Emery, Mary Abbott and Julia Chester. Papers

PP-00-R0096

The Archives of the Episcopal Church

Fonds

Emery, Mary Abbott and Julia Chester. Papers

• 1840-1980 (bulk 1866-1922) (Creation)

1.7 cu.ft. (5 boxes)

Mary Abbott Emery and Julia Chester Emery were both instrumental in the founding, development, and growth of the Woman’s Auxiliary to the Board of Missions. In 1871, Mary Abbott Emery was appointed secretary of the newly formed Woman's Auxiliary and was chiefly responsible for its founding and early development. Though she resigned as secretary in 1876 to marry the Rev. Dr. Alvi T. Twing, she continued to be actively involved. After the death of her husband in 1882 she was appointed honorary secretary of the Woman's Auxiliary, a position she held until her death in 1901. Julia Chester Emery was appointed secretary of the Woman's Auxiliary in 1876, after her sister Mary Abbott Emery resigned the position. During her forty-year tenure she directed the expansion of the Woman’s Auxiliary into every domestic and missionary diocese of The Episcopal Church and was key to the founding and growth of the United Offering (now the United Thank Offering). She traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, visiting mission stations and speaking on behalf of the Auxiliary.

The Papers of Mary Abbott and Julia Chester Emery primarily consist of correspondence documenting major events in the lives of the sisters. Julia Emery’s correspondence documents her travels, retirement, and death, leading to a rather unbalanced picture of her life. Mary Emery’s correspondence is much more prolific, with letters existing for almost every year between 1862 and 1901. Also included in the collection are manuscripts, printed material, clippings, and memorabilia. Limited correspondence, biographical information, and literary works relating to other family members, including their father, John Emery, are also present.

Correspondence, 1840-1980
Literary Production, 1882-1918
Lists, 1876
Memorabilia, 1908-1922
Biographical, 1882-1922

Access to Episcopal Church records is governed by the Archives Public Access Policy. Research requests must be submitted in writing.

The Archives is able to respond to limited requests for reproductions subject to copyright restrictions, internal policy, and the condition of the source documents.

• English

• Triennial Meetings of the Women of the Episcopal Church. Records
• Episcopal Church Women. Records
• Triennial Meetings of the Women of the Episcopal Church. Records

• Board of Missions
• Episcopal Church Women
• General Division of Women’s Work
• Woman's Auxiliary
• Women’s ministries
• Women in the Episcopal Church

• Emery, John Abbott (Subject)
• Mills, William Hammond (Subject)
• Twing, Alvi Tabor (Subject)
• Emery, Julia Chester (Subject)
• Emery, Mary Abbott (Subject)

• Slides