A mystery to be solved.
Why is it, the colored citizens are never
missed by the assessors, and are always
found by the Sheriffs, to pay taxes,
and are never found to act as jurors?
                                     - J. R. Clifford

Note: DOB year on this Arlington Cemetery marker mistakenly engraved 1847 instead of 1848. Historians believe Clifford's military records were incorrect, due to Clifford reporting his age as 16 on Army entrance applications.

J.R. CLIFFORD, 85,
DIES AT HOME HERE

From the Martinsburg Journal, October 7, 1933

Was Well Known Throughout Section

Only Negro Attorney and First of
Race to be Licensed in State

John R. Clifford, aged 85, Martinsburg’s only negro attorney and the first of his race ever to practice law in the State of West Virginia, died at City Hospital shortly after 5 o’clock Friday morning from a cerebral hemorrhage resulting from a fall.

News of his death was a surprise to his many friends and acquaintances here and throughout the State, because few knew of his illness. He fell down a short flight of steps at his home early Wednesday morning, but at first was not believed to have been seriously hurt. He became worse during the day, however, and the following morning was removed to City Hospital where he died.

Studied for Law

Attorney Clifford was born in Grant County on September 15, 1848, a son of the late Isaac and Mary Kent Clifford. He came to Martinsburg when but a boy. After attending school here for a time, he entered Storer College, Harpers Ferry, and later Shaw University, Raleigh, N.C., where he completed his law course. He established his practice in Martinsburg more than 45 years ago, being the first negro to engage in that profession in West Virginia.

A number of years ago, he was prominent in colored Masonic circles, obtaining his 33rd degree, and serving as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in West Virginia for a time. In addition to practicing law, Attorney Clifford interested himself in newspaper work for a number of years, being editor and publisher of the Pioneer Press, which enjoyed a good circulation both in this and other sections of West Virginia. He had been a member of the Berkeley County Bar Association for 44 years.

Surviving are his widow, formerly Mary B. Franklin; two sons, J. Paul Clifford, Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa., and John R. Clifford, Jr., Washington, and four grandchildren.

The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at 2 from the Clifford residence, 523 West Martin Street, and burial will be made in Mount Hope Cemetery. The casket will not be opened during the services, but relatives and friends may view the remains at the residence from 9 o’clock Monday morning until the services start.