PAGE 31 - Syracuse Classical School Re-Unions, 1873-1877

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his late 1800s Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.  

Page 31, contains momentoes of Annual Re-Unions of the Class of '73 at Syracuse Classical School. These are dated 1873, '74, '75, '76.  Note that as Grove TERWILLIGER was born in 1856, he would have been 17 in 1873. I wonder what particlar classes he took? No records seem to exist of such details, unfortunately.


The Syracuse Classical School appears to have been a preparatory school for college, although several articles seem to say people graduated to go on to higher degrees.

In 1900, the School moved to Yates Castle (part of Syracuse University) for 6 years.  Click on the link to see the incredible building, which is no longer there, being demolished for an expansion of the medical school.


To the right is the invitation for Jas Terwilliger, signed by J. Grove Terwilliger, Secretary.  Jas would be his father, James M. Terwilliger. Such a neat tidy signature, isn't it? Interestingly, the 1875 address for his father, at 139 Warren Street, is new to me.

Each invitation included a programme of speeches, music, oratory, and supper. An example may be seen here, for the reunion in 1876.  Each of the glued-down momentoes opens up with details of events planned for each re-union. Note spelling at this time - we now use 'reunion' as correct spelling.

If you have further information or have questions about the people listed in any of the programmes, I would be happy to share what I have, and to add details to this post. Contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below. Thanks for visiting; I hope to finish inventorying each page of the Souvenir Album within 2 years!   

PAGE 30 - 9 Tickets of entertainment

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his late 1800s Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.  Page 30, shows a neat page of 9 tickets for various entertainments.  Three of these tickets are for/from his good friend, Mr. George E. Hardy, Superintendent. (Schools)

Starting along the top row, from left to right:
1.  SECOND ANNUAL / GRAND SCOTTISH CONCERT / under the auspices of / CLAN GORDON, No. 69, / Order of Scottish Clans, / at Library Hall, Elizabeth, N.J., / Friday Evening, November 20, 1891 / Tickets - - - 50 Cents, / Doors open at 7:30 --- Commences at 8 o'clock.

2.  Fourth Annual Ball / of the / CANTON KIEHL, NO. 28, / Patriarch Militant, I.O.O.F., / On Tuesday Evening, December 8th, 1891, / Arion Hall, 13 - 27 Wall St. / Tickets,  -  admitting Gent & Lady - 50 Cents. / Music by Prof J. Bauer ......   The Committee

3.  Annual Invitation Summer-Night's Festival / of the / Association of Superintendents & Clerks / of the / NEW YORK POST OFFICE, / On Friday, June 6th, 1891. / Games to Commence at 3 o'clock. .... Dancing at 5 o'clock. / At Sulzer's Harlem River Park, 127th St. & 2d Ave. / Music By Prof. Bayne. / This Ticket must be presented to obtain admission. /  Admit Mr. (blank)  and Ladies. / Introduced by [signature] G E Hardy. //
Note: Mr. Hardy & his family were good friends of the Terwilliger family.

Middle row, from left to right:                      
4.  ROSELLE COUNCIL, / No 1384 / ROYAL ARCANUM / Requests the pleasure of your company / at the Roselle Casino, / Thursday evening, Feb. 18, at 8 P.M. / Entertainment, 8 to 10 P.M. / Collation, 10 to 11 P.M. / Dancing, 11 to 2 A.M. / INFORMAL / To Mr. [written] J.G. Terwilliger and Lady //  Note the seal on this ticket, bottom right, of the Roselle Council No 1384 of the Royal Arcanum, Roselle N.J. 

5.  Reception and Ball / of the / NATIONAL PROVIDENT UNION / and INAUGURATION /  of the President & Vice President of the Union / on Thursday Evening, April 30th 1891. / at the Rink, Clermont Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.

6.  The Committee on Entertainment of / Roselle Council, No. 1384, Royal Arca-/num, cordially invite you to attend the / SMOKER ENTERTAINMENT /  at Masonic Hall, on Thursday Evening, / Jan. 23, 1896, commencing at 8 o'clock. / Several first-class artists have been en-/gaged and a pleasant evening is expected. / George Sloan, / George H. Frech, / John F. Crist, / Committee / To Mr. [handwritten] J.G. Terwilliger

Bottom row, from left to right:
7.  Admit [handwritten]  Mr. Geo E. Hardy  and Ladies / to METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE / New York City, / Tuesday evening, January 21st, 1896. / Eighteenth Annual Reception / PALESTINE COMMANDERY NO. 18  K.T. / Present at Broadway Entrance. Note: K.T. is the Knights Templar [FreeMasons].  The Reception menu is found here.

8.  A.M.D.G. / The Catholic Summer School, / First Session, / At The Lyceum Theatre, / New London, Conn. / July 30 - August 20, 1892. / Member's Card / Mr. [handwritten] George E. Hardy /  Has been admitted to the full course of lectures / Warren E. Mosher, Secretary / This Card will admit to all regular exercises of the Session. / Along the right side is handwritten: "Complimentary". // Note:  A newspaper article here and summary here, provides further information.  

9.   29 ... THE PLAYERS / 16 Gramercy Park / The privileges of the Club House are extended to Mr. [handwritten]  George Hardy / by request of  A.H. Chappell  /  This card is available for one visit at any time during the year / ending December 31, 1890, except on Ladies' Day (April 23) / and on Founder's Night (New Year Eve).  It must be filled in with / the visitor's name and signed by the member of THE PLAYERS to / whom it has been issued, and must be given up on entering the / Club House. / THE HOUSE COMMITTEE. //  This wonderful building at 16 Gramercy Park may be seen at top right here, with history of The Players.  For details of Gramercy Park itself and the Gramercy Park Hotel, click here.  

There you have it.  Page 30.  George E. Hardy was a significant friend of Grove Terwilliger, and a few photographs of the family in the 1920s include George and his wife.  

If you have questions or more information to offer, please do not hesitate to contact me via calewis at telus dot net or, in the Comments below.  The next page to inventory is of 14 personal Calling Cards. Thank you for stopping by.  

PAGE 29 - Padded Red Silk Centrepiece, 14 tickets

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his late 1800s Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.  Page 29, contains a most unusual Musical item surrounded by tickets, including such diverse items as travel tickets and a church event... 
First, here's the centrepiece of this page on the right. Although challenging to read, it is much more challenging to understand!  I badly want to read what is on the glued-down side, but - Sigh.  Here's what is on this padded silk 'ticket':
Left side: 
 [large image of golden Harp]   MUSIC! 
[run on names]  ADELINA PATTI  CHRISTINA NILSSON and ALWINE VALERIA / have used, endorsed, and purchased / Frances Bros. / Upright Piano
Right side:
Willie Edouin SPARKS / in a / bunch of / [large image of Keys] / or the Hotel / Painted by / Roman Art Co. / 3 Union Square  
What on earth should I make of this-?  Clearly there was something inside this 'ticket' - perhaps an advertisement, a social event, a dinner, or...?  
Click on links for information on Victorian era bel canto singers Adelina Patti & Christina Nilsson; as well details about Willie Edouin and his "Sparks" - he was a comedian, writer, performer, and theatre manager, a very successful entertainer despite his disability of dwarfism.


Moving on to the list on the left side of the full page (click on links for information)
1.  Grand Concert / Given by / Mr. Marshall P. Wilder, / AT LYRIC HALL, / 6th Avenue, bet. 41st and 42d Sts. / Monday Evening, April 23d, 1883 / Concert commences at 8 P.M. precisely / ADMISSION,  *  *  *  *  *  50 Cts.

2.  Grand Masquerade Ball, / of the / New York Maennerchor, / at / Terrace Garden, / 58th Street, near Third Ave., / On Wednesday, February 21st, 1883. / Lady's Ticket.

3.   Centennial Anniversary / No 5 / MASTERS LODGE / March 5, 1868. / Admit One.   (Freemasons)

4.  Third Annual Ball / of the / MYSTIC TIE ASSOCIATION, / at Irving Hall, / Thursday Evening, Dec. 12TH, 1867. / Tickets, ONE DOLLAR.  (Freemasons)

Across the top of this page, are three or is it four travel tickets? Left is a ticket from Syracuse to Baldwinsville, a distance of about 6 miles., on the Del. Lack. & Western R.R. Oswego & Syracuse Division.  This is for the Delaware Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company.  Next are two tickets together, one admitting bearer on IRON PIER, and the other for the Excursion, IRON STEAMBOAT CO. to New York.  (Click on 1.9 on Wikipedia for details.)    Finally, a ticket for STEAMER "St. John.", one passage to New York. This steamer travelled between New York City and Albany, the capital.

At the bottom are two odd tickets.  
On the left hand side, is an Admittance ticket to The Crescent Club (the top left shows a logo of C C initials).  Admit Mr. Jas Terwilliger (his father), Ladies;  Introduced by Mr. Chas Blackie. No date provided.  
On the right side is an admittance ticket to the Dedication of St. Joseph's Church, Roselle, N.J. / Centre Aisle   Pew No 8.  And hand-lettered on the side is the date: Sunday May 1, 1898.  My Grandmother Marguerite Josephine TERWILLIGER & Grandfather Charles Edward KUHN were married in this church in 1910.  

Top right of the page is a Special Excursion ticket for the New Jersey Southern Railway, June 23d, 1881, from West End to New York, and is sponsored by the 7th Regt N.G.S.N.Y. Veteran Association.   

Next are two railway tickets with no dates on them: Central Railroad of New Jersey, from Roselle, N.J. to Plainfield, N.J.  

Beside it is an Excursion Ticket on the Delaware Lackawanna & Western RR, Morris & Essex Div., Broad St. Newark to New York.  

Next is a pale blue ticket, the Madison Avenue Church of the Disciples, / Madison Avenue, Corner 45th Street / Rev. Geo. H. Hepworth, Pastor. / Sunday School Entertainment, / Tuesday Evening, December 17, 1878,/ At 7:45 P.M. / Tickets ... Twenty-five Cents.  [check the link - it's a phenomenal architectural 'white elephant']

Finally, the bottom right ticket from 1880 is the American Museum of Natural History / 8th Ave. and 77th St.  Central Park / AUTUMN RECEPTION / Tuesday, October 26th, 1880, from 2 to 5 P.M. /  Admit Jas. Terwilliger Esq [his father] and Ladies. / Compliments of the Trustees. The AMNH was established in 1869.  By the way, any time I find "Jas Terwilliger" it is invariably referring to my 2nd great-grandfather, James M. Terwilliger, who always signed himself "Jas", whereas his son, James Grover Terwilliger, always signed as "Grove Terwilliger", or J.G.

I hope you enjoyed travelling down this page.  It was quite a bit of work, and I managed to find information about many of the items.  Click through on the links for more details or photographs.  And if you have further information on any of these items/events, do let me know via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  Thanks for stopping by.

PAGE 28 - 4 Items: Silk Banquet Menu and more

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his late 1800s Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.  Page 28 shows a most confusing group of 4 items, 3 of which are made of silk: a banquet menu, a Jury Duty menu, a masquerade, and a triangular Delta Kappa Epsilon convention ticket. Eclectic, indeed.

The first two items are clearly seen above in the large photo:

1.  Paper Muslin Masquerade ticket is made of heavy pink silk material: TRENOR HALL /  Broadway Near 32nd, Street. / TUESDAY EVE. FEBRUARY 15, 1881. / at 9 o'clock p.m. / R.S.V.P.      MISSES EGGERT, / 1015 Lexington Ave.

2.  Admission ticket, ΔΚε.  Thirty-Second Convention / Delta Kappa Epsilon, / Public Exercises, / Academy of Music, New York, / Thursday Evening, October 24, 1878, / Admit Party    at 8'oclock.   More information on the DKE Fraternity may be found by clicking. 

3.  I.O.O.F. Banquet Menu  This long dark purple silk item on the right is the Banquet Menu for the "Merchants & Business Men of Baltimore" / Gilmour & Sons, Caterer.  
It is virtually unreadable by now, with gold lettering on very dark purple silk, much faded. Because of the dates of other items, I may assume it took place between 1870 and 1885. The menu seems highly detailed, from Soups to Wines, with a large variety of foods for each course. The dark marks you can see on the silk is bleed-through from the original glue. The glue spots also show in the following white silk menu, below.  [See p.20  small ticket of 3 along the side, for the entry ticket for this event.  - thanks again to Albert Riezebos]

4. First United Dinner / of the First & Second Panels of the Sheriff's Jury / Menu / 11 Janvier 1871.   Here we have another detailed menu, all in French.  Soups (2), Fish (2), Appetizers, 3 Entrees, Vegetables (5), Kirsch Sorbet, and 9 different desserts.  

And along the bottom of the menu:  "Lynch Law    Surrogate's Court   Sheriff's Jury".  

Note this menu is printed on ivory silk, with crossed American flags at the top - 34 stars on the left, 31 on the right. I believe it should have been 37 stars in 1871, but 'artistic licence' perhaps shows here. 

update:  See link here for possible reference to "Lynch Law": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enforcement_Act_of_1871_%28third_act%29 link suggested/provided by fellow Canadian genealogist, Albert Riezebos.  Albert also found photos of special dinners at Delmonico's for the First and Second Panels of the Sheriff's Jury, here:  http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47db-2438-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

If you have more information about any of these 4 items, I would be happy to receive any details you can add.  You may contact me at calewis at telus dot net or in the Comments section below. Thank you stopping by. 

The next page to be inventoried, Page 29, includes many transportation tickets set around a beautiful silk-covered advertising card for a piano store!  

PAGE 27 - 20 Calling Cards & my SECOND BLOGIVERSARY

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his late 1800s Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.  Page 27 shows a page full of names on calling cards.  All these names stopped me from moving forward, since I feel compelled to research them before I move on.  But today is my 2nd Blogiversary and I'm determined to do a post for the day! 

The first four cards on the left hand side are all to do with Embassy officials re Tunisia!  I'm certain there is a story there, don't you think?  From the top left down, they are:
   1.  Le Chev. Antoine Conti, / Secrétaire, Interprète de l'Ambassade / Tunisienne. 
   2.  Le Lieutenant Colonel Ramiro Gaeta, / Attaché à 'Ambassade / Tunisienne. 
   3.  Le Général Otman Hashem, Envoyé Extraordinaire de S. A. / le Bey de Tunis.
   4.  Amos Perry / Consul Général /  des Etats Unis d'Amérique à Tunis.  
Update:  A number of individuals met with this group and President Johnson; possibly James M. Terwilliger, my 2nd great-grandfather... and he must have saved the cards. Thanks to Albert Riezebos for the links and details.

Next, the three cards set on an angle, bottom left:
   5.  Mr. DeWitt Van Buskirk  - a member of the Hudson Historical Society Link takes you to a 32 page article he read at a meeting
   6.  Coleman Gray / Dentist  [handwritten - left-handed, perhaps?]
   7.  Florence L. Telford

The cards set at an angle across from top left centre to bottom right:
   8.  A. J. Allen, / St. Omar's Com., No. 19, /  Elmira, N.Y. - with Knight's Templar symbol [Masonry] & motto on left side of card: in hoc signo vinces   
   9.  E. S. Bettelheim  / Byrnés / Dramatic Times / New York  - a promoter of dramatic events 
 10.  Henry S. Crump / with Wm Moir / Jeweler / 373 Sixth Ave / cor. 23rd St./ NY
 11.  Theodore T. Munroe, / Sigma Phi Place, / Williamstown, Mass. - college friend
 12.  Mr. & Mrs. L. C. Smith - horizontal card across #6 & 11.
 13.  Wm. H. Carpenter, Jr., / National Academy of Design / Studio, 23 W 14th St. / Bet. 5th Ave. & Union Square.  
 14.  J. W. Hotchkin / With / KNOX THE HATTER, / Fifth Ave. Hotel. Don't you love the odd lettering of his name? So odd and novel. Click through for more information on the building.

Next, in the top right corner, from corner down:
 15. Charles E. Pennock. 
 16. Charles D. Welch
 17. T. D. Patterson / Lysander, N.Y.
 18. Capt. Alex S. Williams, / New York Police. 
 19. James T. Van Riper  [handwritten] See link to Van Riper (Van Reypen) genealogy links. 
 20. Mr. J. Henry Albee. / 385 Fifth Avenue

And there you have it, another page completed more or less, in the Album. These cards range from friends and colleagues, to a variety of stores' owners, to theatre. Another mish-mash of a page.  

If you have more information about any of these people, or would like more details (or a photo of a specific card), contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm planning on much more regular posts for the Album in this third year! 

PAGE 26 - 1800s Paper Money Curiosities

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his late 1800s Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.   Page 26 shows 16 denominations of paper currency glued down forever!  Wouldn't it be interesting to see the back side? The images are in very poor shape, and are difficult to decipher...

Down the left hand side are 3 larger denominations:
1.  Saybrook Bank, Five Dollars.  Along the top can be seen "State of Connecticut"; "On Demand" below the image of a woman waiting for a sailing ship.  This appears to be a bank draft made out for $5  to "J. Hall or Bearer".  Nov. 1, 1860.  Signed by E. Redfield, Cash. and C.R. Doane, Pres.  Why on earth would my great-grandfather receive this bank draft? and why decide to glue it down? Mysteries.

2.  Confederate One Dollar.  The top left corner: "RICHMOND", top right:  April 6th, 1863.  I don't recognize the man's image in the middle.  In small italics on each side of the image: "Six months after the ratification of a Treaty of peace / Between the Confederate States & the United States of America"  In the middle, CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA / Will pay to the bearer on demand ONE DOLLAR.  Serial No. 10293.  Signed on the left, S. Bernard (for Register), and on the right, N. Semple (for the Treasury).  
Update:  The image is of Clement C. Clay, who served in the Confederate Senate as a Senator from Alabama during the Civil War. Plain back. (Thanks to Albert Riezebos for the link!)

3.  Two Dollar Bill, Bank of Washtenaw No. 42836 (or, 42876). Centre top image is of two loggers cutting down a large tree while another sits on a log watching. Bottom left image is of two young women in a circle, surrounded by "Incorporated 1835 / Michigan".  The bottom right shows a young woman carrying a small scythe and holding a sheaf of wheat over her right shoulder.  Click here for more history on this short-lived bank in Ann Arbor.  

The right hand section of fractional currencies will be briefly described, as placed in short rows from left to right; note some of the men depicted on these paper currencies are not identified.
Note that Fractional Currency was introduced by the US Federal government following the outbreak of the Civil War... in use between 21 August 1862 and 15 February 1876.  Click on this link to learn more about how, why, and by whom fractional currencies were introduced. 

4.  Fifty Cents.  Fractional Currency / United States / FIFTY CENTS / 50 /  Edwin McMasters Stanton's face on the left; he served as Secretary of War under the Lincoln Administration, 1862-1868.

5.  Ten Cents.  UNITED STATES / X CENTS /  M / Seal on the left side with Latin surrounding an image with scales. / 16    On left side, is the image of William Morris Meredith,who served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury, 1849-1950.

6. Fifty Cents.  UNITED STATES / FRACTIONAL CURRENCY / (same seal as in #5 above) / FIFTY CENTS / 40 ... L  The image on left with frilled cravat is Samuel Dexter, an early statesman who served both in Congress (different terms, 1793-1801). 

7.  10 Cents.  UNITED STATES 10 FRACTIONAL CURRENCY 10 / on each side of George Washington's face, (face circled with thick applied 'bronze' material, to stop counterfeiting) / Receivable for all United States Stamps / Act approved March 3, 1863.  Along the top (very difficult to read): Furnished only at the ...? Treasurers and Designated Depositories of the United States. 

8.  10 Cents.  Postage Currency / Furnished only by the Assistant Treasurer / and designated Depositories of / The United States / 10 / face / 10 / Receivable for US / Postage Stamps / at any / Post Office.  This also is George Washington's face  as in #7, but reversed image.

9.  50 Cents.  Postage Currency / 50 / furnished by the Assistant Treasurer / 50 / ...The rest is too challenging to read.  There are 5 heads of (I believe) George Washington as in #8, above. Update: this was Treasurer of the United States Francis E. Spinner's original design (See details at bottom of Wikipedia article, linked above #4 in this list.)

10.  Five Cents. Postage Currency / furnished only by the ?Assistant / Treasurer / and designated / Depositories of the U.S. / 5 / U.S. Postage / face of Spencer M. Clark / Five Cents / 5 /  Receivable for Postage Stamps / at any / US / Post Office  Spencer Clark was the first Superintendent of the National Currency Bureau, from 1862-1868.

11. 10 Cents. Furnished only by the Assistant Treasurer / and designated Depositories / 10 / United States / 10 / FRACTIONAL CURRENCY.  Image again of George Washington as #8 and 9.  Note has similar bronze material applied "10" in each corner of the note - again as a measure to stop counterfeits.

12. Five Cents. Along the top in small print: Act of March ? 1863.  United States / FRACTIONAL CURRENCY / FIVE / CENTS / Man's face, different from others above, big thick white beard / Furnished only by the / Assistant Treasurer / and designated Depositories /  United States

13.  25 Cents.  Fractional Currency.  This one is in terrible shape. The man's face in the middle is the same as #8, 9, 11, and with thick bronzed applied circle around his image for anti-counterfeiting purposes.  This is George Washington.

14.  Three Cents.  Fractional Currency.  Again, this one is in terrible shape. The man's face seems to be reversed as in #8.  This is likely George Washington.  

15.  25 Cents.  United States Fractional Currency / Receivable for all United States Stamps / Twenty Five / Cents / repeated on both sides of image of William Pitt Fessenden, Secretary of the Treasury under President Lincoln during the Civil War. His face is different from all others above, clean-shaven, profile, very high tight collar as in #5.

Whew!  I wish I knew who the individuals were - the images are so bad I have difficulty dropping them into Google searches - only George Washington seems familiar to me, a Canadian.  Most of the monies seem to be from 1835 to 1865, but that is an estimate only.  I have Updated the information above to the best of my ability.  See detailed Wikipedia link with images and links to faces, showing backs of currencies as well (scroll down).  

If you have any information about these paper currencies from the 1800s, I would love to be corrected, or be able to add more details about them.  Of course, they have no value currently, as they are glued down permanently to the paper stock.  I do wonder what the glue was made of...  

If you have any questions about any of the images, do contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  I'd be happy to take more photos for you, trying to get a clearer image if possible. 

PAGE 25 - The last 6 Sigma Phi Convention Tickets, 1881-1887

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.   Page 25 is the third page in a row of Sigma Phi tickets to Conventions in the 1870s and 1880s, including an envelope with invitation insert. 

From the left, horizontally across the top, then from left across the bottom:

1. Sigma Phi Convention / Schenectady, N.Y. /  Friday, March Fourth, 1881. / E.P.V. / R.S.V.P. / Meeting 5.30 P.M. 

2.  E.P.V. / The Sixtieth Annual Convention / of the Sigma Phi will be held / with the Beta of New York, / Wednesday June twenty ninth, / 1887 / Convention, 3 o'clock P.M. / Conclave, 9 o'clock P.M. / An early answer is requested.

3.  E.P.V. / Sigma Phi Convention / Hotel Brunswick, / Tuesday, January Fourth, 1887 / Meeting at 3.30 P.M. / 225 Fifth Avenue    New York City

4.  E.P.V. / Sigma Phi Convention, / Schenectady, N.Y. / Tuesday, March Fourth, 1884. / Meeting at 5.30 P.M. / R.S.V.P.

5.  E.P.V. / Sigma Phi Convention, / Schenectady, N.Y. / Wednesday, March Fourth, 1885. / Meeting at 5.30 P.M. / R.S.V.P.

6.  (Insert) Dear Brother, / The conclave will assemble at 9.30 P.M. / Sigma Phi House. / Please reply.    E.P.V.
     (Enveloped invitation)  Your presence is requested at the / Semi Centennial Exercises / of the / Alpha of Massachusetts Chapter / of  / Sigma Phi, / Wednesday afternoon, July 2nd, 1884 / at half-past four o'clock. / College Chapel, / Williamstown, Mass. / 1834.   1884.  

If you have any information about these events, or about Sigma Phi and the E.P.V., do let me know via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below. On my research list is a note for me to write to Sigma Phi about my great-grandfather's involvement in Sigma Phi.  

Update:  Thanks to Albert Riezebos, a very helpful Canadian genealogist, I now have proof of my great-grandfather's membership in Sigma Phi, in the Alpha of Massachusetts.  Grove (James Grover TERWILLIGER) had been a student at Williams College in MA in 1873, and joined Sigma Phi in 1877.  See listing below in "Catalogue of the SIGMA PHI with the THESAURUS", printed 1891, showing his current residence at the time (found online, Google Books) :

The next page, Page 26, is of paper money of all denominations, glued down hard of course, so I am unable to see the reverse of each paper.  This will be a very interesting page to inventory!  Thank you for stopping by.

PAGE 24 - 6 Sigma Phi events/Conventions, 1877-1883

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations. Page 24, continues the various events related to Sigma Phi, of which he appears to have been a member.  All use the additional E.P.V. on each event. I don't understand what "E.P.V." means, so please let me know in your comments below!  

The two envelopes on the left have invitations inside, the four other tickets are glued down without an envelope. I will describe them by taking the two on the left, then the middle two, then the two on the right, vertically.

Left row:
   1.  Sigma Phi E.P.V.   You are cordially invited to attend the / Semi Centennial Convention / of the Sigma Phi / to be holden [sic] at Schenectady / on the evening of Friday March 2nd, 1877 / at 8 o'clock. / R.S.V.P. 

   2.  (see photo of invitation & envelope on right)  The pleasure of your company is requested / at / Sigma Phi Place / Wednesday, July 3rd 1878. / from five to eleven o'clock P.M. /    [Four names in two rows at bottom:]  James T. Wright.  Robert F. McQueen.  Henry B. McQueen.  Edwin A. King

Middle row: 
   3.  Sigma Phi Convention / Schenectady N.Y. / Friday, March First 1878. / E.P.V. / R.S.V.P.

   4.  Sigma Phi Convention / Schenectady N.Y. / Thursday, March fourth, 1880. / E.P.V. / R.S.V.P.

Right row: 
   5.  Sigma Phi Convention / Schenectady N.Y. / Friday, March Third, 1882. / E.P.V. / R.S.V.P.

   6.  Sigma Phi Convention / Schenectady N.Y. / Friday, March Second, 1883. / E.P.V. /  R.S.V.P. 

Sigh. I just looked ahead, and the next page is 6 tickets of more years of Sigma Phi Conventions... therefore, I'll post Page 25 next Saturday, to complete the pages.  On the other hand, Page 26 has glued-down currency of various kinds... fascinating!  I can't wait to show them to you.  

Please do contact me with your questions or information via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  I am always looking to add value to this Album, and corrections are sincerely accepted!  

PAGE 23 - 6 Sigma Phi events, 1 Yale College Glee Club event

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.   Page 23 has 7 invitations: 6 are for Sigma Phi social events, and the last is for a Yale College Glee club event. Meeting at 6, dancing at 7:30, for several Sigma Phi events. However there are only a few years printed on the invitations; many have only the month, weekday, and date.  

Much searching through examples of perpetual calendars has ensued... my mind glazed over eventually.  I found many pretty examples of how to find the day of the week from the year and date, but only mind-blowing versions of how to find the year for a date and day of the week... It did not compute for me.  I'm clearly missing an obvious step.  So I'm putting it out here, and anyone who can figure it out, please let me know.  Most likely, these events are from 1870 to 1895.  

I expect it would be reasonable for me to write to Sigma Phi in New York and request information on whether or not my greatgrandfather was a member.  Although, it is possible he received these invitations via his colleagues or friends. 

1. Here is the inside of the top left example, with lovely colour printing on the outside as well as inside the invitation:

The Sigma Phi Society

Request the pleasure of your company

on Wednesday evening July 2nd at six o'clock

            D.S. Williams

          J. F. Johnson

           F. Townsend Jr.

2. In the same manner and style, the next invitation below states: The pleasure of your company is requested at Sigma Phi Place,  Wednesday July seventh at 6 o'clock P.M.   Dancing at half past seven.  Robert Townsend.

3.  Bottom left invitation has the Sigma Phi embossed in white on white, and states:  The pleasure of your company is requested at Sigma Phi Place, Wednesday July first at 6 o'clock P.M.  Dancing at half past seven.  L.V. Davison. J.N. Tollené. W.D. Edmonds.

4. Centre invitation states: The Forty Eighth Annual Summer Convention of the Sigma Phi will be held with the Alpha of Michigan.  Monday June 28th 1875.   Note this chapter (Alpha) was founded in 1827

5.  Top right invitation has an embossed old English S on the front, with the same type of lettering inside for the name.  The invitation states:  Mr. Spencer Jr.   Requests the pleasure of your company to meet the members of the Yale College Glee Club  Tuesday April 14th, from 3 to 6 P.M.   75 James Street

6.   Middle right invitation states:  The Forty Ninth Annual Summer Convention of the Sigma Phi will be held with the Beta of New York,  Wednesday June 28th 1876.  Secret Session at 10 o'clock P.M.  

7.  The final bottom right invitation has its own envelope, glued down carefully, so I cannot read to whom it is addressed (sigh), and in the usual style and manner, states: The pleasure of your company is requested at Sigma Phi Place, Wednesday July fourth at six o'clock P.M.  Dancing at half past seven.  T.T. Munroe.  G.R. Livingston.  G.T. Clark.  Bryan Collins.

Hmmm.  Does anyone have knowledge of the histories or details of any of these events? Or know any of the names mentioned? I'm assuming the names are officials in charge of the events, or of the chapter.  The next page, Page 24, has more invitations and notices from Sigma Phi, so I'll do another page next Saturday.

If you have any questions or information please do not hesitate to contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or in the Comments below.  

PAGE 22 - 8 At-Home Cards, 1 "Wooden Wedding" card

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and affiliations.  

Page 22 has 8 At Home cards, centred around an invitation to a Wooden Wedding celebration - a 5th Wedding Anniversary. Since the celebration is the only dated item - 1871 - I'll assume the other cards are from roughly the same period.  And, since he and his wife were not married until 1879, it is possible that some cards may be from his parents' collection. 

Here are the top 4 cards, left to right each horizontal row:

1.  Mr. & Mrs. E.M. Dudley  Mr. E.M. Dudley apparently was involved in the setting up of the Bryant Association Library in Syracuse NY, according to several articles found in the Syracuse Daily Journal in the mid-late 1870s. This link takes you to a rather challenging-to-read page, 3rd column from left, partway down the column, from February 18, 1879.  I also found a reference in the Syracuse Standard, November 25, 1884, of "E.M. Dudley, basso" taking part in an entertainment, as part of St. Mary's Fair.  

2.  Mr. & Mrs. T.W. Dalton, with bottom left corner details possibly indicating they were taking up their new residence as a married couple - At Home,  144 South Salina St.,  after December 1st 1881.  Mr. Dalton apparently was a druggist, owning his own store in Syracuse.

3.  Mary T. Jackson  Also printed in the same very ornate lettering as the Dudley's card, was apparently a teacher, running the Keble School, an English & French Boarding and Day School, with Kindergarten, as noted in the Daily Standard, 1873.  In the 1880 Census, a Mary T. is the wife of E.M. Dudley, #1 card above, and might be the same person -? Possibly, or possibly not. 

4.  Mattie E. Smith  I was able to find a few references to Mattie E. Smith - e.g., taking dancing lessons in Brooklyn, in 1883, and attending dances.  Also mentioned in the Sunday Saratogian, August 29, 1886: "Miss Mattie E.Smith, whose readings and songs have been heard with pleasure in the parlors of various hotels during the week is a guest at the Pleasant Home, Federal street."

Next, Wooden Celebration - printed on a thin slice of actual wood: 

5.  Mr. & Mrs. Frank E. Marble, request the pleasure of your company, at the celebration of their Wooden Wedding, Tuesday Evening, Feb 14th, 1871, 205 Shonnard Street [Syracuse NY]. Frank Marble had been a Captain in one of the NY Civil War battalians; and apparently also owned several homes, according to several advertisements in Syracuse area newspapers.

The next 4 cards also appear to be at home cards, read left to right, in two horizontal rows:

6.  Dr. & Mrs. James Willis Candee  Dr. Candee was a homeopathic physician, one of the representatives of the State Medical Examiners Board of New York.  He and his wife seem to have had a very social life, with many notices in the newspaper of various parties given.

7.  Mr. & Mrs. Owen D. Perry  19 Plant St.  Utica N.Y.  Utica is east of Syracuse NY. Owen Perry owned a clothier store with his brother.  He married Miss Nellie Burrill, (card on bottom right), in 1881. 

8.  Eva Fredrika Smith  A 1916 Brooklyn newspaper notes a Miss Eva F. Smith, a long-time employee of the Customs Service, acting as Chairman of the Library Committee. This committee worked to open a small library as part of the Barge Office Building Social Welfare League.  It provided a space for men waiting between jobs to read or play "innocent games".  

9.  Miss Nellie Burrill, who married Owen D. Perry in 1881, see #7 above.  I found a reference to her attending the First Baptist Church in Syracuse, along with Mrs. Charles Graves, my great-grandmother; also a reference to a mutual friend who attended the same school as my great-grandmother, Mt. Holyoke.  

Whew!  Some of these cards appear to be more relevant to Grove & Gussie TERWILLIGER, some to Grove's parents, James & Harriet TERWILLIGER.  Both couples appear to have been very social, and participated in many social events in Syracuse and New York city.  

If you know of any of these people, or would like more information, do contact me via calewis at telus dot net, or through the Comments section below.  

PAGE 21 - 6 Tickets: Musicales, Celebrations & Entertainments

My great-grandfather, James Grover "Grove" TERWILLIGER, filled his Souvenir Album with a miscellany of ribbons, invitations, stamps, cards, tickets, cut-outs from hotel letterheads, newspaper articles, and other items from his travels and his affiliations.   Grove TERWILLIGER lived from 1856 to 1929, mainly in Syracuse, Onondaga, New York, then later settled in Englewood, Bergen, New Jersey, where he and his wife raised their children. 

Here are the first four tickets, L-R:
1.  Teachers' Association June Reception, in Honor of the Adoption of the American Flag [104th]  at the Grand Opera House, Tuesday Evening, June 14th, 1881 at 8 O'clock. This ticket lists all the musical performers "ARTISTS", as well as an elocutionist Mrs. Harriet Webb, The Celebrated Dramatic Reader.  Hon. Wm R Grace, Mayor of New York City, presiding.   This is a visually-busy ticket with numerous different fonts, symbols, and decorative elements at top left, bottom right.  I'm certain a good time was had by all.  For more of the history of the design of the flag - and its many modifications over the years, read here.  

2.  SOIRÈE MUSICALE, given by Mrs. WAGGONER, at her residence, No. 111 South Salina Street, Syracuse, N.Y., FRIDAY EVENING, JAN. 27th, 1871,-- At 8 o'clock, For the
Benefit of Plymouth Church.  Admission, ONE DOLLAR.  The musical program is listed, with performers' names: Harry Hanchett [also mentioned below], Miss Knapp, Miss Dillaye, Mrs. Hoyt, Mr & Mrs. Chase, Mr. Dudley. A fascinating history of the Plymouth Church may be found on their website. 


3.  CHICKERING HALL, Wednesday, March 26, 1879, Mr. HENRY G. HANCHETT'S Piano - Forte Recital. to begin at half-past three.  The detailed Program follows:  Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Schumann, and Rubenstein.   Wouldn't you love to have been there? Dr. Henry G. Hanchett was a physician, lecturer [professor], musician, theorist; numerous newspaper and book excerpts state very positive and warm reviews of his abilities. 

4.  Teachers' Association, GRAND MUSICAL and ELOCUTIONARY ENTERTAINMENT, Washington's Birth-day Reception.  Tuesday Afternoon, February 22, 1881, at Steinway Hall, At 2 o'clock.  Another visually-busy ticket with many font styles and elements, and engraving designs.  What a busy Association this was, with celebrations and entertainment throughout the year! Here is information on Steinway Hall, one part of the entire Steinway building.  Unfortunately, in 2013 the building was sold, and apparently a tower of luxury condos is planned for the building.  I'm trying to imagine how an architect will manage to redesign/repurpose the building since it is a heritage site. 

Next, the two long tickets on the side:  
5.  64th ANNIVERSARY I.O.O.F. STATE N.Y.  Dedicatory Exercises Compliments of NE-AH-TA-WANTA LODGE, No. 245.  Salmon's Hall, Fulton, N.Y.   Afternoon & Evening, Friday December 23rd, 1870.  This 9" long ticket lists all of the committees' members: Executive Committee, Honorary Committee, and the Committee of Arrangements.  I looked in vain for the surname Terwilliger, Graves, Ormsbee, or other ancestral surnames in this list.  The Lodge name is also found as Neahtawanta Lodge.

6.  Teachers' Association, City of New York: Lieut. Commander Henry H. Corringe will deliver a GRAPHICALLY  ILLUSTRATED  LECTURE on "THE OBELISK and AFRICAN ARCHAEOLOGY" at Steinway Hall, Saturday Evening, April 23rd, 1881, at 8 o'clock.  Yet another Teachers' Association event in New York City.  Henry Honychurch Corringe wrote a book - available as a free ebook - titled "Egyptian Obelisks" published in London, 1885. It includes 50 full-page illustrations.  Click on the first link on the right side of the page which shows up (Google Ebook), and you can see the gorgeous cover! The book is fascinating in its own right. And as a genealogist, I love his name - his middle name is unusual enough to likely be a surname of an ancestor.  

I hope you enjoyed this page and tickets to various musical, entertainment, celebratory and educational events.  My great-grandparents seem to have been out and about frequently.   The next page in the Album has 9 cards, including a "Wooden Wedding" card!

If you have questions or have more knowledge of these events and persons named, please do let me know by contacting me via calewis at telus dot net or through a comment below.