John C. Breckinridge papers, 1861-1887
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- John C. Breckinridge papers, 1861-1887
- Creator
- Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875.
- Extent
- 1VF59M119: 5 pieces, 1VF59M65: 1 piece.
- Subjects
- Viley, John R.
- Breckinridge, John C. (John Cabell), 1821-1875.
- Breckinridge, Joseph Cabell, b. 1844.
- Payne, George V.
- Breckinridge family.
- Real property--Illinois.
- Real property--Kentucky.
- Real property--Minnesota.
- Real property--Wisconsin.
- Land tenure--Kentucky.
- Estate planning.
- Land titles--Registration and transfer.
- Lawyers.
- Soldiers.
- Statesman.
- Ramsey County (Minn.)
- Accounts.
- Indentures.
- Lists
- Arrangement
- Arranged chronologically.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Lawyer, statesman, soldier. John Cabell Breckinridge was the grandson of John Breckinridge who was attorney general under Thomas Jefferson and founder of the Breckinridge family of Kentucky. John Cabell, born in Lexington, Ky, graduated from Centre College, Danville, Ky. in 1839 and practiced law until entering politics in 1849. In 1857 he became Vice President under James Buchanan and a presidential candidate in the 1860 election against Abraham Lincoln. He was a soldier in the Confederate Army fighting in the battles at Vicksburg and Chickamauga and later named Secretary of War under Confederate President, Jefferson Davis. After the war he returned to practicing law in Lexington, Ky. and became active in the railroad development. He died in 1875 from the effects of a serious operation.
- Scope and Content
- These papers of John C. Breckinridge consist of documents concerning the property and estate of the Breckinridge family. Included is an 1887 account (list) of Breckinridge property in Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. A letter written by John R. Viley to his cousin, Cabell Breckinridge, son of John C. Breckinridge, discusses Breckinridge property. Also included is an indenture of a mortgage executed by John C. Breckinridge in 1861 for property in Ramsey County, Mn. and a business letter (59M65) to George V. Payne, October 24, 1873.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
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If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
