Martha A. Ryburn1

b. 13 November 1820, d. 13 April 1888
FatherBeattie Ryburn2,3,4 b. 11 Nov 1790, d. 3 May 1851
MotherJane Ryburn2,5 b. abt 1795, d. 1830
Birth-Calc13 Nov 1820 Martha A. Ryburn was born on 13 Nov 1820 based on her headstone which states that she was 67 years and 5 months old at the time of her death.6,4 
Marriage License9 Sep 1850 She and John Porterfield Clark obtained a marriage license on 9 Sep 1850 in Washington County, Virginia.7 
Cens-186011 Oct 1860 John and Martha were enumerated on the 1860 census of Washington County, Virginia with four children: Mary (9), Charles (7), John (5) and Ellen (3). John was farming and owned real estate valued at $8,000.8 
Cens-18701870  The years between the recording of the 1860 and 1870 census cannot have been easy for this family. Ellen died in July 1866 at the age of eight. Amanda Frances, born in July 1863 died in November 1865, and Albert Dixon, born two months before the death of his older sister Ellen, died two months after her.9 
Cens-1880Jun 1880 The 1880 census clarified that John and Martha's home was in the Glade Spring area of Washington County. Still living at home that year was their daughter, Mary, and their sons Charles, Henry (John), and Earl, as well as Henry's wife, Nannie. Mary was listed as having been born in Illinois, suggesting perhaps John and Martha left Virginia briefly after their marriage.10 
Death13 Apr 1888 Martha died on 13 Apr 1888 in Washington County at age 67 of heart disease.6,4 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County.6 

Research Comment:

John and Martha may have had an additional son not included in the list below. Washington County death records list an Arthur Clark who died of flux in September 1866 at age 6. His parents were listed as John and Martha Clark. There is no son Arthur listed with John and Martha on the 1860 census however if he was born after the official census date of June 1st he would not have been enumerated as part of the household regardless of whether he was present when the census taker finally reached the home in October. It should be noted that of John and Mary's known children, daughter Ellen was born in 1857 and son Earl was born in 1862.

Martha's nephew William Edmondson Jones Hutton, writing to the noted genealogist Redmond Cole in 1930, stated that John and Martha had a son Samuel who died young. However, his list of children did not include dates, nor did it include Albert Dixon Clark, who also died young. Hence it is impossible to know if Samuel actually represents another child or if William Edward Jones Hutton was actually referring to Albert, or even to Arthur.11,12

Related Links and Images:

Martha's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

John Porterfield Clark b. 13 Mar 1825, d. 30 Apr 1904
Children
ChartsDescendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Descendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited19 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was the nephew of Martha Ryburn.
  2. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 9. Beaty and Jane had 5 children - William, Jane, Martha, Amanda and Sarah.
  3. [S653] Beatie Ryburn will (1851), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 12: 94. The will was dated 30 Apr 1851 and recorded in court on 26 May 1851. Witnesses were R.B. Edmondson, Robert Clark, and James O. Ryburn.
  4. [S43] Martha A. Clark, transcribed death record (filed 17 Aug 1889), Martha A. Clark d. 13 Apr 1888, age 66y 5m of heart disease, parents: Beatie & Jane Ryburn, born near Glade Spring VA, consort of John P. Clark, informant C.B. Clark, son (computes to a birthdate of 13 Nov. 1821). The age at death differs by one year from the age recorded on her headstone.
  5. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was the grandson of Beattie Ryburn and Jane Ryburn.
  6. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 178. Martha A. Clark, w/o John P. Clark, d. 13 Apr 1888, age 67 5m (computes to a birth date of 13 Nov. 1820). Carolyn Ryburn photographed Martha's stone in 2003 and confirmed the transcription.
  7. [S52] Letter, Carolyn Ryburn to Diana Powell, January 2004. Citing Washington Co. VA Marriage Licenses Issued 1850-1862 by William R. Wheeler; Sept 9, 1850 to John P. Clark and Martha A. Ryburn.
  8. [S234] John P. Clark household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 722 (added script), dwelling 2626, family 2564, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 358 of 361. Reported data includes: John P. Clark, 35, farmer, owns real estate valued at $8,000; Martha 39; Mary 9; Charles 7; John 5; Ellen 3; all b. VA.
  9. [S635] J. P. Clark household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 71b (stamped), dwelling 257, family 263, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 142 of 426. Data includes: J. P. Clark 45, farmer, owns real property valued at $250 [?]; M. A., (f) 49; M. J. (f), 18; Chas, 17; J. Henry 14; E. B. (m), 7; all born Virginia.
  10. [S165] John P. Clark household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 15 (60C stamped), dwelling 128, family 129, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 15 of 54. John P. Clark, 55, farmer, b. VA; Martha, 58, wife, b. VA; Mary, dau, 28, b. IL; Charles B., son, 26, b. VA, carpenter; Henry J., son, 24, b. VA, married; Earl B., son 18, b. VA; Nannie, dau-in-law, 20, Indiana, married.
  11. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, Arthur Clark data.
  12. [S1783] Letter from William Edmondson Jones Hutton at Glade Springs VA to Redmond Cole received Aug. 1930, Hutton File (folder #50), The Redmond S. and Mary Cole Collection, Family History Library.
  13. [S23] Dorothy B. (Lahs) McKenna, "John Peter Clark" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 114.
  14. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 23. C.B. Clark, born 9 Feb. 1853 to John P. and Martha A. Clark.
  15. [S8] Hockett and Hunt, 1891-1902 Marriages of Washington Co. VA, p. 19. Charles B. Clark 45 [sgl], s/o Jno P. & Martha A. Clark, farmer AND Emma V. Clark, 45 [sgl], d/o Peter & Margaret Clark, 3 May 1898; minister P.H. Guinn.
  16. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 24. Ellen E. Clark, b. 18 Oct. 1857 to John P. & Martha A. Clark.