Thomas P. Stoney Papers, 1886-1987 SCHS Call # 100.00
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Thomas P. Stoney papers, 1886-1987 SCHS Call # 100.00 Creator: Stoney, Thomas P. (Thomas Porcher), 1889-1973. Description: Manuscripts - 15 linear feet; Visual Materials – 2.5 linear feet Note: Visual Materials Project made possible by funding generously provided through the NHPRC. Related photographs are stored separately in SCHS Visual Materials collection. Finding Aid for the visual materials begins on page 48. Biographical Historical Note: Berkeley County and Charleston, S.C. attorney and politician. He began his legal career in 1911 working for prominent Charleston attorney J.P.K. Bryan and subsequently practiced law independently and in partnership with several other attorneys. Stoney began his political career by winning the race for South Carolina ninth circuit solicitor in 1916, a position to which he was reelected in 1920. Stoney was elected mayor of Charleston in 1923 and again in 1927. As a member of the Democratic Party Stoney ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat incumbent U.S. Senator James F. Byrnes in 1936. Stoney remained active in politics throughout his life, working for the election of Dwight D. Eisenhower and participating in the South Carolinians for Independent Electors movement and efforts to block desegregation. Stoney became increasingly alienated from the Democratic Party. Throughout his career he maintained an aversion for the growing influence of federal power. He married Beverly Means DuBose in 1915, and their children were Randell Croft Stoney, Theodore DuBose Stoney, and Laurence O'Hear Stoney. Scope and Content: The most significant portion of the papers consists of correspondence (1909-1971) relating to many aspects of Stoney's personal and family life and legal and political careers. Case and client records include papers pertaining to the sale of Social Hall, The Bluff, and Airy Hall plantations (1920s-1930s); and papers of genealogical interest (1921) pertaining to Laura Parker and Adam Wright, an African- American couple married at Bellville Plantation in 1873 who later moved to Charleston. Other case records also pertain to African-Americans. There are other papers (including reports, newsletters, clippings, and other material) pertaining to Stoney's educational, political, social, and fraternal memberships and affiliations. Organizations include Porter Military Academy, University of the South (Sewanee, Tenn.), University of South Carolina (especially in regard to the football program), Charleston Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Athletic Club, and several Episcopal churches. Plantation and farm records (1939-1971) include financial and property records pertaining to a farm in Ladson (S.C.) and Kensington Plantation. Also included are the papers of Beverly Means DuBose Stoney (Mrs. Thomas P. Stoney), Randell Croft Stoney, Theodore DuBose 1 Stoney, and Laurence O'Hear Stoney. Financial records include bills and invoices. Among Stoney's miscellaneous legal papers is an account book (1912-1916) for legal fees. Other items include numerous speeches (1901-1962) by Thomas P. Stoney and others; biographical information; his will (1921); a group of topical files (mostly printed material) concerning various subjects of interest including agriculture, the Bushy Park Project (1950s), Interstate 95 (1960s), race relations, segregation, communism and communist infiltration of or influence on civil rights groups and leaders, including the NAACP and Martin Luther King, wartime fundraising (WW II), political campaigns, opposition to desegregation, vice (prostitution, gambling, illicit liquor sales) in Charleston, Stoney's service on the South Carolina Penitentiary Board (Dept. of Corrections), states’ rights, unions (especially tobacco workers), urban renewal, Stoney Field (a stadium named in his honor), the Supreme Court, and local and national politics, especially the policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. Abstract: The most significant portion of the papers consists of correspondence relating to many aspects of Stoney's personal and family life and legal and political careers. Plantation and farm records (1939-1971) include financial and property records pertaining to a farm in Ladson (S.C.) and Kensington Plantation. Also included are the papers of Beverly Means DuBose Stoney (Mrs. Thomas P. Stoney), Randell Croft Stoney, Theodore DuBose Stoney, and Laurence O'Hear Stoney. Records relating to Stoney’s work at the law firms of Stoney & Cordes, Stoney & McGowan, Stoney, Crosland & Pritchard, Stoney & Crosland, and Stoney & Stoney are also included. Note: A portion of the papers of Thomas P. Stoney was processed and cataloged in 1996. The rest of the collection, which had been stored in an offsite facility, was later brought to SCHS. In May 2007 the processing of these additional papers was completed and they were worked into the existing collection. The boxes and folders were rearranged and renumbered. The finding aid reflects the new organization of the collection. Most of the information contained in the following notes was compiled in 1996 and is offered as valuable background and context for the collection. Preferred Citation: Stoney, Thomas P. (Thomas Porcher), 1889-1973. Thomas P. Stoney papers, 1886-1987. (100.00) South Carolina Historical Society. Search Terms: Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969. King, Martin Luther, Jr., Jr., 1929-1968. Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945. Stoney, Beverly Means Dubose, 1894-1976. Stoney, Laurence O'Hear, 1921-1992. Stoney, Randell Croft, 1916-1994. Stoney, Theodore DuBose, 1918-1982. Stoney, Thomas P. (Thomas Porcher), 1889-1973. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. South Carolina Penitentiary. Board of Directors. 2 University of South Carolina -- Football. University of the South. African Americans -- South Carolina -- 20th century. Civil rights movements -- Southern States. Communism -- United States. Democratic Party (U.S.) -- History -- 20th century. Farms -- South Carolina -- Ladson. Labor unions -- South Carolina. Mayors -- South Carolina -- Charleston. New Deal, 1933-1939. Prostitution -- South Carolina -- Charleston. Segregation -- United States. States' rights (American politics) Vice control -- South Carolina -- Charleston. Belleville Plantation (Calhoun County, S.C.) Charleston (S.C.) -- Politics and government. Interstate 95. Kensington Plantation (Berkeley County, S.C.) South Carolina -- History. South Carolina -- Politics and government. United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century. Clippings. Letters (correspondence) Photographs. Speeches. Lawyers. Politicians. Series Outline: Series 1 Thomas P. Stoney personal and business papers Subseries 1.1 Correspondence Subseries 1.2 Case Records Subseries 1.3 Financial Records Subseries 1.4 Ladson Farm & Kensington Plantation Records Subseries 1.5 Miscellaneous Papers Subseries 1.6 Political Papers Subseries 1.7 Speeches Subseries 1.8 Topical Files Series 2 Stoney Family Papers Subseries 2.1 Beverly Means Dubose Estate Papers Subseries 2.2 Beverly Means Dubose Stoney Papers Subseries 2.3 Randell Croft Stoney Papers Subseries 2.4 Theodore Dubose Stoney Papers Subseries 2.5 Laurence O’Hear Stoney Papers Subseries 2.6 Stoney Family Papers Series 3 Thomas P. Stoney Law Firm Records Subseries 3.1 Stoney & Cordes Subseries 3.2 Stoney & McGowan 3 Subseries 3.3 Stoney, Crosland & Pritchard Subseries 3.4 Stoney & Crosland Subseries 3.5 Stoney & Stoney Series 1 Thomas P. Stoney personal and business papers Subseries 1.1 Correspondence Notes on the Correspondence The correspondence reflects many aspects of Stoney’s personal life and political career. Most of the letters of the 1910s document his personal interests, including a love letter to the future Mrs. Thomas P. Stoney. There are also letters concerning his political activities. Correspondents of this period include Governor Richard Manning, Mayor Tristam Tupper Hyde, and Mayor John Grace. The correspondence of the 1920s documents Stoney’s political activities including his 1920 election as solicitor, and his 1923 and 1927 mayoral races. The death of his father in 1922 is also mentioned. Also documented is William J. Cordes’ relocation to Boston (Mass.) as the manager of the Boston Retail Credit Co. The correspondence of the 1930s documents Stoney’s struggle to redefine himself after being mayor of Charleston. Apparently, he chose not to run for reelection in 1931 and supported Burnet Maybank in the mayoral campaign. Stoney sought appointment to the position of U.S. District Attorney in 1932. The correspondence documents his pursuit of the position by soliciting the support of every person who could possibly influence the outcome. Also reflected is his disappointment at not being appointed to the position. The correspondence of 1935 and 1936 documents Stoney’s challenge to incumbent U.S. Senator James F. Byrnes. After being defeated in this race Stoney abandoned the pursuit of office and focused on his legal career. The correspondence of the 1940s reflects Stoney’s interest in his sons’ education and includes his advice to them while they attended the University of the South (Sewanee). Stoney actively involved himself in obtaining an appointment to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for his son Theodore Dubose Stoney. During World War II Stoney involved himself in activities related to fundraising for the war effort. After the war, Theodore and Laurence O’Hear Stoney returned to join Stoney & Crosland. The correspondence of the 1950s documents Stoney’s political involvement.