Clay Family

Click to changing of this tree through the generations!



At this point in time, I know very little about my Clay family Line. This line is different from my CLAYTON line. What I do know about the Clays is that my great-great-grandmother, Mary Clay, a former slave of South Carolina married my gg-grandpa, Levi Green also a former slave on September 24, 1872 in Bossier Parish. According to the 1870 census, she was born around 1830.

They resided in and around the Plain Dealing, LA area.

I know that she had two brothers, William and Hill Clay who also lived in the area.
There were other Clays living in that area and in the neighboring Caddo Parish but at this point I do not know if they were related.

I also do not know who their parents were but her parents must have been in Louisiana at some point because although she and her brother William were born in South Carolina, Hill Clay was born in Lousiana.

Mary Clay Green was the mother of at least 8 children, Rebecca Green Goodman, Julia, Antonio, Mary, Parthenia, Lucy Green Faye, John and Edward (My grandpa).

My grandpa Johnnie Greene told me that my grandma Mary Clay Green was at least part native american and very beautiful.

Anyway, my search continues in search of my Clay family roots.

Here are some of the records I have found on the Clays in Bossier


1880 Census

Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
William CLAY Self M M B 35 SC
Occ: Laborer Fa: SC Mo: SC
Jane CLAY Wife F M B 35 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: KY Mo: VA
Young CLAY SSon M S B 16 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: LA Mo: LA
Allice CLAY SDau F S B 14 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: LA Mo: LA
Green WILLIAMS Other M S B 16 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: --- Mo: TX
Jinny JEFFERSON Other F S B 30 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: AL Mo: SC



Census Place: Township 22, Bossier, Louisiana
Source: FHL Film 1254448 National Archives Film T9-0448 Page 6C
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Hill CLAY Self M B 25 LA.
Occ: Laborer Fa: SC. Mo: SC.
Liny CLAY Wife F M B 20 LA.
Occ: Laborer Fa: KY. Mo: KY.
John CLAY Son M S B 7 LA.
Occ: At Home Fa: LA. Mo: LA.
Wash CLAY Son M S B 5 LA.
Occ: At Home Fa: LA. Mo: LA.
Elizabeth CLAY Dau F S B 4 LA.
Occ: At Home Fa: LA. Mo: LA.
Arch CLAY Son M S B 2 LA.
Occ: At Home Fa: LA. Mo: LA.

CLAY MARRIAGES IN BOSSIER PARISH

Buelah Campbell AND Wm Henry Clay MARRIED 13 Jun 1878

Arch Clay AND Charlotte Woodard MARRIED 26 Aug 1873

Henrietta Clay AND Tom Yates MARRIED 9 Aug 1875

Lena Clay AND Walter William MARRIED 19 May 1888

Mary Clay AND Levi Green MARRIED 24 Sep 1872

Tenny Clay AND Samuel Jones MARRIED 24 Jan 1882 Bossier




CLAY DEATHS

They are listed by Name, Death date, Birth yr, Parish and death date

Archie Clay 16 May 1931 1848 Bossier 83


Carrie Clay 24 Aug 1915 1902 Bossier 13


Henry Clay 23 May 1931 1895 Bossier 36


Jane Clay 18 Oct 1915 1850 Bossier 65


Mary Clay 1 Jan 1927 1872 Bossier 55


Odis Clay 13 Sep 1925 1916 Bossier 9


Rosie Clay 19 Nov 1942 1900 Bossier 42 Negro (Black)


Sweet D. Clay 5 Mar 1924 1919 Bossier 5


William Clay 31 Mar 1923 1853 Bossier 70


Biss Clay 12 Dec 1872 Black Not Stated, Bossier, LA



CLAY World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 IN BOSSIER PARISH

Finn Clay 10 Aug 1889 African (Black) Louisiana;United States of America Not Stated, Bossier, LA

Henry Clay 1896 Black Louisiana;United States of America Not Stated, Bossier, LA


Louis Clay 1880 Black Not Stated, Bossier, LA


Wes Clay 20 May 1882 Black Not Stated, Bossier, LA

Slave marriages

During slavery, most slaves were not able to legally marry since they were considered property and therefore less than human. They were however, in many cases encouraged by slave-owners to informally marry since it was believed that married men was less likely to be rebellious or to run away. Also, the slavemaster felt that marriage meant the procreation of children and some even offered freedom to slaves who produced at least 15 children.

This is a sad and awful truth that our ancestors had to endure. In addition, since slave marriages had no legal standing, it meant no protection from the abuses and restrictions imposed on them by slaveowners. Slave husbands and wives, without legal recourse, could be separated or sold at their master's will.

Couples who resided on different plantations were often only allowed to visit with the consent of their owners. However, in some of the slave narratives that I have read, the men preferred it that way. As John Anderson explained: "I did not want to marry a girl belonging to my own place, because I knew I could not bear to see her ill-treated." Moses Grandy agreed he wrote: "no colored man wishes to live at the house where his wife lives, for he has to endure the continual misery of seeing her flogged and abused without daring to say a word in her defence." As Henry Bibb pointed out: "If my wife must be exposed to the insults and licentious passions of wicked slave-drivers and overseers. Heaven forbid that I should be compelled to witness the sight."

Most slaves married without the benefit of clergy but instead the marriage ceremony was often performed by other family members and only with the master's permission.

It also was not like the other traditional marriages that took place during that time. Instead, most slaves "jumped the broom." This was a practice in which the couple before being pronounced as man and wife, they literally jumped over one or in some cases 2 brooms, one for each person into the land of "holy matrimony."

These were the lucky ones, some marriages consisted only of the slaves simply getting the master's permission and moving into a cabin together." Hence, comes the term, "shacking up."

After emancipation, a lot of slaves became legally married even though by that time, they often already had a house full of kids.

The federal government also established the Freedmen's Bureau to help former slaves get established in the society as free men. One of the services provided by the Bureau was to record marriages that had taken place during slavery.

Several of my own ancestors did just that even though in a lot of cases, they already had grown kids.

These are some of the ones like became legally married after slavery ended:

1. Oliver and Edy Williams Clayton "re-married" 7/24/1869 in Caddo parish after slavery ended and they already at least 3 children at this time. The oldest known was 8 years old so they had been together at least that long.

2. Levi and Mary Clay Green renewed their vows on September 24, 1872 in Bossier Parish. At that time, they had about 8 kids.

3. David and Mariah Pressley Hines (Hinds) exchanged their vows again on April 1, 1873 in DeSoto Parish. They already had at least 3 children at that time and another (My g-grandpapa Isam) on the way.

We have definitely come a long way from back then and we are truly blessed for having come so far. It must have had so much meaning for these former slave couples as was the case for many others to legalize their marriages.

However, I believe that in the eyes of God, they were already bonded and their love and commitment to each other and their families are eternal!

Click on the image below to see a testimony of their joy!

Oliver Clayton and Family

According to census records, my ggg-grandfather, Oliver Clayton was born a slave around 1841 in Virginia as were both of his parents whose names I presently do not know.

He legally married my ggg-grandmother, Edy (Edie)Williams Clayton on July 24, 1869 in Caddo Parish after slavery ended. I indicated that he legally married her because like many other former slaves, they were previously unable to have legal marriages while they were held captive, rather they were only able to "jump the broom." Hence, once slavery ended, they like many other of my slave ancestors made it official even though they already had a house full of kids, the oldest being born in 1861 so they had been together at least that long.

Census records indicate that Grandma Edy was born in South Carolina and so were her parents.

Their children were Johnson, Rosa and my gg-grandpa John (Johnnie) Clayton. These were only the ones that I knew of but there could have been others.

The pair resided in Bossier Parish in and around the Plain Dealing area.

Oliver later married Harriett Clayton in 1895 as indicated on the 1900 census that they had been married 5 years. I'm not sure whether he and my ggg-greatmother had divorced or he proceeded her in death.

Oliver died on 12/30/1917 only 28 days after his wife died on 12/2/1917. His age is listed as 48 but he had to be at least 76 at that time.


1880 Census Records:

Oliver CLAYTON Self M M B 39 VA
Occ: Laborer Fa: VA Mo: VA
Edy CLAYTON Wife F M B 40 SC
Occ: Laborer Fa: SC Mo: SC
Johnson CLAYTON Son M S B 19 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: VA Mo: SC
John CLAYTON Son M S B 12 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: VA Mo: SC
Rosa CLAYTON Dau F S B 16 LA
Occ: Laborer Fa: VA Mo: SC
Mary HACKET Other F S B 15 LA
Occ: Boarder-Laborer Fa: LA Mo: LA
Titus ANDERSON Other M W B 56 SC
Occ: Laborer Fa: SC Mo: SC

Superstitions, Old Wives Tales and Words of Wisdom

Below are some of the superstitions and Old Wives Tales I heard growing up from my mother, Lottie. Did you hear the same ones or different ones? Do tell.


1. When the sun is shining and it is raining and/or thunder and lightning at the same time: The devil is beating his wife.

2. If your hand is itching-That means that you are coming into some money

3. If your nose is itching-That means unexpected company is coming so start cleaning up.

4. Fish dreams means that someone is having a baby.

5. Don't go to the zoo when you are pregnant because the animals could "mock" your baby and it will come out looking like that animal-be it a monkey, giraffe or an elephant.

6. Animals know when you are pregnant, i.e. a bird or dog and they might try to attack you.

7. If you cut a baby's hair before his/her first birthday, they will have "bad" hair.

8. If you break a mirror, you will have 7 years of bad luck.

9. If you step on a crack, you can break your mother's back or have bad luck.

10. It bad luck to cross a black cat's path

11. Never open an umbrella up indoors because it will bring bad luck.

12. You will catch your death of cold by walking around with wet hair.

13.If you keep making funny faces, one day it will get stuck that way.

14. Rule for determining newborn's gender :Girls are carried high; boys are carried low

15. Don't talk on the phone or turn on the TV while it is thundering and lightning cause you can get struck by lightning.

My mother is a very wise woman but I don't know how valid these tales are but they have been passed down through the generations. Now, here are some passages that have been passed down throughout the generations a lot longer in fact since the beginning of time from one of the wisest men to walk the earth, King Solomon and I KNOW them to be true!

Proverbs 1:8-9

8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and
do not forsake your mother's teaching.
9 They will be a garland to grace your head and a
chain to adorn your neck.

Proverbs 10:4-9

4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

5 He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son,
but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.

6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.

7 The memory of the righteous will be a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.

8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

9 The man of integrity walks securely,
but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Household Staples and Remedies

Growing up, I remember that in our household there were 3 staples that my parents always kept on hand. They were vaseline, peroxide and baking soda. These 3 items proved to be invaluable items to have around the house because of they could be used in a variety of ways. Here are some of the multipurpose uses that I remember.

Vaseline:
1. An ointment for scrapes, burns, and cuts
2. An everyday skin mosturizer
3. A medicinal solution for chapped hands or lips, toenail fungus, nosebleeds, diaper rash, chest colds.
4. Makeup remover
5. Furniture stain remover
6. Hair pomade
7. Shoe shine
8. Personal lubricant

Baking Soda
1. As a powdered toothpaste or added to water, mouth wash
2. Refrigerator deordorizer
3. General deordorizer such as sink, pet box, tub
4. Cleaning agent-can be substituted for comet or ajax
5. Medicine to reduce or eliminate acid indigestion, reflux or upset stomach
6. Shoe deordorizer
7. For baking
8. Stain remover for grease and oil on clothing
9. Underarm deordorant
10. A baking soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox or other minor skin irritations or itching
11. Carpet deordorizer

Peroxide
1. Anti-septic for cuts
2. Mouthwash for cuts in mouth-don't swallow
3. Personal hygiene
4. Gargle for a toothache
5. Foot fungus-50/50 water mix
6. Kills germs on countertops and tabletops
7. For blemishes/blackheads
8. Hair dye-bleacher/lightner
9. To clean exterior of electronic parts
10.A nasal spray when 1 tablespoon added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water

Anyway, I still have these items around my own house at all times. For me, they are a necessity. I think it is the same for many other families and these uses have been utilized throughout the generations since their introduction.

1 Corinthians 13-The true definition of Love

I know Valentines Day has already passed and I already did a story on that occassion but I am compelled to share this with you if you have not ever heard it. It is a bible scripture that I recited and won a prize for when I was about 10 years old. It is one of my favorite scriptures and is a good rule to live by and the message holds true for generations and transcends time since it teaches you about true love. It is applicable for love between a man and woman, a family or a friend.


1 Corinthians 13
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love*, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

4Love suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

*Love is also interchanged with the word charity in some translations

1 Chronicles 16:28

1 Chronicles 16:28
Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength