Kendall, Amos

Hearing. Native of MA, but moved to KY to pursue careers in law and journalism there. Entered politics, eventually coming to Washington DC to become a member of President Andrew Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet" and then Postmaster General of the U.S. under President Martin Van Buren. Became wealthy as business manager for and investor in Samuel Morse's telegraph company; bought an estate in northeastern DC. (Morse's first telegraph line passed through the Kendall estate.) In 1856, became concerned about the welfare of some deaf children and blind children brought to DC from NY by an exploiter, and won legal custody of the children. Established a school on his estate for those children and other local children like them. Recruited Edward Miner Gallaudet (q.v.) from CT to become superintendent of this school, which today is the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf. After Edward Miner Gallaudet founded a college for the deaf, Kendall became the first president of the Board of Trustees for what is now Gallaudet University. After his death, his entire estate, Kendall Green, became the Gallaudet College/University campus.