The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-03-26
THE WIFE OF HENRY CLAY.
BY JAMES PARTON

THE WIFE OF HENRY CLAY.
BY JAMES PARTON.
Lucretia Hart, who was ior more than half
century the wife of Henry Clay, was born at
Hagarstown, in Maryland, in the year ISL
While she was still child. her father. Col
Thomas Hart, emigrated to Lexington, in Ken
lucky, which was then village consisting of
few log huts. In 1897, when she vas sixteen
years OF age, there were but fifty families resid.
Ing 10 Lexington; and. of all that beautiful aad
fertile country surrounding the town, but small
part was yet In cultivation Primeval forests
could be seen in every direction; panthers, bears,
wolves, wild turkeys aud deer were frequently
shot within half mile of the rude log court
house 1t was at this frontier town, penpIed.
however, by polite families from Maryland and
Virginia, that Lucretia Hart passed the years of
her youth and early womanhood.
1t could not be expected that amid such
scenes, she would acquire the arts Of the draw
ing room, or much o. the knowledge which is
stored 10 books; she did acquire, however, an
abundance of such knowledge and skill as her
situation required. Few women have ever un-
derstood better the management of plantation
than Lucretia Hart.
The country was rapidly filling up. To No
vember. 1897, among the emigrants who arrived
from Virginia, was Henry Clay, then nearly
twenty. one years of age, and one Of the most
brilliant young men of his native State. The
son of Baptist preacher, he had in his boyhood
found employment in Richmond where, attract
ing the notice of an eminent Judge he had been
assisted by him in studying the law Although
much courted in the polite suciety of Richmond,
and though his talents were eminent aud ac-
kuowledged there were too many old lawyers in
the place to admit of the speedy rise Of young
nan who had nothing but his talents to recon-
mend him. So, on getting his license to prac.
tice, Henry Clay emigrated to the new State Of
Kentucky, aid hung out bis tin sign at Lexing-
ton. lie was SO poor that he had not the means
Of paying his weekly board, and he used in after
years to say, that he thought he should be per,
tectiy comfortable if he could make hundred
pounds year.
His facinating manners, bis courtly address,
and his ready conversation made him imme-
diateiy favorle with the people of Lexington,
ifteen shilling fee lie rushed into practice
which brought bin reputation aud money far
beyond his expectations.
1t was inevitable that this attractive youth
should fDd himself at home iD the an,iaole
family of Col Hart, whose hospitable mansion
Was the center of the best society of Lexington.
When Mr. Clay had resided but year aud
half in his new Kentucky home, he offered his
hand to of the young ladies of the house,
Lucretia, who accepted it, aud they
red in April, 1893. About the same time, Mr.
Clay became the possessor Of beautiful plan
taton of about six hundred acres situated a
mile and half out of town. 1t was one Of the
finest farms 10 the State, aud it was the posses
son of this estate which enabled MIR Clay to
spend SO many years of his life in the public
service without impoverishlng himself.
Of very little use however, would this planta-
ton have been to a statesman who spent half the
year in Washington, If it had not had mistress
capable of conducting its affairs with vi igor and
judgment If the services of Henry Clay were
beneficial to bis country, :hen his country should
remember with gratitude that it was his wife
who really gave him the leisure aud indepen-
dence which enabled him to be public servant
During his long absences at the seat of goveru-
mcnt, she directed the slaves, managed the crops
and conducted the dairy, Even as late as 1882,
when Mr Clay at the height of his celebrity,
his wife used to supply the principal hotel Of
Lexington with thirty gallons Of milk every
mo -uiug An extensive green house was under
her care; the cothing of fifty five slaves devolved
principally upon her; not gallon of milk nor
pound ut butter, nor any OF the vegetables from
the garden went to market without her super
vision She was the first up in the mornir aud
the last to bed at night, and no body Of slaves
in the State were better cared tor than hers
Besides this, she presided gracefully at the table
Of her husband and knew how to accommodate
herself to all his guests, whether in high or low
degree.
Do you remember, reader, that interesting
passage in one Of MIR CIay's early speeches. in
which he draws pleasing picture OF a Western
farmers home !? ! have no doubt that when he
drew it he had his own plantation in his mind.
although be modestly substituted the name Of
one of his neighbors.
There it was that the statesman's wife, not
only gave him leisure, but supplied him with
arguments; for just such wife was Mrs Clay,
aud just proud was she to take a stranger into
her neat dairy, into her store house, and point
out her household treasures. For many years
Mr. Clay's whole wardrobe was composed of ma
terial spun and woven either by his wife's own
hands, or under her directions
At the present day some ladies consider it a
great hardship to be The mother of only few
children. | was myself acquainted sith a lady
who bad six chdreo, and kept a servant for
each child; and, notwithstanding this assistance,
she considered herself one of the most laborious
of women With absolutely nothing to do, she
felt herself crushed with care aud toll. How
different it was With the mothers Of the oldeu
timet The wife of Henry Clay, besides per
forming the arduous duties | have mentioned,
became the mother of eleven children, six
daughters and Eve sors Two OF her daughters
died in Infancy, and two others at the age of
fourteen. The two remaining daughters lived
to be married, and to be mothers, but died early
10 their married life-to the inexpressible grief
of their parents .