Elizabeth Strong Correspondence Collection
PI
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/9/2025, 9:49:41 PM | Created: 12/9/2025, 7:36:00 PM
Added description
Description
Elizabeth B. Stone Correspondence to Alice Austen, 1894
Overview
This collection comprises nine digitized copies of handwritten letters written in 1894 by Elizabeth B. Stone to her friend and photographer Alice Austen. The letters are preserved as high‑resolution JPEG scans, each accompanied by OCR‑derived text. The documents are organized by date (May 23, May 24, and July 17, 1894) and reflect a range of personal and social topics.Background
Elizabeth B. Stone (1866‑1952) was a resident of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and a close associate of Alice Austen, a pioneering Staten Island photographer. The letters were sent from New Brunswick to the Alice Austen House in Staten Island, and the collection is held by the Alice Austen House Museum. They provide insight into the social networks of late‑Victorian upper‑middle‑class families in the New York metropolitan area.Contents
The collection contains:- Correspondence: Personal letters discussing family news, engagements, weddings, and travel plans.
- Social life: References to tea parties, dances, and visits to venues such as the Duryeas and the Zela Pai House.
- Health and medicine: Mentions of smallpox, vaccinations, and a baby’s death.
- Photography: Brief remarks on the business of selling photographs.
- People and places: Names of friends and relatives (e.g., Miss Daisy Smith, George, John Thompson, Rosalie) and locations (Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Brighton, Orley, Thousand Islands).
Scope
The collection covers the year 1894, with all letters dated May and July of that year. It is geographically focused on the New York/New Jersey region, especially New Brunswick and Staten Island, but also references travel to Brighton, Orley, and the Thousand Islands. The documents are limited to personal correspondence and do not include photographs, diaries, or other media. They serve as a primary source for researchers interested in Victorian social customs, family dynamics, and the early photographic profession in the late nineteenth‑century United States.Raw Cheimarros Data
@file_pinax:file {title: "Elizabeth Strong Correspondence Collection", creator: @elizabeth_b_stone, institution: @alice_austen_house, created: @date_1894, subjects: ["Correspondence","Social life","Family matters","Engagements","Weddings","Music","Health","Travel","Photography"], description: "A collection of personal letters from Elizabeth B. Stone to Alice Austen in 1894, discussing social events, family news, and personal matters.", place: [@new_brunswick, @staten_island, @brooklyn, @manhattan, @brighton, @orley, @thousand_islands]}
@elizabeth_b_stone:person {full_name: "Elizabeth B. Stone", lifespan: "1866-1952", occupation: "Correspondent"}
@alice_austen:person {full_name: "Alice Austen", occupation: "Photographer"}
@new_brunswick:place {region: "New Jersey", country: @united_states}
@staten_island:place {state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@brooklyn:place {city: "Brooklyn", state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@manhattan:place {city: "Manhattan", state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@brighton:place {city: "Brighton", state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@orley:place {city: "Orley", state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@thousand_islands:place {region: "St. Lawrence River", country: @canada}
@newark:place {city: "Newark", state: @new_jersey, country: @united_states}
@zela_pai_house:place {type: "Residence", location: @brooklyn}
@otley:place {city: "Otley", country: @united_kingdom}
@delos:person {role: "Pastor emeritus"}
@widow_grant:person {title: "Widow"}
@dr_prokidge:person {title: "Doctor"}
@mother:person {relation: "Mother of Elizabeth B. Stone"}
@mr_dyke:person {title: "Mr."}
@helen:person {first_name: "Helen"}
@bessie:person {first_name: "Bessie", last_name: "Howard"}
@george:person {first_name: "George"}
@miss_daisy_smith:person {title: "Miss", last_name: "Smith", residence: @newark}
@john_thompson:person {relation: "younger brother of Maurice"}
@maurice_thompson:person {first_name: "Maurice"}
@miss_stone:person {title: "Miss", relation: "niece of Mrs. Prof. Wilkin"}
@mrs_prof_wilkin:person {title: "Mrs.", role: "Prof. Wilkin"}
@rosalie:person {first_name: "Rosalie"}
@mr_sherwood:person {title: "Mr."}
@phas_donald:person {first_name: "Phas", last_name: "Donald"}
@sousa:person {full_name: "John Philip Sousa"}
@leidl:person {last_name: "Leidl"}
@de_lancey:person {last_name: "De Lancey"}
@pozalie:person {first_name: "Pozalie"}
@letter_may_23_1894:document {date: @date_1894_05_23, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@miss_daisy_smith, @george, @mr_dyke, @helen, @bessie]}
@letter_may_24_1894_part2:document {date: @date_1894_05_24, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@john_thompson, @maurice_thompson, @miss_stone, @mrs_prof_wilkin, @rosalie, @mr_sherwood, @zela_pai_house]}
@letter_may_24_1894_part3:document {date: @date_1894_05_24, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@dr_prokidge, @widow_grant, @delos]}
@letter_may_24_1894_part4:document {date: @date_1894_05_24, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@ella]}
@letter_may_24_1894_part5:document {date: @date_1894_05_24, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: []}
@letter_july_17_1894:document {date: @date_1894_07_17, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@orley, @mother, @smallpox]}
@letter_july_17_1894_part2:document {date: @date_1894_07_17, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@de_lancey, @otley]}
@letter_july_17_1894_part3:document {date: @date_1894_07_17, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@phas_donald, @maurice_thompson, @sousa, @leidl, @manhattan, @brighton]}
@letter_july_17_1894_part4:document {date: @date_1894_07_17, author: @elizabeth_b_stone, recipient: @alice_austen, mentions: [@pozalie, @thousand_islands]}
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_may_23_1894
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_may_24_1894_part2
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_may_24_1894_part3
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_may_24_1894_part4
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_may_24_1894_part5
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_july_17_1894
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_july_17_1894_part2
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_july_17_1894_part3
@elizabeth_b_stone -> wrote -> @letter_july_17_1894_part4
@letter_may_23_1894 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_05_23, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_may_24_1894_part2 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_05_24, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_may_24_1894_part3 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_05_24, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_may_24_1894_part4 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_05_24, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_may_24_1894_part5 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_05_24, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_july_17_1894 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_07_17, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_july_17_1894_part2 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_07_17, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_july_17_1894_part3 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_07_17, where: @new_brunswick}
@letter_july_17_1894_part4 -> sent to -> @alice_austen {when: @date_1894_07_17, where: @new_brunswick}
@miss_daisy_smith -> engaged to -> @george {announcement: @date_1894_04, status: "announced"}
@rosalie -> planned to travel to -> @staten_island {date: @date_1894_06_02}
@rosalie -> planned to travel to -> @brooklyn {date: @date_1894_06_02}
@pozalie -> scheduled wedding -> @date_1894_11
@pozalie -> traveled to -> @thousand_islands {departure: @date_1894_08_01}
@dr_prokidge -> resigned -> {when: @date_1894_??}
@delos -> remained as -> @pastor_emeritus
@smallpox -> mentioned in -> @letter_july_17_1894 {concern: true}
@alice_austen_house:organization {type: "Museum", location: @staten_island}Metadata
Files (10)
OCR Text
Howard to a "tea" at The Duryeas', given in honor of Miss Daisy Smith of Newark, George's fiancée. Of course you have heard of that engagement. It has been such since last November, but was only announced in April. They will make a very nice couple, both are bright and interesting but unfortunately both are rather delicate. You can scarcely turn a corner without running up against an engaged New Brunswick May 23rd, '94 My dear Alice: This is a rainy evening, and I shall not be interrupted, so I mean to devote myself to writing letters. To the sun last night was even more unpleasant, but I had a caller, Mr. Dyke. He really exerted himself too, and was very agreeable. Sometimes he can be so dumpy. Have been this afternoon with Helen and Bessie.
OCR Text
person these days. I never knew such a state of things before. John Thompson, a younger brother of Maurice, and Miss Stone, a niece of Mrs. Prof. Wilkin are the latest. He is twenty-one, and she about a year younger. Rosalie was with me from the 7th until the 12th; came out for rest and change, as she has not been well since having the measles. Mr. Sherwood came out the night before she left, and we all went to the dances at the Zela Pai House. Mr... is two years older than Rosalie, but no one would suspect it, he is so languish looking. It is a desperate case on both sides; I never expected to see Rosalie so much in love with anyone. The wedding will not take place until winter, and then I am to have another chance to be bridesmaid. This will make the third time, but it does not worry me at all.
OCR Text
The Church has not written you. I have not written you. The Church has been filled, but we do anything but a note since. Have not yet known how much oil wholesale, as if any has made. Going to enclose a few—wish you could hear the organ again! The tone is sweet enough for every pray'go Frankie, and you and he made a hundred have no idea what an amel five dollars for. Widow Grant it is to the church to have it in the new place. Suppose you have heard that Dr. Prokidge has resigned, and he are to have a younger minister in the autumn. The Delos will probably remain as pastor emeritus. I have sent written you Grammer. It was a blessing we every pray'go Frankie, and you and he made a hundred have no idea what an amel five dollars for. Widow Grant it is to the church to have it in the new place. Suppose you have heard that Dr. Prokidge has resigned, and he are to have a younger minister in the autumn. The Delos will probably remain as pastor emeritus. Performer Choir, and I sang.
OCR Text
Rather think I shall go down to Staten Island with Rosalie on June 2nd to Nellie Bagley's coming but reception, then go back to Brooklyn for the night. Am planning to do that if all is favorable. Have promised to visit Rosalie after Commencement that comes about the 20th this year. Later in the summer I shall be very glad to accept your invitation if you still want me. You know the lack of gaiety will not trouble me in the least; in fact I would rather have it that way when I go off in the summer. You should see our latest acquisition—a small, very small kitten, a half brother of our eccentric cat, and full of play and tricks as possible. Each has its own basket in the kitchen at night, but sometimes they both occupy the same one. Think I have told you most of the news. Of course you saw the notice of the death of Ella's little baby? It did so
OCR Text
Suddenly Ella really had no warning at all, and no one seems to know what the trouble was. We were up there only Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning the baby died. Ella said when we saw her, that the children all had colds, and the baby a little colic, but she did not seem to be in the least alarmed. I am so sorry for the poor girl—to go through so much, and
OCR Text
Then lose the little thing after all. Bat. was really not equal to the care of babies, and in it may prove best thing for her. Other father to an Englishwoman & a widow with six daughters. The bride is only six, and Jan. over sixty. Write to me soon, and believe me, with love in which Mother always aff. Elizabeth
OCR Text
New Brunswick July 17th, 1894 My dear Alice— Thank you for the invitation to visit you in August. I really think I can come this time, and about the middle of the month will be the best convenience for me. Mother expects to be at Orley the first two weeks in August. and on her return I will go to you for a week or ten days. That is provided the smallpox is not very bad near you. The papers are full of it, but I know these things are so often exaggerated. However, I suppose I shall have to be vaccinated, and I dread it like poison. I am in a run down condition anyway, and I do not think vaccination will
OCR Text
make me feel any better. Have been tired out most of the spring, and of course commencement did not rest me any. On the 26th of June I went to Brooklyn and only two weeks there were delightful, but not restful. Had expected to stay at home until the middle of August, but De Lancey wants me at Otley, so I am going down next Monday probably, to see if the sea air will not have me up. Shall only stay from Monday until Saturday I think. Have you been away this summer and where? Asking for your graph case makes me suspect that you are going. I did not know whether the case belonged to you or someone else, though I imagined it was yours. Yours of us—Bessie Howard, Richard
OCR Text
Phas Donald, Maurice Thompson and myself had a delightful row on the river last night. The only drawback was the pilot, which was highly suggestive of malaria; but the moon was superb. Went to Manhattan and to Brighton while at Brooklyn, and heard Sousa and Leidl. Both were fine, but the latter gave some exquisite things.
OCR Text
Pozalie is to be married in November and is planning the details of the wedding. She goes to the "Thousand Islands" August first, and will hope come back stronger and stronger. She looks very badly now. Please when I come you do not attempt anything for my entertainment. Just let me be quiet and enjoy your society. With love, Aff'ly yours, Elizabeth B. Stone
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/9/2025, 9:49:41 PM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/9/2025, 8:57:30 PM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/9/2025, 7:53:45 PM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/9/2025, 7:36:00 PM · View this version
"Reorganization group: Elizabeth_Strong_Correspondence"
Parent
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