Peter Clark

b. 17 March 1805, d. 25 June 1880
FatherJames Clark1,2 b. 5 Jul 1754, d. 21 Dec 1818
MotherIsabella Breckenridge1 b. abt 1764, d. 9 Sep 1848
Birth17 Mar 1805 Peter Clark was born on 17 Mar 1805 in Virginia.3,4 
Childhood Peter's childhood was spent in Washington County, Virginia, although his parents were from Scotland and appear to have briefly lived in Pennsylvania where several of Peter's older siblings were born. Peter was the youngest son in a family 9 children. His father died in 1818 when Peter was about 13 years old. 
Devisee17 Dec 1818  James Clark's will left his land to Peter and his older brother Robert. Since Peter was under 21 Robert was charged with managing the farm. The brothers were to care for their mother and their unmarried sisters.2 
Marriage7 Sep 1827 He married Margaret Montgomery, daughter of Richard Montgomery and Elizabeth McCall, on 7 Sep 1827 in Washington County, Virginia.5 
Land-Buy26 Feb 1831  On Feb. 26, 1831 Peter purchased the western portion of the land his brother Robert had inherited from their father. It was described as 48.25 acres on the Middle Fork of the Holston River. Peter's brother John purchased Robert's land to the east. The southern boundary of both tracts fronted on the "Great Rd" [present day Rt 11].6 
Anecdote  Peter's niece, Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn wrote that Peter lived on the old homestead and cared for his mother. She said he was noted for his sound judgement and sterling integrity, and was an Elder and Treasurer of the Presbyterian Church.1 
Cens-18401840  The 1840 Washington County census, although it does not provide names other than the head of the household, does shed light on the make up of the family. Besides Peter (no doubt the male indicated in the 30-39 year old category), the entry indicated the presence of Margaret (30-39) and several young children (1 male and 5 females). A 40 to 49 year old female may have represented Peter's older sister Mary and a 70-79 year old female most likely represented Peter's mother Isabella.7 
  The years between the 1840 and 1850 census saw the birth of 2 additional sons (Henry and William) who both died in infancy. In addition 2 daughters (Isabella and Nancy) died young. Peter's mother died in 1848; his sister Mary died in 1841. Two additional sons (John and Thomas) and 1 additional daughter (Emily) were born to Peter and Margaret during this same 10 year period. 
Cens-185022 Aug 1850  Twenty-three years after their marriage, Peter and Margaret appeared on the first federal census to list all members of a household by name. Peter, at age 45, owned real estate valued at $1,600 which he was farming. Also listed were Margaret (43), Eliza (21), Harriet (18), James (16), Susan (12), Amanda (10), John (8), Thomas (5) and Catherine [Emily?] (2/12).8 
Cens-18601860  Ten years later all 8 children were still living at home. However the youngest child was now listed as Emily (age 10). This would appear to be the same person as the 2 month old Catherine in 1850. Peter's occupation was again listed as farmer; sons James and John were also listed as farmers. Interestingly, daughter Eliza was listed with an occupation of "weaver" and daughter Harriet was a "Tea Conv. school" [teacher ?? school]. Peter's land was valued at $4,000 and his personal property at $3,000.9 
  Daughter Harriet married in 1864 and Peter's wife Margaret died in 1868. 
Cens-187028 Sep 1870 The 1870 census described Peter's farm as in the Glade Spring district of the county. The enumeration conducted in September of that year found all of Peter's surviving children with the exception of Harriet single and still at home. Peter's land was now valued at $12,000 but his personal property had dropped to $1,600.10 
Cens-18803 Jun 1880  Three weeks before his death Peter was recorded on the 1880 Washington County census. Six of his adult children (ages 40 to 27) were still living at home with him, including Amanda, who died at the age of 30 just two months after Peter's death [son James had married in 1872].11 
  The adjacent household was Peter's nephew John Breckenridge Clark, son of Peter's brother John Clark. John Breckenridge Clark was probably living on the land that originally belonged to his father and which sat both adjacent to, and across the Old Stage Rd. (Highway 11) from the land of Peter Clark. 
Death25 Jun 1880 Peter died on 25 Jun 1880 at age 75.3 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 
Will-Recd27 Sep 1880  Peter wrote his will on November 4th, 1873 and added a codicil in 1878. The will was presented in court on July 26th, 1880, and again on September 27th, 1880. Peter left beds and household furniture to his four daughters: Eliza, Susan, Amanda and Emily. In addition they, along with their sister Harriet, were to each receive 10 acres of the home tract. The family Bible was bequeathed to Peter's son Thomas. Thomas and his brother John received the home tract of land with the exception of the 50 acres left to their sisters. Peter left his son James his interest in a tract of land formerly belonging to Richard Montgomery. The boys were to provide each of their sisters except Harriet with a horse and two cows, or $150 in cash. Peter named John and Thomas as his executors, although Thomas later declined to share the role.12 
Probate Recd30 Apr 1884  Final settlement papers for Peter's estate were recorded in Washington County in 1884. Among the items paid was a bill for Peter's coffin of $25.00. The court Commissioner of Accounts noted that one of Peter's daughters had died before the will could be executed and a portion of the monies left to her had been expended for her benefit while sick and for her funeral expenses when she died.13 

Related Links and Images:

Peter's family Bible14
Birth records, page 114
Birth records, page 214
Marriage records14
Death records14
Learn more about Peter's childhood home, which became Peter's home following his father's death15
See James Clark's land for information on land Peter inherited from his father and/or purchased from his brother Robert.
Peter's will
Peter's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Peter as the head of household number 616. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Margaret Montgomery b. 27 Feb 1807, d. 19 May 1868
Children
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited16 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  2. [S131] James Clark will (1819), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 281.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Stone reported to read: Peter Clark, d. 25 Jun 1880, age 75y 3m 8d.
  4. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible. Peter's own Bible contained the following entry: 'Petter Born March 17th 1805."
  5. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 12. Entry reported to read: Peter Clark and Margaret Montgomery, 7 Sept. 1827.
  6. [S1772] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 10: 397. Deed dated 26 Feb. 1831 and recorded 21 March 1831: Robert and Catherine Clark to Peter Clark for $193; 48.25 acres on waters of the Middle fork of Holston River being part of the land left to Robert and Peter by the will of their father James Clark.
  7. [S679] Peter Clark household, 1840 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. after p. 204 stamped, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2007, image 13 of 115. Peter Clark household: 1M (10-14), 1M (30-39); 3F (under 5); 1F (5-9); 1F (10-14); 1F (30-39); 1F (40-49); 1F (70-79).
  8. [S367] Peter Clark household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 107b (stamped), dwelling 616, family 616, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 80 of 289. Recorded data includes: Peter Clark, 45, farmer, owns real estate valued at $1,600; Margaret 43; Eliza 21; Harriet 18; James 16; Susan 12; Amanda 10; John 8; Thomas 5; Catherine 2/12; all b. Virginia.
  9. [S234] Peter Clark household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 461 (original script), dwelling 697, family 676, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2007, image 99 of 361. Household includes: Peter Clark, 55, farmer, owns real estate valued at $4,000, personal estate of $3,000; Margaret, 54, housekeeper; Eliza, 30, weaver; Harriet, 26, Tea. Conv. School; James, 25, farmer, owns pers. prop. of $700; Susan, 22, spinster; Amanda, 20, spinster; John, 17, farmer; Thomas, 15; Emily, 10; all b. VA.
  10. [S635] Peter Clark household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 74 (stamped), dwelling 288, family 293, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2007, image 41 of 49. Household includes: Peter Clark, 65, farmer, owns land valued at $12,000 and pers. prop of $1,600; Eliza, 40, keeping house; Jas P., 35, farmer; Susan J., 30; Amanda, 28; John M., 26, farmer; Thos B., farmer; Emma V., 19; all born Virginia.
  11. [S165] Peter Clark household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 8 (56D stamped), dwelling 65, family 67, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 8 of 54. Peter Clark, 75, farmer, b. VA, parents b. Scotland; John M., 40, son, farmer; Thos B. 34, son, farmer; Eliza, 50, dau; Susie, 42, dau; Amanda, 30, dau; Emily V, 27, dau; all b. VA; also one servant.
  12. [S709] Peter Clark will (recorded 1880), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 20: 334. The will was dated 4 Nov. 1873 with a codicil added 2 March 1878. It was first produced in court on 26 Jul 1880 on the oath of M. Morriss and J.(or I) Benham. On 27 Sept. 1880 it was again introduced and proven on the oath of James A. Clark, the last witness to the codicil. Thomas Clark, one of the executors declined to qualify. John M. Clark, the other executor, took the oath and entered bond in the amount of $1,000 with James P. Clark and Thomas B. Clark his security.
  13. [S827] Peter Clark settlement (recorded 1884), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 21: 346. John M. Clark, executor.
  14. [S1376] Bible images courtesy of Carol Lockas.
  15. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Katherine Clark.
  16. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 70-85.
  17. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible.