White Hall Historical Collection, 1787-2011 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Susie Rickert

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Collection Overview

Title: White Hall Historical Collection, 1787-2011

Predominant Dates:1787-1925

Primary Creator: Clay, Cassius Marcellus (1810-1903)

Other Creators: Clay, Green (1871-1962), Clay, Green (1757-1828)

Extent: 3.5 Cubic Feet

Date Acquired: 08/22/2023

Subjects: Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903., Clay, Green, 1757-1828., Slavery - Kentucky

Languages: English, Russian

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection holds a wide range of history relating to the Clay family and White Hall. Both original letters and copies of Clay family correspondence can be found here. The bulk of the correspondence is from Cassius M. Clay or written to Mary Jane Clay, but there are also letters from Laura Clay, Brutus J. Clay, and others. Contracts, deeds, and wills of the Clay family can be found as well, most of which are from Green Clay in Madison County. In addition to this, books belonging to members of the Clay family are included in this collection. Photographs are a significant part of the collection, both of the Clay family and White Hall. Photographs of Cassius M. Clay, Mary Jane Warfield Clay, Laura Clay, Launey Clay, and other Clay family descendants are included, as well as photographs of White Hall before and after its restoration. Events post restoration, such as a Victorian Christmas at White Hall and weddings, have been photographed as well. Plans for White Hall are also significant to this collection, as there are many technical drawings of everything from HVAC plans to landscaping plans. Newspapers and newspaper clippings are prominent throughout, as clippings can be found in Green Clay’s scrapbooks and original copies of newspapers with articles featuring Cassius Clay and The True American are included. Along with this, there is a wide range of stereoscope cards with images relating to religion, landscapes, and famous places.

Collection Historical Note

White Hall’s beginnings stem from Green Clay, who moved from Virginia to Madison County in the 1780s and built Clermont in 1799. Green Clay served in the Kentucky legislature and as a military officer in the War of 1812. Green Clay married Sally Lewis and had several children, including Cassius M. Clay and Brutus J. Clay. Cassius M. Clay was a prominent anti-slavery figure and served as a military officer in the Mexican American War. He also served as the United States ambassador to Russia from 1863-1869. After the death of his father in 1828, Cassius added the White Hall addition to Clermont, the construction of which was overseen by his wife, Mary Jane Warfield Clay, daughter of Dr. Elisha and Maria Warfield. Cassius and Mary Jane had several children, including Laura Clay and Mary Barr Clay, both of whom were prominent in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Cassius also had an adopted son, Launey Clay. After divorcing Mary Jane in 1878, Cassius went on to marry Dora Richardson, who was far younger than him, but they were later divorced as well. Cassius died at White Hall at the age of 92 in 1903.

Biographical Note

Cassius Marcellus Clay was born in Madison County, Kentucky, on 19 October 1810. He was the son of Green Clay, a Kentucky soldier of the War of 1812 and a cousin of Henry Clay. He was educated at Centre College, Danville, KY and at Yale, where he graduated in 1832. Influenced to some extent by William Lloyd Garrison, he became an advocate of emancipation and advocated a system of gradual emancipation. In 1835, 1837 and 1840 he was elected as a Whig to the Kentucky legislature, where he helped secure the establishment of a public school system and a much-needed reform in the jury system. In 1841 he was defeated on account of his anti-slavery views. In 1845 he established, at Lexington, KY an anti-slavery publication known as The True American, but in the same year his office and press were wrecked by a mob, and he removed the publication office to Cincinnati, OH. In the Mexican War he served as a captain of a Kentucky company of militia.

He left the Whig party in 1850, and as an anti-slavery candidate for governor of Kentucky polled 5000 votes. In 1856 he joined the Republican party, and wielded considerable influence as a Southern representative in its councils. In 1861 he was sent by President Abraham Lincoln as minister to Russia; in 1862 he returned to America to accept a commission as major-general of volunteers, but in March 1863 was reappointed to his former post at St. Petersburg, where he remained until 1869. Disapproving of the Republican policy of reconstruction, he left the party, and in 1872 was one of the organizers of the Liberal - Republican revolt, and was largely instrumental in securing the nomination of Horace Greeley for the presidency. In the political campaigns of 1876 and 1880 he supported the Democratic candidate, but rejoined the Republican party in the campaign of 1884. He died at his estate, Whitehall, in Madison County, KY on 22 July 1903.

Subject/Index Terms

Clay, Cassius Marcellus, 1810-1903.
Clay, Green, 1757-1828.
Slavery - Kentucky

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Hood, Jesse

Related Materials:

Cassius M. Clay Collection

Green Clay Collection

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Folder OS 1: White Hall Plans, 1967-2011],
[Folder OS 2: White Hall Plans],
[Folder OS 3: White Hall Plans],
[All]

Box 2

Folder 1: Cassius Marcellus Clay Photographs, 1855-1894

Item 1: Portrait of Cassius M. Clay, 1860: A print engraved by F.E. Jones from a photograph by Fredericks of New York. A portrait of Clay from the chest up.; Creator: Frederick of New York, photographer; Creator: Jones, F.E. engraver
Item 2: Portrait of Cassius M. Clay, 1855: PK0000003. A CDV of Cassius M. Clay wearing a military uniform.
Item 3: Portrait of Cassius M. Clay: 738519. A CDV of Cassius M. Clay wearing a suit.; Creator: McAllister & Brother
Item 4: Portrait of Cassius M. Clay: Two full-body portraits of a middle aged Cassius M. Clay standing by a chair from the same sitting.
Item 5: Portrait of Cassius M. Clay, 1893: Two cabinet cards from the same sitting of Cassius M. Clay wearing a suit.; Creator: Beltsmith, R.P., Cincinnati
Item 6: Cassius M. Clay at 84 Years Old, 1894-11-13: A copy of a photograph taken of Cassius M. Clay at 84 years old by Isaac C. Jenks.
Item 7: Portrait of Cassius M. Clay: A full-body portrait of Cassius M. Clay in a military uniform. Includes a plate from a book and a negative of the same image.
Item 8: Cassius M. Clay Negative: A negative of a portrait of Cassius M. Clay.
Item 9: Portrait of Cassius M. Clay: A copy of a portrait of Cassius M. Clay in a military uniform.
Item 10: Cassius M. Clay at White Hall: A cabinet card of Cassius M. Clay seated in a chair at White Hall. Includes 4 copies.
Item 11: Cassius M. Clay with Guests at White Hall: 40234. A cabinet card of Cassius M. Clay seated with guests at White Hall.
Item 12: Photograph of Painting of Cassius M. Clay: Photograph of a painting of Clay as a young man.
Item 13: Cassius M. Clay: A tintype photograph of Cassius M. Clay.

Folder 2: Mary Jane Warfield Clay Portraits, 1845-1862

Item 1: Portrait of Mary Jane Warfield Clay, 1845-05: A photograph of a framed portrait of Mary Jane Warfield Clay done by P.A. Healy in 1845.
Item 2: Mary Jane Warfield Clay in Russia, 1862-01-01: A CDV of a portrait of Mary Jane Warfield Clay wearing a fancy dress in Russia. Includes two larger reprints of the image.; Creator: Premiere Photographie Americaine
Item 3: Portrait of Mary Jane Warfield Clay: A copy of a portrait of Mary Jane Warfield Clay seated in a chair.

Folder 3: Laura Clay Portraits, 1892-1916

Item 1: Portrait of Laura Clay, 1892-11-12: 737923. A cabinet card of Laura Clay.
Item 2: Portrait of Laura Clay, 1916: A photograph of Laura Clay taken in Lexington, Kentucky.; Creator: Gerhard Sisters Photo Co.
Item 3: Portrait of Laura Clay: A cabinet card of Laura Clay looking off to the side.; Creator: Hennies
Item 4: Portrait of Laura Clay: A photograph of Laura Clay in a black dress with white detailing.
Item 5: Portrait of Laura Clay: A photograph of Laura Clay in a black dress.
Item 6: Portrait of Laura Clay: A copy of a photograph of Laura Clay.
Item 7: Portrait of Laura Clay: A copy of a photograph of Laura Clay wearing a decorative white outfit and hat.
Item 8: Portrait of Laura Clay: A copy of a photograph of Laura Clay wearing a black dress and a long black necklace.
Item 9: Portrait of Laura Clay: A copy of a photograph of Laura Clay wearing a black dress and a cross necklace.
Item 10: Portrait of Laura Clay: A photograph of Laura Clay holding an open book.; Creator: Gerhard Sisters Photo Co.

Folder 4: Dr. Elisha Warfield and Mary Barr Warfield

Item 1: Dr. Elisha Warfield Portrait: 735934. A CDV and a copy of Dr. Elisha Warfield holding his hat. The back of the CDV reads: "Grandfather Dr. Elisha Warfield."
Item 2: Mary Barr Warfield: 735935. A CDV and a copy of Mary Barr Warfield. The back of the CDV reads: "Grandmother Mary Barr Warfield."; Creator: Phipps, W.R.

Folder 5: Pauline Clay Watson Christie and Family, 1918-1926

Item 1: Pauline Clay Watson: A photograph of Pauline Clay Watson, daughter of John Watson and Sallie Ann Rodes.
Item 2: Pauline Clay Watson Christie, 1926 ca.: A photograph of Pauline Clay Watson Christie.
Item 3: Dr. Robert Christie and Pauline Clay Watson Christie: A photograph of Dr. Robert Christie and wife Pauline Clay Watson Christie taken in Kentucky. Robert and Pauline were married in 1881.
Item 4: Pauline Clay Watson Christie: A photograph of Pauline Clay Watson Christie sitting in a rocking chair at her home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Item 5: Pauline Clay Watson Christie and Pauline Clay Christie, 1918 ca.: A photograph of Pauline Clay Watson Christie reading with her granddaughter Pauline Clay Christie in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.
Item 6: Pauline Clay Watson Christie and Pauline Clay Christie, 1918 ca.: A photograph of Pauline Clay Watson Christie standing with her granddaughter Pauline Clay Christie in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.

Folder 6: Kate Reed, 1905-03-12

Item 1: Kate Reed, 1898-01-01: A photograph of Kate Reed with the inscription, "Sallie Bennett, The first day of 1898 with loving greetings." Includes a copy,

Folder 7: Launey Clay and Family, 1879-1930

Item 1: Launey Clay: A photograph of Launey Clay standing on a sidewalk.
Item 2: Launey Henry Clay: A photograph of Launey Clay.
Item 3: Portrait of Launey Clay, 1879: A CDV of a young Launey Clay, adopted son of Cassius Marcellus Clay.; Creator: Shull, L.T.
Item 4: Portrait of Launey Clay: A CDV of a young Launey Clay, adopted son of Cassius Marcellus Clay.; Creator: Mullen
Item 5: Launey Clay in the Grass: A photograph of Launey Clay laying in the grass.
Item 6: Launey Clay on a Boat: A photograph of Launey Clay on a steamboat with steam blowing in the background.
Item 7: Launey Clay and Family, 1925-08: Two photographs of Launey, LaFone, Nina, and Justine Clay at Lake Erie.
Item 8: Launey Clay and Family, 1922: A photograph of Launey, LaFone, Nina, and Justine Clay.
Item 9: Justine Clay Graduation, 1930-06-15: A photograph of Justine Clay with her parents, Launey Clay and Nina Clay, on Justine's graduation day.
Item 10: Justine Clay Graduation, 1930-06-15: A photograph of Justine Clay with her parents, Launey Clay and Nina Clay, and her sister, LaFone, on Justine's graduation day.
Item 11: Floyd Green Clay: A photograph of Floyd Green Clay, Launey Clay's son, standing with a horse.
Item 12: Floyd Green Clay, 1907: A photograph of a young Floyd Green Clay.
Item 13: Floyd Green Clay: A portrait of Floyd Green Clay.

Folder 8: Brutus J. Clay and Family, 1929-1940

Item 1: Brutus J. Clay: PK0000005. A copy of a CDV of Brutus J. Clay.
Item 2: Brutus J. Clay and Others, 1929 ca.: A photograph of Brutus J. Clay, Mrs. Brutus J. Clay, and others standing outside for a photo.
Item 3: Mrs. Brutus J. Clay, 1940: A photograph of Mrs. Brutus J. Clay and Mrs. Hattie Buchanan sitting together on a porch.

Folder 9: Mary Barr Clay and Family

Item 1: Frank Clay and Family, 1919-03-19: A photograph of Frank, Charlotte, Rodes, Frank, Watson, and Mary Barr Clay sitting on the stairs together.
Item 2: Mary Barr Clay Herrick, 1907-03-20: A photograph of a young Mary Barr Clay, Frank Clay's daughter, being held by an unnamed woman.
Item 3: Mary Barr Clay: 707182. A cabinet card of Mary Barr Clay in profile.; Creator: Mullen
Item 4: Mary Barr Clay, 1898-02-18: 737970. A cabinet card and a copy of the cabinet card of Mary Barr Clay.
Item 5: Frank Herrick: 706895. A photograph and a copy of a photograph of Frank Herrick, Mary Barr Clay's son with Frank Herrick.
Item 6: Home of Mary Barr Clay: 737961. A cabinet card and a copy of a cabinet card of Mary Barr Clay's home in Madison County, KY.
Item 7: Clay Farm in Richmond: A cabinet card of a Clay farm (Mary Barr?) in Richmond, KY.

Folder 10: Russian Portraits, 1864

Item 1: Empress Maria Feodorovna: A CDV of the Empress of Russia, Maria Feodorovna.
Item 2: Prince Gortchacow, 1864: A print of Prince Gortchacow, chancellor of the Russian Empire.

Folder 11: Clay Family Headstones

Item 1: Dora Richardson: A photograph of a headstone reading: "The Child Bride of General Cassius Marcellus Clay. Dora Richardson. 1880-1914."
Item 2: Cassius M. Clay: A photograph of Cassius M. Clay's headstone with a wreath and two American flags surrounding it.
Item 3: Brutus J. Clay: Two photographs of Brutus J. Clay's headstone.

Folder 12: Mary Chenault

Item 1: Mary Chenault: 739525. A mounted photograph of a young girl with the inscription, "Mary Chenault. White Hall. Madison co Ky."; Creator: Wolff
Item 2: Unidentified Woman: 739528. Could possibly be Mary Chenault.; Creator: Neighbers, G.W.

Folder 13: Marion Davies

Item 1: Marion Davies: An original signed picture of actress Marion Davies that was owned by Esther Bennett.

Folder 14: Clay Family

Item 1: Clay Family: 737962. Original photograph and two copies of a Clay family photo. Photograph includes Green Clay, Laura Clay, and Mary Barr Clay, and others.
Item 2: Anna Clay: A copy of a photograph of Anna Clay holding a fan.
Item 3: Anna Clay: A copy of a photograph of Anna Clay sitting in a fancy dress.
Item 4: Green Clay: A photograph of Green Clay and another man standing with their arms across the tree trunk of a sycamore tree on Taylor's Fork of Silver Creek.
Item 5: Green Clay: A print of Green Clay engraved by F.E. Jones from original painting by Chester A. Harding.
Item 6: Anna Barr or Laura Barr: A photograph of either Anna Barr or Laura Barr, descendant of Cassius and Mary Jane.
Item 7: Thomas Henry Clay III, 1905 ca.: A portrait of Thomas Henry Clay III, aged two years old.
Item 8: Green Clay, Clay Herrick, and Frank Clay: Two copies of a photograph of three young children, Green Clay, Clay Herrick, and Frank Clay, posing for a photograph. Clay Herrick sits in a chair holding Green Clay and Frank Clay stands leaning against the chair.
Item 9: Elise Bennett: A full-body portrait of Elise Bennett, daughter of Sally Bennett, holding a feather fan.

Folder 15: Crenshaw Family

Item 1: Clay Crenshaw: A headshot of Clay Crenshaw wearing a suit and tie.
Item 2: Clay Crenshaw: A photograph of Clay Crenshaw reading a book.
Item 3: Clay Crenshaw: A headshot of Clay Crenshaw wearing a suit and tie.
Item 4: James Bennett: A headshot of James Bennett. A bearded man wearing a suit and tie.
Item 5: Spotswood Dabney Crenshaw Jr.: A headshot of Spottswood Dabney Crenshaw Jr. taken at UVA.
Item 6: Spotswood Dabney Crenshaw Jr.: A photograph of Spotswood Dabney Crenshaw Jr. from the waist up wearing a suit and tie.
Item 7: Spotswood Dabney Crenshaw III: A photograph of Spotswood Dabney Crenshaw III in fancy dress for a children's party at the Old White (Greenbrier).
Item 8: Spotswood Dabney Crenshaw III: A headshot of Spotswood Dabney Crenshaw III wearing a suit and tie.
Item 9: Fanny Graves Crenshaw: A copy of a portrait of Fanny Graves Crenshaw wearing a fancy dress.

Folder 16: Robert Todd and Elizabeth Todd Edwards

Item 1: Robert Todd: A copy of a painting of Robert Todd Edwards from the Mary Todd Lincoln House Collection.
Item 2: Elizabeth Todd Edwards: A copy of a photograph of Elizabeth Todd Edwards from the Mary Todd Lincoln House Collection.

Folder 17: Photographs of Russia

Item 1: Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia: Two photographs of the Winter Palace
Item 2: Monument to Nicholas 1, St. Petersburg, Russia

Folder 18: Unknown People

Item 1: Unknown Man: A photograph of an unknown man standing with a cane and holding his hat.
Item 2: Unknown Man: A tintype photograph of an unknown man sitting and wearing a suit with a plaid tie.
Item 3: Unknown Woman: A cabinet card of an unknown woman wearing a white dress and holding a bouquet.; Creator: Veasey
Item 4: Unknown Man and Woman: A cabinet card of an unknown man with a mustache wearing a suit and sitting in a chair and an unknown woman wearing a veil with her hand on his shoulder.; Creator: Mumbrauer
Item 5: Unknown Girl: A cabinet card of a younger girl wearing a white dress and leaning on a chair.; Creator: Rue, R.B. & Son
Item 6: Unknown Man and Woman: A cabinet card of an unknown man with a mustache sitting in a suit and bowtie with an unknown woman in a white dress and veil. Appears to be a wedding photo.; Creator: Heimberger & Son
Item 7: Unknown Group of People: A photograph of an unknown group of people. Three men and one woman sit in chairs with a woman and a younger boy standing behind them. A young girl is seated in a small chair in front of them.
Item 8: Unknown Group of Women: A photograph of three unknown women posing for a portrait.
Item 9: Unknown Woman: A print of a woman wearing a hat and pearl earrings.
Item 10: Unknown Woman and Children: A copy of a photograph of an unknown woman with four children.
Item 11: Unknown Girl: A copy of a photograph of a younger girl in a fancy dress.
Item 12: Unknown Woman: A photograph of an older woman wearing a black dress and a veil holding a bouquet of flowers.
Item 13: Unknown Woman: A cabinet card of a woman in a silky white dress and gloves holding a bouquet of flowers.
Item 14: Unknown Woman: A copy of a photograph of a woman wearing a black dress and a hat.

Folder 19: Clermont Perspective Sketch

Item 1: Clermont Perspective Sketch: A conjectural restored perspective sketch of the second phase of Clermont in Madison County, KY.

Folder 20: White Hall - Bill Townsend, 1959

Interior and exterior photos of White Hall. Individuals included are William Townsend, Warfield Bennett, and Esther Summers Bennett.

Folder 21: White Hall Events, 1996-1999

Item 1: Rose Garden Event, 1999: Sixteen photographs of a Rose Garden event at White Hall. Photographs include various speakers at a black podium and an audience of listeners.
Item 2: Helicopter: One photograph of a helicopter landing in a field.
Item 3: Wedding: One photograph of a wedding being held outside of White Hall.
Item 4: White Tent: One photograph of a white tent set up outdoors for an event.
Item 5: Chairs and Arch: Two photographs of rows of chairs and a decorative arch set up outside of White Hall. Appears to be for a wedding ceremony.
Item 6: Large Group of People: Six photographs of a large group of people outside of White Hall standing/sitting in rows for a photo.
Item 7: Biscuit Making: Two photographs of women making biscuits in the stone kitchen, one named as Michelle Steele.
Item 8: Historical Outfits: Seven photographs of people wearing historical outfits and performing various tasks around White Hall, including cleaning and reading.
Item 9: Tours: Two photographs of women in historical outfits talking to tour groups.
Item 10: Man and Woman with Sign, 1997-04-04: One photograph of an unnamed man and woman standing by a White Hall sign.
Item 11: Woman at Desk, 1996-12-14: One photograph of an unnamed woman sitting behind a desk.
Item 12: Man Working on Tree Sculpture: One photograph of a man working on a tree sculpture with different names coming from the branches.
Item 13: 2008 Museum Ball, 2008: A collage of photographs from the 2008 Museum Ball.
Item 14: Unknown Women, 2003-06-17: A photograph of three unknown women.

Folder 22: Christmas at White Hall

Photos of decorations throughout the house.

Folder 23: White Hall State Park, 2000-05-14

Folder 24: White Hall Herald Leader Photos, 1951-05-29

Item 1: White Hall Exterior, 1951-05-29: One photograph of the exterior of White Hall with a man and a child on a tricycle in front of the house.
Item 2: White Hall Interior, 1951-05-29: One photograph of the interior of White Hall in bad shape.

Folder 25: White Hall Photographs

Folder 26: Summer 1961 at White Hall, 1961

Copies of snapshots of people at White Hall.

Folder 27: White Hall State Park- Cards, 1992-2019

Item 1: CAP Architectural Assessment, 1992: A small card with a photograph of White Hall and the words "White Hall State Historic Park. CAP Architectural Assessment. 1992. The Office of Michael Emrick, R.A. Historic Preservation/Architecture."
Item 2: White Hall Greeting Card, 2019-12-01: A greeting card with a drawing of White Hall on the front. The inside contains a note from Sally Clay Crenshaw Witt.

Folder 28: White Hall Pre-Restoration

Folder 29: White Hall Negatives

Negatives of photos at White Hall.

Folder 30: Fragment of Old Mount

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[Box 3],
[Box 4],
[Box 5],
[Box 6],
[Box 7],
[Folder OS 1: White Hall Plans, 1967-2011],
[Folder OS 2: White Hall Plans],
[Folder OS 3: White Hall Plans],
[All]