Martha Ann Buchanan1

b. 25 June 1834, d. 14 October 1915
FatherWilson Buchanan2,3,4 b. 8 May 1797, d. 9 Oct 1873
MotherEliza Friel Graham2,3,5 d. 14 Aug 1868
Birth25 Jun 1834 Martha Ann Buchanan was born on 25 Jun 1834 in Smyth County, Virginia.6 
MarriageSep 1858 She married James Clark, son of Capt. John B. Clark and Mary Beattie, on the 8th or 9th of Sep 1858 in Smyth County, Virginia.7,8,9 
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 by his parents in Washington County as the 1860 census recorded James and Martha and their 1 year old son Crocket living adjacent to John Clark [James's father].10 
Military  During the Civil War James served in Company F of the 63rd Virginia Regiment, attaining the rank of captain.11,12 
  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.13,14 
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).15 
Cens-187015 Jul 1870  Following the war 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.16 
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.17,18,19 
Death14 Oct 1915 Martha died on 14 Oct 1915 in Smyth County at age 81.6,4 
Burial She was buried at Rich Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Smyth County, Virginia.6 

Related Links and Images:

Martha's headstone

Family

James Clark b. 15 May 1830, d. 10 Dec 1911
Children
Last Edited5 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 86.
  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. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 84.
  4. [S2205] Jack Hockett, compiler, "Washington County, Virginia and Smyth County Virginia Abstracted Death Records 1912-1915" (unpublished manuscript; microfilm records viewed at the Library of Virginia, Jan. 2009), Martha (Buchanan) Clark entry.
  5. [S2205] Jack Hockett, compiler, "Washington County, Virginia and Smyth County Virginia Abstracted Death Records 1912-1915" (unpublished manuscript; microfilm records viewed at the Library of Virginia, Jan. 2009), Martha (Buchanan) Clark entry (provides mother's maiden name).
  6. [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).
  7. [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.
  8. [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).
  9. [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.
  10. [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.
  11. [S1665] Jim Ballard, "James Clark 1830-1911," e-mail to D. Powell, 16 Sept. 2007. Jim is the great grandson of James Clark.
  12. [S1836] James Buchanan Ballard, "Judgement at Dalton", Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia Bulletin Series II, No. 40 (2003).
  13. [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.
  14. [S1665] Jim Ballard, "Test," e-mail to D. Powell, 8 Jan. 2007. James is the great grandson of James Clark and Martha Buchanan.
  15. [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]
  16. [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.
  17. [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.
  18. [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].
  19. [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.
  20. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 86. The author cites the records of Benjamin W. Clark.
  21. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 87. The author cites the records of Benjamin W. Clark.