Person:John Clayton (47)

Watchers
m. 20 Feb 1857
Facts and Events
Name John Merryman Clayton
Gender Male
Birth[3] 1 Aug 1830 Jefferson, Alabama, United States
Marriage 20 Feb 1857 Ash Flat, Sharp, Arkansas, United Statesto Manerva Caroline Mann
Death[3] 31 Mar 1925 Plantersville, Lee, Mississippi, United States
Burial[3] Apr 1925 Cambelltown Cemetery, Guntown, Lee, Mississippi, United States

John served in the Civil War,1st Sgt. Co. H. 43rd Ms. Inf. John M. Clayton, son of Charles Collier and Eliza B. Clayton enlisted Apr. 20, 1862. He received a medical discharge Aug. 18, 1862.

MR. JOHN CLAYTON CELEBRATES 89TH BIRTHDAY AT HIS HOME NEAR GUNTOWN MISSISSIPPI AUGUST 8, 1919. On August 1, 1830, he was born in what is known as Clayton's Cove, Jefferson Co., Alabama about twenty miles east of where the present city of Birmingham is situated. When a boy, he came with his father's family to Mississippi, where they settled in Itawamba County. He was reared on a farm was a farmer all of his life, and was actively in all farm work until about ten or twelve years ago. There was a family reunion they day following his birthday, when thirty-five members gathered at the home to enjoy with him the pleasures that come from family ties. A number of his children and grandchildren were present as was also his only brother, Col. W. L. Clayton, of Tupelo, who was accompanied by Mrs. Clayton and daughter Mrs. W. D. Anderson, Miss Mary Agnes Anderson and Charles Anderson. Mr. Clayton is one of Lee County's most honored citizens and has many friends who join in wishing for him good health and many returns yet of his birthday. Military Service Served in the Civil War was discharged because of medical problems and later received a pension from the state of Mississippi.

Obituary from Tupelo Daily Journal 31 March 1925 MR. JOHN CLAYTON Mr. John Clayton died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dee Francis, March 31 aged 94 years and 8 months. A few days before his death, he fell and broke his hip and the shock hastened his death. Mr. Clayton was born in Clayton's Cove, Alabama on August 1, 1830. Birmingham is now located where the Clayton family once lived. When a youth he came with his fathers family to Itawamba County where he spent the greater part of his life. He saw the country develop from wilderness. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted and served throughout the war. When 21 years of age, he joined the Masonic fraternity and was a member until the end of his life. The precepts of the order were his daily guide and no man could ever say aught against his name. He joined the Baptist church when he was a young man and lived a consecrated Christian life. For a number of years Mr. Clayton was very infirm and lost his sight. In his afflictions he was a patient sufferer and no word of complaint ever fell from his lips. Although he could not see the hour hands of the clock, yet he had a consciousness of the passing hours as they came and went and every afternoon with the punctuality of the watch he wore he wound it when the hour hand reached four. The transformations which took place during the years that he lived were the most wonderful in the history of the world and it was given to him to see the world transformed form its ancient customs to the modernizes which characterize the present time. The remains were taken to Guntown where they were laid to rest by side of his wife, who preceded him to grave eighteen years, in Campbelltown Cemetery. Many friends gathered to pay their last respects. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. West. Mr. Clayton leaves four sons: John R. of Guntown, W. J. from Itawamba County, E. P. and W.L. from A & M College (A & M College is now Mississippi State at Starksville). His three daughters, Mrs. John Arnold, Mrs. Houston Stephens, and Mrs. Dee Francis were also present.

Will of John M. Clayton "I give and bequeath all my property of every kind and character to my beloved wife during her natural life and at her death I give and bequeath the same to my beloved children Ann Stevens, Eva Arnold, J.R. Clayton, W.J. Clayton, E.P. Clayton, W.L. Clayton and Littie L. Frances and my beloved grand daughter Annie Caroline Griffin whom I have raised and the other children of my beloved daughter Ella Griffin now deceased, James Stewart Griffin, John Alfred Griffin, Charlie L. Griffin, and Sittie May Patterson the said four last named grand children to have their mother's share of my estate while the said grand daughter Annie C. Griffin whom I have raised shall have a full share of my estate as if a child." Why John raised Annie (my Great Grandmother) and not the others, and why Annie received a full share of the estate when the other children split their mother's share is anybody's guess at this late date. I do know from talking to some of the descendents of the other children that this caused some very hard feelings. Apparently Ella's other four children were shuffled around among the aunts, uncles, and cousins and treated like unwanted step children. (This information was obtained from Bill Clayton.)

References
  1.   Mr. John Clayton, in Obituary Tupelo Daily Journal Tupelo, Mississippi. (Tupelo Daily Journal)
    Tuesday, 31 March 1925.

    Obituary 31 March 1925

  2.   Itawamba County, Mississippi. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule
    Roll M432_373, p 356A.

    Charles C Clayton, District 6, b. abt 1801, South Carolina
    Charles C Clayton, m, age 49, Eliza B Clayton, f, age 42, John Clayton, m. age 20, James S. Clayton, m. age 18; Nancy R Clayton, F. age 15; Washington Clayton, m. age 13; Andrew I Clayton,m. age 9; Charles C Clayton, m age 9; Mary C Clayton, f, age 3; Thomas I Clayton, m. age 2.

  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Find A Grave.