Person:Alexander Clay (1)

Alexander Anderson Clay was born at Bedeque, Lot 26, Prince County, Prince Edward Island, Canada, on November 8, 1858. During the 1870's he moved with his family to Summerside and first worked as a store clerk. In the book, entitled Down at the Shore - A History of Summerside P.E.I. (1752-1945), by Robert Allan Rankin (1980), at page 126, speaking of troubled economic times and the departure of men to other places, mention is made of Alexander Clay, clerk at F.W. Strong's store, leaving for New York State about 1880.

1891 Census: NAC T-6382, CA, PEI, Prince County, Summerside:

Clay, Alex. A M 32 M(arried) Head (PoB) PEI (PoB father) PEI (PoB mother) PEI Pres. Dry Goods salesman Clay, Grace L. F 28 M Wife PEI Ireland PEI Pres. Clay, Vera B. F 2 S(ingle) Dau. PEI PEI PEI Pres.

From Summerside Journal, October 3, 1894:

"Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Clay, Trenton, N.S., are visiting relatives and friends here."

NOTE: Alexander and Grace Clay moved from Summerside to Trenton between 1891 and 1894.

In the 1896 McAlpine Directory, in the listing for Pictou County, on page 1364, is the following: "Clay, A.A., dry goods, etc. Trenton"

The family moved to New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1899 where he was a sales representative.

1901 Census:

Source Information: 1901 Census of Canada Subdistrict: New Glasgow, PICTOU, NOVA SCOTIA District Number: 38 Subdistrict Number: y-5 Archives Microfilm: T-6455

8 23 66 Clay Alex A. M Head M Nov 8 1858 42 PEI Scotch Presbyterian Com. traveller 8 24 66 Clay Grace L. F Wife M Nov 8 1861 39 PEI Irish Presbyterian 8 25 66 Clay Vera B. F Daughter S Aug 23 1888 12 PEI Scotch Presbyterian 8 26 66 Clay Hazel J. F Daughter S Mar 13 1892 9 Nova Scotia Scotch Presbyterian 8 27 66 Clay Merrill A. M Son S Aug 1 1896 4 Nova Scotia Scotch Presbyterian 8 28 66 Clay Harvey R. M Son S Feb 14 1899 2 Nova Scotia Scotch Presbyterian

1911 Census:

1911 Census of Canada Nova Scotia, PICTOU COUNTY District Number 50 SubDistrict: New Glasgow SubDist Number: 50

20 45 194 Clay, Alex A Mt. Ross M Head M Nov 1859 52 (b) PEI Scotch Pres Accountant 20 46 194 Clay, Grace Mt. Ross F Wife M Nov 1861 50 PEI Irish Pres 20 47 194 Clay, Hazel Mt. Ross F Dau S Mar 1892 19 NS Scotch Pres Steno 20 48 194 Clay, Merrill Mt. Ross M Son S Jan 1897 14 NS Irish Pres 20 49 194 Clay, Harvey Mt Ross M Son S Aug 1899 12 NS Irish Pres 20 50 194 Clay, Gwendolyn " F Dau S Aug 1902 8 NS Irish Pres

NOTE: Both Merrill and Harvey's birth months are incorrect, as is the year of Merrill's birth. Merrill should be Aug 1896 and Harvey should be Feb 1899. Also, Alexander A. should be Nov 1858.

From The Morning Guardian, Charlottetown, August 21, 1902:

"At New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, on the 5th inst., the wife of A.A. Clay of a daughter."

NOTE: This is a record of the birth of Gwendolyn Howatt Clay, the last child of A.A. and Grace Clay.

The following listings are stated in the McAlpine Directory for Nova Scotia under the listing for New Glasgow:

"1902 page 825 Clay, A.A. Commercial traveller Little Harbour Road 1907-1908 page 1116 Clay, A.A. Grocer & provisioner Provost, h. Little Harbour Road (now Almonte Avenue)"

In the Canadian Gazetteer for 1908, under the listing for grocers in Nova Scotia on page 630 is the listing: "Clay, A.A., New Glasgow"

The Civil Service List of Canada (1918) under the Department of Customs for New Glasgow lists: "Clay, A.A.; Preventive Officer; Salary $1,000.00; born November 8, 1858; appointed August 15, 1915."

From the Evening News, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Monday, 9 Feb 1925:

" DEATH CALLS RESPECTED NEW GLASGOW CITIZEN

A.A. Clay, Former Merchant, Passes Away Following Long Illness

On Saturday death called one of New Glasgow's best known citizens when Mr. Alexander A. Clay received the final call. He was in poor health for many years suffering from pernicious anemia and although at times seemed to make improvement, yet suffered much and death brought a merciful release from pain. There was perhaps no man better known in the community than Mr. Clay. He was born in Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, in 1858, and came to New Glasgow in 1899. He conducted a grocery store for many years on the stand now occupied by ex-Mayor George White, and there he did a large business. He was known for his honesty and integrity, and had the respect and esteem of the citizens. Some ten years ago he was in the Customs service, but for the last five years had been quite ill and unable to attend to the duties of his office. Those who knew the late Mr. Clay best were most appreciative of his many fine qualities, and the community generally sincerely mourns his passing. A member of First Presbyterian Church, he was very much interested in the work of the congregation. Mr. Clay had been in church not very long ago, and while it is known that he was quite ill, news of his passing at his home, Almonte Avenue, came as a shock to a wide cirtcle of friends. He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Grace Reid of Summerside, P.E.I., and two daughters, Mrs. R.S. Topper, and Miss Gwendolyn Clay of Hartford Conn., and two sons, Dr. M.A. Clay of Mulgrave, and Harvey R. Clay, at present in Hartford, Conn. Mrs. Topper is expected home for the funeral. Dr. Clay is at present in New Glasgow. Four sisters and two brothers also survive. The sisters are Mrs. (Capt.) J.H. Walsh of Halifax, Mrs. D.M. Johnston of Long River, P.E.I., Mrs. W. Bearisto and Miss Bessie Clay, R.N. of Calgary, Alberta. The brothers are Fulton J. Clay of Spokane, Washington and Rev. W.L. Clay, D.D. of Victoria, B.C. The funeral will take place Tuesday afternoon from his late home."

A shorter obituary appeared in the Halifax Chronicle on 9 February 1925 at page 2:

" A.A. CLAY (Special to Morning Chronicle)

New Glasgow, Feb 8 - The death occured last evening of A.A. Clay, aged sixty years. Deceased was a prominent citizen of the town, and a Customs inspector for some years. he is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters: Dr. M. Clay of Digby, Harvey at home, Mrs. R.S. Topper, Hartford, Conn., and Miss Gwendolyn Clay in the United States. The late Mr. Clay was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. He had been in poor health for a number of years. The funeral will be held on Tuesday afternoon, Dr. E.H. Ramsay, of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery."

From Eastern Chronicle, 14 Feb 1925, page 8, Column 3 - read on film #4402 at NSARM 2 Sep 2005: (copy on file)

" A.A. CLAY DEAD

The death occurred on Saturday of Alexander A. Clay who for a number of years has been a well known citizen of New Glasgow. Mr. Clay came to New Glasgow from Prince Edward ISland and became a merchanthere and engaged in business both in New Glasgow and Trenton. At a later date he entered the Customs service and continued there until ill health compelled him to retire. He was a quiet but kindly man and was well liked by a large number of friends who had deepest sympathy for him in his long illness and mourn his death. He is survived by his wife.ormerly Miss Grace Reid, of Summerside, P.E.I., and two daughters, Mrs. R. S. Topper and Miss Gwendolyn Clay, of Hartford, Conn., and two sons, Dr. M. A. Clay of Mulgrave and Harvey R. Clay, at present in Hartford, Conn. Mrs. Topper is expected home for the funeral. Dr. Clay is at present in New Glasgow. Four sisters and two brothers also survive. The sisters are Mrs. (Capt.) J. H. Walsh, of Halifax, Mrs. D. M. Johnston, of Long River, P.E.I., Mrs. W. Beairsto and Miss Bessie Clay, R. N., of Calgary, Alberta. the brothers are Fulton J. Clay of Spokane, Washington and Rev. W. L. Clay, D.D., of Victoria, B.C. The funeral took place this afternoon."

From the Summerside Journal, 18 Feb. 1925, page 5: (copy in file)

" OBITUARY ------------ Alexander A. Clay -----------

The death occurred at New Glasgow, N.S. on Saturday of Alexander A. Clay, who for a number of years had been a well-known citizen of New Glasgow. Mr. Clay went to New Glasgow from P.E. Island and became a merchant there and engaged in business both in New Glasgow and Trenton. At a later date he entered the Customs service and continued there until ill-helath compelled him to retire. He is survived by his wife, formerly Miss Grace Reid, of Summerside, P.E.I. and two duaghters, Mrs. R. S. Topper and Miss Gwendolyn Clay of Hartford, Conn., and two sons, Dr. M.A. Clay of Mulgrave and Harvey R. Clay in Hartford. Four sisters and two brothers also survive. The sisters are Mrs. (Capt.) J.H. Walsh of Halifax; Mrs. D. M. Johnston, of Long River, P.E.I.; Mrs. W. Bearisto and Miss Bessie Clay, R.N., of Calgary, ALberta. the brothers are Fulton J. Clay, of Spokane, Wash., and Rev. W. L. Clay, D.D. of Victoria, B.C."

" PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF DEATH #1353

1. Place of death: County of Pictou, Minicipality of New Glasgow, Town of New Glasgow Albion Ave. 2. Name of deceased: Clay, Alexander A.

  Residence:		New Glasgow

3. Sex: Male 4. Racial origin: Scotch 5. Marital status: Married 6. Birthplace: P.E.I. 7. Date of birth: Nov 8th 1858 8. Age: 66 years 9. Occupation of deceased:Custom House Officer 10. Length of residence:25 years at place of death 11. Name of father: John Clay 12. Birthplace of father:P.E.I. 13 Maiden name of mother:Jane Cousins 14. Birthplace of mother:P.E.I. 15. Informant: Mrs. A. A. Clay Address: New Glasgow 16: Relationship to deceased: Wife 17: Place and date of burial: Riverside, 10 Feb 1925 18. Undertaker: James Ross

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH 19. Date of death: Feb 7th 1925 20: I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from Nov 1920 to Feby 7, 1925 and that I last saw him alive on Feb 7th 1925 and that death occirred on the date stated above at 9 pm. The cause of death was pernicious anemia (duration) 5 years Contributory cause: Vascular disease heart (duration) 5 years Was there an operation? no Was ther an autopsy? no (signed) W. H. Robbins Address: New Glasgow Date: Feb 9th/25

Filed: Feb 9th, 1925 (signed) James Ross Division Registrar

On 6 Sep 2005 we visited Riverside Cemetery, Trenton Road, New Glasgow and recorded the following:

Black marble stone:

CLAY/Alexander A Clay/1858-1925/His wife/Grace Lydia/1861-1953/Vera Blanche/1888-1910/ Gwendolyn Howat/ 1902-1985