Clay Family Society

SPOTLIGHT  ON  HISTORY
~ Matthew Clay ~
~ Thomas Clay ~
~ Eleazar Clay ~

Matthew Clay
       

War records:  b. March 25, 1754 d. May 27, 1815 (Obit from Providence Journal, Rhode Island)

Ensign 9^th Va., Oct. 1, 1776, 2^nd Lt. 16 March, 1777, 1^st Lt. April 23, 1778, Regimental Quartermaster Dec. 1, 1778, transferred to 5^th Virginia,12 Feb. 1781, retired 1^st Jan. 1783, died 1815.

 “Virginia Soldiers of 1776” Burgess

 p. 1451 Matthew Clay, warrant # 51 for 26662/3 acres issued 12/14/1782, Officer Jan 1776 to date.

 Elected as Democratis Repulican to Congress 1795-1813, Represented Pittsylvania Co. along with his brothers, Charles Clay from Bedford Co., and Green Clay from Kentucky, at the 1788 Convention to ratify the Constitution of the United States. All three voted against the adoption of the constitution as presented.

 Member of the House 1790-1794 Pittsylvania County

 “The territorial papers of the United States” C. E. Carter

vol. V The Territory of Mississippi p. 191; Letter from Matthew Clay, Congressman from Virginia, to the President regarding the  prospective appointment of Abner Green to public office in the territory. Feb. 28, 1803

 Marriages:

1. Dec. 4, 1788 Mary Williams of Granville County, North Carolina. Mary died in 1798, the rock walled tomb is all that marks the site of their home near Chestnut Level. Her gravestone is said to read:

In Memory of Mary, daughter of Joseph Williams, who was born 16^th June 1770, on 4^th December, 1788 she was married to Matthew Clay; on Sunday 22 November 1789; she was delivered of a Daughter named Sally on Sat. 19^th May, 1792 she was delivered of a son named Joseph; On Thursday 29 March 1794 she was delivered of a son named Matthew; On Saturday 12^th December 1795 she was delivered of a daughter named (Mary) Polly Williams; and on Sunday 25 March, 1798 she died in child bed much lamented.

It is said that Mary’s family was upset at the inscription and when they saw it, they ran over it with their wagon, breaking the stone in half, the stone was later repaired. (cemetery has not been located as of 6/1/06, if anyone knows where this cemetery is, please let us know.)

2.  Julia Saunders (the Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy by Virkus v.7 p 85) “Marriages of Pittsylvania Co. Virginia,” Knorr

Children:

      1. Sally

              2.Polly (Mary) died 1811 in Richmond Theater fire

              3.  Amanda b.1801 d. 1833     m. George Peyton Keesee  (Amanda’s mother was Julia Saunders Clay)

              4.  Joseph m. Margaret Bowen

       2. Clement C.  m. Miss Tuggle in San Francisco, 2     children

5. Matthew m. Frances Anne Saunders

               1. Thomas b. 1825 m. Caledonia Anne Oliver, issue: Alice m. Wheeler Watson, and               

John Oliver m.  Fannie Wilson Lawler (issue: Thomas),

2. Fanny Lou m. Henry D. Watson

3. Matthew b. Feb.  1827 m. Mary Harrison, issue:  Charles, Bettie, Thomas, Nina

    Matthew m. Hattie Casey

Matthew Clay’s  will proved in July of 1815 named three Children, Joseph, Matthew and Amanda Ann; There was a  will dated April 8, 1814 mentioning two sons, Matthew and Joseph, and daughter Amanda Ann S. Clay, also Wm. Penn, who is now 14 years of age, to be clothed, boarded and schooled until 21 years old, and three mulatto girls, Adelia, Eliza, and Ellen to be taken out of Virginia and emancipated”. Probated July 17, 1815

Henings Statutes at Large

V 13H p.193 Matthew Clay, with Nine others , named trustees for clearing for navigation the Roanoke, Dan and Staunton rivers, and empowered to receive subscriptions therefore. Dec. 1,, 1790

Virginia Land Records

Henrico County, bk 12 P 227 Aug. 9^th 1786, 140 Acres Chickahominy Swamp.

If this is your family and you would like to add to this review, please contact Gynger Cook so I may update this article.

Notes from a descendant of Thomas Clay

 2. Clement C.  m. Miss Tuggle in San Francisco, 2     children

5. Matthew m. Frances Anne Saunders

               1. Thomas b. 1825 m. Caledonia Anne Oliver, issue: Alice m. Wheeler Watson, and               

John Oliver m.  Fannie Wilson Lawler (issue: Thomas),

2. Fanny Lou m. Henry D. Watson

3. Matthew b. Feb.  1827 m. Mary Harrison, issue:  Charles, Bettie, Thomas, Nina

    Matthew m. Hattie Casey

Matthew Clay’s  will proved in July of 1815 named three Children, Joseph, Matthew and Amanda Ann; There was a  will dated April 8, 1814 mentioning two sons, Matthew and Joseph, and daughter Amanda Ann S. Clay, also Wm. Penn, who is now 14 years of age, to be clothed, boarded and schooled until 21 years old, and three mulatto girls, Adelia, Eliza, and Ellen to be taken out of Virginia and emancipated”. Probated July 17, 1815

Henings Statutes at Large

V 13H p.193 Matthew Clay, with Nine others , named trustees for clearing for navigation the Roanoke, Dan and Staunton rivers, and empowered to receive subscriptions therefore. Dec. 1,, 1790

Virginia Land Records

Henrico County, bk 12 P 227 Aug. 9^th 1786, 140 Acres Chickahominy Swamp.

If this is your family and you would like to add to this review, please contact Gynger Cook so I may update this article.

Notes from a descendant of Thomas Clay

I have very little memory of anything relating to the Clays and was not particularly interested in family genealogy until about two years ago when my brother Thomas Stuart began sending me copies of letters and documents he had accumulated during years of searching through courthouse archives in various parts of Kentucky. Only recently, I have done some internet research into family history, but most of the interesting details have been provided by my brother.

There were several houses on the Clay land when I was a young boy but no one knew which one if any had been Clays personal home. One account is that Clay could sit on  his front porch and see the Ohio River in the distance. We lived about 2 1/2 miles south of the river which would have blocked his view unless his home was near the river on on top the ridge. The highest point along the ridge was called Jackass Knoll, but to the best of my knowledge no old homes or foundations were located there. One old two story house was torn down by my brother and he said all the woodwork and extra tall doors were made of very fine mahogany.

At the time the house was built, mahogany must have been very expensive. One or two gravestones had been used as stepping stones but the names were illegible. One former resident claimed he recalled seeing a small graveyard but it was lost through overgrowth or was plowed under after the stones had been "borrowed".

Another old house was located on an adjacent farm just east of where I grew up. It was unusual for the area in that the exterior was stuccoed. For a few years in the early 1920's, my uncle James Stuart, lived in that house with his family. Uncle James had entered harvard at the age of 16, in the same class with FDR, and graduated at the top of his class. After Harvard, James came home to Kentucky and became a farmer, eventually moving back to the Boston area where he continued farming.

THOMAS CLAY

born July 30, 1750 the fifth child and fourth son of Charles and Martha Green Clay, mentioned in his fathers will.

Thomas was a soldier of the Revolution, was granted a Militray land warrant #2278, bearing the date of January 23, 1784 for 3 years service as Captain in the Virginia state Line. It called for 4 thousand acres of land. He and his brother General Green Clay were both members of the first Constitutional Convention of Kentucky. He married Polly Callahan, aka Polly Dawson. Thomas served in the 1792 and 1799 Kentucky Constitutional Conventions, was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives 1792-1793 and 1796-1798, and represented Madison County in the Kentucky Senate 1793-1795. In 1812 he emigrated to Daviess County Kentucky (Yellow Banks, incorporated as Owensboro in 1818).

Thomas and Polly were the parents to 3 children, Nestor, Tacitus and Cynthia Green Clay.

Will of Charles Clay Of Powhatan CO. VA

will book 1 page 173

In the name of God Amen, I, Charles Clay of the county of Powhatan being of sound mind and memory, doth hereby make this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. Item, I lend to my beloved wife Martha Clay during her natural life, the track of land whereon I now live, also the four following slaves, Jacob, Biddy, Grace and Clarety, also a feather bed and furniture and a horse and saddle.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Eleazar Clay and his heirs and assigns forever one negro man b the name of Joe and every part of my estate which he at this time has in possession.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Clay his heirs and assigns forever a feather bed and furniture.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Mattew Clay the sum of five shillings.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Green Clay his heirs and assigns forever the tract of land whereon I now live containing by estimation four hundred acres, and a negro man by the name of Jacob after the death of his Mother also a negro boy by the name of Sam.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my duaghter Mary Lockett the sum of five shillings.

Item, I lend unto my daughter Betty Murry during her natural life a negro girl by the name of Christiana and all her increase and after the decease of my said daughter Betty Murry, I give and bequeath the said negro Christiana with her increase unto Bette Clay Murray and Martha Murray, daughters of the said Betty Murray to them and their heirs forever.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lucy Thaxton to sum of five shillings.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Priscilla Clay her heirs and assigns forever, three negros by the names of Grace, Betty, and Danice with their increase, also a feather bed and furniture.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Clay her heirs and assigns forever, three negros by the names of Charity, Pegg and Jack with all their increase also a feather bed and furniture.

Item, my will and desire is that ll my stock of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses and every other part of my estate whatsoever not before disposed of, be sold by my Executors to dischard my debts and after paying the same that the over plus if any there should be, be equally divided between my wife Martha Clay and my two daughters Priscilla and Martha Clay to them and their heirs and assigns forever, and lastly I so hereby appoint my beloved wife Martha Clay my Executrix and my son Green Clay my Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this twent-eighth day of October 1788

Charles Clay, Seal

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in presence of Richard Crump

At a court held for Powhatan County at Scottsville on Thursday the 16th day of July 1789, this last will and testament of Charles Clay was presented in Court and proved by the oath of Richard Crump the only witness thereto and ordered to be certified and at one other court held for the said county the 17th September 1789 probate thereof is granted to Green Clay and Executor herein named and leave given the Executors to come

Marriage of Thomas Clay and Mary Jane (Polly) Dawson

Mary Jane Dawson was the daughter of Samuel and Martha Jones Dawson, and first married David Callahan. David and Mary (Polly) were the parents of one child, named Martha Callahan. Later Polly and David entered into a divorce agreement, which at that time had to be approved by the State Legislature. The agreement was rejected by the body and Polly then moved from her fathers house in Bourbon Co. Ky, to Madison Co. Ky, where it is assumed she and Thomas Clay became an unmarried couple. Mary's second daughter Cynthia Green Clay Callahan was born June 20, 1795 and her legal name was Callahan. David Callahan died in Virginia in 1797, when word reached Kentucky, Thomas executed a marriage bond in Madison Co. to marry  Mary Callahan.

Mary's oldest daughter, whose father was David Callahan, was married to Philip Thompson, Thompson filed suit against Thomas Clay, demanding pament of what he claimed was due Martha as heir to David Callahans estate, which had gone to Clay upon the death of Callahan. These events may have reflected poorly upon Green Clay's standing and may explain why Thomas Clay a man in his 60's would leave a settled area like Madison Co., and relocate in what was then not much more than a wilderness. It may also explain why Cassius M. Clay omitted his uncle Thomas when writting his memoirs.

Children of Thomas and Polly Clay

Nestor Clay

provided by Alexander Stuart, written by Laura Seward Thornhill

Nestor Clay eldest son of Thomas and Polly Clay moved to Texas about 1843 and settled in Washington County, Texas. Nestor married Nancy Johnson . Nestor was born near Owensboro, KY on the 6th of January, 1799. A political career began early for Nestor when as a young man he became a member of the Kentucky Senate. The only know likeness of him was a portrait that hung in the Senate Chamber of the Capitol at Frankfort, KY., which was lost when the Capitol burned many years ago. Nestor was very popular with the people of KY.

At the age of 23, Nestor left Kentucky, moving to Texas with Austin's first 300, he had gone to Texas the year before to look around. In 1824 Nestor and Nancy settled near Independence, Washington Co., at that time included in Austin's

Colony. They had three children, Mary Jane and Lucy and one son Tacitus Thomas Clay.

Nestor is mentioned in Henry Brown's history of Texas as follows- "In January 1829 when Captain Brown was returning from a trading trip into Mexico with 500 horses, hostile Indians stampeeded the herd in the night near Gonzalis, Texas. A Captain Kykendall from Austin's Colony, in command of a hundred men or two companies commanded by Oliver Jones and Barlett Sims, joined Capt. Brown. They chased the Indians several days and made a charge on a band of warriors left to guard the retreat. Only a few shots were fired, one by Nestor Clay and brave and talented Kentuckian, who killed the only Indian that fell. Nestor Clay served with distinction in the first Convention in 1832 and in the Second Convention at San Philipe de Austin in 1833. He was a man of superior ability and his early death was a loss to the Country."

"At the first Convention ever held in Texas in 1832 among the delegates from the district of Hidalgo were Nester Clay  and Alexander Thompson. On the second day a committe to report on the best mode of regulating the Custom House Offices of Texas were John Austin, Nester Clay, James Kerr, ect. On the third day Mr. McFarland submitted a resolution providing for petitioning for a State Government, that is as distinct from Coahuila. On this motion Mr. Clay demanded the yeas and nays and they stood for motion. Nestor Clay was also named on the Committee to recomment a plan to organize the militia."

Nancy Johnson was born in 1806 in Kentucky, a kinswoman said she looked like a little French beauty, with large, sparkling dark eyes, black curls and clear white and rosy complexion. Her descendants have letters which she wrote back to her parents and sisters which were pathetic, showing her longing for them in this far away state. Still she was brave and face the exile from  her lovely home and the deprivations of a new country with courage. She asked them when and if they came out to visit her to bring all kinds of vegetable and flower seeds, mentioning especially a "root of Mother's sweet pinks". She tells of borrowing a spinning wheel and adds, "but now I have one of my own and have managed to make a scanty supply of clothing for our Negroes". Nancy also added she had "pieced4 or 5 quilts, done some knitting and worked one beautiful bedspread, and begun another which she is eager for them to see." She signs herself, "your loving sister and my dear parents, your sincerely loving child, Nancy J. Clay."

This brave young couple left the comforts and safety of their cultrued homes, to face unknown dangers and pioneer hardships, he being then only 23, and yet an experienced statesman, brave soldier, husband and father is wife, only 16 years old when they came out to Texas, nobly playing her part of mother and pioneer homemaker, dying while still a young woman of 28. It is said the intense grief at the loss of his beautiful young wife whom he loved so deeply was responsible for the death of Nestor Clay who died the following year. While on an Indian raid north on the Brazos River, he was killed by and Indian October 31, 1835. At the time of his death he owned 25,000 acres of land. The children, all born in Independence were sent back to Owensboro, Ky. to be raised by relatives, all of the children returned to Independence as adults.

The children of Nancy and Nestor Clay were:

Tacitus Thomas Clay, Matthew Michael Clay, Mary Jane Clay and Lucy Clay

Cynthia Green Clay

Synthia (also spelled Cynthia)  only daughter of Thomas and Polly Clay was born June 20, 1795, married Robert McCreary brother of Viabella P. McCreery on January 29, 1815. Robert died at age 39 on October 7, 1823, Cynthia died June 10, 1833 of Cholera (cholera plague of 1833), they are buried on their farm about 7 miles east of Owensboro on the Owensboro-Yelvington Road. Robert also had two brothers Elijah, Sherriff of Daviess County and Dr. Charles McCreery.

Cynthia and Robert had the following children:

1. Thomas Clay McCreery, Senator, took a month to travel to Washington in 1836, he wrote his daughter Cynthia about the loss of her son Thomas Clay on January 29, 1879, which occured "since I left home". He referenced the recent burning of his home with his papers and beloved library on Fourth Street in Owensboro.

His son was Decius McCreery

His daughter Cynthia Green Clay McCreery was mother to:

1. Thomas Clay McCreery 1877-1879

                2. Nellie Stuart, born three days after the death of her brother Thomas, 1879

3. Robert McCreery Stuart 1881- 1964

                           a. Thomas Mosely Stuart

Cynthia and Robert had the following children:

1. Thomas Clay McCreery, Senator, took a month to travel to Washington in 1836, he wrote his daughter Cynthia about the loss of her son Thomas Clay on January 29, 1879, which occured "since I left home". He referenced the recent burning of his home with his papers and beloved library on Fourth Street in Owensboro.

His son was Decius McCreery

His daughter Cynthia Green Clay McCreery was mother to:

1. Thomas Clay McCreery 1877-1879

                2. Nellie Stuart, born three days after the death of her brother Thomas, 1879

3. Robert McCreery Stuart 1881- 1964

                           a. Thomas Mosely Stuart

ELEAZAR CLAY

1ST BAPTIST MINISTER

OF

CHESTERFIELD CO., VIRGINIA

Researched and written by Dennis Nofsinger

presented June 12, 1961

Introduction:

    In the waning years of the colonial period a new religious influence entered Chesterfield County and was to find drawn into its ranks a stalwart and zealous leader, Eleazar Clay. Eleazar Clay (1) was the first local Baptist minister in Chesterfield County, and through his untiring work and generous donations Chesterfield Church, the first Baptist church in Chesterfield , was established. Mr. Clay was the member of a distinguished family and achieved(2) prominence in his own right. The importance of the impetus which he gave to the Baptist movement in Chesterfield cannot be overemphasized. It is hoped that this paper will give new information on his life and present for the first time as complete a story as possible, using all known sources of material.

Eleazar Clay, His Honorable Heritage

    Eleazer Clay was born on August 4, 1744, the son of Charles and Martha Green Clay. Very little is known about his early life. The Epitaph on his marble (3) tombstone states that he "went into the French and Indian War in March, 1758".  The enlistment of a fourteen year old boy is no mean accomplishment, and certainly this attests to the strong character that was later to show itself in the trials of religious persecution.

    The Clay's of Virginia trace their ancestors in the New World to "Captain" John , 'the English Grenadier', who arrived at Jamestown a few years after the planting of British America.

    Charles Clay, the first of Henry's ancestors born  in the New World (4),  fought with Bacon's frontier(5) democrats in Virginia's Great Rebellion of 1676. His revolt against Charles the 2nd's royal Governor, like that of his grandson, Baptist John,................. was significant of the family's temperament (6)and position; the democratic, strong willed Clays of colonial Virginia were prosperous yeomen farmers, of the upper middle class, but not of the ruling gentry.(7)

    Charles Clay had a son, Henry, 1672-1760, who lived and is buried in Chesterfield County, and was the great grandfather of Henry Clay the Statesman. Henry Clay the first, married about 1708-09, Mary Mitchell, daughter (8) of William and Elizabeth Mitchell. They lived on the farm later owned and occupied by Eleazar Clay, and located on the west side of Swift Creek. Henry died at "The Ralles" August 3, 1760. The inscription (10) on an historical marker south of Swift Creek on Bailey's Bridge Road, reads "Henry Clay, the elder born 1672 Chesterfield County, was the great grandfather of the statesman, his tomb 1/4 mile east bears the inscription in memory of Henry Clay who died at dinner with his children and grandchildren at an annual festival given them on August 3, 1760". in a portion of Eleazar Clay's will, he gives to his son Matthew "the remainder of my tract of land on which I live, except four square polls (sic) of land around my grandfather Henry' Clay's grave". (12)

    John Clay, Jr., grandson of the first Henry Clay was the father of the Honorable Henry Clay and the Reverend Porter Clay. (13) When John Clay, in 1765 married fifteen year old Elizabeth (14) Hudson of Hanover, he lived in neighboring Chesterfield, on the Southside of the Richmond and the James River. There he became a Baptist exhorter, a leader of lowly and despised dissenters from the politically and socially elect Church of England.

    Eleazar Clay's father (15)Charles was the uncle of John Clay Jr. Charles Clay son of Henry and Mary Mitchell Clay was born January 31, 1716 (16) and died in Powhatan County, Virginia, February 25, 1789, He married Martha Green, November 11, 1741. Among their eleven children (17) attention will be called to Eleazar Clay (18) Baptist minister born August 4, 1744, Charles Clay, Episcopal minister, born December 24, 1745, Henry Clay (not one of the Henry's previously named) born March 5, 1745, and died in 1777 in Trenton, New Jersey, while a soldier of the Revolution; Matthew Clay born March 25, 1754, a patriot in the Revolution and a member of Congress; Green Clay, General Green Clay of Kentucky, born August 14, 1757. (19)   

    Eleazar married three times, the first to Jane Apperson,(20) then Elizabeth Whitehead, widow of E. Swepton, or Swepson, and late in life, February 13, 1826, Phoebe Newby, who survived him a few years. Eleazer Clay had ten children by his first wife. His known issue(21) includes Phineas Clay, buried standing erect in a tomb(22) located in Chesterfield County near the junction of US Route 360, and Ottersdale Road; Colonel Samuel Clay, a justice of Chesterfield died January 11, 1831 age 52 years and married March 3, 1802, Martha  Burfoot; Matthew Clay married Miss Turpin, Lavinia Clay married Robert Aikin, Jane Clay married October 2, 1797, Edward Trabue, a Revolutionary soldier who fought at Guilford Courthouse and was present at Gates' defeat; Dorcus Clay married Mr. Graves, Cynthia Clay married Daniel Sullivan of Danville, Virginia.(23) Ann Clay who married John Coates Russell son of General William and Tabitha Adams Russell of Culpepper County, Virginia; Martha Swepton Clay, born March 30, 1789 (24), died 1824, married December 4, 1803, Lawson Burford (25).

ELEAZAR CLAY GAINS PROMINENCE IN CHESTERFIELD

    Eleazar moved to Chesterfield County in October, 1765. October 1, 1765, Charles Clay and Martha, his wife, deeded to their son (26) 425 acres  on the north side of Nuttree Run and north side of Swift Creek, "land willed to me by my father Henry Clay." (27)Where Eleazar spent his childhood, acquired his education, and established his means of livelihood is unknown.

    Many interesting deeds concerning Mr. Clay are found in the county records. The largest single transaction, as to price, occurred October 2, 1781, William Bowman and his mother, Mary Bowman of Manchester Parish deeded twenty seven acres with all appurtenances, and bounding Clay's line for 17,500 British Pounds, indeed a considerable amount.(28)

    The will of Eleazar's father Charles Clay, is at Powhatan Courthouse, dated October 28, 1788, it reads: " I give and bequeath unto my son Eliza (sic) Clay his heirs and assigns forever... every part of my estate which he at this time has in possession."(29)

    The most influential member of the Chesterfield Church was Eleazar Clay, said to have owned property worth  $100,000.00 (30) by totaling the number of acres of land purchased by and deeded to Mr. Clay, and approximate estimate of his actual holdings is obtained. From April 1769 to June 1802, Eleazar Clay had received approximately 4,400 acres mostly situated in Chesterfield County and valued at about 30,850 British Pounds according to purchase price. By 1820 he owned about 6,000 acres. His real estate alone would place him far above the $100,000 mark. In his later years, he gave much of his property to his children.(31)

    On the date of their marriage, Eleazar Clay and Phoebe Newby signed a mutual agreement that neither should lay claim to the others property after either had died.(32)

    The old Clay home site is located near Bailey's Bridge Road, which leads  from US 360 from Richmond. Riding west on Route 360 from Richmond, Bailey's Bridge Road is located on the left, a few miles past Courthouse Road.

    In a letter contained in the Virginia Baptist Historical Society's Clay folder, dated October 16, 1935, and addressed to Judge Daniel Grinnan, Edwin B. Cox tells of a hand-wrought hinge from the Clay home which burned December 5, 1919. He requests to present it to the Virginia Historical Society.

    The writer visited the Eleazar Clay home site May 16, 1961 and talked with Mrs. A. S. Marks, Jr., the present owner and occupant of the property on which half of the home site and the Clay family graveyard remain. According to Mrs. Marks, whose father-in-law was the owner and resident of the Eleazer Clay home at the time that it burned, the Clay home contained sixteen rooms and was divided into north, east and west wings. Moss green wooden shingles covered the roof, and a winding stairway reached to the second story. At the time of the Marks' occupancy the house contained a basement, and a porch ran around the whole structure. When Mr. Marks bought the property, posts for manacling slaves could be seen on the grounds lying on the crest of a hill which gently slopes through the woods down to Swift Creek.

    The crypt of Eleazar Clay reposes in the graveyard near the home site, two of Eleazer's wives Elizabeth and Jane are also buried on the property.

    One June 14, 1802, Arthur Akin and Elam Lockett sold to Mr. Clay for 800 British Pounds, twenty-five acres of land lying on both sides of Swift Creek on which a grist mill, Lockett's Swift Creek Mill, was located. A large millstone from one of the Clay Mill's now rest in the Marks yard.(33)

    Eleazar Clay's will was probated May 5, 1838, in Chesterfield. In the will, actually dated May 25, 1835, he bequeaths, "to my wife Pheobe, my man Sam Bowman, ... my executors are to build her a small dwelling house or furnish her with $25.00, as she may choose." To his son Phineas he leaves "that part of the tract of land on which I live, lying above a line, beginning at a corner pine on Clark's line, then due North crossing Swift Creek to my line on Nuttree run, except the land I had of Robert Akin and Pleasant Akin, my mill on Swift Creek with the appurtenances, and the negroes I possessed him with, to Matthew "the remainder of my tract of land on which I live, lying below Phineas Clay's line already described.... my mill on Nuttree Run, and my  mill on Parish's branch, and following negroes." He left land to his grandsons, Robert Akin, Eleazar Akin, William, Edward Tarlton Akin, and Monson Burfoot. Phineas was executor of the estate, which was divided nine ways to the other heirs.(34.)

    An inventory taken July 11, 1836, lists the names of twenty-seven slaves. Many household items were auctioned at sale, an account of which was made October 12, 1836.(35) Among some of the items were a set of surveyor's instruments, the family Bible, Crudens Concordance, Benedicts History of the Baptist, Robertson's History, Buckan's Medical Book, six odd lots of books; among the more interesting effects is the mention of a dozen silver teaspoons. From a statement by Robert H. Winfree, mentioning Clay Cheatham(36) as a living descendant of Eleazar Clay, Clay  Cheatham is named as the son of Mrs. Frank Branch Cheatham, deceased, of Chesterfield, who had the Clay silver spoons said to have been used by preachers imprisoned in Chesterfield jail. Other living descendants listed are Charles Clay, Beach P.O., Chesterfield County, Mrs. George Harris, Midlothian; Mrs. Jacobs and her daughter Mrs. Eanes (37).

    Mr. Clay held a respected position in the county. His character was staunch, and certainly his wealth and family position proved useful tools for religious strife.

Eleazar Joins the Baptists

    Joseph Anthony and William Webber were arrested by Chesterfield County officials in 1771 for itinerate preaching. In 1810 Robert Baylor Semple wrote: " No county ever extended (38) its opposition to and persecution of the Baptists farther than this, yet in few counties have Baptist principles prevailed more extensively than in Chesterfield". "The chief persecutor, however, was Colonel Archibald Cary,(39) a prominent churchman, who was determined to stamp out Baptist heresy in his county. From the old Debtor's Jail, a building of white oak hewn logs, crammed with mortar and securely weather boarded, Webber and Anthony preached to the people who flocked to hear them. When the magistrate forbad the preachers the liberty of the jail yard, they preached from the window of their cell to the crowds who gathered outside." "One of the subjects of this good work, and intimate friend of Elder Clay (40), became deeply concerned on his behalf, and having called to see him, was made the instrument of again awakening his mind to consider the value of eternal things. He soon saw and felt his need of Christ; and found peace in believing." (41)

    It seems Mr. Clay had heard the Baptist preachers some years before up in Halifax. However, he had not at that time identified himself with that religion. (42)

    Clay was baptized in August of 1771, " His sincerity and firmness were indicated by the fact, that while he was at that time in prosperous worldly circumstances and possessing much influence in society (43) and while the Baptists were held in almost universal contempt, he nevertheless determined to identify himself with them. (44)

    He immediately entered the ministry, preaching three times on the day of his conversion. It is most likely that Elder Clay was very active in nourishing the (45) Baptist faith from the time of his conversion until the establishment of Chesterfield Church in 1773.

    He often makes mention of having sent his wagons, (46) containing beds and supplies for the Baptist ministers in prison in Chesterfield jail, and of the success attending the preaching of the gospel to crowds who visited the prisoners. At one time a revival broke out at the jail, and several professed religion.

    Elder Clay sent to Buckingham County for one Elder Chastain to come down and baptize the converts. This, I think, was done in the night. One of the prisoners being sick on one occasion, and needing a stimulant, Elder Clay brought a "jug" of wine and carried it to the jail. The jailer told him it was against orders for the prisoners to have wine. Elder Clay writes: "I greased his paw and got it in." (47)

    " Nine of the converts (won by John Weatherford's preaching from Chesterfield jail) asked for Baptism, but there was no one in the County free to administer the ordinance. On July 21, 1773, Rev. John Williams, pastor of the Baptist Church in Cumberland (later Powhatan), received the following letter from Eleazer (sic):

Dear Brother William:

I have long looked for you to come down to see us and the prisoners. We would be glad to see you soon, for we wish you to baptize those that are now waiting for an opportunity. The Lord is carrying on a glorious work in our community, especially below the Court House. Let Brother Watkins know that the Lord has not passed by Mrs. F., but as some believe has placed her name in the Lamb's Book of Life. The preaching at the prison is attended in vain, for we hope that several are savingly converted, while others are under great distress and are made to cry out, "What shall we do to be saved?" Time fails at this opportunity to tell all. The brethren daily look for you to come, they talk much about you. Remember me to all the Christian brethren.

              The grace of our lord Jesus Christ be with you all

Amen"

    On August 22, 1773, the following members formerly belonging (48) to the Church of Christ in Cumberland having resolved a Di------from--------Church for that purpose, were Constituted into a Church, to be known by the name of Chesterfield Church-- present Rev. John Williams and William Webber, the Constituents were Elezer (sic) Clay and Jane his wife, John Clay and Elizabeth his wife.......... in all 20."(49)

    The Church was organized in Eleazar Clay's barn, 1/2 mile South of the meeting house which would be erected and first occupied on August 14, 1775. Not only did Mr. Clay furnish a place for the inception of the Church, (50) but through his effort and financial support this meeting house was built.  (51)

   " At a church meeting held Saturday, September 11, 1773, at Clay's arber  (sic), Mr. Eleazer (sic) chosen a Delegate and in case of failure Br. John Clay to represent church in association meeting" (52)

    On January 1, 1775, the church unanimously agreed to ordain Eleazer (sic) Clay as a Teacher and Elder (sic). The following Monday Morning they "took in the Experience of El. Clay's Negroes and Baptized Tary and Nell." (53)

    Eleazar Clay was ordained as pastor of the Chesterfield Church at a great meeting held May 27 and 28, 1775, and also sent as a delegate to the Dover Association. (54)

    The church minutes for April 8 and 9, 1775, mention the dismissal of Elizabeth Clay by letter. On June 11, 1775 John Clay was dismissed by letter. As is well known (55) John Clay moved his family to Hanover County where Henry Clay was born in 1777. (56)

    Of special interest are the minutes of the meeting held June 11, 1775. Numerous baptisms performed by Eleazar Clay are listed and the Rev. Clay is named a delegate to the Association of Baptist Churches meeting at DuPuy's meeting house, Powhatan County. (57) The former division of the Virginia Association into two districts, one above the James River and the other below, was dissolved at this August meeting in 1775. "The object of this union seems to have been that they might more effectually cooperate for abolition of hierarchy in Virginia." (58)

    In 1791, Eleazar gave an acre of land to a Baptist Church on the road leading to Milton Parish's Branch to Manchester at George Hancock's corner.(59)

    The Rev. Clay preached at Second Branch, an arm of Chesterfield, regularly until he was enfeebled by age. In 1802, he planted Salem Church in Chesterfield County. (60)

The following account is invaluable for its relating of actual incidents which occurred in Mr. Clay's time.  (61) " Some years ago, the executor of the will of Matthew Clay, son of Rev. Eleazar Clay.....placed in my hands part of a diary kept by elder Clay, containing an account of many remarkable events of his day. This diary was burned with my library whilst I was Professor at Alleghany College, just before the war. I had copied it, however, into a blank book, which I loaned to Rev. George B. Taylor for his fathers benefit. (62)

    I still mention, from memory, a few incidents recorded by him....... On one occasion he went to see a neighbor, who had become concerned about his soul's salvation and wished to be instructed. He rode to the house, and going in, asked some of the 'ladies' if Mr..........was at home. They told him he was plowing in the field. They wished to know the object of his visit. Elder Clay replied that he had called to converse with him on the subject of religion. They became enraged, abused him violently, charging him with having come to ' put the devil in Bill' and threatened to scald him with boiling water if he did not leave the house immediately. Elder Clay left, but accomplished the object of his visit by and interview in the field. Bill professed religion.

    Elder Clay related that a minister, whose name I cannot now recall, was whipped by of a magistrate, at Osborne's, a place near Bermuda Hundreds, for preaching the gospel. His coat was taken off, and the stripes could be counted by the blood drawn through his shirt..... Preaching in Chesterfield at a private house on one occasion, a man, whose name he mentioned, rode into the yard, and asked for Mr. Clay. Being told that Elder Clay was preaching in the house, he remarked: "I have come to cow-hide him". Someone bore the message to Elder Clay who replied: " I am the son of Charles Clay, and fear no man. If I have to go out after him, I will give him one of the worst whippings he ever had in his life" The 'gentleman' did not accomplish his object.

    Elder Clay attended a meeting below Richmond, at one time, and having some persons to baptize, inquired for a suitable place. Being directed to a stream, and taking the candidate into the water, he had not proceeded far before they both began to sink into quick-sand. They had to swim to save themselves from drowning. On getting out, the man or men who had directed them could not be found. I think it was at the same place that a large snake was turned loose in the meetinghouse during preaching.

    He mentions the fact that a man was killed on one occasion by lightening, whilst on his way, with a warrant in his pocket, to arrest a Baptist minister for preaching. The names of the parties were mentioned in the diary. (63.)

    Perhaps it might seem strange that Eleazar was never imprisoned as some other contemporary Baptists. However, "Eleazar Clay was one of the few men of some wealth and influence who joined the Baptists when they were still a despised sect. (64) " Colonel Cary, the chief magistrate of the county, was asked, on one occasion, why he permitted Elder Clay to preach unmolested, whilst he had other arrested, lodged in jail and punished. Col. Cary replied:" Mr. Clay had a livelihood, but those others were taken under a vagrant law." (65)

     From the time of the formation of Middle District Association in 1783, until the early 1800's, Eleazar Clay generally acted as Moderator. (66)

    At the annual convention at DuPuy's, August 1788, the General Committee passed a resolution, "Resolved that a committee of ( ten members) five persons on each side of the James River be appointed to forward business respecting a seminary of learning. This committee was composed of the ablest and most influential Baptists of the Commonwealth." Eleazar Clay was among those from the Southside of the river. However, this committee never accomplished its assignment. (67)

    The General Committee appointed Clay, along with others, in March 1788, and in 1790, to petition the General Assembly on the sale of vacant Glebes.(68)

    In 1793, the Committee recommended Hymns and Spiritual Songs by E. Clay, and published in Richmond. (69)

    "For a period of thirty years there were within the Middle District Association two distinct parties. The majority, led by the veteran  minister, Rev. Eleazer (sic) Clay, were opposed to cooperation with the State and national Missionary, Bible, Temperance and Education Societies. The attitude of the majority was quaintly expressed by Mr. Clay when, in the 1820 meeting of the Association, Dr. Robert Baylor Semple urged the Middle District Association to unite with the General Meeting of Correspondence. Declining to put to question to a vote, moderator Clay replied for the Association by saying" I do not believe that a General would put up with a soldiers wages". By this statement he indicated his fear the general organization might attempt to dictate to the churches and his belief that membership in religious bodies should not be based upon a stated financial contribution."

    In Semple's History, (70) mention is made of a prominent minister, who, being appointed to attend a meeting in Richmond for the purpose, I think, of forming a General Association, refused to go, and that a motion was made in the Middle District Association, sitting at Tarwallet Church, in Cumberland County, Virginia, to censure said minister for not complying with the wishes of the body. In Elder Clay's diary he mentions this circumstance. He himself was the minister, and was at that time Moderator of the Association. When the motion was made, Elder Clay vacated the chair, saying that he could not put a cote censuring himself. He resigned as Moderator. The motion was put by a temporary chairman, but was afterwards reconsidered and withdrawn, and Elder Clay resumed his seat as Moderator. Elder Clay was opposed to forming a General Association at that time. (71)

    An original letter in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, dated December 9, 1787, written in Rev. Clay's own hand and addressed to Robert Carter of Westmorland, reads:

Dear Dr.,

Being told my the Brethren in Richmond that you were sometime ago asking after the form of Marriage Cathechism(sic) the committe (sic) had printed, having a few left have sent you half a duzen (sic) by Dr. Asa Hunt, from New England, who has spent some time among us in preaching. I think it would be for God a glory for him to go by land  home and preach in the churches if means could be had. I not knowing who to recommend him to  as properly as your, hearing Mr. Lunsford is gone to Kentuckey (sic) rest.   

                    Dr. Br. Yours in the Gospel

                        Eleazar Clay (73)

    " During his visit to the South, Mr. Backus became acquainted with Rev. Eleazar Clay, who resided in Chesterfield County, Virginia , and described him as a ' wealthy and most agreeable Christian'......... the acquaintance then formed was kept up by frequent correspondence." The following letter dated March 29, 1799 was received by Issac Backus from Rev. Clay,

Aged and Reverend Brother:

..............In the church which I serve we have a great calm. Are not such times more to be dreaded, then when the billows are near bursting over our heads? Or has not God set one over against the other, that we may learn to fear him, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will? In some of the churches of our district God has grandted precious revivels: To wit, in the churches of brother Saunders and brother Flowers. Other ingatherings are small, iniquity abounds, deism prevails, and the spirit of the world comes in like a flood on every side... God has at last touched the hearts of our rulers, and they have listened to our memorial, doing away all we asked for.... So that all the clouds which threatened religious liberty with us are blown over. The Lord grant, that neighter we nor our posterity may forget his favors, bestowed so freely on us....... From your history, you were not then free from the hand of power; may God grant your request, after all your labors and toils, and an abundant entrance into his heavenly kingdon, is the prayer of your unworthy friend and Christ's servent in the Gospel,    

                                    Eleazar Clay" (75)

    "Elder Claydid not travel extensively beyond the limist of his own county. There, however, he labored faithfully. For everal years before his death he became so infirm as to be unable to attend his regular appointments, or even to leave the house. During this long confinement he evinced strong trust in God and attachment to the doctrines of the gospel. Whenever he was visited by friends, and especially by young ministers, he never failed to impart some wholesome counsel, the results of his own long experience. To a young ministering brother, who was introduced to him, before he was seated, and while holding his hand, he said, in substance, " I am gld to become acquainted with you, and especially to know you have entered the vineyard of the Lord, and desing to labor for him in the great work of the ministry. Let me now advise you never to use ardent spirits. I have seen its baneful effects in the church, and among preachers of the gospel, and would warn every young minister against it." Although at the age of sixty he could with difficulty see to read even with his spectacles, yet for several years before his death his eyesight was entirely restored. He became more and more attached to the word of God, and besides reading in the Old Testament, it made it a regular practice to read the New Testament through once every month. As he advanced to the termination of his course he manifested an increasing spirituality of mind. In prayer he enjoyed much. The writer will never forget an interview which he was privileged to have with this aged saint, a few months previous to his death. There was a remakrable vividness about his conceptions; and his memory in reference to the history of the church in the days of his yourth seemed to be unimpaired. He entered with spirit in conversation on the value of the great atoning sacrifices, and the necessity of Divine influence to bring the heart to rejoice in it. In alluding to his experience in spiritual matters he manifested deep feeling. He said, with tears rolling down his furrowed cheeks, that he had never known so much of the sweetness and richness of the Word of God as since his confinement to the house; that he had enjoyed secret prayer more than ever. During his converstation he remarked:' If Christiand did but know how to prize communion with God, they would more habitually enjoy it; and that he felt more real happiness during one hour spend in meditation and prayer, than the world knew in a lifetime spent in the pleasures of sin.' The author of this sketch again called to see him, hoping to enjoy the delightful opportunity of listening to his instructive conversation, but he had been the previous evening attacked by severe illness and was unable to speak. Within a few days he breathed his last. He died May 2, 1836, in his 92nd year.

    Elder Clay possessed naturally a strong mind. In his manners he was inclined to bluntness, but in all his intercourse with men, it is said he made it his great business to recomment the subject of religion". (76)

    A few hundred feet east of the home site in a grove of ancient cedars and elms lies the tomb of Eleazer Clay, along with other family graves. Dug into a small himm and hewn of rough rock, the crypt of Eleazar dominated the periwinkle covered graveyard. A granite Slab, nine feet long, five feet wide and one foot thick, covers the raised rock sides of the crypt. County tradition says that it took eight oxen to haul this slab onto the grave. The grave was opened by vandels who later sealed the opening with concrete at the base of the headsone, in which is scratched "opened in 1925, closed in 1926, found nothing but bones." A Marble headstone about six feet tall bears his epitaph:

In Memory of

Rev'd E. Clay

Born Augt. 4, 1744

Went into the French and Indian War in March, 1758

Made a profession of the Christian Religion in Augt. 1771

became a member of the Baptist Chruch and Commenced

Preaching the everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ the

same year. And continued as is believed an Hunble follower of Jesus to his Death which was 2nd May, 1836. Aged 91 years 8 mo and 28 Days"

Footnotes

1.This is the spelling according to Mr. Clay's signature 2. Religious Herald September5, 1872, in the Va. Baptist Historical Society. 3.Honorable Zachary F. Smith and Mary Rogers Clay. 4. ibid p. 64 5. Henry Clay the statesman 6. Great-grandson, Smith and Clay op. cit. p. 79 7. Bernard Mayo, Henry Clay (Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston. The Riverside Press, Cambridge, 1937 p.2 8. Smith and Clay, op. cit... pp66, 69 9. ibid, p. 69 10. ibid 11. ibid 12.Chesterfield courthouse Will book 13 p.396 13. Smith and Clay op. cit, p.72 14. ibid p. 90 15.Mayo, op. cit., p. 2 16.Smith and Clay op. cit. p. 72 17. ibid p.76 18. ibid 19. ibid p.86 20. ibid p. 20 21. ibid p. 83 22. source lost 23. letter from Mrs. O. J. Mallory, 713 Oak St. Farmville, Va. 24. ibid 25. Smith and Clay, op cit, pp. 83,84 26. Religious Harold, March 4, 1858, in the VA. Baptist Historical Society. 27. Smith and Clay, op. cit. p. 77 28. Chesterfield Courthouse, Grantee Book K10, p. 48 29. Powhatan Courthouse, Will book 1, p. 173 30. Blanche Sydnor White, The History of the Middle District Association, 1784-1958 p. 10 31. Chesterfield Courthouse, Grantor Bks. 21,  pp. 646, 711; 22, pp. 661, 663; 23 pp 168, 169 32. Chesterfield Courthouse Grantee Bk. 26, p 359. 33. Chesterfield Courthouse, grantee bk 16 p. 23 34. Chesterfield Courthouse Will bk. 13, p 396 35. Chesterfield Courthouse Will bk 13 p, 502 36. Ibid, p. 553 37. Clay Folder in Virginia Baptist Historical Society. 38. Chesterfield Co. Order Book 4 p. 489 39. White op. cit., p. 10 40. Ibid p. 7 41. J.B. Taylor Virginia Baptist Ministers, Phila., Lippincott and Company, 1859 p. 208 42. Robert B. Semple, A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia, Richmond, Va., Pitt and Dickinson, 1894 p. 270 43. Taylor, op. cit., p. 208 44. Ibid 45.Religious Herald, the Pioneer Ministers of Virginia, August 29, 1872 46. Source lost 47. Religious  Harald op cit, August 29, 1872 48. White, op cit p. 9 49. The Church Book for Chesterfield Church, op. cit. p 1 50. Chesterfield (Rehoboth) Baptist Church, Chesterfield Co. Minutes 1834-1856, 1891-1892, in Virginia State Archives, pp 456, 457 (Photostat) 51.Religious Herald, op cit. September5, 1872 52. Chesterfield Church Book, (1773-1788), op. cit. p. 2 53.Ibid, p. 4 54. Ibid 55. Ibid 56. Ibid p. 5 57.Ibid 58. Lw. Moore, a History of the Middle-District Association (Richmond, Va. Virginia Baptist Historical Society, 1886) p. 7 59. Chesterfield Courthouse deed bk 11, p. 752 60. Moore, op.cit.p.51 61. Semole, op.cit. p. 254 62. According to Little's Imprisoned Preachers and Religious Liberty in Virginia, p 215 (Lynchburg, Va., J.F.Bell Co.,Inc. 1938) The Diary was later lost in a Richmond bank building. (copy) 63. Religious Herald, op. cit. (August 29, 1872) 64., 65. source lost 66. Semple, op cit. p.262 67. Robert B. Howell, D.D., Early Baptists of Virginia (Phila., The Bible and Publications Society, 1876) p. 122, 123 68. Garnett Ryland, The Baptists of Virginia 1699-1926, (Richmond, Va. Whittet and Shepperson, 1955) p. 130, 131 69. Ibid, p. 159 70. White op. cit.p.  19 71. Religious Herald, op. cit., (August 29, 1872) 72. Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, was a wealthy planter of the Virginia Aristocracy, he became a Baptist and remained so for fifteen years. See Gewwhr, op. cit, p 20 and pp258-259 73.Original in "Carter Papers", Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress 74. Issac Beckus was a well known New England Baptist minister. (75.) Alvah Hovey, D.D.,The Life and TImes of Issac Backus (Boston, Gould and Lincoln, 1858) pp, 293-294 76. Taylor, op. cit., p.208

Pennsylvania's Henry Clay Family

Provided by Donald L. Clay

     dlclay@sbcglobel.net

1. Henry Clay was born 1807 in NY or England, and died Feb. 23, 1873 in MO. He married Lydia THomas, daughter of Liverton Thomas and Elizabeth. She was born April 8, 1806 in PA. and died July 14, 1882 in MO.

Henry is found in the 1840 census, Somerset Twp., Washington Co, PA. Residence: 1870, Pleasant Hill, Cass, Missouri.

Lydia Thomas Clay, buria Jul 14, 1882, Grant Cemetery, Sherman Twp., Cass Co., MO.

Children of Henry and Lydia Clay:

    1. Margaret H. or A. Clay b. Jan 16, 1834, Pittsburg, Washington Co., PA. died April 22, 1914, Blairstown, Henry Co., MO.

    2. James Walter Clay b. Oct 13, 1836, Washington Co., PA. died Nov. 16, 1908, Ukiah, Mendocino, California.

    3. Henry Clay Jr., b. 1839, Washington Co., PA. Residence in 1850: North Strabane, Washington, PA.

    4. Elizabeth Clay, b. 1841 Washington Co., PA

    5. Liverton Clay b. 1843, Wasington Co., Pa, m. Zella Cummins, 16 May 1871, Johnson Co., Mo. Residence in 1900: Santa Rita, Grant CO., New Mexico.

    6. Thomas Story Clay b. Nov. 5, 1847, Washington Co., Pa. died 1920 in Arizone.

2nd Generation

    1. Margaret Clay b. Jan 16, 1834 in Pittsburg,  Washington Co. Pa died April 22, 1914,in Blairstown, Henry Co., Mo. She married (1) Leonard Elliott , (2) Henry Willey. He was born Apr. 3, 1832 and died Feb. 16, 1915. She married (3) henry E. Rector on Nov. 29, 1869 in Henry Co., Mo, son of William Rector and Emeline Yates. He was born Jan26, 1842 in Ohio and died April 8, 1875 in Mo.

            Children of Margaret Clay and Henry Rector are

                1. Henry Rector b. Nov 7,1870, Henry Col Mo.

                2.Henrietta Rector b. Aug 8, 1874, Blairstown, Henry Co., Mo. d. Mar 10 1876, Blairstown, Henry Co. Mo.

                 3. William Henry Rector b. Jul 07, 1875 Blairstown, Henry Co., Mo., died Aug. 7, 1938, Blairstown, Henry Co., Mo.

                   4. Infant Rector b. Nov. 7, 1870

    2. James Walter Clay b. Oct. 13, 1836 married Sarah Frances Graham, April 26, 1868 in Cass Co., Mo. the daughter of Benjamin Graham and Susan Savage. Sarah was born Aug 22, 1850, in Mo. and died Oct 22, 1934 in Modesto, Stanislaus, CA. James Walter is buried in Potter Valley, Mendocino, CA. the 1880 Census lists James as a stable keeper aged 45 in Yaavapai, Arizona, he  probably located in Mo. after the Civil War and then to Arizona, and on to California. Sarah is also buried in Potter Valley, Mendocino, California.   

            Children of James and Sarah Clay

                1. Benjamin Thomas Clay b. May 10, 1869, Moundville twnshp, Vernon Co., Missouri, d. July 11, 1905, Los Angles, Ca Bur Phoenix, Az.

                2. Laura S. Clay b. Sept. 12, 1870, Moundville twnshp, Vernon Co., Mo. ? died 1936

                3. Mary Ella Clay b. Sept 12, 1872, Holden, Johnson Co., MO. Died Dec. 25, 1929, San Diego, Ca.

                4. Sarah Abigale Clay b. Aug 8, 1876, Az. m. Harris R. Rich, b. 1872, Vermont. Census records in 1930 show this family in La Habra, California Sarah is 53.

                5. James Albert Clay b. July 27, 1880, Prescott, Yavapai, AZ. d. Jan 25, 1949, Riverside, California. James married Hattie Corduan who was born May 21, 1886 in Wisconsin, she died September 28, 1988 in Modesto, California.

                6. Edward W. Clay b. June 9, 1883, Az.

                7. Henry E. Clay b. July 10, 1885, Prescott, Az. d. September 16, 1937, California. Henry married (1) Linda Bell, (2) Lena Neil.

                8. Ernest Walter Clay b. August 8, 1891, in Californina, died October 9, 1960, Middletown Lake, California.

    4. Thomas Story Clay born November 5, 1847 married Sarah Alice Godwin on  June 30, 1872, the daughter of William and Mary James Godwin. Sarah was born Jeb. 1856 in Dearborn, IN. and died August 23, 1933 in Mesa, Maricopa, AZ. Burial was in Mesa City Cemetery.

        Children of Thomas and Sarah Clay

                1. Franklyn Clay b. 1872, MO. or New Mexico, died, 1911

                2. Nettie Viola Clay b. August 14, 1874, d. April 3, 1965, Mesa, Az.

                3. Harry L. Clay b. Sept 19, 1877, d. 1962, married Rosinda Valenzuela, b. in Spain died between 1906-07 in MX. His residence in 1880 was Dry Cimarron, Colfax County, New Mexico.

                4. Norma E. Clay b. Sept 19, 1877 died May 24, 1884 ub Cass Co., Mo.

                5. Infant (female) Clay b. Sept .3, 1884, died Sept. 3, 1884, Cass Co., Mo.

                6. Tracy Sherman Clay b. Jan 6, 1889, died May 6, 1967, San Blas, MX. Married Hortencia Escalera.

                7. Henry J. Clay b. May 11, 1892, died Aug. 1907, when accidentally shot by a child in Mexico.

                8. Albert Norman Clay b. August 16, 1901, died May 28, 1989 in San Diego, CA.

3rd Generation

William Henry Rector ( Margaret, Henry) b. July 7, 1875 Blairstown, Henry Co., MO., married Catherine Matilda Gamlin, on Sept. 5, 1894, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Baker Gamlin, she was born Feb. 22, 1870 in Shipman, Macoupin, Il and died June 27, 1933 in lairstown, Henry Co., MO.

        Children of William Henry and Catherine Rector

                   1. John William Rector b. 1985 Blairstown, Mo d. 1965 Pleasant Hill, Cass Co., Mo.

                    2.  Walter Rector b, 1896 Blairstown, MO. died 1918 Camp McArthur, Wise Co., TX.

                    3. Howard D. Rector, b. March 12, 1898, died Feb 20, 1986, Clinton, Henry Co., MO.

                    4. Mary E. Rector, b. September 01, 1900, died Nov. 30, 1974, Johnson Memorial Hospital, Warrensburg, MO.

                    5.Ida M. Rector, b. September 13, 1902, died July 31, 1965, Johnson, MO.

                    6.Paul F. Rector, b. Jan 15, 1904, Blairstown, Henry Co., MO. died July 15, 1983 Jefferson City , MO.

                    7. Herbert Russell Rector, b. 1907, died 1986 Clinton, Henry Co., MO.

                    8. Ellen Lucille Rector, b. April 26, 1910, died April 22, 1979, Independence, Jackson Co., MO.

                    9. Clay Famlin Rector b. November 1914, died April 9, 1915, Blairstown, Henry Co., MO.

    Benjamin Thomas Clay (James Walter, Henry) born May 10, 1869, married Mary S. Tovrea June 27, 1899 in Wic