Clay ...



The entries for people & families with the surname Clay are gathered together in this SideTrack.

This Page does not include people with other forms of the surname.

There are many people with this surname, and it is possible that there are duplicate entries for an individual. If you discover any such duplicates, please email me and I shall correct them.


Clay, MissRef 96-506
[1???-18??]
She ran a
private school in Halifax [around 1870]

Clay, MrRef 96-1752
[16??-1681]
Brother of
John Clay.

Heywood writes that


On Whitsun Tuesday May 24 1681, [Clay] riding a young horse, was cast and had his neck broken; it's said he had 8 bastards
 

Clay, AbrahamRef 96-2151
[18??-1???]
Of Luddendenfoot.

He married Hannah [18??-1892].

Hannah died at Spring View, Luddendenfoot [3rd March 1892].

Probate records show that she left effects valued at £2 5/-. Probate was granted to Charles Edward Clay (wool fettler) 

Clay, AbrahamRef 96-1682
[1816-1874]
Son of
James Clay.

Born 8th April 1816.

He was a woollen manufacturer / a manufacturer at Hollins Mill [1858].

In 1835, Abraham and his brother Daniel Clay established James Clay & Sons at Dale Foot, Luddenden Foot, They moved to Hollins Mill about 1840.

In 1842, he married Sarah Foster in Halifax.


Sarah was the daughter of William Foster
 

Children:

  1. Mary [b 1842]
  2. Benjamin
  3. John Foster
  4. Edwin [1847-21st November 1918]
  5. Daniel [1848-1890] who died at Oakleigh, Sowerby Bridge  [18th July 1890]
  6. Isaac [1852-1860]
  7. James William [1857-1859]
  8. Sarah Eliza [1856-1933]

They lived at

Abraham died 4th July 1874.

Sarah died 21st December 1895.

Members of the family were buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel

See Daniel Clay & Sons

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley, Charles Clay, Les Forester & Alan Longbottom

Clay, AbrahamRef 96-1013
[1858-1920]
JP.

Son of James Clay.

He was a woollen manufacturer [1897] / vice president of Sowerby Bridge Liberal Club [1907] / a member of Sowerby Bridge Urban District Council [1907].

On 16th October 1897, he married Gertrude May Westlake [1871-1949] at St Sepulchre's Church, London.


Gertrude May was the daughter of John Westlake, chemist
 

Children:

  1. Sybil Mary [b 1899]
  2. Norman John [b 1902]
  3. Alfred James [b 1903]

They lived at

He died at Willow House [12th June 1920].

He was buried at Sowerby Bridge Cemetery in the family vault.

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £30,737 3/10d.

His wife is mentioned on the grave as being laid to rest at Putney Vale.

See Charles Louis Royer

This & associated entries use material contributed by Christine Bainbridge & Derrick Habergham

Clay, AlbertRef 96-100
[18??-19??]
Hatter at
Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge.

In December 1899, a receiving order was made against him in Halifax Bankruptcy Court

Clay, AlfredRef 96-2670
[1842-1925]
Son of
Joseph Travis Clay.

Born 20th March 1842.

He was a manufacturer of worsted and woollen employing 70 hands [1861].

In 1892, he was one of 3 – John William Clay Alfred Clay and Arthur Travis Clay – to whom probate of Joseph Travis Clay's effects was granted

Alfred died 22nd December 1925

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, Arthur TravisRef 96-346
[1845-1919]
Youngest son of
Joseph Travis Clay. He carried on his father's business, J. T. Clay & Sons. From 1877, he was a tenant at Holly Bank House, Rastrick. He bought the house in 1900.

He was active in local affairs and was chairman of Rastrick School Board when it was set up in 1881.

He stood as Conservative candidate in the Elland Parliamentary election of 1895. He gained 5081 votes, but was defeated by Thomas Wayman with 5387 votes.

In 1875, he married (1) Edith Beaumont Bates [1850-1889].

Children:

  1. Hugh Travis
  2. Janet Elizabeth
  3. Marjorie Beaumont
  4. Percival Travis
  5. Wilfred Travis [1882-1945]
  6. Guy Travis [1885] who died in infancy

On 9th October 1902, he married (2) Annie Isabella of London, at Wakefield Cathedral.


Annie Isabella [née Turnbull] was the widow of John Grant Birch
 

In 1904, his daughter Janet Elizabeth married Commander John Kenneth Beaufoy Birch RN [18??-1940], the eldest son of John Grant Birch.

He had a home at Waxholme, Filey. He died in London. He left £600 for the church at Rastrick.

See Sparrow Park, Rastrick and Joshua Garside Wilson

This & associated entries use material contributed by David Glover

Clay, BenjaminRef 96-1363
[1844-1911]
Son of
Abraham Clay.

Born in Sowerby Bridge.

He was a worsted spinner & manufacturer [1881] / a woollen manufacturer and partner in Foster & Clay.

In 1876, he married Mary Ann Hey [1846-1920] in Bradford.


Mary Ann came from Bradford
 

Children:

  1. Anne Beatrice [b 1877] who married Dr John A. Adams
  2. Ernest Benjamin
  3. Maud Isabel [1880] who died in infancy
  4. Ethel [b 1882]
  5. Harold Foster

They lived at Hollins House, Sowerby Bridge [1881-1911].

Benjamin died 10th January 1911 (aged 66).

Mary Ann died 11th April 1920 (aged 74).

Members of the family were buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley & David Greaves

Clay, Bernard WilliamRef 96-1112
[1883-1944]
Of
The Hollins, Luddenden.

Son of Charley Clay.

He carried on the family business – James Clay & Sons Limited – until it went into voluntary liquidation in 1920.

In 1931, he gave a drinking fountain to Luddendenfoot

In 1903, he was one of the first people to be granted a motor drivers' licence

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham, Nigel Richards & Ann M Thomas

Clay, Brian FosterRef 96-43
[1920-1978]
Son of
Harold Foster Clay.

In 1961, he was MD at James Clay & Sons

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, CainRef 96-20
[1907-1944]
Son of Sarah Jane & Cain Clay.

Born in Normanton.

He was a policeman living at Castle Lane, Ripponden.

In [Q3] 1934, he married Lillian Brook in Dewsbury.

They lived at Heckmondwike.

During World War II, he served as a Sergeant / Flight Engineer with the 101st Squadron Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

He died 13th August 1944 (aged 37).

He was buried at Hanover War Cemetery [Grave Ref 12 E 18].

He is remembered on Ripponden War Memorial

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, CharlesRef 96-25
[1874-1910]
Son of
William Clay.

Born in Dexter, Michigan, USA.


On 4th February 1873, 3 weeks after their marriage, his parents had sailed from Liverpool, bound for the USA
 

He was a woollen cloth finisher [1891].

On the death of his father, Charles took over, as landlord of the Fleece, Greetland [from 19th July 1902] until his death [1910] when Florence took over.

On 26th October 1898, he married Florence Ellis [1877-1934] at Halifax Parish Church.


Florence was born in Greetland
 

Children:

  1. William [1899-1931]
  2. Frank Dexter [1900-1905]
  3. Elizabeth [b 1903]
  4. Beatrice [1907] who died in infancy

Charles died 18th March 1910 (aged 36).

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £700 1/2d.

Administration was granted to his widow Florence.

Members of the family were buried at St Thomas's Church, Greetland.

On 11th February 1913, Francis married (2) Thomas Kitchen [1869-1938] at Halifax Parish Church

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, Charles TravisRef 96-69
[1885-1978]
Of
The Hollins, Luddenden.

Younger son of John William Clay.

In 1903, he was one of the first people to be granted a car registration.

On 23rd April 1913, he married Hon Violet Robson at St Margaret's Church, Westminster.


Violet was the second daughter of Lord and Lady Robson
 

Children:

  1. Kathleen Rachel [1914-2011] who married [23rd July 1938]  Aymer Robert Maxwell from London
  2. Diana Franklyn [1920- 1977] who married Norman  Platt
  3. Rosemary Travis 1924- 2009] who married [1950] Anthony  Howarth

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, CharleyRef 96-1218
[1852-1915]
JP, FRGS.

Son of James Clay.

Born in Midgley; baptised as Charley at St Mary the Virgin, Luddenden [20th June 1852].

He was a woollen manufacturer [1891, 1892].

He carried on his father's business as James Clay & Company Limited.

He was involved in setting up the first Mechanics' Institute at Luddendenfoot.

In 1882, he married Marion Slack [1861-1915] in Derbyshire.

Children:

  1. Bernard William
  2. James Harold
  3. Marjorie Alison [b 1888]
  4. Edith Honor Marion [1894-1949]

They lived at

He died in Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire [14th December 1915].

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £4,608 2/1d.

Probate was granted to his sons Bernard William and James Harold.

He was buried at Luddenden Cemetery

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham, Nigel Richards & Ann M Thomas

Clay, ChristopherRef 96-23
[1872-1949]
He was a house painter / partner in
Clay & Sykes.

In 1895, he married Emma Wade [1876-1928] in Halifax.

Children:

  1. Ernest
  2. James Arthur

The family lived at 4 Rastrick Common, Brighouse.

Sons Ernest & James Arthur died in World War I

Clay, CliffordRef 96-16
[1895-1914]
Son of
Joshua Clay.

Born in Halifax [22nd August 1895]

During World War I, he served as an Ordinary Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Monmouth.

He was killed in action [1st November 1914] when his ship sank with all hands off the coast of Chile at the Battle of Coronel.

He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial [Grave Ref 2]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Glynn Helliwell

Clay, DanielRef 96-6750
[1791-1869]
Son of
Samuel H. Clay.

He married Betty Taylor [1791-1870].

Children:

  1. James [1816-18??] who married Unknown
  2. Samuel [1818-18??]
  3. John [1821-18??] who married Elizabeth Ellerbeck
  4. Daniel [1822-1825]
  5. Elizabeth [1824-1849] who married Mr Holcroft
  6. George [1826-18??] who married Hannah Unsworth
  7. Joseph [1828-18??] who married Hannah Shone
  8. Sarah [1830-1833]
  9. Abraham [1832-1901] who married Mary
  10. Richard [1836-1836]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, DanielRef 96-1252
[1814-1871]
Son of
James Clay.

Born in Warley.

He was Chairman of the Sowerby Bridge Local Board [15th April 1860-15th  April 1862] / a woollen manufacturer [1851] / a manufacturer at Hollins Mill [1858] / a worsted spinner [1861] / the first Vice-Chairman of the Halifax Board of Guardians [1865] / a master manufacturer employing 1300 men and 100 women [1871].

He established Daniel Clay & Sons at Hollins Mill, Warley.

He married Mary [1818-1888].


Mary came from Norland
 

Children:

  1. Martha Ann [b 1851]
  2. James
  3. Daniel Ingham

They lived at

  • Hollins Lane, Sowerby Bridge [1851]
  • Lower Blackwall, Sowerby Bridge [1861]
  • Blackwall, Warley [1871]

Members of the family were buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley & Derrick Habergham

Clay, Daniel InghamRef 96-121
[1861-1908]
Son of
Daniel Clay.

He was a woollen manufacturer [1891] / a woollen and worsted manufacturer at Sowerby Bridge / elected to the Sowerby Bridge Local School Board [January 1898].

He lived at

  • 61 Hollins Lane, Sowerby Bridge [1901]

He was buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley & Les Forester

Clay, DonaldRef 96-15
[1919-1940]
Son of Emily Clay of Luddendenfoot.

During World War II, he served as a Lance Corporal with the 1 Supply Base Depot Royal Engineers.

He died 17th June 1940 (aged 21).

He is remembered on the Dunkirk Memorial, France [Grave Ref 22], and on Luddenden & Midgley War Memorial

Clay, E.Ref 96-13
[1896-1918]
Son of Emma & Christopher Clay of 4 the Common, Rastrick.

During World War I, he served as a Private with the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion Highland Light Infantry.

He died 13th April 1918 (aged 22).

He was buried at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France [Grave Ref V A 9]

Clay, ElizabethRef 96-715
[1???-1???]
She was the second wife of
Richard Waterhouse

Clay, ErnestRef 96-22
[1896-1918]
Son of
Christopher Clay.

During World War I, and he served as a Private with the Highland Light Infantry.

He died 13th April 1918 (aged 22).

He is remembered on Brighouse War Memorial, and on Rastrick War Memorial.

His brother James Arthur also died in the War

Clay, Ernest BenjaminRef 96-5310
[1878-1961]
Son of
Benjamin Clay.

He was a worsted spinner [1919].

On 11th July 1906, he married Florence Elsie Schofield at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel


Florence Elsie was the daughter of Frederic Jowett Scholefield
 

He died in Claro [Q4 1961]

The couple were buried at Sowerby Bridge Cemetery

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley

Clay, Mrs FisherRef 96-619
[1???-1???]
She was the first lady member of the
Halifax Art Society

Clay, FrankRef 96-9
[18??-1917]
Brother of Mrs F. Berry of Kiln Fold, Clifton.

During World War I, he served as a Private with the 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

He died 12th May 1917.

He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France [Grave Ref 5], and on the Memorial at Saint John's Church, Clifton

Clay, FrankRef 96-1082
[1859-1938]
Son of
Thomas Benjamin Clay.

Worsted spinner with business at Wharf Mill, Sowerby Bridge and Regulator Mill, Sowerby Bridge. A director of Clay & Horsfall [1905].

Councillor for the Central Ward of Sowerby Bridge District Council [1900].

In 1902, when he was Chairman of Sowerby Bridge Council, he approached Andrew Carnegie who contributed towards a new Sowerby Bridge Library.

He helped raise money for the gates at Crow Wood Park War Memorial.

In 1885, he married Annie Barber [1860-1946] in Knaresborough.


Annie was born in Harrogate
 

Children:

  1. Frank
  2. Stanley
  3. James Reginald

They lived at

  • 59 Hollings Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge [1891, 1901]
  • Wood View, Hollins Lane [1905, 1911, 1935]


Annie was an accomplished singer with the Harrogate Choral Society and was well-known in Harrogate music circles. She sang at the opening of Friendly Wesleyan Methodist Chapel [1890]. She was also a capable roller-skater.

She died as a result of severe burns. She was dressing at home when her clothing caught fire after coming into contact with an electric fire

 

See Sowerby Bridge Cemetery

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley & Les Forester

Clay, Frank BarberRef 96-6560
[1887-1955]
Son of
Frank Clay.

He was a partner in Clay & Horsfall / director of The George Hotel Company Limited (Harrogate)  [1935] / director of Stott Brothers Limited [1935] / chairman of The George Hotel Company Limited (Harrogate)  [1949] / director of E. Knowles Limited [1949].

In [Q3] 1911, he married Nora Greenwood in Halifax.

Children:

  1. Philip Barber
  2. Lucille M. [b 1917] who married Kenneth Owen Jones

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester & Alan Longbottom

Clay, GeorgeRef 96-8400
[1720-1???]
An early member of the local
Clay family of Luddendenfoot.

In 1744, he married Debora Broadbent.

Child: John

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, George AlfredRef 96-19
[1913-1945]
Son of Lavinia & Ernest Clay of Halifax.

He was educated at Holy Trinity School / employed by Mackintosh's.

He married Kathleen.

They lived at 18 Colbeck Street, Halifax.

During World War II, he served as a Gunner with the 27 Lt. A.A. Regiment Royal Artillery.

He died 5th January 1945 (aged 32).

He was buried at Hotton War Cemetery, Luxembourg [Grave Ref III D 12].

He is remembered in the Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance

Clay, George ArthurRef 96-12
[1899-1918]
Son of
John Clay.

He was a member of the Sunday School at Range Bank Chapel, Halifax / employed at Ellen Royd Mills, Halifax.

He emigrated to Canada.

During World War I, he enlisted in British Columbia as a bugler [November 1915] and served as a Private with the 7th Battalion Canadian Infantry.

He was taking part in an advance of the American section when he was hit by enemy fire and died instantly [2nd September 1918] (aged 19).

The Halifax Courier [21st September 1918] reported his death with a photograph.

He was buried at Upton Wood Cemetery, Hendecourt-Les-Cagnicourt, France [Grave Ref B 19].

He is remembered in the Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance.

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley

Clay, George EdwardRef 96-8003
[1851-1886]
Son of
James Clay.

He and his brothers Thomas Daniel and William Henry were woollen manufacturers [1878]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, GreenwoodRef 96-6
[1892-1965]

In [Q3] 1924, he married Celia Hannah in Halifax.


Celia Hannah, née Brown, was the widow of
Arthur Barwell
 

Celia Hannah died 22nd March 1954 (aged 73).

Greenwood died 20th December 1965 (aged 73).

The couple were buried at St Anne's Church, Southowram [Grave Ref: R-A35]

Clay, Harold FosterRef 96-1004
[1884-1957]
Son of
Benjamin Clay.

In 1930, he acquired a Bluebird car from Malcolm Campbell.

He was managing director of James Clay & Sons woollen manufacturers [1950s].

In August 1940, he gave £5,000 which was

to be used towards paying for a bomber [aircraft]

In 1918, he married Doris Eastwood in Halifax.


Doris was the daughter of John Eastwood
 

Children:

  1. Brian Foster
  2. Elizabeth / Betty [b 1922] who married [1948]  George Garside
  3. Peter J. [b 1924]
  4. David E. [b 1926]
  5. Anne P. [b 1929] who married [1956] Robert  Reichmann

They lived at Hollings House, Sowerby Bridge.

Harold died 30th August 1957 (aged 73).

Probate records show that he left an estate valued at £70,159.

Doris died 21st August 1959 (aged 66).

Members of the family were buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay & Sandra Davies

Clay, Harriet FisherRef 96-28
[1918-] Son of Howard Clay.

On 4th September 1918, the Town Council presented a silver cradle to her parents to mark the birth of their daughter.

After World War II, she emigrated to California.

She became a champion of social welfare in Orange County

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, HarryRef 96-18
[1895-1918]
Son of Elizabeth (née Bottomley) [1859-1920] & William Clay [1860-1913] of 10 Alfred Street, Brighouse.

Born in Brighouse.

During World War I, he served as a Private with the 32nd Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).

He died 23rd March 1918.

He was buried at New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium [Grave Ref XXXI A 4].

He is remembered on Brighouse War Memorial

This & associated entries use material contributed by Glynn Helliwell

Clay, HenryRef 96-2
[1768-1802]
Of Greetland.

He married Elizabeth [1772-1800].

Elizabeth died 9th November 1800 (aged 28).

Henry died 29th April 1802 (aged 34).

Members of the family were buried at Greetland Methodist Church [Grave Ref: D10]

Clay, HenryRef 96-7
[1830-1???]
Son of John Clay, broker.

He was a railway clerk of Sowerby [1857].

On 12th February 1857, he married Hannah Clay at Halifax Parish Church.


Hannah was the daughter of
James Tate
 

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, HenryRef 96-35
[1841-1896]
Born in Halifax.

He was a twister-in for weaving (weaver) [1881] / a woollen draper [1891].

He married Mary [1843-1923].


Mary was born in Halifax
 

Children:

  1. Ada [b 1874] who was a dressmaker's apprentice [1891]
  2. & married Arthur Ward
  3. Florence [1877-1895] who was a cork brander [1891] & was  buried with her parents

They lived at

  • 33 Cross Hills, Halifax [1881]
  • Daisy Street, Halifax [1891]

Henry died 9th January 1896 (aged 55).

Mary died 27th February 1923 (aged 80).

The couple were buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 1123]

Clay, HenryRef 96-42
[1852-1919]
Born in Brighouse.

He was a boatman [1881] / a canal boatman [1891] / a warehouseman [1901].

In [Q2] 1872, he married Elizabeth Brook [1852-1911].


Elizabeth was born in Rastrick
 

  1. Sarah E. [b 1873] who was a silk gasser [1891, 1901]
  2. John
  3. Mary A. [b 1880] who was a silk spinner [1891], a silk  gasser [1901]
  4. Sam [b 1882] who was a boat horse driver [1901]

The family lived at

  • Little Woodhouse, Rastrick [1881]
  • 3 Croft Street, Hipperholme-cum-Brighouse [1891, 1901, 1911]

An Elizabeth Clay died in Halifax [Q1 1911] (aged 59).

A Henry Clay died in Halifax [Q1 1919] (aged 67) 

Clay, Henry delRef 96-6210
[12??-13??]
He was recorded at
Rastrick in 1332, an early bearer of the Clay surname

Clay, HowardRef 96-425
[1866-1929]
Son of
Samuel Clay.

He was a worsted cloth manufacturer at Blackwood Shed, Halifax [1905] / a partner in H. & S. Clay / Mayor of Halifax [1917-1919].

On 20th April 1909, he married Elizabeth Campbell Fisher in Massachusetts, USA.


The workpeople of Blackwood Shed presented Howard with a grandfather clock on his marriage
 

Children:

  1. Howard
  2. Monica
  3. Harriet

They lived at

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, Howard FisherRef 96-29
[1910-1982]
Son of
Howard Clay.

He studied textiles at Leeds, but became a general practitioner.

He lived in Doncaster

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, Hugh TravisRef 96-678
[1875-1957]
Son of
Arthur Travis Clay.

He ran J. T. Clay & Sons with his father. In 1917, he inherited Holly Bank House, Rastrick.

He was Chairman of the Elland Division Conservative Association / Director of John Birch & Company Limited [1935] / Chairman of John Birch & Company Limited [1949] / Chairman of John Birch & Company (Iraq) Limited [1949].

He married Mabel Priscilla Penery French [d 1955].

He went to live in Jersey where he and his wife died.

See Hove Edge Conservative Club and Sparrow Park, Rastrick

This & associated entries use material contributed by Alan Longbottom

Clay, JamesRef 96-2189
[1785-1863]
Son of
Samuel Clay.

Born in Warley.

He was a woollen manufacturer & farmer [1841-1863] / at Hollins Mill, Sowerby Bridge [1843].

The firm James Clay & Sons came from his family.

On 7th June 1812, he married Susannah Woodhead [1790-1860] at Halifax Parish Church.


Susannah was born in Warley.

Her sister Ruth married James's brother William

 

Children:

  1. Benjamin [1812-1837]
  2. Daniel
  3. Abraham
  4. Mary [1817-1837]
  5. Sarah [1819-1856] who married Jonas Crowther Gledhill
  6. Elizabeth [1821-1862] who married Thomas Bates
  7. James
  8. Susan / Susey [1825-1885] who married Jonathan Horsfall
  9. Judith [1827-1837]
  10. Samuel
  11. Naomi [1831-1831]
  12. Ruth [1832-1898] who married Thomas Ackroyd
  13. Thomas Benjamin [1834-1871] who married Johanna  Elizabeth Phelan [1833-1871]

Abraham was baptised at Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge, and the other the children were baptised at St Mary, Luddenden.

They lived at High Royd, Warley [1841-1863]

He died at High Royd [27th August 1863].

Members of the family were buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel.

Probate records show that he left effects valued at under £14,000. The will was proved by his son James, George Walton and William Scholefield

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay, Les Forester & Derrick Habergham

Clay, JamesRef 96-794
[1819-1892]
Son of
William Clay.

Woollen manufacturer at Luddendenfoot Mill.

He was a partner in Clay & Priestley. The partnership was dissolved in 1863, and he went on to establish Clay & Horsfall [1872].

The Clays built Delph Mills, Luddendenfoot [1886].

He was a member of the Luddendenfoot Local Board [1868].

On 3rd November 1846, he married Mary Ann Nicholl at Halifax Parish Church.


Mary Ann was the daughter of David Nicholl
 

Children:

  1. David Nicholl [1850-1882]
  2. Charley
  3. John William [1853-1855]
  4. Ruth [1857-1858]
  5. Sarah Ann [1859-1940] who married William Ormerod
  6. Emily Jane [1861-1876]

They lived at

Living with the widowed Mary Ann [in 1911], was son-in-law William Ormerod.

He died at Milner Lodge, Luddendenfoot [2nd March 1892].

Members of the family were buried at Luddenden Cemetery

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £35,396 4/7d. Probate was granted to his widow Mary Ann, Charley Clay and Sarah Ann Ormerod.

See Hollins Mill, Sowerby Bridge

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley, Les Forester, Derrick Habergham & Ann M Thomas

Clay, JamesRef 96-4400
[1824-1878]
Son of
James Clay.

Born in Warley.

He was farmer & woollen manufacturer employing 55 males & 50 females [1851-1878].

On 7th March 1844, he married Mary Bates at Halifax Parish Church.


Mary was the daughter of George Bates
 

Children:

  1. Hannah Mary [1845-1925]
  2. Thomas Daniel
  3. Susanna [b 1848]
  4. William Henry
  5. George Edward
  6. Sarah Elizabeth [b 1853]
  7. Ruth Ann [1855-1924] who married William Wood
  8. Abraham

All the children were baptised at St Mary's, Luddenden.

They lived at Raw Pickle, Warley [1851-1878].

James died 16th January 1878.

Probate records show that he left a personal estate valued at under £25,000. Probate was granted to his sons Thomas Daniel, William Henry and George Edward

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, JamesRef 96-2204
[1852-1936]
Son of
Daniel Clay.

Born in Warley.

He was a woollen manufacturer [1881].

In 1901, he married Hannah Maria Byrom [1861-1931] at St George's Church, Hanover Square, London.


Hannah Maria was born in Oldham
 

They had no children.

The family lived at

  • Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge [1891]
  • 41 Albert Road, Morecambe [1931, 1936]

Hannah Maria died at 41 Albert Road, Morecambe in 1931.

James died at the Bedford Hotel, Buxton [8th September 1936].

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £34,195 0/3d. Probate was granted to William Mercer Wade (solicitor), and Albert Horace Griffiths (accountant) 

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley & Derrick Habergham

Clay, JamesRef 96-3160
[1853-1917]
Of Elland.

In 1877, he married Elizabeth Ramsden [1857-1916] in Halifax.

Children:

  1. Elizabeth Ann [1878-1897]
  2. Thomas Arthur [1881-1882]
  3. William Acroyd [1888-1890]
  4. Vernon [1896-1904] who died in Canada

Members of the family were buried at Blackley Baptist Graveyard

Clay, JamesRef 96-1614
[1864-1???]
Born in Halifax.

He was a worsted warehouseman [1891] / school keeper at Pellon Baptist Church [1891].

He married Emma.

Children:

  1. Hannah [b 1889]

The family lived at Spring Hall Lane [1891]

Clay, James ArthurRef 96-11
[1899-1918]
Son of
Christopher Clay.

Born in Rastrick.

During World War I, he served as a Private with the 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment.

He died 22nd March 1918 (aged 19).

He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France [Grave Ref 6], and on Brighouse War Memorial.

His brother Ernest also died in the War

This & associated entries use material contributed by Glynn Helliwell

Clay, James HaroldRef 96-1113
[1885-1962]
Of
The Hollins, Luddenden.

Son of Charley Clay.

During World War I, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Army Service Corps [1915].

In 1903, he was one of the first people to be granted a motor drivers' licence

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham & Ann M Thomas

Clay, James ReginaldRef 96-6950
[1895-1986]
Son of
Frank Clay.

He was a director of Clay & Horsfall.

At the outbreak of World War I, he joined the Royal Flying Corps as a wireless operator.

He was a member of the Halifax Wireless Club [call sign 2YF].

In [Q2] 1920, he married Gertrude Mary Purvis in Halifax.


Gertrude Mary was the daughter of Rev William Purvis. She was a teacher at Norland School, but left on getting married
 

After the wedding, the couple left for honeymoon in Bournemouth, followed by a 14-month round-the-world voyage, calling at Australia and New Zealand, and the Panama Canal.

The family lived at

Gertrude Mary died 1st March 1964.

James Reginald died in 1986.

The couple were buried at St Mary's Church, Cottonstones

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, Janet ElizabethRef 96-138
[1877-1929]
Elder daughter of
Arthur Travis Clay.

She had an interest in history and archæology. She discovered the site of a Roman camp at Bunker's Field, Wallington, Surrey, the ancient Wallington Chapel, and a pottery kiln at Cheam, Surrey

At the time of her death, she was completing a history of Carshalton, Surrey.

In 1902, her father married Mrs Annie Isabella Birch, widow of John Grant Birch of London.

In 1904, Janet Elizabeth married Commander John Kenneth Beaufoy Birch RN [18??-1940], eldest son of John Grant Birch, at Filey.

Children:

  1. John Travis Beaufoy Clay [b 1910]
  2. Richard Wickham Beaufoy Clay [b 1912]

Both sons were born in Filey.

She lived in Wallington, Surrey.

She – and her sister-in-law, Kate Birch – were killed in a motor accident near North Mimms.

Her husband died in the Royal Hospital at Haslar, Gosport

This & associated entries use material contributed by David Glover

Clay, JohnRef 96-2349
[1???-1642]
Around 1604, he built
Clay House, Northowram.

He married Mary.

Children:

  1. Jeremiah
  2. William
  3. Phoebe
  4. (possibly) John

In his will, he left

10 shillings for the completion of my house at Northowram

This & associated entries use material contributed by Grace Greenhalgh

Clay, JohnRef 96-1719
[15??-15??]
Yeoman.

He lived at Clay House, West Vale [1556].

He married Unknown.

Child: John

Clay, JohnRef 96-1720
[1526-1616]
Eldest son of
John Clay of Clay House, West Vale.

On 29th November 1559, he married Margery Savile.

Children:

  1. John
  2. Elizabeth [b 1568] who married Thomas Mitchell
  3. Robert

Clay, JohnRef 96-1190
[16??-1???]
Of
Clay House, Greetland. Brother of Mr Clay.

In January 1682, a John Clay of Clayhouse, Greetland had goods restored to him after they had previously been distreyned

Clay, JohnRef 96-228
[16??-1693]
There were several John Clays recorded at
Clay House, Elland.

  • The last one died without heir in 1693. He left the house to his sister Mary and her son, George Hopkins

Clay, JohnRef 96-2536
[16??-17??]
He was
Constable of Northowram [1726]

Clay, JohnRef 96-122
[1682-17??]
Of
Clay House, Northowram.

Son of William Clay.

Baptised 18th September 1682.

He was one of the local landowners who chose to pay composition.

On 4th June 1706, he married Hannah Hodgson [1682-1744].


Hannah, of Bowling, Bradford, was the daughter of Hannah & Mr Hodgson
 

Children:

  1. William [b 1707] who married [1739] Eliza Conder
  2. Mary [b 1709] who married [1730] Joseph Wilkinson

Hannah died in 1744.

She was buried at Heywood's Chapel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Alan Rushworth

Clay, JohnRef 96-5001
[17??-18??]
Of Rastrick.

In 1805, he and William Earnshaw bought Brookfoot Corn Mill.

See Clay & Earnshaw

Clay, JohnRef 96-2190
[1745-1771]
Son of
George Clay.

He married Hannah Lamb [1745-1???].

Children:

  1. Samuel
  2. John

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, JohnRef 96-3280
[1771-1843]
Son of
John Clay.

He married Betty Whitehead [17??-1821].

Children:

  1. George [b 1796]
  2. Charles [b 1798]
  3. Elizabeth [b 1807]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, JohnRef 96-266
[1774-1843]
Uncle of
J. T. Clay. A Quaker.

Built Rastrick House in 1813.

In 1???, he married Elizabeth [1776-1873].

Child: John William

He was appointed Surveyor of the Highways for Rastrick [1835].

His will provided John Clay's Foundation

Clay, JohnRef 96-2658
[1787-1862]
Born in Brighouse.

He was a waterman.

He married Mary [1787-1842].

Child: Hannah [1811-1873] who married William Pickersgill

Mary died in Brighouse [18th September 1842] (aged 55).

John died in Brighouse [4th February 1862] (aged 75).

The couple were buried at St Martin's Church, Brighouse with daughter Hannah & her son John Clay Pickersgill

This & associated entries use material contributed by Glynn Helliwell

Clay, JohnRef 96-2166
[18??-19??]
JP.

Local Councillor.

On 28th September 1908, newspapers reported

Unique gathering of cancer patients at Victoria Hall, Hebden Bridge, and presentation of a silver cup to Councillor John Clay JP, who claims to have discovered a remedy for cancer

Clay, JohnRef 96-2570
[1807-1853]
Of Norland.

He was buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel

Clay, JohnRef 96-40
[1812-18??]
Born in Warley.

He was an engineer [1841] / an engine tenter [1851] / a mechanic [1857] / an engine tenter at woollen mill [1861].

He married Mary [1803-1857].


Mary was born in Manchester
 

Children:

  1. Martha [b 1833] who was a carpet flower setter [1851]
  2. Mary [b 1834] who was a worsted drawer [1851], a carpet  setter [1861]
  3. Rachael [b 1836] who was a carpet flower setter [1851]
  4. Hannah [b 1838] who was a worsted spinner [1851]
  5. Ann [b 1840] who was a worsted spinner [1851], a carpet  setter [1861]

The family lived at

  • Bottoms, Skircoat [1841]
  • 6 Netherton, Northowram [1851]
  • 84 Back Lane, Halifax [1861]

Mary died 9th December 1857 (aged 54), and was buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 3338] with John William Deighton


Question: Does anyone know whether/how John William Deighton is related to John Clay's family?

 

Clay, JohnRef 96-38
[1816-1896]
Born in Sowerby.

He was an accountant &c [1861] / a schoolmaster [1851] / a Baptist preacher [1871] / an accountant [1871, 1881, 1891].

He married (1) Mary [1815-1860].


Mary was born in Sowerby
 

Children:

  1. Elizabeth [1837-1913] who married William Hoyle
  2. Sarah Ellen [b 1840] who married George Taylor
  3. George [b 1842] who was a clerk & accountant [1861], an  accountant [1871]
  4. Hannah [1843-1845]
  5. Mary [1846-1882] who was a milliner [1871, 1881]
  6. Martha Ann [b 1848] who was a schoolmistress [1871], a  teacher [1881], a schoolmistress [1891] & was buried at Lister  Lane Cemetery [Plot 2570] with her sister Sarah Ellen
  7. Emily [1850-1896] who was a schoolmistress [1871], a  teacher [1881]
  8. John [1851] who died in infancy
  9. William Henry [1854-1870]

Mary died 7th November 1860 (aged 45).

In [Q3] 1863, he (possibly) married (2) Elizabeth Ann Sunderland [1811-1883] in Huddersfield.


Elizabeth was born in Halifax
 

The family lived at

  • Mount Pellon [1851]
  • Alma Street, Halifax [1860]
  • Mann's Buildings, Halifax [1861]
  • 12 St James's Street, Halifax [1871]
  • 6 Harrison Road, Halifax [1881]
  • 29 Clare Road, Halifax [1891]

Living with them [in 1871] were daughter Elizabeth Hoyle & grandson Joshua E. Hoyle.

Living with them [in 1881] were grandson Joshua E. Hoyle [b 1860] & granddaughter Amy S. Booth [b 1868].

Living with them [in 1891] was granddaughter Amy S. Booth [b 1868] (schoolmistress).

Elizabeth Ann died 25th October 1883 (aged 72).

He married (3) Ruth [1839-1???].


Ruth was born in Marylebone, London
 

John died 9th November 1896 (aged 80).

Members of the family were buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 2714]


ALSO HANNAH, THEIR DAUGHTER,
WHO DIED NOVEMBER 29TH 1845,
AGED 1 YEAR & 11 MONTHS.
   
ALSO JOHN, THEIR SON, WHO DIED
OCTOBER 10TH 1851, AGED 3 MONTHS.
   
ALSO WILLIAM HENRY, THEIR SON,
WHO DIED JUNE 14TH 1870, AGED 16 YEARS.
   
ALSO MARY, THEIR DAUGHTER,
WHO DIED JANUARY 9TH 1882, AGED 36 YEARS.
   
ALSO OF ELIZABETH ANN, WIFE OF THE
ABOVE, WHO DIED OCTOBER 25TH 1883,
AGED 72 YEARS.
   
ALSO OF THE ABOVE-NAMED JOHN CLAY,
WHO DIED NOVEMBER 9TH 1896, AGED 80 YEARS.
   
ALSO OF EMILY, YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE,
WHO DIED DECEMBER 7TH 1896,
AGED 46 YEARS.

Clay, JohnRef 96-27
[1870-1918]
Son of John Clay, moulder.

Born in Halifax.

He was a dyer's labourer of Park Street, Halifax [1898] / a piece dyer's labourer [1901] / a dyer's labourer [1911].

In 1898, he married Sarah Ellen Agnes Greenhalgh [1871-1???] at Halifax Parish Church.


Sarah Ellen Agnes, of Church Terrace, Halifax, was born in Bolton, Lancashire, the daughter of Samuel Greenhalgh, labourer
 

Children:

  1. George Arthur
  2. John [b 1901]
  3. Edward [b 1910]

They lived at

  • 4 Smith's Court, Foundry Street, Halifax [1901]
  • 3 John Street, Range Bank, Halifax [1911, 1918]

Living with them [in 1901] were niece Emma Clay [b 1884] (feeder in woollen mill) & nephew Edward Clay [b 1888] (worsted doffer).

John died Q4 1918 (aged 48) 

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley

Clay, JohnRef 96-3
[1873-19??]
Born in Warley

He was an armour plate planer [1899].

In [Q3] 1899, he married Sarah Hannah Thomas in Halifax.


Sarah Hannah was the daughter of
John Thomas
 

The couple moved to Manchester after the wedding

This & associated entries use material contributed by Glynn Helliwell

Clay, JohnRef 96-41
[1877-1940]
Son of
Henry Clay.

Born in Rastrick.

He was a canal boatman [1881, 1901] / a canal boatman for Thornton, Hannam & Marshall Limited, Brighouse  [1921] / a waterman.

In [Q1] 1914, he married Sarah Elizabeth Newton in Halifax.

Children:

  1. Edgar [1914-1915]
  2. Norman [b 1916]
  3. Reginald [b 1917]
  4. Edgar [b 1918]
  5. Cyril [b 1919]
  6. Archie [b 1926]

The 5 sons served in World War II.

John died in Huddersfield Infirmary in 1940

This & associated entries use material contributed by !Julia Clay

Clay, John FosterRef 96-1000
[1845-1931]
JP

Son of Abraham Clay.

Born in Sowerby Bridge [4th October 1845].

He was educated at Stutton Grove, Tadcaster / a member of the Sowerby Bridge Local Board / Chairman of the Sowerby Bridge Local Board [1878-1879, 1889-1890] / a member of the Sowerby Bridge UDC / Chairman of the Sowerby Bridge UDC [3 times] / a local Councillor / an Alderman of the West Riding [10 years from around 1892] / correspondent & treasurer of Bolton Brow Day Schools / a member of the West Riding County Council [1888] / a member of / the 4th West Yorkshire Rifle Volunteers [for 8 years] / a partner in Foster & Clay [1895] / a member of James Clay & Sons Limited / President of Sowerby Bridge Choral Society [1896] / associated with Pollit & Wigzell.

He died 6th September 1931 (aged 86)  & was buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel.

In his will, he left bequests for several local institutions, including Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel, Friendly Wesleyan Chapel, Royal Halifax Infirmary, and Halifax Tradesmen's Benevolent Institute

Clay, John LionelRef 96-317
[19??-19??]
Only son of
Captain Lionel Pilleau Clay.

In 1952?, he married Elizabeth Ponsonby


Elizabeth was the daughter of Rev Maurice Ponsonby and Lady Phyllis Ponsonby of London
 

Clay, John NigelRef 96-4970
[1933-1954]
Son of
Stanley Clay.

Born in Knaresborough.

He was a Pilot Officer in the RAF.

He was killed when his RAF Valletta crashed in a snowstorm near Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, John WilliamRef 96-427
[1838-1918]
FSA, JP.

Son of Joseph Travis Clay.

Born in Rastrick.

He was an authority on antiquarian, archæological and genealogical subjects  / author of a history of Elland Church / a poet / a Director of J. T. Clay & Sons / a manufacturer of worsted and woollen employing 70 hands [1861] / a colliery proprietor [1871] / one of the first group of Magistrates appointed for Brighouse [1898] / Justice of the Peace for the West Riding / unsuccessful in the Brighouse Municipal Elections of 1893 / Mayor of Brighouse [1898-1901].

He gave land for the construction of Rastrick Library.

In 1878, he married Alice Caroline Pilleau [1847-1935] in London.


Alice Caroline, from County Tipperary, Ireland, was the daughter of Henry Pilleau, Deputy General Inspector of Hospitals
 

Children:

  1. Lionel Pilleau
  2. Charles

They lived at Rastrick House.

He died 2nd October 1918.

The Halifax Courier [5th October 1918] reported his death.

He left £100 for the erection of a monument to Rastrick soldiers who fell in World War I.

See: Atlas Mill Fire / Olde Eland / Rastrick Library / Rastrick War Memorial / Savile Family Pedigrees

This & associated entries use material contributed by David Glover & Christina Young

Clay, JonathanRef 96-21
[1800-1883]
He was a farmer.

In 1829, he married Mary Fielding.


Mary had an illegitimate son: Daniel Fielding
 

They lived at Thornton

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, JonathanRef 96-6561
[1807-1865]
Son of
Samuel H. Clay.

He married Elizabeth Briggs.

Child: William [b 1842]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, JosephRef 96-994
[1857-1935]
JP.

Born in Hebden Bridge.

He was a general merchant (own account) [1891] / a cotton cloth merchant (own account) [1901] / a cotton cloth merchant (employer) [1911].

In 1880, he married Eva Ann Thorp [1855-1935] in Huddersfield.


Eva Ann was born in Wooldale, Holmfirth
 

Children:

  1. Lawrence [b 1881] who was a boarder student at Hulme  Hall, Plymouth Grove, South Manchester [1901], and entered the  medical profession
  2. Doris Gwendoline [b 1886] who never married
  3. Vernon Harcourt

They lived at

  • Hebden Villas, 37 Hanging Royd Lane, Hebden Bridge [1891]
  • Stoodley Range, Wadsworth [1901, 1911]
  • 14 Kent Road, Harrogate [1935]

Joseph died in Knaresborough [18th April 1935].

Probate records show that he left an estate valued at £16,544.

He left bequests for several local institutions including

Eva died 6th December 1935.

Probate records show that she left effects valued at £3,592.

Administration was granted to daughter Doris Gwendoline

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley

Clay, Joseph OgdenRef 96-32
[1820-1880]
Born in Sowerby.

He was a sizer at carpet works [1871].

In [Q2] 1856, he married (1) Sarah Mallinson [1825-1857] in Halifax.

Children:

  1. Mary Jane [1857-1st August 1862]

Sarah died (possibly of perinatal complications) [12th July 1857] (aged 32).

In [Q4] 1858, he married (2) Eunice Horsfield [1834-1869] in Halifax.

Eunice died 17th February 1869 (aged 35) 

In [Q4] 1878, he married (3) Martha Holmes [1821-1878] in Halifax.


Martha was born in Halifax
 

The family lived at 2 Temperance Street, Halifax [1871].

Martha died 6th July 1878 (aged 57).

Joseph died 7th June 1880 (aged 60).

Members of the family were buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 3565]

Clay, Joseph TravisRef 96-267
[1804-1892]
Born in London.

In 1813, he came to live with his uncle John Clay at Rastrick House.

He was educated at Rastrick Grammar School / a Quaker & a Liberal (although he became a Conservative in  1854) / Surveyor of the Highways for Rastrick [1835] / founder of J. T. Clay & Sons Limited / a fancy woollen manufacturer [1851] / a fancy cloth manufacturer (when his bankruptcy was annulled) [June  1854] / one of the founders of Rastrick Church School [1860] / a manufacturer of worsted and woollen employing 70 hands [1861] / a fancy woollen manufacturer [1871].

In 1878, he performed the opening ceremony of the Rose & Crown Cocoa & Coffee Tavern, Brighouse

He married Jane Whitwell [1807-1858].


Jane came from Kendal, Westmorland
 

Children:

  1. John William
  2. Alfred
  3. Mary Elizabeth [1839-1922]
  4. Arthur Travis
  5. Jane Katherine [1849-1919] who never married

The family lived at

  • Castle Hill, Rastrick [1851]
  • Crowtrees House, Rastrick [1871]

He died at Cannes, France [31st January 1892].

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £68,966 7/11d. Probate was granted to John William, Arthur Travis and Alfred Clay

He left £300 to establish the Joseph Travis Clay Memorial Fund.

He is mentioned in the List of Local Wills: 1892.

See Railway companies and Rastrick & Brighouse Horticultural Society

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley & Christina Young

Clay, JoshuaRef 96-17
[1863-1913]
Born in Halifax.

He was a wool sorter.

On 15th September 1886, he married Lilly Elizabeth Smith [1864-1907] in Halifax.


Lilly Elizabeth was born in Burbage
 

Children:

  1. Thomas [b 1890]
  2. Wilson [b 1894]
  3. Clifford
  4. Harold [b 1903]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Glynn Helliwell

Clay, Lionel PilleauRef 96-79
[1880-1918]
Son of
John William Clay.

He was educated at Harrow and Balliol College. He was called to the Bar in 1906.

He married Muriel Walker from Scotnish, Lochgilphead.

Children:

  1. John Lionel
  2. Elizabeth Muriel who married [1938] Peter L. Hansen  Bay from Cambridge, at Bishop's Stortford
  3. a daughter

They lived at St John's Wood, London.

During World War I, he served as a Captain with the Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons.

He was killed in action at Templeux la Fosse [18th February 1918].

He was buried at Tincourt New British Cemetery, France [Grave Ref V B 5].

He is remembered on the Memorial at Halifax Freemasons, on Brighouse War Memorial, on Rastrick War Memorial, and on the Memorial at Saint Matthew's Church, Rastrick

He left bequests for Harrow School and for an annual prize to be awarded to the boy or boys considered to be the most efficient in general knowledge and intelligence

This & associated entries use material contributed by David Glover

Clay, Louis JohnRef 96-4
[1889-1918]
Son of
William Henry Clay.

Born in Halifax.

He was a worsted bobbin setter [1901].

In 1911, Private Louis John Clay, of the Scots Guards, was at The Guards Depot, Caterham, Surrey.

In [Q3] 1913, he married Olwen Lucy Bradshaw Tilley.

at Godstone, Surrey.

Child: Winifred M. T. [b 1914]

During World War I, he re-enlisted and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.

In 1917, he transferred to the 6th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

The Todmorden & District News [19th April 1918] reported that


he was killed in action during a German attack [5th April 1918] (aged 29).

[The article added that] his brother Hubert Clay was serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers, and his brother Willie Clay had just joined the Northants Regiment

 

He was buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery, France [Grave Ref XVII A 5].

He is remembered in the Todmorden Garden of Remembrance which says that he served with the Scots Guards.

In [Q1] 1926, Lucy married Percival J. Cullingworth in Knaresborough, and they lived in Harrogate

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley

Clay, Marjorie BeaumontRef 96-332
[1879-1974]
Daughter of
Arthur Travis Clay. She died unmarried at the family home in Filey

Clay, MaryRef 96-527
[1???-16??]
Sister of
John Clay.

Mother of George Hopkins.

She lived in a part of Clay House

Clay, MiltonRef 96-34
[1871-1???]
Son of
William Clay.

Born in Warley.

He was a music teacher [1872] / an elementary school teacher [1891].

In [Q4] 1895, he married Amy Eliza Stansfield in Halifax.


Amy Eliza was born in Manchester
 

Children:

  1. Percy [b 1897]
  2. Reginald [b 1899]
  3. Harold [b 1901]
  4. Ethel[1902-1905] who was buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 3702]

They lived at Green Lane, Greetland [1901]

Clay, MonicaRef 96-247
[1912-1996]
Eldest daughter of
Howard Clay.

Author, artist and teacher.

She lived in her parents' old home until her death in Savile Place, Halifax

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, Percival TravisRef 96-2048
[1881-1954]
Son of
Arthur Travis Clay.

Born in Rastrick [6th May 1881].

He was educated at Sedbergh School and Trinity College Cambridge [1900],  though he did not graduate.

On 22nd August 1905, he married Elsie Hutchinson at Kirk Braddan, Isle of Man. Elsie was born in Rastrick, and was the eldest of 4 daughters of William Arthur Hutchinson, of The Groves, Union Mills, the Isle of Man

This & associated entries use material contributed by David Glover & Alan Longbottom

Clay, Philip BarberRef 96-4750
[1915-2006]
DFC.

Son of Frank Barber Clay.

Born in Halifax.

In [Q1] 1940, he married (1) Mary Enid Comer in Halifax.


Mary Enid was the daughter of Rev Ernest Comer
 

Children:

  1. Michael
  2. David
  3. Peter

The couple divorced.

In [Q1] 1959, Philip married (2) Pamela in Halifax.


Pamela (née Rouse) was the first wife of Leslie W. Sykes.

She had 2 children by her previous marriage: Penny Syke & Valerie Sykes

 

Children:

  1. Philippa
  2. Angela

They lived at

During World War II, as Acting Squadron Leader, he flew Lancaster bombers with Squadron 514 of Bomber Command. The citation records

When detailed to attack the railway sidings at Challons-sur-Marne, the air speed indicators in his aircraft became unserviceable soon after taking off. Despite this, he continued to the target. Before the objective was reached, one of the starboard engines caught fire and the propellor had to be feathered. Nevertheless Squadron Leader Clay held to his course and eventually executed a successful bombing raid

For his actions he was awarded the DFC.

His son Peter says

The offending engine did not catch fire. What happened was that one of the Spark Arresters which covers the exhausts came adrift thereby lighting up the sky somewhat. Hence for the decision to feathering that engine

This & associated entries use material contributed by David Clay, Peter Clay & Les Forester

Clay, Powson StocksRef 96-2394
[1844-1866]
Son of
William Clay.

On 18th November 1861, he married Sarah Baldwin.


Sarah was the daughter of John Baldwin
 

He died in Madras, India [25th August 1866].

On 21st July 1867, the widowed Sarah married William Oates

Clay, RobertRef 96-1718
[13??-1???]
A merchant.

He lived at Clay House, West Vale [1379]

Clay, Dr RobertRef 96-123
[1573-1628]
Vicar of
Halifax [1624].

Son of John Clay of Clay House, Greetland and Margery, sister of Sir Henry Savile.

He married (1) Unknown.

He married (2) Jane Wenman.


Jane was the daughter of Richard Wenman of Oxfordshire
 

Children:

  1. son
  2. son
  3. Elizabeth

His scandalous behaviour led to a petition for his removal.

He was a friend of Sir Thomas Bodley [1545-1613] after whom Oxford's Bodleian Library is named.

In 1626, Clay founded the library at Halifax Parish Church in what had been the charnel house, and he bequeathed a sum of £100 to Merton College Oxford – where he gained his Doctorate – for two annual sermons to be given by a Yorkshireman. The sermon was required to be given by a fellow or chaplain of the College and was to mention Clay by name.

His unofficial arms can be seen on the gates of Clay House, West Vale.

He was buried in the library at Halifax Parish Church

Clay, SamuelRef 96-9200
[1805-1869]
Son of
Samuel H. Clay.

Born in Warley.

He was a farmer of 30 acres [1851] / a butcher / a cattle dealer

On 18th July 1825, he married Sarah Richardson [1811-184?] at Halifax Parish Church.

Children:

  1. George [1826-1844]
  2. John
  3. Elizabeth [b 1826]
  4. Susannah [b 1831]
  5. Hannah [1854-1888]
  6. Emma [b 1836]
  7. Richardson [1837-1888] who was a farmer [1861]
  8. Charles [1839-1900] who was a mason [1861]
  9. Joseph [b 1840]
  10. Samuel [b 1844] who was a mason [1861]

The children were baptised at Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge.

They lived at

  • Blackwall, Warley [1851]
  • Black Wall?, Warley [1861]

In 1851, children John & Richardson were living at the Bath Tavern, Elland with Joseph Horsfall

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester & Derrick Habergham

Clay, SamuelRef 96-30
[1830-1877]
He was a woollen manufacturer.

He married Mary Walker Howard [1836-1878].

Children:

  1. Howard
  2. Samuel

He owned High Royd, Warley

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, SamuelRef 96-39
[1874-1950]
Son of
Samuel Clay.

Partner in H. & S. Clay

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay

Clay, Samuel H.Ref 96-756
[1767-1841]
Son of
John Clay.

He married Elizabeth Garnett [1768-1814].

Children:

  1. James
  2. Susannah [1787-1809]
  3. Judith [b 1789]
  4. Daniel
  5. William
  6. Elizabeth [1800-1867] who married James Page  [1795-1857]
  7. Sarah [1803-1820]
  8. Samuel
  9. Jonathan

They lived at High Royd, Halifax [1841]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay & Les Forester

Clay, Stanley BarberRef 96-6501
[1889-1946]
Son of
Frank Clay.

Partner in Clay & Horsfall.

In 1921, he married Martha Lewis in Halifax.

Children:

  1. Yvonne Barber [b 1922]
  2. John Nigel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, T.Ref 96-1815
[18??-18??]
Grocer at Brighouse.

In December 1865, he was declared bankrupt

Clay, ThomasRef 96-36
[1822-1876]
Born in Skircoat.

He was a wire drawer [1851] / an engine tenter [1871].

He married Elizabeth [1821-1892].


Elizabeth was born in Halifax
 

Children:

  1. Susannah [b 1843] who was a worsted weaver [1871]
  2. John [b 1846] who was an overlooker [1871]
  3. James [1844-1845]
  4. Wilson [b 1849]
  5. George [1850-1851]
  6. Thomas [b 1853] who was a printer [1871]
  7. Alfred [b 1855] who was a designer [1871]
  8. Wallace [b 1858] who was a factory worker [1871]
  9. Marjerison [1860-1862]
  10. Joshua [b 1864]

They lived at

  • 2 Clarence Street, Halifax [1851]
  • Lee Bank, Shroggs Bottom, Halifax [1871]

Thomas died 30th September 1876 (aged 54).

Elizabeth died 12th June 1892 (aged 71).

The couple & the children were buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 2729]

Clay, ThomasRef 96-10
[1908-1940]
Son of Mary & Joseph Clay.

He married Ellen.


Ellen came from Bradford
 

During World War I, he served as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers.

He died in the Battle of France [20th May 1940] (aged 32).

He is remembered in the Halifax Town Hall Books of Remembrance, and on Bradshaw War Memorial

Clay, Thomas BenjaminRef 96-7260
[1834-1871]

He married Johanna Elizabeth Phelan [1833-1871].

Children:

  1. Mary Ann [1855-1904] who married [Q4 1877] Walter  Berry [1855-1935]
  2. Samuel [1857-1869]
  3. Frank
  4. Thomas Benjamin

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, Thomas BenjaminRef 96-4460
[1863-1???]
Son of
Thomas Benjamin Clay.

He emigrated to New Zealand.

He was general manager of the New Zealand Farmers' Trading Company / chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board [for 10 years] / mayor of Mount Albert, New Zealand (his wife was mayoress) [1915?].

He married Sarah Elizabeth Siddall [1862-1952].

Children:

  1. Gladys [1891-1892]
  2. Oscar [1900-1901]
  3. Harold [1809-1965] who married Mildred Batkin
  4. Nelson [1893-1975] who married Peggy Hislop  [1897-1974]
  5. Victor [1895-1987] who married Iris Baker  [1893-1957]
  6. Irene [1897-1971] who married Kenneth Trembath  [1897-1968]
  7. Myrta [1898-1968] who married Harry Vialouk  [1897-1975]
  8. Edwin [1902-1986] who married Ernestine Edgecombe  [1899-1987]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester

Clay, Thomas DanielRef 96-7001
[1847-1886]
Son of
James Clay.

He and his brothers William Henry and George Edward were woollen manufacturers [1878]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, Vernon HarcourtRef 96-14
[1895-1916]
MC.

Son of Joseph Clay.

He was a member of Hope Baptist Church & School / educated at Hebden Bridge Secondary School & New College, Harrogate  [1911] / a member of Hebden Bridge Liberal Club. He entered the family business.

During World War I, he was in Switzerland when War broke out and served as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

He was wounded, mutilated and blinded – losing the sight in both eyes – whilst leading an attack on the German trenches. He was hospitalised [July 1916].

He was awarded the Military Cross [August 1916] for


conspicuous gallantry during operations. He successfully led a risky reconnaissance. He shot two of the enemy with his revolver, led a bombing attack establishing a stop, and repulsed several hostile bomb attacks during the afternoon. Next day he made another dangerous reconnaissance
 

He died at Chelsea Hospital, London, after many weeks of suffering [26th October 1916].

The Halifax Courier [28th October 1916] reported his death with a photograph.

He was buried at Wainsgate Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge [Grave Ref: E899].

His funeral was reported in the Halifax Courier [4th November 1916].

He is remembered on Wadsworth War Memorial

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley

Clay, W. B.Ref 96-817
[18??-19??]
See
Luddenden Recreation Ground

Clay, WilliamRef 96-75
[16??-1704]
Of
Clay House, Northowram.

(Possibly) son of John Clay.

He was a friend of Rev Oliver Heywood.

He gave land for Heywood to build a chapel at Northowram.

He was Master of Heywood's School.

In 1678, he married Mary Wilson [16??-1687].

Child: John

William was buried at Square Independent Chapel, Halifax His will was dated 1704.

See Northowram Free School and Square Independent Chapel, Halifax

This & associated entries use material contributed by Grace Greenhalgh & Alan Rushworth

Clay, WilliamRef 96-26
[17??-1???]
He was one of the founder members of
Square Independent Chapel, Halifax.


Question: Is this entry the duplicate of another William Clay?

 

Clay, WilliamRef 96-441
[17??-18??]
In 17??, he married
Hannah Fryer.

The marriage brought the Clay family to Rastrick

Clay, WilliamRef 96-33
[1708-1787]

He married Elizabeth [1720-1787].

Elizabeth Clay died 18th February 1787 (aged 67).

William died 6th May 1787 (aged 79).

The couple were buried at Square Independent Chapel, Halifax

Clay, WilliamRef 96-4170
[1792-1857]
Son of
Samuel H. Clay.

Born in Warley.

He was a farmer [1841] / a woollen manufacturer [1851].

He married Ruth Woodhead [1795-1871].


Ruth's sister Susannah married William's brother James
 

Children:

  1. Charles [1818-1839]
  2. James
  3. Elizabeth [b 1823]
  4. Susan [1823-1909] who married Jonas Crowther Gledhill
  5. Mary [b 1827]
  6. Ellen [b 1829] who (possibly) married Ralph Harris Wild
  7. Sarah [b 1831]
  8. John [b 1833]
  9. son [b 1836]
  10. Abraham [b 1838]

They lived at Tuel Lane, Sowerby Bridge [1841, 1851].

William died at Hollings Mill, Sowerby [22nd March 1857].

Ruth died at Hill Top, Warley [20th December 1871] (aged 76).

She was buried at Bolton Brow Wesleyan Chapel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Les Forester & Derrick Habergham

Clay, WilliamRef 96-2393
[18??-18??]
Of Halifax.

He married Jane Stocks.

Children:

  1. Powson Stocks
  2. Sophia [1848-1889] who married Edwin Smith

Clay, WilliamRef 96-37
[1815-1854]
He was a parcel porter at Walsden Railway Station.

He married Unknown.

Children:

  1. child
  2. child
  3. child
  4. child
  5. child
  6. child
  7. child

His wife and family lived at Hipperholme [1854].

William had accommodation in Walsden, and was in the habit of going home every fortnight.

On 11th November 1854, he had been drinking in Halifax, and was killed as he was walking through Beacon Hill Tunnel

This & associated entries use material contributed by Jeffrey Knowles

Clay, WilliamRef 96-8
[1836-1???]
Born in Warley.

He was a woollen carder [1891].

In [Q4] 1864, he married Kezia Lees [1838-1???] in Halifax.


Kezia was born in Warley
 

Children:

  1. Albert [b 1866] who was a solicitor's clerk [1881]
  2. Lewis [b 1868]
  3. Milton

They lived at

  • Hollins Grove, Sowerby Bridge [1881]
  • 68 Hollins Grove, Sowerby Bridge [1891]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, WilliamRef 96-24
[1847-1904]
He was landlord of the
Fleece, Greetland [1887-1903]

On 15th January 1873, he married (1) Elizabeth Crowther [1845-1898].


On 4th February 1873, 3 weeks after their marriage, the couple sailed from Liverpool, bound for the USA
 

Children:

  1. Charles
  2. George Agur [1876-1912] who was a worsted operative [1891]
  3. Joe [1878-1879] who died aged 8 months
  4. Henry [1878-1940] who was a woollen manufacturer [1904]

Elizabeth died in 1898.

On 29th January 1902, he married (2) Eliza Henson [1846-1919] at Halifax Parish Church.

William died at Fort William, Isle of Man [21st July 1904].

Probate records show that he left effects valued at £2,747 12/-.

Probate was granted to sons Henry & Charles.

He was buried at St Thomas's Church, Greetland

Son Charles took over at the Fleece [19th July 1902], and was landlord until his death [1910]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, William HenryRef 96-31
[1839-1???]
Born in Halifax.

He was a grocer [1881].

Around 1863, he married Frances [1838-1???].


Frances was born in Halifax
 

Children:

  1. Harry [b 1863] who was a hurrier [1881]
  2. Anne [b 1866]
  3. John Robert [b 1869] who was a mill hand (stuff) [1881]

They lived at Tennyson Cottage, Hipperholme [1881]

Clay, William HenryRef 96-4200
[1850-1888]
Son of
James Clay.

He and his brothers Thomas Daniel and George Edward were woollen manufacturers [1878]

This & associated entries use material contributed by Derrick Habergham

Clay, William HenryRef 96-5
[1864-1926]
Son of Henry Clay, dyer.

Born in Hunslet, Leeds.

He was a cotton spinner of Hanson Lane, Halifax [1884] / a grave digger [1891] / a stone mason [1901, 1911].

In 1884, he married Fanny Heath [1863-1934] at Halifax Parish Church.


Fanny, of Parkwood Lane, Halifax, was born in Torpoint, Cornwall, the daughter of William Heath, sailor
 

Children:

  1. Maud [b 1887] who was a worsted spinner [1901], a cotton  weaver [1911]
  2. Louis John who was killed in World War I
  3. Winifred [b 1895] who was a cotton weaver [1911]
  4. Hubert [b 1898] who was a doffer in cotton mill [1911] &  served with the Lancashire Fusiliers [World War I]
  5. William / Willie [b 1900] who served with the  Northants Regiment [World War I]
  6. Lena [b 1901]
  7. Harold [b 1905]
  8. Hilda [b 1907]

The family lived at

  • 19 Garside Street, Skircoat [1891]
  • 32 Spring Street, Halifax [1901]
  • 20 Beaumont Street, Todmorden [1911]

William died in Todmorden [Q4 1926] (aged 61).

Fanny died in Todmorden [Q4 1934] (aged 71) 

This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley

Families

The Clay family of LuddendenfootRef 96-242
This branch of the family was important in Luddendenfoot.

George Clay was an early member of the family.

See James Clay, Hollins Mill, Sowerby Bridge and Luddendenfoot Mill

This & associated entries use material contributed by Charles Clay & Les Forester

The Clay family of RastrickRef 96-1271
This branch of the family was important in Rastrick.

They were Quakers.

See: Clay House, Soyland / Clay House, Greetland / John Clay / William Clay / Rastrick Country Secondary School / Rastrick Hall / Rastrick House

Surname

Clay surnameRef 96-1
The surname may have originated with someone who worked in clay or who lived in an area where clay was found.

George Redmonds writes that Henry del Clay is recorded at Rastrick in 1332, John de Clay of Clayhouse is recorded in 1419, Richard Clay is recorded at Sowerby in 1540 and Thomas Clay is recorded in Halifax in 1642.

There are 117 entries on the Calderdale Companion for people with the surname Clay, as discussed in this SideTrack. This count does not include other forms of the surname.


Unattached BMDs for Clay

Marriages 1859, 1877, 1879, 1881, 1907, 1917; Death 1900

 



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Revised 22:03 / 24th May 2024 / 122351

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