John Calvin Clayton

 Compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber, Dec. 2022

John Calvin Clayton, [Thomas, Thomas, Zebulon, John, Edmund, Henry] was born 24 March 1773.  Some say he was born in Hampshire County [W] Virginia  When John was 77 years old he told the 1850 census taker he was born in New Jersey.   He was one of eight known  children of Thomas and Mary  Clayton.

His father, Thomas Clayton first appears on the Personal Property Tax of Hampshire County, Virginia in 1791.

John Calvin Clayton married  Mary Brown about 1799 possibly in Hampshire or Frederick County, Virginia No marriage record as been located at this writing.  He purchased lot #33 in the town of Springfield, Hampshire County, Virginia on 16 December 1799.  A copy of the deed was carefully preserved and saved between the pages of his great grand daughter Dessie Clayton Feyler’s family bible.  Springfield had been established in 1790.  The lots were ½ acre each.  Purchasers were to build a dwelling house at least 16 feet square with a brick or stone chimney and must be finished and fit for habitation within 5 years after the purchase.  Failure to build on a lot would be cause for the town trustees to sell the lot over again and use the money for the benefit of the inhabitants of the town.  

John and Mary Brown Clayton sold the property in May 1804.  This deed was also preserved by the Clayton family and handed down in Dessie’s bible.  It must be assumed that the family did build and live under the restrictions required to have sold and made a profit from the property.  

The Clayton’s migrated to Muskingum County, Ohio to a portion that would be set apart a few years later as Perry County.  The township would be named for these early Clayton pioneers.  John and Mary traveled with both sets of parents and two toddlers.  Thomas had been born 17 February 1800 and our ancestor, Alexander, was born 17 June 1802.

John’s father, Thomas, died in August 1813 leaving his estate to be equally divided among his children.  His father’s dwelling house and personal effects were advertised for sale in the Zanesville Express in September and the estate finalized soon after.  

John’s land holdings were growing.  He is listed as an entryman in Perry County which included 156.26 acres of land.  In 1825 John and Mary Brown Clayton sold property in Clayton Township to Moses Goodin.  It is thought by this compiler, that Moses Goodin’s 2nd wife Mary Clayton, is the widowed mother of John.  In 1827 John sold an acre of land to the directors of school lands in Clayton township.  The Claytons were paid $4.00 for the property.  Historians have been unable to pinpoint when the original log school house was built.

John and his wife appear on the rolls of the Unity Presbyterian Church. In 1837 they obtained permission to remove themselves to the church at New Lexington. John died 5 May 1854 at the age of 81 years and was buried in Unity Presbyterian Church Yard, Clayton Township, Perry County, Ohio.  Mary his widow held the estate until her death.  A Petition to sell the land of the estate of John Clayton was filed in 1859.  The Inventory of the accounts included two tombstones from McMitchel for $20.00 and Gruber and Son for coffins and service $16.00.  In 1993 John’s tombstone was found by the compiler and her husband on the ground.   The stone was repaired by the Klaiber's.

Reviewing on-line trees at places like Ancestry show newer researchers making an egregious error.  They show John Calvin Clayton with a marriage in Perry County, Ohio to Mary Ann Carroll in 1834.    This John C. Clayton was born 16 May 1812 and is the son of Joseph Clayton and his wife Mary.  John C. Clayton was/is a nephew of John Calvin Clayton that married Mary Brown.

HANNAH

Teresa Martin Klaiber Feb. 2020

Everyone begins their genealogy journey with a simple lined chart.  My journey started, as a child, when mother shared my baby book. The very first page was the chart, which she had filled out, showing three generations.  By the time I was married my chart was a bit longer, filled with names and dates.  Those blank lines can be addicting, like adding puzzle pieces, but something is still missing; the heart of the people, their story.

Blogs, in today’s world, give me a chance to write the stories I learned along my genealogical journey.  After all we are a combination of who came before us. We are honoring their memory.  We should celebrate their accomplishments and learn from their errors.

As I write, today, it is drizzling, similar to the day I visited Hannah Collins Clayton.  We were driving from someplace to someplace when I realized it would be just a short side trip to Smith Cemetery in Wesley Township, Washington County, Ohio.  Hubby nodded and I swear I heard a groan and felt rolling eyes from the backseat gallery of sons, who were forced to visit many cemeteries as they grew up.

The cold granite stone stood tall among many, honoring Hannah and husband Alexander Clayton.  The symbolic drapery is said to be the veil between life and death graces their stone adding elegant dignity.  As I stood in the drizzle, I thought about how they had laughed, made mistakes, lived lives with all its up’s and down’s.  I promised to learn more about Hannah’s story.

Hannah has not been a common given name in our direct family.   Hannah which means favour or grace.  Recently another Hannah graced us with our fifth grandbaby which drew me back to my 3^rd great grandmother.  Hannah born 6 August 1802 in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania who died 17 June 1883 in Bartlett, Wesley township, Washington County, Ohio.

Hannah Collins married Alexander Clayton (s/o John Calvin Clayton). They both grew up in Perry County, Ohio, attending Unity Presbyterian Church.  I located their marriage 3 May 1832.[i]  I was a bit surprised to realize she did not marry until she was 29 years old. 

Hannah’s father died either shortly before their marriage or immediately following.[ii], She appears with her married name on partition records for Benjamin Collins, just four months after her marriage to Alexander.  Maybe she had been his caregiver?

Through the wonderful network of genealogists, a letter copied by B. F. Carroll, surfaced and was shared which sheds some light about Hannah W. Collin’s as both a caregiver and her late marriage to Alexander Clayton.

Elizabeth Carroll Hayden wrote me in February 2002: "I found a 2nd manuscript written by my great grandfather [B. F. Carroll] .... He also copied a letter she had written to family back in Pennsylvania. It was written to her cousin John McAlister[iii]...."

"Respected Friends: - I embrace the present opportunity of informing you that I am in a reasonable state of health at the present, for which I have reason to be thankful. It is a long time since I have heard anything from you or any of our friends in that part of the country and I know but little of the situation of my friends and therefore have but little to write.

My brother and sisters are or have been all married and left me alone with my father and mother, who are now old and frail. Sister Jane is a widow with five sons who live with her and manage the farm. James has three living and two dead. Sally has three living and three dead. Polly had three living and one dead. Remember me to my friends in that county. especially to your son Hugh as I can remember more about him than any of the rest. I wish you would write to us and let us know how you are coming on and our friends generally in that country, and invite Stephen George if you have an opportunity to write us.

No more at present
Your affectionate friend
[signed] Hannah W. Collins

As I continue to write the drizzle has now turned to rain and the story is not the one I had hoped to write.  Hannah has seen much grief with the death of six nephews and nieces and a brother-in-law, along with being left as care giver for her failing parents.

With Hannah’s information, even though the letter was undated, knowing that Jane’s husband, Thomas Beard died circa 1826 we can surmise the approximate time Hannah sat down to write.  Benjamin Collins, Hannah’s father, does not appear on the 1830 census and it is believed he died about 1829-30.  Thus, the letter was written between 1826 and 1829/30. 

The records of Unity Presbyterian Church state Hannah’s mother, Mary Collins, was deceased by 1 April 1835.  She is believed to be the elderly female listed in David Carroll’s household in 1830.  David Carroll had married Hannah’s sister Elizabeth. Another sister had married Thomas Carroll.  Thus, if Hannah acted as a caregiver, by 1830, she had some relief and help.

Meanwhile, Alexander Clayton had purchased 60 acres of land in adjoining Morgan County in 1825 from Moses Goodin,(s/o Moses Goodin, who had married Alexander’s grandmother Mary, after the death of grandfather Thomas Clayton). About the same time, Alexander’s father sold Moses Goodin land in Clayton township. Alexander lost money when he sold the property in Deerfield Township, Morgan County, two years later.   Within three months, January 1828 he partnered with John Huston for a town lot in New Lexington.  He sold his undivided half the next year for $400.00 to Joseph R. Thomas of Putnam, Muskingum County, Ohio.[iv]  He now was doing better and had enough to support Hannah who he married in May 1832.

After their marriage Hannah became pregnant, already 33 years old, and had her first child, Elizabeth 5 June 1835 in Perry County.   Shortly after, the Clayton’s packed up and moved to Washington County, Ohio.

They already had family residing in Washington County.  Alexander’s great uncle Joseph Clayton had died 7 May 1829 and was buried in Smith Cemetery, Wesley Township.  Alexander’s great aunt by marriage would be laid to rest in Smith Cemetery when she died in May 1840.

Alexander and Hannah Collins Clayton resided near Plymouth and Bartlett in Wesley Township where she, as his wife, signed several deed transactions as Hannah W. Clayton.  Alexander farmed, she kept house and gave birth to three more children, all sons: David Elzy Clayton 17 Jul 1837, James Allen Clayton 4 Feb 1840 and Isaac Calvin Clayton 17 April 1843.  Hannah was 41 years old when baby Isaac was born, dubbing him a “late in life” child.

Could Hannah Collins Clayton be gripped with yet more death and sadness?  Yes.  Her brother James Collins died 7 January 1849 in Logan County, Ohio, just 55 years old.  Sister Jane Collins Beard would follow him to the grave 20 July 1850, in Perry County.

Where does a woman find strength, except in God, when it storms around her? The cloak of death would again touch Hannah.  This time with more heartbreak. Daughter, Elizabeth died at the age of 18[v] and was also laid to rest in Smith Cemetery in 1853.   

I am sure she was still mourning when news reached her that sister Mary Collins Pugh had died in Van Buren County, Iowa 14 November 1859 followed by the shock that sister Anne Collins Carroll had died the 28^th of the same month in New Lexington, Ohio.  In fact I wonder if she might not have known about Anne’s death before finding out about Mary.

In her late 50’s, the Civil War would touch their lives. All three of her son’s volunteered to serve the Union cause.  David Elzy saw service in Company G of the 92^nd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  James Allen joined Company D of the 148^th as did Isaac Calvin Clayton.  Not all was gloom.   In January 1865 they celebrated the marriage of youngest son, Isaac Calvin Clayton to Anna Jane Graham in Wesley Township. Three months later they travelled to Morgan County 11 April 1865 for the marriage of James Allen Clayton to Sarah J Ellis.  On the road again they travelled to New Lexington for the wedding of David Elzy Clayton to Harriett Griffith 27 February 1866.

Knowing their sons were safe after the war she enjoyed the birth of 16 grandchildren. As a grandmother, myself, I know it is the ultimate joy in life and it comforts me to know Hannah found joy after facing so many deaths in her lifetime.  I wonder if she thought about the footprint she would be leaving for her descendants. Would she leave a little of the fortitude of endurance during the sad occasions that happen in life?   She would have one last death to face before facing her own demise.  Her steadfast, providing, husband, Alexander died 12 April 1879 and was laid to rest in Smith Cemetery.  Hannah’s death would follow four years later on 17 June 1883.

Hannah W. Collins Clayton was the youngest of seven known children of Benjamin Collins and wife Mary McAlister Collins.  Born 6 August 1802 in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania she would also be considered a “late in life” baby.  Her father was an Ensign in the  2^nd Lost Creek regiment of the militia in Mifflin County.[vi]   Hannah was around eight years old when they migrated from Mifflin County to Perry County, Ohio.  I hope that she enjoyed a happy, carefree childhood, as all children should.  The Stephen George[vii] mentioned in her letter, was a teacher, circa 1810, on Lost Creek about 1 ½ miles from McAllisterville.  It is easy to visualize him teaching Hannah her letters.

She was the granddaughter of Hugh McAlister born in Ireland circa 1731 who settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and became a prominent pioneer in the Lost Creek Valley of Cumberland County, now Juanita County.  Hugh enlisted in the French & Indian Wars at the age of 22.  He was at Fort Duquesne in 1755, the year after it was built.  Today we know the area as Pittsburgh. 

The next time I visit Hannah Collins Clayton, I will understand that she is at peace among those that went before her.  That above all she honored those she loved.

A Fallen Limb

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says,
“Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times,
the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived
while I was strong.
Continue my heritage,
I’m counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely
the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease,
my soul is at rest.
Remembering all,
how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions,
no matter how small.
Go on with your life,
don’t worry about falls.
I miss you all dearly,
so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes
we’re together again.”
– Author Unknown

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[i] Ohio, Perry Mbk 1 p 134

[ii] Ohio, Perry dbk E p 224

[iii] John McAllister, John McAlister, William McAllister and Stephen George all appear on the same p. Fermanagh twp., Mifflin County, PA 1820

[iv] Ohio, Perry dbk D 196 & D 199

[v] 7 Jun 1853

[vi] Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives Sixth Series (N.p.: Department of Public Instruction, 1907), Volume V page 400.

[vii] History of that part of Susquehanna & Juaniata Valley…p. 841

Clayton’s of Clayton Township, Perry County, Ohio

By Teresa Martin Klaiber Jan. 2020

Perry County was named for Oliver Hazard Perry. Ohio counties are divided into townships.   The Muskingum and Hocking River flow through Clayton Township in Perry County.  Known as, Township 16 it was named for Thomas Clayton, (Thomas, Zebulon, John, Edmund).  The road that led to Clayton Township took the Clayton’s from New Jersey to Virginia, before settling in Ohio.

John Calvin Clayton[i] was born 24 March 1773, the eldest child of Thomas (b. 1742 Monmouth County, NJ) and wife Mary. Brother, Joseph, was born in New Jersey about 1775.   The family paid their tax in Shrewsbury, Upper Freehold, Monmouth County until 1779 according to published extractions.  Thomas’ father was still living which may cause a bit of confusion with the extractions.

Thomas and Mary, with their two small sons, migrated to Hampshire County, Virginia.  According to Historic Hampshire quite a few were from the northern hills of New Jersey which resembled their new land. The tie to New Jersey was so strong that they named a mountain Jersey Mountain. Today you can still drive along Jersey Mountain Road.[ii]  Bible records indicate that John Calvin Clayton’s little sister Mary was born 18 February 1777 in Virginia. 

Thomas Clayton, already described as a resident, of Hampshire County, Virginia appears as an assignee[iii] of Jonathon Pugh for land on Tear Coat and Little Capon 26 May 1778. He received his land grant for 424 acres. The Capon River also known as the Cacapon River drew a great migration during this time frame.

Thomas is credited with a Public Service Claim in the Patriotic Service Records, at the Virginia State Library, for supplying thirty pounds of flour in 1781 “for Frederick Starkey.” Starkey was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey in 1745 and married Mary King.  Several researchers, at the time of this writing, on popular genealogy sites, state that Frederick Starkey’s parents were Thomas David Starkey born between 1781 and 1722, in New Jersey and wife Ann Clayton.  Ann Clayton was born 16 May 1689, a Quaker, in Newport Rhode Island and was the daughter of David Clayton and Amy Cooke.  This would make Thomas Clayton and Frederick Starkey cousins (third once removed).

While 1781 was the height of the Revolutionary War, the family was doing well, having been taxed for 10 cattle and 4 horses in Hampshire County. Thomas and Mary had their fourth son William the following year. Daughters Elizabeth, Martha and Rachel were born two years apart beginning in 1784.

In October 1797 Thomas and Mary sold 212 acres of land to Tunis Peterson and another 212 acres to Stephen Lee. This accounts for all 424 acres of the land grant. Thomas continues to tithe in the county and was ordered to work the North River Road in 1788.  One road survey, in the county minutes cites “Clayton’s on the Frankfort Road.”[iv]  He also served several times on county court juries.  In December 1799 he purchased a lot in the town of Springfield on Market Street.[v] Springfield is in the northwestern portion of Hampshire County in what is now West Virginia. The town was well established by the time they purchased their lot. 

The family paid taxes in Springfield until 1804 when they sold the town lot.[vi]  His daughter-in-law, Mary Brown Clayton’s brother Isaac Brown was one of the witness to the sale. They made 100% profit from this sale having purchased the lot for $50.00 and selling it for $100.00.   The next year Thomas begins making payments under the credit system for land in Muskingum County, Ohio.  Apparently doing well Clayton bought  254 more acres in 1809, on Spring Gap in Hampshire County, Virginia.

With a bit of wonder lust, and owning 254 acres in Hampshire, Thomas appears to meet up with others from Turkey Creek, Somerset County, Pennsylvania for the migration to Ohio. We assume this is how son Samuel met his wife-to-be, Phebe Rush, who was a member of the Jersey Church in Somerset County. 

Thomas and his family settled in what was then Muskingum but would become known as Clayton Township, Perry County, Ohio. Thomas is listed as an Entryman and continued to make payments at the Zanesville Land office until 1810 when his land was entered as all payments received. The township was named in his honor. His patent was registered 23 December 1811. In April the following year son William received a patent in the same area as an assignee of Thomas.  john Calvin Clayton (compiler's ancestor) received his, along with brother Joseph,  in July 1814 in Section 29. 

Thomas Clayton, at the age of 71, died in August 1813 in Clayton township while still Muskingum County, Ohio, leaving a will that was probated on August 25^th. He provided for his wife Mary leaving her bed and bedding and land of her choice. He also requested that his dwelling house and personal effects be sold and the money divided among his children. The sale was advertised in the Zanesville Express September 6, 1813. No grave has been located but it has been assumed that Thomas Clayton and possibly Mary were buried in early graves in Unity Presbyterian Church in Clayton Township.

Muskingum County, Ohio Will Book A page 224

Unity Church is one of the oldest religious organizations in the county.  The Church sat within the township on a rolling hill. Today all that remains is Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Among the tombstones you will find the graves of John Calvin Clayton (Thomas, Thomas, Zebulon, John, Edmund) and wife Mary Brown Clayton.  We visited several times while residing in Muskingum County, Ohio.  My husband spent several back breaking hours up-righting John Clayton’s stone in the early 1990’s. 

We know so little about Mary. Yet she was a pioneer woman having migrated from New Jersey to Virginia, finally settling in the township that would be named in her husband’s honor. By virtue of the birth of Thomas’ known children researchers estimated the marriage circa 1772.

There is a marriage of Thomas Clayton to Mary Walker in Christ Church, Philadelphia on 16 June 1772. Because of the proximity to Monmouth County, New Jersey with Philadelphia, researchers have been quick to attribute this marriage with our Mary.  This compiler, felt researchers were not taking into consideration seven other Clayton marriages listed in Christ Church, none attributed to our direct ancestor.  None of the early researchers supplied further documentation. With extensive research, locating the diaries of Jacob Hiltzheimer, I know that the marriage is another Clayton family.   Mary Walker was sister of Hannah Walker who married Jacob Hiltzheimer.  Thomas Clayton requested permission to marry Jacob’s sister-in-law in April 1772.  Mary Walker Clayton “wife of Col. Thomas Clayton” remained in Chester county where she died, age 40, July 1790, and was buried in Friend’s Cemetery.

Even though, to date we do not know Mary’s maiden name, she like other pioneers had to be a strong woman. Sadly, women were not given the credit of men in that day.  Women of the day were often there to do the work and have children. It appears that while Mary had a choice of property she did not stay in her own "dwelling house" as it was sold according to court records. Mary is on the roll of Unity Church in 1816.  In April 1818, the 254 acres were sold on her behalf in Hampshire County, signed by all the heirs of Thomas Clayton, deceased.[vii]

She was dismissed from the rolls of Unity in March 1822. Seven months after being dismissed from church, Moses Goodin, Sr. married Mary Clayton on 24 October 1822 in Perry County. Moses was born before 1755 and had grown children. Age wise he would have been a contemporary of Mary. Moses Goodin sold Mary Clayton’s grandson property in Reading Township in 1825 and at the same time purchased property from Mary’s son, John Calvin Clayton and wife Mary Brown Clayton, in Clayton township. The land in Clayton township was described as second class with no meadow. Moses Goodin died 20 September 1836 and was buried in Hopewell Cemetery in Somerset, Perry County. Goodin researchers report no information on Mary, either unaware of this 2nd marriage or because of their age, simply not citing it. When Moses died, his will written 17 April 1831, mentions no wife only his children by his first marriage. It is assumed by this researcher that Mary must have died between 1825 and 1831.

Thomas Clayton and Mary had eight children. Thomas and Mary’s daughter Mary married Isaac Brown and through daughter Jane are direct ancestors of Past President Richard Milhous Nixon.  Thomas and Mary’s eldest son John Calvin Clayton married Mary “Polly” Brown, sister of Isaac.  Richard Nixon was their third great grandnephew.

Son, John Calvin Clayton received his grant for land in Muskingum, later Perry, the year his father died, 1813.  In 1827 the directors of school lands paid John Clayton $4.00 for one acre in the same range, section 29.  John Calvin Clayton continued to live in Clayton Township until his death 5 May 1854.  

Unity Cemetery, Clayton Township, Perry County, Ohio

Son, Joseph settled in Washington County, Ohio and died 7 May 1829.  Son William died in 1847 in Illinois.  Daughter Elizabeth born about 1784 married William Minniear and settled in Miami/ Shelby county, Ohio.  Daughter Martha married Isaac Millison and remained in Hampshire County, Virginia.  Rachel Clayton, the youngest child of Thomas and Mary married Jonathon Carroll and died in 1840 in Perry County, Ohio.

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[i] 4^th great grandfather of compiler.
[ii] Jersey Mountain is now known as Three Churches.[iii] a person to whom a right or liability is legally transferred[iv] June 1798
[v] Virginia, Hampshire dbk 12 p. 139-40
[vi] Virginia, Hampshire dbk 13 p 181-5
[vii] Virginia, Hampshire dbk 21 - 384

Anne Clayton’s Beliefs and Free Speech. Colorful Clayton Connections

Anne Clayton’s Beliefs and Free Speech.

Colorful Clayton Connections

by Teresa Martin Klaiber, Dec. 2019

One of the earliest marriages recorded in Aldingham Parish, Lancashire, England is that of Henry Clayton and Esther Townson 27 April 1600.[i] Lancashire is a maritime county bounded by the Irish sea. In 1648, during Henry Clayton’s lifetime, the Scots, directed by the Duke of Hamilton, and Cromwell, fought a battle at Preston within Lancashire County.  Many were slaughtered. Henry and a son Edmond both survived the battle.

Son, Edmond Clayton was born 05 April 1602 in Lancashire, England.[ii]  Edmond had a daughter Anne (born about 1628) who became a servant at Swarthmoor Hall. She was one of six known siblings including John (this compiler’s ancestor) who migrated to America and settled in British New Jersey.

Swarthmoor postcard (c2155 ebay)

 Swarthmoor Hall had been inherited by Thomas Fell.   Fell supported Cromwell yet managed to retain a position as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. His wife, Margaret Askew Fell, was one of the earliest sponsors of George Fox. George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement, arrived at Swarthmoor Hall in June 1652 as he traveled around England.  Fox had already been in jail 12 months for illegal preaching by the time he arrived at Swarthmoor. The Parish priest confronted Fox.  As a servant in the household it is likely Anne heard or even witnessed this event. 

Margaret Fell was an avid supporter of Fox. Between 1652 and her death she is said to have published many pamphlets including one titled Women’s Speaking Justified which supported the role of women in Quaker ministry.  After Thomas Fell died she remarried to George Fox in 1669. The Quakers, especially the ones known as the Valiant Sixty attempted to convert others to their understanding of Christianity, travelling both throughout Great Britain and overseas.  Anne Clayton accepted the Quaker faith with open arms.

 Some of these early Quaker ministers were women. The Valiant Sixty were itinerant preachers, mostly from northern England, who spread the ideas of the Friends during the second half of the 17th century. They were also called the First Publishers of Truth. There were actually more than sixty of them.  Among the females listed is Margaret Fell. While Anne does not appear in the list, her brother Richard Clayton, yeoman, is one of the Valiant Sixty.  After researching Anne I am a bit puzzled why she was not one of the females on the list.

On 24 March 1654/5 “Anne Clayton, late of Swarthmore, spinster, was indicted for interrupting the parson of Aldingham stated ‘Come down thou greedy dogg, woe unto thee’…”[iv] Aldingham was historically in Lancashire. Anne Clayton would be jailed, for her believes, and whipped in Lancashire Castle in 1655.[iii] 

In the Great Book of Sufferings the writer (Hookes) recorded accounts for 1654-1657 called “For Speaking the truth in Steeplehouses, Marketts and other places…” On the side of the page he recorded the name of the accused Quakers who received fines as well as jail sentences.  In a bracketed group the following women are Mary Clayton, Anne Clayton, Mary Lyongill,  and Jane Ashburner.

Anne had joined the ranks of women-preachers. Anne also wrote to Margaret Fell in October 1655 on behalf of a meeting in Lancaster and requesting a copy of news from London “wee would have thee to send us a copie of that letter [v]which thou received the last from London as shortly as thou canst conveniently.”  Anne’s brother, Richard Clayton wrote Margaret Fell the same year “...& as for the noote y thou writs of I know not whether I have receued it or not, for I have been receued 3 from thee sence I came into this contry but as for out ward things there is noe want, soe deare one if thou be free a copy of this then may send to my deare mother and sister at Lancaster.” Sharing correspondence was their only way to network with others.  Richard’s letter certainly implies that he and Anne’s mother, Margaret was also accepting the words of Fox.

“The desire to dispense with all social differences even led Anne Clayton in A Letter to the King to address the returning sovereign as her ‘dear Friend’ …’”[vi]  in 1660. She asked him to let his mind attend on reading, hearing and reject not the counsel of the Lord…and signed it “From a Love of thy Soul, Anne Clayton.”[vii]

Anne Clayton is said to have carried the Quaker message as far as Barbados[viii] prior to arrival in America. It is said that she travelled to Barbados to be with Fell family members. Henry Fell, a Quaker missionary was already in Barbados by 1656.  Margaret Askew Fell Fox had a daughter named Margaret who married John Rous of Barbados.  At this point in this compiler's research, no documented account of her preaching there has been located. 

She later married Nicholas Easton, who would become the Governor of Rhode Island, in Newport[ix].  Governor Nicholas Easton gave property to Anne, at their marriage called Easton’s Point.  After Easton’s death she married Governor Henry Bull. Anne Clayton Easton Bull sold sixty-five acres known as the Point farm to the Society of Friends. She lived until 30 January 1707.

Ann Bull signature, property of Newport Historical Society

For further reading, I recommend The Valiant Sixty by Ernest E. Taylor published in 1947.  It gives details about how the Sixty functioned and includes information on a fund that was volunteered by those with means, among those that were helped personally by the fund was Richard Clayton described as an owner of a small estate.

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[i] Ancestry.com," database, Ancestry.com, Lancashire, England, Extracted Church of England Parish Records.

[ii] Lancashire: Aldingham & Coniston - Aldingham Parish Register, 1542-1695 and Coniston Parish Register, 1599-1700

[iii] Raymond Martin Bell, Some New Jersey Families...Clayton (Washington, Pennsylvania: self 413 Burton Ave., Washington, PA 15301, 1983), .

[iv] The Household Account Book of Sarah fell of Swarthmoor Hall footnote 59 page 541

[v] Women and Epistolary Agencey in early Modern Culture, 1450-1690 page 215

[vi] Female Friends and the transatlantic Quaker community…Naomi Rebecca Pullin.Thesis, University of Warwick. 2014

[vii] https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A79925.0001.001/1:1?rgn=div1;view=fulltext letter to King Charles

[viii] Quaker Women 1650-1690. Earlham College -Plowshares page 45

[ix] Bronner, Edwin, Dictionary of Quaker Biography

Black & Blue - Colorful Clayton Connections

Black & Blue - Colorful Clayton Connections.

Teresa Martin Klaiber, Dec. 2019

From an early age I remember being told I looked tired because I had circles under my eyes.  By the time I graduated high school my eyes looked like I might have been punched.  Physicians said it was allergies, I did not drink enough and was dehydrated, and needed more rest, a heart valve issue (discovered at age 40).  Makeup nor the photographers touch up hide or mask “the circles” in my high school graduation picture.  Even with age and glasses, the dark area cannot be hidden.

Teresa Lynn Martin 1967

I visited Bernice Graham, in Marietta, Ohio in the early 1980’s. She immediately commented that I had eyes like Isaac Calvin Clayton.  I nodded, thinking she was talking about the hazel color, as she pulled out the book, she had written[i], turning to the page with a picture of Isaac.  My mouth probably fell open because she was not referencing the color of my eyes. She was in fact referencing the deep coloration around my eyes.  Even in a black and white picture of my 2^nd great grandfather, you could distinctly see the darkness.

Isaac Calvin Clayton

It would be a few more years before my allergist would admit that genetics probably played a role, after all I still like to sleep for up to 12 hours a night. And while genetics play a role, predisposition such as thyroid disease can also play a role. 

Isaac Calvin Clayton[ii], [Alexander, John, Thomas, Thomas, Zebulon, John, Edmund, Henry] was born 17 April 1843 in Bartlett, Wesley Township, Washington County, Ohio, son of Alexander and Hannah W. Collins Clayton.

As a child I would visit Greenlawn Cemetery in Portsmouth, Ohio with my sweet, tiny, great aunt Eva Clayton Scott. “Aunt Eva” was the sister of my great grandmother, Dessie, who died prior to my birth.  She made her home with my grandmother, Katherine Halderman Feyler, since both were widowed.   As you enter the cemetery you are greeted with a beautiful Civil War Monument circled by those who served.  Isaac Calvin Clayton’s military stone faces the entrance and is one of the first stones you see within Soldier’s Circle. 

On May 2 1864 Isaac enlisted as a private in Company D of the 148^th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Plymouth, Ohio[iii].  His description was duly noted on the record with blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion and 5 feet 10 ½ inches tall.  There is no mention of the circles around his eyes.

He was mustered in the 17^th of May at Marietta for 100 days.  The Regiment was organized as an Ohio National Guard Unit. On May 23^rd the Regiment boarded a Marietta & Cincinnati train headed for Harper’s Ferry.  Shortly after leaving Marietta the train was involved in an accident.  Three men were killed and three seriously injured.  The Regiment, with Isaac, proceeded to Harper’s Ferry where it remained a short time before moving to Washington, D.C.  By June 12 they were at Bermuda Hundred.  The following day they were in General Butler’s entrenchment at the front.

Isaac was among seven companies under Lt. Colonel Kinkead that left Bermuda Hundred for City Point on 16 June 1864.  On the ninth of August Joseph Smith of Company D, S. E. Graham of Company H and another man in company A were killed by an explosion of an ordinance boat.  Sometime between May 2 and June 30 Isaac reported sick.  The total loss of the Regiment was forty, many due to illness.  On the twenty-ninth of August the 148^th left City Point for a return trip to Marietta.  They arrived in Marietta on September 5.  On the thirteenth a public dinner was given the Regiment by the citizens of the County.  Isaac mustered out the following day.  He received his honorable discharge 15 December 1864 signed by Abraham Lincoln, as President, and Edwin Stanton, Secretary of War[iv].  His discharge is in possession of descendent, Kacey Cavanagh Coleman.[v]

Four months later, Isaac married Anna Jane Graham 24 January 1865 in Bartlett, Wesley Township, Washington County, Ohio[vi].  Their first child, our ancestor, Dessie Mae Clayton was born 15 July 1865 in Bartlett[vii]. 

In early 1883 Isaac got a job with Drew Selby & Company in Portsmouth, Ohio.  By Fall of 1883 Isaac was able to move the family to Portsmouth permanently.  He went to work at Drew, Selby and Company shoe factory where Jesse Mains Graham[viii]  was already employed.

Portsmouth flooded in February 1884.  The Ohio rose an average of a foot per hour.  Flooding began the 8^th and reached its height February 12^th.  People were driven from their homes.  Family stories passed down say that during the flood Isaac bruised his hand while repairing a boat.

A callous was worn in the center of his hand.  While driving a stake at his residence, on Third Street, in April 1884, he bruised the hardened flesh, of the callous, which caused catarrh.  While catarrh is usually described as a buildup of mucus in the nose or throat, in this case it was an inflamed and purulent hand.  He continued to work for several days before calling Dr. Gibson. Gibson found him laboring with a high fever and diagnosed him with pyaemia.

Isaac Calvin Clayton died 23 April 1884.   Isaac was only 41 years old.  The obituary in the Portsmouth Times states that the employees of Drew Selby & Company attended the services “in body.” 

I will never know if Isaac was predisposed to heart disease or thyroid disease, or if an earlier ancestor blessed us both with “raccoon eyes.”   I still visit Greenlawn Cemetery and wonder at the parallels.  My thyroid was removed in 2009.  I still battle allergies. Isaac died of blood poisoning and in 2014 I was diagnosed with a blood cancer[ix].   I am drawn to this man that died far too young.  

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[i] GRAHAM Descendants Of William and Dinah Wilson Graham

[ii] Second great grandfather of compiler.

[iii] Civil War Index To Pensions 1861-1934, T288, 546 rolls (Washington, D.C.: National Archives NARA, ), T288-85, Isaac C. Clayton, D 148th Ohio Inf

[iv] microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, ), Civil War Pension #44468, Isaac C. Clayton

[v] Coleman resides 2019 Lexington, Fayette, KY

[vi] Clayton - Graham, (1865), Ohio, Washington County Marriages: vol 4 page 65; courthouse, Marietta, Ohio, Ohio

[vii] Family data, Feyler Family Bible, The Holy Bible: The Authorized Edition of the New Testament...revised...1881...with Complete Concordance...Comprehensive Bible Dictionary, (Philadelphia, PA: A. J.. Holman & Company, 1889); original owned in 2016 by Teresa Martin Klaiber, [address for private use], Rush, KY.

[viii] Jesse Mains Graham brother of Anna Jane Graham Clayton. Mother of Isaac Calvin Clayton.

[ix] Multiple Myeloma