He placed an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette, September 22, 1768, p. 2:
"Whereas my wife Agnes has eloped from my bed, and robbed me of things of considerable value, and I expect will endeavor to run me in debt, I therefore forewarn all persons from dealing with her on my account, as I will pay no debts of her contracting.
William Clay"
To read more about William Mitchell Clay, see the Clay Genealogy Report