Skip to main content
Notice: The Library is open for research by appointment only, please visit our research services page for more information.

Henry du Pont, U.S. Military Academy records (photocopies)

Creation: 1828-1890
 Collection
Accession: 1705

Abstract

Henry du Pont (1812-1889) was an American military officer and son of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834), founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., and Sophie Madeleine Dalmas du Pont (1775-1828). The papers relating to du Pont's enrollment and time at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including letters from Callender Irvine (1775-1841), Peter B. Porter (1773-1844), E.I. du Pont (1881-1834); du Pont's obituary as published in the 1890 annual reunion of the Association of Graduates Office at the Academy; and a roster of the West Point class of 1833.

Dates

  • Creation: 1828-1890

Creator

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Biographical Note

Henry du Pont (1812-1889) was an American military officer and son of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont (1771-1834), founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., and Sophie Madeleine Dalmas du Pont (1775-1828). He was born in 1812 at Eleutherian Mills near Wilmington, Delaware. He attended the Mount Airy Military School in Germantown, Pennsylvania, from 1823 to 1829 and then went to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating in 1833. As a Second Lieutenant, he joined the 4th Artillery at Fort Monroe in Virginia. After a year of active duty, du Pont resigned his commission and joined the family business in 1834. A few months later, his father died, and du Pont with his elder brother, Alfred du Pont (1798-1856), and brother-in-law, James Antoine Bidermann (1790-1865), took over management of the company.

In 1837, du Pont married Louisa Gerhard (1816-1900). The couple had nine children, including Henry Algernon (1838-1926), Evelina (1840-1938), Ellen Eugenia (1843-1907), Louisa Gerhard (1845-1863), Sara (1847-1876), Victorine Elizabeth (1849-1931), Sophie Madeleine (1851-1931), Mary Constance (1854), and William (1855-1928).

In 1841, du Pont was on the staff of the Governor of Delaware, and from 1846 to 1861 was Adjutant-General for the State of Delaware. In 1861, he was made Major General of the State troops, commanding Delaware's volunteers; thereafter, he was known as "The General." It is said that he, as much as anybody, kept Delaware on the Union side during the Civil War.

Du Pont was active in Delaware politics, first as a Whig and then as a Republican. He also farmed and became the third owner of Winterthur, one of his family's estates.

Scope and Contents

Photocopies of papers relating to Henry du Pont (1812-1889) time at the United States Military Academy. These include letters written to Secretary of War, General Peter B. Porter (1773-1844), concerning du Pont's nomination and appointment as cadet at West Point; letter of Callendar Irvine to Porter introducing E.I. du Pont (1771-1834); letter of E.I. du Pont to Porter seeking an appointment for his son Henry to West Point, endorsed by Kensey Johns Jr.; letter of E.I. du Pont to Porter; letter of Henry du Pont to Porter; copy of Henry du Pont's obituary as published in the 1890 annual reunion of the Association of Graduates Office, U.S. Military Academy; and roster of the West Point class of 1833.

Location of Originals

Originals held in the USMA Cadet Application Papers, 1829; microcopy number 688, microfilm roll number 60, file number 117, United States Archives and Records Service, Washington, DC.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Henry du Pont, U.S. Military Academy records (photocopies)
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2021: Ashley Williams

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400