Sent to us by Julia H Hahn

I am posting news of the Watkins/Moss house here in Versailles, Kentucky.
Surely there are relatives, ancestors of Henry (1785) and his wife, Elizabeth (1750)Mother of Henry Clay, that will share concerns for this old and beautiful historic home.
I am a neighbor and can see the property from my home and have recently learned that the house is in danger of being torn down. I am working diligently with the owner (89)to encourage him to restore it as it is on the National Register of Historic Homes.
Will be happy to send pictures as it is today and e-mail or talk to anyone that is concerned for it's welfare.
There are no grants available at this time, only tax incentives for restoration.
The house is in remarkable condition to be nearly 200 years old.
It is all of your ancestoral roots. Is anyone interested?
Pleaase contact me.
Sincerely and hopefully,
Julia H Hahn
Versailles, KY

You will find a very interesting article written by Elizabeth Watkins Barner and a photo of Watkins House circa 1820.
http://www.watkinsfhs.net/?Stories_and_Articles:Watkins_Tavern

I am a direct descendant of Henry (Hal) and Elizabeth through their son, Francis. 
 
I was in Versailles in July and we went to see Elizabeth at the Lexington cemetery, but never managed to go to the farm, which leaves me heartsick, but I thought it would be on another trip.
 
Did you know that Henry is still buried out there as well as some other family members?  My brother was there years ago and we talked about how it seemed a shame to separate them when Henry brought his mother to Lexington. Henry's father, John Clay, was not a particularly nice person from the stories I've heard, but that is neither here nor there, as my grandmother would have said.
 
I AM interested, but my interest and participation could only come in the way of contacting or any help of a non-financial manner.  If you think I can be of any help at all, I would be glad to either make contacts or e-mail or find out how to go about getting the house on the registry, I am glad to be of help.  I wish I had had you to contact when I was there.  I live in the Tulsa, OK area and my brother lives in his wife's old ancestoral home.  THAT home is outside of the DC area about 15 minutes' drive from Harper's Ferry in WVA, so he's actually closer. 
 
Do you have pictures of the house? Does anybody know about the small family cemetery on the property?

Elizabeth Watkins Barner

Dear Julia and any others who are interested:

Well, I spoke with Julia day before last and it turns out that the house IS on the National Register of Historic Homes and I'm assuming the cemetery is enclosed with that. She has explained that she is trying her best to have the current owner of the property keep the house and add to/repair it to it's deserved stature. It is a beautiful home and being 200 years old, should be saved. Also, Julia has sent me pictures of the house and pictures of the stones they have found on the surface of the cemetery. It is in disrepair and it's quite possible(probable) that there are others there. I plan to go back to visit and do a bit of "grunt" work in restoring the cemetery and give it some tender loving care. We DO know that this was the original resting place for Elizabeth Hudson Clay and Henry Watkins and that Henry Clay came there to remove his mother so she would be closer to him where he was planned to be buried at the Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, KY. I have been to her gravesite there. Finding Henry's stone and helping in some small fashion to make the little Watkins cemetery a pretty and peaceful place again, is my hope. Julia, you and your friend Dona have proven how useful it is to have these messageboards. Thanks to Dave Watkins for his providing this board/forum - helping us all to find our "past". Sincerely, Elizabeth.

Scetch of Watkins House circa 1820
Recent photos of the exterior and interior of the house
A few of the gravesstones in the family cemetery inside the property

http://www.watkinsfhs.net/henry/watkins_house/Photos.html