Inventory of the Pickering family correspondence and photographs SPC.2020.037
Karen Clemons
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2021-01-11
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Pickering family correspondence and photographs
Creator:
Pickering, Maylin Joseph, 1880-1954
Creator:
Pickering, Nelle Audrey Pontz, 1880-1975
Creator:
McCown, Ethel Maude Pontz, 1884-1947
Creator:
Tomlinson, Jessie Louise, 1860-1934
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2020.037
Physical Description:
1 box
Physical Description:
.42 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1855-1944; undated
Date (bulk): 1902-1936
Abstract: This collection contains mostly correspondence sent between members of the Pickering family from the 1860s-1930s. A majority
of the correspondence is sent between two sisters, Nelle Pontz Pickering and Ethel Pontz McCown during the early 20th century
where they discussed their daily lives and families. This collection also includes other letters sent to Nelle from her family
and friends; letters sent from Nelle to her husband, Maylin during his time as a Major in the Aviation Section, Signal Reserve
Corps; and letters from other family members such as Jessie [Pickering],Mrs. Pickering, and Mrs. Tomlinson. Letters sent from
Mary [Barger] detail what it was like to live in Cincinnati, OH in the 1860s including experiences presumably with Civil War
soldiers. This collection also includes postcards sent from Maylin J. Pickering to J.L. Pickering, military comics postcards,
photographs taken at a parade and reception for returning Spanish-American War soldiers in Philadelphia, photographs of friends
and family, and images taken of the Philadelphia National Guard at Mt. Gretna; as well as ephemera such as an E Pluribus Urium
Army pin, WWII Major Oak Leaf insignia pins, dental association pins, and certificates that detail Maylin's military service
and discharge.
Language of Material:
English
.
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
For information about citing archival material, see the
Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.
Mary Jillard Mustin Barger (1790-1886) moved to Philadelphia, PA from England with her parents, George and Mary Elizabeth
Mustin. She had five siblings: John Mustin (1787-1862), Eliza "Lizzie" Mustin Pickering (1791-1866), Anthony Mustin (1793-1877),
Eli Mustin (1794-1878), and Ebenezer Mustin (1797-1859). She was married to William Barger (unknown-1871) and had two children:
Rebecca Louise Barger Mustin (1820-1859) and Maria Louise Barger Tomlinson (1836-1910). Maria Louise Barger Tomlinson married
Jessie Tomlinson (1835-unknown) and had one child, Jessie Louise Tomlinson (1860-1934) who married Maylin Jones Pickering
(1858-1918) and had one son, Maylin Joseph Pickering (1880-1954). Maylin Jones Pickering was a manager of the St. Louis Arena,
V.P. and general manager of the old Coliseum in St. Louis; as well as a business manager of the National Folk Festival; and
also worked at the Philadelphia Convention Hall and Municipal Stadium. Maylin Pickering was also a Major in the Aviation Section,
Signal Reserve Corps (later replaced by the United States Army Air Service) from February 10, 1918 when he was accepted and
reported for duty on February 23, 1918 to Camp MacArthur, a World War I military training base in Waco, TX. On February 28,
1919 he was honorably discharged at Garden City, New York. On December 12, 1924 he received an appointment for active duty
to be called upon only if necessary. Maylin was married to Nelle Audrey Pontz Pickering (1880-1975) and they had three children:
John M. Pickering (1917-2014), Emilie Pontz Pickering Brandhorst (1917-2014), and William Barger Pickering (1919-2014). Nelle
Pickering had three sisters: Minnie Grace Pontz, Mary E. Pontz Byerly (1875-1950), and Ethel Maude Pontz McCown (1884-1947).
Ethel Pontz was married to Frank Cummins McCown (1884-1961) and had three children: Ethelwyn Pontz McCown Brooks (1917-2014),
Frances Eyster McCown Eckman (1922-2013) and Frank Cummins McCown (1925-1997).
The Pickering family correspondence and photographs collection (1855-1944, undated; bulk 1902-1936) contains one box of mostly
letters as well as photographs and ephemera belonging to members of the Pickering family. A majority of the correspondence
is to Nelle Pontz Pickering from her sister Ethel Pontz McCown, and from Nelle Pickering to her husband, Maylin J. Pickering.
Topics in the Pontz sisters correspondence mostly includes discussions of daily life activities such as going shopping, doctors
visits, and attending dinners; and also includes discussions about clothing, health, weather, family, and friends. Some of
the correspondence is sent from Ethel Pontz while she was living in El Paso, TX. presumably while her husband, and Nelle's
husband were in the military; as well as from Nelle to her husband, Maylin while he was at Camp MacArthur in Waco,TX., El
Paso, and the Aviation Concentration Center in Garden City, Long Island, NY. Some of the topics in the letters from Mary [Barger]
to her mother discuss interactions with soldiers and their families presumably during the Civil War. Other correspondence
includes: letters to Nelle from relatives and friends; letters from Jessie [Pickering], letters to Mrs. Tomlinson who is presumably
Marie L. Barger Tomlinson(Jessie Tomlinson Pickering's mother), Eliza T. Wayne, and others.
This collection also includes postcards sent from Maylin J. Pickering to J.L. Pickering, military comics postcards, photographs
taken at a parade and reception for returning Spanish-American War soldiers in Philadelphia, photographs of friends and family
at various gatherings, images taken of the Philadelphia National Guard at Mt. Gretna, images taken at Washington and Lee University
in Lexington, VA. and other locations; as well as ephemera such as cufflinks, a watch, bolo tie, E Pluribus Urium Army pin;
WWII Major Oak Leaf insignia pins; dental association pins; and certificates that detail Maylin's military service and discharge.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
Photographs
El Paso (Tex.)
Camp MacArthur (Tex.)
Marriage and family life
Homemaking
United States. Army. Signal Corps. Aviation Section
United States. Army. Air Service
Pickering family
box 1, folder 1
Eliza T. Wayne correspondence and notes 1864, 1865, 1866, [18]68, 1892
This file contains two notes from Dillwyn Parrish to Eliza T. Wayne regarding a Bond to be signed upon her next visit to the
city, 1886; and a note informing Wayne that the deed to property sold in Cincinnati is ready to be signed, 1865. Also included
is a note regarding debts "contracted on her account during her absence" for tea and flour, 1864; a receipt for stove coal,
[18}68; and correspondence.
box 1, folder 2
Jessie [Pickering] Correspondence 1855; 1870; 1907; 1910
Physical Description: 4 letters.
In the letter dated July 1, 1855 Jess writes to Louise Barger telling her that she misses her, and that she was unable to
write to her sooner.
In the letter dated 1870 to "Grand Par Mar" from Jessie, she discusses arriving to Richmond by boat and the weather there,
and inquires about Sue and Lizzie.
In the letter dated November 28th, 1907 presumably to Jessie from her mother, she talks about Jessie's grandmother's love
for her. Also included in this letter are a few small clippings.
This folder also includes a partial letter dated June 12, 1910.
box 1, folder 3
Letters from Mary [Barger] and Lizzie to their mother [18]62, [18]65, undated
Physical Description: 6 letters.
In these letters sent from Cincinnati, OH. from Mary [Barger] to her mother, she discusses her husband William; weather; experiences
traveling by train; inquires about her family; discusses seeing soldiers on their way to Tennessee; talks about assisting
soldiers' families by distributing clothing and provisions; and recalls an incident with a jewelry thief. In the letter from
Lizzie to her mother sent from Cincinnati, OH, Lizzie discusses the weather and someone named Henry's bout with dysentery.
box 1, folder 4
Maylin J. Pickering correspondence and documents 1890; 1916-1919; 1924; 1927
This folder contains two letters written from Maylin to his mother. In the first letter, dated September 9, 1916 sent from
El Paso, TX. Maylin discusses his son, John; how he will try and purchase some Navajo rugs to bring to her; and discusses
moving to a new camp soon. In the letter dated September 28, 1918 sent from England Maylin discusses his experiences riding
in a car in England; dinners with civilians; and plans for a trip to the sea with other officers. This folder also includes:
An invitation for a meeting at the Mustin Genealogical Association, October 31, 1890; Special Order No. 33, from War Department
providing the appointment of Maylin Joseph Pickering as Major in the Aviation Section, Signal Reserve Corps. February 8, 1918;"London
Opinion", Vol. LIX, No. 759, October 5th, 1918; United States Army certificate, Major Air Service, Aeronautics. Honorably
discharged at Garden City, New York February 28, 1919; Certificate appointment for Maylin Pickering, Major Air Service from
December 12, 1924 for active duty to be called upon if necessary; and Memorandum from F.E. Hamilton, Comptroller, The Official
Source Records Fund to M.J. Pickering October 7, 1927 regarding being a sponsor of "The Source Records of the Great War" set
of books.
box 1, folder 5
Letters to Mrs. Pickering from Mariam Granville 1893, 1894, 1897, undated
box 1, folder 6
Letters addressed to Mrs. Tomlinson [January] 18, 1902; December 3, 1907; undated
Physical Description: 3 letters.
This folder contains three letters addressed to Mrs. Tomlinson, who is presumably Marie L. Barger Tomlinson, Jessie Tomlinson
Pickering's mother. One letter dated [Jan] 18, 1902 is from J. Mench Chambers, where he learns of Tomlinson's improving condition
and wishes her well; another letter is from Mabel who also wishes Tomlinson well on her recovery after an operation; and the
final letters is from Pastor [Ed Gates] Hill of the First Presbyterian Church inviting her and her son, Paul to service. Also
included with the Chambers letter is a New Years card from Chambers.
box 1, folder 7
Letters to Nelle Pickering from Ethel [Pontz] 1907-1916
Physical Description: 7 letters.
In these letters from Ethel [Pontz] to her sister, Nelle Ethel discusses traveling with their sister Mary; playing cards;
dinners; attending gym classes; inquires about various friends and family including their aunt; doctors visits; and talks
about her upcoming wedding to Frank [McCown] and her wedding dress. She also discusses her experiences living in El Paso,
TX. including her first impressions, the weather, attending a generals' dinner, attending a Hawaiian concert, the climate,
her living arrangements, and discusses her social life including going to dinners and people's homes
These letters were sent from Lancaster, PA. and El Paso, TX to Nelle when she lived in Lancaster, Germantown, Philadelphia,
and Reading, PA.
box 1, folder 8
Letters to Nelle Pickering from Ethel [Pontz] 1917-1934
Physical Description: 8 letters.
In these letters from Ethel [Pontz] to Nelle Pickering she discusses doctor's visits; her health; thanks Nelle for various
gifts; talks about the passing of their aunt Maggie; discusses getting a new maid; talks about her children including when
they got sick with German measles and bronchitis; inquires about Nelle's children; and talks about how an aunt who was staying
with her had a stroke. In the letter dated August 9, 1934 Ethel provides condolences for Mrs. P's passing and discusses her
experiences attending the funeral; discusses her children's school; and talks about George's fractured ribs and collarbone
which landed him in the hospital.
These letters were sent from Lancaster, PA. to Nelle when she lived in Germantown, PA, and St. Louis, MO.
box 1, folder 9
Letters to Nelle Pickering from Ethel [Pontz] circa 1915-1930
Physical Description: 4 letters.
In these letters, Ethel discusses how she enjoyed seeing Nelle; dinner; preparations for Christmas; Christmas gifts that were
received; thanks Nelle for the Christmas gifts; talks about preparing to visit Nelle and waiting for Frank to telegraph money;
discusses the arrival of her wedding gown; talks about their father's illness; and other experiences.
All of these letters were sent to Nelle when she was living in Germantown, PA.
box 1, folder 10
box 1, folder 11
Letters to Nelle Pickering from a cousin, aunt, and others July 28, 1916; March 7, 1926; August 17, 1930; March 8, 1936; undated
Physical Description: 5 letters.
This folder contains five letters. In the first letter from Nelle's aunt, she writes to Nelle inquiring about her health and
inviting Nelle to stay with her if she wishes. In the second letter, an unnamed individual writes to Nelle to discuss playing
bridge, the travels of friends or family, inquiring about Nelle's son, Billy's baptism, discusses genelogy in the family,
and talks about the possible formation of a [chapter] of the Daughters of the Revolution because Nelle's great great grandfather
was in the war. In the third letter, from [Dane] they discuss some of their recently "miseries" which includes Ray being stricken
with apoplexy, and a robbery at their home. In the fourth letters from Mrs. Basil West, she discusses health and how she
misses Basil. In the last letter from Helen she discusses visiting Nelle in the future, inquires about friends and family,
and talks about a trip to the beauty parlor.
These letters were sent to Nelle when she was living in Germantown, PA; Webster Groves, MO; and St. Louis, MO.
box 1, folder 12
Letters to Nelle Pickering from Lillian and Anna Idella Leiter 1916-1919
Physical Description: 4 letters.
This folder contains two letters from Lilian; one letter from "L" (presumably Lillian); and one letter from Anna Leiter.
In the letter from "Dell" Anna Idella Leiter discusses the birth of her son, Roy Allen Leiter Jr. June 7, 1916
In the letter from Lilian, dated July 1916, she discusses an eye exam, dress tailoring, and going shopping. Also included
in the letter postmarked July 1916 is a letter from Ethel in which she discusses getting telegrams from Frank, receiving wedding
gifts, and future travel plans to El Paso, TX.
In the letter from "L" to Nelle dated April 28, 1918, she discusses the wedding of friends; and death of a friend. Included
in this letter are some clippings "L" thinks Nelle will find of interest.
In the letter from Lilian to Nelle, dated December 1919, she wishes her congratulations on her new son; and inquires about
her trip to Texas.
Letters were sent to Nelle when she was living in Germantown, PA, and Waco, TX.
box 1, folder 13
Letters from Nelle Pickering to Maylin J. Pickering February 26, 1916-August 1918
Physical Description: 6 letters.
In the letter dated February 26, 1916, Nelle discusses waiting for Maylin's letters to arrive; talks about receiving a copy
of the "Penna Gazette" with his picture in it; discusses the weather, the children, and paying bills. In this letter there
is also a memorandum from a credit manager to M.J. Pickering regarding an overdue account, and a clipping entitled "Penn Adopts
New Scholastic Rules, Students are Ineligible for Teams if Conditions Exceed 1 1/2 Units".
In the rest of the letters, Nelle discusses having to pay bills; the children; the sicknesses of a few friends; preparing
to visit Maylin; going to the jeweler for Maylin's insignia; the weather; talks about awaiting his letters and how much she
misses him; discusses a trip to the dentist; talks about receiving a package from Maylin; discusses her worries about the
"paralysis epidemic"; and discusses the reorganization of the 2nd Infantry.
These letters were sent from Nelle in Philadelphia, PA to Maylin when he was at Camp MacArthur in Waco, Tx.; the Aviation
Concentration Center in Garden City, Long Island, NY.; and El Paso, TX.
box 1, folder 14
Postcards mostly sent from Maylin Pickering to J.L. Pickering 1903-1916; 1943-1944; undated
This folder contains postcards. A majority of the postcards are from Maylin to J.L. Pickering sent from locations such as
New Jersey, Coney Island, Collegeville, PA., New Haven, CT., Paris, Atlantic City, Lexington, VA., and Berlin from 1903-1907;
as well as postcards from 1913 sent from Camp Mt. Gretna, PA., and Delaware that feature images of majors, colonels, and officers.
Also in this folder are two postcards from July-August 1916 featuring an image of the first brigade, 2nd Pennsylvania Milita
hiking near El Paso, Tx., and Camp Stewart (El Paso, Tx.) officers row. Lastly, this folder contains a number of mostly blank
and undated military comics postcards, as well as one sent from Wallace Adams at Camp Butner, NC. to Norma Oltman, 1943; and
another sent from Bill Moser at Camp Wolters, TX., to Betty Ann Moser, 1943.
box 1, folder 15
loose photographs 1889; July 1915; 1928; undated
A majority of these photographs were taken at a parade and reception for returning Spanish-American War soldiers, 1889. Philadelphia.
Other images in this folder include: an image of the Old Guard State Fencibles circa 1889; images of Pennsylvania National
Guard at Mt. Gretna, PA., July 1915 and undated; a portrait of M.J. Pickering taken in 1928; and an image of M.J. Pickering
and presumably his wife and children playing cards, undated.
box 1, folder 16
Photograph from an album 1904-1908, 1929; undated
This folder includes: images taken in Lexington, VA. of V.M.I Cadets, Washington and Lee University, enroute to "University
of Virginia Institution of ∅z of AXP"; images taken in front of a home in Stratford Conn, July 1907; images taken in Perkasie,
PA of Lt. Blackford, Lt. Lister, officers in the 3rd Infantry of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Lt. C. Riffin, Maj. Williams,
and others; as well as George Roth, "Mother", Edith Potts, Alice Thomas, and others, July 12, 1907; a portrait of an officer
taken in Pine Plains, NY. July 1908; images from the Tull-Robinson bridal party June 1, 1907 Fanwood NJ.; images of Edith
Potts, Alice Thomas, Charley Potts, Howard Okie, Billy Morris and others taken in front of a cabin and in canoes; and images
taken in Byram, PA. on the Delaware of Henry Coates, Sherman Coates, Beulah Coates, Elizabeth Wallace, and others August 1906.
Also included are images of Lt. Norris, Col. Sweeney, Col. Potter, Capt. George Huggins, and others taken in Gettysburg PA
July 1906 ; images taken at a picnic at Stratford, CT., July 1906 with Edith Williamson, Sylvia Coats, Ethel Beach, Dorothy
Wheeler, and others; images taken on sailboats in Betterton, MD. and Beach Haven; and images of a Girl Scouts troop and other
children, 1929, undated. Pages have been removed from the photograph album for preservation purposes. Some photographs are
missing.
box 1, folder 17
box 1, folder 18
notes mostly on churches and genealogy; a poem; and blank letterhead from the Law Offices of Dunne, Morris, Heckscher & Roberts, Philadelphia [18]90; undated
box 1, folder 19
pins, cufflinks, bolo tie, and other ephemera undated
Includes: Boy Scouts of America God and Country and Junior LSS pins; American Dental Political Action pins; UFCW United Food
and Commerical Workers International Union retiree pin; World Dental Federation pin; American Association of Orthodontists
Foundation (AAOF) pin; 1 15 AM American Machinists pin; E Pluribus Urium Army pin; WWII Major Oak Leaf insignia pins; baseball
player bolo tie; watch; cufflinks; and other ephemera.