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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Jamaica Village Society Collection
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Jamaica Village Society (New York, N.Y.) | |
| Title | Jamaica Village Society Collection, | |
| Dates: | 1858-1955 | |
| Abstract: | The collection, though a very small one, consists of a number of varied items. In some instances it is not known who the original donors to the Society were. It is doubtful, however, if all told, there were more than half a dozen different donors, if that many. We also point out that it is known that some portion of the archives found in this Library's collection of Jamaica Village Archives (J-l) were also gathered by the Jamaica Village Society. However, these items were processed with similar items to produce the manuscript unit known as Jamaica Village Archives. This was done for the better description of these materials, and for there importance as official village or town archives. | |
| Extent: | 3 boxes, 1.2 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | J-6 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Jamaica Village Society, incorporated on Oct 1, 1914 had as its chief object "To preserve the History and Traditions of the old Village of Jamaica". Though this is not known for sure, it would appear that about 1926, an affiliated group was formed calling itself the Jamaica Women's Village Society. A few extant newspaper clippings would seem to indicate that the latter was a kind of women’s auxiliary to the former organization. This point is brought forward simply by way of some historical back ground, and not for the purposes of this finding aid, since none of the materials in the collection were brought together by the women's group as far as is known.
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Scope and Content Note
The collection, though a very small one, consists of a number of varied items. In some instances it is not known who the original donors to the Society were. It is doubtful, however, if all told, there were more than half a dozen different donors, if that many. We also point out that it is known that some portion of the archives found in this Library's collection of Jamaica Village Archives (J-l) were also gathered by the Jamaica Village Society. However, these items were processed with similar items to produce the manuscript unit known as Jamaica Village Archives. This was done for the better description of these materials, and for there importance as official village or town archives.
The Jamaica Village Society Collection measures approximately 1 cubic foot and contains both bound volumes and loose papers. The collection is miscellaneous in nature and pertains to no one subject in particular, though, of course, all the items in it deal in one way or another with the old town or village of Jamaica. Each volume or series of loose papers will be described below.
Bound Volumes - Minutes of meetings held by the Woodhull Guards, Company C, 15th Regiment, 6th Brigade, 2nd Div. of the New York State Militia. Volume covers period from Oct 1855 (when the group was first formed and simply called the Woodhull Guards) to May 1868. The latter years do not contain as many entries as earlier ones. The volume apparently contained at least one document (probably a legal document) which was subsequently removed. A few loose bills also inserted into it.
Diary maintained by an unknown lawyer, presumably of Jamaica Village (there is some possibility, however, that the individual may have been William A. Warnook since the "Long Island Daily Press” of Mar 6, 1938 has an article titled "Blizzard Notes" with similar entries as found in this diary). Diary covers 1888 (a very few 1889 entries) and is written into a form diary volume titled “CLAYTON'S QUARTO DIARY". Entries are very brief, more in the nature of an appointment book, rather than diary. The only exception evidently being a few entries during March when the "Great Blizzard of ‘88" occurred. Typical entries are such as the following: May 14--Will Case Charles Munch, 9:30, Sep 13 -Matter Est. John J. Armstrong, 9AM, Oct 4 –Acctg. Est. Elizabeth Rapelye, 9AM
The cases were probably all held in Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer at the Court House in Long Island City, Queens County, judging from a calendar inserted into volume.
Hotel Register probably maintained by A.B. Petit’s Hotel. Period covered is ca. 1882-1892. About half of volume is not utilized. Several pages towards back of volume have been torn out. Contains much scribbling. Ascribed to Petit largely on the basis that his name appears among the scribbling once or twice, including the inside cover, as well as the fact that there is a bill inserted into volume dated Jan 8, 1892 made out to him. Volume simply gives name, residence (name of village, town or city) and occasionally room number or similar remark.
Register maintained by the Queens County Clerk’s Office. Evidently, the volume was once used as an alphabetical index for listing Real Estate Deeds (or similar land papers such as mortgages, for instance) held in the Clerk's office, or perhaps under his jurisdiction. Within each alphabet, names are listed in some kind of chronological arrangement, perhaps by date of the filing of the deed. Years covered are ca. 1857-1858. Apparently, the volume was later acquired by an individual (the name, Alexander Hagner, appears on the fly-leaf) who evidently let the first half of it be used as a scrapbook; for there are some newspaper clippings pasted right over the deed entries. Again, evidently, someone later tried to remove these clippings, and succeeded for the most part, though most pages still have remnants of the clippings. Later on, according to another note on the fly leaf, the volume was presented to the Jamaica Village Society by Mrs. Philip M. Wood in January of 1932.
Register of Electors of Election District No. One in the Town of Jamaica. The volume is dated 1862 "Revised and corrected Oct 28, 1862" and contains some 300 to 400 names in alphabetical order. Besides the name, the only other information given is the street on which the individual resided. Several pages are torn. A note on the back cover states that the volume was "Loaned to the Jamaica Village Society by (William E?) Everitt”. The front cover bears the name of Joseph B. Everitt.
Score Book maintained by the Atlantic Base Ball Club of Jamaica. Names of players, positions played, number of runs scored, and some similar entries are written into a regular printed form book. Some pages have newspaper clippings pasted onto them, newspaper clippings briefly describing the game played. Period covered is ca. 1858-1875. About half of volume is empty. Typed note pasted on fly-leaf reads THIS BOOK IS PRESENTED TO THE JAMAICA VILLAGE SOCIETY BY THE CHILDREN OP THE LATE BENJAMIN J. ASHMEAD, HAVING BEEN GIVEN TO MR. ASHMEAD DURING HIS LIFETIME BY THE WIDOW OP THE LATE WILLIAM W. GILLEN, WHO HAD PRESERVED IT. JAMAICA. NOVEMBER 23rd 1920.
Accompanying the volume are a few loose newspaper clippings, and about a dozen receipts evidently issued to the ball players after they paid their "Assessment Fee” to the club. These are dated 1875. Also included is a very small broadside listing the members of the Atlantic Association, undated, but probably the 1860s or 1870s.
Besides the bound volumes, there are a number of loose papers. These have been divided into two series, as Miscellaneous Documents Pertaining to the Organization of the Society Itself; and Miscellaneous Documents Gathered by the Society.
Miscellaneous Documents of the Society - Numbering about 25 items, these consist of what probably were remnants of official records. Documents found in this small series consist of two copies of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Society; several printed copies of the Society1s Constitution and By-Laws; some mounted newspaper clippings concerning Society activities; a few blank application forms; a membership list in manuscript; and some half dozen or so letters addressed to the Society on various topics. Though few in number, the letters are dated in the 1920s, 1930s or 1940s. The clippings are dated basically the same period, while the certificate of incorporation and the constitution and by-laws are for 1914.
Miscellaneous Documents Gathered by the Society - This is a fairly voluminous series numbering about 150 items. However, a good portion are very routine in nature and appear to have been remnants of the personal file of George W. Winans, a local historian and member of the Society. For example, there are some 50 post card notices of membership meetings (dated 1930s, 1940s and 1950s) addressed to Mr. Winans. There are also several membership cards for him, as well as more detailed notices of special meetings or events, and printed menus of various dinners, and a very few flyers.
Besides the above, which appear to be the files of Mr. Winans alone, the other documents are probably those collected by the Society or somehow acquired by them. There is a slight possibility that perhaps a very small portion of these may not have belonged to the collection of the Society but were inadvertently dropped into it (documents pertaining to Mr. Denton perhaps). But this fact simply cannot be ascertained with any accuracy, and is not really crucial. The documents are extremely varied and include about a dozen receipted city tax bills of William L. Denton dated In the late 1890s or early 1900s; a few court papers and indentures; several letters; a "List of subscriptions for...Jericho Turnpike”; a few brief compositions (perhaps a school child's assignment?); a report to the Commissioners of Schools of the Town of Jamaica; and a Canvass of Votes for a Jamaica election. These items are dated primarily for the latter part of the 19th century.
Non-Textual Items - There is one item in this small series, namely a framed oil painting done by M.T. Marshall (Mrs. Myra T. Marshall) of the "Tollgate formerly at Jericho Turnpike and Farmers Avenue East Jamaica, L.I.”. Other data found pasted on back of frame states "Torn down May 1894. Presented to Jamaica Village Society by Mrs. Myra T. Marshall".
Formerly attached to the painting but now: loose, is an undated postcard from Mrs. Marshall addressed, evidently, to an officer of the Jamaica Village Society. The card makes no reference to the painting but is rather in the line of a personal message. Contains about 20 lines of text.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Jamaica Village Society Collection, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
The Jamaica Village Society, in order to help fulfill the purposes for which it was formed, began to collect historical materials pertaining to the village or town of Jamaica. Exactly how much was gathered is not known, but there can be little doubt that it was more than is represented by this collection. What became of the collected materials is not known either, but probably some of it reverted to the donors. As far as is known, the Society ceased to function for all practical purposes, at any rate, sometime during the early 1950s.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Atlantic Base Ball Club of Jamaica
- Jamaica Village Society (New York, N.Y.)
Subject Places:
- Jamaica (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
