Isabella J. Porterfield1

b. circa February 1837, d. 4 August 1859
FatherJames Porterfield2,3,4,5 b. 1791, d. 13 Mar 1847
MotherJeannette Clark3,4 b. 29 May 1794, d. 7 May 1873
Birth-Calccirca Feb 1837 Isabella J. Porterfield was born in Virginia circa Feb 1837 based on the data on her headstone.1 
Ward26 Aug 1851  Isabella's father died in 1847. A few years later, on 26 Aug 1851, she and her sister Sarah petitioned the court to appoint their older brother, James Porterfield, in whose home they were living, as their guardian.5,6 
Will1 Aug 1859  Isabella wrote her will three days before her death. In it she asked that her servants Nancy and Lucy become the property of her brothers James and Lilburn (following the death of Isabella's mother). In turn, they were to pay one half of the value of the two Negroes to Isabella's sister Sally Griever and her brother John Porterfield. Any money remaining from her estate was to be divided equally between Isabella's siblings and her mother.7 
Death4 Aug 1859 Isabella died on 4 Aug 1859 in Washington County, Virginia, from inflammation of the lungs (at age 22).1,8 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 
Occupation Isabella was working as a teacher at the time of her death.8 

Related Links and Images:

In September 2008 Isabella's stone was located lying on it's side a short distance from where it had originally been placed
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited3 Sep 2009

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Transcription reads: Isabella J. Porterfield, d. 4 Aug. 1859, age 22y 6m.
  2. [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.
  3. [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.
  4. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  5. [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.
  6. [S367] John Porterfield household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 92 (stamped), dwelling 360, family 360, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2003, image 49 of 289. John Porterfield 22, farmer, owns real estate valued at $3,240; Lilbourn 20; Sarah 17; Isabella 13; William Snodgrass 9; Jane [Snodgrass or Porterfield not specificed] 56; all b. VA.
  7. [S826] Isabella Porterfield will (recorded 1859), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 14: 480. Isabella's will, dated 1 Aug. 1859 and recorded 22 Aug. 1859, named her brothers James and Lilburn as her executors.
  8. [S672] John and Rubinette Nieman, Washington Co., Virginia 1860 Census, p. 3 (of mortality schedule) . Isabella J. Porterfield, 22, b. VA, died in August of inflammation of the lungs, duration: 24 days; occupation: teacher.