The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-07-16

him to 6s for Colonel Watts of Mont gomery and for George P. Beirne, l Esq. of this county. In this capacity l
 Judge Clay was unremitting in his
 efforts of Southern independence. He served two years, and went before the l
 general assembly, of 1863 for reelection. |
 He was opposed by Colonel Seibel of
 Montgomery and Hon. J. L. M. Curry l
 of Talladega and after several ballot
 ings he withdrew In favor of Hon. R. |
 w. Walker. who was chosen. In April. |
 1864, he departed on a secret and con- |
 fdential mission to the British pro- vinces of this continent. and only re-
 turned in January. 1865. When the surrender of the Confederate armies | in Virginia and North Carolina took | place he started on horseback for Tex | as. but hearing that he was charged | with complicity in the murder of Pres l ident Lincoln and that a reward was offered for his apprehension, he rode | 150 miles to surrender himself to the | Federal authorities at Macon. Ga. In- | stead of appreciating this manly vim dication Of his honor. the Federal au- thorities immured him in the case | mates of Fortress Monroe and retained | him there twelve months without | bringing him to trial on the false | charges of treason and assassination. | He was cruelty and disgracefully treat ed and released in broken health.
 Judge Clay was of ordinary height | and frail and thin appearance His | features were of the refined and intel | ligent mold. and his eyes were brown, | with meditative expression. His | manner was easy without cordiality | and grave without austerity. He was | cultivated scholar whose mind had | been ripened by study, reflection and | experience. His letters and speeches | were few in number. but models of their | kind. He was moderate and prudent 1 in council and as Lord Bacon said | mot strong-headed but stout hearted" His moral character united all the | qualities of a Christian gentleman and he commanded the respect of every one. His influence in matters of public | import. as well as otherwise. has been always for good.
 Judge Clay married the daughter of pr. P. R. Tunstall. then of Baldwin, lady of fascinating attributes of mlnd ana elevated qualities of heart. While her husband was in Washing ton, Mrs Clay was one of the bright est ornaments of society there.
 Judge Clay died near Huntsville, January 3, 1882.
 "He has Joined the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again Tn minds made better by their presence.
 List of members of Mobile Chapter with national number of each, and ac- count of Revolutionary ancestor of each:
 AUsTILL. Miss Margaret-45s11- ancestor. Lieut.. John Files. served as first lieutenant in company of North carolina infantry. The company was commanded by Capt Benjamin Baskin, as Will appear by records in the War Department. Washington, D. c.
 BOYKIN. Mrs. Nina Hood-505s4- ancestor. Dr. Elijah Davis, born in 1760; died in Maryland, June 29, 1929; married Mary c. Garrettson; when only a boy ran away from home and joined his eldest brother. pr. John Davis, sur geon- general of the Pennsylvania forces; fought at the battle of Long Island where he was taken prisoner; until the end of the Revolution was kept on board the Jersey" hand-cuffed to another prisoner. After the war he was discharged. Authority: Prisoners on British Prison Ships" published by the Society of Old Brooklynites in 1888. page 2S. Another ancestor of Mrs. Boykin. Henry Laurens, born in Charleston. S. C.. in 1724; died in Charleston. s. C.. Dec 8. 1792 married Eleanor Ball. Henry Laurens was in London experimenting the education of his sons when he received the first accounts of the troubles which were be- ginning to agitate the colonies. With thirty-eight other Americans, he en- deavored In 1774. by petition, to dis suade Parliament from passing the Bos- ton port bill, and exerted himself to prevent war: but finding his efforts futile, he hastened home to take part with his countrymen. He arrived in Charleston, December, 1774, was chosen President of the Council of Safety, and soon manifested that he had lost none of his energy and habits Of business In l7T8 he was elected a delegate to Con- gress: soon after taking his seat, was made President of that body and con- tinued such until close of 177s. when he resigned In 1779, on his way to Hol- land as minister plenipotentiary from the United States. he was captured by the British, carried to London, and committed to the Tower. For the first month of his confinement he was per mitted to walk out with an armed guard, but this indulgence was taken from hlm in consequence of being asked by Lord George Gordon. also a prisoner, to walk with him. His confinement lasted more than fourteen months, dur ing which various efforts were made by the British Government to shake his constancy. but without effect. Soon after his release. he received a com mission from Congress to be one of their ministers for negotiating a peace with Great Britain. and having repaired to Paris, he signed Nov. 30, 17s2, with Dr. Franklin and John Jay, the pre- of the treaty. On his return home he was received with every mark of esteem, but declined all offices. He died Dec. 8. 1792. nearly 70 years of age. Encyc. Amer. Vol III. p. 446. Another ancestor of Mrs. Boykin, John Hood, born in Virginia, May 1. 1759 died in Wilkes County, Georgia, February, 1927; served as private In Capt. Charles Pel- hams company, 1st Virginia regiment Records War Department. Washington. n. c.
 BARKER, Mrs. Joanna Ferguson Bar ker, 29366-Ancestor, Col. Robert Ruth erford, born in Virginia, April 1734; died in Newberry District, g. C., in 1874; married Dorothy Ann Brooks; delegate to General Congress held al Hillsboro, N. C.. August 21, 1775. Colonel Ruth erford moved from Virginia to Chat ham County, N. C., when he became Colonel of the county: was an active Whig for many years member of the Legislature; was appointed a Coun- ty Court Judge at the very beginning of the system. His daughter, Joanna married Morgan Winter ty; his mother was Elizabeth Morgan. the hero. Colonial Records of North Carolina. Vol. X, pp. l64. 165, 168; wheeler's History of North Carolina. O'Nealrs Annals of Newberry District