b. 17 March 1805, d. 25 June 1880
Birth | 17 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. |
Devisee | 17 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 |
Marriage | 7 Sep 1827 | He married Margaret Montgomery, daughter of Richard Montgomery and Elizabeth McCall, on 7 Sep 1827 in Washington County, Virginia.5 |
Land-Buy | 26 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-1840 | 1840 | 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-1850 | 22 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-1860 | 1860 | 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-1870 | 28 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-1880 | 3 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. |
Death | 25 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-Recd | 27 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 Recd | 30 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 |