The Town of Slaughter, or also known as Clay Sink
One of the long forgotten towns of the Green Swamp was known as “Slaughter,” it was an early pioneer town. It is also known as Clay Sink on other maps and on Google Maps today. Essentially the area and community, around Harrison and Martha’s property, became known as both Slaughter and Clay Sink. The settlement town was north of Green Swamps Cumpressco and east of Lacoochee.
As the settlement was booming in the early 1900’s, as of 2011 fewer than 100 residents in less than 20 homes remain. The town came into decline after the schoolhouse closed in 1943.
Truck and general farming form the main occupations of the settlers in this neighborhood. At one time it was one of the greatest strawberry growing sections of the state. This crop was dropped when the Plant City neighborhoods were developed, on account of the inadequacy of shipping facilities.
As the settlement was booming in the early 1900’s, as of 2011 fewer than 100 residents in less than 20 homes remain. The town came into decline after the schoolhouse closed in 1943.
Truck and general farming form the main occupations of the settlers in this neighborhood. At one time it was one of the greatest strawberry growing sections of the state. This crop was dropped when the Plant City neighborhoods were developed, on account of the inadequacy of shipping facilities.
However, the history dates back to 1862 and was the namesake of the Slaughter Family. Harrison and Martha Ann McKinney Slaughter acquired 120 acres in this area from Jesse Sumner on May 20, 1862.
The settlement that developed here was first called “Slaughter,” ofcourse as mentioned after the pioneer family. Over time it became known as Clay Sink, the reason was there was a clay sinkhole would later be discovered in the area.
The settlement that developed here was first called “Slaughter,” ofcourse as mentioned after the pioneer family. Over time it became known as Clay Sink, the reason was there was a clay sinkhole would later be discovered in the area.
There is a cemetery established on a hill of those old moss-draped oaks in 1873 when the Slaughters buried their infant daughter there. In 1873 Martha and Harrison had a child that was born and died. Harrison made a coffin for the infant, put it on his shoulder and told Martha he was going to find a hill for the infant’s grave. This would be the start of the Clay Sink Cemetery.
Following this Harrison and Martha gave 2 acres for the cemetery and a church. The Clay Sink Missionary Baptist Church was formally organized on February 19, 1897 with twenty-one members, including Serena McKinney, Martha’s mother. Elder G.A. Bryant was the moderator in 1904 and erected the first church on the site The wood framed building served the Clay Sink Baptist Church for almost 50 years. There are members of the Bryant family buried here at the Clay Sink Cemetery. It is now maintained in perpetuity by the Clay Sink Cemetery Association Inc.
Following this Harrison and Martha gave 2 acres for the cemetery and a church. The Clay Sink Missionary Baptist Church was formally organized on February 19, 1897 with twenty-one members, including Serena McKinney, Martha’s mother. Elder G.A. Bryant was the moderator in 1904 and erected the first church on the site The wood framed building served the Clay Sink Baptist Church for almost 50 years. There are members of the Bryant family buried here at the Clay Sink Cemetery. It is now maintained in perpetuity by the Clay Sink Cemetery Association Inc.
The one-room Slaughter/Clay Sink school building was built in 1912 on Cobb Slough and moved in 1915 to this site that was donated by William Henry and Joanna Slaughter Boyett.
In 1935 the school board decided that only the six primary grades would be taught at Clay Sink, with the older students transported to Lacoochee. In 1943 the last class was conducted in the old Clay Sink schoolhouse as consolidation of the school system occurred and children were bused to Dade City. It became the fellowship hall for the church thereafter.
In 1935 the school board decided that only the six primary grades would be taught at Clay Sink, with the older students transported to Lacoochee. In 1943 the last class was conducted in the old Clay Sink schoolhouse as consolidation of the school system occurred and children were bused to Dade City. It became the fellowship hall for the church thereafter.
In 1956 the old church was burned after being struck by lightening and was rebuilt using pine provided by the Withlacoochee State Forest. This building still remains on the property today and continues as the home of the Clay Sink Baptist Church.
Some of the early settlers who were charter members of the church were Slaughters, Sumners, Boyetts, Sapps, Robbins, McKinneys, Hardins, Mobleys, Gays, and Weeks… some of the original families. Hundreds of descendants of these families still live in the area.
Some of the early settlers who were charter members of the church were Slaughters, Sumners, Boyetts, Sapps, Robbins, McKinneys, Hardins, Mobleys, Gays, and Weeks… some of the original families. Hundreds of descendants of these families still live in the area.