Joseph Clay (Georgia soldier)

Joseph Clay (1741-1804) was an American merchant, lawyer, and politician from Savannah, Georgia, who served as a Continental Army officer during the American Revolutionary War.

Born in Great Britain, Clay emigrated to Savannah in the 1760s and established himself as a successful merchant. He became involved in the growing movement for independence and was appointed to the Georgia Provincial Congress.

At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Clay was commissioned as a captain in the 1st Georgia Regiment and served throughout the war, rising to the rank of deputy paymaster general for the Southern Department. He was responsible for managing the finances of the Continental Army in the South, a difficult and crucial role. His efforts were critical to sustaining the war effort in that region. He maintained a network of contacts and used his business acumen to procure supplies and manage complex financial transactions.

Following the war, Clay resumed his law practice and served in various political positions, including as a member of the Georgia General Assembly and as the mayor of Savannah. He was also a delegate to the Georgia convention that ratified the United States Constitution in 1788. He was a strong supporter of the new Constitution.

Clay was a prominent figure in Georgia during the Revolutionary era and played a significant role in the state's political and economic development. His contributions as a military officer and public servant helped to secure American independence and establish a new nation.