William Clark

b. 18 December 1792, d. 27 or 28 Jun 1870
FatherJames Clark1,2 b. 5 Jul 1754, d. 21 Dec 1818
MotherIsabella Breckenridge2 b. abt 1764, d. 9 Sep 1848
Birth18 Dec 1792 William Clark was born on 18 Dec 1792 near Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia.3,4,5 
Military  In August 1814, while living in Washington County, William was drafted for 6 months in the 7th Regiment of the Virginia Militia under Col. David Saunders. He served for 3 months during the War of 1812 (as a private and also as a sergeant) and was discharged at Norfolk, Virginia on 17 Nov. 1814 after providing a substitute to complete his term of service.6,7,8,9,10 
Description  At the time of his enlistment William was 19 or 20 years of age, about 6 feet high with black hair and eyes. His complexion was fair and he weighed about 135 or 140 pounds.11  
Marriage25 Mar 1824 He married first Barbara Talbert, daughter of Bazel Talbert and Mary Logan, on 25 Mar 1824 in Washington County.12,13,14 
  They had one son (Lilburn) together before Barbara died in June 1825. 
Marriage12 Oct 1826 He married second Harriet Shugart, daughter of Zachariah Shugart Jr. and Elizabeth Offult, on 12 Oct 1826 at Blountville in Sullivan County, Tennessee.15,16 
Guardian28 Sep 1835 He was named guardian of his son, Lilburn (from his first marriage) on 28 Sep 1835 in Washington County, Virginia.17 
Cens-18501850  William and Harriet raised their family in Lincoln County, Tennessee. The 1850 census recorded William, at age 58, with land valued at $6,150. Harriet was 47. Also enumerated were Lilburn (24) [Lilburn was actually married and was enumerated a second time with his wife and daughter], Elizabeth (21), James (21)[incorrect age], William (18), Rebecca (15) and Claybourn (12).18 
Cens-186024 Aug 1860  Ten years later the value of William's land had increased significantly, to $31,000. He was also reported to own over $16,000 in personal property.19 
Land-Warrant  In the late 1850s William received a warrant for 120 acres of additional land based on his service in the War of 1812. This may have accounted for some of the increased land holdings he reported in 1860.20 
Cens-187023 Aug 1870  Following the Civil War William's holdings lost some of their worth, although his land was still valued at over $24,000 when the 1870 census was recorded. The value of his personal property dropped to a little over $3,000.21 
Will22 Oct 1859 William wrote his will on 22 Oct 1859. He left Harriet as much of his estate as the laws of Tennessee would allow her. He left the balance to be equally divided between his 4 sons (Lilburn, James, William and Claiborne) and two daughters (Elizabeth and Rebecca). William noted that Lilburn's share was to be charged the $780 he had already received in right of his deceased mother. He also stipulated that his daughters' shares were for their "sole and separate use". William also asked that his two elderly slaves be allowed to remain on the plantation as long as it belonged to the family, and requested that they be kindly treated and cared for. Lastly, William appointed his son Lilburn and son-in-law William Thomas (husband of his daughter Elizabeth) as his executors.22 
Death27 or 28 Jun 1870 William died on either June 27 or June 28, 1870 in Lincoln County. Therefore he was actually deceased when the family was enumerated in August, 1870, but was listed as the head of the household since he was alive as of the official census date of June first.23,24,25,3,26 
Burial He was buried at Unity Cemetery near Fayetteville in Lincoln County.3 
  Over 40 of William's descendants are buried at Unity Cemetery, including children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family maintained a long tradition of farming in Lincoln County although by the late 1800s some family members, including William's son William, began to migrate west. Many of those settled in Texas, Arizona and/or California. Various family members branched out into retail enterprises, particularily the grocery or dry goods business. 

Related Links and Images:

Unity Cemetery, Lincoln County, Tennessee
The Family Record pages from William's Bible
Learn more about William's childhood home27

Family 1

Barbara Talbert b. 8 Aug 1799, d. 26 Jun 1825
Child

Family 2

Harriet Shugart b. 14 Dec 1802, d. 14 Apr 1891
Children
ChartsDescendants of James Clark and Isabella Breckenridge
Last Edited2 Sep 2013

Citations

  1. [S131] James Clark will (1819), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 281.
  2. [S11] "Family notes of Mrs. Lizzie Ryburn."
  3. [S2321] Joann Tortarolo, "Rambling Roots," e-mail to D. Powell, 7 Aug. 2009. Joann cites Cemetery Records of Lincoln-Moore Counties, Tennessee, by Helen C. & Timothy R. Marsh (Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1996) which lists the following headstone information from Unity Cemetery in Lincoln Co., TN for William: William Clark, born in Washington Co., VA. Dec 18, 1792 - 28 Jun 1870.
  4. [S2432] William Clark Bible - Family Record (digital images); William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Entry reads: "William Clark born Dec. 18 1792."
  5. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible. William's birthdate was entered as December 18, 1792 in the family Bible of his brother, Peter Clark.
  6. [S2432] William Clark Declaration dated 26 June 1852; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. William's statement as to his service was filed as part of an application for bounty land.
  7. [S2432] Third Auditor's Office statement dated 19 Jan. 1853; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Entry reports that William served in the War of 1812 from 22 July to 3 Dec. 1814, however there was also a notation that he was discharged by substitute.
  8. [S2432] Discharge dated 17 Nov. 1814 at Norfolk, Virginia; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Capt. Neely and Col Saunders of the 7th Virginia Militia discharge William Clark based on his having supplied a substitute, John Snider, to fulfill his term of service.
  9. [S2432] Widow's Brief completed 1878-1879; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Proof of Service: 3rd Aud reports that Wm Clark served in Capt. Penn's company from 9 Aug to 7 Sept 1814.
  10. [S2432] Widow's Declaration completed April 1878; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Harriet stated that she believed William served first as a private and later a sergeant and perhaps orderly sergeant in the company commanded first by Capt. Meeks and then by Capt. Penn in a militia regiment which was raised near Abingdon, Virginia. Her memory was not complete on the subject but she believed William enlisted near Sulphur Springs in Washington County in 1813 or 1814 and was discharged at Norfolk, Virginia.
  11. [S2432] Widow's Declaration completed April 1878; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Harriet's declaration included a description of William at the time of his enlistment.
  12. [S2432] William Clark Bible - Family Record (digital images); William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Entry reads: "William Clark maried Barbara Talbott Mar 25 1824."
  13. [S1546] Peter and Margaret Clark Bible. William's marriage date was recorded in his brother's bible as 25 March 1824.
  14. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 12. William Clark and Barbary Talbert, 24 Mar 1824; minister: Alex. McEwen.
  15. [S2432] William Clark Bible - Family Record (digital images); William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Entry reads: "William Clark Maried Harriet Shugart Oct 12 1826."
  16. [S2432] Widow's Declaration completed April 1878; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Harriet's statement provided the date and location of her marriage to William Clark as well as her maiden name.
  17. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 29. William Clark named guardian of Lilburn L. Clark, son of said William and Barbara, his wife, late Barbara Talbert, deceased. Bond $2,000. Surety: John Clark.
  18. [S1380] William Clark household, 1850 U.S. cens, Lincoln Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., District 9, p. 118 (stamped), dwelling 192, family 192, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2006, image 9 of 21. Enumeration includes: William Clark, 58, farmer, owns land val: $6,150, b VA; Harriet, 47, b. VA; Lilburn, 24, farmer, b. VA; cont. next page: Elizabeth, 21, James 21, William, 18, Rebecca, 15, Claybourn, 12; all b. TN.
  19. [S1838] William Clark household, 1860 U.S. cens, Lincoln Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., District 9, p. 102 (stamped), dwelling 1250, family 1160, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 10 of 11. Household includes: William Clark, 67, farmer, owns land val at $31,000 and pers prop of $16,690, b. VA; cont. next page: Harriet, 57, b. VA; Rebecca, 24, b. TN; Claiborne, 21, b. TN.
  20. [S2432] Warrant #30920 issued under the Act of March 3, 1855; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA.
  21. [S1839] Wm Clark household, 1870 U.S. cens, Lincoln Co., Tennessee, pop. sched., 9th district, p. after 301 stamped, dwelling 114, family 107, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Sept. 2007, image 16 of 25. Household includes: Wm Clark, 78, owns land valued at $24,500 and pers. prop. of $3,120, b. VA, farmer; Harriett, 58, b. TN; Rebecca, 34, b. TN; Clairbourne, 30, b. VA.
  22. [S2432] William Clark will (digital image); William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. The copy of the will filed with Harriet's pension application was certified by the clerk of the Lincoln Co., TN Court on 15 Jan. 1879.
  23. [S2432] Widow's Declaration completed April 1878; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Harriet's affidavit stated William died on June 28th, 1870.
  24. [S2432] Affidavit of Lilburn Clark dated 15 Jan. 1879 at Lincoln Co., Tennessee; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Affidavit reports William Clark's date of death as 27 June 1870.
  25. [S2432] Affidavit of Wm L. Thomas [William Clark's son-in-law and co-executor] dated 15 Jan. 1879 at Lincoln Co., Tennessee; William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA. Record includes the statement that "William Clark died on the 27th day of June 1870."
  26. [S118] Lincoln Co. TN Biographies, p. 882. This source states William died in June 1871 which conflicts with his headstone data.
  27. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Katherine Clark.
  28. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 29. William Clark named guardian of Lilburn L. Clark, son of said William and Barbara, his wife, late Barbara Talbert, deceased. Bond $2,000. Surety: John Clark.
  29. [S2432] William Clark Bible - Family Record (digital images); William Clark soldier (Sgt. Capt. Penn Co., VA Militia, War of 1812), widow Harriet, WC17781, Record Group 15, NARA.
  30. [S2326] Joann Tortarolo research, 2009-2010 (7512 Aloe Court., Highland, CA 92346). Joann cites the Findagrave.com entry for Duncan Valley Cemetery in Greenlee Co., AZ which provides a link to a digital image of William's death certificate as issued by the Arizona Territorial Bd of Health.