Holley, Mary Austin, 1784-1846

Mary Phelps Austin Holley was a poet, travel author and land speculator. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut on August 30, 1784. She received her education at nearby schools. In 1805, she married Horace Holley who later served as president of Transylvania University from 1818 to 1827. Harriete Williman Holley, the daughter of Mary Holley, was born in 1808. During the time the letter was written, Mary was recovering from a severe case of yellow fever which had caused the death of her husband in July of 1827. After her recovery, she traveled to New Orleans and the Mexican territory of Texas. She wrote and published Texas: Observations Historical, Geographical and Descriptive describing her travels throughout Texas. Mary Holley died in New Orleans of yellow fever on August 2, 1846. Her daughter Harriete married William M. Brand, a prominent merchant from Lexington, Kentucky in 1825.

From the description of Mary Austin Holley letter, 1828. (Murray State University). WorldCat record id: 666502650

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