James Porterfield

b. 1791, d. 13 March 1847
FatherJohn Porterfield1,2 b. 1751, d. 6 Apr 1833
MotherElizabeth Kincannon2 b. 1760, d. 1830
Birth1791 James Porterfield was born in 1791.2,3,4,5 
MarriageDec 1819 He and Jeannette Clark, daughter of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge,were married by Rev. Alexander McEwan in Dec 1819 in Washington County, Virginia. Rev. McEwen reported the marriage as having taken place on the 22nd in his return to the county clerk; he also recorded the bride's name as Jane. However Peter Clark's entry in his family Bible noted his sister's wedding date as Dec. 23rd.6,7,8,9,10 
Children  James and Jeannette were the parents of eight children: Elizabeth, James, Melinda, John, Lilburn, Sarah, Francis and Isabella. Francis and Malinda died when young and Elizabeth died as a young woman.11 
Court Record10 Mar 1821 On 10 Mar 1821 James gave a deposition in the case of Beaty et al vs Clark et al. This was a chancery suit brought by James Beattie against his siblings over the distribution of their parent's estate. James Porterfield stated that he was present "when a conversation took place between James Beaty the plaintiff and John Porterfield, the father of the witness at his house in the winter of 1820". James Beaty apparently tried to justify to James and John Porterfield why he felt it necessary to bring the law suit. James Porterfield stated that after the conversation "his father became warm or irritated."12 
Exec-Devisee1833  John Porterfield died in April 1833. His will, written the previous December, left his land to his son James who was then bound to provide for John during his lifetime. James was also named executor.1 
Guardian23 Jan 1837 James was named guardian of Elizabeth K. Clark, his sister Ellen's daughter on 23 Jan 1837.13 
Guardian28 Oct 1839 He was named guardian of his nephews, Francis and Edward Hutton on 28 Oct 1839. Sarah, their mother, died in July 1839 and the boy's father died earlier in October 1839.14 
Will10 Mar 1847 James wrote his will on March 10th, 1847, just three days before he died. He directed that his estate was to be divided equally between his five children when Lilburn, the youngest son reached the age of twenty-one. His three sons, James C., John W. and Lilburn were to divide the land, while the two girls, Sarah H. and Isabella were to take their share from the sale of the Negroes and personal property. Until that time James asked that his personal property remain intact on the farm for the benefit of the family.15 
Death13 Mar 1847 James died on 13 Mar 1847.16,17,18,19,20 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.16 

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 page12
James's will
James's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

Jeannette Clark b. 29 May 1794, d. 7 May 1873
Children
Last Edited15 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S694] John Porterfield (recorded 22 Apr 1833), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 301. John's will, dated 18 Dec. 1832 named his son James, son Francis and daughters Sarah Hutton and Eleanor Clark. James was appt executor with James Kincannon, R.B. Edmondson and Samuel Dunn witnesses. He posted bond in the amt of $1,000 with Beatie Ryburn his security.
  2. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 152.
  3. [S27] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Washington Co. Families."
  4. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was James Porterfield's great nephew.
  5. [S132] Record of persons buried in Old Glade Spring Cemetery, Washington Co. Virginia, as compiled by John A. Blakemore circa 1952 with a plot map drawn by Harold Lester in 1963. The Blakemore survey reports that James Porterfield's stone reads May 10, 1791 - March 13, 1847. High On A Windy Hill reports the info as: March 13, 1847 age 56y. A photo of the stone confirms there is no date of birth, simply the age at death.
  6. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 48. Bride's given name listed as Jane.
  7. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible. The Bible included the dates of mariage for Peter's siblings and includes the following entry: "Jane Dec 23 1819."
  8. [S27] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Washington Co. Families". Date given as 23 Dec. 1819.
  9. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was James Porterfield's great nephew. He states that in 1819 James married Genettie Clark, daughter of James and Isabella Clark.
  10. [S2390] William R. Wheeler, Minister's Returns 1785-1832 Washington Co., Virginia Vol. 1A, p. 122.
  11. [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.
  12. [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.
  13. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 29. James Porterfield named guardian of Elizabeth K. Clark, orphan of John Clark, deceased. Bond: $1,500. Surety: Beatie Ryburn.
  14. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 32. James Porterfield named guardian of Francis and Arthur Hutton, orphans of Edward Hutton, deceased. Bond: $8,000. Sureties: David Beatie, Robert Clark and James C. Hayter.
  15. [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.
  16. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Record reads: James Porterfield, d. 13 Mar 1847, age 56 yr.
  17. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 152. This source lists the date of death as 1848 which is incorrect; will was recorded March 1847.
  18. [S27] Leonidas Littleton Papers titled "Washington Co. Families". This source uses 13 March 1847.
  19. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton was James Porterfield's great nephew. He reports James's year of death as 1848 which is incorrect; will was recorded in March 1847.
  20. [S623] David B Trimble, Kincannon and McDonald, p. 196. This source uses 1848 which is incorrect; will was recorded in March 1847.
  21. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 152-160.
  22. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  23. [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.