Edward Jenner Steptoe letter
Scope and Contents
Handwritten letter on blue paper from Steptoe to Sydney Webster, personal secretary of President Franklin Pierce, written on the day Steptoe discovered his appointment as Governor of Utah Territory by President Pierce. In the letter, he enumerates his reservations about the job, praises Governor Brigham Young, expresses doubt about the efficacy of limiting polygamy, and comments generally on the political climate in Salt Lake City. Dated February 7, 1855.
Dates
- 1855 February 7
Creator
- Steptoe, Edward Jenner, 1815-1865 (author, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Edward Jenner Steptoe letter must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.
Biographical History
Edward Jenner Steptoe (1816-1865) was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army and was active throughout the Western United States.
Edward Jenner Steptoe was born on November 7, 1815 in Bedford County, Virginia to Nancy Brown and William Steptoe. He was educated at the U.S. Military Academy, graduating in 1837. During 1838-1842 he served in the Indian conflicts in Florida. He later fought in the Mexican War, where he was promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel.
In 1854 Steptoe traveled to the western United States on assignment from the United States government. While wintering in Utah, he was informed that President Franklin Pierce was appointing him as Governor of Utah Territory. He declined the appointment and continued with his assignment on the West Coast.
Steptoe later fought against Indians in Washington Territory and was injured there in 1858. He took sick leave until 1861, when he resigned his commission.
On January 18, 1860 Steptoe married Mary Rosanna Claytor. The couple had one daughter, Rosanna Eliza, who only lived two years. On April 1, 1865, Edward Steptoe died near Lynchburg, Virginia.
Extent
1 folder (0.01 linear ft)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Pruchased from James Cummins Bookseller in January 2017.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased; James Cummins Bookseller; 2017.
Appraisal
Utah and American West and LDS cultural, social, and religious history (19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts collection development policy IV.a.i.1 and 4, November 2013).
Existence and Location of Copies
Transcript availiable in folder 2.
General
Holograph, signed.
General
1 folded sheet (4 pages); , measuring 25 x 40 cm folded to 25 x 20 cm
Processing Information
Processed; Elizabeth Kane, student manuscript processor; and Ryan K. Lee, curator; 2017.
- Title
- Register of Edward Jenner Steptoe letter
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Elizabeth Kane
- Date
- 2017 April 10
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States