1179) Jane Clemens

Jane Lampton Clemens (1803 ~ 1890). Mother of American novelist Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens).
The daughter of Benjamin Lampton and Margaret Casey, Jane was raised in Lexington, Kentucky. As a young woman of exceptional beauty and wit, and a graceful dancer, she was a favorite of many. In 1823 she married John Clemens and bore seven children, outliving all but three.
Although Sam corresponded with his mother regularly, he saw her infrequently after leaving Hannibal, usually on his lecture tours. Her influence, however, was considerable. In an autobiographical sketch written in 1897 or 1898, Sam wrote that his mother had “come handy to me several times in my books, where she figures as Tom Sawyer’s ‘Aunt Polly.’” Sam's descriptions of Aunt Polly mirror his mother's kind-hearted, charitable, sometimes stern, outspoken nature.

- "He also shared - along with her red hair, gray eyes and wide, ironic mouth - Jane Clemens's fascination with language, music and impersonations."  https://books.google.it/books…

- "... people like the fiery Jane Clemens and her son Sam, who were proud of their auburn hair."  https://books.google.it/books…

- "Jane Clemens was undoubtedly a vivacious personality: a red-headed beauty who smoked a pipe, she loved dances, parties and horseback riding. In 1853 Twain wrote 'Oh, She Has a Red-Head', a humorous tribute to all who shared his an Jane's hair color."  https://books.google.it/books…

- "Pretty red-haired Jane, with her high spirits and warm heart was eager to help her husband make a fresh start."  https://books.google.it/books…