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Gladys McVay Skinner Collection

1 box (0.5 linear feet)

(1886 – 1929)

bulk 1886-1902

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier SC2021.014
Creator(s) Skinner, Charles Edward; Skinner, Gladys McVay
Acquisition

Acquired by Dr. Beatriz Hardy (Dean of Libraries and Instructional Resources) in November 2020.
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding Aid Written by Kate Harris, August 2021
Related Materials None
Separated Materials See Nabb Center Staff
Abstract

This collection is primarily correspondence, with a few postcards and invitations, between Gladys McVay and Charles Edward Skinner from 1886 to 1929, with the majority of letters from 1886 to 1902. The collection also includes letters from C.E. Skinner's parents and brothers as well as letters to and from Gladys McVay's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace W. McVay, and letters from Gladys' sister, Pearl MacVay. Beginning in 1886 the letters chronicle daily life, education, social and work life throughout McVay's and Skinner's college years, marriage and raising their family.

Biographical History

Harriette Gladys McVay Skinner was born to Wallace McVay and Anna Pamelia McCune in March 1868 in Athens, Ohio.  She had 8 siblings. She graduated Ohio University in 1889 and married Charles Edward Skinner on April 25, 1893. Together they had 5 children.

Charles Edward Skinner, born May 30, 1865 to Thomas Peter Skinner and Harriet Newel Brown in Ohio, graduated Ohio State University in 1890, and became an electrical engineer with Westinghouse Electric Company. Charles also had 8 siblings. Charles died on May 12, 1950.

 

Harriette Gladys McVay Skinner Family Search Entry

Charles Edward Skinner Family Search Entry

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of the letters, dated from 1886 to 1929 cover the courtship and early married life of Gladys McVay and Charles Edward Skinner. The topics include social and family life, education and work life of McVay and Skinner. Letters from McyVay's siblings and parents, friends, and Skinner's siblings and parents round out the descriptions of midwestern daily life in the late 19th Century. The letters chronicle the early family life of McVay and Skinner and Skinner's developing career. The collection includes several postcards and invoices as well as a telegram notifying Skinner of his grandmother's passing. Found within the collection is a letter of reference from Staley & Sheherd Patent Attorneys and Experts for C.E. Skinner's work developing a new cash register; Invitation to Commencement of The Ashtabula High School Commencement, 1893; Program for Adelbert College Glee & Mandolin Clubs, 1984; and a wedding invitiation for Ida Louise Baird and Games Graden Skinner, 1894.

 

Arrangement Statement

The letters are arranged chronologically.

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Education
    • Family Life
    • Social Life and Customs
  • Location Terms
    • Ohio

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

1. Correspondence, 1886-1888 (letters to C.E. Skinner from Gladys MacVay, brother Oden Skinner, sister Ness, brother Herb, Aunt Tillie Johnston and parents)

2. Correspondence, 1889 (letters to  C.E. Skinner from Gladys MacVay, brother Ernest B. Skinner; to Mrs. MacVay from Pearl; to Gladys MacVay from, M.W. Harrison, Emma, Mabel K. Brown, her father and mother)

3. Correspondence, 1890 (letters to Mrs. MacVay from Gladys, Pearl; letters to C.E. Skinner from Gladys, brother Ernest B. Skinner, sister Alda C. Skinner, brother Frank N. Skinner, brother Oden Skinner, cousin Charles, W.H. Spencer, A.V. Smith, Henry A. Williams, assorted other friends and colleagues)

4. Correspondence, 1891 (letters to C.E. Skinner from, Gladys MacVay, siblings, Mella Fritcleey, S. Charles Kershaw, W.L Graves,; Mrs. MacVay from Gladys)

5. Correspondence, 1892 (letters to C.E. Skinner from S.B. Clayton, Mrs. W.C. Coe)

6. Correspondence, 1893 (letters to Gladys MacVay Skinner from Lizzie W. Tillilan, cousin Blanche C. Longstuth, C.W. Cookston, Strick W. Gillilan, sister Pearl, mother, Herbert; to C.E. Skinner from sister Nellie; letters to the newly married couple Gladys MacVay Skinner and C.E. Skinner from assorted friends)

7.  Correspondence, 1894 (letters to Gladys and C.E from siblings and parents, Lenore M.W.; to Mrs. Skinner from Herb, Lizzie; to Pearl MacVay from L.M. Gillilan; and others)

8. Correspondence, 1895 (letters to B.M.I. from Pearl; to Bertha from Herb)

9. Correspondence, 1898 (letters to Gladys' mother (Mrs. Wallace W. MacVay) from Gladys, to Gladys from C.E. Skinner; to Gladys from her mother)

10. Correspondence, 1899 (letters to Mrs. Wallace W. MacVay from Gladys, to Gladys from C.E. Skinner)

11. Correspondence, 1902 (letters to Gladys from Cres Skinner, C.E. Skinner)

12. Correspondence, 1903 (letters to Gladys from her mother and father, Nell; to Nell from Grace H. Jones; assorted others)

13. Correspondence, 1905-1929 (letters to Gladys from Lizzie Gillilan, parents, cousin Vera (newspaper clipping enclosed); to C.E. Skinner from parents; to Grandma (Gladys' mother, photo of child enclosed), Gladys, Nellie Skinner; Mr. & Mrs. MacVay from Elizabeth Williams, Gladys)

14. Correspondence, Misc, undated (empty envelopes, telegram; letters to Gladys; to Robert Ullman; to Mr. & Mrs. Skinner from Emily Clark Scott; to son from pa; church tithe form; invoices & shipping receipts)

 

 

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None