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Henry Clay of Lexington
Henry Clay Sr. was born April 12, 1777 to Reverend Johnn and Elizabeth Hudson Clay of Hanover County, Virginia, and died June 9, 1852 in Washington, D. C. As a very young child, he witnessed the Revolutionary War General Banastre Tarleton "the butcher" ransack his family home. In 1803 he was elected to the Kentucky General Assembly. In 1797 he set off to find his fortune in Kentucky. He was married to Lucretia Hart of Kentucky. He purchased Ashland in Lexington which was pronounced unsafe and torn down. It was his son, however who rebuilt the house on the sae site, on practically the same plan and some of the original building materials were used in its construction. In 1811, he went to Congress and while there made an unsuccessful fight for the Presidency, ultimately being defeated by General Andrew Jakson. While a resident of Ashland, Henry Clay fought three duels. After his death, his son John inherited the estate and laid out one of the first privaate race courses in Kentucky. Thus, his place was famous for Kentucky horse racing. Many of the distinguished guests entertained at Ashland were President Monroe, Lafayette and various governors. The house at Ashland was inherited by James Clay, another son, and at his death passed to Kentucky University.
