Preservation of American Hellenic History
Preservation of American Hellenic History
by Jason C. Mavrovitis
When Jimmy courted Lily, he probably did so without the consent or support of his parents and family living in Greece. Moreover, he must have been subjected to some level of gossip and derision from the Greek community that had read all about the annulment proceedings in the newspapers. Eleni's devotion to Jimmy as her son-in-law may have stemmed from the fact that he disregarded public scandal, courted and married her daughter.
When they married in the Office of the City Clerk at Brooklyn's Borough Hall on 10 December 1927, Jimmy and Lily had no idea of the ordeal that lay before them. There was only one photograph (now lost) of the young couple on their honeymoon. It was taken on the boardwalk at Atlantic City, Lily wearing a silver fox jacket. Other photographs likely taken in 1927 and early 1928 show an affectionate, well-dressed couple enjoying their courtship and early marriage.
The honeymoon was short lived.
On 1 March 1928, James Tsavalas filed suit in the Supreme Court of Kings County, New York to have Lily's Annulment Decree and Judgment set aside. His sworn deposition attacked the factual bases for Lily's annulment and made sweeping allegations about her character. Tsavalas sudden appearance and legal action must have been a wrenching shock to the young couple and to Eleni, Louie and elderly Vasiliki. They faced a family disaster if Tsavalas prevailed in court.
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