Scope and Content Note
The papers of William Kennoch (1841-1887) span the years 1861-1924 and include correspondence, diaries, photographs, memorabilia, and other material chiefly documenting his role as a United States Secret Service agent. The papers consist primarily of Kennoch's letters to his wife, Dora Monell, as well as letters between Kennoch and various professional contacts as he led investigations in support of the first United States Secret Service mission to combat the distribution of counterfeit currency following the American Civil War. Kennoch's letters to Dora mainly describe personal and family matters. Several of these letters, however, include details of Kennoch's investigations, such as aliases he used in the field and where he traveled while pursuing counterfeiters. Letters between fellow agents and United States Secret Service chiefs, including Hiram C. Whitley and James J. Brooks, provide more detail into the progress and results of Kennoch's counterfeit cases. Diaries and reports add further insight into Kennoch's experience investigating counterfeit cases. Additional correspondence and diary entries describe Kennoch's patented improvements to burglar alarm systems as well as his service in the United States National Guard and United States Revenue-Cutter Service prior to his serving as a United States Secret Service agent.
The memorabilia includes a brass loupe for examining counterfeit engraved notes, a burglar alarm system, and four brass badges from Kennoch's service in the United States National Guard. Several items postdate Kennoch's death in 1887 and do not specifically pertain to his experience. One item of particular note is the 1903 diary of United States Secret Service agent Lawrence Ricci (later known as Lawrence Richey).
An addition to the collection consists of three letterpress copybooks containing daily reports written by Kennoch and by his son, George, who also served as a United States Secret Service agent.