Clay of Wiltshire

The surname of Clay and vaiants is documented in the county from the 1100s.

1189 - 90. Salisbury Charter. Richard de Claie magistro (teacher) witness to a grant concerning a hospital. (British Library Ref.- Egerton MS3031 f. 52v. Charter number. - 03210179).

1301-02. Adam Cley.- Reeve. - Glastonbury Abbey Court Roll. (Somerset Archives and Record Services Ref.- T\PH\lon2/14/11272).

1302-04. Adam Cley.- Reeve. - Glastonbury Abbey Court Roll. (Somerset Archives Ref.- T\PH\lon2/15/11271).

1305-06. Adam Cley.- Reeve-Glastonbury Abbey Court Roll. (Somerset Archives Ref.- T\PH\lon2/15/11215).

1372. John Cle. - Granted land and tenements in Fitelton. (Ref.- Catalogue of Ancient Deeds).

1379. Wiltshire Poll Tax. Willimo Cleye of Bradford on Avon taxed 4 pence. (The National Archives Ref.- E179/196/52).

1379. Wiltshire Poll Tax. Walter Cleye of Lushill taxed 4 pence. (TNA Ref.- E179.239/11.m2).

1379. Wiltshire Poll Tax. Johannes Cley and wife of Kemble taxed. (TNA Ref.- E179/239/193/14. m2d).

1397. Nicholas Claye of  Member of Parliament for Marlborough summoned with others to meet at Westminster. (Ref.- Parliament of England).

1418. Feb. 4th. Bishop of Salisbury gives Royal Assent to the election of Richard Cley monk at Middleton of the Order of St Benedict as abbot of that place. (Calendar of Patent Rolls. Hen. V. 1416-22).

1432. March 15th. Licence for the Prior at Middleton  in the diocese of Salisbury to elect an abbot in the place of brother Richard Cley resigned. (TNA. Calendar of Patent Rolls 1429-36 vol. 2. Memb. 8).

1454 - 71. West Country men who served as assize justices includes several men also Robert Clay. Aysston's general factotum (means does everything) - (Book - Authority and Subversion).

1457. Oct. 27th.  John Coche and Robert Clay have granted to James Broun the manor of Cotys by Devyses (Devizes) and several other places in Wiltshire. (TNA Ref.- CP25/1/293/73 number 424).

1457. Robert Clay listed in Feet of Fines. (Wiltshire Record Society vol. 41).

1467. Johannes Cley vicar. (Ref.- Institutions Clericum in Comitats Wiltshire vol. 1).

1470. Johis Cley vicar. (Ref.- Institutions Clericum in Comitats Wiltshire vol. 1).

1496. Petitions to Parliament. John Cley of Devizes. (Ref.- Rotuli Parliamentorum  Vol. 6).

1502. Deed. John Cley to Roger Hawekyns a tenement in Newport. (Wiltshire Archives Ref.- G20/150/3).

1505-07. John Cley witness Deed relating to Devizes and Rawlen Cley. (Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office Ref.- 212B/2289 +90+91.).

1509. John Cley witness to a Deed relating to Devizes. (Wiltshire + Swindon Record Office Ref.- 212B/2292)

1512. John Cley, Rawlen Cley and John Cley the younger witness Deed relating to Newport and Devizes. (Wiltshire + Swindon Record Office. Ref.- 212B/2293).

1516. Lease. William Lymber and John Cley of a tenement in the Old Port of Devizes now St Mary's parish. (Wiltshire Notes and Queries vol.2 page 370).

1516. William Page of Devizes had a lease from the wardens of the Old Armshouse William Lymber and John Clay of a tenement in the Old Port of Devizes. (Wiltshire Notes and Queries vol. 2 part 1).

1519. PCC Will of John Clay of Devizes wife Isobell sons John and Rowland, daughter Elizabeth - sons of his son John - Anthony and Thomas - daughters of his son John -Elizabeth and Margery. (TNA  Ref.- PROB11/19).

1541-42. John Cley witness to a Lease relating to Newport and Devizes. (Wiltshire + Swindon Ref.- 212B/2306).

1555. Land formely of John Coventrye are in several tenures including Anthony Cleye all in Devizes. Wiltshire. (Ref.- Calendar of Patent Rolls).

1555. Anthony Cleye a messuage in Newport and 1 acre arable land in Wykfield all in Devizes. (Calander of Patent Rolls 1555 - 57 vol. 3).

1563.  Anthony Cley sheltered John Maundrell the Martyr in his house at Devizes. (Wiltshire + Swindon Record Office Ref.- 1556/12).

1563. Will of John Clay of Devises. Son. Anthonie Clay, Edward son of Anthonie Clay, Peter ? son of Anthonie Clay, Bridget daughter of Anthonie Clay. (Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office Ref.- P1/2 Reg/158B).

1565. Anthony Cleye was present at the Heralds Visitation of the town of Devizes along with other aldermen, the mayor, coroner, constables and bayliffs. (Ref.- The Visitation of Wiltshire).

1567. Robert Clay. Curate. Blackland. Salisbury. Wiltshire. (Ref.- Church of England Database. W+SRO,D5/19/2.Act Book).

1579-80. Anthony Clay. Vicar of West Lavington. Wiltshire. (Ref.- C of E Database. W+SRO,D1/2/17. Register).

1589. A place called Cley Hill Farm  at Little Corsley. Wiltshire contaned 56 acres of meadow, 75 acres of pasture and 218 acres of arable. (Ref.- PC2022).

1623. Anthony Cleye was an Alderman present at Devizes at the time of the Heralds Visitation. (Ref.- Visitation of Wiltshire).

1637. PCC Will of Thomas Clay shoemaker of Calne. Wiltshire - wife Elizabeth daughters Elizabeth and Katherine. (TNA Ref.- PROB11/175/345).

1659 -70. Mr  John  Aubrey's description of Minety Church " In the south window at the top there are 2 escutcheons (Shields with coats of arms) with the surnames of Clay and Chiche" (Notes and Queries).

1683. Receipt from Joyce Clay to Henry Davenport. (CRO Ref.- 2664/1/2F/3/12)

1692. Thomas Clay plaintiff at a court case concerning money. Wiltshire. (TNA Ref.- C8/346/77).

1700. William Cley defendant in a court case concerning money plaintiff William Barnaby. (Ref.- Lists and Indexes issue 39).

1742. Will of Henry Clee. Yeoman of Heytesbury. Wiltshire. Sister Jean Sly of Nottingham. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Ref.- P5/1742/8).

1775. June 15th. Will of John Clay of Easton Grey. Wiltshire. Yeoman. Wife Mary. His mother Margaret Clay. His brother Joseph Clay in Bristol. His Brother Stephen Clay. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Ref. - P3/C/1043).

1781. Oct.15th. Marriage Settlement of Ann Clay widow of Sherston. Wiltshire to Richard Harris of Tetbury. Gloucestershire. (Gloucester Archives Ref.- GDR/Q1/1781 no 86).

1792. March 11th. At Salisbury Assizes. The following prisoners are to take trial.- Jeremiah Clay for burglary. (Hampshire Chronicle).

1832. Dec.15th. William Seager broke into the house of Ann Clay of Trowbridge. Death sentence commuted to transportation for life. (TNA Ref.- HO17/74/30).

1857. W. C. Clay architect of Devizes - Church Plans. (Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Ref.- PR/Manningford Bohun: All Saints/1737/28).

1859. Jan 1st. Robert Richard Clay of Fovant. Wiltshire listed on the Medical Register as a Surgeon. (Page 58).

1881. Robert Richard Clay born c1881 at Dinton. Salisbury. Wiltshire son of C. R. Clay. Enlisted in the Imperial Yeomanry 38th Company at Cheltenham  26th Feb. 1901. Discharged at Aldershot 9th Aug. 1902. Casualty Place. Frobisher Bay. South Africa. (Imperial Yeomanry Records piece number 88).

1884. Nov.16th. Thomas Clay born 1837 in Wiltshire. Roman Catholic. Labourer admitted to Chester Union Workhouse with illness. No relatives living. (Ref.- Cheshire Record Office).

1888. George Clay born Burbage. Wiltshire. Enlisted in the 2nd Life Guards in May 1888 marital status Single. Service number 1643. (Household Cavalry Records).

1892. Oct 18th. Vivian Hastings Clay was born at the Manor House in Fovant. Wiltshire. The son of Dr Challoner Clay and his wife Annie he was killed in action on his 24th birthday on Oct.18th. 1916. See photographs and biography in Durham University Roll of Honour.

1939 Oct. 31st. Female Enemy Alien Exemption. Mary Elizabeth Clay born 23rd Dec. 1863 at Clack. Wiltshire nationality German by marriage formerly British. Exempted. Residence -  Convent of the Sisters of the Poor. Cotham. (Ref.- Internment Certificate).

Parish Register Entries for the County of Wiltshire.

1559 / 60. Eydeth Claye married Robert Woddall at Salisbury. Jan. 3rd.

1571. Margery Clay married Thomas Alexander at Burbage. Wiltshire.

1572. John son of John and Agnes Clay buried.

1573. Richard Clay married Joan Stag at Burbage.

1575. Thomas son of Richard and Joan Clay baptised  29th July at Burbage. (Buried 1578).

1578. Thomas son of Richard and Joan Clay baptised 18th April at Burbage.

1580. Elizabeth daughter of Richard and Joan Clay baptised 30th November at Burbage.

1583. Joan daughter of Richard and Joan Clay baptised 1st November at Burbage.

1587. Agnes wife of John Clay buried.

1588. Edith daughter of Richard and Joan Clay baptised 1st May at Burbage.

1589. Richard Clay married Elizabeth Wastrope at Burbage.

1614. Richard Clay married Joan Layley at Burbage.

1625. Robert Clay married Grace Shuring at Melksham. Wiltshire.

1625. William Cley married Agnes Morris at Woodborough. June 13th.

1626. Thomas son of Thomas Clay baptised at Melksham.

1627. Jane daughter of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1630. Mary daughter of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1632. John son of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1632. John son of Robert Clay buried at Melksham.

1632. Thomas son of Thomas Clay baptised at Melksham.

1632. Thomas Clay buried at Melksham.

1633. Grace daughter of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1633. Elizabeth Clay buried at Melksham.

1634. Demaris Clay widow buried at Calne. Wiltshire.

1635. Steven son of Thomas Clay baptised at Melksham.

1636. Jane daughter of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1636. Elizabeth Clay married John Pearce at Calne. Wiltshire.

1637. Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Clay buried at Melksham.

1639. John son of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1642. Elizabeth daughter of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1644. Grace daughter of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1646. John son of Robert Clay baptised at Melksham.

1650. Jeremy Clay married Mary Poutney at Laycock Wiltshire.

1652. Jeremiah son of Jeremiah Clay baptised at Melksham.

1653. Thomas Clay married Elenor Humford. at Melksham.

1664. Mary Clay married George Stokes at Melksham.

1673. Grace Clay buried at Melksham.

1685. Jeremiah Clay buried at Melksham.

1841 Census. Wooton Bassett. Wiltshire.

High Street.

William Clay age 40       

Matilda Clay age  35      Born  Wiltshire.

Catherine Clay age  8    Born Wiltshire.

William Clay age  7         Born Wiltshire.

Thomas Clay age  4         Born Wiltshire.

Henry Clay age  2             Born Wiltshire.

1841 Census. Heytesbury. Wiltshire.

High Street.

Edgar Clay age 11  Living with Rowden Family.

1851 Census. Marlborough. Wiltshire.

Marlborough College.

George Hollis Clay age 14  Pupil  Born Blenheim. Bedfordshire.

William Mckinley Clay age 13 Pupil  Born  Ely. Cambridgeshire.

1861 Census. Freshford. Wiltshire.

Mount Pleasant.

Charles Clay age 66  Ag Lab   Born  Hinton. Somerset.

Hannah Clay age  69  Wife      Born Hinton. Somerset.

William Clay age 44  Son  unmarried  Ag Lab  Born  Hinton.  Somerset.

1861 Census. Warminster. Wiltshire.

Frome Road.

Samuel Clay age 40 Labourer  Born  Warminster. Wiltshire.

Maria Clay age  41 Wife  Laundress   Born Warminster.

William Clay age 13  Son  Shepherds Boy   Born Warminster.

Henry Clay age  8  Son     Scholar  Born Warminster.

1861 census. Fovant. Wiltshire.

Turnpike Gate.

Robert Clay  age 42  Farmer  Born Lambeth. Surrey.

Harriet Clay age 32  Wife.       Born Blendworth. Hampshire.

Harriet Clay age 13  Daughter  Scholar  Born  Lambeth. Surrey.

Alice Clay age 12  Daughter  Scholar  Born  Lambeth. Surrey.

Charles Clay age  9  Son   Scholar  Born  Lambeth. Surrey.

Charlotte Clay age 6  Daughter  Scholar  Born  Wilton. Wiltshire.

Alfred Clay age  4  Son   Born  Wilton. Wiltshire.

Charles Clay age  2   Son   Born  Fovant. Wiltshire.

1861 Census. Tisbury. Wiltshire.

Donhead Lane.

William A. Clay age 32  Gentleman  Born  London. Middlesex.

Mariannah Clay age   27  Wife            Born   Manchester. Lancashire.

Agnes Jane Haman age 30  unmarried. Visitor  Born  Lancashire.

8 Servants.

1901 Census. Fovant. Wiltshire.

Challoner Clay age  42  Surgeon  Born Fovant. Wiltshire.

Annie K. Clay age  35  Wife            Born  London.

Vivian H. Clay age 8   Son  Born  Fovant. Wiltshire.

Sybil H.K. Clay age 5  Daughter   Born Fovant. Wiltshire.

Flora A.M. Clay age 37 Sister        Born Fovant. Wiltshire.

2 Servants.

1911 Census. Barford St Martin. Dinton. Salisbury. Wiltshire.

Alfred Hastings Clay age 52 Farmer Born Wilton. Wiltshire.

Annie Clay age 40 Wife Born Denmead. Wiltshire.

Vera Hastings Clay age 8 Daughter. Born Barford. St Martin. Wiltshire.

2 female Boarders. 

1911 Census. Fovant. Salisbury. Wiltshire.

Challmer Clay age 52 Surgeon Born Fovant. Wiltshire.

Annie Hinnan Clay age 45 Wife Born Islington. Middlesex.

Charlotte Godolphin Clay 54 Sister. Single. Private Means. Born Wilton. Wiltshire.

Vivian Hastings Clay age 18 Son Student Ecclist. Born Fovant. Wiltshire.

2 Servants.

1911 Census. Bulford. Salisbury. Wiltshire.

Catherine Keel age 67 Born Bulford. Wiltshire.

Elizabeth Clay age 34 Daughter of Catherine. Widow. Laundress. Born Bulford. Wiltshire.

Berge Clay age 8 Daughter of Elizabeth Born Portsmouth. Hampshire.

John Clay age 7 Son of Elizabeth  Born Portsmouth. Hampshire.

1911 Census. Salisbury. Wiltshire.

Sidney Charles James Clay age 1 nephew to Tompkin Born Salisbury.

Living with Tomkin Family.

1911 Census. Salisbury. Wiltshire.

Frank Clay age 26 Widower. Attendant at Lunatic Asylum. Born Sneinton. Nottingham.

1911 Census. Salisbury. Wiltshire.

Louisa Clay age 22 Probationer Nurse at Hospital Born Cheltenham. Gloucestershire.

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