Mary Beattie

b. 10 November 1794, d. 30 June 1858
FatherDavid Beattie1,2 b. abt 1744, d. 25 Apr 1814
MotherMary Beattie3 d. 8 Jan 1820
Birth10 Nov 1794 Mary Beattie was born on 10 Nov 1794 in Virginia.4,5 
Legatee30 Jul 1805 Mary's father wrote his will in 1805, almost nine years before his death. At that time "Polly" was underage and David's will provided for her schooling. He also stipulated that when she turned 21 she was to receive a horse or mare worth $100 and a saddle valued at $20. She was also to receive $50 in cattle, sheep or young horses.6 
MarriageJun 1812 She married Capt. John B. Clark, son of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge, on the 25th or 26th of Jun 1812 in Washington County, Virginia.7,8,9 
  Three years earlier Mary's brother, David Beattie, had married John's sister Nancy Clark. In addition, Mary and David's first cousin, Ann Ryburn, would later marry John and Nancy's brother, James Clark. 
Legatee17 Oct 1818 Mary's mother wrote her will in October 1818, leaving Mary a Negro woman named Milly as well as the household beds and furniture, a case of drawers, bed curtains, 1/2 of the cupboard furniture, a tea kettle, a wheel and washing pot, a saddle and a horse worth $60.00.3 
Court RecordOct 1820 Mary and John were named in a lawsuit filed by Mary's brother James Beattie in late 1820. On the surface the suit was about a slave named Delilah purchased by Mary's brother David Beattie from the estate of their mother. However, in reality James Beattie was upset because both his sister Mary and his brother David had been gifted a slave by their father after he wrote his will. James Beattie felt the the slaves should have been part of their father's estate. James lost the lawsuit.10,11 
Cens-18301830  The 1830 census for Washington County included 5 households headed by men named John Clark. However, the census were not resorted alphabetically, allowing one to associate men with their neighbors. A cluster of entries consisting of Robert Clark, James Clark, Peter Clark and John Clark represents the sons of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge living on land they inherited or purchased from their father. John's entry suggests the presence of Mary and their children. An unexplained 15-20 year old male was also tallied.12 
  The families lived on both sides of the Old Stage Road as it wound across Washington County south of present day Glade Spring. 
Cens-18501850 The first federal census to enumerate all members of the household by name was recorded for Washington County in 1850. John was listed as "Capt. Clark". He was 68 years old and owned land valued at $4,000. Enumerated with him were the following: Mary, 54, Rosanah, 23, Martha, 21, James, 20, Elizabeth, 15, John, 10, Ellen, 7 (all Clark) and M.J. Snodgrass, 9 and James Rhea, 18.13 
  M.J. Snodgrass was probably Mary Jane Snodgrass, the daughter of John's sister Margaret (Clark) Snodgrass. Both Margaret and her husband Samuel were deceased. 
Land-Gift6 May 1858  On May 6, 1858, John and Mary "being both far advanced in life and wishing to be delivered as much as possible from the cares of the world" entered into an agreement with their sons John and James whereby the older couple deeded all of their land, comprising 4 tracts totaling 370 acres, to the two younger men. In exchange, John and James were to pay a debt their father owed John M. Preston of over $2,000. They were also to pay their sisters Elizabeth and Eleanor Clark $500 although that legacy was negated if the 2 women remained on the family farm and were supported by their brothers. The men's sister Martha Ryburn was to receive $300. The agreement also stated that the two sons were to provide a comfortable support for John and Mary, who were to remain in "possession and control" of the dwelling house and kitchen.14 
Death30 Jun 1858 Mary died on 30 Jun 1858 in Washington County, Virginia, at age 63 of typhoid fever.15,16,17,18 
Burial She was buried next to John at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.19 

Research Comment:

Notes left by one of John and Mary's daughters state they had 12 children, several of whom died young. Those who survived were: David, Nancy, Isabella, Martha, James, Elizabeth, Breckenridge and Ellen. Several other children are included below who may or may not represent the additional children who died young.20

Related Links and Images:

For details of the Beaty vs Clark lawsuit see the Chancery page.
See Clark Homes on the Old Stage Rd for photos of the home John built in the early 1800s. It was here he and Mary raised their family.21
Mary's headstone

Family

Capt. John B. Clark b. 9 Aug 1785, d. Feb 1869
Children
Last Edited2 Jul 2013

Citations

  1. [S131] David Beaty will (recorded 1814), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 56-57. David's will, dated 30 Jul 1805, lists beloved wife Mary, sons James, William, David, Armstrong and John, and daughter Polly. It was recorded 17 May 1814 on oath John Stewart and Mathew Ryburn.
  2. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 176. The record reads: Mary Clark, 64y, d. 20 June 1858 of typhoid; father David Beattie, spouse John Clark.
  3. [S131] Mary Beatie will (17 Oct. 1818), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 317-318. Lists daughter Mary Clark and sons William, James, David and Armstrong. Also niece Mary Beatie, daughter of James Beatie and niece Mary Beatie, daughter of David Beatie.
  4. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Mary Clark, w/o John Clark, Sr., 10 Nov. 1794 - 30 Jun 1885.
  5. [S165] Isabella Clark household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 35 (71C stamped), dwelling 300, family 330, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 38 of 54. Isabella Clark, 65, father b. PA, mother b. VA; James H., 40, son, farmer, father b. Scotland; Sarah C, 30, dau-in-law; John, 4, grandson; Henry M., 2, grandson; David B., 8/12, b. Oct., grandson; William B., 29, son, father b. Scotland; all b. VA; all other parents b. VA.
  6. [S131] David Beaty will (30 Jul 1805), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 56-57. Lists beloved wife Mary, sons James, William, David, Armstrong and John, and daughter Polly.
  7. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 11. John Clark and Mary Beatie, 26 June 1812; minister: Edward Crawford.
  8. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible. The Bible included the dates of mariage for Peter's siblings and includes the following entry: "John June 25th 1812."
  9. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 46. This information is from transcribed lists of birth, death and marriage dates for John Clark and Mary Beattie Clark and their children. It uses 22 June 1812 as the marriage date.
  10. [S1039] Beaty et al vs Clark et al; Wythe Co., Virginia Superior Ct. of Chancery no. 1821-04-SC.
  11. [S864] John Clark and David Beatie receipt, Boone Co., Missouri probate file no. 12, James Beattie deceased.
  12. [S578] John Clark household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 233, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 17 of 150. Tally as follows: 1M under 5; 1M 10-15; 1M 15-20; 1M 40-50; 1F under 5; 3F 5-10; 1F 10-15; 1F 15-20; 1F 30-40.
  13. [S367] Capt. Clark household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. (after 107 stamped), dwelling 612, family 612, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2006, image 80 of 289. Enumeration includes: Capt. Clark, age 68, farmer, owns land val at $4,000; Mary, 54; Rosanah, 23; Martha 21; James, 20; Elizabeth, 15; John, 10; Ellen, 7; M. J. Snodgrass, 9; James Rhea, 18, farmer; all b. VA.
  14. [S721] Washington Co., Virginia, Deed Book 24: 146. On 6 May 1858 John Clark and Mary his wife to James and John B. Clark, their sons. Also mentions three daughters: Elizabeth A. Clark, Eleanor G. Clark and Martha H. Ryburn. In addition refers to land left to John Clark by James Clark, his father.
  15. [S1768] Fridley, "Washington Co., VA Deaths 1853-1885" online database, <www.Ancestry.com>, May Clark data; reports date of death as Jun 30, 1858.
  16. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 176. The record reads: Mary Clark, 64y, d. 20 June 1858 of typhoid; father David Beattie, spouse John Clark. This is the only source that uses 20 June; it appears to be in error.
  17. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 47. This information is from transcribed lists of birth, death and marriage dates for John Clark and Mary Beattie Clark, their children, and related family members. Mary's date of death was recorded as June 30, 1858.
  18. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Mary Clark, w/o John Clark, Sr., 10 Nov. 1794 - 30 Jun 1885 [The year is incorrect; she was not enumerated on the 1860 census].
  19. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Mary Clark, w/o John Clark, Sr., 10 Nov. 1794 - 30 Jun 1885 [This is incorrect; she was not enumerated on the 1860 census].
  20. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  21. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Jim Faris.
  22. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 46. This information is from transcribed lists of birth, death and marriage dates for John Clark and Mary Beattie Clark and their children.
  23. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 178. Rosanah Jane Clark, d/o John & Mary Clark, 2 Apr 1822-22 Aug. 1852.
  24. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Ellen G. Clark, d/o Capt. John & Mary Beattie Clark, 4 Jul 1841-9 Mar 1913.