Moore’s Alabama History Includes Sketch of Life of Thomas Clinton
Tuscaloosa News
Thursday, July 7, 1927

Dr. A. B. Moore. dean of the graduate school of the University of Alabama, is spending the entire summer at work on the history of Alabama which he is writing for use at the University. Included in Dr. Moore’s book is an interesting sketch of Thomas P. Clinton, one of Tuscaloosa’s most interesting and beloved characters. Mr. Clinton’s parents are also discussed. Mr. Clinton, who has written many interesting articles of local history, is discussed by Dr. Moore as follows:

“Thomas P. Clinton has been a resident of Tuscaloosa county all his life, has been identified with agriculture in the main and probably the best authority on all matters of local history in and around Tuscaloosa. Possessed of a remarkable memory, stored his memory with almost an encyclopedia of facts and names comprising most of the events worthy of historical record, and he would have been an ideal author of a history of his county. Mr. Clinton is a kindly, courteous gentleman, hospitable, and his long and upright life has won him friends of greater value than any material wealth.

“His father was Patrick Clinton, a native of County Louth, Ireland. Patrick Clinton when a young man determined to come America and seek the new world the opportunities that were absent in the impoverished circumstances of his native island. He first came over in 1833 but after a few years went back and married Catherine Boyle.

“In 1851 he and his wife came to the United States and located at Tuscaloosa where he became a retail meat dealer and also engaged in construction both in Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties. With carts, slave labor and mules, and he dug the foundation the Bryce hospital in Tuscaloosa in 1852. The east row of trees on the campus of the University was  set out by him.

Died In 1860

“Patrick Clinton was Catholic and one of the organizers of the church of that denomination in Tuscaloosa. Patrick Clinton died February 13, 1860, at the age of forty-five. His widow in 1862 became the wife of Dennis Dughan and by that marriage there was a daughter Margaret who became the wife of Anthony McGill, a native of Ireland. The four children of Patrick and Catherine were: Mary, who died in childhood; Peter, a merchant at Tuscaloosa, Matthew, a farmer who lived out his life in Tuscaloosa county and Thomas P.

“Thomas P. Clinton was born near the present site of the University of Alabama, September 1, 1859. His early education was acquired in a county school conducted by Miss Sarah Baird, back of the University, the private school of H. S. Whitfield, and another school taught by Miss Mary E. Smith daughter of W. R. Smith, one of the conspicious [sic] figures in the history of Tuscaloosa. However, Mr. Clinton had a mind naturally studious and with an inclination to systematic arrangement of knowledge, that his education has never ceased. His career has been on the business side identified with agriculture, and for many years he has been one of the leading farmers of Tuscaloosa county.

            “Mr. Clinton married Miss Julia Watkins, daughter Calvin and Mary (Glover) Watkins. They were married January 7, 1892, and she died May 21, 1922. The four children by their marriage were: Peter Leo, who died when 22; Katherine, Matthew W., and John P. Matthew W. Clinton was in the student army training corps during the World War, and is now instructor in history in the Tuscaloosa high school, with his home on the Sanders Ferry Road, two miles from Tuscaloosa.”