Finding Aid to the Breckinridge Family Photograph Collection, 1865-1915 Collection number: 012PC25 The Filson Historical Society Special Collections Department 1310 S. Third Street Louisville, KY 40208 [email protected] (502) 635-5083 Finding Aid written by: Heather Stone Date Completed: April 2013 © 2013 The Filson Historical Society. All rights reserved. Breckinridge Family Photograph Collection Page 1 of 17 COLLECTION SUMMARY Collection Title Breckinridge Family Photograph Collection Collection Number 012PC25 Creator Attributed to various photographic studios Dates 1865-1915 Bulk Dates 1865-1893 Physical Description 138 photographic items, varying in formats: Tintypes, Cabinet Cards, Carte de Visite (CDV), Real Photograph Post Cards, Mounted Photographs, Silver Gelatins, and Albumen Silver Prints. Repository Special Collection Department, The Filson Historical Society, Louisville, KY Abstract The photograph collection is predominately of the Breckinridge family of Cabell’s Dale, Kentucky (outside of Lexington), their relatives, and some friends. The collection features portraits, Grove Hill the Virginia Breckinridge’s family home, interior shots of General Joseph Cabell, Sr. and Louise Dudley’s family home and images from abroad. The collection documents the family from 1865-1915. The majority of the photographs are of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Sr. and his family; others include Robert Jefferson Breckinridge, Sr. and Charles Henry Breckinridge. Breckinridge Family Photograph Collection Page 2 of 17 Language The collection materials are in English. Note(s) INFORMATION FOR RESEARCHERS Access and use restrictions Collection is available for use. Full credit must be given to The Filson Historical Society. Conditions governing the use of photographic/videographic images do apply. Contact the Photograph Curator for more details on use. Publication information All requests for permission to publish should be directed to the Photograph Curator, Special Collections Department, The Filson Historical Society. Preferred citation Title (including description, date, Collection number, Photographs Collection, The Filson Historical Society, Special Collections. Access points Breckinridge family Breckinridge, Charles Henry, 1844-1867 Breckinridge, Joseph Cabell, Sr., 1842-1920 Breckinridge, Robert J. (Robert Jefferson), 1800-1871 United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 Related materials Several items were transferred to the museum collection. Miniature of Charles Henry Breckinridge (1844-1867) in 2nd Lieutenant uniform painted on glass (some paint loss on face and torso) mounted in a case [2012.41.1]; miniature (watercolor on ivory) of Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Sr. (1842-1920) in General’s uniform in a case [2012.41.2a-b]; miniature (watercolor on ivory) in case of Louise Ludlow Dudley Breckinridge [2012.41.3a-b]; large miniature (watercolor on ivory) of Mary Dudley Breckinridge Hines (1869-1939) by Margaret Foote Hawley, 1921 (signed and dated) [2012.41.4a-b] Breckinridge Family Photograph Collection Page 3 of 17 Other Breckinridge Family papers are held by the Filson Historical Society within the Special Collections Department. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Level of description Photographs are described at the item level. Processed by Heather Stone, 2013 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Since Kentucky was established as a state in 1792, the Breckinridge family has gained notoriety not only in Kentucky but also in national politics. To date, the family has included six members of the U.S. House of Representatives, two U.S. Senators, a cabinet member, two Ambassadors, and the Vice President of the United States under James Buchanan, John C. Breckinridge (1821- 1875), who was also an unsuccessful candidate for President in 1860. In addition to their political involvement, members of the Breckinridge family have held many important positions, serving as college presidents, theologians, ministers, and high-ranking soldiers. The collection features portraits of Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (1800-1871), Charles Henry Breckinridge (1844-1867), and Charles’ older brother Joseph Cabell Breckenridge, Sr. (1842-1920) and family, which is the predominate part of the collection. One of the early founders of the family, John Breckinridge (1760-1806) served as Attorney General of the United States under Thomas Jefferson. His son, Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (1800-1871) was a politician and Presbyterian minister who opposed slavery, favored public education, and was a passionate supporter of the Union during the Civil War. Robert Jefferson had several sons, including Joseph Cabell, Sr. (1842-1920) and Charley Henry (1844-1867). Joseph Cabell, Sr. fought for the Union, subsequently making a career for himself in the Army, along with his brother Robert Jefferson Breckinridge, Jr. (1833-1915) who fought for the Confederacy and later became a prominent politician in Kentucky. Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (1800-1871) was married three times, first to his cousin, Ann Sophonisba Preston (1803-1844) in 1823, and together, they had eleven children. After Ann passed away in 1844, Robert went on to marry another cousin, a widow named Virginia Hart Shelby (1809-1859) in 1847, and they produced three children. In 1868, Robert married his third wife, Margaret Faulkner White. Breckinridge Family Photograph Collection Page 4 of 17 The collection focuses heavily on General Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Sr. (1842-1920) and his family. Joseph Cabell, Sr. is the son of Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (1800-1871) and Ann Sophonisba Preston (1803-1844). Joseph Cabell, Sr. was educated at Centre College, Kentucky and at the University of Virginia; from there he went on to study law. On the outbreak of the Civil War, Joseph Cabell, Sr. joined General William Nelson’s army of Kentuckians, soon becoming acting assistant adjutant-general. At the same time his brother Robert Jefferson Jr. (1833-1915) and their cousin John Cabell (1821-1875) were serving in the Confederate Army. Like many Kentucky families during this time, the Breckinridge family was divided. In 1862, Joseph Cabell, Sr. received a commission in the U.S. Army for gallantry at Mill Springs, Kentucky and was assigned to battery B, 2nd artillery. By July 1864 he was brevetted captain, and major by March 1865. Joseph Cabell, Sr. married Louise Ludlow Dudley (1849-1911) in 1868; and together they had 13 children (listed oldest to youngest): Mary Dudley (1869-1939); Robert J. (1870-1871); Joseph Cabell, Jr. (1872-1898), [Joseph Cabell, Jr. fought in the Spanish- American War (1898) serving on the USS Cushing (TB-1) and was washed overboard and drowned in Cuban waters; in his honor the USS Breckinridge (DD-148) was named after him.]; Louise Dudley (1873-1874); Ethelbert Dudley (1875-1914); Mabel Warfield (February 1877- March 1877); Lucian Scott (1878-1941); Lucy Hays (1881-1959); Dr. Scott Dudley (1882- 1941); Charles Henry Preston (1884-1885); Henry Skillman (1886-1960); Margaret Scott (1889- 1970) and John Preston (unknown). By January 1889 Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, Sr. was promoted to Brigadier General and Inspector General of the Army and was promoted to Major General of volunteers in the Spanish-American War. Charles Henry Breckinridge (1844-1867), also featured in this collection, was the last child born to Robert Jefferson’s wife Ann Sophonisba before she passed away. Charles Henry was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1861-1865 and on 23 June 1865 he was commissioned first lieutenant of the 15th Infantry. He served in Alabama after December 1865 and was commanding the company and post at Fort Morgan when he died of yellow fever August 27, 1867. Sources cited: Dorman, John Frederick. The Prestons of Smithfield and Greenfield in Virginia. Louisville, KY: The Filson Club Publications, 1982. Klotter, James C. The Breckinridges of Kentucky (1760-1981). Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky, 1986. Breckinridge Family Photograph Collection Page 5 of 17 SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE The Breckinridge Family Collection is housed in one archival box (.33 cubic foot). The collection contains 138 photographic items, varying in formats: Tintypes, Cabinet Cards, Carte de Visite (CDV), Real Photograph Post Cards, Mounted Photographs, Silver Gelatins, and Albumen Silver Prints. The archive features 5 portraits of Robert Jefferson Breckinridge (1800- 1871), including cabinet photo from a painting by Matthew Jouett depicting Robert in his younger years. Two CD’s of Robert in his later years, one in which he poses with a young boy (probably a son), a period copy of a family photo of Robert with his sons, 4 x 6 in., and a 4.25 x 5.75 in. lithograph of Robert. Other members that are present within the collection include: Louise Ludlow Dudley (1849-1911); Mary Dudley (1869-1939); Joseph Cabell, Jr. (1872-1898); Lucy Hays (1878-1959) and an additional cabinet photo of a Jouett painting of Elizabeth Breckinridge Meredith, the daughter of Colonel Robert Breckinridge (1720-1773) is included. CONTAINER LIST Item Number Title / Date Description Format 012PC25.1 Unidentified portrait of Verso: “[unable to read]. L. W. Scott- Tintype woman / undated New York /65-” [Possibly from 1865- 1870s. Embossed window frames were popular during the Civil War.] 012PC25.2 Unidentified portrait of Verso: “Skinskey (?) from Gib (?)” Tintype woman /undated Estabrooke’s Ferrotypes 805 Broadway, also known N.Y. and 533 Fulton Avenue, Old No. as a 105 Brooklyn. [Possibly from 1865- Ferrotype. 1870s. Embossed window