MY KENTUCKY: Cassius M. Clay’s “child-wife,” Dora
By SAM TERRY
Managing Editor
Jobe Publishing, Inc.
On November 13, 1894, “The Lion of White Hall,” 84-year old Cassius M. Clay married 15-year old Dora Richardson at his Madison County estate. The wedding became one of the most memorable stories in Kentucky history. The Louisville Courier-Journal and the Lexington Transcript carried front page news accounts while publications across the country shared the news of Clay and his “child-wife.”
The bride was the orphaned sister of Will and McClellan Richardson, laborers on Clay’s farm and who, being her next of kin, consented to the marriage. Descended from the landed gentry of the Bluegrass, the bridegroom had led a colorful life. He was an emancipationist passionately promoting the abolition of slavery in his newspaper, The True American. In 1855, he donated land and money to help start Berea College. While serving as President Lincoln’s Minister to Russia, Clay played a role in the purchase of Alaska in 1867. While in Russia, he allegedly carried on an affair with a ballerina with whom he had a son, Launey, whom he adopted. His wife, Mary Jane Warfield Clay, left him after enduring 45 years of a tumultuous relationship; in turn, he divorced her for abandonment. By the time of his second marriage, Clay was extraordinarily eccentric, carrying two pistols and a knife for protection, and defending his home, White Hall, with a cannon.
DORA RICHARDSON CLAY
During the nearly four years Dora and Cassius M. Clay were married, she suffered from bouts of depression and frequently retreated from “White Hall” to stay with her brother, McClellan, at his home at Valley View. Following her departure on July 3, 1897, Clay filed for a divorce which was granted on September 9, 1898. In the meantime, Clay bought Dora “Pinkard Farm” in Woodford County containing a cottage, which he outfitted with furniture – some allegedly from “White Hall” – and he promised to support her as long as he lived.
Six days after the divorce was granted, Dora Married Riley Brock, said to have been a childhood sweetheart. Brock was a sawmill worker who also happened to be a drunkard, a gambler, and a counterfeiter among other things. The Lexington Leader reported the upcoming marriage but noted that Dora had been expected to wed Willie Bryant, “over whom she had so much trouble with the old ‘Lion of White Hall,’ but she tossed Willie overboard about two months ago and has since been receiving constant attention from Brock, who is 24 and handsome.” The wedding was held at Dora’s cottage at “Pinkard Farm.” Among Riley’s antics during the marriage was the sale of the furniture from Dora’s cottage.
CASSIUS M. CLAY at age 84 on the day of his wedding to 15-year old Dora Richardson.
In October 1899, Dora gave birth to her only child, a son named Cassius Marcellus Clay Brock. Meanwhile, Dora returned to “White Hall” as a housekeeper and helping to care for her aging ex-husband while some contend that Dora retreated to Clay’s home to escape Riley Brock and his rowdy friends. Brock died in Illinois on June 28, 1903 as he and two others were skipping moving train cars and he fell between cars and was crushed to death.
Just four days after Riley Brock’s death, the Xenia Daily Gazette reported on July 2, that the widowed Dora had returned to her first husband. “’Bring my Dora back to me,’ he said to his attendant; ‘bring her back, I say,’ and he stamped his foot,” the Gazette reported. The reporter went on to mention that “it is not known if General Clay will again marry her,” explaining that he divorced her because she was in love with Brock and did all in his power to make their home happy.
Three weeks later, Cassius M. Clay died at his home, aged 92.
On December 7, 1904, 24-year old Dora Richardson Clay Brock married her third husband, Samuel Thomas, described as “a young farmer.” Still making news as Cassius M. Clay’s former “child-wife,” Dora’s divorce from her third husband on May 12, 1909 was reported in newspapers around the country.
Dora was living with her fourth husband, Ben Hunt, at Wallace Station in Woodford County when she died of tuberculosis at age 35 on February 11, 1914. Living in deep poverty, Dora’s grave in the Midway Cemetery was marked with a metal marker by compassionate citizens. Years later, the Commonwealth of Kentucky placed a small Kentucky Historical Society marker at her grave.
THE FABLED CENTERPIECE of Cassius M. Clay’s farm is “White Hall,” shown in 1984. Clay is seen standing to the left of the front porch of the 44-room Italianate mansion, now owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and open for tours.
Thank you for a well researched telling of the Dora and Cassius story. As a tour guide at White Hall, I appreciate the newspaper references. If I may point out one small error: Cassius divorced Mary Jane for abandonment. Thanks again for a great piece!
Thank you, Jeffrey.
Thank you, Jeffrey. The correction has been made.
I’m related to Dora so found this interesting. Mcclellan Richardson was my great grandfather, his son Dewey Richardson was my grandfather, my mothers father. Me and my older sister have been wanting to visit Whitehall,I think we may finally get to this year. Although I read a story once that there was a fight between Clay and towns folk because they thought Dora was too young and wanted to take her home but because she didn’t want to, there was a fight ensued. So not sure about everything I’ve read. Anyway, look forward to the visit.
Wilma – since you are a descendant of McClellan, I wonder if you know more information about his parents and siblings. I know his mother was Mary Jane Estes, and his father was John Richardson. Do you know anything else about his father, like birth or death dates? And who his siblings are? I appreciate any insight you’re willing to share! Feel free to email me at amy.nicole0920@gmail.com if you’re willing.
Hi Wilma, I too am a great great grand daughter of McCellan, great granddaughter of Willard. My family plan on visiting White Hall this Christmas season. It’s great to see your comments. Thank you.
McClellen was my great grandfather, my grandfather was his son Russell. I had no idea he had so many siblings. Although I lived in Winchester most of my life I’ve never been to Whitehall. Interesting story.
My grandfather was Russell Richardson his father was either a uncle or brother to Mccellan Richardson he was born in 1900 in valley view Kentucky his mother was rosa Bryant who soon after his birth passed away leaving I think 6 children some were raised by other family member some by his father who remarried my grandfather was often reported to be a orphan?? He had a 3rd grade education could barely read and write he worked the tennent farms with some of his family member. As a child he took us to Whitehall he knew a lot about the mansion and the history of Clay We visited there in late 50’s and early 60’s the place was empty and in ruins at that time. Would appreciate any information about the Richardsons from valley view ky.
Hi Shirley, Mclellan was Russell’s father. Russell was my grandfather too. I’m Paul and Gerry’s son.
I too am a descendent of Dora Richardson. My grandmother, was Maude Richardson.
I too am a descendant of Dora Richardson. My great great grandfather was Thomas Richardson who was the older brother to Will, McClellan and Dora. I have visited WhiteHall since a child. I loved reading this.