Established 2001

Clay Family Society

Public

POC-2013-02 – POC, 2013 Qtr 2, Vol. XI Issue 2

Record Summary

Evidence Category:
Published Source
Record Type:
Newsletter
Date:
Apr 2013
Individuals Mentioned:
Phyllis Alexander, Carol Abbott Andrews, Julinna Whitten [Clay] Ball, Sallie Ball, Cecil Carter Biven Jr., James Washington Biven, Lutie F. Biven, Marian (Birdie) Biven, Charles W. Boynton, Ruth [Boynton], Julia (Julie) Brock, John Cardinal, Alexander S. Clay, Agnes G. [Clay], Ann [Clay], Brutus Clay, Cassius M. Clay, Catesby Clay Jr., Charles Clay, Christine Clay, David Clay, Daniel [possibly David] Clay, Dr. Henry Clay, Frederick Lord Clay, Green Clay, Henry Clay, Isaac Clay, James Clay, John Clay(e), Laura Clay, Lucius D. Clay, Margaret Clay, Mary [Clay], Mary Mitchell Clay, Matthew Clay, Mitchell Clay, Penny Clay, Rachel Clay, Robert Clay, Sally Ann Lewis Clay, Sarah M. [Clay], Sarah Williams Clay, William B. Clay, William Clay, William E. Clay, William S. Clay, S. Douglas Cline, Vivian Cline, Constance (Connie) Collins, Thomas Connally, Nancy Cook, Louise Copenhaver, Adam Darling, Mike Davis, Mary Ann (Clay) Dawson, Thomas P. Dawson, Susan C. Day, Cynthia Louise MacDonald Deets, George Deets, Carol Lovelady Dehan, Elizabeth Virginia (Lizzie) Devore, Julina (Zula) Devore, Sallie C. Devore, Warren H. Devore, Dorothy Dryden, Jack (Littleton) Dryden, Littleton Dryden, Pat Dunford, James B. Edmunds, Amey (Clay) Green, James W. Herrick, Michael Clay Herrick, Robert Herrick, Virginia V. Herrick, Mary Hopkins, Marcia (Hasson) Hovenden, Ken Hunt, Susan Hunt, Rev. Elise Lawrence Moore Johnstone, Eleanor Jordon, Charles Knighton, Sallie Clay Lanham, Angela F. Leshak, Robert Todd Lincoln, Aaron L. Mellows, Menica Musick, Edith L. Offord, Grayson Carney Offord, Helen Cornelia Offord, John Offord, Linda Pittano, Mary Richardson, Robert Revell, Linda (Biven) Shields, Stephen O. Southall, Elsie Stein, Mary E. Sutherland, John Wall, Mary Jane Warfield, Shirley Wilcox, Ann Wilson, Joseph Wilson
Repository:
lay Family Society Digital Archives
Archive Reference:
Folder: 01_Pieces_of_Clay/2007-2025

Summary

Focused on Reflections on a Family-oriented Trip (England), John Clay the Scottish Farmer and Henry Clay the Statesman, The Girl in the Watch, Clay Family Roots Day At Ashland – Charles Herrick President

Clay Line: Board

Asset

View Public Asset

Source Citation

Pieces of Clay, Clay Family Society, (Spring 2013): 6 pages; CFS Archive ID POC-2013-02.

Historical Context

Key genealogical findings from the Clay Family Society newsletter include:

1. Origins and Migration:
Ongoing research focuses on tracing the origins of John Clay before his emigration to Jamestown in 1613, a foundational ancestor for many American Clays.

The Herrick family, connected by marriage, is traced back to Sir William Herrick who purchased Beaumanor Hall in 1595.
His son Henry Herrick emigrated to Massachusetts in the 1620s, possibly via Virginia.

2. Family Connections and Portraits:
The Clay family in Berwick-on-Tweed, Scotland, is highlighted, with several generations of John Clays noted for their agricultural influence. A notable resemblance is observed between John Clay (Scottish farmer) and Henry Clay (American statesman), though no direct genealogical link is confirmed.

Census records from 1861 and 1910 provide details on various Clay family members in Scotland and the United States, supporting lineage tracking.

3. Photo Mysteries and Identification:
A genealogical mystery involving a photo found in a watch led to research on the Biven and Devore branches, with efforts to identify the young woman in the photo as either Lutie or Birdie Biven, daughters of James Washington Biven and Sallie Ball.

4. Document Discoveries:
A rare 1867 “Notice of Intention of Marriage” for Daniel (or David) Clay and Susan C. Day in New Hampshire was found, though further records on this couple remain elusive.

5. DNA and Archaeological Insights:
The discovery and DNA confirmation of King Richard III’s remains in Leicester, with a connection to the Herrick family, underscores the value of DNA in genealogical research. The Society is considering more active promotion and funding of DNA studies.

6. Community and Resources:
The Society maintains a secure online database of member lineages and encourages submission of family trees, photos, and documents to enhance collective genealogical knowledge.