Kernan family papers, 1776-1922.
Collection Number: 772

Letters, clippings, speeches, and miscellaneous items relating to the activities of the Kernan family of Utica, including letters to Francis Kernan referring to his election as U.S. representative (1862), as Democratic candidate for governor (1872), U.S. Senator (1875-1881), to the presidential campaigns (1864-1892), the currency question (1877-1878), the tariff (1888-1889), state and national Democratic party politics (1862-1892). Papers on the development of transportation include correspondence of John D. Kernan, Railroad Commissioner (1883-1887); miscellaneous material relating to the Utica & Black River R.R. (1883-1890); Flint & Pere Marquette R.R. Company (1883); Guatemala R.R. (1885); Denver & Rio Grande Railway Company (1886); Gloversville Railroad plan (1889); Utica, Clinton, Binghamton R.R. Company (1901); the proposed improvement of the Erie, Oswego, and Champlain canals (1900); and the plan to build canals on the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers (1905). Miscellaneous correspondence relates to the effects of the Embargo (1808-1809); political and military events during the War of 1812 (1812-1815); Democratic party politics (1832-1834), account of draft riots, (1863); and manners and morals during the Civil War. Also, included are genealogical records of the Hyde, Butler, Avery, and Clapp families. Approximate 300 Boxes and 200 volumes of records for law firm of Kernan & Kernan, Utica, are housed separately and are restricted.

Kernan family papers, #772. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.

General William Kernan came from Ireland to America in 1799, settled in Tyrone, Schuyler County, N.Y., and married Rose Stubbs (also from Ireland) in 1808. Their children were Francis, Edward, Jane (Mrs. George E. Quin), Winifred, Alice, Rose, William, Michael J. Francis married Hannah Avery Devereux (1820-1902), the daughter of Nicholas Devereux and Mary Dolbear Butler. Their children were John D., Nicholas E., Francis, Thomas, Joseph, William J., Walter N., Elizabeth and Mary (a nun, Convent - Sacred Heart Albany). Elizabeth Butler was the sister of Mary Dolbear Butler Devereux.

Francis Kernan was born January 14, 1816 and died September 8, 1892. He went to country school, then to Georgetown at age of 17. He studied law in the office of Edward Quin of Watkins Glen then went into Utica office of Joshua Spencer. In 1853 he went into partnership with brother-in-law, George E. Quin. Key points on his career timeline include: reporter of the Court of Appeals alderman of the 4th Ward (1844-1848); NY Assemblyman (1860); US House of Representatives (1862); member of State Constitutional Convention (1867); US Senator (1875-1881); member of electoral commission that decided the election of Hayes (1876); ran for Governor with Chauncey Depew as candidate for Lieutenant Governor (1872); the Greeley Campaign in National Politics (1872).