A new memorial for the Clay Children and several others . "The Descendants of sir John Clay of Wales, and John Thomas Clay, Immigrant to Virginia. 1...Sir John Clay was born in 1558 in Wales England. He married Mary Carlton, daughter of William Carlton. He died on May 16, 1632 in England. Sir John was a coal baron and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I. 2...Capt. John Thomas Clay was born cabout 1587 in England. Married #1 Anne (--?--) before February, 1613. Married #2 Elizabeth (--?--) before 1645 and died in 1655 in Jamestown, Virginia. Captain Clay was an English Grenadier and came to Jamestown, Virginia on the ship "Treasurer" in Feb. 1613. He later settled later in Charles City Co., Virginia. 3...Charles Clay was born in 1638 in Charles City Co., Virginia. He Married Hannah Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, in 1667 in Henrico Co., Virginia. He died in 1686 in Henrico Co., Virginia. He was the youngest son of Capt. John Thomas Clay. 4...Henry Clay was born on August 3, 1672 in Henrico Co., Virginia. He married Mary Mitchell about1707. He died on August 3, 1760 in Richmond, Virginia, at age 88 5...William Mitchell Clay born about 1708 Married #1 Martha Runyon in 1729 in Henrico Co., Virgnia. Married #2 Martha Anne Lewis, daughter of John Lewis and Elizabeth Warner, in 1752.6 Married #3 Agnes (--?--) before September 8, 1768. He died on September 10, 1774 in Pt. Pleasant, VA (now West Virgnia). 6...Mitchell Clay,William, Henry, Charles, John, John, born 1738 Henrico County Virginia; died: April 1811 New River, Giles Co. Virginia Married Phoebe Belcher 1760 in Bedford County Virginia (now Franklin) Phoebe Belcher was born in 1740 in Bedford Co., VA. She died in 1809. Mitchell and his family were buried in a little cemetery in Pearisburg, Giles County, Virginia. Tombstone at Birchlawn Burial Park Pearisburg Va.  (Click)Veterans list Phoebe Belcher was the daughter of: The Story of Mitchell Clay and Phoebe Belcher The story of Mitchell Clay is a legend and as legends go there are several accounts and times of the event. Mitchell Clay was the first settler in what is now Mercer County, West Virginia and his family is remembered because of the atrocity of an Indian Raid in which three of his children lost their lives. There are several accounts of this event and how it happened.The following is just one of those. All agree that the men were away from home and two children killed and Ezekiel was captured and later burned at the stake. Mitchell and Phoebe Belcher settled at Clover Bottom, which is now the Shawnee Lake area of Mercer County West Virginia. They moved there in 1775. Ordinary life seems to be their way, hunting, planting, and farming until about 1781-1783 (83 was when they moved to Pearisburg). Mitchell had harvested a small field of grain. He asked his sons, Charles, Mitchell Jr., Bartley. and Exekiel to fix a fence around the grain while he and James Moore of Abb's Valley, went to buy salt to help in curing the meat from the fall hunt. The Oldest sons were left to look out for the family. No danger of Indians had ever been thought of and Charles and Mitchell Jr. decided to go hunting> The oldest Daughter, Tabitha, took some of the younger girls to the river to do the washing. An Indian party of about eleven came upon the children. (There is an account that the Indians had been watching the home for several days and saw the men and boys leave). They shot young Bartley Clay and killed him. The girls, hearing the shot, ran for safety along the path home and came across an Indian as he was attempting to scalp Bartley, Tabitha tried to defend her brother, Tabitha was cut to pieces. The other girls ran on to the house to their mother, Phoebe. The Indians took the scalps of Bartley and Tabitha and captured young Ezekiel Clay and took all Mitchell Clay's horses. Phoebe gathered up the rest of the children and fled to a neighbors house, James Bailey's, who lived a few miles away. James started for the settlement, only to find they already knew of the attack and had formed a search party. There is an accounting that a Blankenship man came along and held the Indians off while Phoebe ran for safety, and then he went to the settlement and told them what had happened before James Bailey had gotten there. Mitchell Clay and James Moore had returned to the Clay house and found the two bodies and the family gone. They put the bodies in the house and started for the settlement. The older boys returned a little later and they thought their family had been killed or captured and they headed for the settlement. They met the search party and after James Bailey told them what happened and they joined the search . The Group included: Captain Matthew Farley, Charles Clay, Mitchell Clay, Jr., James Bailey, William Wiley, Edward Hale, Isaac Cole, Joseph Hare, John French, and Captain James Moore They first caught up with them the Indians at, what is now, Boone County on the Pond Fork of the Coal River and killed some of the indians. It is said that Charles Clay, brother of the two murdered children killed an Indian as he begged him in broken English not to be shoot. The two parties had taken different routes, so they followed the horse tracks believing that the captive would be with the horses Mitchell Clay�s horses were recovered, but Ezekiel was not. He was with the other indians, and was not found by Captain Farley and the search party. The Indians took Ezekiel to the Indian town of Chillicothe, Ohio where they burned him at the stake. After they had followed the other trail and recovered the horses they decided they couldnt overtake the other Indian party so they returned to the house and buried the two children. Mitchell had heard what had happened and went to the James Bailey's home to find his family. Mitchell decided to go to the Indian town and try to buy back Ezekiel. Phoebe would not agree to let the two sons go with him. James Bailey, Phoebe's nephew, and James Moore, went with him. They saw smoke from the stake still burning as they came to the Indian town, Mitchell went in alone and saw Ezekiel was dead. He took the body and with the loan of a horse from the chief he brought the body back home. The people decided they needed a fort for protection and a place to go to when needed. They built the fort to block the path of Indians who would go along the River to Giles. Richard Bailey brought his family and settled near his son, James. With the help of his sons, the Clays and the sons of John Davidson, they first built a house followed by the fort located for the greatest protection to the settlers and a place of retreat when needed. The unmarried young men lived in the fort and were part of the defense for the families. Phoebe still refused to return to Clover Bottoms so by 1783 they moved to Pearisburg area. It is said, that later, the Indians returned to the site of the battle and erected burial cairns for their fallen comrades. Around 1900, L. D. Coon, then the owner of the land where the battle took place, found an Indian hatchet while plowing. sources: Several different accountings of the legend David E. Johnston�s 1906 book A History of Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory Children of Mitchell Clay and Phoebe Belcher: 1...Patience Clay born 1760 Bedford County Va,(now Franklin) Married George Chapman 2...David born 1761 Bedfored Co. Va, he died in 1818 in Wilinson Georgia and buried at the Passmore Cemetery. 3...Tabitha was born 1763 Va. and died August 1781/83 Clover Bottom, Bluestone River Mercer Co. WV. 4...Rebecca was born 1764 She died April 15 1844 Married: Colonel George Pearis 5...Bartley was born 1766 and died August 1781/82 in Clover Bottom on Bluestone River, Mercer Co. WV. 6...Ezekiel was born in 1767 and died August 1781/83 Chillecothe, Ohio 7...Obedience was born 1769 Married John French 8...Mitchell Jr was born 1770 Married Judity Bailey died Feb 1851 Raleigh Co.WV 9...John was born 1771 Va died 1783 Franklin Col Va, 10..Mary (Polly) born 1772 Va Married: Captain Ralph Stewart (one of the search party) Ralph and Mary Clay Stewart were the second family to settle in present-day Wyoming County, West Virginia. John Cooke being the first. 11..Nannie (Nancy) was born 1773 Married: Joseph Hare (one of the search party) Possibly died before will was made. 12..Charles L. was born 1774 Va 13..William was born Sept 1 1777 Va died Jan 12 842 Lawrence Co Ky 14..Henry was born 1781 Va died Jan 12 1866 15..Sarah or Sally was born 1783 Married Captain John Peters. Ralph and Mary Clay Stewart were the second family to settle in present-day Wyoming County, West Virginia. John Cooke being the first. Near Kegley West Virginia route 19 Marker says:" "Here Mitchell Clay settled in 1775. Eight years later, Indians killed two of his children and captured his son, Ezekiel. Pursuers killed several of the Indians, but the boy was taken into Ohio and burned at the stake."  Near Kegley Route 19 "In memory of Bartley and Tabitha Clay, massacred by Shawnee Indians, Aug. 1783, children of Mitchell and Phoebe Clay, first settlers of Mercer County. The marker was erected August 14, 1937 on the exact site of the graves."  A sculpture made of sandstone from West Virginia is on the courthouse lawn at Princeton, Mercer County, West Virignia. It is called "Torment in Stone" Mitchell Clay and his wire, Phoebe Belcher Clay in a moment of agony over the massacre of members of their family in 1783.  From the Revolutionary War Records of Capt. Ralph Stewart The Deposition Mitchell Clay (Jr) aged about sixty two years taken to prove the Revolutionary service of Ralph Stewart, he being a witness of respectability and one that is to be relyed upon, who being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with said Ralph Stewart and has been so from his boyhood. That he knows the said Ralph Stewart served in the war of the Revolution as a captain of Rangers & that some years ago and since the close of the Revolution he saw said Stewarts commission as a Captain (& as well as he now recollects his commission was signed by Patric Henry). That said Stewart has always been respected in the County where he resided as a Captain in the Revolutionary War, and this official verily believes it to be true. Will of Mitchel Clay, Sr., 1810 - Giles Co. Virginia In The Name of God Amen I Mitchel Clay Sen. of the County of Giles and State of Virginia being very sick in body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given unto God Calling into mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my Last will and testament. That is to say Principally and first of all I Give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty God that Gave it and my body I Recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I Shall Receive the Same again by the mighty Power of God and as touching Such worldly Estate where with it has Pleased God to bless me with in this life I Give demise and dispose of the Same in the following manner and form firstly of all I Give and Bequeath to my Dearly beloved Daughter Patience Chapman one Dollar to be Raised and Levied out my Estate, Secondly I Give and bequeath unto my Dearly beloved Daughter Rebecca Pearis one dollar to be Raised & Levied out of my Estate Thirdly I Give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Obedience French one Dollar to be Raised and Levied out of my Estate Fourthly I Give and bequeath to my dearly beloved Daughter Polly Stuart one Dollar to be Raised & levied out of my Estate, Fifthly I Give and bequeath to my Dearly beloved Daughter Sally Peters one Dollar to be Raised & Levied out of my Estate Sixthly & I also Give and bequeath to Each of the Children of David Clay Decd one dollar to be Raised and Levied out of my Estate. Seventhly I Give and bequeath to my Dearly beloved Son Mitchel Clay the younger one negro Girl named Lidy to him & his heirs for Ever. Eighthly I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved son William Clay one Negro boy named Ned to him and his heirs forever Ninthly, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved son Charles Clay one negro boy named May to him and his heirs forever Tenthly I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved son Henry Clay one Negro Girl named Rachel together with all and singular the tract of Land wheron I now live it lying on the North east side of New River adjoining and below the lands of Mitchel Clay (the younger) with all its (appivelenances?) (missuages?) tenements dwelling house and out houses. Also all my stock of horses, Cattle hogs and stock of every kind household and kitchen furniture unto him and his heirs forever. Excepting three cows of an average value which I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Clay. Also I give and bequeath to my two sons Mitchel Clay (the younger) and Henry Clay the tract of land I bought of Reuben Roberts and was by the heirs of Reuben Roberts conveyed to (be?) me to them and their heirs forever to be equally divided between them. Provided the Said Mitchel Clay and Henry Clay do pay unto Reuben Roberts (ad----) the Sum of one hundred & Sixteen dollars or there abouts with the interest on the Same which Sum I am owing to the Said Estate of Roberts and in case they the said Mitchel Clay and Henry Clay fails to make the payment aforesaid then It is my will and desire that the said Tract of Land be sold and the money arrising therefrom to be appropriated to the payment of the debt aforesaid Also It is my will & desire that a tract of Land I own on the five mile fork of East River of about one hundred acres shall be sold to pay my debts I also give and bequeath unto my four Sons Mitchel Clay the younger Charles Clay William Clay and Henry Clay one Negro woman named Phebe and her boy Child name Jack to be Equally divided between them that is to say that Either two of my sons may keep the said two negroes and pay the other two of my sons their Share of their value and in Case they cannot agree then the Said two negroes to be sold and the money divided between my four Sons aforesaid Equally, also It my will and desire that my four sons (towith?) Mitchel Clay Charles Clay William Clay and Henry Clay do pay all my Just debts that may Remain unpaid after the payments are made heretofor provided for and in Case they fail to pay the Remaining debts aforesaid then the negro woman and her Child Jack to be sold & the Remaining debt paid and the Residue of the money If any Equally divided amonst my four Sons aforesaid Also it is my will and desire that my Executor collect all the debts that are coming to me and appropriate them in the payment of my debts and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and Every other former testament wills Legacies and bequests Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament, and I do hereby ordain constitute and appoint my four Sons Mitchel Clay ,Charles Clay, William Clay ,& Henry Clay my Executors of this my last will & testament in witness where of I have here unto set my hand and Seal this twenty sixth day July 1810. Signed Sealed and Mitchel (his mark) Clay Seal Delivered in Presents of A. Johnston John Brown Joseph St----- Henry (his mark) Dillian Codicill I Mitchel Clay Sen. of the County of Giles and State of Virginia being in perfect health of body and of sound mind and memory do make ordain & constitute the following Codicil as part of my will made and acknowledged the twenty sixth day of July 1810 That is to Say that so much of the said will and desires as bequeath one negro girl named Lidy to my son Mitchel Clay the younger I do hereby revoke and disannul and in lieu thereof I Give and bequeath unto my son Mitchel Clay my black woman named Pheboe and her boy Child named Jack to him and his heirs for Ever revoking and disannulling that part of Said will here referred to as Gives the said Pheboe and her child Jack to my four Sons Mitchel Clay Charles Clay William Clay & Henry Clay 2ndly I Give and bequeath unto my Son William Clay one negro girl named Liddy to him and his heirs heirs for ever in lieu of a negro boy named Ned as mentioned in my former will will to which this is a Supplement revoking that part of the Said will as bequeaths the Said Ned to my son William Clay 3dly in my former will to which this is a Supplement I Give and bequeath unto my son Charles Clay three Cows of an average value and Since the making the Said devise I have give him two of the Cows there in mentioned therefore I now give and bequeath unto the Said Charles only one Cow agree able to the terms in the Said will mentioned 4thly It is my will and desire that my negro boy named Ned Shall be sold and the money applyed to the payment of my Just debts in Case the provisions made in my former will to which this is a supplement proves in sufficient to the payment of my debts but in case the provisions there in mentioned be found Equal to meet my debts or in case there Should be a Surplus of the price of the negro boy after paying the debts in Either case my will is that the money be equally divided between my four Sons Mitchel Clay Charles Clay William Clay and Henry Clay and I do here by disannul all and every part of my former will to which this is a Supplement that comes within the p--------- of this Codicil Ratifying and confirming this Codicil is gather with my former will to which this is a Supplement so much there of as is not altered nor Changed by the Codicil to be my Last will and testament in which where of I have here unto Set my hand and Seal this thirtieth day of March in year of our Lord 1811. Signed Sealed and acknowledged Mitchel (his mark) Clay Seal __________ before At Giles April Court signed 1811 this last will and testament of Mitchel Clay Dcd Saml Brown was proven in Court by the oaths of Wm Chapman Andrew Johnston John Brown D Johnston Henry Dillion Also this Codicil was proven by the oaths of Andrew Johnston & David Johnston two of the witness there to subscribed which Codicil together with the original will is ordered to be recorded Test David French ------  Back to Belcher Website |