Clayton is an unincorporated community in Panola County, Texas, United States.

[2] The area was first settled around 1845 by Georgia native Jacob Cariker.

He constructed a house two miles (3.2 km) southwest of Reed's Settlement, one of the earliest communities in Panola County.

It is situated at the junction of State Highway 315 and FM 1970 in southwestern Panola County, approximately 16 miles (26 km) southwest of Carthage.

[3] Public education in the community of Clayton is provided by the Carthage Independent School District.