James Clark

b. 5 July 1754, d. 21 December 1818
James Clark (from the original painting)
photo courtesy Carol Lockas
FatherJames Clark1 b. say 1718
MotherAgnes Galbreath1 b. 18 Feb 1722
Baptism5 Jul 1754 James Clark was baptized on 5 Jul 1754 in Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Scotland.1,2 
Marriage11 Jun 1784 He married Isabella Breckenridge on 11 Jun 1784 in Campbeltown, Scotland, the same day James's brother, Peter, married Mary Galbreath.3 
1785  James Clark and Isabella (Breckenridge) Clark appear to have lived in Pennsylvania from about 1785 to 1789 as their two oldest sons, John and James, both listed Pennsylvania as their place of birth on the 1860 census. 
Migration  Sometime around 1790 or shortly thereafter, James and Isabella left Pennsylvania and settled in Washington County, Virginia where they acquired several tracts of land on both sides of the "great road" (present day highway 11) east of Old Glade Spring. (see Links and Images bar below). 
Legatee27 Jul 1805 In 1805 James was remembered in the will of one John Harris of Washington County. James was gifted with a grey coat and jacket. John Harris also left items to his daughter Jinny Duncan, Capt. William Beattie, John Beattie (son of William) and to Mary, wife of William Beattie. James Clark's wife and daughter were also left items of clothing or cash.4 
  What relationship, if any, existed between the Clarks and John Harris is not known to me at this time. 
Land-Sell22 Aug 1812 On 22 Aug 1812 James sold 140 acres of land in Washington County to John Clark [his son] and an adjacent 100 acres to James Clark Jr. [also his son]. Both parcels sat just south of the "Great Road."5 
Will17 Dec 1818  James Clark wrote his will in Washington County on 17 Dec. 1818. He left his beloved wife Isabella the house and various other items necessary for her support. James left the tract of land on which he was living to his sons Robert and Peter. Since Peter was under 21 Robert was charged with managing the farm and it's profits. Robert and Peter were to provide their sisters "Jiney", Polly and Peggy each with a horse. They were also instructed to support their mother and their sisters while they remained single. In addition, they were to pay their siblings John, James, William and Nancy Beatie $1 each. James named his son John as his executor. The will was witnessed by James Clark, David Beatie, and William Clark.6 
Death21 Dec 1818 James died on 21 Dec 1818 at age 64.7,8 
Burial He was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.7 
Will-Recd19 Jan 1819  James's will was proved in court 19 Jan 1819 on the oath of all three witnesses. John Clark as executor entered a bond in the amount of $1,000.6 

Related Links and Images:

Image of James Clark's baptismal entry in the Old Parochial Register, Parish of Campbeltown, Scotland9
James and Isabella's marriage entry in the Campbeltown (Scotland) Parish Register3
James Clark's son Peter recorded his father's death as the first entry in his own Family Bible Record10
Learn more about James and Isabella's home11
Discussion of James Clark's land and how it came to be divided among 4 of his sons
James's will
James and Isabella's stones lie near each other but the inscriptions face in opposite directions, leading some descendants to record that Isabella lies to the right of James and others to report that she lies on his left. Both are true, depending on which stone one is facing at the time. The location of the stones was identified in a 1907 photo and reconfirmed in 200912
James's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

Isabella Breckenridge b. abt 1764, d. 9 Sep 1848
Children
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited12 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 James July 5 [1754]."
  2. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn" . This source uses 5 Jul 1754 as James's date of birth. It is possible he was born and baptised the same day.
  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: James Clark and Isabell Breckenridge both of this Parish were contracted 11 June and married [1784] (image courtesy Katherine Clark and Susan Sumner).
  4. [S616] John Harris will (recorded 1805), Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 2: 513. John's will, dated 27 Jul. 1805 was recorded 20 Aug. 1805.
  5. [S719] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 5: 108-9. The deeds were dated 22 Jul 1812 and recorded 18 Aug. 1812.
  6. [S131] James Clark will (1819), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 281.
  7. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 176. Stone reads: James Clark, Sen'r, d. 21 Dec. 1818, age 64y, "Born in Argylshire, Scotland."
  8. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible. The Bible includes a page headed "Deaths" and includes this entry: "James Clark December 21st 1818."
  9. [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 James July 5 [1754]" (image courtesy Katherine Clark and Susan Sumner).
  10. [S1376] Bible images courtesy of Carol Lockas.
  11. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Katherine Clark.
  12. [S1376] Photos and on-site research courtesy of Carol Lockas and Ric Sheets.
  13. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  14. [S1772] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 10: 397. Robert and Catherine Clark (26 Feb. 1831) to Peter Clark. The deed specifically refers to the land as part of a tract of land left to Robert and Peter in the will of their father, James Clark. A survey dated 19 Sept. 1827 (WC Survey Book 2:508-509) further establishes this as part of a larger parcel of lands belonging to John, Robert, Peter and James Clark conveyed by James Braden to James Clark, father to the 4 men.