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HENRY AND LYDIA CLAY

 
Henry CLAY was born in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, in 1813, the son of James Barton CLAY and Sarah WOOLEY. His future wife Lydia EVANS was born in Cradley, Worcestershire, in the same year. I have found no record of Henry between his baptism in 1813 and his first appearance in a Birmingham Directory in 1854. (but see * below for a possible sighting in the 1851 census). At that time he was going by the name of Henry BARTON, and had followed his father's trade of bootmaker. He had business premises at 95 Broad St, Islington, Birmingham. In 1855 he was joined by Lydia EVANS (milliner), and the same pairing is also listed in 1858. By 1860, the names have changed to Henry Barton CLAY and Mrs Lydia CLAY. However, I have not been able to locate a record of their marriage despite searching the indexes between 1855 and 1860. The earliest directories do not have a home address for Henry so as yet I have not found him on the 1861 census. However in 1871 he is listed as living at 7 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston as well as having the Broad St business address. On the 1871 census Henry is not at home but Lydia's occupation is stated as "Dealer in shoes." They also have a lodger who was a dressmaker plus a domestic servant. In later directories Henry is described as a "commercial traveller" and on the 1881 census as an "Agent." Whatever the nature of his work he made a lot of money - in his will in 1905 he left over £6000 which is equivalent to about £300,000 today. As Henry and Lydia had no children his money was divided between the children of his brothers Samuel and Joseph. To read more about the will follow this link.

* There is a possibility that a Henry BARTON listed in Birmingham on the 1851 census as a visitor to the home of Joseph WOODING at 64 Navi St, may be Henry CLAY. His occupation is given as "leather cutter," birthplace Wirksworth, and age as 33. Although the age is incorrect the rest fits. It is significant that this Henry Barton was unmarried.

Henry died on 9th Jan 1905 aged 91, Lydia having already died in 1903 (aged 89).

This information has been gathered from Birmingham directories, censuses of 1871, 1881 and 1891, and Henry's will.

Follow this link for an impressive photograph of Henry Clay on his horse.

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