Clay of Bedfordshire

Clay's of Bedfordshire are documented from early times.

1221. Oct. 21st. Reginald de Claye gives the King half a mark concerning  a virgate of land in Lidlington in Bedfordshire whereby the Justices will decide his case against Gerard of Lidlington. (TNA Ref.- C60/15 folio 340).

1309-22. Lay Subsidy. (Tax). Bedfordshire. Willo Clay. Shotley. - Radulfo Clay. Shotley / Kempstone.- John Clay. Stanford. - Reginaldo Clay. Northgyuele. - John Clay. Bedford. - John Clay. Hockelyue. - Henrico Clay. Clapham.- John Clay. Ascot. (Ref.- Suffolk Green Book 1X).

1329. Grant by William Clay of Lower Caldecote to William Bendeye one and a half meadow in Le Remade on Dreyen Holmhurst. Bedford. (Ref.- Catalogue of Ancient Deeds Vol. 6. Ed.111.) - British History Online.

1372. Letters of Attorney from John Raven to Henry Clay to receive seisin of a croft in  Websnad called Joseppescroft. (Catalogue of Ancient Deeds in the TNA. Ref.- C.6001).

1375. Lease by the Prioress of Harrold Priory to Henry Clay of  Bletsoe and Joan his wife and their sons John and William  for a toft and an acre of land in the village and fields of Bletsoe to  build a house on the toft within 3 years at their own expense. Rent 2 shillings and 2 pence. (Bedfordshire Archives Ref.- TW567).

1383. September. Henry Clay witness to a land transfer in Barford and Badebrock. Bedfordshire. (Bedfordshire Archives Ref.- TW106).

1387. Sept. 7th. Grant by Thomas Clay of Nether Caldecote  to Thomas Fetypas of a messuage in Over Caldecote in North Zevell parish. (TNA Ref.- C.146/3278).

1406. Thomas Clay and his wife Maud of Caldecote in Northill had 1 messuage and eight and a half acres of land. (Feet of Fines - TNA Ref.- CP25/1/6/74 no 7).

1420. Dec. 9th. Inquisition.  John Cley juror with others concerning the manor of Bromham in Bedfordshire. (TNA Ref.- C138/49/78 mm 11 - 12).

1426. Thomas Clay transfers to others the right to a cottage and 10 acres of land and meadows in Caldecote. Bedford. (Ref.-TNA. Catalogue of Ancient Deeds Vol. 6.- C146/4572).

1437. Thomas Clay of Caldecote. Northill - quitclaim 1 messuage 35 acres in Stanford in Southill. (TNA Ref.- Feet of Fines. CP25/1/6/80 no 7).

1471. July 9th. Blunham Charter given at the Manor of Ampthill concerning rules for tenants. Witness John Clay and 36 other tenants of Blunham. (Bedfordshire Archives. Ref.- L26/229)

1477. John Cley. Rector of St Nicholas. Swineshead. Bedfordshire. - Died 1482. (Ref.- Transactions of the Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire Archaeological Society).

1497 - 1522. Register of Bedfordshire Wills.  Will of Johen Claye of Beeston Sandys. (Bedfordshire Archives Services Ref.- Folio 28d and folio 145d).

1515. Grant by Thomas Clay of Nether Caldecote to Thomas Fetypas a messuage in Over Cadecote. (Catalogue of Ancient Deeds in the TNA. Ref.- C7506).

1528. - 34. Will of Alys Clay of Sandy widow. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- ABP/R3 folio 71).

1530. Thomas Clay. Executor of John Clay (Plaintiff) in courtcase concerning debt against several merchants. (TNA Ref.- CP40no1064).

1530. Grant of lands and tenements at Flitwick to Reginald Coloppe. Witness William Clay and 6 others. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- LL1/59).

1539-40. March 6th. Will of Margaret Towne widow of Gretford in parish of Sandy. Witness Maryan Clay widow and 8 others. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- ABP/R6/21d).

1540. Oct. 28th. Will of Thomas Wye of Pulloxhill. Witness Thomas Clay. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- ABP/R6/55).

1542. Richard Clay married Agnes Smart 14th May. Sutton. Bedford.

1544. May 19th. Will of Thomas Byrte of Pulloxhill leaves to Thomas Claye 6s.8d. (Bedfordshire Archive Services. Ref.- ABPR11/37 folio 29).

1545. Will of Richard Manley mentions Richard Clay had a Close at Potton. (Archdeaconry of Bedford. Ref.- ABP/R11/174).

1549. Will of William Myles of Flytton witness Thomas Cley. (Ref.- Bedfordshire Archives ABP/R12/103d).

1550. Court Case at Bedford against Joan Clay alias Butler for murder of her new born child. - Pardoned. (Ref.- Indictments of the Court of Writ. Edw. 6 to Eliz. 1.).

1550. Dec.10th. Bond of Thomas Clay of Shefford tanner regarding a tenement in Shefford. (Bedfordshire Archives Ref.- FN516 - 517).

1550 Dec. 10th.  Conveyance for 20 marks. Thomas Clay snr to William Mercer both of Shefford. A tenement in Shefford. Witness Thomas Clay jnr his son. (Bedfordshire Archives Ref.- FN515). 

1556. March 8th. Conveyance of a messuage late of Thomas Clay snr in Shefford abutting south on Campton Field. (Bedfordshire Archives Ref.- FN520).

1556. Dec. 28th. Conveyance to Thomas Grendon a house and garden in Shefford which he had by feoffment of Thomas Claye snr. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- FN522).

1556. Dec. 30th. Quitclaim William Mercer to Thomas Cranefield a messuage and garden in Shefford which he had by feoffment of Thomas Claye snr. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- FN524).

1557. Will of Elizabeth Butler of Lidlington widow to Elizabeth Cley a platter and to Agnes Cley a platter. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- ABP/R13/126).

1576. January. Thomas Claye of Pulloxhill was buried. (Ref.- Bedfordshire Notes and Queries vol. 3).

1602. William Claye married Elizabeth Wynn at Eyworth. 13th June.

1608. John son of William Claye baptised 26th September. Eyworth. Bedford.

1615. April. John Clay son in law is left 30 shillings in a Will. (Bedfordshire Notes and Queries vol. 2 page 349).

1615-16 Mary daughter of William Claye baptised 15th January Southill. Bedford.

1616. Elizabeth Claye married Thomas Kefford at Eyworth. 23rd February.

1621 - 25. Will of Thomas Clay of Silsoe. Bedfordshire. Servant. (Bedfordshire Archives Ref.- ABP/W1624-25/142).

1622. Ellen daughter of William Claye baptised at Sandy.15th September.

1622. William Clay married Amy Gaskin at Sandy 18th June.

1653. Elizabeth daughter of John and Mary Clay of Sutton. Bedfordshire baptised 14th December.

1711. August 4th. Mr Stephen Clay buried at Toddington. (Toddington Parish Register).

1723. Elizabeth Clay of London buried at Toddington July 1723. (Toddington Parish Register).

1736 / 7. Nathaniel Clay and Ann his wife concerning a cottage and land in Cardington / Elstow / Kempston and Bedford.  (Bedfordshire Archives Ref.- BC407).

1785. July 18th. Barton Clay. Ropemaker insured by the Royal and Sun Alliance Group. (Ref.- L --- ).

1810. Jan. 30th. Mary daughter of Thomas and Mary Clay baptised at St Albans. Sandbridge. Hertfordshire. She later moved to Luton in Bedfordshire and married Thomas Hawes.

1810 to 1825. Bedford Land Tax. Benjamin Clay occupier Rev.John Smith owner. Tax 3s-6d. (Bedfordshire Archives and Record Services Ref. QDL13)).

1824 - 69. Household Accounts Book and Cellar Book of John Clay - (Orlebar Archives Ref.- OR 2353/1 at Bedfordshire Archives 112 Series).

1825 to 1832. Hyde Land Tax. Thomas Clay occupier Marquiss of Bute owner. Tax 4 shillings. (Bedfordshire Archives and Record Services Ref.- QDL66).

1831. Sept. 2nd. Lease of a cottage or tenement with garden in Hood Lane. Luton  now in occupance of Thomas Clay. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- LHE267b).

1834. Bedford Quarter Sessions. Mary Clay in court for the  felony of endeavouring to conceal the birth of her illegitimate child. Discharged. (Bedfordshire Archive Services. QSR1834/3/3/5).

1834. May 29th. Mary Clay who lived near Kingsborn Green in Luton went to Jane Wilson's  house about a mile from where she lived to have dinner with her sweetheart Thomas Hawes. Mary became ill with a great deal of discharge and her gown was much stained. The young man's mother washed it out, she had no suspicion of her being in the family way she thought it was a monthly discharge. Thomas Hawes and his wife lodged at Mrs Wilson's and Thomas their son slept in the same room. Mary became so ill and was in much pain they said she should go home. Mary's aunts husband was asked to go with her and they went across the fields and she kept saying she was very bad and full of pain inside she stopped behind while he went ahead to the next field and waited for her. When he got back they asked how she was and he said very bad. Later two people came to the Swan pub and brought a child and said they found it in a field. Mrs Hawes said perhaps it was Mary's becaiuse of the great discharge. Mary had kept company with her son for some ten or twelve months and had slept at the house about three times Mary had slept in the same bed as her and her husband and her son slept in the same room on the ground next to her, she told Mrs Wilson she did not think any harm in this. Some people were were chaffing at Thomas Hawes and asked if it was his child and he said no. Mr Clarke the churchwarden went to Mary Clay's house in consequence of information received, she told him she had been pregnant and left the child in the field. -- She had to appear at Bedford Quarter Sessions charged with concealing the birth of her illegitimate child the court decided she was to be discharged maybe it was on condition she married the father as they married in July. (The article is extracted from a document at Bedfordshire Archives Services Ref.- QSR1834/3/5/10).

1834. July 26th. Mary Clay married Thomas Hawes at Luton. Bedfordshire. - In the 1851 census they are living at Luton and have two children William and Eliza Hawes.

1835. William Keatinge Clay.  Clerk at Blunham. (Ref.- C of E Database LA Curates Register 1831-40).

1836. Feb. 5th. Surrender to Rev. William Keating Clay and admission of W. K. Clay at special court, messuage, tenement with brewhouse, coalhouse, henhouse, gardens, orchard and woodyard next to Blunham Street and Town Street. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- HF63/3/1).

1836  to 1838. Electoral Register. William Keatmore Clay of Blunham. (Bedfordshire Archives and Record Services).

1837. March 11th. - On the 28th last at Blunham Cottage. Bedfordshire  the Lady of Rev. W. K. Clay had a son. (Northampton Mercury).

1846. May 23rd. George Clay a tramp charged with vagrancy at Luton was committed to the House of Correction for one month. (Bedfordshire Mercury).

1848. April 8th. Woburn Petty Sessions. 3 men were charged with assaulting Police Constable Clay in the execution of his duty at Leighton. He had apprehended and arrested wanted man Charles Butcher who whistled and others came and brutally ill treated Constable Clay and cut his head open giving him severe concussion. They were given 6 weeks in gaol. (Buckinghamshire Gazette).

1848. July 15th. Bedford Petty Sessions. Alfred Clay and 2 other lads of respectable appearance were summonsed  for damaging a quantity of onions growing in the garden of Charles Fox in the Parish of St Peter. Mr Fox said he saw the boys throwing stones at his onions. He warned them off but they said they would throw stones where they liked. They were fined 8 shillings each. (Bedfordshire Mercury).

1848. Oct. 5th. Apprenticeship Indenture parish of St Peter's. Bedford. Henry Halford Clay age 14 to James Pierce of St Giles. Northampton. Cabinet Maker. (Beds' Archives Ref.- HT8/8/Folio 101).

1849. Oct. 16th. William Clay police constable of Leighton Buzzard to give evidence in the case of 2 men passing counterfeit coins. (Bedfordshire Archive Services. Ref.- QSR1850/1/4/3 - 4d).

1849. Oct. 19th. William Clay police constable took the accused into custody. On searching him he found a counterfeit half a crown. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- QSR1850/1/5/3 - 4/ b).

1850. April 8th. William Clay police constable of Aspley Guise apprehended 2 men who had stole a iron plough from a farm at Husborne Crawley. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- QSR1850/2/5/7 - 8 ).

1851 Census. George Hollis Clay age 14 pupil born Blunham. Beds living at Marlborough College in Wiltshire.

1861 Census. George Hollis Clay age 24 Single. Curate of Aspatria in Cumbria - Born Blunham in Bedfordshire. - Living on Aspatria Street with Brisen Family.

1862. Sergeant Major Clay. Tavistock Street. Bedford. (Directory of Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire page 62.).

1867. June 7th. Receipt for subscription to Ampthill Association printed by W. O. Clay. Printer and Stationers. Ampthill. (Bedfordshire Archive Services Ref.- AU34/10).

1871. Francis Clay born Houghton Regis. Bedfordshire listed with his wife Jane in the 1871 Berkhamstead District in Hertfordshire census as a Tea Dealer and Grocer age 28.

Photograph Album of Bedford. -  Photograph of gravestone in Bedford Cemetary of Sergeant Major Mathew Clay Bedfordshire Militia. Died 1873.- (Bedford Archives Office. Ref.- Z924/1 page 93).

1918. Lilian Caroline Georgina eldest daughter of Lieut - Colonel Sir George Clay. Baronet died 16th May 1918 age 48 at Woolacombe. Devon. (Newspaper Report).

The following transcripts should be checked with original registers.

Clay.

John Clay buried 20th May 1539 at Sandy.

Marion Clay buried 8th April 1547 at Sandy.

John Clay buried 30th April 1574 at Dunstable.

Sarah Clay buried 1st April 1604 at Biggleswade.

Alexander Clay buried 3rd April 1604 at  Biggleswade.

Thomas Clay buried 5th April 1604  at  Biggleswade.

William Clay buried 5th September 1616 at Eyeworth.

William Clay married Amy Gaskin 18th June 1622 at Sandy.

Thomas Clay buried 15th January 1625 / 26 at Flitton.

Claye.

Thomas Claye buried 22nd January 1576 / 77 at Pulloxhill.

William Claye married Margaret Lester 2nd Mat 1597 at Eyeworth.

Margaret Claye buried 9th March 1600 / 01  at Eyeworth.

William Claye married Elizabeth Wyn 13th June 1602 at Eyeworth.

Elizabeth Claye baptised 13th March 1602 / 03 at Eyeworth.

John Claye son of William Claye baptised 26th September 1608 at Eyeworth.

John Claye son of William Claye buried 28th September 1608 at Eyeworth.

John Claye baptised 26th December 1611 at Sandy.

Bernard Claye baptised 2nd April 1613 at Eyeworth.

Elizabeth Claye married Thomas Kefford 23rd Feb. 1616 / 17 at Eyeworth.

1841 Census. Russel Street. Bedford.

Mathew Clay   age 45.

Johanna Clay  age 40.

Selina Clay        age 15.

Frederick Clay age14.

Alfred Clay       age   6.

Charles Clay    age   2.

Albert Clay       age   0.

1851 Census. Tavistock Street. Bedford.

Mathew Clay  age 50 Pensioner Sergeant of Chelsea Hospital ---  Born  Blidworth. Notts.

Johanna Clay age 51 Wife                                                                                      Born      Devonport. Devon.

Henry H. Clay age  6 Son  Scholar at Home                                                   Born      Bedford.

Charles Clay   age 12 Daughter Scholar                                                          Born      Bedford .

Albert Clay      age 10 Son   Scholar                                                                      Born     Bedford .        

Mary Duperier  age  59 Visitor.  Widow. Officers Widow.                     Born      Bloxham. Oxfordshire.

1851 Census. Aspley Guise. Bedfordshire.

East Street.

William Clay age 50 Police Officer  Born Nuneaton. Wawickshire.

Elizabeth Clay age 35 Wife  Born  Shoreditch. Middlesex.

Mary Ann Clay age 8 Daughter Scholar  Born Bethnal  Green. Middlesex.

William Clay age 7  Son  Scholar  Born  Bethnal Green. Middlesex.

Elizabeth Clay age 5 Daughter  Born Globe Lane. Middlesex.

Caroline Clay age 2 Daughter  Born Heath and Reach. Bedfordshire.

1851 Census. Husborne Crawley. Bedfordshire.

Mary King age 61 Widow  Proprietor of Houses. Born Woburn. Bedfordshire.

John Clay age 43 Excise Officer.  Visitor. Born Colchester. Essex.

Lucy Clay age 42 Wife  Visitor. Born Colchester. Essex.

Henry O. Clay age 4 Son  Born Little Hampton. Sussex.

1861 Census. Aspley Heath. Bedfordshire.

East Street.

William Clay age 60 Police Constable  Born Nuneaton. Warwickshire.

Elizabeth Clay age 45 Wife  Born London.

Mary A. Clay age 18 Daughter Dressmaker  Born London.

Elizabeth Clay age 15 Daughter Dressmaker  Born London.

1861 Census. Tavistock Street. Bedford.

Mathew Clay age 66  Chelsea Pensioner                        Born  Blidworth. Notts.

Johanna Clay age  65   Wife                                                    Born  Devonport. Devon.

Charles Clay age   22   Son    Tailor                                       Born   Bedford.

Louisa Clay   age   10  Grandaughter                                  Born   Bedford    

1861 Census.  Ampthill.  Bedfordshire.

Church Street.

William Owen Clay age 36 Printer Born Wyverstone. Essex.

Annie Clay age 21 Wife Born London. Middlesex.

Annie L. C. Clay age 0 Daughter Born Ampthill. Beds.

1871 Census. Bedfordshire.

Mathew Clay age 75  Chelsea Pensioner                        Born  Blidworth. Notts.

Johanna Clay age  71   Wife                                                    Born   Devonport. Devon.

Selina A. Worthington  age 46 Daughter. Widow.      Born   London.

Caroline E. Worthington age 11 Grandaughter          Born    Australia.

Charles  Worthington age   6 Grandson                           Born    Chelsea.

1891 Census. Bedford. Bedfordshire.

Gibbon Road.

Anna M. J. Brown age 42.Boarder. Living on own means. Born Hampshire.

Ada Sinpoor age 24 Boarder. Teacher.                                         Born Sandhurst. Kent.

Edward P. Clay age 11 Boarder.                                                       Born London.

Robert P. Clay age 9 Boarder.                                                            Born Essex.

1891 Census. Luton. Bedfordshire.

Langley Street.

Mary Ann Clay age 38 Married  Straw Macinist  Born Bedfordshire.

Harry Clay age 9  Son Scholar Born Bedfordshire.

Lillia Clay age 7 Daughter  Born Bedfordshire.

Sarah Wingrove age 64 Widow Retired Sewer (Mary Ann's Mother) Born Bedfordshire.

1911 Census. Luton Bedfordshire.

Harry Clay age 29 Straw Hat Blocker  Born Luton. Bedfordshire.

Lillian Mary Clay age 24 Wife  Born Luton.

Aec Henry Clay age 3  Son  Born Luton.

Aubrey Stewart Clay age  0  Son  Born Luton.

Mary Ann Clay age 58 Widow (Harry's Mother) Born Toddington. Bedfordshire.

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