Robert CLAY

  General Notes:

Bolton, Mrs. Ann (Curtis) 1690-1747.
The life of Mrs. Robert Clay afterwards Mrs. Robert Bolton (ne'e Ann Curtis) 1690-1738; in letters written by herself to her physician and now transcribed from the original manuscript by her great grandson, the Rev. Curtis Clay. Philadelphia, September 1, 1812-March 4, 1825. [Philadelphia, clt>2S,
197 p. front, (port.) 19TM.
Introduction signed: W. Nelson Mayhew.
Contains also special t.-p.: A letter diary written 1738-1746 ... by Ann Clay Bolton (nee Curtis) © Mar. 15. 1928: 2c. Mar. 13: aff. Mar. 27; A 1069517: Juliet C. Walker.


Owner of several coal-pits and lead mines.

He remarried several times after the death of his first wife. His son Robert is the only child from this marriage.

Robert Clay, of Bridge House, was an owner of large interests in lead and coal mines in Derbyshire and Yorkshire; wealthy at the time of his eldest son's marriage; more so at his own death when by well he cut off grandchildren Slater and Thomas Clay with "5 shillings apiece." Robert Clay, sea captain, had been visiting at his father's and Liverpool for two years with wife and son Thomas was born there..
The Family of Clay of New Castle, Delaware and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pub Gibson Bros. Printers and Bookbinders, Washington DC, 1895


The first ancestor of the Clay family of whom an authentic record is given is Robert Clay, of Chesterfield, England (date of birth not given).
He married Hannah Slator, of Chesterfield, England, January 15, 1687; he died July, 1737, is buried in the east end of the Parish church, Sheffield, England.

Robert Clay, of Philadelphia, who was lost at sea in 1716, was the only son of Robert Clay, Esq., by his first wife, Hannah Slater. Robert Clay, Sen., Esq., who resided at Chesterfield, afterwards removed to Sheffield, Yorkshire, and died there in July, l737. The will of Robert Clay, of Bridgehouses, in the parish of Sheffield,
bears date 30th of September, 1736, and was proved in the Exchequer Court of York, 22d January, 1738. Among other items are the following: "I give unto my grandson, Slater Clay, and to my grandson, Thomas Clay, each of them five shillings a peece in full of what they may or can clame out of any part of my freehould, copyhould, or personall estate whatsoever." To his son, Joseph Clay, by his second wife, Joanna, he bequeaths " the residue of his lands and houseing at Walkley and Stanington," etc., " the smelting mill and house and lands at Dore, in the parish of Dronfield and County of Derby," etc., "his house at Bridgehouses,with all the land," etc., "and all his mines and personal estate." "His house and land at Tickell to be sould to the best bidder towards payment of his debts," etc.He appoints his wife, Joanna Clay and son Joseph, with others, executors of his will. Extracts from original will in York Registry Court of Probate. The following extracts are from the parochial registers of Chesterfield, Derbyshire: "January 1687.Robertus Clay et Hannah Slater nupt." "December,1688.Robertus Alias Robert Clay et Hannah uxoris bapt."

Robert married Hannah SLATER on 15 Jan 1687 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. (Hannah SLATER was born before 5 Mar 1661 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, christened on 5 Mar 1661 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England and died on 3 Jan 1689 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England.)

Robert next married Joanna RAWSON.