Kendall claims that, upon arrival in Lexington, Senator Bledsoe hinted that he no longer wanted to use Kendall's services. Other sources, however, claim that Bledsoe's family had not learned of the senator's decision to hire Kendall as a tutor and refused to allow him in the home. Kendall angrily resolved to have nothing to do with Bledsoe. On April 27, Kendall met John Watkins, the younger half-brother of the powerful Speaker of the House of Representatives, Henry Clay. Watkins, a law student, frequented the same tavern which Kendall did, and quickly introduced Kendall to Henry Clay's wife, Lucretia. With seven children and both parents frequently absent from the Clay estate, Ashland, the Clays desperately needed someone who could help maintain order as well as educate the children. Mrs. Clay offered Kendall room, board, use of her husband's extensive library, and $300 a year (nearly three times as much as Bledsoe had promised). He eagerly accepted the offer and began his duties on May 5.