Kent Family Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MS-0223

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This small but rich collection consists mostly of letters written by Jessie Kent to her mother Kate Kent, who lived in San Diego, but also includes other correspondence written to Jessie and Kate by various relations and suitors. Jessie's letters frequently allude to marital troubles with her husband Fred Avery, financial troubles, and family issues. Moving from Los Angeles to New York and back again, Jessie and Fred raise their child Fred Jr. with considerable difficulty, becoming penniless in New York City at several points. The family settled in Los Angeles in 1923. Kate's papers include letters from her other children, Nita and Harry, and her sister May, as well as a copy of her divorce filing. The collection also contains a notebook with a story titled "A Silent Lilly of France" by Jessi Kent.

Dates

Creation: 1915-1923
Creation: Majority of material found in 1921

Creator

Kent, Jessie (Jessie Kent Avery) (Person)
Kent, Kate (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.