POC-2020-01 – POC, 2020 Qtr 1, Vol. XVII Issue 1
Record Summary
Summary
Focused on 2020 Gathering (Richmond, VA June 4-7), The Treasurer’s Mark of Earliest Virginia, David Clay Reports, Hollywood Cemetery’s Clays – Casie Clay Branson, President
Asset
Source Citation
Pieces of Clay, Clay Family Society, (Winter 2020): 5 pages; CFS Archive ID POC-2020-01.
Historical Context
Based on the provided document, the key genealogical and historical findings regarding the Clay family include:
Immigrant John Claye: He stated he arrived in the colony of Virginia on the ship Treasurer in February 1613, though it is likely he originally arrived five months earlier at Point Comfort (now Hampton), Virginia. Research indicates the Treasurer was an armored man-of-war, supporting the theory that John Claye may have been a soldier.
Land Patents and Headrights: John Claye was granted 1,200 acres of land on Ward’s Creek. This included 100 acres as an “old planter” and 1,100 acres for arranging the transportation of 22 persons to the colony at his own personal cost.
Early Virginia Land Grants: A compiled list shows several individuals surnamed Clay (or variations like Cley) who were granted land or transported to Virginia under the headright system between 1635 and 1666, including Lancelot, John, Francis, Thomas, Edward, Henry, Ann, and Samuel Clay.
Hollywood Cemetery Connections: There are 21 Clay-related graves in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery. Of these, 12 connect to immigrant John Claye through his grandson Henry, who owned extensive property in the western Richmond suburbs. Four graves relate to Clay and Coleman families from Amelia County who may also be tied to John Claye. One grave belongs to an American who married into an English Clay family.
Family Tree Conflation: Research into the white Clay family from Amelia County revealed that it has been mistakenly conflated with a Black Clay family line in numerous Ancestry online trees.