CLAY, Joseph, Congress, GA (1741-1804)

CLAY, Joseph, (grandfather of William Henry Stiles), a Delegate from Georgia; born in Beverly, Yorkshire, England, October 16, 1741; immigrated to the United States and in 1760 settled in Savannah, Ga., where he engaged in the general commission business; elected a member of the council of safety June 22, 1775; delegate to the Provisional Congress which met in Savannah July 4, 1775; major in the Georgia Line of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; appointed by the Continental Congress deputy paymaster general in Georgia with the rank of colonel August 6, 1777; elected to the Continental Congress in 1778, but did not attend; original trustee of Franklin College, Athens, Ga.; elected treasurer of Georgia in July 1782; judge of the United States Court for the District of Georgia 1786-1801; died in Savannah, Ga., November 15, 1804; interment in Colonial Park Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present