James Clark1

b. 15 May 1830, d. 10 December 1911
James Clark (cropped)
photo courtesy James Ballard
FatherCapt. John B. Clark2,3,1 b. 9 Aug 1785, d. Feb 1869
MotherMary Beattie3,1 b. 10 Nov 1794, d. 30 Jun 1858
Birth15 May 1830 James Clark was born on 15 May 1830 in Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia.4,2,5 
Childhood  He was the 8th child and 2nd son in a family that numbered at least 11, and possibly 12 children. James's childhood was spent on his father's farm south of present day Glade Spring, Virginia, on land originally owned by James's grandfather James Clark, for whom he was no doubt named.6,7 
Land-Gift6 May 1858  In May 1858 James's father and mother executed an agreement whereby they deeded 4 tracts of land to James and his brother John. In return the 2 men were to pay a debt owed to John M. Preston as well as specific legacies to several of their siblings. They were also to provide for their parents who were to remain in the family home. However Mary died less than 2 months later.3 
MarriageSep 1858 He married Martha Ann Buchanan, daughter of Wilson Buchanan and Eliza Friel Graham, on the 8th or 9th of Sep 1858 in Smyth County, Virginia.8,9,10 
Cens-18601860  In the first few years following their marriage James and Martha appear to have lived on or near the land deeded to James and his brother, although it is not clear if the younger men or their father held title to the land. The 1860 census recorded James and Martha and their 1 year old son Crocket living adjacent to John Clark [James's father]. Also in John Clark's household was his son John B. and his daughters Elizabeth and Ellen. The elder John Clark was listed as the owner of property valued at $10,000; neither of the two younger Clark men (James or John B.) were indicated as land owners.11 
Court Record  However beginning in early 1858 significant monthly payments had been made to John M. Preston as required in the agreement transferring the family land from John (Sr.) and Martha, to James and John B.12 
Military  During the Civil War James served in Company F of the 63rd Virginia Regiment, attaining the rank of captain. His unit served in the Kanawha Valley, Suffolk, the Chattanooga Campaign, the Atlanta Campaign and in the Franklin & Nashville Campaign. They were also involved in defending the vital salt works at Saltville, almost literally in their own backyard. James was wounded during the Dec. 7th battle at Murfreesborough. A wound in his wrist developed gangrene and surgeons cauterized it with acid to avoid amputation. Family tradition is that he walked home from the hospital in northern Mississippi and was on furlough when the war ended.

James wrote many letters home during the war; 20 of them were donated by his descendants to the Emory & Henry College Archives in 1983. One of the letters gives a first hand account of the horrific scene at Dalton, Georgia, where in the spring of 1864 General Joseph Johnston ordered the execution of a group of Confederate deserters. During the winter there had been a lull in the fighting and many men returned home to assist their families. Johnston knew that as spring returned the fighting would resume; worried about his dwindling numbers he felt compelled to resort to extreme measures to stop the desertions.

Although clearly distressed by the executions, James also had faith in the general. President Jefferson Davis later became frustrated with Johnston's military strategy and relieved him of his command. James, writing home from the trenches at Atlanta, expressed his support for Johnston and his concern that Johnston's replacement, Gen. Hood, did not have the same level of support among the soliders

James's brother John also fought in the war and was also wounded. He was captured near Gettysburg and spent 2 years as a Union prisoner at Ft. Delaware.13,14  
  Clark family tradition states that during the war years Martha stayed with her parents, Wilson and Eliza Buchanan. Their home was located near the junction of CR 610 (present day Valley Rd) and Possum Hollow Road in Smyth County. An interesting Clark family anecdote grew out of this time period. The story goes that about the time of the second Battle of Saltville a Union cavalry officer was wounded and had to leave without his horse. He entrusted his horse to a member of the Clark family or a neighbor, promising to return after the war to collect his horse and leave a colt in exchange. The officer honored his promise and generations of Clarks since then have always had a horse named "Gray Mare."15,16" 
Land29 Dec 1868  On Dec. 29, 1868 James and his brother John divided the 4 tracts of land deeded them in the 1858 agreement with their parents. John deeded to James a 100 acre parcel known as "the Beattie" tract and also released James from the additional conditions specified in the 1858 agreement. In return, James deeded John his interest in the 3 other tracts formerly owned by their parents (see footnote).17  
Land-Sell19 Nov 1868  John and James had executed a deed the previous month to sell Micajah McCormick the Beattie land for $4,500.18 [James received the proceeds of the sale per the brothers Dec. 1868 agreement] 
Cens-187015 Jul 1870  James and Martha settled in the Rich Valley area of Smyth County. In 1870 James was reported as the owner of land valued at $9,000 which he was farming. He was 40 years old. Martha was 36. Enumerated with the couple were 4 children: John C. (9), Mary B. (8), Samuel E. (6) and Eliza G. (3). Nancy B., age 1/12 (born in June) was also enumerated and then lined through.19 
Residence  Around 1880 James built a larger home to accomodate his growing family. The structure, still owned by his descendants, sits on land near Rich Valley Cemetery in Smyth County. 
Cens-Sum  There James and Martha were recorded on a series of federal census records, each of which provided a glimpse into the family. The couple had 7 children, all of whom were enumerated with them in 1880. Twenty years later all 7 were still at home. They ranged in age from 40 year old John to 26 year old Charles. Daughter Mary died in 1908 but in 1910 John, Eliza, Nannie and Charles, none of whom married, were again enumerated on the farm with James and Martha.20,21,22 
  As the years passed, James, a successful farmer, added additional land to his original farm. He was a Democrat and served as an elder in the Rich Valley Presbyterian Church.15,23 
Death10 Dec 1911 James died on 10 Dec 1911 at age 81.24,4 
Burial He was buried at Rich Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Smyth County, Virginia.4 

Related Links and Images:

James's headstone
James and Martha's home, built around 1880 and photographed in the late 1800s. James is the hatless man in front of the center window. Notice "Gray Mare" in the photo as well.25
In August 2003 James Ballard and several of his cousins (the James Clark home remains in the Clark family), all descendants of James Clark, organized a mock recreation of the above photo. One unique feature was the substitution of a modern day 4 wheeled creature, the ATV, for "Gray Mare."

Family

Martha Ann Buchanan b. 25 Jun 1834, d. 14 Oct 1915
Children
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited5 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 46. This information is from transcribed lists of birth, death and marriage dates for John Clark and Mary Beattie Clark and their children.
  2. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, James Clark 28, b. Washington Co. VA, living in Washington Co., s/o John & Mary AND Martha A. Buchanan, 24, d/o Wilson & Eliza; 9 Sept 1858.
  3. [S721] Washington Co., Virginia, Deed Book 24: 146. On 6 May 1858 John Clark and Mary his wife to James and John B. Clark, their sons. Also mentions three daughters: Elizabeth A. Clark, Eleanor G. Clark and Martha H. Ryburn. In addition refers to land left to John Clark by James Clark, his father.
  4. [S52] Letter, Carolyn Ryburn to Diana Powell, 30 June 2001. Large Clark monument viewed by C. Ryburn Spring 2001 and recorded as follows: James Clark May 15, 1830 - Dec. 10, 1911, Martha Buchanan, his wife June 25, 1834 - Oct. 14, 1915 (photograph provided to author).
  5. [S128] John A Blakemore, Buchanan - A Genealogical History, p. 337.
  6. [S367] Capt. Clark household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. (after 107 stamped), dwelling 612, family 612, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2006, image 80 of 289. Enumeration includes: Capt. Clark, age 68, farmer, owns land val at $4,000; Mary, 54; Rosanah, 23; Martha 21; James, 20; Elizabeth, 15; John, 10; Ellen, 7; M. J. Snodgrass, 9; James Rhea, 18, farmer; all b. VA.
  7. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  8. [S943] Smyth Co., Virginia Marriage Register 1832-1853: 10. James and Martha's entry (line 27) appears to have been originally entered as Sept 8 and then overwritten with a 9. However, it is very difficult to tell and it could just as easily have originally been a 9 overwritten with an 8.
  9. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, James Clark 28, b. Washington Co. VA, living in Washington Co., s/o John & Mary AND Martha A. Buchanan, 24, d/o Wilson & Eliza; 9 Sept 1858 (abstracted from original record).
  10. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 46. This information is from transcribed lists of birth, death and marriage dates for John Clark and Mary Beattie Clark and their children. The marriage list incorrectly states that John Clark married Martha Buchanan and lists the date as Sept 8, 1858.
  11. [S234] James Clark household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., The Western District, p. 96 (original script), dwelling 695, family 674, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 98 of 361. Enumeration includes: James Clark, 30, farmer, owns pers. prop of $1,000 [no real estate]; Martha, 26; Crockett, 1; all b. VA.
  12. [S707] Account of James and John B. Clark with John Clark (1877), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 19: 354. Lists the payments made to John M. Preston, as well as various legacies directed by the agreement dated 6 May 1858.
  13. [S1665] Jim Ballard, "James Clark 1830-1911," e-mail to D. Powell, 16 Sept. 2007. Jim is the great grandson of James Clark.
  14. [S1836] James Buchanan Ballard, "Judgement at Dalton", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin Series II, No. 40 (2003).
  15. [S1665] Jim Ballard, "Clark and Buchanan," e-mail to D. Powell, 22 Jan. 2007. James is the great grandson of James Clark and Martha Buchanan.
  16. [S1665] Jim Ballard, "Test," e-mail to D. Powell, 8 Jan. 2007. James is the great grandson of James Clark and Martha Buchanan.
  17. [S2857] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 27: 534. The deed, dated 29 Dec. 1868 and recorded 5 Feb 1869, reflected the division of 4 tracts of land deeded jointly to James and John B. Clark by their parents [Capt] John and Mary [(Beattie)] Clark. John B. deeded his brother James his interest in 100 acres known as the "Beattie" tract and also released James from all other obligations outlined in the agreement with their parents. James and Martha Clark, in exchange, deeded John B. Clark their interest in 3 tracts of land acquired by their father [Capt] John Clark: 140 acres bought in 1812 from James Clark [Capt. John Clark's father], 122 acres purchased of Robert Clark [1831: Robert and Catherine Clark to Capt. John Clark], and 8 acres purchased from Basil Talbert. [1821: heirs of Bazel Talbert to Capt. John Clark]
  18. [S2857] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 27: 503. James and Martha Clark, and John B. Clark to Micajah McCormick, dated 19 Nov. 1868 and recorded 23 Jan 1869, for $4,500 ($1,000 still due), being land conveyed by John Clark [Sr.] to James and John B. Clark on 6 May 1858 adjoining lands of Wm B. Byars, Arthur Hutton and Margaret Grinstead.
  19. [S1006] James Clark household, 1870 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Rich Valley township, p. after page 64, dwelling 211, family 211, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 32 of 90. Household includes: James Clark, 40, farmer, owns land valued at $9,000 and pers. prop of $2,466; Martha A., 36; John C., 9; Mary B., 8; Samuel E., 6; Eliza G. 3; [Nancy B. 1/12 b. June had been entered and then lined out]; all b. VA.
  20. [S521] James Clark household, 1880 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop sched., 84th District, ED 84, page 5 (78A stamped), dwelling 36, family 37, viewed online at Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 5 of 55. James Clark, 50, farmer, father b. PA; Martha 45, wife; John C, 20, son; Mollie B., 19, dau; Edgar S., 16, son; Eliza G., 13, dau; Nannie B., 10, dau; Wilson B., 9, son; Charles L., 6, son; all b. VA. all other parents b. VA.
  21. [S682] J. Ca___ Clark household, 1900 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Rich Valley district - Broad Ford precinct, ED 84, sheet 1A (p. 110 stamped), dwelling 4, family 4, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 1 of 27. Household includes: J. Ca___ Clark, 70, b. May 1830, marr 42 yrs, b. VA, father b. PA, mother b. VA, owns farm, no mortgage; M. Amy, wife, 65, b. June 1834, marr 42 yrs, mother of 7 children, all living, b. VA; parents b. VA; J. C__p__, son, 40, b. Jul 1859; M. Bell, dau, 39, b. Mar 1861; S. Edward, son, 36, b. Nov. 1863; E. Grace, dau, 33, b. Jan 1867; N. Buchanan, dau, 30, June 1869; W. Buchanan, son, 29, b. May 1871; C. Lee, son, 26, b. May 1874; all children b. VA [Note: the middle names are not consistent with other records].
  22. [S1138] James Clark household, 1910 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Ellendale precinct, ED 89, sheet 7A, dwelling 119, family 120, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 13 of 16. Household includes: James Clark, 79, marr #1, 52 yrs, owns farm; Martha, wife, 75, marr #1, marr 52 yrs, mother of 7 children, 6 living; Crockett, son, 51; Eliza, dau, 43; Nannie, dau, 40; Charlies, son, 35; Bird Gillespie, servant, 17; all b. VA.
  23. [S1665] Jim Ballard, "James Clark," e-mail to D. Powell, 16 Sept. 2007. James is the great grandson of James Clark and Martha Buchanan.
  24. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 71. This source lists James's date of death as 1878, however that is incorrect per his tombstone and census records.
  25. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Jim Ballard.
  26. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 86. The author cites the records of Benjamin W. Clark.
  27. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 87. The author cites the records of Benjamin W. Clark.