1242. Matilda Frances⁷ Cass (Gen. Lewis B.⁶, Maj. Jonathan⁵, Joseph⁴, Jonathan³, Capt. Joseph² Case, John¹ Casse) was born 1818.⁽²⁰⁴⁴⁾ Matilda died 1898 at 80 years of age.⁽²⁰⁴⁵⁾

She married Henry Ledyard 29 Sep 1839.⁽²⁰⁴⁶⁾ Henry was born in New York, New York, NY 5 Mar 1812.⁽²⁰⁴⁷⁾ (Additional notes for Henry Ledyard⁽²⁰⁴⁸⁾) Henry died 7 Jun 1880 in London, England, at 68 years of age.⁽²⁰⁴⁹⁾ The following is an excerpt from the book "Ledyard - Cass Biographical Records":

"Henry graduated from Columbia College in 1830, then studied law, and was admitted to the bar of the New York Supreme Court 1 November, 1833, and of the court of Chancery in 1835. He took an early interest in military affairs and on 6 February, 1834, received his commission as Inspector of the 11th Brigade of Infantry in New York, and on 2 June, 1863, his commission as Inspector of the 31st Division of Infantry.

In 1836 he sailed for Europe. General Lewis Cass, then recently appointed Minister to France, sailed upon the same vessel, accompanied by his family. General Cass, attracted by the personality of the young man, offered him the appointment as attaché of the Legation, which he gladly accepted. He thus entered into the diplomatic service, in which he remained for nearly ten years. On 7 August, 1839, he was appointed Secretary of Legation in Paris, and in 1842, when General Cass retired as Minister, Henry Ledyard was appointed Charge d'Affaires of Legation, an office which he held until his return to the United States in 1844. On 19 October, 1839, he married Matilda Frances, daughter of General Cass.

On his return to the United States he took up residence in Detroit, Michigan, where General Cass, in the meantime, elected Senator from Michigan, was a prominent citizen. There he became an active figure in the life of the city. During 1846-1847 he was a member of the School Board; in 1849-1850 he was an Alderman; in 1853 a member of the first board of Water Commissioners; Mayor in 1855; and a State Senator in 1857.

In 1857 he removed to Washington, where his father-in-law was serving as Secretary of State in Buchanan's cabinet. He spent the next four years in Washington, where he came to know most of the prominent figures of the stirring period just before the Civil War. He acted as Assistant Secretary of State for a short time, and when the new administration came in, removed with his family to Newport, Rhode Island, where he spent the rest of his days, taking a prominent part in civic and philanthropic movements of the city. He was one of the founders and the first President of the Newport Hospital."

Matilda Frances Cass and Henry Ledyard had the following children:

+ 2065 i. Elizabeth Cass⁸ Ledyard was born 1 Oct 1840.

This is an engraving done by Fredrick Reynolds of New York. It was found attached in a book called "Ledyard - Cass Biographical Records", published by The Press Association, New York, 1924. The book is in possession of Cass Shaw of New York City as of Sep 2000.

+ 2066 ii. Henry Brockholst Ledyard was born 20 Feb 1844.

2067 iii. Susan Livingston Ledyard was born in Paris, France 20 Feb 1844.⁽²⁰⁵⁰⁾ Susan died 11 Oct 1877 at 33 years of age.⁽²⁰⁵¹⁾ She married Hamilton Bullock Tompkins.⁽²⁰⁵²⁾ Hamilton was born in Brooklyn, Kings, NY 30 Jul 1843.⁽²⁰⁵³⁾ Hamilton died 1921 at 77 years of age.⁽²⁰⁵⁴⁾

This is an engraving done by Fredrick Reynolds of New York. It was found attached in a book called "Ledyard - Cass Biographical Records", published by The Press Association, New York, 1924. The book is in possession of Cass Shaw of New York City as of Sep 2000.

+ 2068 iv. Lewis Cass Ledyard was born 4 Apr 1851.

2069 v. Matilda Spencer Ledyard was born in Washington, District of Columbia 27 May 1860.⁽²⁰⁵⁵⁾ She married Frederick Rhinelander Newbold. (Additional notes for Frederick Rhinelander Newbold⁽²⁰⁵⁶⁾)

Send email to preparer: bryan_cass@yahoo.com

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