Robert Clark

b. 14 March 1803, d. 2 May 1875
FatherRobert Clark1,2 b. Jul 1756, d. May 1821
MotherMartha Harvie b. 15 Nov 1764, d. aft May 1821
Birth14 Mar 1803 Robert Clark was born on 14 Mar 1803 in Argylleshire, Scotland.3,4 
Baptism2 Apr 1803 He was baptized on 2 Apr 1803 in the Parish of Killean & Kilchenzie. The baptismal record states that his father was of Tangy.1 
Migrationcirca 1817  When Robert was about 14 years old his parents left Scotland and migrated to Washington County, Virginia with their children.5,6 
Devisee15 May 1821  Robert's father wrote his will in May 1821. He left his sons John and James the 2/3 of his land that included the dwelling house. He left Robert the other 1/3 on the condition Robert should "marry him a wife". Robert was to have an 18 acre field adjoining the right side of the lane leading towards the widow Scotts as well as a field on the right side of the land leading to the widow Meeks.2 
Cens-18301830 He was enumerated as head of the household on the 1830 census. 
Marriageabt 1839 or 1840 He married Margaret Hughes abt 1839 or 1840.6 
  The couple made their home on Cedar Creek.7 
Cens-185026 Aug 1850 In the summer of 1850 Robert and Margaret were enumerated on the first census to record all members of a household by name. Robert was recorded as a 44 year old famer who owned land valued at $3,672. Margaret was 28. Three children were present: Mary (5), Martha (4) and John (2). Also listed were 35 year old Rebecka Hughes [Margaret's sister?] and 15 year old Julia Childers.8 
  Robert and Margaret's first 2 children, a daughter born in 1842 and a son born in 1843, both died in infancy. Two children born after the 1850 census also died in infancy, including a son who died on Sept. 10th, 1854. Twenty days later Robert's sister Martha Watson died of consumption. And on Oct. 10th, 1854 Robert's brother John, who was enumerated next to Robert in 1850, died of dysentery leaving a pregnant wife and 6 children. Robert served as his brother's executor. 
Religion  Robert and Margaret joined Glade Spring Presbyterian Church about 1840 however in 1852 they became members of what was then Stone School House (later Greenfield) Baptist Church.5 
WidowedDec 1863  Robert was widowed when Margaret died in Dec 1863. 
Name Other  A Clark family history, written with information provided by Robert's son William, recorded that he was known as Scotch Bobbie.6 
  The same history states that Robert and Margaret had 10 children.6 
  It is possible Robert and Margaret had one more son in addition to the 10 children listed below. A survey of Old Glade Spring Cemetery done in the early 1950s recorded a stone for an "infant son of R. and M. Clark, b. Sept. 8, 1849". This entry does not appear in High On A Windy Hill suggesting the stone was no longer readable 20 years later. According to a map of the cemetery which accompanied the earlier survey, this stone is located across from Robert and Margaret's stones and adjacent to the stone of their son Jessie. 
Will2 Feb 1875 Robert's will, dated February 2, 1875, left his 226 acre farm to his sons John H. and William H. It was to be divided between them when William turned twenty-one. Robert also left his farming equipment and various household items to the two boys. His daughter Mary C. was to receive $200. The balance of his bonds and money was to go to his daughters Mary and Martha.9 
Death2 May 1875 Robert died on 2 May 1875 at his residence near Cedarville in Washington County at age 72.3 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery with his wife Margaret and several of their children who died young.3 
Obituary  Robert's obituary described him as a man who was well versed in the bible; a very positive man, as well as a good neighbor and friend.5 

Related Links and Images:

Robert's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Robert as the head of household number 700. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Margaret Hughes b. abt 7 Nov 1821, d. 8 Dec 1863
Children
ChartsDescendants of Robert Clark and Martha Harvie
Last Edited23 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [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.
  2. [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.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Robert Clark, b. in Argyleshire, Scotland 14 Mar. 1803, d. 2 May 1875, age 72y 1m 18d.
  4. [S120] William Hayter Clark document, recorded after 1892 and before 1936. Robert, born Mar 14, 1803.
  5. [S2126] "Clark Family of Washington Co., Virginia", handwritten notes (undated) compiled by Juanita Mock Neese. Mrs. Neese copied Robert's obituary which was recorded in the minutes of Greenfield Church.
  6. [S120] William Hayter Clark document, recorded after 1892 and before 1936.
  7. [S120] William Hayter Clark document, recorded after 1892 and before 1936. Robert and Margaret's children were all born on Cedar Creek.
  8. [S367] Robert Clark household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., District 67, p. aft page 113 stamped, dwelling 700, family 700, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2008, image 92 of 289. Household includes: Robert Clark, 44, farmer, real estate valued at $3,672; Margaret 28; Mary 5; Martha 4; John 2; Rebecka Hughes 35; Julia Childers 15; all b. VA.
  9. [S706] Robert Clark will (1875), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 18: 438. The will was dated 2 Feb. 1875 and recorded 24 May 1875. John H. Clark took the oath of executor with James C. Porterfield and S. P. Edmondson his security. James C. Porterfield was also named as an executor in the will, but refused to qualify.
  10. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Infant Clark, d/o R. & M. Clark, b. July 28, 1842.
  11. [S120] William Hayter Clark document, recorded after 1892 and before 1936. List of children born to Robert Clark and Margaret Hughes.
  12. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 62. Robert Francis Clark 23y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Robert and Jane Clark AND Mary C. Clark, 21y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o Robert Clark; 8 Jan 1867.
  13. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. James O. McKee, 24y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o James & Sarah McKee AND Martha Clark, 20y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o Robert & Mgt Clark.
  14. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 61. John Harvey Clark, 21y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Robert & Margaret Clark AND Rosa M. Edmondson, 18y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o Andrew & Rosannah Edmondson.
  15. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 177. Robert Clark, s/o R. & M. Clark, d. 10 Sept 1854, age 5m 2d.
  16. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 25. Clark Robert, b. 6 Mar 1854 to Robert and Margret Clark.
  17. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 24. Rebecca J. Clark, b. 3 Dec. 1856 to Robert and Margret Clark.
  18. [S123] William R. Wheeler, Washington Co., VA Marriage Licenses 1881-1890, p. 19, 72. William H. Clark, age 23, sgl, b. & resid Wash. Co., VA, farmer, s/o Robert & Mgt Clark AND Sarah Elizabeth McKee, 25, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o Andrew J. & Mary J. McKee; 19 Nov. 1884.