Inventory of the Jessie Vanderbilt Simons Papers, 1870-1936 and undated
[top]Descriptive Summary
Repository
Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke
University
Creator
Simons, Jessie Vanderbilt
Title
Jessie Vanderbilt Simons Papers, 1870-1936 and undated
Language of Material
Material in English and German
Extent
6.5 Linear Feet
1000 Items
Abstract
1000 Items
Jessie Vanderbilt McNamee was born in 1874 to a wealthy family residing in Staten Island, New York (Richmond County). In 1901 she married Charles Dewar Simons(1874-1922) and they had one child, Charles Dewar, Jr. Ms. Simons served as a volunteer ambulance driver with the Dongan Hills Motor Corps; helped found and served as the ranking member of the Richmond County chapter of the Red Cross Motor Corps during World War I; served as Vice President of the National Federated Workers for Disabled Soldiers; and was an active member of the Veteran Association of Women War Workers. Her travels throughout Europe during the 1920s and 1930s are documented in diaries, correspondence, and other materials in this collection. Ms. Simons was a friend and neighbor of Alice Austen, a noted photographer who also served in the Richmond County Motor Corps.
The Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers contain materials dating from 1870 to 1936, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1890 to 1936. Materials in the collection primarily document Simons' travels through Europe during the 1920s and 1930s and her work with the Richmond County chapter of the American Red Cross Motor Corps. Twenty-nine yearly diaries detail daily life, family life, travel, participation in the Motor Corps, and other philanthropic activities. Correspondence with her son, family, and friends is also included; as are receipts, invoices, and other financial materials, primarily from travel to Europe; correspondence, printed materials, a scrapbook, and other items documenting Simons' service with the American Red Cross Motor Corps; material relating to friend, photographer, and fellow Motor Corps member Alice Austen; and photographs.
[top]
Administrative Information
Access RestrictionsCollection is open for research.
However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Copyright Notice
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Jessie Vanderbilt Simons Papers, Rare Book,
Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Jessie Vanderbilt Simons Papers were received by the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library as a
purchase in 2007.
Processing Information
Processed by Jodi Berkowitz and Melody Rowell, November 2008
Encoded by Jodi Berkowitz, November 2008
Accession 2007-0149 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Biographical Note
Jessie Vanderbilt McNamee was born in 1874 to a wealthy family residing in Staten Island, New York (Richmond County). In 1901 she married Charles Dewar Simons(1874-1922) and they had one child, Charles Dewar, Jr. Ms. Simons served as a volunteer ambulance driver with the Dongan Hills Motor Corps; helped found and served as the ranking member of the Richmond County chapter of the Red Cross Motor Corps during World War I; served as Vice President of the National Federated Workers for Disabled Soldiers; and was an active member of the Veteran Association of Women War Workers. Her travels throughout Europe during the 1920s and 1930s are documented in diaries, correspondence, and other materials in this collection. Ms. Simons was a friend and neighbor of Alice Austen, a noted photographer who also served in the Richmond County Motor Corps.
[top]Collection Overview
The Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers contain materials dating from 1870 to 1936, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1890 to 1936. Materials in the collection primarily document Simons' travels through Europe during the 1920s and 1930s and her work with the Richmond County chapter of the American Red Cross Motor Corps. Twenty-nine yearly diaries detail daily life, family life, travel, participation in the Motor Corps, and other philanthropic activities. Correspondence with her son, family, and friends is also included; as are receipts, invoices, and other financial materials, primarily from travel to Europe; correspondence, printed materials, a scrapbook, and other items documenting Simons' service with the American Red Cross Motor Corps; material relating to friend, photographer, and fellow Motor Corps member Alice Austen; and photographs.
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Subject Headings
These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
- American Red Cross--Women's Motor Corps.
- Austen, Alice--1866-1952.
- Diaries.
- Europe--Description and travel.
- Invoices.
- Photographs.
- Photographers--United States.
- Receipts (financial records).
- Richmond County (NY.)--History.
- Scrapbook.
- Simons family.
- Simons, Jessie Vanderbilt.
- Staten Island (New York, NY.)--History.
- Voluntarism--United States.
- Women--New York (State)--History--20th century.
- Women--United States--History--20th century.
- Women artists.
- Women volunteers in social service--United States.
- World War, 1914-1918--War work--United States.
- World War, 1914-1918--Women.
 | List of Series in Collection | |||||||
 |  | Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers, 1870-1936 and undated | ||||||
Detailed Description of Collection
Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers, 1870-1936 and undated
11 Boxes
The Jessie Vanderbilt Simons papers contain materials dating from 1870 to 1936, with the bulk of the collection dating from 1890 to 1936. Materials in the collection primarily document Simons' travels through Europe during the 1920s and 1930s and her work with the Richmond County chapter of the American Red Cross Motor Corps. Twenty-nine yearly diaries detail daily life, family life, travel, participation in the Motor Corps, and other philanthropic activities. Correspondence with her son, family, and friends is also included; as are receipts, invoices, and other financial materials, primarily from travel to Europe; correspondence, printed materials, a scrapbook, and other items documenting Simons' service with the American Red Cross Motor Corps; material relating to friend, photographer, and fellow Motor Corps member Alice Austen; and photographs. Files are arranged alphabetically.
Box 1
American Red Cross, 1914-1922 and undated
(5 folders)
Jessie Vanderbilt Simons initially served as Captain of the Dongan Hills Motor Corps, which was later incorporated into the Richmond County Motor Corps. Included are signed letters dated 1914 from Secretary of State Robert Lansing and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels responding to letters from Simons concerning transportation of Americans attempting to return from England due to wartime conditions. Other correspondence relates to her service in the Motor Corps and her dismissal as Captain of the organization.
Alice Austen, 1880s, 1896, 1931-1934, 1978-1987, and undated
(2 folders)
Correspondence, 1890-1936 and undated
(Folders 1-2 of 4)
Box 2
Correspondence, 1890-1936 and undated
(Folders 3-4 of 4)
Diaries, 1870-1873, 1890-1893
(5 items)
Box 3
Diaries, 1895-1902
(6 items)
Box 4
Diaries, 1903-1916
(8 items)
Box 5
Diaries, 1918-1925
(9 items)
Box 6
Diaries, 1926-1934
(9 items)
Box 7
Diary, 1935
Financial and related materials, 1913-1936 and undated
(6 folders)
A large number of receipts and invoices among these materials are in German.
Box 8
Photographs, 1890s-1930s
Photographs are of Jessie Vanderbilt Simons (4), the Simons home (1), Charles Dewar Simons, Jr. (6), Jessie Vanderbilt Simons and Charles Dewar Simons, Jr. (2), American Red Cross activities (4), Charles Simons' parents (1), Jessie Vanderbilt Simons and Charles Simons (1), Charles Simons (1). Five unidentified photographs are also included.
Box 9
Photographs, 1890s-1930s
Photographs are of Jessie Vanderbilt Simons (2), Jessie Vanderbilt Simons and Charles Dewar Simons, Jr. (1), American Red Cross activities (2), Charles Simons' father (1), Charles Simons' parents (2), Jessie Vanderbilt Simons and her sister, Faith (1), Faith (5), Charles Simons (3).
Box 10
Photographs, 1890s-1930s
Photographs are of Jessie Vanderbilt Simons' sister, Faith (2).
Box 11
Scrapbook, 1917-1920
Documents Simons' service with the American Red Cross, the American Red Cross Motor Corps, the Richmond County Motor Corps, and the National Federated Workers for Disabled Soldiers.
