James G. Vail and M. E. Vail Diary, ?-1926

Archive

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Genesee Country Village & Museum

Name/Title

James G. Vail and M. E. Vail Diary, ?-1926

Entry/Object ID

2008.002.10

Scope and Content

A diary from the James Gardner Vail collection. In the front is written "J. G Vail at Romulus" and there appear to be a few entries from him that are more along the line of "reminisces". In the front is also written "Miss M. E. Vail Romulus" (with that scratched out and New Rochelle penciled in) "NY in case of accident notify J. G. Vail Romulus" (with that scratched out and new Rochelle penciled in.) It is a notebook unlike the others which are standard diary/date format. I believe James may have used it at an earlier date and someone (perhaps Miss M. E. Vail) used from 1925-1926. The writer mentions that she is 80 years old. She mentions James, his sister Nettie, and his son Glen visiting on more than one occasion.

Context

James Gardner Vail was born in Romulus, NY in 1842. He was a prominent photographer In Geneva, NY. He married Mary Elizabeth "Libbie" Broughton of Victor, NY on December 3rd 1879. In 1881 he moved to Victor, NY. For many years he worked there in the store of William Gallup, his wife's uncle. Aside from five years spent in the south, including Morganton, NC, they lived in Vitor until 1908 when they moved to Romulus to live on the old Vail homestead. After his wife passed away James lived the last years of his life with his son, Robert W. G. Vail in New Rochelle, NY. James Vail passed away in 1929. Enos Smith Vail, the father of James, was instrumental in the formation of the Romulus Female Seminary. The building was moved to the GCV&M in 1970.

Collection

James Gardner Vail Collection

Archive Details

Creator

Vail, James Gardner

Date(s) of Creation

1868 - 1925

Archive Size/Extent

10 small volumes, several with loose documents associated

Primary Language

English

Archive Items Details

Title

Diary of James G. Vail

Description

Diary from 1925-1926 with earlier undated entries

Creator

Vail, James Gardner

Date(s) of Creation

1910 - 1926

Dimensions

Height

5-1/4 in

Width

2-5/8 in

Depth

7/16 in

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Vail, James Gardner, Vail, Mary Elizabeth Boughton (Libbie)

Related Places

Place

Town

Morganton

State/Province

North Carolina

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America