In March, we celebrate Women’s History Month and all of the women who helped to make Botetourt history famous. Today, we celebrate Judith Hancock (1791-1820). She was born and raised at historic Santillane in Fincastle and married General William Clark at 16 after his expedition with Meriwether Lewis. She traveled with Clark while raising a family and lived in St Louis, Mo. Her health deteriorated and she was buried at Fotheringay when only 28. Under a pseudonym, Brook Allen wrote a book copywrited in 2024 titled “West of Santillane” about Judith Hancock Clark’s life. It is historical fiction and available in the bookstore at the Botetourt Museum of History and Culture in Fincastle. This picture of Judith is on the cover of her book.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
