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Family of Henry Clay

(This person can be viewed within the Melton/Sharp Ancestry Chart by clicking here)

 

 

 

1.  DR. HENRY6 CLAY  (HENRY5, HENRY4, CHARLES3, JOHN2, JOHN1 CLAYE?, ESQ.)1 was born September 19,

 1736 in Southern Parish, Goochland County, Virginia, and died January 17, 1820 in Paris/Escondido, Bourbon County, Kentucky.  He married RACHEL POVALL1,2 April 09, 1754 in Cumberland County, Virginia3,4, daughter of RICHARD POVALL and TABITHA HUDSPETH?.  She was born November 15, 1739 in Goochland County, Virginia, and died April 27, 1820 in Paris/Escondido, Bourbon County, Kentucky5.

 

Notes for DR. HENRY CLAY:

Cumberland Co was formed about 1749 from Goochland Co

 RA PS VA; listed in DAR Lineage Book#30 & Vol 1 of DAR Patriotic Index", pub Washington, 1966- Page 187:
"Patriotic Service" in VA;

Marriage noted in Jan 1931 DAR magazine sometimes referred to as Colonel; served  in the 6th VA Regiment, Continental Line.

Lineage Book of the National Soc. of Daughters of Founders & Patriots of America p187.
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 KM (Karen McClendon) notes:

Lunenburg Co was formed in 1746 from Brunswick Co, VA.
Charlotte Co and Mecklenburg Co were both formed from Lunenburg Co in 1765.

Mecklenburg Co. Deed Bk. 2
p. 268--4 Sep 1769--Henry Clay of Mecklenburg Co. sold 563 acres in Mecklenburg to Charles  Clay of same.
p. 270--11 Sep 1769--Henry Clay of Charlotte Co sold about 320 acres in Mecklenburg to  Samuel Clay of Meck.
p. 271-- 6 May 1769--Henry Clay of Charlotte Co sold about 230 acres in Mecklenburg to John  Smith of Meck.

Mecklenburg Co. Deed Bk. 4
p. 322--10 Oct 1774--Henry Clay of Mecklenburg Co sold 202.5 acres in Mecklenburg to Leonard  Cheatham of Amelia. (All of VA)

Early Settlers of Mecklenburg Co, VA, Vol. II   compiled by Katherine B. Elliott
p. 158--11 May 1778 --on list as Bondsmen for collecting tax (also Chas Clay and Edward & Adam Finch)

Emigration to Other States from Southside, VA, Vol. I   compiled by Katherine B. Elliott 
p. 16--1 Sep 1787--Henry Clay of Charlotte Co, VA, intending moving to KY, appoints Thomas Bedford of Charlotte Co, VA, his lawful attorney (from Charlotte Co.Deed Bk 6, p. 16)

It was said that he was a very wealthy landowner and tobacco maker

He moved in 1787 to Clintonville Precinct, Bourbon Co., KY, lived 1st year in a stockade/fort about 5 miles north of Paris, for protection from roaming Indians. 

The Genealogy of the Clays by Mrs. Mary Rogers Clay. printed in 1899 (not from a primary source),  Page 37 states:
"A great-grandson of Dr. Henry Clay, of Bourbon County, dwells not less sumptuously at the old homestead site located  one hundred and ten years ago when a stockade fort was needed to  protect the first settler against savage foes."

And on page 80, "For the first year after their arrival he and his  family lived in a stockade. The old stone house built and occupied by him is yet standing and in use upon the farm still in the possession  of his descendants."

Kentucky Heritage Commission, Survey of Historical Sites in Kentucky (Lexington: 1971), IV, 8-12, III, 134.
"As Bourbonites cleared land, and established routes for commerce, they constructed stronger and more elaborate homes. Clarke's Run, near Paris, was a log house with portholes and served as place for refuge from Indians as early as 1784. Clay Fort, a stone dwelling, near Escondida Road, was the home of Dr. Henry Clay. Kiser House, another stone edifice, on Peacock Road, served as the headquarters of the Bourbon Court in 1786."

It is said that Henry continued to grow tobacco in Bourbon Co.

1st census of Kentucky (tax list)
Green Clay,1789,Madison Co;Henry,3-1791, Bourbon;Mastin,27 Feb 1790,Fayette;Samuel,Mar 1791,Bourbon

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 1810 Census for Bourbon County, KY, page 119 shows Henry's family as:
 males: 0<10,0<16,1<26,1>45,   females: 1>45

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Will Book F, page 331- signed 7 Aug 1809 , probated on Feb 1820 in Bourbon Co
"Aged and infirm." Wife, Rachel; son, Henry Clay, Jr.; daughter, Rebecca Finch, land purchased of Col. Jas. Garrard; daughters Sally Martin and Tabitha Bedford, land in Montgomery County; daughters Elizabeth Bruce, Rachel Martin, Marv Anne Dawson, Martha Bedford, Henrietta Bedinger, Letty Bedford; sons, John and Samuel. Executor: Henry Clay, Jr. Written August 7, 1809. Proved February 1820. Witnesses-Joseph McConnell, Samuel McConnell, Sampson McConnell, Geo. Thomas, Josiah Berryman. [2]

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More About DR. HENRY CLAY:

Burial: January 1820, Clay Cemetery, Paris/Escondido, Bourbon County, Kentucky

Census: 1810, Bourbon County, Kentucky6

Emigration: 1787, Kentucky7

Military service: September 1758, VA Militia under Maj Wood Jones

Residence: 1770, Charlotte Co., VA8

 

Notes for RACHEL POVALL:

Rachel Povall Clay was also born in Cumberland County, Virginia. The Povalls were originally from the Henrico County area and there are interesting stories about her ggrandparents Robert Povall and Elizabeth Hooker. Both are said to have been kidnapped, and brought to the Colonies as indentured servants when they were children.  Later it is said that Elizabeth was identified as the daughter of a Lord Hooker in England and inherited money from her father's estate. Lord Hooker has never been found in England but Elizabeth may have received a legacy as she married Robert Povall and they owned an estate called Malvern Hills, in Henrico County. The site of this estate which is named after an area in England remains a historical landmark in modern Henrico County.

Rachel's parents remain a mystery. Most genealogies list her as the daughter of Richard Povall and Tabitha Hudspeth. However Richard and Tabitha's marriage took place in Cumberland County in 1751 when Rachel was 12.   Richard Povall gave consent for Rachel's marriage in 1753, and names Rachel Clay as his daughter in his will but there is no information on her mother. There are Clay descendants working on the Povall line and perhaps there will be a breakthrough by the next Clay Gathering.

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KM note: Rachel's brother Francis served in the Virginia House of Burgesses


More About RACHEL POVALL:

Burial: April 1820, Clay Cemetery, Paris/Escondido, Bourbon County, Kentucky


More About HENRY CLAY and RACHEL POVALL:

Marriage: April 09, 1754, Cumberland County, Virginia9,10
   

Children of HENRY CLAY and RACHEL POVALL are:

        i.      ELIZABETH7 CLAY11, b. January 13, 1755, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. February 24, 1832, Garrard County, Kentucky; m. JOHN BRUCE, SR.11, June 28, 1775, Charlotte County, Virginia; b. April 30, 1748, Augusta, Virginia; d. April 13, 1827, Garrard County, Kentucky.

 

More About JOHN BRUCE and ELIZABETH CLAY:

Marriage: June 28, 1775, Charlotte County, Virginia

 

        ii.    JOHN CLAY13,14, b. February 28, 1757, Cumberland County, Virginia; d. January 1814, Bourbon County, Kentucky15; m. MARTHA INGRAM16,17, January 19, 1779, Bourbon Co., KY18; b. 176118; d. Aft. January 1814.

 

Notes for JOHN CLAY:

KM notes:

a- birth date is either 19 or 29

b- RA cadet & soldier; VA Continental Line

c- will signed 23 Aug 1809 was probated in Mar 1814

d- wife outlived him

 

 

More About JOHN CLAY:

MILI: Military: Revolutionary War Veteran

 

More About JOHN CLAY and MARTHA INGRAM:

Marriage: January 19, 1779, Bourbon Co., KY18

 

        iii.   REBEKAH CLAY19, b. March 17, 1759, Cumberland County, Virginia20; d. April 28, 1845, Bourbon County, Kentucky21; m. WILLIAM FINCH22, August 14, 1775, Mecklenburg County, Virginia23,24,25,26,27; b. May 19, 1755, Lunenburg County, Virginia; d. 1823.

 

Notes for WILLIAM FINCH:

William moved from Mechlenburg Co, VA to Bourbon Co, KY in 1798

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KM notes:

1. After Wm.'s birth; Lunenburg Co. became Charlotte Co.

2. 1799; Wm. owned a plantation in Bourbon Co, KY.

3. 29 Dec 1820; Franklin Co. Deed Book. B, pp553-554 shows Wm. & Rebekah of Bourbon Co., KY deeded a gift to son Thos. & wife Edna.

4. Oct 1823; KM has Wm.'s will that Adam Finch executed 18 Jul. 1822.

 

KM Research notes on Finch:

a- Wm.: shown in Rev. War.

b- U. S. Army, VA, 1800-1815

    Will-20th Inf; b:Va; 40 yrs; laborer, d:6 Feb 1814 NY

    Edward-24th Inf; b Brunswick, VA; 30 yrs, carpenter

    Jesse-Rifles; b:Halifax VA; 18 yrs; Shoemaker

c- Edw. & John living in Rutherford Co TN

d- John R. of Rutherford Co; will dated Nov. 1834 was filed in Feb. 1835

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Thomas, William, and Charles Finch are shown in

the 1782 Personal Property Tax List for Henry County, Virginia.

 

Name      Tithes     Negroes  Horses    Cattle

 

Thomas  1      -       2      4

William  1      -       -       -

Charles  1      8      6      13

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1810 Census for Bourbon County, KY, page 85 shows Williams family as:

   males: 1<10,2<16,1<26,1>45

females: 1<10,0<16,2<26,1>45

 

More About WILLIAM FINCH:

Census: 1790, Newberry Co., SC

Probate: October 1823, probated in Bourbon Co, KY

 

Marriage Notes for REBEKAH CLAY and WILLIAM FINCH:

Rebekah's brother-in-law, John Bruce, was one of the witnesses at her wedding, with note from Henry Clay.

(above from Bruce King)

 

William and Henry had a total of 15 children

 

More About WILLIAM FINCH and REBEKAH CLAY:

Marriage: August 14, 1775, Mecklenburg County, Virginia28,29,30,31,32

 

        iv.    SAMUEL CLAY33, b. May 10, 1761, Virginia; d. April 09, 1810, Bourbon County, Kentucky; m. ANNA WINN34, Abt. 1790, Bourbon Co., KY35.

 

Notes for SAMUEL CLAY:

KM notes: RA, pvt, VA DAR#72850; died either in Apr or Jun

 

 

More About SAMUEL CLAY:

MILI: Military: Revolutionary War Veteran36

 

More About SAMUEL CLAY and ANNA WINN:

Marriage: Abt. 1790, Bourbon Co., KY37

 

        v.     RACHEL CLAY38, b. June 19, 1763, Virginia; m. COL. BARCLAY MARTIN39,40, March 21, 178041,42; b. June 13, 1755; d. 1846, Tennessee.

 

Notes for RACHEL CLAY:

KM notes: Revolutionary War heroine who "captured the Dispatch Squad".  Rachel is listed as a patriot in the Revolutionary War by the DAR.

 

 

More About RACHEL CLAY:

Burial: Martin Cemetery, Fairfield, Bedford County, Tennessee

 

Notes for COL. BARCLAY MARTIN:

KM notes: From Edgefield SC, he was Captain of Cavalry & Colonel under George Washington. "Promoted to Colonel for high courage and bravery."

 

 

More About COL. BARCLAY MARTIN:

Residence: Abt. 1808, Bedford County, Tennessee43

 

More About BARCLAY MARTIN and RACHEL CLAY:

Marriage: March 21, 178044,45

 

        vi.    SARAH CLAY46, b. November 16, 1765, Virginia; d. January 02, 1842, Bedford County, Tennessee; m. CAPT. MATTHEW MARTIN47,48, March 07, 1787, Tennessee49,50; b. December 26, 1764, Virginia; d. 1846, Tennessee.

 

More About SARAH CLAY:

Burial: January 1842, Martin Cemetery, Fairfield, Bedford County, Tennessee

 

Notes for CAPT. MATTHEW MARTIN:

KM notes:

a- From Edgefield, SC

b- RA Captain of VA Colonial forces under Colonel George Washington.

c- moved to Bourbon Co., KY in 1806; moved to Bedford Co., KY in 1808

d- had 9 children?

 

 

More About MATTHEW MARTIN and SARAH CLAY:

Marriage: March 07, 1787, Tennessee51,52

 

        vii.   TABITHA CLAY, b. November 15, 1767, Virginia; d. 1864, Bourbon County, Kentucky; m. BENJAMIN BEDFORD, September 26, 1786, Bourbon Co., KY53.

 

More About BENJAMIN BEDFORD and TABITHA CLAY:

Marriage: September 26, 1786, Bourbon Co., KY53

 

        viii. MARY ANN CLAY54, b. March 10, 1770, Charlotte County, Virginia; d. 1845, Roaring Springs, Trigg County, Kentucky; m. THOMAS DAWSON55,56, March 03, 1789, Bourbon County, Kentucky; b. 1759; d. 1829.

 

More About MARY ANN CLAY:

Burial: 1845, Thomas Cemetery, Roaring Springs, Trigg County, Kentucky

 

More About THOMAS DAWSON and MARY CLAY:

Marriage: March 03, 1789, Bourbon County, Kentucky

 

        ix.    HENRIETTA CLAY57, b. February 02, 1771, Charlotte County, Virginia; d. February 03, 1853; m. MAJ. GEORGE MICHAEL BEDINGER57, February 11, 1793, Bourbon Co., Kentucky; b. December 10, 1756, York Town, Pennsylvania; d. December 07, 1843, Blue Lick Springs, Kentucky.

 

More About GEORGE BEDINGER and HENRIETTA CLAY:

Marriage: February 11, 1793, Bourbon Co., Kentucky

 

        x.     MARTHA CLAY58, b. September 08, 1772, Charlotte County, Virginia; d. March 02, 1864, Bourbon County, Kentucky; m. LITTLEBERRY BEDFORD59, January 05, 1790, Bourbon County, Kentucky60; b. January 01, 1769, Charlotte County, Virginia; d. August 07, 1829, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

 

More About MARTHA CLAY:

Burial: March 1864, Clay Cemetery, Paris/Escondido, Bourbon County, Kentucky

 

More About LITTLEBERRY BEDFORD and MARTHA CLAY:

Marriage: January 05, 1790, Bourbon County, Kentucky60

 

        xi.    COL. HENRY CLAY, JR., b. September 14, 1779, Charlotte County, Virginia; d. August 09, 1863, Kentucky; m. MARGARET HELM61, January 11, 1796, Bourbon Co., KY62,63; b. 1779; d. 1863.

 

Notes for COL. HENRY CLAY, JR.:

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1810 Census for Bourbon County, KY, page 119 shows Henry's family as:

   males: 3<10,3<16,0<26,1<46

females: 4<10,0<16,0<26,1<46

 

More About COL. HENRY CLAY, JR.:

Burial: August 1863, Clay Cemetery, Paris/Escondido, Bourbon County, Kentucky

Census: 1810, Bourbon County, Kentucky64

 

More About HENRY CLAY and MARGARET HELM:

Marriage: January 11, 1796, Bourbon Co., KY65,66

 

        xii.  LETITIA CLAY67, b. October 05, 1782, Charlotte County, Virginia; d. 1827, Bourbon County, Kentucky; m. ARCHIBALD BEDFORD68, January 31, 1796, Bourbon County, Kentucky69; b. 1769; d. 1827.

 

More About ARCHIBALD BEDFORD and LETITIA CLAY:

Marriage: January 31, 1796, Bourbon County, Kentucky69

 

 

 

Endnotes

 

1.  Sands, John A., Jr., "Finch," Private publication.

2.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, See D.A.R. Magazine, Jan 1931, Cumberland Co. Va. marriage records."

3.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, married Apr. 9, 1754.

4.  Eubanks, Hazel Bentley, Strother and Allied Families,  (Southern Historical Press - 1982), 301, parents of Rachel Clay.

5.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "Rachal died Apr. 27, 1820 aged 81 years."

6.  Census, 1810, KY, Bourbon Co, rollM252_5, p119.

7.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, moved to Kentucky in 1787; located in Clintonville Precinct, Bourbon Co. The old stone house he built is yet standing [1920s]. He and many others are buried near it.

8.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "moved to Charlotte Co. Va. 1770."

9.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, married Apr. 9, 1754.

10.  Eubanks, Hazel Bentley, Strother and Allied Families,  (Southern Historical Press - 1982), 301, parents of Rachel Clay.

11.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

13.  Sands, John A., Jr., "Finch," Private publication, No dates or places shown.

14.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

15.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic."

16.  Sands, John A., Jr., "Finch," Private publication, No dates or places shown.

17.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "John Clay married Patsy Ingram."

18.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic."

19.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, Shows name both as "Rebekah" and "Rebecca".

20.  Sands, John A., Jr., "Finch," Private publication, page 5, Shows her birthdate as April 17, 1759.

21.  Karen McClendon.

22.  Sands, John A., Jr., "Finch," Private publication.

23.  Sands, John A., Jr., "Finch," Private publication, page 5.

24.  Karen McClendon.

25.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "married Aug. 14, 1775."

26.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "William married Rebecca Clay Aug. 14, 1775."

27.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," Connie indicates marriage location to be Charlotte County, VA.

28.  Sands, John A., Jr., "Finch," Private publication, page 5.

29.  Karen McClendon.

30.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "married Aug. 14, 1775."

31.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "William married Rebecca Clay Aug. 14, 1775."

32.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," Connie indicates marriage location to be Charlotte County, VA.

33.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

34.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "Samuel Clay married Nancy Winn."

35.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," "This family had 10 children."

36.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic."

37.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," "This family had 10 children."

38.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

39.  Ray, Worth S., Tennessee Cousins,  (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. - Baltimore 1977), Listed as one of the first settlers of Bedford County, Tennessee.

40.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "Rachel Clay married Barclay Martin."

41.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," 3-2, "Rachel and Barkley Martin did not have any children."

42.  Eubanks, Hazel Bentley, Strother and Allied Families,  (Southern Historical Press - 1982), Barclay Martin, born January 10, 1755, married Rachel Clay March 21, 1780; daughter of Henry and Rachel Povall Clay.  No issue.

43.  Ray, Worth S., Tennessee Cousins,  (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. - Baltimore 1977), pg 558.

44.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," 3-2, "Rachel and Barkley Martin did not have any children."

45.  Eubanks, Hazel Bentley, Strother and Allied Families,  (Southern Historical Press - 1982), Barclay Martin, born January 10, 1755, married Rachel Clay March 21, 1780; daughter of Henry and Rachel Povall Clay.  No issue.

46.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows "Sally CLay."

47.  Ray, Worth S., Tennessee Cousins,  (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. - Baltimore 1977), pg 558, Listed as one to the first settlers of Bedford County.

48.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "Sally Clay married Matthew Martin."

49.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic."

50.  Eubanks, Hazel Bentley, Strother and Allied Families,  (Southern Historical Press - 1982), 303, Matthew Martin, born December 26, 1846 [sic] married Sarah (Sally) Clay, sister of Col. Henry Clay and of Rachel who married Barclay Martin), in 1778, born 1769 [sic], died 1842.

51.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic."

52.  Eubanks, Hazel Bentley, Strother and Allied Families,  (Southern Historical Press - 1982), 303, Matthew Martin, born December 26, 1846 [sic] married Sarah (Sally) Clay, sister of Col. Henry Clay and of Rachel who married Barclay Martin), in 1778, born 1769 [sic], died 1842.

53.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," "The Benjamin Bedfords had 10 children."

54.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

55.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

56.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," Name and dates given.

57.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

58.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows "Mattie Clay."

59.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows name.

60.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," "Mattie and Littleberry had 14 children and lived in Bourbon County."

61.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," Name and dates given.

62.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "Henry CLay married Peggy Helm."

63.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," "He married Margaret/Peggy Helm of Lincoln County, Kentucky and they had 12 children."

64.  Census, 1810, KY, Bourbon Co, rollM252_5, p119.

65.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, "Henry CLay married Peggy Helm."

66.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," "He married Margaret/Peggy Helm of Lincoln County, Kentucky and they had 12 children."

67.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows "Letty Clay."

68.  Mullins, Mary Virginia (Sharp), "Clay - Finch Family in America," Unpublished, shows "Letty Clay married Archibald Bedford."

69.  Collins, Connie, Clay - Bruce Family, "Electronic," "They had 13 or 14 children and lived in Bourbon County."