posted 12-26-2008 10:15 AM            

Here is a link to the Henry Clay Papers book which lists Asa Blanchard in Dumfries, Va. in 1806.
Papers Of Henry Clay Vol I 1797 1814"

Dumfries Virginia
Estimable Acquaintance 3rd. November 1806

Being actuated by the pure desire of rendering, or being instrumental in promoting the welfare and prosperity of a de[se]rving man, I have presumed to recommend to your confidance and patron-
age Mr Asa Blanchard (a Silver Smith)

I lament that I cannot write to you under more auspicious circumstancesbut the thorough knowledge of your liberality of sentiment eases me greatly on that subject Mr Blancet I believe has a variety of recommendations from eminant and dignified characters which will (I dare believe) clearly confirm his honor and vertue as a man; and his skill and punctuality as a workman I need not suggest much to your extended & discriminateing mind of the utility and importance of having influential friends in the commencement of business among strangers; and that of a trade where the dignity of Jobs entrusted to him opens a door for the establishment of celebrity in the particular vocation nor need I say that we are all links of one great chain, and by the laws of phylanthropy (written in the constitution of the heart of every good man) are bound to contribute our part in promoteing the felicity of a man

I shall say but little more I could wish that Mr Blanchard could come better recommended to you (if he has none else but mine) as I am certain he has merit Permit me here to predicate my my [sic] heart felt gratitude, for your magnanimous & friendly, disinterested offers when I took leave of you, at the Olympian Springs, last year, when I was unpleasantly situated.

I really wish you happiness & celebrity NAT SMITH

PS. It is late. Mr B embraces an early hour for starting, and I cannot (with out distressing my health) copy, and write as fair & well as I ought to you but you are not the slave of ceremony

NS-

There is also a letter online from Enoch Smith to Asa Blanchard.

The McDonald, Ewing, Ridgeway, Smith, and Stoner Families

Enoch was Asa's first wife Rebecca's uncle. He also had a brother Daniel Smith who was a Tennessee Senator. Enoch's sister Sarah Smith married James Hardage Lane and one of their daughter's Rebecca married Asa Blanchard. Enoch was a friend of Daniel Boone and surveyed some land in what is now called Kentucky in 1776 and received Land Grants. This is probably the connection between Blanchard and 2 of his apprentices ISRAEL BOONE GRANT and WILLIAM GRANT.

The Dumfries connection is where Blanchard became friends with Jacob Gregg and later took his nephew WILLIAM GREGG on as an apprentice. Dumfries, Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia were just a few miles apart.

On one of the genealogy sites, someone lists Blanchard having a sister named Catherine. The only Catherine, I have found so far had a son named Horatio and a daughter named Elizabeth Turner and she was married to John Blancett. I am still working on the Blansett names.

Blanchard is also listed in the 1810 Census as HTB ASA BLANCHARD, I believe the HTB is a Masonic symbol meaning 'Holy Trinity Brompton'

posted 12-27-2008 02:29 PM            

Thanks for sharing this interesting research. The mobility of early settlers is always interesting and even more so if you can find first hand letters.

His early work habits learned in Virginia worked well in Kentucky.

Art