James Clark1

b. 21 March 1789, d. 6 August 1871
FatherJames Clark2,3,4 b. 5 Jul 1754, d. 21 Dec 1818
MotherIsabella Breckenridge2 b. abt 1764, d. 9 Sep 1848
Birth21 Mar 1789 James Clark was born on 21 Mar 1789 near York, Pennsylvania.1,5,6,7,8 
Migration  As a young child, James migrated with his parents from Pennsylvania to Virginia, settling in Washington County. There James' father (also a James) purchased several tracts of land on both sides of the Stage Rd. south of present day Glade Spring. 
Land-Buy22 Aug 1812 On 22 Aug 1812 James Jr. and his brother John each purchased acreage from their father. John, the eldest, bought 140 acres fronting the south side of the Stage Rd. for which he paid $200. James paid his father $170 for 100 acres directly south of his brother John's land. John had acquired a neighboring tract to the west in 1811 from Mathew Longwell. In 1814 John sold that land to James, nearly doubling his holdings.9,10,11 
Marriage12 Mar 1818 James married Ann Ryburn, daughter of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie, on 12 Mar 1818 in Washington County, Virginia.12,13 
Land-Buy  James' land sat on both sides of what would later become Prices Bridge Rd. (running south from Rt. 11/Stage Rd). However the road did not exist during James' lifetime. James added to his farm over the years by purchasing adjacent parcels. He added 7 acres in 1830, 31 acres in 1834 and 54 acres in 1847. These 3 parcels sat on the east side of the eventual road. In 1863 James added an additional 22 acres on what would be the west side of the road.14,15,16,17 
  James grew several crops on his land including wheat and oats but his major crop was corn. In 1850 he owned livestock valued at $550. Like many of his neighbors James managed his farm and household with the help of several slaves.18,19,20 
Court Record10 Mar 1821  James was most likely the "James Clark" who gave a deposition in March 1821 for the defense in the case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al. This was a chancery suit brought by James Beattie against his siblings, David Beattie and Mary (Beattie) Clark over the distribution of their parent's estate. James Clark's sister Nancy was married to David Beattie, and James's brother John Clark was married to Mary Beattie. David Beattie, John Clark and Mary (Beattie) Clark were all defendants in the case.21 
  Lizzie Clark Ryburn, who was James's niece and Ann's cousin, left a memoir in which she stated that James and Ann had 7 children.2 
Cens-185024 Aug 1850 The 1850 census of Washington County recorded four of these children still living at home: James (23), William (21), Martha (18) and Mary (14). Also living with them was Martha Snodgrass, the daughter of James' sister Margaret Clark Snodgrass. Margaret had died the previous year leaving Martha an orphan.22 
Cens-186011 Jul 1860 Ten years later Martha Snodgrass had married. William and Martha Clark were still single and living at home with their aging parents. William would lose his life the following summer fighting for the Confederate Army. Daughter Mary was also enumerated at home with her parents in 1860; she was a recent widow with a two year old son, Thomas.8 
Cens-18701870 By 1870 James himself was widowed. He continued to live in Glade Spring township and was enumerated there with his daughter Martha keeping house for him. His grandson Fountain was also recorded as a member of the household, although Fountain was enumerated at home with his parents (Mathew and Isabella Clark) on another page of the same census. James was 81 years old and reported that his real estate was valued at $4,500.23 
Will15 Mar 1870 James wrote his will on March 15th, 1870. He left his son James A. Clark the west end of his farm. If James also wanted the east end of the farm, he had to pay his father's estate $25 per acre, otherwise that part of the land was to be sold. The proceeds from this and the sale of any other property were to be equally divided between the following heirs: Isabella Smith and her children, Rachel and Fanny (daughters of Jane Smith deceased), Martha Clark, Mary S. Hutton and her heirs, and Mathew R. Clark's children. James also bequeathed Mathew's children the land on which their father was living, but instructed that their Uncle James A. Clark was to control it until one of the children reached twenty-one.24 
  James owned the land on which Mathew and his family lived, having purchased it from Mathew for $1 in 1859. The previous year Mathew had sold the land to John Kreger in trust to secure debts Mathew owed "Buchanan, Preston and Dickenson". Mathew had also sold a variety of farm and household items to a Samuel Skinner. James repurchased the items from Skinner and then executed a deed stating he loaned the items to Mathew.25,26,27 
Death6 Aug 1871 James died on 6 Aug 1871 at age 82.7,1 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 
Probate Recd28 Apr 1874  Settlement records list payments to Martha A. Clark, Isabella B. Smyth, James K. Smyth as guardian of Fannie Smyth, Mary L. Hutton and Rachel A. Smyth (later Scott) as well as monies retained in trust for the children of Mathew Ryburn Clark.28,29 
  In 1919 Rachel (Smyth) Scott wrote these words about her grandfather:

James was not so pronounced in his religious creed. He was a great admirer of some of the Methodist preachers, and had Dr. R.E. Wiley to preach the funeral sermon of his son who lost his live in the Civil War. He joined the Presbyterian Church late in life. He was a man of the strictest integrity. His family never heard him use strong language or unneccesary expressions in conversation. If in business transactions he owed a man, he never allowed the debt to become due, but always went to the person a few days in advance and settled the debt.30
 

Related Links and Images:

James's signature from his deposition in Beaty et al vs Clark et al (1821). For details of the lawsuit, including James's deposition, see the Chancery page31
James's birthdate as entered in the Bible of his brother, Peter Clark32
James's marriage date as entered in the Bible of his brother, Peter Clark32
Learn more about James' childhood home33
See James Clark's land for information on which section of James Clark Sr.'s land was purchased by James Clark Jr.
James's will
James's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed James as the head of household number 649. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Ann Ryburn b. 4 Oct 1792, d. 21 Dec 1869
Children
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited14 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Transcription reads: James Clark Sr., 21 March 1789 - 6 Aug. 1871.
  2. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  3. [S1772] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 10: 397. Robert and Catherine Clark (26 Feb. 1831) to Peter Clark. The deed specifically refers to the land as part of a tract of land left to Robert and Peter in the will of their father, James Clark. A survey dated 19 Sept. 1827 (WC Survey Book 2:508-509) further establishes this as part of a larger parcel of lands belonging to John, Robert, Peter and James Clark conveyed by James Braden to James Clark, father to the 4 men.
  4. [S131] James Clark will (1819), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 281.
  5. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible.
  6. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 70-85.
  7. [S27] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Washington Co. Families."
  8. [S234] James Clark household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 464 (added script), dwelling 726, family 703, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 102 of 361. Reported data includes: James Clark, 71, farmer, owns real estate valued at $5,140. personal property of $4,000, b. PA; Ann, 68; William 28, farmer; Martha 26, spinster; Mary Henderson 24, owns personal property valued at $1,200; Thomas Henderson 2; all others born Virginia.
  9. [S1047] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 5: 108-109. The deeds between James Clark Sr. and John Clark/James Clark Jr. were dated 22 Jul 1812 and recorded 18 Aug. 1812.
  10. [S2152] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 4: 464. Deed dated 17 Jan. 1811 between Matthew Longwell and Margary, wife to John Clark for $660, 98 1/2 acres deeded to Longwell by Jacob Wolf, 20 Feb. 1798 and 4 1/2 acres by John Orr, 22 Oct. 1798 on the north side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River; recorded 20 Aug. 1811.
  11. [S1988] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 6: 7. Deed dated 19 Dec. 1814 between John Clark and Polly, wife to James Clark for $700, 98 1/2 acres being land purchased by John Clark from Mathew Longwell.
  12. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 11. James Clark and Anna Ryburn, 12 Mar 1818; minister Edward Crawford.
  13. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible. The Bible included the dates of mariage for Peter's siblings and includes the following entry: "James March 12 1818."
  14. [S2845] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 78: 469, Library of Virginia Online.
  15. [S1044] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 11: 454. Deed dated 24 March 1834 between Alexander Buchanan and James Clark for $125, 31 acres, 36 poles adjacent Mitchell Robinson, Lewis Smith and Zachariah Shugart; recorded 24 March 1834.
  16. [S1986] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 18: 204. Deed dated 13 Feb 1847 from David B. Clark & Mary Ann, his wife, to James Clark for $600, their share of 400 acres formerly owned by Z. Shugart, deceased; recorded 22 March 1847. [Mary Ann Clark was the daughter of Zachariah Shugart. David B. Clark was the nephew of James Clark]
  17. [S2846] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 25: 584. Deed dated 16 Mar 1863 from William B. Calliham to James Clark for $175, 22 acres adjoing James Clark, W. Price and others, being part of a tract formerly owned by James Orr, dec'd.
  18. [S1948] James Clark landowner, 1850 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, agricultural sched., District 67, p. 648, line 18.
  19. [S1308] James Clark Sr., owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 10 (p. 461 stamped), line 39, viewed online at Ancestry.com. Entry: James Clark Sr., 1 45 year old black female; 1 28 year old black female; 1 22 year old black male (noted as a fugitive from the state).
  20. [S2822] James Clark, owner, 1850 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 8, line 20, viewed online at Ancestry.com. Entry: James Clark: 1 37 year old black female; 1 19 year old black female; 1 10 year old black male.
  21. [S1039] Deposition of James Clark in case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al; Wythe Co., Virginia Superior Ct. of Chancery no. 1821-04-SC. James was a witness for the defendants. His deposition was taken on 10 March 1821 at the home of John Stewart in Washington Co., Virginia.
  22. [S367] Jas Clark household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 110 (stamped), dwelling 649, family 649, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 85 of 289. Census data includes: Jas Clark 63, farmer, owns real estate valued at $4,200; Ann 58; Martha 18; Mary 14; James 23, farmer; William 21, farmer; Martha Snodgrass 14; all b. VA.
  23. [S635] Jas Clark Sr. household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 72 (stamped), dwelling 260, family 266, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2003, image 143 of 426. Data includes: Jas Clark Sr. 81, farmer, owns real estate valued at $4,500; M.A. (f), 39, keeping house; Fountain 12; Maria Carson, 47, cook; Camp Scott, (Bl) (m), 38, laborer; C Scott, (wh) (f) 39; Earl Scott, (wh) 4; Mary Owens 16, housekeeper; all b. VA [Scott entries marked as cannot read or write].
  24. [S705] James Clark will (recorded 1871), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 18: 18. The will was dated 15 March 1870 and recorded at court on 28 Aug. 1871. Son, James A. Clark was executor; James C. Porterfield and James P. Clark witnessed the will.
  25. [S1045] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 24: 110. Deed dated 4 May 1858 from Mathew R. Clark to John G. Kreger, 3 tracts of land in Rich Valley in trust to secure Buchanan, Preston and Dickenson; recorded 4 May 1858.
  26. [S1045] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 24: 359. Deed dated 4 Jun 1859 from Mathew R. Clark and Isabella, wife to James Clark Jr., for $1, 140 acres after deducting about 80 acres sold by Mathew to Benjamin K. Buchanan, in trust for the following uses: Mathew R. and Isabella may live on the land and use profits from the land to support themselves and their children. At their death James Clark Jr. shall convey the land to Mathew's children; recorded 4 Jun 1859.
  27. [S2846] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 25: 191.
  28. [S705] James Clark settlement (recorded 1874), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 18: 298.
  29. [S709] James Clark settlement (recorded 1880), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 20: 291.
  30. [S2758] Research of Bob and Donna Jean Ford, Aptos, California; Mrs. Ford located a book at the Emory and Henry College Library in Washington County (Family History, Vol. 7, CS 69.E56) which contained several loose sheets of paper including 3 typed pages on the Clark family of Washington Co. which had been annotated by Mrs. P.A. Scott [Rachel (Smyth) Scott] in 1919.
  31. [S1039] Deposition of James Porterfield in case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al; Wythe Co., Virginia Superior Ct. of Chancery no. 1821-04-SC. James was a witness for the defendants. His deposition was taken on 10 March 1821 at the home of John Stewart in Washington Co., Virginia.
  32. [S1376] Bible images courtesy of Carol Lockas.
  33. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Katherine Clark.
  34. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 70-85.
  35. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 9.
  36. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, William Clark data; includes cause and date, but not location of death.