This month the theme of travel continues with a letter from a wealthy American client that provides insights on international travel and tourism at the turn of the 20th century and demonstrates the interaction between business and social networks.
Mary Clark Thompson (1835-1923) was a noted American philanthropist and the widow of the banker Frederick Ferris Thompson (1836-1899), a founder of First National Bank of the City of New York, a predecessor of Citibank. Mrs Thompson lived in New York City and spent summers at Sonnenberg, her estate in Canandaigua, New York State.
In 1903 Mrs Thompson was travelling in Europe and she wrote to John Baring, 2nd Lord Revelstoke (1863-1920). Revelstoke was senior partner at Barings and in her letter Mrs Thompson asked if he could provide a letter of introduction to his friends and correspondents who might be able to assist her as she continued her travels in Asia.
Mrs Thompson wrote that she planned to travel to St Petersburg, Moscow and then onwards on the Trans-Siberian Railway. On reaching China she hoped to visit Peking (Beijing) and then to proceed to Port Arthur (Lüshunkou District) and Dalney (Dailian). She also requested introductions to any bank correspondents located in Japan and India.
Mrs Thompson’s travel companions were to be General and Mrs Winslow of New York, fellow Americans who were long term residents at Paris. Edward Francis Winslow (1837-1914) had served in the American Civil War and was also a railroad executive. The Winslows were close family friends of Mrs Thompson, in fact General Winslow died at Sonnenberg in 1914 and is buried at Canandaigua.
Lord Revelstoke was happy to be of assistance to Mrs Thompson. Surviving in the Baring Archive is a draft of his letter of introduction. He described Mrs Thompson as a very valued client. A note that suggests that he was able to provide her with contacts in Russia, China and Japan.
Mrs Thompson’s travels inspired her to create beautiful landscaped gardens at her summer estate. She even included a classic Japanese garden complete with a tea house. Her gardens at Sonnenberg can still be visited today, a lasting legacy of her trip.