Mary Clark

b. 1 October 1800, d. 26 November 1863
FatherRobert Clark1,2 b. Jul 1756, d. May 1821
MotherMartha Harvie1 b. 15 Nov 1764, d. aft May 1821
Birth1 Oct 1800 Mary Clark was born on 1 Oct 1800. A memoir left by her son stated she was born in Campbeltown, Scotland, but her baptismal record states the family was in nearby Tangy.3,4,1 
Baptism16 Nov 1800 She was baptized on 16 Nov 1800 in the Parish of Killean & Kilchenzie, County of Argyll, Scotland.1 
Marriage15 Mar 1827 She married William Beattie Allison, son of William Allison and Susannah Hayter, on 15 Mar 1827 in Washington County, Virginia.5,3 
Residence Mary and William settled on 153 acres of land near Glade Spring Virginia where they built a log house which stands to this day (see photo link below). Here they raised a family of eight children.6 
ChildDeathJan 1839  Two of these children died in early 1839. Six year old Charles died on January 19th, followed by his two year old brother, James, four days later. 
Widowed7 May 1849  Mary herself was widowed at the age of 48 when William died in May of 1849. 
Cens-18509 Aug 1850  A year later, in August 1850, she was enumerated on the Washington County census with William, 20, Martha, 16, Samuel, 12, John, 9, and Abram, six.7 
Cens-1860- Slave26 Jul 1860  The 1860 census recorded her as the owner of two slaves: a 45 year old female and a 17 year old male.8 
Death26 Nov 1863 Mary died on 26 Nov 1863 at age 63.3 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia. She lies near her son Abram and 4 grandchildren who died young (children of her son Samuel).3,9 
Will-Recd28 Dec 1863 Mary wrote her will the day before she died. She left sons Robert, Samuel, John and Abram each two beds with the remainder of the household furniture to be divided between Samuel, John and Abram. She gave a blind gray mare to her son Samuel and a cow to her daughter Martha. Daughter-in-law Catharine was remembered with a side saddle with the remainder of her stock, personal property, bonds and monies to be equally divided between her six children. Mary also left her two servants Barbary and Campbell to her sons John and Abram jointly. Mary appointed her son Robert as her executor.10 
Probate Recd31 Dec 1863 Mary's estate was appraised a few days after her will was recorded. The papers listed a good deal of furniture including 8 beds, 8 chairs with split bottoms, several tables, 10 yards of carpet, 4 window curtains, brass and iron kettles, 2 glass mirrors and brass candlesticks. Many of these items were purchased by her sons on January 1, 1864 and on August 8, 1864. The sales generated $6,409.36.11,12 
Residence It is interesting to read through the list of Mary's possessions as it paints a picture of the Allison homestead and its interior during the time that Mary and William resided in it.6 
Probate Recd29 Mar 1866  The settlement papers filed for Mary's estate shed further light on the times and the community. Dr. Samuel Allison received $54.00 for medical services rendered from 1860 until Mary's death on November 26th, 1863. Dr. N. Snead was paid $102 for medical attention received from the death of Mary's husband in 1849 to November 1863. Jonathan Leech received $100 for making Mary's coffin, and her daughter, Martha Ligon was paid $40.00 for burying apparel. Mary's tombstone, including its engraving, cost $90.00 and its transport from Lynchburg was another $8.75. Each of Mary's children received $629.29 as their share of her estate, with some receiving additional monies per her will.13 

Related Links and Images:

Mary and William's home14
Mary's will
Mary's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Mary as the head of household number 356. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

William Beattie Allison b. Mar 1800, d. 7 May 1849
Children
ChartsDescendants of Robert Clark and Martha Harvie
Last Edited15 Jul 2013

Citations

  1. [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.
  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. 174. Allison, Mary, Consort of Wm B. Allison, b. in Argileshire, Scotland 1 Oct. 1800, d. 26 Nov. 1863.
  4. [S37] "Robert Clark Allison", manuscript, written 10 Sept. 1966 from the recollections of his son, Fred Allison. Location (Campbeltown) and year (1800) only.
  5. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 2.
  6. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 138.
  7. [S367] Mary Allison household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 91b (stamped), dwelling 356, family 356, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2003, image 48 of 289. Mary Allison, 48, owns real estate valued at $3,000, born Scotland; William 20, farmer; cont on p. 92: Martha Allison 16; Samuel 12; John 9; Abram 6; all children b. VA.
  8. [S1308] Mary Allison, owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 8 (original script), line 14, viewed online at Ancestry.com. 2 slaves incl 1 male (17y) and 1 females (45y).
  9. [S622] Martha Keys, "Abingdon Trip," e-mail to Diana Powell, 15 Aug. 2005. Martha visited Old Glade Spring Cemetery and reported that Mary's stone is now very badly worn.
  10. [S686] Mary Allison will (1863), Washington Co., VA Will Book 16: 126. Mary's will was dated 25 Nov. 1863 and proved in court 28 Dec. 1863. It named sons Robert, Samuel, John, William and Abram, daughter Martha, and daugher-in-law Catharine. Son Robert was named executor.
  11. [S687] Appraisement of estate of Mary Allison (1863), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 17: 420. Estate appraised at $13,507.65 on 31 Dec. 1863 by Robert Clark, J.K, Rambo, L.B. Porterfield and A.S. Orr, but document not recorded until 8 Dec. 1869.
  12. [S687] Sale bill for estate of Mary Allison (1864), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 17: 420. Sale conducted 4 Jan 1864 and 8 Aug. 1864 and reported by R.C. Allison, executor on 8 Dec. 1869. Including the value of notes and cash, the sale generated $6409.36.
  13. [S686] Mary Allison settlement (1866), Washington Co., VA Will Book 16: 413. The settlement of Mary's estate detailed the various distributions made from the $6,409.36 collected by the sale of her personal possesions, stock, notes, etc.
  14. [S35] Nanci C. King, Places In Time Vol. II, p. 138. Black and white photo used with permission of the author.
  15. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 174. Stone reported to say: Charles B. Allison, w/o W.B. & M. Allison, d. 19 Jan. 1839, age 6y 11m 23d.
  16. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 174. Stone reported to read: James M. Allison, s/o W.B. & M. Allison, d. 23 Jan. 1839, age 2y, 6m, 11d.