Julia Martin Correspondence Collection, 1896
Version: 4 (current) | Updated: 12/4/2025, 5:48:01 AM
Added description
Description
Julia Martin Correspondence Collection, 1896
Overview
This digital collection comprises eight scanned images of handwritten letters written by Julia Tabor Martin in 1896. The letters, dated from 30 May to 15 July, are addressed primarily to a friend named Alice and record Martin’s travel plans, family health updates, and reflections on life across the United States. The documents are in English and are accompanied by OCR‑extracted text for research convenience.Background
Julia Tabor Martin was a resident of Riverdale, New York, and a member of the Alice Austen House Test archival program. The collection was digitized by the PINAX system and is housed under the institution’s “Alice Austen House Test” designation. The letters were written during a period of extensive travel that took Martin from the Northeast to California, passing through key cities such as Albany, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, La Porte (Indiana), Chicago, and Syracuse. The correspondence reflects the social and logistical concerns of a 19th‑century traveler, including arranging childcare, coordinating with relatives, and navigating rail schedules.Contents
- May 30, 1896 – Two letters (4002 & 4003) discussing travel to Chatham, Gloucester, and an invitation to Albany.
- June 1, 1896 – Report of a journey from Bastow to Los Angeles.
- June 22 & 23, 1896 – Plans for family visits, childcare arrangements with Gertrude and Miss Williams, and a reunion in Syracuse.
- July 7, 1896 – Farewell notes from the Harlem depot, gratitude to Mrs. Miller, and affection toward King.
- July 15, 1896 – Travel log from La Porte to Chicago, including observations of the train ride and city sights.
Each letter includes a dated heading, a personal salutation, and a closing signature, providing insight into Martin’s relationships with relatives such as Walton, King, Aunt Addie, and Thirgaley.
Scope
The collection covers the month of July 1896 and the surrounding weeks, documenting Martin’s itineraries across the United States. It focuses on personal correspondence, family visits, and travel experiences, offering a window into 19th‑century American life. The collection does not include any non‑letter materials (e.g., diaries, photographs) and is limited to the eight letters listed above.Entities
(loading...)
Entity Relationships
(loading...)
Raw Cheimarros Data
@julia_martin_correspondence:collection {title: "Julia Martin Correspondence Collection, 1896", creator: @julia_martin, institution: "Alice Austen House Test", created: @date_1896, language: "en", subjects: ["Personal correspondence","Family visits","Travel","19th century American life"]}
@julia_martin:person {full_name: "Julia Tabor Martin", role: "letter writer"}
@alice:person {full_name: "Alice", role: "correspondent"}
@walton:person {full_name: "Walton", role: "travel companion"}
@king:person {full_name: "King", role: "child"}
@aunt_addie:person {full_name: "Aunt Addie", role: "relative"}
@gertrude:person {full_name: "Gertrude", role: "potential caregiver"}
@miss_williams:person {full_name: "Miss Williams", role: "potential caregiver"}
@mrs_miller:person {full_name: "Mrs. Miller", role: "relative"}
@thirgaley:person {full_name: "Thirgaley", role: "relative"}
@riverdale:place {region: "Riverdale"}
@kingsley:place {region: "Kingsley"}
@chatham:place {region: "Chatham"}
@gloucester_ma:place {city: "Gloucester", state: @massachusetts, country: @united_states}
@albany:place {city: "Albany", state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@los_angeles:place {city: "Los Angeles", state: @california, country: @united_states}
@santa_barbara:place {city: "Santa Barbara", state: @california, country: @united_states}
@la_porte_in:place {city: "La Porte", state: @indiana, country: @united_states}
@chicago:place {city: "Chicago", state: @illinois, country: @united_states}
@syracuse:place {city: "Syracuse", state: @new_york, country: @united_states}
@harlem_depot:place {location: "Harlem depot", city: @new_york}
@letter_may_30_1896_4002:document {file: @file_1896_5_31_1896_may_4002_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_05_30, author: @julia_martin, recipient: @alice, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_may_30_1896_4002 {subject: "Travel plans and family health", about: ["Riverdale","Kingsley","Chatham","Gloucester, Massachusetts"], mentions: [@walton, @king, @aunt_addie]}
@letter_may_30_1896_4003:document {file: @file_1896_5_31_1896_may_4003_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_05_30, author: @julia_martin, recipient: @alice, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_may_30_1896_4003 {subject: "Invitation to visit Albany", mentions: [@albany]}
@letter_june_01_1896:document {file: @file_1896_6_1896_june_2002_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_06_01, author: @julia_martin, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_june_01_1896 {subject: "Travel report from Bastow to Los Angeles", mentions: [@los_angeles]}
@letter_june_22_1896:document {file: @file_1896_6_6_1896_june_1002_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_06_22, author: @julia_martin, recipient: @alice, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_june_22_1896 {subject: "Family arrangements and travel plans", mentions: [@gertrude, @miss_williams, @riverdale, @kingsley, @aunt_addie]}
@letter_june_23_1896:document {file: @file_1896_6_6_1896_june_1003_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_06_23, author: @julia_martin, recipient: @alice, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_june_23_1896 {subject: "Travel itinerary to New York and Syracuse reunion", mentions: [@new_york, @syracuse, @miss_williams]}
@letter_july_15_1896:document {file: @file_1896_7_15_1896_july_2002_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_07_15, author: @julia_martin, recipient: @alice, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_july_15_1896 {subject: "Journey through La Porte, Indiana to Chicago", mentions: [@la_porte_in, @chicago, @king]}
@letter_july_07_1896_1002:document {file: @file_1896_7_7_1896_july_1002_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_07_07, author: @julia_martin, recipient: @alice, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_july_07_1896_1002 {subject: "Farewell from Harlem depot and gratitude to relatives", mentions: [@harlem_depot, @mrs_miller, @king]}
@letter_july_07_1896_1003:document {file: @file_1896_7_7_1896_july_1003_martin_copy_jpg, date: @date_1896_07_07, author: @julia_martin, recipient: @alice, language: "en"}
@julia_martin -> wrote -> @letter_july_07_1896_1003 {subject: "Expression of affection and hope for speedy return"}Metadata
Files (8)
OCR Text
down to Riverdale for a few days, leaving Kingsley with Walton. What I want is for you to return with me for a week as my guest, & I never could go back without seeing you, so I hope you will come. We are at Chatham in the hotel. Of course it is a country hotel in a country village, so do not expect anything. Then my Aunt in better health we thought of going to Gloucester, Mass., but she is not well enough. She is very sensitive about her health & will not admit that she is not well. The air is delightful up. My dear Alice: It is rainy and cold & we are all, that is Walton, King, & I in Aunt Addie's room. Now Alice I have a great disappointment for you & me & that is that I will be unable to make any of my expected visits, as my Aunt is not well enough to take care of King for more than two or three days, so I shall only go
OCR Text
Here & I am getting nicely rested & certainly the feeling of being near my friends is delightful. If you come up we will go to Albany for a day & I think we could manage to have a pleasant time together. If you can not come back with me, you must come later. If we come to N.Y. on Saturday, we will return on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30. Let me hear from you soon & believe me with much, much love. Affectionately, Julia Laber Martin May 30th '96.
OCR Text
Arrived Bastow 9 a.m. Expect to reach Los Angeles 3 a.m. today, just missing our train for S.B. We are delayed two hours on account of wash outs. Have had a very cool, pleasant trip. This morning only having warm & dusty as we pass through the desert. The train shakes so I can hardly write at all. Much love, J.T.M.
OCR Text
so glad. When I made up my mind to come home only a few weeks before I left, that I could come only if I brought him, I ran it all over in my mind if it would pay. Thinking very likely I would have to give up some of my visits. When I saw my Aunt's condition I decided that I could not leave him with her & wrote to Gertrude asking her if she would keep him a week or ten days, but no such luck. However the delightful feeling of being home again made up for it all & now I really slept together ever since we have been away, so do not take the trouble of putting us apart in our room. My dear Alice: Your letter reached me this morning and I have been turning double headed summersaults ever since I read it. Thank you so much Alice for asking us & you need not worry about our not coming any way for a while & if all goes well for the two. Kingsley is a good child & I think we can manage very nicely. Oh dear, I am
OCR Text
am off my head with joy, but are you sure that this arrangement is agreeable to your Mother & Aunt? & you know Alice it will handicap us a bit. Have you thought it well over. If no, & you really think it will pay, I do. We will come down on Monday the 22nd of June on the train that reached New York at 12:05. I am going to be away four days at a Middle School Reunion in Syracuse. I hear that Miss Williams is to be on the Island & I shall try to arrange to leave Kingsley with her for one week while I go to Riverdale. My Aunt Julia has been very ill & for this reason Kingsley can not go there. Please thank your Mother & Aunt for me and tell them I appreciate their kindness and it will perfectly delightful to see you all again. affectionately, Julia Tabor Martin.
OCR Text
La Porte 12.5-8 P.M. We are just coming into La Porte, Indiana, where I will mail this postie. We left Albany yesterday at 4:30 and have had a very comfortable trip thus far & not very hot. Kingsley has been asleep for the last two hours & I have been half-way there. Lots of nice people on the train. When we reach Chicago, in about two hours, we are going to do the 'city up' show, until dark. I wish you were with us. Love to everybody. 15th July. J.W.
OCR Text
on the Island. I shall leave on Friday at 3 o'clock from the Harlem depot. If possible find your way there, that I may have a final good bye. I will have to let my shopping go & trust to luck finding what I want in Albany. I want you to give my love to your Mother & Mrs. Miller, and thank them for their kindness to King & me. It is needless to say how much I appreciate all you have done for me & to tell you how My dear Alice, I am really here, and from present appearances for keeps, that is until Friday. My respective relatives will not even listen to my going a day sooner & Thirgaley is to be sent for to-morrow & is to stay over with me. I am of course delighted, but disappointed not to see you all once more
OCR Text
much I enjoyed my visit with you. Pray that the Fates will decree my speedy return. Hoping then to see you on Friday, & with Lots of love I am affectionately, Julia S. Martin July 7th
Version History (4 versions)
- ✓ v4 (current) · 12/4/2025, 5:48:01 AM
"Added description" - v3 · 12/4/2025, 5:43:53 AM · View this version
"Added knowledge graph extraction" - v2 · 12/4/2025, 5:41:26 AM · View this version
"Added PINAX metadata" - v1 · 12/4/2025, 5:40:13 AM · View this version
"Reorganization group: 1896_julia_martin_correspondence"
Parent
No children (leaf entity)