Corrections to Clark / Bird / Eastham lineage given in reports on General

George Rogers Clark, by Charles Ward, CMW12635@aol.com

SEP 1998.

First of all, I feel that the chronology as set forth on the web page is

off by one generation. Let me try to provide the reasons why I've come to

that conclusion.



George Eastham married Mary Bird. George Eastham was a son of Edward

Eastham, the founder of the family in VA. He had a brother, Edward Eastham,

Jr. who was his elder. I know the exact birth date of Edward Eastham, Jr's

wife, Ann Taylor, for a record of her father's family Bible was preserved

among descendants. She was born in the year 1685. We may therefore conclude
that her husband, Edward Eastham, Jr. was probably born close to that date.



We can then make some deductions regarding George Eastham's birth date and
also that of his wife. I've seen an approximation of Mary Bird's birth date
at about 1687 and I think that would probably be an accurate approximation.

You may question why I'm concerned with Mary Bird's birth date, but it's

important if we wish to connect her to Robert and Susannah (Clarke) Bird.

For, if Mary Bird was born about 1687, as it is likely, she could not have

been the daughter of Robert and Susannah (Clarke) Bird. However, she may
have been their granddaughter.



The 1704 Quit Rent Roll of King and Queen Co., VA shows the presence of a
Robert Bird in King and Queen County owning 1324 acres. What's more, he was
sheriff. It's probable that this Robert Bird was the same Robert Bird found

in the records of New Kent Co., VA serving as a Justice and described as Mr.

Robert Bird, Gent. in 1690. This Robert Bird is the likely father of Mary

Bird (b.1687).



We now look at another, EARLIER, Robert Bird who is found in the 1650s

residing in Isle of Wight Co., VA. In 1657, Robert Bird and his wife,

Susannah Bird are found purchasing 700 acres from William Jarrott. In 1655,

this Robert Bird had been named the overseer of the will of Humphrey Clarke.

Whether this Humphrey Clarke would have been related to Susannah (Clarke)
Bird is not known.



Robert Bird, of Isle of Wight Co., VA was probably born about 1625/30.

Robert Bird of King and Queen Co., VA was probably born about 1658. It is

very possible that the elder Bird could be the father of the younger Bird.
So, we might have a possible Clarke connection for Mary Bird as follows:



Edward Clarke m. NN

Susannah Clarke m. Robert Bird (b.1625/30), of Isle of Wight Co., VA

Robert Bird (b.1658; alive 1704), of King & Queen Co., VA m. NN

Mary Bird (b.1687; d. 1756) m. George Eastham (d. 1748)