Finding aid of the Crittenden Van Wyck Diary (Vol.1) C058788
Finding aid prepared by Catherine Coffman
Society of California Pioneers
05/30/2007
300 Fourth Street
San Francisco, CA, 94107-1272
(415) 959-1849
pkeats@californiapioneers.org
Title: Van Wyck, Crittenden Diary (Vol.1)
Identifier/Call Number: C058788
Contributing Institution:
Society of California Pioneers
Language of Material:
English
Container: B001651
Container: C058788
Physical Description:
1.0 folder
(1 leatherbound diary, 289 pages)
Date: 1890
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.
creator:
Van Wyck, Crittenden, 1870-1942
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection open for research.
There are no restrictions on access.
Crittenden Van Wyck Diary (Vol. 1). Society of California Pioneers.
Crittenden Van Wyck, 02/19/1941.
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)
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.
Related Archival Materials note
C058570 - Crittenden Van Wyck Diary (Vol. 2)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ames, Alice Bradford, b. 1873
Graham, Harriet Pierce, fl. 1890
Van Wyck, Ann Churchill Crittenden , 1843-1916
Van Wyck, Sidney McMechen , 1832-1887
Diaries
Pacific Insurance Union
Photograph collections.
San Francisco (Calif.)
San Francisco (Calif.)--Social life and customs
San Francisco Boys' High School