CHRISTOPHER CLARK and PENELOPE ??? by Linda Sparks Starr JAN 1996 [Schaaf did a good job of documenting this couple; I see the fol lowing as just adding to or corroborating his findings.] First, Christopher's land records. The Vestry BK & Register St. Peter's Parish, New Kent Co. & James City Co. VA 1684-1786 by Chamberlayne: 1698 Alexander MacKeney ... asked vestry for help to clear the roads in his precinct ... these families: CHRIS TOPHER CLARKE, Thomas Stanley, EDWARD CLARKE, Thomas Wharton, Nicholas Purde, Will MARTIN, John MARTIN, Will Butes, Thomas Har ris, Edward Harris, Burnell Chapell, Martin MARTIN, Thomas Delahay, John Aldrige, Michaell JOHNSON, John Jones, Thomas Moss, Samuel Moss, John Willmore, Jarrat Robert Ellison, Francis Amos. How did Christopher and Edward (if Edward is indeed his younger brother) acquire these tracts while they were supposedly still teen-agers? "Inheritance from their father" or "gift from father in-law" is the best answer. I think it's safe to say they were living on the same tracts in 1698 and when taxed per The Quit Rents of VA 1704 by Annie Laurie Wright Smith: "CLERK, Christo of New Kent Co. taxed on 300 acres; CLERK, Edwd of New Kent Co. taxed for 282 acres and Edward JOHNSON of New Kent Co. taxed with 150 acres." For details see update "Micajah and Sallie Ann", but all we can ASSUME from the above is they were both at least 16 years old. I personally feel the word "families" indicates they were both older, living on separate tracts, and perhaps both were already married. Christopher didn't move from 1698 until after 1719--the county and parish lines just kept changing. Proof comes from the list of neighbors--note Alexander MacKeney above must be the same Alex McKenney below; Edward and Christopher are surely the same; ditto the MARTINs. from Vestry Bk St Paul's Parish, Hanover Co., VA 1706-1786 by Chamberlayne: "Christopher Clark apptd surveyor of new horse bridge over Bever Dam Swamp ... 28 JAN 1706/7 with Edward Clark, Thomas Johnson, Alexander McKenney, Thomas Caisey, Wm Hogg, Thomas Bowls, Thomas Bailey, Isaac Winston, Nat'l Hod kison assisting. 11 SEP 1712 both Edward and Christopher Clark were ordered to assist Alex. MacKeney in clearing a road from Mr. Jn White's Mill to Polegreen's Old Field by the New Kent Co. Court." I believe 1706/7 is the first time Christopher was placed "in charge" of anything/over others. Based on birth in 1681, he was only 26 years old. The parish was divided (1708/9) into precincts for processioning. As I understand it, every four years the owners of adjoining property with two witnesses were to walk the line resetting bound- ary markers. This was designed to deter lawsuits. The three CLARKs lived in the "lower" Church area, but in different precincts. Christopher and Hogg were named overseers of precinct #34; in the past Alex McKeney held this position. Thus, the "changing of power" from older to younger generation continues. Thus, the 14 MAR 1708/9 return of Processioners shows immediate neighbors were Christopher Clark, Alex McKenney, Thomas Bowles and Wm Hogg; 22 NOV 1711 John Martin and Thomas JOHNSON were added. [Is this Thomas, Penelope's brother b. 1680?] The above were still neighbors MAR 1719, but the immediate neighborhood now included Rob Allen and Sam'l Merideth. We have the various land descriptions, but in today's world, just where did they live? Doug Tucker says the 1704 tract was located "across the Pamunkey River from present-day West Point which in those days was called Delawaretown." Paraphrasing Jay Worral's article, "The Albemarle Quakers, 1742-1754, in Magazine of VA Genealogy, vol. 22, No. 3, AUG 1984, pps 22-34: Clark brothers, Christopher and Francis, moved from New Kent County to land on the South Anna early 1720's and settled about five mles south and west of now Cuckoo in Louisa County. In 1742 he and Penelope moved west again to the area between Keswick and Cismont. Page 155 McNaught gets even more specific: Mildred (Martin) Clark Oglesby (widow of Micajah Clark Jr., grandson of Xpher) was buried in a private cemetery two miles north-easterly from Kes wick near the eastern base of SW Mt where several CLARKs are buried. Doug is a bit more exact for the location of the earlier tract: Christopher's properties on Cedar Creek (1718) were "close to where it flows into the South Anna River (note: the North and South Anna Rivers were treated as branches of the Pamunkey River and the names were interchangeable until about 1730). This was in the upper reaches of St. Paul's Parish and at least 30 miles west-northwest of his first property in St. Peter's Parish." He continues, "their Quaker neighbors here included: Stanley, Johnson, Massie, Crenshaw, Syme, Harris and Reynolds. The Quaker colony at Green Springs was located roughly 20 miles farther west up the South Anna River." per Hist of Louisa Co. VA by Malcolm Harris: His and Meriwether's tracts of land ran along the lower side of the South Anna River from Deep Cr to upper end of Co. They reared their chn in Camp Creek Meeting. from Campbell's Chronicles by Early: In 1722 Christopher patented with Nicholas Meriwether 927 acres in Hanover Co. The road Clark cut from his Green Spring home to his land in Albemarle is known as "Clark's Tract". Doug adds that the total Clark/Meriwether combined tract ran from the Spotsylvania Co. line (now Orange) in the north about 8 miles south to the Goochland Co. line which, in those days was a westward extension of the southern line of Hanover (today Louisa Co.), running just a few miles north of today's Charlottesville. Their patent covered more than 28 square miles and ran along the eastern base of the Southwestern Mts. He suspects Xpher remained in the Green Springs area instead of moving farther west as most researchers report. The fact his will was probated in Louisa County instead of Albemarle adds credence to his opinion. per Immigrant Ancestors edited by Virkus, extracted from vol. VII Compendium of Amer. Genealogies: Christopher CLARK, Quaker from England via Barbadoes...purchased/patented 50,000 acres crown lands in Hanover, Albemarle and Louisa Co.; Capt of Hanover Co. militia 1727; high sheriff 1731; Justice Louisa Co 1742; overseer Friends Meeting House, Sugar Loaf MM 1749; law partner Nicholas Meriwether; married ca1709 Penelope (d. post 1754), dau of Edward JOHNSON. [The High Sheriff of Hanover is found only in Col. Dames; the other offices/deeds are mentioned in several accounts including Early and Harris.] Christopher's name is not in Nugent's Cavaliers & Pioneers, vol II, but vol. III shows various patents for land in New Kent Co., Hanover and one in Henrico Co. which has an attached note that some thought it in New Kent. Vol. IV shows his lands are in Hanover and Goochland, while vol. V adds Louisa to the list. His children are named in his will dated 14 AUG 1741, probated Louisa Co. VA, 28 MAY 1754. It was proved by oath of Thomas Mar tin and affirmation of Ann (Moorman) Martin, sister of Thomas, husband of Rachel (Clark) Edward Agnes Johnson Rachel Moorman Sarah Lynch Micajah Bowling Elizabeth Anthony granddau Penelope Lynch wife Penelope Additional corroboration for his children are found in abstracts of Louisa Co. Deed Bk A & B 1742-1759 by Davis whose deeds prove Edward was eldest son of Christopher and Bowling (wife Wenefred) was another child. Ditto Rachel as dau of Christopher and married to Thomas Moorman of Louisa Co. Also Micajah of Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle Co., was another son. Does it seem strange to others that most of these chn signed by mark? Early's Campbell's Chronicles adds the Charles Lynch who married Sarah CLARK in 1733 came to VA from Galway, Ireland between 1715 20 when a lad of 15 as an indentured servant; his indenture was purchased by Christopher CLARK. Woods Hist of Albemarle says Christopher was large landowner in Louisa, obtaining grants within present limits of Albemarle in 1732; with his son Bowling was overseer of Friend's Meeting House situated near land he had entered near the Sugar Loaf Peak of the Southwest Mt. Persistant Problems Did Christopher have another wife? -- specifically the Elizabeth who witnessed the Quaker marriage and signed the certificate with him. Is it important since there apparently were no surviving children? Doug is looking for the specific citation, and until he finds it, let me just say he shares his finding of an account which specifi- cally identifies Christopher's slaves as "Barbadoes slaves". This will be very significant if the citation checks out. Doug also found the much discussed possible link between Chris topher and Gen. George Rogers and William Clark. While tracing his own line, that of Thomas Moorman/Rachel Clark, he found that Christopher turned over land to Jonathan Clark (grandfather of the Gen.) which Christopher had held in trust until Jonathan turned 21, the very same day he deeded adjoining land to Thomas Moorman and his wife Rachel. This too is a find if we can re locate the deed. In his well written history of the family, Doug writes the trus teeship land lay in Goochland Co. which was formed from Henrico in 1727. This record is not found in abstracts of Goochland wills and deeds 1728-1736 and in deeds 1741-45. [The former abstracted by Weisiger and the latter by TLC] McNaught's James Clark... says Christopher and Jonathan (or his son John) owned adjoining tracts in Albemarle County. Deeds of...Albemarle Co. VA 1748 1763, abstracted by Davis shows Jonathan Clark and others patent ing 3277 acres in Goochland (which fell into Albemarle) in 1734; this Jonathan "of K & Q" by will 1752 left his portion to sons John and Benjamin Clark. John's portion fell "adj. Lynch between two mts" and Benj's "adj. Meriwether, Keys, Dalton's old field." Page 183 McNaught says John's portion was adj. Capt. Christopher's land, (which he possibly deeded to his son-in-law) making them both correct. Again, this trustee record not in Albemarle Co. Court Papers 1744-1783 by Benj. Weisiger, but it's probably too late as are Louisa Co. records. Hanover Co. Court Record Bk 1733-1735, abstracted by Blunt shows Xpher selling land adjacent Thomas Moor- man in lowgrounds of South Anna in 1734. No John or Jonathan Clark in index. Neither is this record in the abstracts by John Frederick Dorman of Caroline Co. VA Order Books covering the years 1732-1754; Dorman's forward says, except for a surveyor's book, these are the only extant colonial records for Caroline County. Both Thomas Moorman and John Clark were there, just not Christopher. Caroline was created in 1727 from parts of Essex, King & Queen and King Wm; K & Q was created 1691 from New Kent Co. and King Wm from K&Q in 1700. (per Handy Book) A History of Caroline Co, VA by Wingfield says John (father of the Gen.) lived in Albemarle Co. until he inherited his Uncle Jonathan's estate about 1757 which was located in southwestern Caroline Co. In 1730 a John Clark rec'd a land grant in Caroline for 207 acres. There were two John Clarks in the Order Books--one a "ne-er-do-well" married to a Margaret and the other, husband of Ann Rogers. We need to check for this trusteeship in several counties -- the other Goochland records, King William and King & Queen being the most likely, but especially in Hanover, New Kent and Caroline records IF other records exist. I recently located two references to a BOLLING CLARK, too old to be Christopher's grandson, but who might not be Christopher's son. Page 27, Births From Bristol Parish Register of Henrico, Pr Geo... by Chamberlayne shows a Bolling Clarke with wife PHOEBE who had a son, William, born 26 JAN 1745-6. And then abstracts of Lunenburg Co. Deed Book 5 by Evans, has page 464-5, dated 12 APR 1759 Bolling CLARKE of Bath Parish, Dinwiddie Co., sold 180 acres to Matthew Hawkins. His wife's name was not recorded. McNaught in James Clark... doesn't give a "William" as a grandson for Christopher through son Bolling, but does give the birthdate JAN 1745 for Bolling's daughter Elizabeth. As I read the old style date used in the Bristol Parish record, both children were born in JAN, but a year apart. "Winefred" is Bolling's "wife of record" in 1754 (Lousia Deeds); however, Ackerly and Parker in Our Kin say Xpher's son Bolling married Winefred in 1742. Are there two BOLLING CLARK's? Who is Bolling Clark in Bedford Co. VA records? Please note: "Allanson / Elleyson" Clarks abound in Henrico Co. 1700's; one even had a son named "Francis" per his will probated in Chesterfield Co. (Weisiger abstracts again--Chesterfield was formed from Henrico c1750). EDWARD CLARK: FATHER or BROTHER of CAPT. CHRISTOPHER CLARK? PLUS other Possible Siblings (And anything Else I Could Toss In) 1/96 by Linda Sparks Starr [I'm not entirely comfortable with all the "I thinks" and geneal ogy "no no's" in the following; however, the similarity of names and connection to Quakers in nearby counties seem entirely too extensive for pure coincidence. Please, no one take any of this as gospel! I've just tossed out some possibilities to see what others think. Working my own TRAYLOR line in Henrico Co. has con vinced me these people were not as restricted by county boundary lines as I originally thought. LSS] Although published otherwise, Edward Clark of Middlesex Co. is not directly related to our CLARKS if Walter Burges Smith II is correct in his The Edward Clark Genealogy 1676-1988. Smith does have some interesting comments about "our" line, quoting from the St. Peter's Parish records, Annex D, p490: 1689 Thomas Clark 1690's Hannah, dau of Benjamin and Elizabeth was bapt as well as Benjamin their son 1693 Edward Clark, sexton of Upper Church (thus probably elderly) 1698 Edward Clark ordered to help clear the roads (thus not elderly; probably a different person from the Sexton) 1698 Christopher Clark, ditto 1704 Jane Clark, poor, lame and impotent 1704 Edward Clark's land to be part of the parish's upper precinct 1704 Edward Clark Jr. It's interesting that the author makes a case for there being two Edwards in New Kent Co 1690's; does the "Jr." in 1704 make three? I think St. Paul's Parish records, beginning 1706, suggest only one Edward, as does The Quit Rents of VA 1704, by Smith. Has anyone found this second reference to an Edward Clark in 1704? I didn't make a note of it when I had the book. Until we locate that reference, I'm electing to ignore this Edward Jr. who is not found elsewhere. The Sexton was the parish's maintenance man / gravedigger [dictionary definition for "sexton"] which sounds like a job "given" to someone who otherwise would be on the church's dole. Therefore, I have to agree with Smith that there were two Edwards in 1690's -- one with land, the other poor UNLESS "sexton" has some other meaning in Virginia parishes in this time frame. There- fore, I think we can completely dismiss the Sexton of St. Peter's "Upper" Anglican Church as possible father of Capt. Christopher "simply because" ASSUMING the Sexton was poor, HIS sons couldn't acquire land at such a young age. Is Jane the sexton's widow? Before moving on, which of these 1690's Edwards is the one transported by Mr. Thomas Wright of New Kent Co. 21 OCT 1687? from Nugent's vol II, Cavaliers & Pioneers. (This isn't the only Edward Clark "transported" in the book, but the others were "farther afield.") Nugent's vol. I also has some intriguing Clark entries--again, only the ones that "fit" our area: Nathaniel Clarke rec'd 100 acres in Charles River Co. 22 SEP 1636 ... adj. William Clarke... due by right of descent from father Edward Clark, an Ancient Planter. [Probably the one who lived at Jordan's Journey 1623/4 per Annex F, page 492, Smith's Edward Clarke...] Also, Edward Clarke transported by Henry Perry of Chas City Co 18 DEC 1637 along with Tho. Reynolds; Michaell Clarke trans. by Richard Gregson of ElizCity Co. 1642; Francis Clarke transported by Daniell Luellin of Charles City Co 1650. Now to the Edward of 1698 and 1704 land records and Quaker mar riage record. I think we all agree he is closely related to Capt. Christopher because they lived near each other and attended the same Monthly Meeting. Thus, he's most likely either Christopher's father, uncle or brother. I believe the records prove this Edward is "younger", thus brother because (1) he owns less land than Christopher in 1704; but mainly because, (2) he was named overseer of his precinct four years after Christopher was named overseer. Chamberlayne's abstract The Vestry Bk of St. Paul's Parish, Hanover Co. VA 1706-1786, SUGGESTs only one Edward Clark in the area. After the parish was divided into precincts, only one Ed ward appears each four years in the processioning lists. That the three Clarks are closely kin comes from "proof" they lived near one another. When the parish was formed in 1704 from the area of St Peter's parish lying NW of Pamunkey (upper region of the No. Anna) and the Chickahominy, the division line for the up per parish included the lands of Edward Clark. This would place him at the "lower end" of the new parish which is where the three CLARK "brothers" are found. Therefore, I think the Edward Clark who lived near Christopher Clark in St. Peter's Parish and who was processioned near Chris topher in 1706/7 and ordered to clear road with Christopher by New Kent Co. [Hanover Co. wasn't formed until 1720] in 1712 is the same person even though he wasn't processioned with Chris topher in 1708. The parish was divided into precincts in 1708/9; all three CLARKs ended up in different precincts, but all in the "lower Church" area--Christopher in #34, Francis in #11 and Ed ward in #18. Edward was named overseer in 1711 [Christopher in 1708]; Edward's nearest neighbors included John White, Charles Fleming, Cap. Nat'l West, Thomas Massie and Thomas Bailey. Edward continued as overseer until 1719 after which his name dis appears from all records. [Help--there's a ten year gap in my com- puter notes from this book; am I missing a file?] What happened to Edward? Christopher apparently was living in St. Martin's Parish in 1727; a Francis remained in St. Paul's into the 1730's. Is this the one thought to be Christopher's brother, or his son? Which is the Francis who died 1769 in Louisa Co.? Several researchers refer to the "brothers" Christopher and Francis -- specifically the Francis of early Hanover Co. He, too, is younger than Christopher. [Obvioulsy, I've done little with Francis.] However, I have found a Benjamin who might be an older brother or close kin. Henrico Co. VA Deeds 1677-1705, abstracted by Weisiger shows Benjamin Clark and Thomas Massie as witnessing two deeds Alexander MacKenny to daus of John TANDY in 1693. Could this be the same Alexander MacKenny who appears as neighbor of Christopher and Edward Clark in Chamberlayne's ...St. Peter's Parish... in 1698? What about Thomas Massie? Isn't he likely to be the neighbor of Edward Clark in 1711? This Benjamin is older than Xpher for his wives were having children in the 1690's. per Colonial Dames The Parish Register of St. Peter's, New Kent Co. VA 1680-1787: Hannah bapt 12 MAR 169_ (her mother was Elizabeth), William bapt 25 JUN 169_ (his mother was Mary) and Benjamin, bapt 29 SEP (no mother named). [Kay, why do I have the nagging feel ing TANDY is also significant here?] And stretching this point a bit further: page 42 of Weisiger's abstract Charles City Co. VA Court Orders under date 4 FEB 1688: "Court is of opinion that what est remains of Eliz. Hilman's, after debts...to be divided between Jno. Mekenny and Mary, his sister, now wife of Tho. CLARKE. Also Weisiger's abstract of Hen rico Co. Wills 1677-1705 shows Alex. MaKeney as wit: to will John Pleasants dated 27 SEP 1690. Pleasants was a Quaker, right? Early Charles City County records show a Lt. Col. Daniel and Mary Clark had sons: Thomas, Joseph and EDWARD (under 21 in 1691) per Weisiger's Charles City Co. VA Court Orders 1687-1695. This ED WARD is possibly the one who died 1736 in Henrico Co. with wife Hannah and whose estate was administered by a QUAKER per Weisiger's abstract of Henrico Co. records. This entry acquires more significance when one remembers that Goochland Co. was formed from Henrico in 1727. But could this Edward d. 1736 be the Edward of St. Paul's Parish instead of Daniel's son? Xpher's brother was more likely to have Quaker leanings that the son of a Lt. Col. This Edward could also be the one on Arthur's Swamp in Bristol Parish near John Douglas dec'd per 1714 deed Wm Mays to Samuel Birth in Weisiger's Pr Geo Co. Wills/Deeds 1713-1728. W. B. Smith thinks there is a strong possiblity that the Mid dlesex Co. Edward Clark was born c1655 in VA rather than England. He offers several "Annexes" showing there were numerous early CLARK arrivals--several Christophers and Edwards among them. I, too, think we should look at other possible fathers of Chris topher, Edward, Francis and possibly Benjamin. I first offer the following possible connections to early York Co. CLARKs; York was one of the parent counties for New Kent in 1654. per VA Colo. Abstracts, series 2, vol 5: York Co. VA Wills, Deeds, Order ... by Duvall: John Clark dec'd by JAN 1657 and grandson John dec'd by JUN 1685 who names his father and grandfather--both John Clark making three early John Clarks; and "lands of EDWARD CLARKE in Parish of Hampton, formerly called Cheasquiacke 4 APR 1659". This latter is intriguing, for in Meade's Old Churches, Ministers and Families of VA, vol 1, he writes: "'Cheesecake' is a vulgar term for the church located a few miles from Williamsburg named Kiskiacke or Chiskiake after an Indian tribe on the York River." Thus this Edward of 1659 lived in the area which became New Kent Co. if I'm reading the map cor rectly. Additionally, this is the same area and time frame in which two Edward JOHNSONs lived who I'm tracking as possible father and grandfather of Penelope. Deaths and births from History & Registers of Char. Parish, York Co. VA 1648-1789, by Landon C. Bell shows many John and Fran- cis Clarks in early York, but no Christopher and Edwards: Fran cis Clark, son of John, d. 15 OCT 1719; John Clark Sr. d. 17 JUN 1689; John Clark d. 9 MAY 1710; Mary, dau of Francis, d. 11 SEP 1703; Francis Clark d. 19 MAR 1717; John, son of John Clarke, d. 26 JUL 1678; John Clarke d. 11 FEB 1680; William Clarke d. 19 MAR 1698 -- and to a happier note -- Elizabeth, dau of Francis by Mary b. 1 SEP 1692; Elizabeth, dau of Francis by Mary b. 22 FEB 1696; Frances, dau of Henry b. 17 AUG 1710; Frances, dau of Fran cis by Mary b 13 SEP 1706; Henry, son of Francis by Frances, b. 8 JUN 1719; John, son of John by Elizabeth (mortus est) b. 17 JUL 1675; John, son of Francis Clarke by Mary b. 22 JUL 1698; Mary, dau of Francis by Mary b. 13 JAN 1701; William, son of John by Mary b. 23 DEC 1668; Francis, son of John by Elizabeth b. 20 AUG 1678. [I didn't copy ALL names--just the ones I associate with our CLARKS, and I didn't carefully check for typos since I am more interested in generals than specifics here.] Like an old dog with a bone, I can't let this coincidence of names go: from Tidewater Virginia Families, vol. 3, No. 2, pp 107-8 I found a list of children of David TERRELL who married Agatha CHILES in 1729/30: David, Henry, MICAJAH, Pleasant, Chiles, CHRISTOPHER, JONATHAN, Mildred, Mary, Anna, RACHEL, SUSANNA. Does this suggest an earlier connection between "our" CLARKs and the TERRELLS or CHILES family? Our Christopher named his eldest son "Edward", which suggests his father was an "Edward" EXCEPT we now know that Penelope was prob ably daughter of EDWARD Johnson! So much for that clue. Elizabeth Harris, a descendant of Francis Clark possible brother of Christopher, says there are no "Micajahs" or "Bollings" in her line, but "Christophers" and "Edwards" are found among the many "Johns" and "Francis". That brings me to the BOLLINGs. Virginia Genealogies, by Rev. Horace E. Hayden, page xvi reveals an earlier BOLLING / CLARK con- nection: "The Bollings doubtless are descended from Tristram Bolling, of Bradford County, York, who had Robert Bollyng, of Lon- don 'Sadler and silk throwster', 1633 ... who married Ann, daughter of Thomas CLARKE of London, and had John, eldest son, probably the John of Allhallows, London, whose son Robert, came to VA and established the distinguished Bolling family there." Is this the same family as Thomas Clarke, mercantilist, researched by Doug Tucker, and mentioned in my "Michael Clark" update? Also, from Ancestral News, Winter 1992, vol. XXII, No. 4, p. 178 9 [taken from History of Bristol Parish, VA, (no author given, but 1879 is): "Robert, son of John and Mary (Clarke) BOLLING, the first of the name who settled in VA was born December 26, 1646." This is the Pocohontas / Robert Bolling line. He owned lands in Henrico County--and probably other counties too.