Holmes-Edmonds-Miles family papers

Collection

Identifier: D.341

Staff Only

Biographical/Historical note

This collection is comprised of correspondence of James Smith Holmes and his descendents. The years span from the 1880s to the 1980s and reflect the relationships of almost four generations of a family. James Smith Holmes was a prosperous farmer and prominent citizen who lived in Caton, NY for nearly fifty years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, enlisting at Elmira September 20, 1864, he served one year as a member of the New York Volunteer Infantry 188th regiment until the close of the war. He died April 14, 1905. He and his first wife had seven children, William H., of Springfield, Ohio; Frank T. Holmes of Brooklyn, NY; Anson B. Holmes of Corning, NY, Charles L. Holmes of Elmira, NY; Mrs. Charles Edmonds (Minnie) of Elmira, NY; Mrs. William H. White (Harriet) of Buffalo, NY and Amos who died at twenty-eight years old of blood poisoning.

The first four boxes contain many letters written by Frank T. Holmes to his sister Minnie. Frank lived in Brooklyn, NY and he wrote of his everyday life, raising children, his job and his thoughts and reflections as he grew old. The remaining material centered around the lives of Minnie and Charles Edmonds III's nine children. Lee Holmes; Walter Raymond; Myrtle who married Charles W. Wilbor; Grace Valeda who married Gordon Buzzerd; Florence Mary who married James Barker, William James; Frank Archibald; Charles Marvin; and Harriet Ruth who married Collins L. Miles. Charles was previously married to Eva Rachel Snell in which they had a son Harry Elias Edmonds. She passed when Harry was two years old.

Most of the children remained within New York State, although their children and the next generation did move to other areas, one grandchild as far as Brazil.

One of the renowned members of the family was Harry Edmonds. He established the International House in 1924. The International House is a world- wide network of residences and program centers for graduate students. One can be found at Columbia University and another one on the Berkeley campus of the University of California.

Scope and Contents

The letters were composed of descriptions of everyday activities including births, graduations, marriages and vacations. Each family seemed to make a trip to Aunt Florence's house in Nantucket, MA every year.

Creator

Holmes family (Family)
Edmonds family (Family)
Miles family (Family)
Holmes, Frank T. (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1880-1986

Language of Materials

English

Extent

8 box(es)

Access

The Holmes-Edmonds-Miles Family Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

These papers were given to the University by Peter Miles of Copake Falls, NY in 1989.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Holmes-Edmonds-Miles Family Papers, D.341, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester