A large and significant manuscript archive of prominent Kentuckian Green Clay (1757 - 1826) and his family, most notably his abolitionist son Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810 - 1903). Dating between 1796 and 1864, the archive includes approximately 95 documents, with 48 explicitly related to the enslaved individuals they owned. A complete listing of documents is included below. 

 

The earliest documents of the family archive relate to patriarch Green Clay (1757 - 1826) and his wife, Sally Lewis Clay (1776 - 1867). Clay came from a prominent family that had resided in Powhatan County, Virginia, since the seventeenth century. He speculated on the Virginia frontier, buying thousands of acres through agents who traveled into the wilderness at his behest. After moving to Madison County in the 1780s, he established himself as one of the richest and most powerful men in the state. Clay was well-connected through family, a second cousin of Henry Clay (1777-1852), and by marriage, as he was brother-in-law of Kentucky Governor James Garrard (1749-1822). During the War of 1812, he became a general and led a Kentucky militia of 3,000 soldiers.  He was one of the wealthiest men in the state and one of the largest enslavers in Kentucky, owning nearly 100 slaves at the time of his death in 1828.

The archive opens with an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Green Clay (Doc No. 2, dated 5 October 1829), which most notably lists 98 named enslaved individuals. His will, though not included here, is digitally available, and specifies the division of those slaves, mostly between his three sons, Sidney Payne Clay (1800 - 1834), Brutus Junius Clay (1808 - 1878), and Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810 - 1903).

Notably, Green’s youngest son, Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810-1903) would go on to have a storied career as an abolitionist politician. He was surrounded by the so-called “peculiar institution” of slavery from birth, and commented as an adult that, under his father, slavery was made “as bearable as was consistent with the facts.” He first began to question the status quo after witnessing an account of a slave named Mary who, when assaulted by an overseer, killed her attacker in self-defense. Though she was acquitted of the crime, she was sent to the Deep South, and “the innocence - the indifference - with which Cassius had viewed slavery was swept away.” (Richardson, p. 12). 

 

Cassius would pursue a career in politics and devote the rest of his life to the abolitionist movement. Known as the “Lion of White Hall,” his brash demeanor and controversial politics, especially in a border slave state, drew the ire of many, and he notoriously defended himself from would-be assassins with a bowie knife. In 1853, he granted 10 acres of his land to John G. Fee to establish Berea, and, in 1855, Berea College, a college open to all races. He founded the Republican Party in Kentucky, became a friend to Abraham Lincoln, and even had a bid to run as his vice president at the Chicago Convention. In March 1861, Lincoln appointed Clay as Minister to the Russian Court, and he is credited with swaying Russian policy in favor of the Union. 

 

The abolition movement in the antebellum era was complex and filled with inconsistencies. Dr. Anne E. Marshall explores how Clay exemplified the contradiction of principle and practice in the article “‘Lamentable Inconsistency:' Cassius Marcellus Clay and the Dilemma of Anti-Slavery Slaveholders" (Slavery & Abolition, Vol 41, No. 2 (2020), pp. 327-348) and her forthcoming book Cassius Marcellus Clay: The Life of an Antislavery slaveholder and the Paradox of American Reform. 

 

The documents included here highlight that inconsistency. 

 

In 1844, Clay manumitted at least 9 of his slaves. While the act was significant and earned him recognition in abolitionist circles, he continued to benefit from the labor and proceeds of the slaves both he and his family owned. He almost certainly kept several of the slaves that were held in trust for his two sisters. 

 

Indeed, in the last will and testament of Martha Lewis, included here (No. 6), the testator indicates that “all my negroes be equally divided between Cassius M Clay and Brutus J Clay sons of Green Clay deceased equal by valuation.” The will, dated 5 August 1844, was penned the same year as the manumission of the 9 slaves he inherited from his father. While Cassius claims to have later "emancipated 13 others, which he purchased 'to bring families together,'" (Marshall, "Lamentable", p. 333), it is unclear the fate of the slaves he inherited from Martha Lewis. The documents as a whole demonstrate that the entire Clay family, Cassius included, continued to reap the material benefits of slavery until emancipation.

 

A document from late 1831 or early 1832 (entered into the Madison County Court on 28 February 1832) records expenditures and settlements in the estate of Green Clay (1757-1828) between 1829 and 1831. Notably, several payments in cash were made for the education of Cassius M. Clay. The document also includes income from the hire of slaves, $20 paid to Fanny for an “emancipated slave legacy”, and $500 “cash withheld from him by consequence of Mary one the negroes transported (according to the Will of decd.) having been returned to the commission merchant who sold them in New Orleans who alleges that said Mary died in his hands as per postscript to our former sell”.

 

The archive traces the inheritance, care, and proceeds from the sizeable number of slaves originating from the estate of Green Clay. Many of the documents then concern the estate of Green’s eldest son, Sidney P. Clay, who died just 6 years after his father. The middle son, Brutus Junius, became the executor and administrator of the estate.

 

The majority of the documents concern the slaves of Sidney’s estate, which were then inherited by his son Green Reed Clay (1833 - 1860), not to be confused with his grandfather and namesake, nor with his cousin, Major Green Clay (1837 - 1883), son of Cassius Marcellus. The documents consist of inventories, accounting regarding the estates, valuations, and 70 receipts, over 30 of which explicitly reference the care of slaves. 

 

Interestingly, the receipts track the expenses for "board and clothing" for several slaves who are apparently elderly or infirm. One man, referred to as "blind Tom," is listed 8 times between 1842 and 1853. 

 

A notable example is a doctor’s receipt from July 1833, which lists a host of visits, treatments, and prescriptions for slaves, including bleedings, tooth extractions, and tinctures of opium. 

 

A set of five documents relates to "apprehending the negro girl slave Delilah," who was captured by a man named Johnson Robinson. The issue was taken to court over failure to pay for his services. 

 

The archive also includes a few documents witnessed by various members of the Clay family, which also relate to the widespread slaveowning throughout Kentucky. 

 

Included is the last will and testament of James Martin, dated 1796, and witnessed by Green Clay and his brother Thomas Clay (1750-1824). Martin details the division of at least 19 named slaves. 

 

Brutus served as a witness to the last will and testament of Margaret M. Reed of Bourbon County, dated 13 October, 1834. Reed specifies that “my negro woman Amy shall be free at my death upon condition that she will consent to go to Liberia,” and also makes allowances for all of her children. In a second document, the court records that Amy, now 37, is still enslaved and has not moved to Liberia. Furthermore, the descendants, now residents of Missouri, were “anxious that said slaves be removed to Missouri where they can be better cared and provided for than if they remained in Kentucky.” Interestingly, the document records that “all the said slaves [have] appeared in open court and expressed their desire to be removed to Missouri.” The court specified that the Liberia offer still remained, and that official copies were made for Amy and all her children. 

 

An exceedingly scarce slavery-related archive from one of Kentucky's most prominent 19th-century families that starkly illustrates the complexity of the slave system, even for abolitionists. 

 

Documents: 

 

1. James Martin last will and testament. Document signed by James Martin. Witnessed by Green Clay, James French, and Thomas Clay (1750-1824). Madison County, Kentucky, 25 July 1796. 3 pages, folio. 8 ⅗ x 13 ½ in. Neat repairs to old folds. 

 

Details the division of land and 19 named slaves. 

 

2. Inventory and Appraisal of the Estate of Green Clay, Decd. Manuscript document. Undersigned by the executors. Madison County, Kentucky, November 1828. 10 pages, folio, 8 x 12 ¼ in., string bound. With 1 page attestation dated 5 October 1829. Docketed to verso. 

 

A full inventory of the estate of the late Green Clay, most notably, and listed first and most prominently are the names of 95 enslaved individuals: "William, Susan, Bob, Arbell, Luke, Clark, Aaron, Edy, Jordan?, Cealy, Margret, Esther Junior, Levin, Lindee, Dick, Malvina, Adier, Nanny, Harry, Henry Jr., Padd, Raney, Warner, Tabb, Tom, Dice, Sarah Jr., Linney, Mary Jr., George Jr., Jack, Teagle, Pamp, Martha, Macland, Dean, Paisley, Wesley, Henson, Parthena, Arey, Gabe, Jephemiah, Phill Jefferson, Baden, Minerva, Charley, Gabrila, Lally, Waddsan, Simon, Amy, Georg Sr., Stephen, Maria, Lafayette, Ophelia, Rachael, Frank, Iain, Emily, Solomon, Milly, Arlsey, Lucy, Jackson, Hannah Jr. (daughter of Old Hannah), Scott, Mingo, Riley, Joe, Esther Sr., John, Usley, Nancy Jr., David, Matt, Adam, Ned, Peter, Zach Sr., Daniel, Winney & Child David, Grace, Isabelle, Mary Sr., Linney, Caroline, Jack, Patrick, Hannah Sr., Joe Jr."

 

3. …Appointing Henry Bedford Signs., Henry Clay Jnr., Abner Cunningham, & John Cunningham Commissioners to allot Isabella C.J. Clay relict of Sidney P. Clay, Dec. Sept Term 1834. [Kentucky], 1834. 2 pages, folio. With additional page with submissions to court dated 15 October 1834 and 3 November 1834. Docketed to verso. 

 

Includes the 11 named slaves: Warrick (48), Philip (24), Isham (26), David (16), Richard (11), Wm. Moore (16), Will (7), Eliza (38), Louisie (16), Biddy (14), Isabella (1).

 

4. Manuscript last will and testament of Margaret M. Reed. Bourbon County, Kentucky. 13 October 1834. 2 pages, folio. Undersigned by Brutus J. Clay. Additional page from recording in the court on 7 September 1835. 

 

Reed specifies that "my negro woman Amy shall be free at my death upon condition that she will consent to go to Liberia and that she shall be at liberty to take with her at any time all her children under the age of twenty one years" with further specifications.

 

5. Manuscript document. [Bourbon Co., Kentucky], circa 1849. 2 pages, folio. 

 

Amy and her children, still enslaved, elects to be removed to Missouri. 

 

6. Last will and testament of Martha Lewis. Manuscript document. Bourbon County, Kentucky, 5 August 1844. 2 pages, folio, entered into BCC on 2 September 1844. WITH Additional leaf with “additional Inventory” dated 18 March 1845. 

 

Division of slaves, most notably "That all my negroes be equally divided between Cassius M Clay and Brutus J Clay sons of Green Clay deceased equal by valuation..."

 

7. Inventory of the Estate of Martha Lewis. Manuscript document. [Bourbon County, Kentucky], 18 September 1844. 2 pages, folio. 
Inventory of household goods, livestock, and crops. 

 

8. Manuscript receipt to Johnson Robinson. 13 January 1846. “For apprehending negro girl slave Delilah” $10

 

9. Partly printed document. 13 March 1846. 1 page. Sheriff summons for Brutus J. Clay to answer unto Johnson Robertson “for having failed to pay a debut under fifty dollars due by account.”

 

10. Manuscript document. Bourbon County, Kentucky, 12 June 1846. 1 page, 4to. Appeal granted. 

 

11. Manuscript document signed by Brutus J. Clay. BC, KY, 28 August 1846. 1 page. “Brutus J. Clay and Thomas P. Smith are held and firmly bound unto Johnson Robinson in the penalty of twenty five dollars”

 

12. Manuscript document. BC, 28 August 1846. 1 page. Summons for Johnson Roberson in September.

 

13. Partly printed document completed in manuscript. Bourbon County, Kentucky, 29 August 1846. 1 page. 

 

Sheriff summons for Greenup Goodman to witness on behalf of Roberson in an appeal now pending.

 

14. Additional Inventory of the Estate of Elear D. Clay Infant heir of Sidney P. Clay Decd. Manuscript document. [Bourbon County, Kentucky], 12 February 1852. 2 pages, folio. Docketed to verso. 

 

Includes hire of servants, all of whom are given full names with surnames. 

 

15. Additional Inventory of the Estate of Green Clay Infant heir of Sidney Clay decd. Manuscript document. [Bourbon County, Kentucky], 12 February 1852. 2 pages, folio. Docketed to verso. 

 

Details the hire of 11 named enslaved individuals, including Madison + Albert, Mary + Mariah, John, Bill, Peggy + Ellen, Juts?, John, and Clark.

 

16. Manuscript document. Madison Co., Kentucky, [late 1831 or early 1832]. 7 pages, 4to, string bound. Entered into the Madison County Court by clerk David Irvin, dated 28 February 1832. Docketed to verso.

 

Settlement with description of expenditures and settlements from 1829 to 1831, including cash paid for “Cassis M Clay for education +c.”, $20 paid on 13 April 1831 to  “Fanny emancipated slave legacy”, the income from the hire of slaves in 1829 and 1830, and $500 “cash withheld from him by consequence of Mary one the negroes transported (according to the Will of decd.) having been returned to the commission merchant who sold them in New Orleans who alleges that said Mary died in his hands as per postscript to our former sell”.
 

17. …Inventory of all the Personal Estate of E.D. Clay. Manuscript document signed by Sidney Clay. Bourbon County, Kentucky, 29 December 1852. 1 page, folio, on blue paper. Entered into Bourbon County Court on 3 January 1853. 

 

Estate of Elias D. Clay (1835-1851), which includes 16 named enslaved individuals: Samuel, Dave, Sam, William, Daniel, "Doctor negroe boy", Richard, Peggy, Taby + child, Brutus, boy child, Cassius Negro Boy, Bell, Susan + child, Manerva.

 

18. Sidney Clay Admt. of the estate of Elias D. Clay. Manuscript document. Bourbon County, Kentucky, 15 July 1853. 2 pages, folio, on blue paper. Entered into BCC on 3 October 1853. 

 

Includes “portion of slaves as appraised” 

 

19. Manuscript document signed by Brutus J. Clay. 17 October 1853. 1 page, folio, on blue paper. Entered into Bourbon County Court the same day. 
Records of the hire of 9 slaves and land. 

 

20. Last will and testament. [Bourbon County, Kentucky], 27 January 1857. 1 page, 4to. 

 

Includes the inheritance of slaves: “She is to have two [negro] women of her choice, one man of her choice." It also details that “It is my will that all my personal property be sold and as many of my slaves as will pay my just debts and that my lands be equally divided between my seven sons and one daughter.” 

 

21. Autograph document signed by R.J. Brown. Bourbon Co., Kentucky, 18 December 1860. 1 page, 8 ½ x 6 ⅝ in. Docketed to verso.

 

Green’s widow, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Mildred Goodman Clay (1836-1927), and his descendants petition the court to divide the slaves owned by Green Clay (1833-1860), son of Sidney Payne Clay. Verso with court order to proceed, dated December 22nd. 
 

22. Valuation of the Slaves Belonging to the Estate of Green Clay Decd. 22 December 1860. Manuscript document. [Bourbon County, Kentucky], [1860]. 2 pages, 6 ¼ x 15 ½ in. Entered into Bourbon County Court by Clerk R.J. Brown, dated 7 January 1861. Docketed to verso. 

 

The valuation names 17 men and 18 women with their ages and value, totaling over $12,000. According to the will, Green’s widow, Lizzie Clay, was "entitled to the value of $4033.33” and thus selected “the following named negroes” Hanson, Clark, Marshall, Mary, Violete (infant child), Ishaln, Martha, Ellen, Ed.

 

23. …Inventory + Appraisment of the Estate of Green Clay Decd. Manuscript document. Victoria County, Texas, July [1860?]. 4 pages, 4to. Entered into the Bourbon County (KY) Court by clerk R.J. Brown dated 4 February 1861. 

 

The heading notes that Sidney Clay, son and executor of Green Clay’s estate, “have substituted the value put upon the slaves by the Commissioners appointed by the Bourbon County Court to allot to Mrs. Clay her portion of the slaves, for the appraisement made in Texas." The document lists 34 enslaved individuals by name with their ages, their probable hire rate, and their valuations: Bob, Tom (Blind), Harrison, Marshall, John, Dave, Clark, Luke, Dan, Marshall Jr., [illeg.]ham, Tom, Warrick, Bill, Ed, Jackpeg, Frank, Ellen, Alonzo, Charles, Susan, Nancy Jane, Ann Rebecca, Maria, David, Mary, Violet, “Infant”, Aggie Sr, Winney, Martha, Ellen, Aggie Jr., Henrietta, Janetta. 
 

24. Sale bill of the Estate of Green Clay decd by S.P. Clay Executor. Victoria County, Texas, 9 November 1860. 9 pages, 4to, sewn. Entered into the Bourbon County (KY) Court by clerk R.J. Brown dated 4 February 1861. 
Mostly household items, farming implements, livestock and records the purchaser and sold price. 

 

25. List of articles [bought] of R.P. Clay. Manuscript document. [Kentucky], 29 January 1863. 1 page, folio. 

 

Includes a note added in pencil that a “ni**r boy hired at $52.50”.

 

26. Autograph letter signed by Cassius Marcellus Clay (“C.M. Clay”) to E.C. Daniell of Boston. White Hall, Madison Co., Kentucky, 5 November 1864. 4 ⅞ x 6 ⅛ in.

 

Marcellus Cassius Clay declines the invitation to speak, citing his terms of “$50 a lecture”. 

 

27-97. Manuscript receipts. Mostly Kentucky, July 1833-1863. Over 30 related explicitly to the division, care, or expenses of enslaved individuals. A full list is available upon request. 

 

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [Colonial America, 13 Colonies, Thirteen Colonies] [Slavery, Enslavement] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]