Mary Brown, was born February 1779 in Frederick County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Alexander and Mary Brown. Mary wed John Calvin Clayton About 1799. Their first child, Thomas, was born 17 February 1800 in Hampshire County, Virginia.

In December her husband purchased land in the town of Springfield, Hampshire County, Virginia. Springfield was established in 1790 and laid off into lots of ½ acres each. Purchasers were to build a dwelling house at least 16 feet square. The house was required to have a brick or stone chimney an had to be fit for habitation within five years. If an owner failed to build trustees of Springfield could sell the lot over again and use the money for the benefit of other inhabitants in the town.

The Clayton’s apparently honored that agreement for they remained in Springfield until May of 1804 when they sold the property to Stephen Carrick. By the time the Clayton’s prepared for their trip to Ohio Mary had three children. Alexander, our direct ancestor, was born in June of 1802 and Eliza in January of 1804 as they talked of moving to Ohio. Mary and John traveled with members from both their families as well as the four year old, toddler and infant.

The family were pioneers settling in what was then a portion of Muskingum County, Ohio but would become Perry County in 1818. The township would be named Clayton in honor of their family.

They were among those who were described, in the history of the county, to have "paused from their labors, threw their hats in the air and rejoiced in the good news that America was victorious in the War of 1812." Son Matthew had served in the Hampshire County, Virginia Militia during the war.

Mary’s husband made several land transactions in the county both in Clayton and Reading townships. Their residence was in Clayton township. They were active in Unity Presbyterian Church. John sold property to the Clayton school trustees in April 1827. The family was paid $4.00 for one acre. Historians are not sure when the original log school house was built.

Mary had a total of ten children. The last, Isaac, was born 2 April 1821. Isaac would be the only child not to survive until adulthood. Isaac died 5 August 1823. And while there is no marker it is thought that he is buried in Unity Presbyterian Cemetery. In 1837 John and Mary obtained permission from the Presbytery to remove themselves to the church at New Lexington, though they continued to live in Clayton township.

By 1850 John and Mary were in their 70's. Their son Matthew and his wife resided with them along with Eliza who never married. John died 5 May 1854 at the age of 81 and was buried in Unity Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Mary Brown Clayton remained until her death in the summer of 1858 [28 August]. She was laid to rest beside her husband. They have matching sandstone tablet tombstones. In 1993 both stones were repaired and given new bases by this compiler and husband James Klaiber. The church no longer stands but the cemetery is mowed and cared for. For years Clayton descendants would hold family reunions at the site of Unity Presbyterian Church.