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THBClay Family Correspondence
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJun 22, 2018
Cowan’s American History: Premier Auction, scheduled for June 22, 2018 is comprised of early photographs, documents, manuscripts, broadsides, flags, and more dating from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Late Indian Wars, World War I and II and beyond. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (502)
- Lot Description
Lot of 8 letters with 7 of those attributed to Clay family members. The Clay family members featured in this correspondence were cousins of Henry Clay, and were a prominent family in their own right.
Clay, Brutus Junius (1808-1878). US Representative from Kentucky. ALS, 1p 7.5 x 12.5 in., "Madison County." September 26, 1819. Addressed to Mr. Sidney P. Clay. A young Brutus J. Clay writes to his older brother with news from their farm, including descriptions of new out buildings, his schooling, and updates on family and friends.
Clay, Sally Ann (1804-1829). Older sister of Brutus J. Clay. ALS, 1p written on verso of September 26, 1819, letter, 7.5 x 12.5 in. October 8, 1819. Presumably also written to her older brother Sidney P. Clay. Sally Ann describes drought conditions in Richmond, Kentucky, and shares news of friends.
Davenport, Braxton, Col. (1791-1862). ALS, 2pp, 8 x 7.75 in. August 29, 1830. Addressed to "Miss Elizabeth Bedinger Shepherdstown." Davenport of Jefferson County, West Virginia, writes to his future wife, Elizabeth Bedinger Davenport, about marriage details. Col. Davenport served in the War of 1812, served four terms in the Virginia legislature, and arraigned John Brown while serving as presiding magistrate in the County Court. Elizabeth and Braxton Davenport's only child, Lt. Henry B. Davenport, CSA, would marry Martha Clay Davenport, daughter of Brutus and Amelia Clay.
Dudley, Sally Lewis Clay (1776-1867). Mother to Kentucky politicians Brutus J. Clay and Cassius Marcellus Clay. ALS, 2pp, 7.5 x 9.75 in. July 3, 1833. Addressed to Brutus J. Clay, Esq. Letter written to "My Dear Children" from their "Af Mother S. Dudley." Sally Clay's husband Green Clay died in 1828 and she remarried. Letter appears to indicate that she relocated to Philadelphia with her new husband, and in it she expresses her longing for her children. Majority of letter deals with her worries over the health of her children during "this day of great calimity" in which cholera is ravishing the town and country, and she describes incidents of death brought about by the disease.
Clay, Amelia Field (1812-1843). Wife of Kentucky politician Brutus J. Clay (1808-1878). ALS, 4pp, 8 x 10 in. August 2, 1840. Addressed to "Miss Sally W. Clay" in Philadelphia, PA, "Care Mrs. Sigoigne Washington Square." Hand stamped Paris, KY. Sally Woolfolk Clay Keen (1824-1857) was the daughter of Sidney Payne Clay (1800-1834), a cousin of famed Kentucky politician Henry Clay, and Nancy Keen Clay (1803-1826). Her mother died when Sally was just two years old, at which point Sally went to live with her paternal aunt Paulina Clay Rodes. The author of this letter is another paternal aunt by marriage, Amelia Field Clay (1812-1843). At the time this letter was written, Sally appears to have been at boarding school in Philadelphia. Letter contains news of a large number of family and friends at home and various other domestic matters.
Reid, Aaron B. ALS, 4pp, 4.75 x 7 in., Fort Wayne Indiana." January 1, 1854. Addressed to "Miss Clay." A love letter from an ardent suitor sent to an undetermined female member of the Clay family.
Davenport, Lt. Henry B. (1834-1901). Member of the Co. A, 2nd VA Regiment, aka "The Stonewall Brigade." ALS, 4pp, 8 x 10 in., "Altona." July 10, 1865. Addressed to "My Dear Martha." Altona was the name of the Davenport family homestead in Jefferson County, near Charles Town, West Virginia. Lt. Davenport's exact discharge date is unknown, but this letter is written to his wife from Altona just after the Civil War. In it he plans for the return of his wife, Martha Clay Davenport, back to Altona from Kentucky where presumably she fled to stay with family and escape hostilities. "I am so rejoiced at the idea of having you with me in the enjoyment of your just dues that I can scarcely find words to express the pleasure I anticipate from your presence at Altona once more as mistress. The contemplations of the future are the only really happy moments I enjoy...." Davenport's letter is full of commentary on the current political situation, declaring that "President Johnson pretends that the South is in a chaotic state in order to justify him in appointing a Governor of each Southern State and force the people to hold conventions and adopt a new constitution abolishing slavery before readmission in the Union.... The pretense of chaos is made in order to get a chance to dismiss our chosen Governors and appoint tools of the administration." Additional discussion of difficulties in working the farm without a labor source are discussed as well as other content related to the upkeep of Altona.
Final letter in the collection is from an unidentified author, last name Willoughby, and dated Union College Sept 30th 1845. Sender describes in lyrical language the city of Pompei, Italy., and its destruction.
Letters are in good condition and legible with exception of Aug 2, 1840, letter which has completely separated along all fold lines. Letter has not been repaired but can be easily pieced together to read all content.Condition
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