Van Wyck (Crittenden) Diary (Vol.1), 1890

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Summary

Title:
Van Wyck, Crittenden Diary (Vol.1)
Dates:
1890
Creators:
Van Wyck, Crittenden, 1870-1942
Abstract:
This diary was written in 1890 when the author was twenty and focuses on Crittenden’s daily life, in particular his social outings, relationships and friendships, and his position at the Pacific Insurance Union. Photographs, drawings, sketches are included as are signatures collected by former classmates, calling cards, and awards from school. He also copies several of his late father’s diary entries. Within the diary are also entries by his friend L. Edwin Clenecy and sister Laura Van Wyck. Various notes and letters from friends and families are also included. The journal focuses particularly on his “first love” Alice Bradford Ames, whom he met at age fifteen and his more recent relationship with Harriet Pierce Graham (nicknamed "Tat" in his diary). Crittenden’s mother was also ill during this period.
Containers:
Box: B001651
Folder: C058788
Extent:
1.0 folder (1 leatherbound diary, 289 pages)
Language:
Preferred citation:

Crittenden Van Wyck Diary (Vol. 1). Society of California Pioneers.

Background

Scope and content:

This diary was written in 1890 when the author was twenty and focuses on Crittenden’s daily life, in particular his social outings, relationships and friendships, and his position at the Pacific Insurance Union. Photographs, drawings, sketches are included as are signatures collected by former classmates, calling cards, and awards from school. He also copies several of his late father’s diary entries. Within the diary are also entries by his friend L. Edwin Clenecy and sister Laura Van Wyck. Various notes and letters from friends and families are also included. The journal focuses particularly on his “first love” Alice Bradford Ames, whom he met at age fifteen and his more recent relationship with Harriet Pierce Graham (nicknamed "Tat" in his diary). Crittenden’s mother was also ill during this period.

Biographical / historical:

A short autobiography presented by C. Van Wyck, as written on page 198 of his diary (Vol.2): "February 19, 1941, This diary presented to the ‘Society of California Pioneers’ by the writer Crittenden Van Wyck age this day 71 years. Born S.F. February 19, 1870. Attended public school in Oakland 1878-79, in S.F. at ‘Pacific Heights’ in 1875, later at ‘Spring Valley’ 1882-86—then Boys High 1886-1887. Clerk in Pacific Insurance Union 1887-1891. Went to Seattle 1891-95. Back to S.F. 1895 to 1899 as an insurance agent for ‘Preferred Accident Insurance Co.’ Next, Dental College Unversity, Calif. 1899-1902 Graduate. Practiced Dentistry in S.F. 1902-1917. Entered Army as a dentist in World War 1917-1919 25 months service as 1st Lieutenant, Captain, and last year as Major. Disabled in line of duty at Camp McClellan, Alabama. Permanently injured as it eventually turned out. Married 1921. Divorced 1935 at Reno, Nev. Desertion by wife [believed to be E. Louise Williams] who picked out a younger man."

In June of 1942, he shot and killed his ex-wife at her home in Carmichael, California. He lit her home on fire, and was seriously injured by the blaze. He committed suicide while being treated for his burns on 06/17/1942. He is quoted as saying that he wanted her to "suffer as I've suffered these many years." (San Bernadino County Sun, 06/18/1942)

Acquisition information:
Crittenden Van Wyck, 02/19/1941.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Catherine Coffman
Date Prepared:
05/30/2007
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2014-04-29T16:23-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection open for research.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions on access.

Preferred citation:

Crittenden Van Wyck Diary (Vol. 1). Society of California Pioneers.

Location of this collection:
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107, US
Contact:
(415) 957-1849 ext. 160
mmdevine@californiapioneers.org
Website