Clay of Durham

1281. May 6th.  Inquisition.  Thomas del Clay and 11 others say that the prior and convent  of Durham are disputing 5 quarters of wheat which they took from the tithes, (TNA Inquisition  1281).

1334. March 1st. Robert del Claye was taken at Southwick imprisoned and arraigned in court for stealing 12 oxen at Consett. He claimed he was a cleric and did not have to answer in a secular court. The -- Deacon of Durham came with authority of the Bishop which showed letters authorising him to claim criminous clerks from any secular court. (Ref.- Durham University. Loc 1v : 52).

1340 - 41. Oct. 15th. Appointment of Thomas de Clay of Elton in Durham and 5 others  to arrest Giles de Bolunvilla an alien who caused problems to the Bishop of Durham  and to imprison him in the tower of London until further notice,.  (Calendar of Patent Rolls 1340 - 41 membrane 27d).

1388. June 7th. William Clay parson of Redmarshall in Durham. (Ref.- CPR1385-9. p448 entry 2).

1388. Dec. 29th. Ratification of the estate of William Clay as parson of Quickham in the Diocese of Durham. (Calendar of Patent Rolls 12 Rich.11 membrane 3).

1630. June 28th. Grant to George Clay of St Martin in the Fields. London of lands and tenements in Dalton Piercy in the manor of Brancepeth. Durham and in Westwick in the Lordship of Barnard Castle. County Durham. (London Metropoliton Archives Ref.- COL/DD/01/052/001).

1642. Protestation Oath Roll. Bolden.Durham. Richard Claye and Thomas Claye. (Parliamentary Archives Ref.- HL/PO/JO/10/1).

1666. Hearth Tax. West Bolden. Durham. Eliza Clay. (TNA Ref.- E179)

1706. Court of Chancery. Ridell v Bate. - Elizabeth Clay one of the defendants concerning land in Gateshead. County Durham. (The National Archives Ref.- C6/347/7).

1802. Aug. 30th. John son of John Clay and Mary (Doncan) was born at South Shields and baptised May 15th 1803 at South Shields. County Durham.

1809. April 22nd. A Commission of Bankrupt is issued against Major Clay of South Shields. Durham. Linen Draper, Dealer and Chapman he being declared bankrupt is hereby required to surrender himself to the Commissioners and make full disclosure of his estate and effects. (London gazette page 574).

1822. Nov.16th. Died at North Shields in Union Street on Saturday greatly respected Mr Henry Clay son of Mrs Clay confectioner. (Durham County Advertiser).

1826. May 20th. Miss Jane Clay of Bishop Auckland married Mr G. Liddle of Wolsingham. (Durham County Advertiser).

1830. Feb. 13th. Married recently at Sunderland Fanny Clay of Holsgrove to George Low of the same. (Durham County Chronicle).

1837. Aug. 29th. Indenture by Durham Ship Builders conveying estate to John Clay of Sunderland near the sea. Ironmonger and 2 others. (London Gazette page 2289).

1837. Oct.13th. Yesterday Mr John Clay of the firm Haddock and Clay. Iron Merchants of Sunderland was married to Sarah Kidd 2nd daughter of Mr Robert Hodgson of Morpeth Street. Bishopwearmouth. (Durham County Advertiser).

1841. Jan. 22nd. This is to give notice that Edward Lumsdon of Monkwearmouth  Shore. Durham. Founder and Anchor Smith has conveyed all his estate and effects to John Clay of Sunderland. Iron Merchant. (London Gazette page 204).

1841. Jan. 26th. The partnership carried on at South Shields by Christopher Lowes and John Clay. Brewers was dissolved on the 31st December on decease of C. Lowes. (London Gazette page 227).

1841. March 9th. S and P. Mills  ship builders convey their estate and effects to John Clay. Iron Merchant of Sunderland and 2 others in trust for the benefit of their creditors. (Ref.- Gazette Newspaper).

1841. March 19th. Indenture grant to John Clay. Iron Merchant of Sunderland in Durham and others - listed as ship builders. (London Gazette page 760).

1841. Aug. 11th. Indenture. Gales Atkinson. Hardwareman has conveyed his estate unto John Clay of Sunderland near the Sea. Co Durham. Ironmonger in trust. (Ref.- Gazette Newspaper).

1842. Oct.18th. Indenture by Thomas Rowtree of Sunderland. Ship Builder conveys his estate and effects to John Clay. Iron Merchant of the same Borough. (London Gazette page 2851).

1844. Feb. 27th. The matter in dispute between Messrs Charles Newby Wawn and William Clay have been settled and the partnership between them under the firm Wawn and Clay as Rope Manufactures at South Shields. Durham was dissolved. (London Gazette page 670).

1845. March 21st. The partnership of Haddock and Clay is this day dissolved and the business of Iron, Copper, Tinplate, Metal Merchant, Smith and Chain, Cable and Nail Manufacturer will in future be carried on by John Clay in Queen Street and Arras's Lane. Sunderland. - (London Gazette page 930).

1845. April 25th. Indenture by John Best of South Shields. Linen and Woollen Draper conveying his estate to John Clay of South Shields. Bank Agent and 2 others. (London Gazette page 1273).

1845. Apprentice Indenture. John Barford of Middlesex  to John Clay. Ship owner of East Boldon in Durham to learn the trade of Mariner or Seaman. (Ebay 2022).

1847. Feb.12th. Northumberland and Durham Banking Co. Members.- Margaret Clay of South Shields. Spinster and Mary Clay jnr of South Shields. Spinster. (Durham Chronicle).

1847. John Clay completed building his iron ship "Loharee" at High Brewery Quay. South Shields. In July 1853 it was found rudderless abandoned at sea. It had left South Shields for Calcutta.

1847. Sept.17th. Notice is hereby given that the partnership between Thomas Mathewson and Robert Clay in the trade of Coalfitters, Ship and Insurance Brokers at Newcastle upon Tyne, Stockton and Hartlepool in the County of Durham and Middlesborough was dissolved by mutual consent. (London Gazette page 3350).

1848. John Clay completed building his iron ship "Margaret" at High Quay Brewery Quay. South Shields. Durham.

1849. Feb.16th. Sunderland Police Court. William Thompson was charged with obtaining a great quantity of copper and bolts from Mr John Clay by false pretences at Queen Street. Michael Herdley said I am the warehouse man for Mr Clay and the prisoner said the items were for his employer but he was never authorized to go to Mr Clay's for anything. He was committed for trial. (Durham Chronicle).

1849. March 1st. Robert Clay. Tailor and Draper from Buckmasters London informs the public he has moved to more commodious premises No.5 Fawcett Street. 3 doors from the High Street. Bishopwearmouth. (Durham Chronicle).

1849. Nov. 2nd. Stockton Petty Sessions. George Clay of Hartlepool was charged with having assaulted Sarah Clay of Hartburn and was fined £2 and 13s-6d costs. (Durham County Advertiser).

1849. Dec.14th. Public Meeting at the request of 126 inhabitants on behalf of the widows and children of the drowned lifeboat pilots held in the Town Hall South Shields. This meeting deplores the late appalling accident to the lifeboat by which our port has been deprived of 20 valuable lifeboat pilots and a subscription to be instantly set up for the relief of the families. John Clay was appointed to the committee and he is to be treasurer. (Durham County Advertiser).

1850. South Shields Election of Councilors John Clay with 238 votes. (Book - Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events).

1850. Dec. 19th. A public dinner was given in the Golden Lion Inn. South Shields to John Clay esq mayor of the Borough as a mark of respect of the inhabitants. One hundred and forty sat down to dinner. - -  (Ref.- Book. - Local Records or Historical Register of Remarkable Events page 289).

1851. Jan.13th. Certificate of Service. William Clay born June 23rd. 1813 at South Shields. - 24 years in the British Merchant Service. (Ref.- National Maritime Museum. Greenwich. London).

1852. Sept.14th. Margaret daughter of John Clay of Cleadon Meadow married William Henry Allison of Cleadon in the parish of Whitburn.

1854. Chancery Court Case. Potts v Clay. Durham.- John Clay defendant. (TNA Ref.- C15/140/P60).

1856. Jan. 26th. John Burton Clay born 1833 at Stockton. Durham. Certificate of Competency to fulfill the duties of Mate in the Merchant Service of Shipping. (Ref.- National Maitime Museum. - Greenwich. London).

1856. Dec.26th. Indenture that Thomas King of Monkwearmouth. Sunderland in Durham. Blacksmith has conveyed all his estate and effects to John Clay and William Wight both of Sunderland. (London Gazette page 4352).

1857. March 13th. Bankruptcy. John Clay of South Shields in the County of Durham.  Ale and Porter Merchant. (London Gazette page 1010).

1861. June 7th. Notice is hereby given that John Scott of Monkwearmouth - Shore. Durham. Chain and Anchor Manufacturer hath by Indenture assigned all his estate to John Clay. Iron Merchant of Sunderland. (London Gazette page 2425).

1862. Chancery Court Case. Swainston v Clay. Durham.- John Clay defendant. (TNA Ref.- C16/104/S217).

1875.. Nov. 5th. An attempt to murder his father was made on Monday night at Hartlepool. On Tuesday morning a young man named John Clay was brought before the Bench charged with  shooting his father George Clay labourer on the previous night. Sergeant Knowlson on learning the elder Clay had been shot by his son went to their home a miserable room in Chapman Street. The Irish Quarter where he found the injured man in bed his head dreadfully injured. He seemed insensible but in reply to a question said "Our Jack has shot me" John Clay who was in the room upon charging him he replied "I know nothing about it". The prisoner's  mother had admitted seeing her son shoot his father. (Monmouthshire Merlin Newspaper. Wales.  Page 8).

1889. May 4th. Admin of the personal estate of John James Clay late of 46 John St. Bishopwearmouth. Durham who died 16th Jan. 1889 at Ventnor. Isle of Wight was granted to Julia Ada Clay of Eden House. Bishopwearmouth his widow. (National Probate Calendar).

1900. Feb.17th. George Clay. Engineer. Royal Navy. Born 17th November. 1865. Jarrow on Tyne. Durham.

John Clay born 1802 in South Shields was involved with ship building and became Mayor of South Shields and Manager of a bank. He married Margaret Davison in 1829 at Jarrow and they had eleven children. There is a portrait of him in South Shields Town Hall.

1851 Census. Whitburn. Durham.

Cleadon Meadows.

John Clay                age  48.  Mayor of  South Shields and Ship Owner.  Born  South Shields. Durham.

Margaret Clay      age  46   Wife                                                                                 Born  South Shields.

Margaret Clay     age  19   Daughter                                                                       Born  South Shields.

John Clay               age   15   Son                                                                                    Born South Shields.

Martha  Ann  Clay age  13   Daughter   Scholar at Home                           Born  Westoe. Durham.

Emily Clay                age  12  Daughter                                                                      Born  Westoe. Durham.

Thomas Clay         age 10  Son                                                                                      Born   South Shields

Julia  Sarah Clay    age  7   Daughter                                                                       Born  South Shields.

Frederick Clay      age 5   Son                                                                                       Born  East Boldon. Durham.

Mary Elizabeth Clay   age  4  Daughter                                                                Born  East  Boldon. Durham

Henry Davison Clay   age   2  Son                                                                             Born  Cleadon. Durham.

4 Servants.

Some Durham County parish register extracts.

1584 / 5. Jan. 25th. Elizabeth Clay buried at Whitburn.

1600. Nov.11th. Thomas Claye married Elynor Bauness at Boldon.

1600. March 19th. Thomas son of Thomas and Elynor Claye baptised at Boldon.

1601. March 31st. Thomas son of Thomas and Elynor Claye buried at Boldon.

1602. June 24th. Margaret daughter of Thomas and Elynor Claye baptised at Boldon.

1609. Nov. 4th. Phillip Clay buried at Whitburn.

1611. Nov. 20th. Robert Clay married Jane Brome at Whitburn.

1612. Jan. 21st. Robert son of Robert and Jane Clay baptised at Whitburn.

1615. May 2nd. Thomas son of Robert and Jane Clay baptised at Whitburn.

1616. Nov. 30th. Elizabeth Clay married John Scott at Whickham.

1617. June 14th. Jane wife of Robert Clay buried at Whitburn.

1622 / 23. March 3rd. Maudelen Clay widow buried at Whitburn.

1624. Dec. 3rd. Mary wife of Robert Clay buried at Whitburn.

1634 / 35. Jan. 24th. Margaret Clay married Thomas Atkinson at Boldon.

1635. Aug. 3rd. Richard Clay married Elizabeth Wood at Boldon.

1646. Oct. 28th. Robert Clay buried at Whitburn.

1649. Sept. 8th. Robert son of Richard and Elizabeth Clay baptised at Boldon.

1688. April 28th. Sarah daughter of John Clay baptised at Bishop Wearmouth.

1690. Feb.15th. John son of John Clay baptised at Bishop Wearmouth.

1782. Sept. 8th. Sarah daughter of John Clay baptised at Gateshead.

1782. Dec. 6th. John son of William and Catherine Clay baptised at Sunderland.

1789. Sept.16th. Eleanor daughter of William and Catherine Clay baptised at Sunderland.

1796. March 6th. Ann daughter of William and Hannah Clay baptised at Middleton.

1798. March 24th. Mary daughter of William and Hannah Clay baptised at Middleton.

1801. Feb.1st. Hannah daughter of William and Hannah Clay baptised at Middleton.

1803. March 12th. Mary Ann daughter of John and Elizabeth Clay baptised at Easington.

1803. April 24th. Jane daiughter of William and Hannah Clay baptised at Middleton.

1803. May 15th. John son of John and Mary Clay baptised at South Shields. (Born Aug.30th 1802).

1804. June 21st. Mary daughter of John and Mary Clay baptised at South Shields.

1805. April 28th. Martha daughter of John and Elizabeth Clay baptised at Easington.

1806. Jan.13th. John son of John and Susan Clay baptised at Sunderland.

1818. March 23rd. John Clay married Catherine Laverick at Norton.

1841 Cenus. Norton. Durham.

William's Buildings.

John Clay age 70.

Elizabeth Clay age 50.

1841 Census. Norton. Durham.

Tanner's Bank.

John Clay age 50  Maltser                          Born  Durham.

Catherine Clay  age  45  Wife                   Born  Durham.

William Clay age   20  Son.  Ag. Lab.       Born Durham.

Jonathan Clay age   17    Son  Ag.Lab.   Born Durham. 

Mary Clay age   14  Daughter                   Born  Durham.

Alfred Clay age  12  Son                               Born  Durham.

George Clay age  6    Son                              Born  Durham.

Jane Clay age  1  Daughter                         Born  Durham.

1841 Census. Jarrow. Durham.

Lay Gate House.

John Clay  age  38                                   Born Durham.

Margaret Clay   age  36  Wife           Born Durham. 

Mary Clay age  11  Daughter           Born Durham.

Margaret Clay age   9  Daughter    Born Durham.

Elizabeth Clay age   7   Daughter   Born Durham.

John Clay age   5  Son                           Born Durham.

Martha Clay age  4  Daughter         Born Durham.

Emily Clay age  2   Daughter             Born Durham.

Thomas Clay age  1  Son                     Born Durham.

3 Lodgers.

1841 Census. Gateshead. Durham.

Park Street.

Joseph Clay age  30

Barbara Clay age   30  Wife.

John Clay age   8  Son.

Mary Clay age  6  Daughter.

Margaret Clay age  1  Daughter

1841 Census. Sunderland. Durham.

High Street.

John Clay age  30

Sarah Clay age  35

5 Lodgers.

1841 Census. St Andrew Auckland. Durham.

Staindrop Field House.

John Clay age 15 Born Durham.

Living with Thompson Family.

1851 Census. Norton. Durham.

Norton Grove.

John Clay age 60  Maltsman  Born Hart. Durham.

Catherine Clay age 58 Wife   Born  Stockton. Durham.

George Clay age 15 Son Farm Labourer Born Norton. Durham.

Mary Richardson age 24 Daughter. Married. Born Norton.  Durham.

George Clay age  22 Son in Law . Married. Rail Labourer. Born Acklam. Yorkshire.

1851 Census. Norton. Durham.

Green.

Jonathan Clay age 28 Railway Labourer. Born Norton. Durham.

Elizabeth Clay age 28 Wife                             Born Brancepeth. Durham.

Hannah Clay age 8  Daughter                        Born  Norton. Durham.

William Clay age 6  Son                                     Born Norton.

Robert Clay age   3   Son                                    Born Norton.

Harriet Clay age   1  Daughter                       Born Norton.

1851 Census. Norton. Durham.

Front Street.

William Clay age 31  Agricultral Labourer.  Born Norton Durham.

Elizabeth Clay age 28  Wife                                 Born  Stranton. Durham.

Maria Clay age  7   Daughter                               Born   Norton.  Durham.

Mary Clay age    4   Daughter                               Born  Norton.

John Clay age  2   Son                                               Born Norton.

1851 Census. Norton. Durham.

Front Street.

John Clay age 27 Railway Labourer Born Norton. Durham.

 Betsy Clay age 26  Wife                         Born  Redcar. Yorkshire.

1851 Census. Kelloe. Durham.

John Clay age 41 Joiner                              Born South Shields. Durham.

Elizabeth Clay age 36  Wife                     Born  Newbottle.  Durham.

Alice Clay age 13  Daughter                    Born   Haswell. Durham.

Mary Jane Clay age 7 Daughter            Born Coxhoe. Durham.

Margaret Ann Clay age  7  Daughter  Born  Coxhoe. Durham.

John Hall Clay age 4  Son                           Born  Coxhoe.

George Clay      age   1   Son                       Born Coxhoe.

1851 Census. Bishop Aukland. Durham.

Silver Street.

Mary Clay age 47 Laundress. Unmarried  Born Middleton One Row. Durham.

Hannah Clay age 82 Mother. Widow. Parish Relief.  Born Hart. Durham.

Martha Bonner age 28 Laundress. Niece.  Born  Colchester. Durham.

1 Lodger.

1851 Census. Durham.

Heron Street.

Ann Holmes Clay age 34 Master Mariners Wife.  Born South Shields. Durham.

William Clay age  9 Scholar  Born  South Shields. Durham.

Mary Frances Clay age 8 Scholar Born South Shields. Durham.

1851 Census. Heworth. Durham.

Joseph Clay age  42  Baker.            Born Newcastle. Northumberland.

Barbara Clay age  40 Wife             Born  Newcastle. Northumberland.

John Clay age 18 Son Labourer  Born Newcastle. Northumberland.

Mary Clay age  16 Daughter. Servant             Born Gateshead. Durham.

Margaret Clay age 10   Daughter  Scholar   Born Gateshead. Durham.

Joseph Clay age  8 Son   Scholar                         Born  Gateshead. Durham.

Sarah Hall   age  62 Aunt. Widow                      Born  Jesmond. Northumberland.  

1851 Census. Stockton. Durham.

Sarah Clay age 48 Fruiterer. Married  Born Hutton Rudby. Yorkshire.

1851 Census. Durham.

George Clay age 22 Dock Labourer  Born Hutton Rugby. Yorkshire.

1851 Census. Durham.

Lead Gate.

John Clay age 40 Labourer. Widower  Born Ireland.

Margaret Clay age 12 Daughter             Born  Haltwhistle. Northumberland.

James Clay age  8  Son                                  Born  Lanchester. Durham.

William Clay age  4  Son                              Born  Lanchester. Durham.

Lodging with Thompson Family.

1851 Census. Sunderland. Durham.

High Street.

S. K. Clay age 16 Apprentice.  Born Dewsbury. Yorkshire.

1851 Census. Stockton. Durham.

Church Bay. High Street..

James Clay age 58 Bricklayer.  Born Marton. Yorkshire.

Mary Clay age  52 Wife                Born  Sunderland. Durham.

1 Lodger.

1851 Census. Durham.

John Street.

John Clay age 43 Iron and Copper Merchant  Born Dewsbury. Yorkshire.

Sarah K. Clay age 45 Wife                                            Born   Sunderland. Durham.

Alfred Clay age   6  Son                                                   Born  Sunderland.

Juliana Clay age    5  Daughter                                   Born   Bishop Wearmouth. Durham.

2 Servants.

1851 Census. Durham.

Fawcett Street.

Robert Clay age 37  Tailors Draper employing 11 men.  Born London. Middlesex.

Harriett Clay age  40  Wife                                                               Born   Windsor. Berkshire.

1 Servant.

1851 Census. Durham.

Northumberland Street.

Jane Clay age 70  Seamans Widow  Born Blyth. Northumberland.

Living with Mc rae Family.

1861 Census. Norton. Durham.

Jonathan Clay age 40  Engine Driver.  Born Norton. Durham.

Elizabeth Clay age  40  Wife                     Born  Brancepeth. Durham.

William Clay age  16  Son  Engine Driver  Born Norton. Durham.

Harriet Clay age 11  Daughter  Scholar     Born Norton.

Jonathan Clay age  9  Son   Scholar               Born Norton.

John Clay age  7   Son   Scholar                        Born Norton.

Elizabeth Clay age  4  Daughter                      Born Norton.

Ann Clay age  2   Daughter                                 Born Norton.

1881 Census. Westoe. Durham.

Thames Street.

Thomas Clay  age  25  Bake r  Born North Shields. Northumberland.

Ellen Clay age   23  Wife           Born  North Shields.

Alexander Clay age   2   Son    Born  North Shields.

John Robert  Clay age  0   Son  Born   South Shields. Durham.

1881 Census. South Shields. Durham.

Thrift Street.

Henry Clay age 59  Grocer  Born London.

Jane Clay age  55 Wife          Born  South Shields.

Isabella Clay age 19 Daughter   Born  North Shields.

Sarah J. Clay age  15  Daughter  Born  North  Shields.

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