Mary Peterson Coles Clayton was born sometime prior to 1680. Mary was a resident of Perquimans Precinct, North Carolina and her maiden name is unknown. She married Jacob Peterson sometime before his death in 1698 and inherited the bulk of his estate. She then married carpenter James Coles, who died in about January 1713. After Coles' death, Mary remarried a final time to Henry Clayton in about January 1714. Mary then resided in Chowan Precinct, North Carolina and died sometime prior to February 1719.