Kennerly Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: A0811

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection consists primarily of Kennerly family correspondence, including several letters of George H. Kennerly to his wife and letters of Claude Saugrain Kennerly to his mother while serving in the army during the Spanish-American War, 1898. (Many of the letters in the collection are typescript transcriptions, not originals.) Also in the collection are a cash book of James and George Kennerly dated 1818-1823; a diary of William Clark Kennerly relating his experiences on an early buffalo hunt, 1843; reminiscences of William Clark Kennerly about his service in the Mexican War, dated circa 1900; and Kennerly family genealogical charts and forms. Collection also includes three diaries of James Kennerly dated 1823-1840. The first volume comprises the dates 1823-1826 (51 pages). The second and third volumes, 1826-1840, contain much information about business, political, and social life in St. Louis during this time. As William Clark's brother-in-law, Kennerly recorded news and activities of family members, mentioning specifically the spectacular funeral of William Clark on Sept. 3, 1838. He recorded experiences traveling in his duties with the 6th Regiment along the Missouri River and dealings with the fur trade and Indian affairs. Kennerly also noted local political campaigns, his plans to get his estate in trust for his wife and children, and social outings such as the theatre and a ball at the Missouri Hotel.

Dates

1812-1948

Creator

Kennerly, George Hancock, 1790-1867 (Author, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. The original diaries of James Kennerly are restricted.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

George Hancock Kennerly was born January 28, 1790, in Fincastle, Virginia, and moved to St. Louis in 1813 with his brother James. He served as a lieutenant in the War of 1812, and in 1828 was appointed postmaster at Jefferson Barracks, just south of St. Louis, Missouri. During the Mexican War he served as assistant quartermaster. In 1825 he married Alziere Menard, daughter of Pierre Menard, the first lieutenant governor of Illinois. George H. Kennerly died January 28, 1867, at Jefferson Barracks.

Extent

0.8 Cubic Feet ( (1 box (approximately 90 items); 1 oversize folder; 2 microfilm reels; 4 volumes))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

Diary of James Kennerly, 1826-1838, was donated by Aline I. Kennerly in February 1962 (accession number 62-0013). Cash book of James and George H. Kennerly, 1818-1823, was donated by Esther Saugrain Bury in October 1954. Letters of Claude Saugrain Kennerly to his mother, dated 1898, and letter of William Clark Kennerly to Professor Justin H. Smith that contains an account of his services in the Mexican War, dated circa 1900, were donated by Mrs. J.K. Beeson and Mrs. Bertrand LeBlanc in September 1963 (accession number 63-0064). Eleven documents, dated 1856-1872, were donated by Mrs. Jerry Mihm in February 1971 (accession number 71-0015). Two letters dated February 19 and March 8, 1829, were donated by Mrs. Daniel K. Russell in June 1955. Several items (as noted in the collection) were loaned by Mrs. Dan R. Russell in 1929.

Existence and Location of Copies

The first volume of James Kennerly's diaries was published in Missouri Historical Society Collections, Vol. VI, No. 1 [October 1928]. Microfilm copies of volumes 2-3 are available to view in the Microfilm Room.