Newman Haynes Clanton

Newman Haynes Clanton
Newman Haynes Clanton c. 1880
Born	c. 1816 Davidson County, Tennessee
Died	August 13, 1881 Guadalupe Canyon, Arizona Territory
Nationality	American
Other names	Old Man Clanton
Occupation	rancher, outlaw
Known for	Cattle rustling; father of Ike Clanton, Billy Clanton
Spouse(s)	Mariah Sexton Kelso
Children	John Wesley, Phineas Fay, Joseph Isaac, William Harrison, Mary Elise, Ester Ann, and Alonzo Peter
Allegiance	The Cowboys

Newman Haynes Clanton (c. 1816 - August 13, 1881), also known as "Old Man" Clanton, was a cattle rancher and father of four grown sons, one of whom was killed during the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Two of his sons were involved in multiple conflicts in Cochise County, Arizona Territory including stagecoach robbery and cattle rustling. His son Ike Clanton was identified by one witness as a participant in the murder of Morgan Earp. Billy Clanton and Ike were both present at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in which Billy was killed. "Old Man" Clanton was reportedly involved with stealing cattle from Mexican ranchers and re-selling them in the United States. Records indicate he participated in the Skeleton Canyon Massacre of Mexican smugglers. In retaliation, Mexican Rurales are reported to have ambushed and killed him and a crew of Cowboys in the Guadalupe Canyon Massacre.

Newman Clanton was born around 1816 in Davidson County, Tennessee, and married Mariah Sexton Kelso in Callaway County, Missouri on January 5, 1840. Newman and Mariah had five sons and two daughters: John Wesley, Phineas "Fin" Fay, Joseph "Ike" Isaac, Mary Elsie, Ester Ann, Peter Alonzo, and William "Billy" Harrison. Peter Alonzo died as an infant.

Newman Clanton had been a slaveholder and planter in Tennessee before moving the family to Missouri. Over the next 20 years, he moved the family across the west and southwest. He tried gold mining in California before relocating the family to Dallas, Texas around 1853, where they ran a ranch for a time, and where their last two children, Ester and Alonzo were born. While in Texas, both Newman and his oldest son John enlisted in the Confederate Home Guard at the outbreak of the American Civil War. Newman was eventually released due to his age.