The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-12-05
THE MOTHER OF HENRY CLAY.
BY MRS. RLLET.

BY MRS. ELLET.
In those portions Of the country which
were, at different periods. the scene oil MI,
jtary operations, the energy herolsih aiio
magnanimity of woman was called by ne
cessitv into continual exercise. But there
were other women whose more. homeiy
be,oism vas not without lis effect; whose
unacknowledged influence extended wide
IL INTO the future. Their sphere OF ac>
ton limited to the bosom either own iami-
lies. the influence wrought quietly and un-
marked. vet sent forth an impulse and
an energy, like the life blood propelled
from the heart through our whole nation
al system. The mothers who through
wears of adverse fortune were true to A
merican principles, and who kept them
pure in their homes in the season OF pros
peritv, although no brilliant acts illustrate
their simple history, rendered real service
TO their country Their duties during the
war, and after the return of peace, were
fulfilled in a spirit of self-sacrlhce, with
out wish or expectation of reward. The
noDlest reward, however, was theirs, the
sons in whose minds they had rursed the
germs Of patriotism and virtue, rose up to
call them blessed.
Our country offers abundant-examples
of men who have attained the highest en-
inence, ascribing all 10 early maternal IN
ffuence and training. For The mother OF
Henry Clay, that great man-the pride
and honor Of his country--has ever eX-
pressed feelings of profound affection and
vcneration. Though her life offered no
incidents of striking or romantic interest,
she was what expresses the perfection OF
female character-an excellent mother.
She was thu youngest Of two daughters,
who were the only children of George and
Elizabeth HUDSON Her name also was
Elizabeth, she was born in the county of
Hanover, in Virginia, in 1859. Her ed
mcatiun was such as was attainable- at that
period in the Colony. In her fifteenth
wear she was married 10 John Clay,
preacher of the Baptist denomination,
and became the mother of eight children.
Mr.. Clay died during the war of the Rev
oluiion. Some years afterwards, Mrs.
Clay contracted a second marriage with
Mr. Henry Watkins, and in Course Of
time eight children more were added 10
her family. The-cares devolving upon her,
in the charge of so many children. and
the superintendent of domestic con-
Germs, Of course occupied her time to the
exclusion of participation in matters cl
public interest. She must, however, have
borne her share in the agitalions and dam
gers Of the time, in behalf of those who
claimed her maternal soicitude and guild
ance
"lier son, Henry. was separated from
her when Only - years of age, having
before that period been occasionally abb
sent from home for months in q ing to
In 1872, his step-father rcmov>
eG, with his mother and family, from Ham
eyer county TO Woodf,rd county in Ken
lucky, leaving HIM at Richmond, in Va.
- lie dM not again see his mother till the
fall of 1897, when he himself emigrated
to Kentucky. His cstimable and beloved
parent die in 1927, having survived most
e her children, of whom there are now
but four remaining-two by the first, and
Two by the last marriage.
: he was from her youth a member Of
the Baptist Church. aud eminent in piety.
Her distinguished traits of character
were energy and industry,-and she was
most faithful in the performance of all
her domestic duties"