CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA - CEMETERIES – Clay Tomb
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Source: Library of Virginia Digital Collection


LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Rev. E. Clay’s tomb:
                  1936 May 7
                  Research made by Craig Romaine

Cemetery Location:  2 miles east of Bailey Road, 3 miles east of Route #360
                    Chesterfield County


DATE:

1836

OWNERS:

(blank)

DESCRIPTION:

None.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

There is some contradiction as to the exact date of the birth of Rev. Eleazer 
Clay, sometimes referred to as Rev. E. Clay.  The year is definitely 
established, but the day and the month are undecided.  Robert B. Sample in his 
work entitled “A History of the Rise and Progress of Baptists in Virginia” 
states that Rev. Clay was born on May 2, 1744; however, the inscription on the 
tombstone of this once esteemed and wealthy minister, gives the date as August 
4, in the same year.  They both agree on the date of his death – May 2, 1836.  

A devoted disciple of the Baptist religion was the Rev. Clay.  In 1773 he became 
one of the constituent members of Chesterfield Church.  Two years later he was 
made pastor of this church, serving as such for fifty years.  “He was 
increasingly attached to the Bible”, someone says of him, “Besides reading the 
Old Testament he read the New Testament through once a month”.  

His life was an interesting one.  It seems he was “led to Christi” through the 
efforts of William Webber and Joseph Anthony whom he heard preaching “up in 
Halifax”.  Hearing the call, he immediately joined the Baptist cause and waged a 
bitter but apparently successful fight.  At this time the Church of England 
still held its old power, and to profess any belief or doctrine other than that 
taught by this church was to deliberately submit to persecution.  Through his 
“dauntless spirit”, Rev. Clay escaped imprisonment, and “being rich” he devoted 
much time comforting and administering to the needs of the less fortunate and 
imprisoned preachers.  Rev. L.W. Moore says of him, “His labors were confined 
almost entirely to Chesterfield.  In the county he labored long and faithfully.  
Blunt in his manners, he was nevertheless earnest and constant in his efforts to 
do good.  For a long time he was Moderator of the Middle District Association.” 

Feeling ill health and age creeping upon him, the Rev. Clay decided to choose a  
suitable place to be laid to rest.   A place was selected on the old Clay tract 
where his first and second wives has been buried.  There he had a tomb built, 
measuring approximately four by ten feet, and constructed out of huge stones 
hauled by oxen.  The inscription on this tomb is given below.  This was opened 
in 1925 – closed in 1926 and nothing but bones were found – according to writing 
found on the cement used to re-seal it.


In
memory of
Rev. E. Clay
Born Augt. 4th, 1744
Went into the French and
Indian War in March 1758
Made a profession of the
Christian Religion in Augt.
1771, became a member of the
Baptist Church & Commenced
Preaching the everlasting Gospel
of JESUS CHRIST the same year
And continued as is believed an 
humble follower of Jesus to his
Death which was 2nd May 1836
Aged 91 years 8 Mo. & 28 Days.



SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

Court Records, Chesterfield County, Virginia

Tombstone Inscriptions

Visit by worker.

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	This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives 
	by:  Joan Renfrow

	NOTICE:  I have no relationship or further information in 
	regards to this family.
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