Biography

Mentioned in 18611026CharlesSumner_WHS: "The papers announce the probable return of C. M. Clay. If this be so, let me recommend for the vacancy John Jay of New York. I sincerely believe he will be the best man we can send."

Civil War Union Major General, US Diplomat. Nicknamed "The Lion of White Hall", at the outbreak of the Civil War, he was Minister to Russia and a antislavery supporter. President Abraham Lincoln recalled him to the United States in 1862, to accept a commission as a Major General of Volunteers for the support of Union International relations. He accepted his appointment, returned to Russia as a United States Military official serving 1863 to 1869 and was influential in the negotiations to purchase Alaska. Upon returning to America, he retired to his estate in Kentucky, wrote his autobiography and was a founding member of Berea College. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith) 
 
Family links: 
 Parents:
  Green Clay (1757 - 1828)
  Sally Lewis Clay (1776 - 1867)
 
 Spouses:
  Mary Jane Warfield Clay (1815 - 1900)
  Dora Richardson (1880 - 1914)*
 
 Children:
  Elisha Warfield Clay (1835 - 1851)*
  Green Clay (1837 - 1883)*
  Mary Barr Clay (1839 - 1924)*
  Sarah Lewis Clay Bennett (1841 - 1935)*
  Cassius Marcellus Clay (1843 - 1843)*
  Cassius Marcellus Clay (1845 - 1857)*
  Brutus Junius Clay (1847 - 1932)*
  Laura Clay (1849 - 1941)*
  Flora Clay (1851 - 1851)*
  Anne Clay Crenshaw (1859 - 1945)*
  Leonide Henry Clay (1866 - 1933)*
 
 Siblings:
  Elizabeth Lewis Clay Smith (1798 - 1887)*
  Sidney Payne Clay (1800 - 1834)*
  Paulina Green Clay Rodes (1802 - 1886)*
  Sally Ann Clay Johnson (1804 - 1829)*
  Brutus Junius Clay (1808 - 1878)*
  Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810 - 1903)
 
*Calculated relationship