March 8007-ACA copy.jpg.ref.json", type: "Image/Asset with OCR"}
@file_1892_3_16_march_8002_aca_copy_jpg:file {filename: "1892_3-16-March 8002-ACA copy.jpg.ref.json", type: "Image/Asset with OCR"}
@file_1892_3_16_march_8003_aca_copy_jpg:file {filename: "1892_3-16-March 8003-ACA copy.jpg.ref.json", type: "Image/Asset with OCR"}
@letter_1892_03_10_8006:document {date: @date_1892_03_10, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@widmayer, @lion_james, @marie_fonten, @grandpa, @phil, @thames]}
@letter_1892_03_10_8007:document {date: @date_1892_03_10, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@hon_henderton, @emily, @fj, @mrs_hart, @dr_smith, @harry_blesander, @hegmitch, @mayo, @joseph_hume, @mr_hayard, @mary_richardson]}
@letter_1892_03_16_8002:document {date: @date_1892_03_16, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@willie_sharp, @lucy, @clara, @lily_mullen, @dog, @lady, @mama, @frankie, @grandpa]}
@letter_1892_03_16_8003:document {date: @date_1892_03_16, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@rev_george_henry_lee, @joseph_johnson, @doctor, @minister_w_virginia, @jean_de_bethke, @madame_de_barrié, @phil]}
@austen_family_correspondence -> contains -> @file_pinax
@austen_family_correspondence -> contains -> @file_1892_3_10_march_8006_aca_copy_jpg
@file_1892_3_10_march_8006_aca_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_1892_03_10_8006
@austen_family_correspondence -> contains -> @file_1892_3_10_march_8007_aca_copy_jpg
@file_1892_3_10_march_8007_aca_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_1892_03_10_8007
@austen_family_correspondence -> contains -> @file_1892_3_16_march_8002_aca_copy_jpg
@file_1892_3_16_march_8002_aca_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_1892_03_16_8002
@austen_family_correspondence -> contains -> @file_1892_3_16_march_8003_aca_copy_jpg
@file_1892_3_16_march_8003_aca_copy_jpg -> contains -> @letter_1892_03_16_8003
@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julia_t_martin
@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @julie_bredt
@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @violet_m_e_ward
@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @isabella_king
@alice_austen -> corresponded with -> @bessie_strongMetadata
Files (4)
OCR Text
A man named Widmayer had skipped without paying the rent. This is very unfortunate. I liked the 'Lion James' very much. House crowded, really very good of the kind. It will soon be taken off, but you must see it, your Grandpa says he will give you a ticket. Marie Fonten has some good songs, she is "the charm of a young widow's looks." Your Grandpa is going to the Opera on Saturday, it is the 'Hungarians' in the presence of crowds. Stay as long as you like, my dear child, nothing calls you back here. I hope you will get to the 'Phil' soon. Thames Thursday March 16th My dearest Lottie, I'm writing you a very interesting letter that I received yesterday. That was a wonderful dream of yours indeed, sounds it only come true. Your Auntie has just bought a dream book, I must look it over about goats. I see by the paper that Emily
OCR Text
For his husband has just brought me the Hon's Henderton, brought the third strohme and will arrive in the 1st of May. If I would be better Emily started from White like them. F.J. here on Monday I went to Mrs. Hart's and left my dress. She finds she will have rips. The shirt is not properly it is too short for the rider, the head seems poisoned, &c. He will charge $800 for doing it. I shall be thankful to have anything you Auntie has had a bad toothache and has gone twice to Dr. Smith, he is going to kill the horse she seems to like the little man. The government officials come down on Saturday to examine the South three for purchase. They launched with Harry Blesander, they say that the Hegmitch and Mayo places are sold: Joseph Hume is back from Europe, he did not stay long. Mr. Hayard tells your Grandpa that Mary Richardson's tenant
OCR Text
to say that Willie Sharp and Lucy called the first Sunday you were away, Willie brought a watercolor drawing for you, it is Clara and the big shores in the water, and Lily Mullen in the boat; it is framed in a small gilt frame. They brought the dog of course, it stood in front of Lady as she sat on the sofa with its fore-paws on her shoulders. The dogs are all right, the plants also, it snowed heavily last night, it has not yet quite stopped. It is very cold, I hope you have enough clothes. My dearest, from your Mama March 16th 190— My dearest pet, I got your note yesterday when I came from town. I met Frankie on the busine in the morning, she stopped to ask when you would be home, she said she had heard from you twice, I think you were very nice to her. She had a short girl with her, in a big hat, perhaps it was
OCR Text
Jan 21, 1868. As to coming home, do let you like of course. I wish some one would give you a nice birthday present! You dear old thing, I will give back you know. I went to church on Sunday; there was Rev. one, viz the Rev. George Henry Lee. Joseph Johnson thought he insufficiently during the Offering till towards the last when he suddenly followed, I distinctly saw people start; poor Mr. was mad. The Doctor announced that the Mission For this year I wish to send to a minister in W. Virginia, who has a very small salary, an invalid wife, and six children, quite a typical minister. I am glad you got to the Phil, your Grandpa was terribly vexed that Jean de Bethke did not sing in the 'Huguenots' he was ill they announced on a big pleased, but he went Saturday night to Madame de Barrié's drawing room opera. Your G. said the Opera house was jammed, and the impression great. I forgot
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:42:03 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:37:22 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:49:42 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:27:18 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Family_Correspondence"
Parent
No children (leaf entity)