The Grave of Henry Clay’s Daughter
A few days ago we paid a visit to the grave of the daughter of Henry Clay. We had long known that a daughter of the great American statesman lie buried in one of our adjacent burying-grounds of Lebanon, but had neveer [sic] before visited the place. It is situated in what is known as the Old Burying ground, lying west of town, and now, sad to say, bearing unmistakable evidence of neglect, and rapidly going to decay.
As we stood by the grave of little Eliza H. Clay, our mind wandered back to the days when her father, the great sage of Ashland, lived and filled such a prominent place in the political circles or our land – one of the great and good men of the period – a man of rare talent, who devoted hand and heart to the welfare of his country. A sage indeed was Henry Clay, and in his day and generation, yea, even to day, is his name loved and revered, and so will it continue for ages to come, or as long as the memory of the American Government shall last.
In the year 1825, and during the administration of John Adams, Henry Clay, it will be remembered, filled the responsible position in the Cabinet of Secretary of State. At that time railroads were unknown. No other mode of travel was offered the public except the stage. The principal line of stages from the Southern country extended through this place. All travel from the South, toward Washington, or the East, or a large portion of it, came by way of the stage line from Cincinnati, by way of Lebanon, Xenia and Columbus, striking the National road at or near Springfield. It was a slow and tiresome way of traveling, yet it was the best the times offered. Henry Clay started for Washington during the fore part of August, accompanied by several members of his family, and upon reaching this place his little daughter Eliza sickened and despite all medical skill and the tender care and solicitude of fond parents, died. Business of great importance demanded the presence of Clay at Washington – his daughter was buried in what was then the best burying-ground adjacent to this place, and he and the balance of his family proceeded, heart-stricken, on their tiresome journey. The remains of Eliza H. Clay were never removed from their first resting place, and a massive stone, afterward placed at the grave, now marred by time, marks the place where lies the daughter of one of the noblest of men – long since departed, also – that ever emanated within the borders of the grand old State of Kentucky, or, in fact, in the borders of the Union. The following lines are still legible upon the stone marking the grave of little Eliza Clay:
TO THE MEMORY OF
ELIZA H. CLAY,
daughter of
HENRY AND LUCRETIA CLAY,
who died on the 11th day of August
1825,
aged 12 years,
during a journey from their residence
at Lexington in Kentucky,
To Washington City,
Cut off in the bloom
of a promising life,
her parents,
Who have erected this monument,
Console themselves with the belief
That she now abides in Heaven.
- [Lebanon Patriot.
Source: The Miami Gazette, Wednesday August 3, 1870, [copy obtained from microfilm available at the Warren County Genealogical Society]
Chuck Griffen
Transcription by
Arne H Trelvik
13 February 2007
TAKEN HOME.
The Remains of Henry Clay’s Daughter Taken from Lebanon to Lexington.
Sixty-nine years ago Eliza, the twelve-year-old daughter
of Henry
Clay, died at the old tavern in Lebanon which was situated on Main
street where the opera house now stands. Mr. Clay, with his wife and family,
was on his way to Washington, and was traveling in his own private conveyance.
They arrived in Lebanon July 15, 1825, and expected to continue the journey
to Washington by way of Dayton and the old National road.
But on their arrival here, their daughter was taken ill and they could
not proceed. They remained at the old Ferguson tavern until August 11,
when in spite of all that could be done for her, the child died. It was
impossible for the family to return to Kentucky, as Mr. Clay was needed
at Washington. The remains were accordingly interred in the old Baptist
cemetery with the intention of having them taken to Lexington as soon
as possible.
Why this was not done is not known. Some time afterward Mr. Clay had a
tombstone erected, on which was inscribed the following:
“In memory of Eliza H. Clay, daughter of Henry
and Lucretia Clay, who died on the 11th day of August, 1825,
aged twelve years, during a journey from their residence at Lexington,
in Kentucky, to Washington City. Cut off in the bloom of a promising life,
her parents have erected this monument, consoling themselves with the
belief that she now abides in heaven.”
But on Thursday of last week, the remains of the little girl, who died
so long ago, were exhumed and sent to a relative, Mrs. John M.
Clay, at Lexington, Ky., by whose orders it was done. None of
the members of the Clay family were present at the disinterment, which
was under the supervision of Charles Schwartz. Traces
of the old black walnut coffin were found, while the bones were in a good
state of preservation. They were sent by express to Mrs. Clay, while the
old stone slab, scarred and chipped by relic hunters, was sent by freight.
Source: Western Star (Lebanon, Ohio), Thursday,
August 2, 1894, page 5, column 4
Arne H Trelvik
18 August 2015