James Clark Porterfield1

b. 1823, d. 1895
FatherJames Porterfield2,3,4,5 b. 1791, d. 13 Mar 1847
MotherJeannette Clark3,4,5 b. 29 May 1794, d. 7 May 1873
Birth1823 James Clark Porterfield was born in 1823.6,7,1 
Marriage21 Aug 1849 He married Eleanor Hays Davis, daughter of John Davis and Jane Ryburn, probably on 21 Aug 1849 in Smyth County, Virginia, although Eleanor's obituary reported their date of marriage as the 22nd.8,9 
 The marriage of Eleanor Hays Davis and James Clark Porterfield reunited in Virginia two families with roots to the same small parish in Campbeltown, Scotland. Eleanor's maternal grandfather, Mathew Ryburn, was baptised in Campbeltown one year before the baptism of James's maternal grandfather, James Clark. Eleanor and James seemed to have honored their Scottish heritage by naming their children in honor of various family members.10 
Cens-185022 Jul 1850 A little less than a year after their marriage, on July 22nd 1850, James and Eleanor were recorded on the Smyth County census. Although their month old son would have been present he was not named, which was consistent with census guidelines which limited the enumeration to those living in the household on June first, the official census day. James and Eleanor were also providing a home for her widowed mother, Jane Davis [they may have been living on Jane's dower land].11 
Guardian26 Aug 1851 James was named guardian of Sarah H. and Isabella J. Porterfield, his younger sisters, on 26 Aug 1851 in Washington County.12 
Devisee  This might have reflected the impending distribution of their father's estate which by the instructions of his will was to occur in September 1851 when James's youngest brother turned twenty-one. The estate was to be equally divided among five siblings, with James and his brothers John and Lilburn dividing the land. Their two sisters were to take their share from the sale of their father's personal property, including his slaves.2 
Cens-186012 Jul 1860 Ten years later, in 1860, James and Eleanor [enumerated as Ellen] were farming in neighboring Washington County. Enumerated with them that year were James (10), Jane (8), Sarah [Elizabeth] (7), John (4) and Thomas (1) [Eleanor's mother, Jane Davis died in 1858, and a son Charles also died in 1858]. James was reported to own real estate valued at $10,000 and personal property valued at $4,000.13 
Cens-1860- Slave10 Aug 1860  This would have included the 5 slaves enumerated with the household.14 
Land The family lived on Indian Run (located south of the old stage road, almost directly south of Emory and southwest of Glade Spring) adjoining the lands of Dr. Arthur Dixon Hutton and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Buchanan (Ryburn) Hutton. Eleanor Porterfield and Sarah Hutton were first cousins, both being granddaughters of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie. Arthur Hutton and James Porterfield were also first cousins, both being grandsons of John Porterfield and Elizabeth Kincannon.7 
Cens-1860- Agric The Porterfield farm consisted of 130 [?] acres under cultivation and 18 acres of undeveloped land. From June 1859 to June 1860 this land yielded 180 bushels of wheat, 700 bushels of Indian corn, 500 bushels of oats, 100 pounds of wool, 50 bushels of Irish potatoes and 200 pounds of butter. And, unlike most of his neighbors, James produced cheese, clover seed, flax, syrup and molasses.15 
Cens-187027 Sep 1870 The ten year period between the 1860 and 1870 census saw the loss of three children: James who died in 1863 at the age of twelve, Isabella Catherine who died in 1862 at the age of one, and Mary Eleanor who died in 1867 just shy of her first birthday. James and Eleanor's six surviving children were recorded in 1870 as: Jane (18), Elizabeth (17), John (14), Thomas (11), Francis (6) and Malinda (1).16 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  Ten years later that number had been reduced by one with the death of John in 1878 at the age of twenty-two.17 
Religion James was a deacon and an elder in Old Glade Spring Church and was noted for his piety, keeping a family altar in his home and conducting family prayer. After his death his eldest living son continued this observance.6 
Death1895 James died in 1895.6,1 
Burial He was buried with Eleanor and many of their children in the Hutton-Porterfield square at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County.1 

Related Links and Images:

James's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

Eleanor Hays Davis b. 1 Nov 1822, d. 12 Jul 1901
Children
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited15 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 186. Transcription of stone reads: James Clark Porterfield, 1823-1895.
  2. [S668] James Porterfield will (1847), Washington Co., VA Will Book 10: 285. The will was dated 10 March 1847 and recorded in court 22 March 1847; son James C. Porterfield executor; John Clark Sr., Robert Clark and Tobias Smyth witnesses.
  3. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J.B. Hutton was a first cousin, once removed, to the children of James Porterfield and Jeannette (Clark) Porterfield.
  4. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 152-160.
  5. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  6. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, pp. 152-153.
  7. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and James Clark Porterfield were first cousins, once removed.
  8. [S45] John Vogt and William Kethley Jr., Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1832-50, p. 36.
  9. [S51] Eleanor Hays Porterfield obituary. States: born in Rich Valley Nov. 1, 1822; married James Porterfield 22 Aug. 1849; died 12 July 1901 at the Porterfield residence near Emory, VA; funeral Sunday July 14, 1901; buried Porterfield section beside husband; pallbearers were Messrs, Graham Porterfield, Albert Porterfield, William Porterfield, John Porterfield, John Kestner, and Winfield Kestner.
  10. [S99] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland; 1682-1770, FHL microfilm 1041004, item 1. Notes for this entry: "James Clark and Agnes Galbraith had a child bapt James July 5 [1754]."
  11. [S465] James C. Porterfield household, 1850 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., VA, pop. sched., District 60, p. 165 (stamped), dwelling 121, family 123, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2004, image 19 of 169. James C. Porterfield, 28, farmer, $4,000; Eleanor 28; Jane Davis, 64; all b. VA.
  12. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 45. James C. Porterfield named guardian of Sarah H. and Isabella J. Porterfield, orphans of James Porterfield, deceased. Bond: $4,000. Sureties: Mathew H. Buchanan, Andrew Kelly, Abram S. Orr and John Brown. The previous day Sarah and Isabella petitioned the court for this action and stated that they were above 14 years of age.
  13. [S234] James C. Porterfield household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 468 (added script), dwelling 756, family 733, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 106 of 361. Reported data includes: James C. Porterfield, 35, farmer, real estate of $10,000, personal property of $4,000; Ellen 37; James 10; Jane 8; Sarah 7; John 4; Thomas 1; all b. VA.
  14. [S1308] James C. Porterfield, owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 11 (original script), line 23, viewed online at Ancestry.com. 5 slaves including 3 males (21, 12 and 4y) and 2 female (17 and 7y); 1 slave house.
  15. [S1311] James C. Porterfield landowner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, agricultural sched., Glade Spring Post Office, p. 25, line 34.
  16. [S635] Jas Porterfield household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring Township, p. 68b (stamped), dwelling 210, family 216, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 136 of 426. Data includes: Jas Porterfield, 48, farmer, owns real estate valued at $5,000 and personal property of $1,000; Ellen 48, keeping house; Jane 18; Elizabeth 17; John 14; Thomas 11; Francis 6; Malinda 1; all b. VA.
  17. [S165] James C. Porterfield household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 18 (61B stamped), dwelling 153, family 154, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 18 of 54. James C. Porterfield, 57, farmer; Ellen R., 57, wife; Jane R. 26, dau; Sarah E. 20, dau; Thomas M. 21, son; Francis H., 16, son; Malinda M. 11, dau; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  18. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 186. Transcription of stone reads: Charles T. Porterfield, s/o J.C. & E. H. Porterfield, d. 28 May 1858, age 1m 2d.