Clement Comer Clay

Background

Clay, Clement Comer was born on December 17, 1789 in Halifax County, Virginia, United States. Son of William and Rebecca (Comer) Clay.

Education

Graduated from the University Tennessee, 1807.

Career

Admitted to Knoxville (Tennessee) bar, 1809. Served as adjunct of a battalion in Creek War of 1813. Member Alabama Territorial Legislature, 1817-1819.

Delegate to 1st Alabama, Constitutional Convention 1819.

Chief justice Tennessee, 1820-1823. Elected member Alabama Legislature, 1827, served as speaker lower house.

Member United States House of Representatives from Alabama, 21st-23d congresses, 1829-1835, instrumental in securing passage preemption laws for settlers and relief laws for purchasers of governmental lands in Alabama. Supported Jackson’s attacks on the United States Bank, also his opposition to nullification in South Carolina.

Governor Alabama, 1835-1837.

Member United States Senate from Alabama (elected to fill vacancy before governor’s term expired), 1837-1841, resigned, 1841. Commissioned by legislature to prepare digest of Alabama laws, completed, 1843. The American Association Foreign Justice Alabama Supreme Court, 1843.

Achievements

• Clement Comer Clay has been listed as a noteworthy senator, governor of Alabama by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Alabama Territorial Legislature, 1817-1819. Member United States House of Representatives from Alabama, 21st-23d congresses, 1829-1835, instrumental in securing passage preemption laws for settlers and relief laws for purchasers of governmental lands in Alabama. Member United States Senate from Alabama (elected to fill vacancy before governor’s term expired), 1837-1841, resigned, 1841.

Connections

Married Susanna Withers, 1815, 3 children including Clement Claiborne.

Father:

William Clay

Mother:

Rebecca (Comer) Clay

Spouse:

Susanna Withers