History
Captain Tacitus Thomas Clay
Tas, as he was known as by family and friends was born on January 5, 1824, in Daviess County, Kentucky; the first child of Nestor and Nancy Johnson Clay. He was named after his father’s 20 year old brother, Tacitus Matthew, and his paternal grandfather, Thomas Clay,
Tas was from a long line of Clays noted for their contribution to America. The first Clay in the United States came from Wales to Jamestown Colony in 1613; his progeny were leaders in major U.S. wars, politics and the development of America’s frontiers. Nestor’s father, Thomas Clay, was active in Kentucky politics from 1791-1799, representing Madison County in Kentucky’s Constitutional Conventions, House of Representatives and Senate. In 1811, Thomas moved to Daviess County, Kentucky, near present day Owensboro.
Nestor took his family and brother to Austin’s Colony in Texas in 1828, homesteading in Coles’ Settlement (later called Independence). After his wife’s death in 1834, Nestor took his surviving children, Tas (age 10), Mary Jane (age 5) and Lucy (age 3) back to Owensboro, Kentucky, to be raised by Nancy’s family. Nestor died in Texas a year later. In 1842, 18 year old Tas returned to his father’s homestead in Texas.
Tas and his friend, Sam Seward of the Seward Plantation, opened a general mercantile store on the South side of the Town square in Independence. On June 1, 1854, Tas married Bettie Seward, the much younger sister of his friend Sam Seward. In late 1853, Tas started to build his home. The structure was a two room dog-trot construction. Over the next few years, the home was expanded to four rooms and a grand hallway. Tas known to be an excellent dancer and he designed his home with a ballroom on the second story. Being a prominent member of society, he planned to entertain and hold dances in his ballroom. In 1859, Tas was elected Mayor of Independence and his business was thriving. He had inherited his father’s land and had acquired more land and owned numerous slaves. The 1860 census shows him to have over $30,000.00 in land and assets. In modern funds, that would be the equivalent of over $500,000.00. Life was going well for Tas and his family.
Tas was asked by his good friend and neighbor, Dr. Jerome Bonaparte Robertson, to join a company of men to fight against “Northern Aggression”. Jerome B. Robertson had distinguished himself by his service as a Captain in the Texas War for Independence and later as an Indian fighter, legislator and physician. Due to his political connections and his participation as a Secessionist Delegate to the state convention in 1861; he was authorized to raise a company of men to fight in the war.
Robertson would be the company’s Captain and the men elected Tas to be their 1st Lieutenant. The company of men was mustered on the town square on August 3, 1861 and named the company, the “Texas Aides”. The company was comprised of 93 men.
The “Texas Aides” were placed into the 5th Texas Hood’s Brigade under the command of Robert E. Lee and officially known as Company I, 5th Texas Brigade. Jerome B. Robertson was quickly promoted to General and given different commands.
Tas was promoted to Captain on October 23, 1861. He was wounded in the Battle of Gaines’ Mill on June 27, 1862. Tas was acting Colonel of the 5th Texas at various times during 1863 and 1864. During this time Tas was wounded again at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864.
Tas’s good friend General Jerome B. Robertson was now in charge of recruiting and reserves in Texas and he was authorized to find an assistant to help him. Robertson immediately issued orders to transfer his friend, Tas, to fill the post. Unfortunately, the transfer orders did not arrive in time to keep Tas from fighting in the Battle of Darbytown Road. Tas received a severe leg wound which required his leg to be amputated on October 7, 1864. Tas returned home, never to dance again. Tas was discharged from the Confederate Army on January 9, 1865 with the rank of Captain. Only 9 of the original muster of Company “I” returned home from the war.
Tas never regained his health and died in Independence on July 14, 1868. The war had taken his leg and yellow fever had taken two of his children while he was at war.
Tas never finished the ballroom on the upper story of the house. Only a fireplace with a stone mantel was left. The Clay home went through several owner’s and last resident of the home was Dorothy Booker Clay, a long time school teacher, who lived her entire 85 years.
The home was purchased in 1979 by Mrs. Thelma Zwiener of Houston. The home was built on stone pillars and underground springs were causing the foundation to fail. In an effort to save the building, the home was moved directly across the street to a new stable pad site in 1984. On August 22, 1985, shortly after restoration was completed, the house caught fire, but was served. After more repairs, the home has been restored to its authentic, original beauty.
