James Dearing Fauntleroy and his mother

James Dearing Fauntleroy was born in 1869 as the first child of Thomas and Mary Anna. It is clear that James held an interesting life. Avoca is home to many documents pertaining to James, including his personal diary. Perhaps the most memorable time in his life was the Spanish-American War, where he was stationed in the Philippines. James’ time in the Philippines was clearly influential, because he continued to visit for decades after the end of the war. It is also evident that James had a very close relationship to his mother, Mary Anna Fauntleroy. Many of the letters addressed to Mary Anna housed in Avoca’s archives were sent by James. The ones pictured below were even sent from the Philippines. The letters paint a picture of a loving mother-son relationship. James even addresses one letter with “my precious mama.” One of Avoca’s most beloved artifacts was in fact a gift from James to his mother. The bells hanging Avoca’s foyer, right next to the grandfather clock were brought back by James upon the end of his service in the Philippines. These bells hang as a reminder that Avoca was not always a museum and a monument to a bygone era, but instead a home where a family fostered memories and love.