Matthew CLAY, Congress, VA (1754-1815)

CLAY Matthew , a Representative from Virginia; born in Halifax County, near Danville, Va., March 25, 1754; during the Revolutionary War entered the Ninth Virginia Regiment October 1, 1776, transferred to the First Virginia Regiment in 1778 and to the Fifth Virginia Regiment in 1781, being successively promoted to first lieutenant, captain, and quartermaster; mustered out 1783; member of the State house of delegates 1790-1794; elected as a Republican to the Fifth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1797-March 3, 1813); chairman, Committee on Militia (Tenth Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1813 to the Thirteenth Congress; elected to the Fourteenth Congress and served from March 4, 1815, until his death at Halifax Court House, Va., May 27, 1815; interment in the old family burying ground in Pittsylvania County, Va.

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