1892_5-3-May 3002-JTM copy.jpg

Alice Austen Correspondence with Julia Martin, May 1892

PI

Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:43:18 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:29:13 PM

Added description

Description

Alice Austen – Julia Martin Correspondence, May 1892

Overview

This collection is a set of five digitized pages of handwritten letters exchanged between Elizabeth Alice Austen (1866‑1952), a pioneering Staten Island photographer, and her close friend Julia L. Martin of Albany. The letters are dated 3 May 1892 and are presented as JPEG scans with accompanying OCR text. They form part of the Austen Family Papers (MS1) housed at the Alice Austen House Museum and illustrate a snapshot of late‑Victorian social life among upper‑middle‑class families in New York State.

Background

Alice Austen, known for her photographic work and social engagements, maintained a robust correspondence network. Julia Martin, a friend from Albany, wrote to Austen from her home in the city, sharing news of friends, family, and local events. The letters were collected by the museum during the digitization of the Austen Family Papers, which span 1883‑1898 and include personal letters, calling cards, and photography‑related materials.

Contents

The five pages contain a single, continuous letter that discusses:
  • The return of Cathie Bridgyn Rinn and her husband Joe Rinn to Staten Island.
  • Mrs. Cooper’s upcoming trip to Bennington, New York, and the invitation for Austen and her mother to join.
  • Recent marriages of Maumie Reed to Mr. Took and Lily Hand to Mr. Cooperis Jr., including social reactions.
  • Mentions of Edith Convery, Amy, and other acquaintances, reflecting the network of friends.
  • General social commentary, including plans for visits and the anticipation of future gatherings.

The OCR text provides a readable transcription of the handwritten content, facilitating research without the need to view the original images.

Scope

The collection covers a single month (May 1892) and focuses on personal, social, and familial matters within the Staten Island and Albany communities. It does not include other correspondence, photographs, or business records from Alice Austen’s photographic practice. The material is in English and is part of the broader Austen Family Papers, offering insight into the interpersonal dynamics and social customs of the era.

Raw Cheimarros Data

@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Elizabeth Alice Austen", birth_year: @date_1866, death_year: @date_1952, occupation: "photographer", residence: @staten_island}

@julia_l_martin:person {full_name: "Julia L. Martin", relationship: "friend of Alice Austen", residence: @albany}

@cathie_bridgyn_rinn:person {full_name: "Cathie Bridgyn Rinn"}

@joe_rinn:person {full_name: "Joe Rinn"}

@mrs_cooper:person {title: "Mrs.", role: "friend"}

@maumie_reed:person {full_name: "Maumie Reed"}

@lily_hand:person {full_name: "Lily Hand"}

@mr_took:person {full_name: "Mr. Took"}

@mr_cooperis_jr:person {full_name: "Mr. Cooperis Jr."}

@edith_convery:person {full_name: "Edith Convery"}

@amy:person {first_name: "Amy"}

@mrs_jk:person {title: "Mrs.", initials: "J.K."}

@mr_hargis:person {full_name: "Mr. Hargis"}

@albany:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}

@bennington:place {state: @vermont, country: @united_states}

@lumpkinville:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}

@staten_island:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}

@date_1866:date_1866

@date_1952:date_1952

@date_1892_05:date_1892_05

@date_1892_05_03:date_1892_05_03

@date_1892_11:date_1892_11

@file_pinax:document {title: "Alice Austen Correspondence with Julia Martin, May 1892", creator: [@julia_l_martin, @alice_austen], created: @date_1892_05, language: "en", subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Marriage","Friendship","Victorian era","Staten Island"], place: [@albany, @bennington, @lumpkinville, @staten_island]}

@file_1892_5_3_may_3002_jtm_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Letter page 1", OCR: true}

@file_1892_5_3_may_3003_jtm_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Letter page 2", OCR: true}

@file_1892_5_3_may_3004_jtm_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Letter page 3", OCR: true}

@file_1892_5_3_may_3005_jtm_copy_jpg:file {type: "image", description: "Letter page 4", OCR: true}

@julia_l_martin -> wrote -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1892_05_03, via: @file_1892_5_3_may_3002_jtm_copy_jpg}

@cathie_bridgyn_rinn -> returned home with -> @joe_rinn {when: @date_1892_05_03, location: @staten_island}

@mrs_cooper -> traveled to -> @bennington {when: @date_1892_05, end: @date_1892_11}

@maumie_reed -> married -> @mr_took {when: @date_1892, location: @new_york}

@lily_hand -> married -> @mr_cooperis_jr {when: @date_1892, age_difference: 10, husband_age: 34}

@julia_l_martin -> attended -> @maumie_reed's_house_reception:event {when: @date_1892, location: @albany}

@julia_l_martin -> mentioned -> @edith_convery {context: "hope for both"}

@amy -> wrote about -> @mr_cooperis_jr {description: "pleasant"}

@mrs_jk -> resides in -> @lumpkinville

@julia_l_martin -> visited -> @mr_hargis {when: @date_1892, duration_days: 10}

Metadata

Files (4)

1892_5-3-May 3002-JTM copy.jpgJPEG
1.11 MB
OCR Text

once in two months. Is that the way they act when hard put to it? Next bit of news is that Cathie Bridgyn Rinn & her beloved Joe returned home on Sunday, & yesterday I went over to see them. I am so glad they are back I would cry with joy, but won't be to me. I must soon go & leave them. Mrs. Cooper goes to Bennington the end of this month to stay until November. I wish you & your Mother would come there for a little May 3rd 1892 Dear Alice, I have lost your last letter & so if you asked any questions you will have to repeat them. Let me see what I have of interest this week. Fair "The man" asked me to go to drive with Jessie with him last week. I did not go. This was the first time I had seen him face.

1892_5-3-May 3003-JTM copy.jpgJPEG
792.03 KB
OCR Text

while, your Mother could stand a few days & I know that Mrs. Cooper would do everything for her. Wouldn't we have a good time. Two of my friends, Maumie Reed & Lily Hand have been unmarried this week & you. The former is related to the Townsend & married a Mr. Took from New York. The other Lily Hand married Mr. Cooperis Jr., a man of thirty-four about ten years older than she & it is a very odd match. I honored both brides by my presence & went to Maumie Reed's house reception. To think of Edith Convery having there is hope for you & me alike surely. Amy writes me that he is so very pleasant. I wonder how she caught him. Edith & I have been

1892_5-3-May 3004-JTM copy.jpgJPEG
809.9 KB
OCR Text

always good friends. She is not as forlorn as pictured. I wish you would go & see Mrs. J.K. when she is settled in her little house & tell me just where it is & all about it. All I can find out is that it is in Lumpkinville. How odd things have turned out any way. Mrs. Cooper came home suddenly unexpectedly & with no warning last

1892_5-3-May 3005-JTM copy.jpgJPEG
851.37 KB
OCR Text

Monday so cut my visit off ten days at Mr. Hargis's. It is well I did not go away. Of course I was disappointed, for duty has not as yet made itself more pleasant to me than pleasure—but vigorous the world—the quicker out of it the better. Give my love to all & with lots & lots for yourself affectionately Julia L. Martin

Version History (4 versions)

  • ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:43:18 PM
    "Added description"
  • v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:42:30 PM · View this version
    "Added knowledge graph extraction"
  • v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:50:28 PM · View this version
    "Added PINAX metadata"
  • v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:29:13 PM · View this version
    "Reorganization group: Julia_Martin_Correspondence_May_1892"

Parent

01KC28V1R09BVZ5BCZHF3WP37S

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