Public

POC-2011-04 – POC, 2011 Qtr 4, Vol. IX Issue 4

Record Summary

Evidence Category:

Published Source

Record Type:

Newsletter

Individuals Mentioned:

Phyllis Alexander, Julia Brock, John Bruce, Anthony Thornton, Burton Palmer, James Palmer, Rebekah Palmer, Sophia Palmer, Clarissa Rebecca Palmer, John Henry Palmer, Charles Peyton Glover, Mabel Glover, Catherine Nowlin Graves, Louise Root Godfrey, Richard Godfrey, George Root, Charles (Charlie) Herrick, Donna-Sue Howatson, Michael R. Howatson, Marcia Hovenden, Charles Knighton, Pat Dunford, Linda Pittano, Rachel Povall, David Clay, Caroli Clay, Charles Clay, Christopher Clay, Daniel Clay, Eli Jefferson Clay, Henry Clay, John Clay, Legerd Clay, Mathew Clay, Richard Clay, Robert Clay, Samuel Clay, Thomas Clay, William Clay, Andrew Jackson Clay, David J. Clay, Otis Jefferson Clay, Robert Young Clay, Jerry Clay, S. Douglas Cline, Connie Collins, Shirley Langdon Wilcox

Repository:

Clay Family Society Digital Archives

Archive Reference:

Folder: 01_Pieces_of_Clay/2007-2025

Summary

Focused on Clays in the Context of American History, Finding Digital Records in FamilySearch.org, John Clay Baptisms, England, 1560-1600, Reflections on the Present Matriarch of the John Clay(e) Family, Georgia Hosts Eli Clay Reunion, Robert Young Clay Honors – Charles Herrick President

Clay Line: Board

Asset

View Public Asset

Source Citation

Pieces of Clay, Clay Family Society, (Fall 2011): 6 pages; CFS Archive ID POC-2011-04.

Historical Context

Key genealogical findings from the Clay Family Society highlight the broad historical impact and migration patterns of the Clay family in America. The existence of Clay County in 18 states underscores the family’s influence on the national narrative. Research into Kentucky probate records, especially in Bourbon County, has provided valuable insights into early Clay family estates and wills, with digitized records now more accessible for genealogists.

A significant focus is on tracing the origins of John Clay, who arrived in Virginia in 1612. Detailed baptismal records from England (1560–1600) list 58 individuals named John Clay, with a theory favoring those from seaport areas like London and Alverstoke as likely ancestors due to their proximity to migration routes. DNA matching between English and American Clays remains an ongoing goal.

The family’s westward expansion is well documented, with notable lines moving from Kentucky to Missouri and then to Oregon via the Oregon Trail. The story of Clarissa Rebecca Palmer and her descendants illustrates the pioneering spirit and educational achievements within the family, including Mabel Glover, a key family historian.

The Clay Family Society also honors genealogical research achievements, notably through the Robert Young Clay Award. Robert Young Clay’s extensive research files, now housed at the Library of Virginia, are a major resource for tracing the lineage of Thomas Clay of Dinwiddie County and allied families.

Family reunions and gatherings continue to foster connections among descendants, with recent events uniting branches from across the United States. These efforts collectively deepen understanding of the Clay family’s roots, migrations, and contributions to American history.