Call Number:

09

Repository:

Radnor Historical Society

Extent:

1.0 linear feet

Language:

English

Date:

1892-1950 (inclusive)

Creator:

Schultz, Emilie Sayen, 1873-1950

Abstract:

Emilie Longstreth Sayen (1873-1950) and George W. Schultz (1864-1957) both came from upper class families and married in 1892 in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Among other interests, Emilie enjoyed the popular Victorian hobby of scrapbooking. George held many patents, and was an amateur photographer and illustrator. They had five children together before separating around 1904 and divorcing in 1913. The Emilie Sayen Schultz family scrapbooks, 1892-1950, are from Emilie Sayen Schultz, the Sayen family, and Emilie's husband, George W. Schultz. Most of the scrapbooks document the lives of wealthy Philadelphia suburbanites from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, although one is focused on World War I. The photograph albums depict scenes from Wayne, Pennsylvania and other areas nearby.

Emilie Longstreth Sayen was born in 1873 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to William Henry Sayen and Katharine Burling Longstreth. She grew up in an upper class family in the last quarter of the 19th century. Her family moved to Wayne (Delaware County, Pa.) where her father, a Civil War veteran and manufacturer, was heavily involved in politics. He unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Pennsylvania in the late 19th century, but did serve as the first president of the Radnor Township Board of Commissioners in 1901, a position he held for many years. Emilie's mother, Kate, was a founder of the Radnor Township Memorial Library and Wayne's Saturday Club. She also served as first president of the library.

Emilie Sayen married George W. Schultz in 1892. They lived in Wayne and had five children: William Henry Sayen Schultz, a World War I soldier killed in action in 1918; Katharine Schultz Wood Leonard; Muriel Elizabeth Schultz; Alexander Inloes Schultz; and Emily Longstreth Schultz. Around 1904 Emilie and George separated, legally divorcing in 1913. Emilie passed away in 1950.

George W. Schultz was born in 1864 to George Henry Schultz and Elizabeth C. Winterhalter in Philadelphia. Although his formal education ended at the high school level, he was an autodidact. He was very creative, as evidenced by the fact that he held many patents, taught himself illustration, and was an amateur photographer. He was involved in the scrap iron business and, for a little while, the rubber industry with his brother-in-law Osgood Sayen. It is believed that George developed a type of nervous condition that contributed to the deterioration of his marriage. George passed away in 1957.

Bibliography:

Donohoe, Victoria. "More Than a Vacant Mansion Likely to Be Lost: The 20-Room Sullivan Hall, Now Headed for Demolition, Once Conveyed The Values of an Ambitious Family." Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA), December 10, 2000. Accessed on March 26, 2014. http://articles.philly.com/2000-12-10/news/25579465_1_mansion-demolition-white-house.

Schultz, William H. "George Winterhalter Schultz: Notes and a Brief Genealogy." July 10, 2010. Document from Radnor Historical Society manuscript collection, 1702-circa 2010, Schultz family binder.

This collection consists of scrapbooks and photograph albums from Emilie Sayen Schultz, the Sayen family, and Emilie's husband, George W. Schultz. Most of the scrapbooks document the lives of wealthy Philadelphian suburbanites from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century. The photograph albums depict scenes from Wayne, Pennsylvania and other areas nearby.

Emilie Sayen Schultz (1873-1950) compiled many of the scrapbooks in the collection. One contains clippings about her friends and relations, circa 1917-1950. Other scrapbooks of Emilie's begin at the time of her marriage (in 1892) or shortly thereafter, and consist of invitations, clippings, event programs, and other material documenting the lives of members of high society, including her divorce from George. One scrapbook of note is about World War I, and includes information about the involvement of Emilie and George's son, William Henry Sayen Schultz, killed in action in France in 1918. (The scrapbook continues for a few more years after 1918).

There is a Sayen family scrapbook, 1897-1936, with newspaper clippings, event invitations, tickets, ephemera, and other materials relating to Sayen family members, including those in New Jersey.

The two photograph albums (1888-1904) consist of images taken by George W. Schultz. The photographs show the development of Wayne, Pennsylvania and various other local scenes. Some of the photographs were used in advertisements for local developers.

Also available on-site is a binder of copies of illustrations by George W. Schultz, and some genealogy research about both the Schultz and Sayen families.