John Porterfield Clark1

b. 13 March 1825, d. 30 April 1904
Tentatively identified as John Porterfield Clark (cropped)
photo courtesy John Walton
FatherJohn Clark2,3 b. 10 May 1787, d. 13 Dec 1826
MotherEleanor Porterfield4,5 b. 2 Apr 1789, d. 28 Mar 1846
Birth13 Mar 1825 John Porterfield Clark was born on 13 Mar 1825 in Virginia.6,7 
Legatee12 Mar 1846 John's mother, Eleanor Porterfield Clark, wrote her will on March 12th, 1846. She left her estate to her 5 children, including John, with the notation that the two girls were married and had already received more than the boys. The estate was settled in 1848 at which time John received $48.33.5,8 
Marriage License9 Sep 1850 He and Martha A. Ryburn obtained a marriage license on 9 Sep 1850 in Washington County, Virginia.9 
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 $8,000.10 
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.11 
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.12 
Cens-190027 Jun 1900 Following Martha's death in 1888, John lived with his son Earl and daughter Mary.7 
Death30 Apr 1904 John died on 30 Apr 1904 at age 79.6 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.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.13,14

Related Links and Images:

This photo, held by descendants of John Henry Clark, was labeled by his granddaughter as the "birthplace of John Henry". It follows that this would also have been the home of John Henry Clark's parents, John Porterfield Clark and Martha Ryburn. Click on the camera icon for additional information15
John's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

Martha A. Ryburn b. 13 Nov 1820, d. 13 Apr 1888
Children
Last Edited13 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S2342] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 9: 627.
  2. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was a first cousin, once removed, to the children of John Clark and Eleanor (Porterfield) Clark.
  3. [S701] James Clark will (1847), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 10: 396. James remembered his "nephews, Peter, John and James, sons of John Clark, deceased" in his will.
  4. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and John P. Clark were first cousins, once removed.
  5. [S701] Eleanor Clark will (1846), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 10: 91. Eleanor's will, dated 12 March 1846, named her son Peter Clark as her executor with James, John and David Clark witnesses. It was recorded in court 27 Apr 1846. The will listed Eleanor's children: Elizabeth, Peter, Mary, John, and James.
  6. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 178. John P. Clark, 13 Mar 1825-30 Apr 1904, age 79y 1m 17d.
  7. [S574] William Clark household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 108, sheet 22A (p. 82 stamped), dwelling 388, family 396, viewed online at Genealogy.com, April 2003, image 43 of 70. Earl B. Clark, 37, b. Sept. 1862 Virginia, farmer; John B., father, 75, b. March 1825, widowed, Mary, sister, 48, b. June 1851, Illinois; Sallie Moore, adopted dau, 12, Jan 1888.
  8. [S680] Eleanor Clark settlement (1848), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 11: 10. Peter Clark, as Eleanor's executor, presented his settlement of her estate to the court including a list of distributive shares paid as follows: Martin Morrell in full in right of his wife ($23.93); Elijah Richards in full in right of his wife ($58.45); James Clark in full ($68.33); John P. Clark in full ($48.33); and the executors distributive share ($68.33).
  9. [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.
  10. [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.
  11. [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.
  12. [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.
  13. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, Arthur Clark data.
  14. [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.
  15. [S1376] Photo courtesy of John Walton.
  16. [S23] Dorothy B. (Lahs) McKenna, "John Peter Clark" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 114.
  17. [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.
  18. [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.
  19. [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.
  20. [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.
  21. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, Amanda Clark data.