The Bingham papers are comprised of two series, Correspondence and Other Materials, reproduced on four rolls of microfilm. The Correspondence series includes personal letters (originals and typescripts) between members of the Bingham and Warden families. There is extensive correspondence (1848-1861) between Bingham and his wife, Mary Warden Bingham, during his absences while serving in government offices in Lansing, Michigan and Washington, D.C. There is also a substantial correspondence from James W. Bingham, writing to his parents during his boarding school years at the Normal School in Ypsilanti, Michigan and one year while studying at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Later letters between James and his mother were written while James was serving with Co. H, 1st Michigan Infantry at Alexandria, Va., and then in Chicago and Peoria, Ill., as a recruiting officer in Co. B, 2nd Battalion, 16th U.S. Infantry (with which he was later on active duty in Kentucky). The letters concern the attitude of the citizens of Alexandria towards the Michigan troops, the assassination of Colonel Ellsworth, the Zouaves, social and camp life, marches and skirmishes, political news of the day and the towns in which he was encamped. Bingham died of disease at Bardstown, Ky., Nov. 9, 1862. The collection also includes three letters from Kinsley S. Bingham concerning the Battle of Bull Run. Also of interest are letters in 1850 referring to John, a nephew who participated in the California Gold Rush, where he died. The Other Materials series includes political speeches written by Kinsley S. Bingham, as well as newspaper clippings related to his death and memorial, and to the deaths of both of his sons. There is also genealogical notes made by family members for both the Bingham and Warden families, newspaper clippings about later family members, letters between extended family members, and miscellaneous and ephemeral materials.
Kinsley Scott Bingham was born to Calvin and Betsy (Scott) Bingham in Camillus, Onondaga County, New York on December 16, 1808. Kinsley S. Bingham received a strong education in New York, including the study of law with Gen. James R. Lawrence of Syracuse. He immigrated to Michigan Territory in 1833, where he established a farm in Livingston County. He quickly became involved in local government, serving as Justice of the Peace, Postmaster, and the 1st Judge of Probate for Livingston County. He was elected to the 1st Michigan State Legislature in 1837, and was re-elected for consecutive terms from 1838-1842, also serving as Speaker of the House in 1838, 1839 and 1842. He was then elected to Congress and served in the U.S. House of Representatives (Democrat) for two terms, 1847-1851. He returned to rural life for several years as a Free Soil Democrat and holding no political office, before being elected Governor of Michigan (Republican), 1855-1858. In 1859 he served in the U.S. Senate (Republican) until his death in 1861. Throughout his political service, he remained closely involved in the management of his farm, and was committed to representing rural interests.
In 1833 he married Margaret Warden, recently arrived in New York from Scotland, and they moved to Michigan with her brother, Robert Warden and family, to establish Green Oak in Livingston County. In 1834 their only child, Kinsley W. Bingham (1838-ca. 1908), was born, and Margaret died four days later. In 1839 he married Mary Warden, younger sister of his first wife, and in 1840 their only child was born, James W. Bingham (1840-1862).
Kinsley S. Bingham died at his home in Green Oak on October 5, 1861.
