Skip to main content

Kane, Thomas L. (Thomas Leiper), 1822-1883

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1822 - 1883

biographical statement

Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883) was lawyer, abolitionist, Civil War soldier, frontiersman, and advocate for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Thomas Leiper Kane was born January 27, 1822 in Philadelphia to Judge John Kintzing Kane and Jane Duval Leiper. He attained the bar in 1846, after studying law with his father. He served as clerk in his father's court until 1850, at which point he resigned due to a moral conflict with the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. He went on to become an active member of the Underground Railroad. Kane became interested in the migration of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the West, and was crucial in securing government aid for the movement. His friendship with Brigham Young is credited with the non-violent resolution of the Utah War. At the advent of the Civil War Kane organized a volunteer Union Army regiment known as the "Bucktails" and served as lieutenant-colonel of that outfit. He later was brevetted the rank of major-general for his service at Gettysburg. After his military service he retired to found the town of Kane, Pennsylvania. In 1853 Kane married Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood, and together they had four children: Harriet Amelia Kane (1854-1896); Elisha Kent Kane (1856-1935); Evan O'Neill Kane (1861-1932); and Thomas Leiper Kane, Jr. (1863-1929). Kane died of pneumonia in Philadelphia on December 26, 1883.

Citation:
Dict. of American Biog. Vol. X, 1928: p. 258 (educated by his father, founded Civil War regiment called "The Bucktails, brevetted rank of Major General for service at Gettysburg, participated in Underground Railroad, peacefully negotiated the end of the Utah War, married Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood in 1853, died of pneumonia in 1883)

Story of John Kane of Dutchess County, New York, 1921: p. 4-5 (children named Harriet Amelia Kane; Elisha Kent Kane; Evan O'Neill Kane; and Thomas Leiper Kane, Jr., founded Kane, Pennsylvania)

Ancestry.org, Jan. 29, 2013: (four children: Harriet Amelia Kane (1854-1896); Elisha Kent Kane (1856-1935); Evan O'Neill Kane (1861-1932); and Thomas Leiper Kane, Jr. (1863-1929))

Found in 19 Collections and/or Records:

Thomas L. and Elizabeth W. Kane paintings

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 3913
Scope and Contents

The Thomas L. and Elizabeth W. Kane Paintings, circa 1860-1865, include one archival series: Paintings, circa 1860-1865.

Dates: Approximately 1860-1865

Ancestors and descendants of Thomas L. Kane and Elizabeth W. Kane collection

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231041911]
Identifier: MSS 2212
Scope and Contents

This collection is a progressional compilation of genealogical information on Thomas L. Kane, his wife Elizabeth Dennistoun Wood Kane, and their ancestors and descendants.

Dates: 1999

Thomas L. Kane autograph

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230327857]
Identifier: MSS 991
Scope and Contents

Autograph on an extracted fly leaf from a book which was presented to J. C. Little on 17 Feb. 1840.

Dates: 1840 February 17

Thomas L. Kane diary

 Item — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 807
Scope and Contents

Pocket diary kept by Kane beginning in June 1858, apparently while he was in Utah negotiating between the Mormons and government during the 1857-1858 Utah War.

Dates: 1858

Thomas L. Kane pocket diary and correspondence

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 796
Scope and Contents Pocket diary, 1852, 12 x 7.5 cm, one volume, bound, brass-clasped, black with gold lettering, pencil entries and pencil sketches throughout; Letter of Brigham Young to Kane, 15 Dec. 1859, 7 pp., encapsulated; three additional holographic letters: Thomas L. Kane to his aunt, Mrs. Constable, n.d. 1 p.; Kane to Samuel P. Bates, historian of Pennsylvania, 6 April 1867, 2 pp.; letter of Elizabeth W. Kane to her son Elisha, 24 February 1900. 2pp. Also a photocopy of letter of Thomas L. Kane to his...
Dates: 1852-1900

Jesse C. Little letters received and pamphlets

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230309210]
Identifier: MSS SC 1124
Scope and Contents

Letters received, miscellaneous items, and pamphlets composed by Little. These materials largely deal with Little's activities in the mission field in the 1840's. Letters are from such prominent individuals as Brigham Young (1801-1877) and Thomas L. Kane.

Dates: 1844-1892

Thomas L. Kane papers, 1840-1908

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 3190 Series 2
Scope and Contents Contains materials related to the life and activites of Kane. These include two bound volumes, a pocketbook, and a variety of papers, botanical pressings, and letters. The bound volumes contain anecdotes and histories in English and French about Thomas's family. The papers mostly concern the relationship between Thomas and the Mormon Church, including a letter from Brigham Young, a patriarchal blessing given to him by John Smith, and a cipher to be used while referring to Mormon leaders over...
Dates: Other: 1840-1908

Brigham Young letter to Thomas L. Kane

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197233286795]
Identifier: Vault MSS 144
Scope and Contents

Handwritten and unsigned draft of a letter, dated May 6, 1873, and addressed to Thomas Leiper Kane. Young writes to Kane with advice relating to Kane's estate.

Dates: 1873 May 6

Brigham Young letters to Thomas L. Kane

 File — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 4096
Scope and Contents

Letters were handwritten by Brigham Young to Thomas L. Kane on October 30, 1854. In the letters Young asks Kane to serve as Utah's territorial delegate to Congress. The two letters are identical and were sent separately to ensure delivery. Collection also includes photocopies of the letters.

Dates: 1854 October 30