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


LVA Titled Files: Survey Report, Clay cemetery and tomb:
                  1936 Apr. 28
                  Research made by Craig Romaine

Cemetery Location:  1 mile north of Route #360, 18 miles from Chesterfield Court 
                    House, Virginia
                    Chesterfield County


DATE:

Earliest date 1796

OWNERS:

None.

DESCRIPTION:

Besides producing many other men and women who were to rise to fame and success, 
Chesterfield County may well lay claim upon the Clay family, for here within the 
limits of the County, in the vicinity of Falling and Swift Creeks the parents of 
that celebrated statesmen, Henry Clay, was born.   They moved to Hanover County 
where Henry Clay, who was known as the “Millboy of the Slashes” was born.  There 
are Clays still living in Chesterfield County today and here also may be seen 
the graves of some of the ancestors of Henry Clay.

There is a curious though true story connected with one of these.  Phinebas 
Clay, who is sealed within a large vault in a remote and almost inaccessible 
section of a desolate part of the country.  Beside this vault lies his wife, 
Frances W. Clay, whose grave is marked by a fallen tombstone which is split in 
half and rapidly becoming covered with periwinkle.  Here also is another grave 
which apparently has no connection with that of Clay’s.  Phinebas clay, as the 
natives put it, “turned to stone”, that is, he became petrified in his tomb and 
was the cause of considerable interest and comment.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:


Many visited his vault and viewed his body, and after a write-up a few years 
ago, in a local paper, the crowds which came to see him grew to such large 
proportions that the property owner became perplexed by the situation.  He then 
conceived the idea of enlarging his finances and at the same time discouraging 
the visitors, so he charged twenty-five cents admission.   But this had no 
effect upon the crowds, they came as fast as before and some even chipped pieces 
off Mr. Clay to carry home as souvenirs.  After several of his toes as well as 
fingers were found missing the perturbation of the property owner increased, his 
ire was aroused and he immediately set about the task of solidly sealing the 
vault with cement.  According to a date crudely inscribed on the cement this was 
done in 1923.  Thus one is left to conjecture what dates and inscriptions, if 
any, may be within the vault.  

The following are the inscriptions found on the two tombstones here.


In Memory of
Alfred W. Hall M.D.
A graduate of Richmond Medical College
Born December 9th 1818
Died January 12th 1846
He was the constant friend of the afflicted poor
and kindly relieved the needy.


Sacred to the memory of
Frances W. 
Wife of Phinebas Clay
Born February 4th 1796
Died April 23rd 1853
She lived a devoted wife, a tender
and affectionate Mother,
An humble and pious Christian, was 
esteemed and loved for her many
extensive social and Christian 
virtues and died in the hope of a
glorious Immortality.



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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