Public

POC-2019-02 – POC, 2019 Qtr 2, Vol. XVI Issue 2

Document

Record Summary

Evidence Category:

Published Source

Record Type:

Newsletter

Date:

2nd Quarter 2019

Individuals Mentioned:

Mary Akers, Samuel Argall, Katherine Banks, Isham Belcher, Phoebe Isham Belcher, Ned Boyajian, Casie Clay Branson, Paul Chennell, Bobby Leroy Clay, David Clay, Francis Clay, Frank Clay, Henry Clay, Hercules Clay, Jackie Clay, Jerry Clay, John Stewart Clay, Luke Clay, Mary Clay, Mitchell Clay, Percival Clay Sr., Phoebe Belcher Clay, William Clay, John Claye, Connie Collins, Nancy Cook, Christine Clay Dabbs, Lynda Davis, Deanna Dobrzenski, Pat Dunford, Eric Dye, Janie Farmer, Carla Herkner, Dave Herkner, T. J. Honaker, Marcia Hovenden, Sir Euseby Isham, Henry Isham, Leontyne Gaye Peck, Linda Pittano, Mary Richardson, Bill Schultz, Gail Sheets, Karen Vyborny

Repository:

Clay Family Society Digital Archives

Archive Reference:

Folder: 01_Pieces_of_Clay/2007-2025

Summary

Focused on David Clay Reports, Torment In Stone: Dedicating the Mitchell and Phoebe Clay Statue, Clay Primary Research in Kent, England, Resources – Casie (Clay) Branson President

Clay Line: Board

Asset

View Public Asset

Source Citation

Pieces of Clay, Clay Family Society, (Spring 2019): 4 pages; CFS Archive ID POC-2019-02.

Historical Context

Kent, England Research**: Jackie Clay confirmed via DNA that she is a descendant of John Claye through the Clays of Wilson County, Tennessee (originally from Lunenburg County, Virginia). Historical findings show that John Claye was reportedly a musketeer on the privateer *Treasurer*, which left Gravesend, Kent, in 1613 under Samuel Argall. Another theory suggests he joined from a Dutch colony on the Hudson River.

Early Records in Kent**: The name Clay(e) appears in Kent records dating back to the 16th century. Recent searches of Canterbury Consistory records (1575–1620 AD) identified two potential fathers for John Claye, both named William Clay, who died in 1610 and 1614. The William Clay of Woodchurch Parish died young, leaving his estate to his wife Alice and an unborn child. The other William Clay resided in Dover Parish.

Phoebe (Belcher) Clay Ancestry**: Ancestry lines remain unconfirmed for Phoebe (Belcher) Clay, wife of Mitchell Clay. While a digitized genealogy of Sir Euseby Isham of Pytchley mentions his grandson Henry Isham and Henry’s children with Katherine Banks, it omits any other children from a different wife. This leaves the purported connection to Phoebe’s great-grandmother, Phoebe (Isham) Belcher, unverified.

New Member Lineages**: Recently documented lineages include Paul Chennell, who descends from Francis Clay (1567–1644) of North Wingfield, Derbyshire, England. Additionally, members Bobby Leroy Clay and Bill Schultz both trace their lineage back to Percival Clay Sr. (ca. 1725–bef. 1803) of Yorkshire, England, and Warren County, Georgia.