He worked at a countinghouse in Boston from 1832 to 1834 before studying law and being admitted to the bar. He practiced law with his father in Lexington, Kentucky.
Clay served as chargé d'affaires to Portugal from August 1, 1849, to July 19, 1850. He farmed in Missouri in 1851 and 1852 before returning to Lexington. Clay had been a lifelong member of the Whig Party. But when the Whig Party disintegrated following Henry Clay's death, and due to the controversy surrounding the Kansas–Nebraska Act, Clay joined the Democratic Party. He was elected to the Thirty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859). Clay did not run for renomion in 1858 and declined an appointment by President James Buchanan to a mission to Germany. His father having died, Clay returned to Lexington and farmed using enslaved labor; his household also included three male boarders.[1] In the 1860 census he owned a dozen slaves in Fayette County (surrounding Lexington).[2]
Clay was a member of the Peace Conference of 1861 held in Washington, D.C., an attempt to prevent the impending American Civil War. During the Civil War Clay supported the Confederacy and was commissioned to raise a regiment. Ill-health from tuberculosis prevented Clay from doing so.
On Clay's service as American chargé d'affaires to Portugal, see Sara B. Bearss, "Henry Clay and the American Claims against Portugal, 1850," Journal of the Early Republic 7 (Summer 1987): 167–80.
External linksedit
James Brown Clay's official Congressional biography
Clay Family Papers at the Library of Congress
Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate
Allen, William B. (1872). A History of Kentucky: Embracing Gleanings, Reminiscences, Antiquities, Natural Curiosities, Statistics, and Biographical Sketches of Pioneers, Soldiers, Jurists, Lawyers, Statesmen, Divines, Mechanics, Farmers, Merchants, and Other Leading Men, of All Occupations and Pursuits. Bradley & Gilbert. pp. 270–271. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
james, brown, clay, november, 1817, january, 1864, american, politician, diplomat, served, member, united, states, house, representatives, kentucky, congressional, district, from, 1857, 1859, member, house, representatives, from, kentucky, districtin, office, . James Brown Clay November 9 1817 January 26 1864 was an American politician and diplomat who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Kentucky s 8th congressional district from 1857 to 1859 James Brown ClayMember of the U S House of Representatives from Kentucky s 8th districtIn office March 4 1857 March 3 1859Preceded byAlexander Keith MarshallSucceeded byWilliam E Simms13th United States Ambassador to PortugalIn office August 1 1849 July 19 1850PresidentZachary TaylorPreceded byGeorge Washington HopkinsSucceeded byCharles B HaddockPersonal detailsBorn 1817 11 09 November 9 1817Washington D C U S DiedJanuary 26 1864 1864 01 26 aged 46 Montreal Quebec CanadaResting placeLexington CemeteryPolitical partyWhigDemocraticSpouseSusan Maria JacobRelativesHenry Clay father Henry Clay Jr brother John Morrison Clay brother James Brown uncle Susan Clay Sawitzky granddaughter Alma materTransylvania UniversityProfessionLawyer Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death and legacy 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksEarly life and education editBorn in Washington D C while his father Henry Clay was serving in the United States Congress James Brown Clay was named for the husband of his maternal aunt James Brown His brothers were Henry Clay Jr and John Morrison Clay Clay attended a boys school associated with Kenyon College Gambier Ohio founded by family friend Bishop Philander Chase Later Clay attended Transylvania University in Lexington Kentucky Career editHe worked at a countinghouse in Boston from 1832 to 1834 before studying law and being admitted to the bar He practiced law with his father in Lexington Kentucky Clay served as charge d affaires to Portugal from August 1 1849 to July 19 1850 He farmed in Missouri in 1851 and 1852 before returning to Lexington Clay had been a lifelong member of the Whig Party But when the Whig Party disintegrated following Henry Clay s death and due to the controversy surrounding the Kansas Nebraska Act Clay joined the Democratic Party He was elected to the Thirty fifth Congress March 4 1857 March 3 1859 Clay did not run for renomion in 1858 and declined an appointment by President James Buchanan to a mission to Germany His father having died Clay returned to Lexington and farmed using enslaved labor his household also included three male boarders 1 In the 1860 census he owned a dozen slaves in Fayette County surrounding Lexington 2 Clay was a member of the Peace Conference of 1861 held in Washington D C an attempt to prevent the impending American Civil War During the Civil War Clay supported the Confederacy and was commissioned to raise a regiment Ill health from tuberculosis prevented Clay from doing so Personal life editIn 1843 Clay married Susan Maria Jacob the daughter of Louisville s first millionaire and sister of its later mayor Charles Donald Jacob The couple eventually had ten children Death and legacy editClay died in Montreal Quebec Canada where he had gone for his health He is interred at his family plot in Lexington Cemetery See also editHenry Clay Ashland Henry Clay home Clay family Henry Clay Jr Susan Clay Sawitzky Thomas Clay McDowellReferences edit 1860 U S Federal Census for District 1 Fayette County Kentucky dwelling 493 family 500 1860 U S Federal Census Slave Schedule for District 1 Fayette County Kentucky p 44 of 48 This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress On Clay s service as American charge d affaires to Portugal see Sara B Bearss Henry Clay and the American Claims against Portugal 1850 Journal of the Early Republic 7 Summer 1987 167 80 External links editJames Brown Clay s official Congressional biography The Filson Historical Society Clay Family Papers at the Library of Congress Ashland the Henry Clay Estate Allen William B 1872 A History of Kentucky Embracing Gleanings Reminiscences Antiquities Natural Curiosities Statistics and Biographical Sketches of Pioneers Soldiers Jurists Lawyers Statesmen Divines Mechanics Farmers Merchants and Other Leading Men of All Occupations and Pursuits Bradley amp Gilbert pp 270 271 Retrieved 2008 11 10 U S House of Representatives Preceded byAlexander K Marshall Member of the U S House of Representatives from Kentucky s 8th congressional district1857 1859 Succeeded byWilliam E Simms Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Brown Clay amp oldid 1220335100, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
