The town of
Clayton, in
Johnston County, North Carolina is built on the site of an
Indian trading path through territory that is now
Johnston and Wake counties. Called the Green Path,
this old Indian route was established by Tuscaroras,
an Iroquoian-speaking tribe. By the mid-1700s, a
stage line (New Bern to Hillsborough) relay station was
established here, near the home of a widow, Mrs.
Sarah Stallings. In 1771, Governor William Tryon's
troops established a road along this well-traveled
path.
The Civil War devastated Johnston County but the area slowly rebounded. The Town of
Clayton
was incorporated, along with Bentonsville, Beulah,
Boon Hill, Elevation, Ingrams, Meadow, O'Neals,
Pleasant Grove,
Selma,
Smithfield,
and Wilders, in 1869. With a 2007 population of
nearly 14,000, it is the second largest town in
Johnston
County.
Excellent soil and climate
conditions make Clayton an superb agricultural
area. Proximity to Durham's
Duke University
Medical Center
and to
Research Triangle Park
are good selling points to industry. Several
research farms and laboratories are located here, as
well as industries, such as Bayer, Caterpillar,
Champion Products, Novo Nordisk (a Danish
pharmaceutical company), Winn-Dixie, Fresenius Kabi
(a Swedish pharmaceutical company), and C & K.
Clayton has cultural activities as well as
family-oriented outdoor sports and recreation,
including fishing, swimming, boating, picnicking, and golf.
The Neuse Golf Club, Pine Hollow Golf Club, and Riverwood Golf Club serve the immediate local area,
with most of North Carolina's
championship golf courses within an hour's drive.
Although there is much
controversy about the naming of Clayton, there is no
doubt that it was named in honor of Senator John
Middleton Clayton (1796-1856) from Delaware.
Located near two interstate
highways: I-40 and I-95, Clayton sits on the western
edge of Johnston County.
Clayton is about 15 minutes to the east of the state
capital of North Carolina,
Raleigh, and about 30 minutes
from NC's world famous
Research Triangle Park.
Clayton is a prosperous town with rapid residential
growth and excellent quality of life benefits.
Clayton utilizes the
Johnston County Courthouse,
located at 207 E Johnston St., Smithfield,
NC 27577.
Domestic issues such as divorce, child support,
custody, visitation, and division of the marital
property are considered civil issues; all actions
relating to family issues are handled in the
District Court division.
Cases assigned to Family Court
include juvenile delinquency charges; neglect and
abuse charges; termination of parental rights and
adoptions; domestic violence; child custody and
visitation rights; divorce and related financial
issues like child support, alimony, or equitable
distribution of property; abortion consent waivers,
paternity; involuntary commitments and
guardianships.
Judges who hear domestic cases can provide referrals to mediators,
counselors, or classes that may help families reach
their own resolutions without having a judge make
the decision for them. The judge becomes the last
resort if there is no resolution. All issues
involving one family are assigned to one judge, and
a case manager helps families negotiate their way
through the system. This is beneficial for families
dealing with difficult issues such as child custody
and visitation rights; divorce, child support, and
alimony. The case manager also assures that cases
comply with the Family Court time standards for
disposing of the case.
