|
Part of the American
History & Genealogy Project |
Mrs. John J. (Moss) Crittenden 1804 ~ 1873
Mrs. John J. Crittenden was one of the American women who shared
the glory and distinction of her husband, contributing her part
as a wife to his success. The ancestors of Mrs. Crittenden were
from Albemarle and Goochland Counties, Virginia. Her
great-grandfather was General John Woodson, who had inherited
from his father a large estate on the James River in Goochland
County, called Dover. He married Dorothea Randolph.
One of her sisters was the mother of Thomas Jefferson. Another,
Mrs. Pleasants, was the mother of Governor Pleasants of
Virginia. Her only brother was Thomas Mann Randolph. A son of
Mr. and Mrs. Woodson, Josiah, married his cousin, Elizabeth
Woodson, and their daughter, Mary in 1801, married Dr. James W.
Moss of Albermarle County, Virginia and they were the parents of
Elizabeth Moss, who became later Mrs. Crittenden.
Elizabeth was born while her parents were living in Kentucky but
when quite a young girl they removed to Missouri which had just
been admitted as a state to the Union. Their home was for a time
in St. Louis, but later her father removed to the town of
Columbia in that state. Elizabeth married when quite young a
physician. Dr. William P. Wilcox, who was at that time a member
of the state legislature. Dr. Wilcox survived but a short time,
leaving his wife with two daughters. The eldest, Mary, became
the wife of Mr. Andrew McKinley, only son of Justice McKinley of
the Supreme Court of the United States. The youngest daughter,
Anna, became the wife of Honorable E. Carrington Cabell, a
representative in Congress from Florida and son of Honorable
William Cabell late Chief Justice of Virginia.
In 1852 Mrs. Wilcox married General William H. Ashley, then the
only representative in Congress from Missouri. General Ashley
was a resident of St Louis and one of its distinguished
citizens. Mrs. Ashley accompanied her husband to Washington
immediately after their marriage and at once became the subject
of general admiration and the center of a large social circle.
Her natural grace, affability, frank cordiality, intellectual
cultivation and above all her genuine kindness of heart drew
about her those who appreciated such sterling qualities and
charming graces.
In 1838, General Ashley died and Mrs. Ashley returned to her
home in St Louis. Occasionally she spent her time in
Philadelphia and Washington while her children were being
educated. She was always a favorite wherever she went and
remained unspoilt notwithstanding the attentions and homage
lavished upon her. It is said of her she was never known to
speak harshly or censoriously of anyone, nor did she ever forget
an acquaintance or wound by a change of manner. She was
perfectly familiar with all' the political issues of the day but
never advocated as a partisan either side; always intelligent
and fluent in conversation, she never assumed the slightest
superiority or seemed conscious that her own opinion or judgment
was better than that of others. Her delicate tact and regard for
the feelings or the pride of others rendered her an ornament of
every social circle.
Honorable John J. Crittenden, then attorney general of the
United States in Mr. Fillmore's cabinet in 1853, won the heart
of this distinguished woman. After Mr. Crittenden's retirement
from the cabinet he was returned to the senate, where he
remained until his death in 1863. Mrs. Crittenden always
accompanied her husband to Washington and it is said the
political and diplomatic world flocked about them. Mr.
Crittenden's service was during the stormy days which preceded
the outbreak of the Rebellion and many were the trials they were
called upon to endure. Mrs. Crittenden sympathized deeply with
her husband in his efforts to preserve the Union. After Mr.
Crittenden's death Mrs. Crittenden remained for a time at
Frankfort Kentucky, and later removed to New York City.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
|