Thomas Leiper Kane – Abolitionist, Attorney, Civil War Hero

The Leiper House will open for the season on Saturday, April 27th and will be open for tours each Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 until 4:00.

The gentlemen dressed in military garb above is Thomas Leiper Kane, son of Jane Duval Kane, who in turn is the daughter of Thomas Leiper. Kane gained notoriety via a brevet promotion to major general for gallantry at the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863. He was also an influential abolitionist and attorney. Kane was also known as a “friend of the Mormons” for his involvement in the migration of the Latter Day Saints to the West in the 1850’s. Thomas Leiper Kane was born in 1822 in Philadelphia, and passed away in 1883.

Be sure to visit and see two recent acquisitions to the collection:

Mr. William Archard donated a large painting of the Leiper barn that once stood in the location of the parking lot. The picture was painted by Valerie Morrison in 1972, about two months before the barn was razed for construction of the Blue Route. It hangs in the middle bedroom, where the barn would have been visible from the windows.

In the fall, Mr. Thomas Africa of Warren, Pennsylvania, donated a china punch bowl that likely belonged to Thomas and Elizabeth Leiper. The bowl is decorated with the monogram of the Leiper’s son, William. William inherited it and other items from his parents and, having never married, left them to his nephews and nieces. A large painting of Avondale Village was left to Thomas Leiper Kane. Mr. Africa’s mother, a Kane descendant, left the painting to the Leiper House several years ago, as a bequest of her will. When the punch bowl was discovered, Mr. Africa kindly donated it as well. It now sits on the dining room table.

Another new display, courtesy of the efforts of Eagle Scout Dan Lordan, features the Leiper House’s antique tool collection.

Stop in for a tour!

Courtesy of the Nether Providence Historical Society.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086