Ewell’s Methodist Church
“Ewell’s Methodist Church (M.P.) at Clayton. This church was built through the efforts of the Rev. David J. Ewell for whom it was named. The dedication services were held on Dec. 30, I 860, by the Revs. T. B. Valiant and John Roberts. The work bogged down and the church was closed in 1869. In […]
Town of Clayton
KC-59: First known as Smyrna Station, the Town of Clayton began when the railroad came to this area in the mid-1850’s. In 1860, the name was changed to honor Delawarean John M. Clayton, a former United States Secretary of State and strong advocate of the railroad. Incorporated on April 15, 1887. Clayton became one of […]
Byrd’s African Methodist Episcopal Church
In the early 1890s, Clayton was home to an increasing population of African-Americans, many of whom were railroad workers. Byrd’s African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church was built in 1894 to accommodate this growing community who previously had to walk several miles to Mount Friendship Church for services. The land was purchased from Willis C. Dickerson […]
Clayton
RG# 6030 The 1800s Established as a stop on the railroad through Delaware in 1855, Clayton was originally known as Smyrna Station. In 1860, its name was changed to honor John M. Clayton, a former U.S. Secretary of State and a strong advocate of the railroad. Clayton was first incorporated in 1887. Five men […]
