Robert Clark1

b. July 1756, d. May 1821
FatherJames Clark1 b. say 1718
MotherAgnes Galbreath1 b. 18 Feb 1722
Birth1756 or 1757 Robert Clark was born in 1756 or 1757 in Scotland. A collection of notes passed down in the Clark family recorded his date of birth as 18 Jul 1757, but this is not consistent with his date of baptism unless it was misrecorded.2 
BaptismJul 1756  According to the parish records of Campbeltown (Argyllshire) Robert was baptized in July 1756. However his entry appears to have been squeezed in between the lines of two earlier entries and no specific date was recorded. The entry above Robert's was dated 18 July [1756] and the entry after it was dated 29 July [1756].1 
Marriage27 Aug 1790 He married Martha Harvie, daughter of James Harvie and Catherine Galbreath, on 27 Aug 1790 in Campbeltown, Scotland.3 
Residence Robert and Martha spent the bulk of their married lives in the county of Argyll (Argyllshire) Scotland. Their children's births or baptisms were recorded in the church registers for the parishes of Campbeltown and Killean & Killchenzie. Robert's place of residence was entered as Glenramskill through 1796 and then Tangy. 
Migration1817 In 1817 Robert and Martha and their children migrated from Scotland to Washington County, Virginia.4 
  Robert and Margaret's land in Washington County was probably located in the Cedar Creek area of the county.2,5 
Will15 May 1821 Robert Clark wrote his will on 15 May 1821 in which he named his beloved wife Martha, his sons James, John, Robert, and his daughters Catherine, Agness, Martha and Mary. He named Peter Clark, and John Clark "son to my brother James" as his executors. The will was witnessed by Tobias Smith, William Clark, and James Porterfield.6 
DeathMay 1821 Robert probably died in May 1821. In the late 1960s when the stones in Old Glade Spring Cemetery were inventoried, there was a very worn stone that read: "Robert Clark, d. 13 May 1821, age _4y". This is two days before Robert signed his will however is is likely the stone originally read "died 18 May."7 
Will-Recd19 Jun 1821 Robert's will was recorded on 19 Jun 1821 in Washington County.6 
Burial He was probably buried in Old Glade Spring Cemetery.7 

Research Comment:

An undated family history, dictated by William Hayter Clark, (a grandson of Robert's) for an unnamed family member, stated that Robert left Argyllshire, Scotland with his wife and four boys and spent three months on the sea before reaching the Eastern shores of America. The story goes on to say that Robert and his sons Robert Jr. and John H. settled in Washington Co. Virginia on 1,000 acres which remained in the family until 1930. It adds that sons James and Ketron did not want to settle in Virginia, so they went on westward, and never were heard from again. One boy and two girls were stated to have been left behind in Scotland. This report names and includes birthdates for 7 children for Robert and Martha: James, Ketron, Agnes, Martha, Mary, Robert and John. 2

However, this disagrees with the Campbeltown birth records which do not list a child Ketron, but do include a birth record for a child Katherin. Ketron may have actually been a misreading of the name Katrin, a short form of Katherin. It should also be noted that Robert named Catherine in his will, but there is no mention of a Ketron. And it is also of interest that the date of birth given by William Hayter Clark for Katron (27 Jul 1794) is exactly one year off from the date recorded in the Campbeltown parish records for Katherin. Catherine/Katherin did come to America with her siblings and died in Washington County in 1847. Documents generated during the settlement of her estate establish the names of her siblings. Her brother James did not "head west", but died in Washington County about 1821.

Unfortunately, "Ketron" or "Keton" is listed as a son of Robert and Martha Clark on a memorial stone placed by descendants in Old Glade Spring Cemetery. A conversation with these family members reveals that they used William Hayter Clark's notes for their information and did not have any other evidence of a son named Ketron.

Related Links and Images:

Memorial marker in Old Glade Cemetery (see comment above about "son Keton")
Robert's will
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

Martha Harvie b. 15 Nov 1764, d. aft May 1821
Children
ChartsDescendants of Robert Clark and Martha Harvie
Last Edited23 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S99] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland; 1682-1770, FHL microfilm 1041004, item 1. Notes for this entry: James Clark and Agnes Galbraith had a child bapt Robert This entry had been added in-between the entry above and below it; there was no date noted, but the entry above it was July 10 [1756] and the entry below it was July 29 [1756]. The added entry is in the same handwriting as the entries before and after it.
  2. [S120] William Hayter Clark document, recorded after 1892 and before 1936.
  3. [S100] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland; births/baptisms 1771-1822, marriages 1771-1798, burials 1773-1819, FHL microfilm 1041004, item 2. Notes for this entry: Robert Clark of this Parish and Martha Harvey of Bealachantr__ contracted 27 Aug 1790 and were married.
  4. [S1198] Virgil Lewis, "Residents of Washington County," in Virginia and Virginians, p. 710.
  5. [S16] Robert's will left a portion of his land to his son Robert whose children were all born on Cedar Creek.
  6. [S618] Robert Clark Will (1821), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 5: 10. Robert's will was dated 15 May 1821 and proved in court 19 June 1821 with Peter Clark and John Clark taking the oath of executor. They posted bond in the amount of $2,000 with John Galliher and Mathew Ryburn security.
  7. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 178. Robert Clark, d. 13 May 1821, age ?4y; when the stone was read it was noted that the age may have been 64.
  8. [S100] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland; births/baptisms 1771-1822, marriages 1771-1798, burials 1773-1819, FHL microfilm 1041004, item 2. Notes for this entry: "James, lawfull son to Robt Clark in Glenramskill & Martha Harvie was born 27th & bapt 28th Aug 1791."
  9. [S106] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland; births/baptisms 1776-1819, FHL microfilm 1041005, item 1. Notes for this entry: "Katherin, Lawful dau to Robert Clark & Martha Harvie in Glen__y [?] 27 Jul 1793" [cannot tell if this is a birth or baptism date].
  10. [S106] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland; births/baptisms 1776-1819, FHL microfilm 1041005, item 1. Notes for this entry: "Agnes Lawfull dau to Robert Clark & Martha Harvy in Glenramskill 2_ [Feb 1796]". There was no indication in the record if this was a birth or baptism record.
  11. [S110] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Killean & Killchenzie, Scotland; FHL microfilm 1041070, item 1. Notes for this entry: "Martha Lawful daughter to Robt Clark & Martha Harvey in Tangy Aug 22 [1798]". Entry does not clarify if it is a birth or baptism record, but the page is titled "Registration of Baptisms.
  12. [S110] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Killean & Killchenzie, Scotland; FHL microfilm 1041070, item 1. Notes for this entry: "Mary Lawful daughter to Robt Clark Tenant & Martha Harvey in Tangy 16 Nov [1800]". Entry does not clarify if it is a birth or baptism record, but the page is titled "Registration of Baptisms.
  13. [S110] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Killean & Killchenzie, Scotland; FHL microfilm 1041070, item 1. Notes for this entry: "Robert Lawful son to Robert Clark Tangy Apr 2 [1803]". Entry does not list mother's name, neither does it clarify if it is a birth or baptism record. However the page is titled "Registration of Baptisms.
  14. [S100] Old Parochial Register, Co. of Argyll, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland; births/baptisms 1771-1822, marriages 1771-1798, burials 1773-1819, FHL microfilm 1041004, item 2. Notes for this entry: "John lawful son to Robert Clark Tenant in Tangy & Martha Harvie Born 21st & Baptised 25th Feb 1808."