Arthur J. Morris Law Library 580 Massie Road University of Virginia Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 archives@law.virginia.edu URL: http://archives.law.virginia.edu/
Buckner Clay was one of the younger members of the distinguished Clay family of Kentucky, and the early associations of his
life and the beginning of his career as a lawyer were in old Bourbon County.
He was born near Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, 31 December 1877, son of Col. Ezekiel and Mary (Woodford) Clay. He is a
descendant of John Clay, who came to America from England in the first years of the Virginia colony.
Col. Ezekiel F. Clay, father of Buckner Clay, was a son of Brutus J. and Amelia Clay, and was born in Bourbon County, 1 December
1840. He left college to enter the Confederate army, became a colonel of cavalry, and was an officer until taken prisoner
in the spring of 1864. After the war, he settled on his estate, known as Runnymede, in Bourbon County, a place he made celebrated
as the home of some of the finest Kentucky thoroughbreds. Col. Ezekiel Clay married, in 1866, Mary L. Woodford, a daughter
of John T. and Elizabeth (Buckner) Woodford, representing another noted family of Kentuckians. The fourth of their six children
was Buckner Clay.
Buckner Clay graduated from Kentucky University A. B. with the class of 1897, and received his degree in law from the University
of Virginia in 1900. He was admitted to the bar at Paris, Kentucky, but in June 1903 went to Charleston, where for a number
of years he was the junior member of the law firm of Price, Smith, Spilman & Clay.
Gold (18k) pocket watch with initials "WC" on case, inscribed "Woodford Clay from Mother, Sept. 20 - 1892"
Sept. 20 - 1892
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
3 U.Va. Law Diplomas belonging to Buckner Clay, 2 dated 1899, and 1 dated 1900; signed by William M. Lile and Raleigh C. Minor
1899-1900
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Silver urn with horn handles; black wooden stand
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Framed photo of Ezekiel Field Clay and his mother
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Matted photo of "Mr. Spilman"
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Oil portrait of Buckner Clay, painted by Wilford S. Conrow, 1925; 47" wide, 41.5 " tall; gold frame with light mounted above
1925
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Shot gun manufactured by L.C. Smith, in black and white case
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Bronze memorial plaque honoring Buckner Clay's work for the Edgewood Country Club (no date), along with a photograph of the
plaque
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Wooden box with hinged lid (11 x 25 x 6.5 cm) made from ash grown on the estate ("Ashland") of Henry Clay. Contains an unmounted
brass plate bearing name "Juliet Staunton Clay"
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Engraving of Major General Cassius M. Clay (from a photograph by Brady) in oval wooden frame
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Engraving of John Marshall in oval wooden frame
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Photographs of Buckner Clay alone (3) and with Buckner, Jr. (3)
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Obituaries of Buckner Clay from various newspapers and in typescript by "M.J."
Mixed Materials box: MSS 94-5
Printed program for testimonial dinner for Buckner Clay
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