Name/Title
James G. Vail Dairy, 1890Entry/Object ID
2008.002.8Scope and Content
Diary of James Gardner Vail dated 1890. He writes about the birth of his son, their only child, who was premature and weighed 3 pounds at birth. Much of the diary is worry for their son as he had various ailments due to being born so early. In one part he writes matter-of-factly "I think he will be a musician if he lives". Their son Robert William Glenroie Vail (or Glennie as they called him), did indeed live, although he became a librarian in New York City, not a musician. It details other event like the baby learning to say Pa Pa, laughing, and sitting in his high chair for the first time.
The diary mentions a letter from James to his sister Nettie that he made a copy of and placed in the pocket of the diary. This letter was still there and James writes to her that she might be better off staying in Geneva as she and his wife Libby could not get along.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 CollectionArchive Details
Creator
Vail, James GardnerDate(s) of Creation
1868 - 1925Archive Size/Extent
10 small volumes, several with loose documents associatedPrimary Language
EnglishArchive Items Details
Title
1890 Diary of James G. VailDescription
Diary from 1890Creator
Vail, James GardnerDate(s) of Creation
1890Notes
Contained on letter from James to his sister Nettie, a letter form James to a land company, a reused piece of paper that once has a sample of ink made by E. S. Vail that was used for an accounting for work on someone's house, and a small article about an Elizabeth E Vail suing someone.Dimensions
Height
5 inWidth
3-1/8 inDepth
1/2 inRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Vail, James Gardner, Vail, Mary Elizabeth Boughton (Libbie)Related Places
Place
Town
VictorState/Province
New YorkCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North America