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>From these accounts I wonder what the difference is between a captain and a master of a ship. It appears that Jonas was the master.
Yes, he was trying to help the Governor escape and purchased the Happy Jane in his own name but using the Governor's money and used falsified credit documents to do so. That's why the Happy Jane was confiscated.
I would imagine that he would be taking him to America, not back to England since Jonas went back and forth to MA. Jonas is found owning land in MA if I remember correctly. Jonas II was given to someone else to take care of him in MA, almost like an adoption. His wife, whom we call naughty Mary, was not so nice and didn't take care of the son. Interesting records in Maine when Jonas was at sea. She was in all kinds of trouble... After Jonas died she ends up with another man...
There is evidence back in America that this is the same Jonas Clay.
Interesting story lines... And, this is our family history.
One day I will put all the pieces together in a logical, organized fashion.
Still have only vague info in England about the family...
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Jonah Clay and Isaac Richier (was Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010)
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:05:47 -0700
No way to know from this whether it is the same, or a different, Jonas, but
it's looking like the same one. It looked to me as though Jonah was master
of the Happy Jane, lost it, and within a month was master of the St. John
Factor. The use of the term "sometime" and "late" usually means "not now,
but was before"
I just Googled Isaac Richier -- fascinating. He was Governor of Bermuda,
apparently made some enemies. Here's some interesting excerpts from the
Calendar of State Papers:
1697
March 22. 841. Memorandum of several papers with reference to the case
between Isaac Richier and Governor Goddard of Bermuda, presented at
different times to the Board by Edward Richier. ¼ p. Annexed,
841. I. Statement of the case between Governor Goddard and Isaac Richier.
On his arrival at Bermuda Governor Goddard demanded of Richier half of the
profits of the Government since the date of his commission, threatening that
he would make him comply. Accordingly he caused Richier to be imprisoned and
his goods to be seized. This is not denied in Goddard's answer. Next he
instigated several persons to bring vexatious suits against Richier and
notably Nicholas Trott, whose ship Richier had stopped in pursuance of the
Acts of Trade, in which action the Lords of Trade and Plantations upheld
him. Yet Richier was prosecuted to outlawry for so doing. Goddard has also
ousted from the Council and Commission of the peace all who were friendly to
Richier, and has intimidated all who dared to speak on his behalf. Mr.
Richier has for long been closely confined in a noisome common gaol. One
Walker, a murderer, was released from prison by Governor Goddard, and three
witnesses against him imprisoned. Governor Goddard has perverted the forms
of justice to extort money from one Ephraim Fox and one Adam Eve. The King's
Orders in Council to obtain justice for Richier have been disregarded. 1½
pp. Endorsed, Presented by Mr. Edward Richier, 22 March, 1696–7.
841. II. Attestation of Thomas Walmsley. Absolutely denying the truth of
Samuel Wall's narrative of Isaac Richier's disloyalty to King William, and
hinting that Wall himself was a Jacobite. He adds that for speaking on
Richier's behalf he had several of his goods seized by Governor Goddard's
order. 2½ pp.
841. III. Protest of Isaac Richier to Governor Goddard, 1 July, 1695,
arguing that Nicholas Trott's suit of outlawry against him is utterly
illegal.
841. IV. Copy of a bond offered by Isaac Richier to abide by the King's
award as to his case, if Governor Goddard restored his goods. 1 p.
841. V. Copy of the bond offered by Isaac Richier to Governor Goddard; a
duplicate of No. 728 II.
841. VI. Copy of the bond offered by Isaac Richier relating to the
prosecution of Nicholas Trott; a duplicate of No. 728 III.
841. VII. Copy of Isaac Richier's memorial of 4 October, 1696, a duplicate
of No. 728 VII.
841. VIII. Protest of Isaac Richier against the illegality of the pretended
outlawry against him, 16 Sept. 1696. 1 p.
841. IX. Affidavit of John Dudgeon as to the committal of three witnesses
to prison by Governor Goddard to prevent them from giving evidence against
Thomas Walker; and as to the intimidation by Governor Goddard of Richier's
friends. 1¼ pp.
May 17.
Whitehall. 1,028. Council of Trade and Plantations to the Lords Justices of
England. On the documents received from Mr. Edward Richier and Governor
Goddard respecting the difference between Governor Goddard and Mr. Isaac
Richier we offer as follows. The Order in Council of 19 December, 1695,
directed (1) that Mr. Richier on giving £2,000 security to abide by the
King's decision on his case should be set at liberty, receive his goods
again, and be permitted to appeal to the King in Council; (2) that Governor
Goddard should appoint a Commission of six, three to be named by Mr.
Richier, to examine witnesses and take evidence; (3) that Richier on giving
the usual security should have liberty to appeal for all prosecutions in
Bermuda. Governor Goddard has sent us copies of the bond and commission
which he offered to Richier, of a minute of Council shewing why they refuse
to release Richier from prison, and a general vindication of his conduct. On
the other hand Richier has sent us copies of the bonds which he offered, and
it is given as his excuse for not nominating three members of the Commission
that the Governor has so far intimidated the inhabitants that he could not
obtain three persons to act with impartiality in the matter. This is
supported by several papers laid before us, many of which allege further
acts of illegality against Governor Goddard. A summary of these is given. On
the whole of which we would represent (1) That the difference between the
bond offered by Governor Goddard to Richier from that tendered by Richier
himself, is that Richier makes the restoration of his goods a condition of
obligation while Goddard does not. Thus Richier would be bound in £2,000 to
abide by the King's decision, while Goddard (who confesses that he has some
of Richier's goods in his possession) would be left free; which is
unreasonable. (2) As to the refusal to release Richier from prison we think
that, apart from the illegality of the pretended outlawry and the fact that
Richier's action in seizing Trott's ship has been upheld, such a refusal
absolutely frustrates the benefit of appeal to the King and might obstruct
the account which every Governor is bound to render to him. (3) We think
that enquiry should be made into the complaints against Governor Goddard,
but that it cannot be made in Bermuda while he continues as Governor there.
(4) Nicholas Trott is the same man as was removed from the Government of the
Bahamas for harbouring and protecting pirates. On the whole we recommend
that Governor Goddard be recalled and a new Governor be sent out with orders
to enforce the Order in Council of 19 December, 1695, to require the same
security from Governor Goddard to abide by the King's decision and from
Nicholas Trott likewise, also that directions be given for the prosecution
of Nicholas Trott for the misdemeanours aforesaid. Signed, J. Bridgewater,
Tankerville, Ph. Meadows, John Pollexfen, Abr. Hill. [Board of Trade.
Bermuda, 29. pp. 23–33.]
May 17. 1,029. Order of the Lords Justices of England in Council. Approving
the report of the Council of Trade on the case of Isaac Richier (see
preceding abstract), and ordering that Governor Goddard be recalled, that
Nicholas Trott be obliged to come to England to answer to prosecutions for
his misdemeanours, and that a clause be added to the instructions of the new
Governor to enforce the remainder of the Council's recommendations. Signed,
Rich. Colinge. 2 pp. Endorsed, Recd. 5th, Read 7th June, 1697. [Board of
Trade. Bermuda, 3. No. 9; and 29. pp. 33–37.]
And on and on.
I wonder if anyone has written out the story?
Well, sort of, from Wikipedia:
For the remainder of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, the real
political power in Bermuda lay in the elected parliament and the appointed
Council, both dominated by members of Bermuda's wealthy commercial class.
Governor's who were too high-handed or injudicious in the exercise of their
office occasionally fell foul of the local political institutions. Governor
Isaac Richier, who arrived in 1691, quickly made himself unpopular with his
carousing and criminal behaviour. Bermudian complaints saw him placed in
jail, and replaced by Governor Goddard. When Goddard proved worse than
Richier, attorney general Samuel Trott had him jailed alongside richier. The
two governors were to be tried before a pair of prominent Bermudians, John
Trimmingham and William Butterfield. After Trott called the amateur judges
bush lawyers, however, he found himself in St. George's jail along side the
governors. After they confided in him their plan for escape, Trott informed
the judges. Richier and Goddard were sent back to England for trial. [3]
I don't know whether Jonah was a pirate, but it certainly appears that Isaac
was promoting privateering.
Here's something on the "Happy Jane"
Happy Jane
At HM Council 12 June 1697: "This board taking into consideration the great
trouble charge and expense occasioned by the going out of the sloope
Blessing Capt Leonard White Comander to and feaching in the sloope Happy
Jane, Jonas Clay, Master, who run away from these Islands without any entry
or clearing or leave of Government. Itt is ordered that Capt Leonard White
do make and being in the accompt of the Ware Tare Trouble Cost Charges
Disbursements and Expenses ccasioned by going out with the said sloope and
as to the wages and reward the several persons who went in her. And that the
same accounts bee perused by Capt John Tucker and Capt Daniell Johnson, and
bee by the said Capt John Tucker paid out of the publick monyes of these
Islands. Ffurther ordered that the said Capt John Tucker and Capt Daniell
Johnson do take into their consideration what the said Capt White and Mr
Thomas Durham owner of the said sloope Blessing ought to bee paid as their
perticular recompense and reward, And that it bee paid acordingly. On Mr
Jonas Clay and Mr John Tankards appearing about the charge of running away
in the sloope Happy Jane as above, ordered that a Court of Admiralty bee
holden at the Sessions House in St Georges on Thursday next by eight of the
clock in the morning."
As I read all of this, Jonah was helping Isaac, who was under trial, to
escape (to where???). He barely escaped himself, and the boat was forfeit.
Goodness, who knew??
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 3:46 PM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Interesting records.... I really appreciate your sending them to me!
In 1699 it refers to Jonas as the late master of the Happy Jane, which was
condemned and then up for sale. At least that's the way I read it. At the
time, March of 1699 he was the "master" of the St. John Factor.
Do you now read it the same way I did?
Would be interesting to know the history of Isaac Richier since it appears
Jonas was helping him escape which is why he got in trouble with the law.
We refer to this Jonas as Jonas I or the "pirate." Since my mom was born
and raised in Tampa, FL and Gasparilla has been such a part of her life she
likes to claim her family "pirate." :D
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:07:32 -0700
Sigh, yes, it's a long swim . . . .
If you see any connection between this family and the one I mentioned, I'd
appreciate hearing about it.
Perhaps of interest, from British History Online is:
1697: Oct. 12. Bermuda
1,374. I. Sworn information of Jonas Clay, sometime master of the sloop
Happy Jane, that his ship, before her late condemnation was the property of
Isaac Richier so far as he knows, though perhaps Richier's brother was
concerned in her, that she was designed to carry him off to Antigua or
Montserrat, and that signals had been agreed on to shew when Richier was
coming off.
1,374. II. Isaac Richier's sailing orders to Jonas Clay, 4 June, 1697.
Letter from Jonas Clay, 4 June, 1697, saying that his design to carry off
Richier is suspected and that he must sail for Barbados.
Letter from Isaac Richier to Jonas Clay. Repeating his former instructions,
and blaming him for not following them and for mistrusting him.
Minutes of Council of Bermuda, 17 September, 1697. Giving the examination
of Jonas Clay, in which he revealed that the sloop Happy Jane was purchased
for Isaac Richier, and gave the names of the persons who were his
confederates. Resolved, that all the said persons be bound over to good
behaviour and to appear at the next assizes.
Further information of Jonas Clay, as to a forged letter of credit, whereby
the fiction, that he was the true purchaser of the Happy Jane, was to have
been maintained.
Copy of Jonas Clay's oath to keep the design of Richier's escape secret.
Names of the chief confederates in the design, nine in all. Copies. 5 pp.
Endorsed, Recd. 15 July, 1698. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. Nos. 19, 19 I.,
II.; and (without enclosures) 29. p. 123.]
'America and West Indies: October 1697, 1-15', Calendar of State Papers
Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 15: 1696-1697 (1904), pp. 626-635
1699 March 20. Deal.
194. Mr. Bevis Hill to William Popple. Encloses receipts from Jonas Clay,
master of the St. John Factor, and John Raynsford, master of the Elizabeth,
bound for New England, for letters to Lord Bellomont. (Feb. 3.) Endorsed,
Recd. March 21, 1698/9. [Board of Trade. New England, 9. Nos. 57, 57i., ii.]
'America and West Indies: March 1699, 13-20', Calendar of State Papers
Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 17: 1699 and Addenda 1621-1698
(1908), pp. 101-110.
March 30. St. George's.
220. Minutes of Council of Bermuda. The sloop Happy Jane, Jonas Clay late
master, previously condemned in a Court of Admiralty, ordered to be exposed
for sale. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 39. p. 10.]
Looks as though there were two Jonas Clays mastering ships at the same time.
The March 20 entry would be likely to be the Mass. Clay, while the other,
not.
And, on Thomas:
Dec. 7. 1702, Pennsylvania.
30. iv. List of Capt. Thomas Laramore's Company, raised in the Massachusetts
Bay for H.M. especial service in the West Indies, mustered by Governor
Dudley on board the Gospir frigate, Dec. 16, 1702. Thomas Laramore, Capt.,
John Eyres, Lieut., Joseph Wells, Ensign; Charles Sherlock, John Woodwell,
William Collins, Benjamin Pickering, Daniel Grenough, Samuel Willis, Daniel
Johns, Martin Margery, John Wayte, John Dreyden, William Flynt, Andrew
Mackarty, Thomas Kempthorn, Francis Fuller, John Putnum, Alexander Osborn,
Samuel Brown, John Swett, Daniel Hobbs, James Mackarty, Francis Clark, Adam
Meinzey, Joseph Davis, Daniel Ralph, John Hadlock, William Carter, Joseph
Packer, Thomas Clay, Benjamin Wright, Jonathan Osburn, Jeremiah Hacker,
William Leach, Benjamin Dean, William Wise, John Martin, Israel Bradsley,
Mathew Burdiall, Peter Hipsley, Samuel Hall, Samuel Shalote, Nathaniel
Frost, Joseph Gorton, Thomas Sawtle, John Ames, Benjamin Harris, Thomas
Dennis, Richard Convers, Thomas Pym, John Countryman, Harry Jones, William
Dawes, Thomas Rouse, James Hayes, John Troop, Ralph Bayes, Isaak Dennis,
John How. Signed, J. Dudley. Same endorsement. 1 p.
From: 'America and West Indies: December 1702, 7-10', Calendar of State
Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 21: 1702-1703 (1913), pp.
13-44
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 2:07 PM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Yes, this is our line and we descend from Jonas. I think it was Jonas II
who was born around Boston close to 1692. We have intact records from
there. We just are having a difficult time crossing the Atlantic.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:53:42 -0700
This Jonas?
From: Clay, Hiland H., History and Genealogy of the Clay Family - 1916.
Self-published, apparently. Downloaded from Archive.org.
"We have been unable to locate for certain the immigrant ancestor of our
branch of the Clay family. Stephen. Jonas, and Thomas Clay, who came from
England and settled in Salem. Mass.,
between 1630- 1640 were, no doubt, brothers and are the first Clays
mentioned in the histories of the New England Colonies. Savage, in his
history of the New England Pioneers, mentions the Clays as among the first
settlers of Massachusetts. There is a tradition in the Clay family which has
been handed down for many generations relative to the fact that the Clays in
Massachusetts descended from three brothers who came from England and
settled in Salem about 1630. The writer heard this tradition when a small
boy, more than seventy years ago, and has heard the same story told by Clays
whose relationship to his branch of the family was not known. If this
tradition is true, there can be no doubt that either Jonas' or Stephen' Clay
was our immigrant ancestor. The first Clay that we know to be in our line is
Captain Jonas Clay' who died in Boston in 1704. Another reason why we think
that Jonas' or Stephen' was our immigrant ancestor is the similarity of
names, as the given names. Stephen' and Jonas' appears in the first three or
four generations.
The writer has heard the question often asked if his branch of the Clay
family was related to the Virginia, or Southern Clays. So far as he knows
there is no connection between the two. The writer has met and talked with
Cassius M. Clay of Kentucky, a close relative of Henry Clay, and also
Senator Clay of Georgia. At New Orleans he met a son of John M. Clay, and in
Arkansas two families of Clays. They all traced their ancestors to the early
settlements in Virginia.
Captain Jonas Clay was a sea captain. He had a brother or cousin, Capt.
Stephen Clay, who about this time sailed between Boston, Barbadoes and New
York. . . . ."
Coincidence -- I had just found this the other day, and was planning to post
it to the list to see if anyone has this line.
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 10:22 AM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Our Clay's come from Jonas Clay going way back to the late 1600's in Maine
and Massachusetts. Jonas Clay I married a Batson from Stephen Batson's line
who the Batson River in Maine is named after. there is then a Jonas Clay
II, and then a Jonas Clay III. We've got great proofs going all the way
back, but I just need to put all the pieces in one place which is my project
for the summer... I'm working on the pieces for Colonial Dames XVIIth
Century.
-------------------------------
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I believe from something I found a while back that Stephen, their brother, was also a ship captain.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:07:32 -0700
Sigh, yes, it's a long swim . . . .
If you see any connection between this family and the one I mentioned, I'd
appreciate hearing about it.
Perhaps of interest, from British History Online is:
1697: Oct. 12. Bermuda
1,374. I. Sworn information of Jonas Clay, sometime master of the sloop
Happy Jane, that his ship, before her late condemnation was the property of
Isaac Richier so far as he knows, though perhaps Richier's brother was
concerned in her, that she was designed to carry him off to Antigua or
Montserrat, and that signals had been agreed on to shew when Richier was
coming off.
1,374. II. Isaac Richier's sailing orders to Jonas Clay, 4 June, 1697.
Letter from Jonas Clay, 4 June, 1697, saying that his design to carry off
Richier is suspected and that he must sail for Barbados.
Letter from Isaac Richier to Jonas Clay. Repeating his former instructions,
and blaming him for not following them and for mistrusting him.
Minutes of Council of Bermuda, 17 September, 1697. Giving the examination
of Jonas Clay, in which he revealed that the sloop Happy Jane was purchased
for Isaac Richier, and gave the names of the persons who were his
confederates. Resolved, that all the said persons be bound over to good
behaviour and to appear at the next assizes.
Further information of Jonas Clay, as to a forged letter of credit, whereby
the fiction, that he was the true purchaser of the Happy Jane, was to have
been maintained.
Copy of Jonas Clay's oath to keep the design of Richier's escape secret.
Names of the chief confederates in the design, nine in all. Copies. 5 pp.
Endorsed, Recd. 15 July, 1698. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. Nos. 19, 19 I.,
II.; and (without enclosures) 29. p. 123.]
'America and West Indies: October 1697, 1-15', Calendar of State Papers
Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 15: 1696-1697 (1904), pp. 626-635
1699 March 20. Deal.
194. Mr. Bevis Hill to William Popple. Encloses receipts from Jonas Clay,
master of the St. John Factor, and John Raynsford, master of the Elizabeth,
bound for New England, for letters to Lord Bellomont. (Feb. 3.) Endorsed,
Recd. March 21, 1698/9. [Board of Trade. New England, 9. Nos. 57, 57i., ii.]
'America and West Indies: March 1699, 13-20', Calendar of State Papers
Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 17: 1699 and Addenda 1621-1698
(1908), pp. 101-110.
March 30. St. George's.
220. Minutes of Council of Bermuda. The sloop Happy Jane, Jonas Clay late
master, previously condemned in a Court of Admiralty, ordered to be exposed
for sale. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 39. p. 10.]
Looks as though there were two Jonas Clays mastering ships at the same time.
The March 20 entry would be likely to be the Mass. Clay, while the other,
not.
And, on Thomas:
Dec. 7. 1702, Pennsylvania.
30. iv. List of Capt. Thomas Laramore's Company, raised in the Massachusetts
Bay for H.M. especial service in the West Indies, mustered by Governor
Dudley on board the Gospir frigate, Dec. 16, 1702. Thomas Laramore, Capt.,
John Eyres, Lieut., Joseph Wells, Ensign; Charles Sherlock, John Woodwell,
William Collins, Benjamin Pickering, Daniel Grenough, Samuel Willis, Daniel
Johns, Martin Margery, John Wayte, John Dreyden, William Flynt, Andrew
Mackarty, Thomas Kempthorn, Francis Fuller, John Putnum, Alexander Osborn,
Samuel Brown, John Swett, Daniel Hobbs, James Mackarty, Francis Clark, Adam
Meinzey, Joseph Davis, Daniel Ralph, John Hadlock, William Carter, Joseph
Packer, Thomas Clay, Benjamin Wright, Jonathan Osburn, Jeremiah Hacker,
William Leach, Benjamin Dean, William Wise, John Martin, Israel Bradsley,
Mathew Burdiall, Peter Hipsley, Samuel Hall, Samuel Shalote, Nathaniel
Frost, Joseph Gorton, Thomas Sawtle, John Ames, Benjamin Harris, Thomas
Dennis, Richard Convers, Thomas Pym, John Countryman, Harry Jones, William
Dawes, Thomas Rouse, James Hayes, John Troop, Ralph Bayes, Isaak Dennis,
John How. Signed, J. Dudley. Same endorsement. 1 p.
From: 'America and West Indies: December 1702, 7-10', Calendar of State
Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 21: 1702-1703 (1913), pp.
13-44
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 2:07 PM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Yes, this is our line and we descend from Jonas. I think it was Jonas II
who was born around Boston close to 1692. We have intact records from
there. We just are having a difficult time crossing the Atlantic.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:53:42 -0700
This Jonas?
From: Clay, Hiland H., History and Genealogy of the Clay Family - 1916.
Self-published, apparently. Downloaded from Archive.org.
"We have been unable to locate for certain the immigrant ancestor of our
branch of the Clay family. Stephen. Jonas, and Thomas Clay, who came from
England and settled in Salem. Mass.,
between 1630- 1640 were, no doubt, brothers and are the first Clays
mentioned in the histories of the New England Colonies. Savage, in his
history of the New England Pioneers, mentions the Clays as among the first
settlers of Massachusetts. There is a tradition in the Clay family which has
been handed down for many generations relative to the fact that the Clays in
Massachusetts descended from three brothers who came from England and
settled in Salem about 1630. The writer heard this tradition when a small
boy, more than seventy years ago, and has heard the same story told by Clays
whose relationship to his branch of the family was not known. If this
tradition is true, there can be no doubt that either Jonas' or Stephen' Clay
was our immigrant ancestor. The first Clay that we know to be in our line is
Captain Jonas Clay' who died in Boston in 1704. Another reason why we think
that Jonas' or Stephen' was our immigrant ancestor is the similarity of
names, as the given names. Stephen' and Jonas' appears in the first three or
four generations.
The writer has heard the question often asked if his branch of the Clay
family was related to the Virginia, or Southern Clays. So far as he knows
there is no connection between the two. The writer has met and talked with
Cassius M. Clay of Kentucky, a close relative of Henry Clay, and also
Senator Clay of Georgia. At New Orleans he met a son of John M. Clay, and in
Arkansas two families of Clays. They all traced their ancestors to the early
settlements in Virginia.
Captain Jonas Clay was a sea captain. He had a brother or cousin, Capt.
Stephen Clay, who about this time sailed between Boston, Barbadoes and New
York. . . . ."
Coincidence -- I had just found this the other day, and was planning to post
it to the list to see if anyone has this line.
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 10:22 AM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Our Clay's come from Jonas Clay going way back to the late 1600's in Maine
and Massachusetts. Jonas Clay I married a Batson from Stephen Batson's line
who the Batson River in Maine is named after. there is then a Jonas Clay
II, and then a Jonas Clay III. We've got great proofs going all the way
back, but I just need to put all the pieces in one place which is my project
for the summer... I'm working on the pieces for Colonial Dames XVIIth
Century.
-------------------------------
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Interesting records.... I really appreciate your sending them to me!
In 1699 it refers to Jonas as the late master of the Happy Jane, which was condemned and then up for sale. At least that's the way I read it. At the time, March of 1699 he was the "master" of the St. John Factor.
Do you now read it the same way I did?
Would be interesting to know the history of Isaac Richier since it appears Jonas was helping him escape which is why he got in trouble with the law. We refer to this Jonas as Jonas I or the "pirate." Since my mom was born and raised in Tampa, FL and Gasparilla has been such a part of her life she likes to claim her family "pirate." :D
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:07:32 -0700
Sigh, yes, it's a long swim . . . .
If you see any connection between this family and the one I mentioned, I'd
appreciate hearing about it.
Perhaps of interest, from British History Online is:
1697: Oct. 12. Bermuda
1,374. I. Sworn information of Jonas Clay, sometime master of the sloop
Happy Jane, that his ship, before her late condemnation was the property of
Isaac Richier so far as he knows, though perhaps Richier's brother was
concerned in her, that she was designed to carry him off to Antigua or
Montserrat, and that signals had been agreed on to shew when Richier was
coming off.
1,374. II. Isaac Richier's sailing orders to Jonas Clay, 4 June, 1697.
Letter from Jonas Clay, 4 June, 1697, saying that his design to carry off
Richier is suspected and that he must sail for Barbados.
Letter from Isaac Richier to Jonas Clay. Repeating his former instructions,
and blaming him for not following them and for mistrusting him.
Minutes of Council of Bermuda, 17 September, 1697. Giving the examination
of Jonas Clay, in which he revealed that the sloop Happy Jane was purchased
for Isaac Richier, and gave the names of the persons who were his
confederates. Resolved, that all the said persons be bound over to good
behaviour and to appear at the next assizes.
Further information of Jonas Clay, as to a forged letter of credit, whereby
the fiction, that he was the true purchaser of the Happy Jane, was to have
been maintained.
Copy of Jonas Clay's oath to keep the design of Richier's escape secret.
Names of the chief confederates in the design, nine in all. Copies. 5 pp.
Endorsed, Recd. 15 July, 1698. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 3. Nos. 19, 19 I.,
II.; and (without enclosures) 29. p. 123.]
'America and West Indies: October 1697, 1-15', Calendar of State Papers
Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 15: 1696-1697 (1904), pp. 626-635
1699 March 20. Deal.
194. Mr. Bevis Hill to William Popple. Encloses receipts from Jonas Clay,
master of the St. John Factor, and John Raynsford, master of the Elizabeth,
bound for New England, for letters to Lord Bellomont. (Feb. 3.) Endorsed,
Recd. March 21, 1698/9. [Board of Trade. New England, 9. Nos. 57, 57i., ii.]
'America and West Indies: March 1699, 13-20', Calendar of State Papers
Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 17: 1699 and Addenda 1621-1698
(1908), pp. 101-110.
March 30. St. George's.
220. Minutes of Council of Bermuda. The sloop Happy Jane, Jonas Clay late
master, previously condemned in a Court of Admiralty, ordered to be exposed
for sale. [Board of Trade. Bermuda, 39. p. 10.]
Looks as though there were two Jonas Clays mastering ships at the same time.
The March 20 entry would be likely to be the Mass. Clay, while the other,
not.
And, on Thomas:
Dec. 7. 1702, Pennsylvania.
30. iv. List of Capt. Thomas Laramore's Company, raised in the Massachusetts
Bay for H.M. especial service in the West Indies, mustered by Governor
Dudley on board the Gospir frigate, Dec. 16, 1702. Thomas Laramore, Capt.,
John Eyres, Lieut., Joseph Wells, Ensign; Charles Sherlock, John Woodwell,
William Collins, Benjamin Pickering, Daniel Grenough, Samuel Willis, Daniel
Johns, Martin Margery, John Wayte, John Dreyden, William Flynt, Andrew
Mackarty, Thomas Kempthorn, Francis Fuller, John Putnum, Alexander Osborn,
Samuel Brown, John Swett, Daniel Hobbs, James Mackarty, Francis Clark, Adam
Meinzey, Joseph Davis, Daniel Ralph, John Hadlock, William Carter, Joseph
Packer, Thomas Clay, Benjamin Wright, Jonathan Osburn, Jeremiah Hacker,
William Leach, Benjamin Dean, William Wise, John Martin, Israel Bradsley,
Mathew Burdiall, Peter Hipsley, Samuel Hall, Samuel Shalote, Nathaniel
Frost, Joseph Gorton, Thomas Sawtle, John Ames, Benjamin Harris, Thomas
Dennis, Richard Convers, Thomas Pym, John Countryman, Harry Jones, William
Dawes, Thomas Rouse, James Hayes, John Troop, Ralph Bayes, Isaak Dennis,
John How. Signed, J. Dudley. Same endorsement. 1 p.
From: 'America and West Indies: December 1702, 7-10', Calendar of State
Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 21: 1702-1703 (1913), pp.
13-44
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 2:07 PM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Yes, this is our line and we descend from Jonas. I think it was Jonas II
who was born around Boston close to 1692. We have intact records from
there. We just are having a difficult time crossing the Atlantic.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:53:42 -0700
This Jonas?
From: Clay, Hiland H., History and Genealogy of the Clay Family - 1916.
Self-published, apparently. Downloaded from Archive.org.
"We have been unable to locate for certain the immigrant ancestor of our
branch of the Clay family. Stephen. Jonas, and Thomas Clay, who came from
England and settled in Salem. Mass.,
between 1630- 1640 were, no doubt, brothers and are the first Clays
mentioned in the histories of the New England Colonies. Savage, in his
history of the New England Pioneers, mentions the Clays as among the first
settlers of Massachusetts. There is a tradition in the Clay family which has
been handed down for many generations relative to the fact that the Clays in
Massachusetts descended from three brothers who came from England and
settled in Salem about 1630. The writer heard this tradition when a small
boy, more than seventy years ago, and has heard the same story told by Clays
whose relationship to his branch of the family was not known. If this
tradition is true, there can be no doubt that either Jonas' or Stephen' Clay
was our immigrant ancestor. The first Clay that we know to be in our line is
Captain Jonas Clay' who died in Boston in 1704. Another reason why we think
that Jonas' or Stephen' was our immigrant ancestor is the similarity of
names, as the given names. Stephen' and Jonas' appears in the first three or
four generations.
The writer has heard the question often asked if his branch of the Clay
family was related to the Virginia, or Southern Clays. So far as he knows
there is no connection between the two. The writer has met and talked with
Cassius M. Clay of Kentucky, a close relative of Henry Clay, and also
Senator Clay of Georgia. At New Orleans he met a son of John M. Clay, and in
Arkansas two families of Clays. They all traced their ancestors to the early
settlements in Virginia.
Captain Jonas Clay was a sea captain. He had a brother or cousin, Capt.
Stephen Clay, who about this time sailed between Boston, Barbadoes and New
York. . . . ."
Coincidence -- I had just found this the other day, and was planning to post
it to the list to see if anyone has this line.
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 10:22 AM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Our Clay's come from Jonas Clay going way back to the late 1600's in Maine
and Massachusetts. Jonas Clay I married a Batson from Stephen Batson's line
who the Batson River in Maine is named after. there is then a Jonas Clay
II, and then a Jonas Clay III. We've got great proofs going all the way
back, but I just need to put all the pieces in one place which is my project
for the summer... I'm working on the pieces for Colonial Dames XVIIth
Century.
-------------------------------
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the subject and the body of the message
-------------------------------
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-------------------------------
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Yes, this is our line and we descend from Jonas. I think it was Jonas II who was born around Boston close to 1692. We have intact records from there. We just are having a difficult time crossing the Atlantic.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:53:42 -0700
This Jonas?
From: Clay, Hiland H., History and Genealogy of the Clay Family - 1916.
Self-published, apparently. Downloaded from Archive.org.
"We have been unable to locate for certain the immigrant ancestor of our
branch of the Clay family. Stephen. Jonas, and Thomas Clay, who came from
England and settled in Salem. Mass.,
between 1630- 1640 were, no doubt, brothers and are the first Clays
mentioned in the histories of the New England Colonies. Savage, in his
history of the New England Pioneers, mentions the Clays as among the first
settlers of Massachusetts. There is a tradition in the Clay family which has
been handed down for many generations relative to the fact that the Clays in
Massachusetts descended from three brothers who came from England and
settled in Salem about 1630. The writer heard this tradition when a small
boy, more than seventy years ago, and has heard the same story told by Clays
whose relationship to his branch of the family was not known. If this
tradition is true, there can be no doubt that either Jonas' or Stephen' Clay
was our immigrant ancestor. The first Clay that we know to be in our line is
Captain Jonas Clay' who died in Boston in 1704. Another reason why we think
that Jonas' or Stephen' was our immigrant ancestor is the similarity of
names, as the given names. Stephen' and Jonas' appears in the first three or
four generations.
The writer has heard the question often asked if his branch of the Clay
family was related to the Virginia, or Southern Clays. So far as he knows
there is no connection between the two. The writer has met and talked with
Cassius M. Clay of Kentucky, a close relative of Henry Clay, and also
Senator Clay of Georgia. At New Orleans he met a son of John M. Clay, and in
Arkansas two families of Clays. They all traced their ancestors to the early
settlements in Virginia.
Captain Jonas Clay was a sea captain. He had a brother or cousin, Capt.
Stephen Clay, who about this time sailed between Boston, Barbadoes and New
York. . . . ."
Coincidence -- I had just found this the other day, and was planning to post
it to the list to see if anyone has this line.
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 10:22 AM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Our Clay's come from Jonas Clay going way back to the late 1600's in Maine
and Massachusetts. Jonas Clay I married a Batson from Stephen Batson's line
who the Batson River in Maine is named after. there is then a Jonas Clay
II, and then a Jonas Clay III. We've got great proofs going all the way
back, but I just need to put all the pieces in one place which is my project
for the summer... I'm working on the pieces for Colonial Dames XVIIth
Century.
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to CLAY-request(a)rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Our Clay's come from Jonas Clay going way back to the late 1600's in Maine and Massachusetts. Jonas Clay I married a Batson from Stephen Batson's line who the Batson River in Maine is named after. there is then a Jonas Clay II, and then a Jonas Clay III. We've got great proofs going all the way back, but I just need to put all the pieces in one place which is my project for the summer... I'm working on the pieces for Colonial Dames XVIIth Century.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:59:45 -0700
>From the looks of our current lineages, I'd say "probably not yet" --
however, my husband has Clay cousins that I've taken back to George Clay, b
ca 1816 in MA, who m Mary E Martine. His father _____ Clay married Hannah
_____. This _____ Clay's father was born in Connecticut.
George and Mary's children were David, William W, George E, Julia, Edwina,
and Nelly.
We welcome all "Clay" lineages -- known and unknown -- and I particularly am
interested in Clays other than the southern Clays joining us.
Pat
-----Original Message-----
From: clay-bounces(a)rootsweb.com [mailto:clay-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf
Of nsalzer(a)juno.com
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2010 9:36 PM
To: clay(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: Re: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Do you have any members that come from the Massachusetts/Maine Clays?
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:20:15 -0700
Again in 2010, members of the Clay Family Society and other interested folks
will gather for the bi-annual meeting. This year the gathering is in
Lexington, Kentucky, June 25-27 (gather the evening of June 24 for
registration and getting to know each other).
The CFS is dedicated to researching and preserving the history of all Clay
families, worldwide, but particularly in the United States.
Please read more about the society and the gathering here:
http://www.clayfamilysociety.com/index.html
Hope to see you in Lexington.
Pat Dunford
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to
CLAY-request(a)rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in
the subject and the body of the message
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to
CLAY-request(a)rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in
the subject and the body of the message
-------------------------------
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Do you have any members that come from the Massachusetts/Maine Clays?
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Kith-n-Kin" <Kith-n-Kin(a)cox.net>
To: <clay(a)rootsweb.com>
Subject: [CLAY] Clay Family Society Gathering -- Lexington 2010
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:20:15 -0700
Again in 2010, members of the Clay Family Society and other interested folks
will gather for the bi-annual meeting. This year the gathering is in
Lexington, Kentucky, June 25-27 (gather the evening of June 24 for
registration and getting to know each other).
The CFS is dedicated to researching and preserving the history of all Clay
families, worldwide, but particularly in the United States.
Please read more about the society and the gathering here:
http://www.clayfamilysociety.com/index.html
Hope to see you in Lexington.
Pat Dunford
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to CLAY-request(a)rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Again in 2010, members of the Clay Family Society and other interested folks
will gather for the bi-annual meeting. This year the gathering is in
Lexington, Kentucky, June 25-27 (gather the evening of June 24 for
registration and getting to know each other).
The CFS is dedicated to researching and preserving the history of all Clay
families, worldwide, but particularly in the United States.
Please read more about the society and the gathering here:
http://www.clayfamilysociety.com/index.html
Hope to see you in Lexington.
Pat Dunford