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:
Request the pleasure of your company
on Wednesday evening July 2nd at six o'clock
D.S. Williams
J. F. Johnson
F. Townsend Jr.
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.
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