Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Kane, Thomas Leiper
- Abstract:
- Papers cover primarily Kane's two trips west, in 1846-1847 and in 1858. The collection contains letters, diaries, agreements, clippings, notes for articles and lectures, drafts, sketches, and diagrams. Predominant subject matter is the Mormons, their history, migrations, persecution, and characteristics. Descriptions of travel across the Isthmus of Panama and between San Bernadino, Calif. and Salt Lake City, Utah are also found in the collection.
- Extent:
- 0.5 Linear Feet (1 box)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item] Thomas Leiper Kane Papers, M058, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Thomas L. Kane papers primarily cover his two trips West in 1846-1847, and again, in 1858. There is some material covering the period between these trips and some after 1858. The collection contains letters, diaries, agreements, clippings, notes for articles and lectures, drafts, sketches and some diagrams.
Most of the subject matter relates to the Mormons, their history, migrations, persecutions, and characteristics. Kane also describes in detail the country through which he passed along the Missouri River, across the Isthmus of Panama, and between San Bernardino, Calif., and Salt Lake City, Utah. He also describes the difficulties of a long sea voyage.
A small amount of material relates to the Free Soil question, democracy, and state sovereignty. There is also an account of an Indian massacre, a quasi-biblical history, a "Plea of a condemned man," and a geneology of a branch of Kane's wife's family.
NOTE: Much of this material is in the form of loose notes and drafts and some of it is not in Kane's hand.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Thomas Leiper Kane was a law clerk, abolitionist, an advocate for Mormons, and a Union Army officer during the Civil War. He was born January 27, 1822 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the son of John Kinzing and Jane Duval Leiper Kane. He traveled to England and later studied law in France and served as an attache in the American legation.
After returning from Europe Kane was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar and served as a Clerk of the District Court in eastern Pennsylvania. After 1846 he began advocating for Mormons and worked to mediate tensions betweens Mormons and the federal government. Kane resigned from his post as clerk over disagreement with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1950. He also made two trips to the West in 1846-1847 and in 1858. In 1853 Kane married Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood and they had four children.
In 1861 Kane helped raise the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Reserve Regiment (also known as the 42nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry) and was elected to served as the lieutenant colonel of the regiment. Kane eventually rose to the rank of brevet major general, served in the Army of the Potomac and was wounded multiple times.
After the Civil War Kane helped found the community of Kane, Pennsylvania and served as a director of the Sunbury and Erie Railroad. He also served as president of the Board of State Charities and was a member of the American Philosophical, American Geographical and Pennsylvania Historical Societies. Kane died December 26, 1883 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Note: for a more detailed biographical sketch, see the first folder in the collection.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchased, 1934.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Mormons
Potawatomi Indians - Names:
- Young, Brigham, 1801-1877
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
- Terms of access:
-
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item] Thomas Leiper Kane Papers, M058, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Department of Special Collections, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6004, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022