Christopher Clark (abt. 1680 - bef. 1754)

Born about 1680 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Penelope (Unknown) Clark — married 1710 in Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died before 28 May 1754 before about age 74 in Louisa County, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

Christopher's parents are not known, nor is his birth date or place. There is no evidence at all that he was a child of Micajah Clark and Sally Ann Moorman. Despite years of research, there is no documented connection between Christopher Clark and the family of George Rogers Clark. It is an open question that may be resolved with DNA testing.

Known Brothers

Jay Worrall, Jr in the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy^[1] makes the case that he was the brother of Francis Clark Sr.. He writes that by 1700, Quaker Clarks were found living north of the James River and were members of Black Creek Friends Meeting of New Kent County. Brothers Christopher, Edward and and Francis Clark are found here. Brothers Christopher (who practiced law and farmed) and Francis moved their households from New Kent to South Anna in the early 1720s. They settled on Fork Creek about five miles south and west of present day Cuckoo, Louisa County. Francis led in founding the Quaker worship here which eventually became Fork Creek Friends Meeting.

Marriage

Husband: Christopher Clark

Wife: Penelope (Unknown) Clark (bef.1700-aft.1776)

Child: Edward Clark

Child: Agnes Clark

Child: Rachel Clark

Child: Sarah Clark

Child: Bolling Clark

Child: Micajah Clark

Child: Elizabeth Clark

Marriage:

Date: ABT 1709

Place: Virginia

Notes

The records of the Christ Church Parish, VA list a Christopher Clark as having 60 acres of land and 31 slaves in the year 1680. Was this Christopher's father? No.

By 1705, Christopher (who married Penelope) had bought land in what became Hanover County, Virginia, and in 1722 he and Nicholas Meriwether patented 927 acres of land in the same county and became the first settlers in Albemarle County, VA. The road cut by him from his property at Green Spring to his land there became known as "Clark's Tract." He became a successful tobacco planter and a man of vast wealth, owning more than 5,000 acres of land in Louisa and Albemarle Counties. He had been one of the first Justices of Louisa County and Captain in the militia. In 1749 Christopher was one of the Overseers of a Friends Meeting near Sugar Loaf Mountain.

The will of Christopher Clark was made 14 Aug 1741 and probated in Louisa County, VA on 28 May 1754. He mentions in his will his son Edward, his daughters Agnes Johnson, Rachel Moorman, Sarah Lynch, and Elizabeth Anthony; also sons Micajah and Bowling and his wife Penelope.

"Captain Christopher Clark of Hanover and Louisa Counties, VA was a lawyer, soldier, public official, and the progenitor of an illustrious family, which, in succeeding generations, spread throughout the United States. He had two grandsons as governors during the same period -Governor James C. Clark of Kentucky, 1836 and Governor Charles Lynch of Mississippi, 1836. Among other distinguished descendants of Christopher and Penelope Clark are Charles Lynch, Rev. Sol., Major Robert Clark, Rev. Sol. and the father of Gov. James Clark of KY, who established the first iron foundry in Kentucky, Bennett Clark, Sr. and Bennett Clark, Jr., both Generals in the Confederate Army and members of Congress; and Dr. Milton Anthony, who founded the Georgia Medical College at August, Georgia."

Children

His children are named in his will dated 14 AUG 1741, probated in Louisa Co. VA, 28 MAY 1754. It was proved by oath of Thomas Martin and affirmation of Ann (Moorman) Martin, sister of Thomas, husband of Rachel (Clark).

Edward, Agnes Johnson, Rachel Moorman, Sarah Lynch, Micajah, Bowling, Elizabeth Anthony, granddaughter 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.

Immigrant Ancestors edited by Virkus, extracted from vol. VII Compendium of Amer. Genealogies:(Virkus is highly unreliable and is not accepted as a source by any lineage society. Stewart-2795 23:06, 20 March 2014 (EDT))

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 History 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.

"The Descendants of Christopher and Micajah Clark," by Mrs. Vick Wells, typed ms in DAR Library, pp. 1-18, gives complete history & genealogy of this family line. Capt Chris Clark, first known ancestor, was "Gentleman", indication that he was related by blood to a noble house of England. He was Captain of a Company of Troopers in the French and Indian Wars (he left trooping arms to his son Bolling). ["Cabels and Their Kin," p. 70; "Irvines and their Kin"]. He was Cpt of Militia in Hanover Co, VA, 1727 [2nd Supplement to Genealogical Register of Society of Colonial Wars 1911, p. 330]. He had been Church of England; it is thought that through his association with Moormans he was a Quaker. "It is thought (Bryan Mss) that Capt Chris.Clark was a brother of John Clark, the father of Gen. George Rogers Clark, the famous explorer & soldier and Capt. William Clark, Governor of Missouri Territory and partner in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. John Clark and Capt. Chris. Clark were neighbors in Albemarle Co, VA at the time of George Rogers Clark's birth; later Capt. Chris. Clark moved to Caroline co, VA. Members of the family called George Rogers Clark "cousin."

"He served w/ Col Robert Lewis, Thomas Meriwether and others as Justices of the First Court of Louisa co, VA 1742. He was law partner of Nicholas Meriwether and together they purchased large blocks of land. Land offices at Richmond show many thousands of acres patented by Capt. Christopher Clark 1705-1742. Will of Nicholas Meriwether of Hanover Co leaves a lot to son-in-law Robert Lewis and children, Nov 1744, in GOOCHLAND CO, VA WILLS AND DEEDS 1742-1749, abstracted and compiled by Benjamin B. Weisiger III, pp 8-9. 1738 [Journals of the Council of VA 1737=1765] "To Christopher and Charles Lynch 3,000 acres Nov 9 1738 on Tatier Creek adjoining Maj. John Bolling's to extend northward toward Hardware River." [VA Mag. Vol 4, p. 228, cited in "Descendants of C. & M. Clark," p. 8]. If land adjoins Bolling's, and he named his son Bolling, he was either a close friend or possibly father-in-law - wife Penelope may have been a Bolling. On April 24, 1751 Capt. Clark was appointed by the Lord Governor of VA as Sheriff of Hanover Co. at that time comprising what is now Hanover, Louisa and Albemarle Counties." ["Descendants of C. & M. Clark, p. 9]

Christopher Clark, along with Robert Lewis, Thomas Meriwether and others, are listed among the first Gentlemen Justices of the Louisa County Court. [ABSTRACTS OF LOUISA COUNTY, VIRGINIA, WILL BOOKS, 1743-1801, compiled and published by Nancy Chappelear and Kate Binford Hatch, 1964, preface] 1741, 14 Aug, Will rec'd Louisa Co, VA, proved May 28 1754.

Clark Record as given by Mrs. W. Johnson Carrington of Bristol, VA in1915: Captain Christopher Clark, the emigrant was English born, and like many of the English, settled in the Barbados, W. Indies at first and then moved to the Colonies in the main land and with others settled in Virginia. In the Parish Records of the Barbados, is the name of Christopher Clark, Gentlemen from the nobility, owner of a certain quantity of land and 30 negro servants. That he was a man of means when young in Virginia is shown by his business enterprise.

The exact relationship of his immediate family with that of General George Rogers Clark and Governor William Clark, has not been clearly traced, owing to the loss of Christopher Clark's Bible and the records of John Clark, born in King and Queen Co. Virginia, October 20, 1724 and Ann Rogers of same October 20, 1734, which gives his father Jonathan Clark, emigrant before 1725, married Elizabeth Wilson (of Quaker parentage, said to have descended from John Rogers the martyr). Jonathan Clark died in 1734, in Albemarle Co. Virginia (or Carolina.)

The brothers of Jonathan Clark are not given in the records, but the best of evidence, in dates and to prove that Christopher Clark was the brother of Jonathan Clark, The Moorman and Anthony Clark's (Christopher's line) when George Rogers Clark visited some of them in the West, spoke of him as "Our fighting cousin". They being Quakers.

Christopher Clark was among the first settlers in Albemarle Co. beyond the South West Mountains. (Once a part of Hanover Co. afterwards Louisa Co.) The Clarks are connected with many leading families of the Established Church. Christopher Clark was Captain of the Provincial Army of Virginia and Justice (or Judge) on the first bench of Magistrates of Louisa Co., Virginia (separated from Hanover Co.) established 13 Dec 1742, formed of Col. Robert Lewis, Capt.Christopher Clark, Thomas Meriwether and others. Col. Robert Lewispresiding. (Records of Louisa county, VA; Order Book 1, page 1).

Besides Capt. Christopher Clark's large individual purchase of "Crown Lands", he in 1727, in conjunction with Nicholas Meriwether, obtained a grant from King George II, of 13,000 acres along the Southwest Mountains of Virginia, which was afterwards divided between them. He was a man of fine education, prominence and ability. Among hisdescendants are several governors, numerous members of Congress and soldiers. Among them: Gen. Jose E. Johnston, Gen. John B. Clark Sr.

Christopher became a Quaker late in life, between 1743 and 1749, after long association with the Moorman family. Quaker records trace Christopher and his brother Francis in Hanover, Louisa and Albemarle county, where they joined members of the Moorman family in the early 1720's.

Capt. Christopher Clark of Hanover and Louisa Counties, VA was a tobacco planter, lawyer, soldier (Capt. of a militia company), public official (Justice of the peace in Hanover in 1727). He had two grandsons serving as governors during the same period: Governor James Clark of KY, 1836 and Governor Charles Lynch of Mississippi, 1836.

Christopher Clark and his wife, Penelope, had a residence at Green Springs, Louisa County, Virginia on the waters of Camp Creek and South Anna River on a part of a rich land supposed to have been a former lake bed. It is some ten miles South of Gordonville and six miles from the line between Louisa and Albermarle County, near Charlotteville,Virginia. It was called "Clark's Trace (or Track)". Clark was high sheriff in 1731 in Louisa County, Virginia and was a tobacco planter and a Quaker.

CAMPBELL CHRONICLES AND FAMILY SKETCHES, by RR Early, published 1926 by the JP Bell Publishing Co., Lynchburg, VA. page 365: Sketch of theClark Family. Christopher and Penelope Clark settled in Louisa Co., VA. In 1722,Christopher Clark and Nicholas Meriwether patented 927 acres of land in Hanover County. Clark cut a road at Green Springs to his land in Albemarle which became known as "Clark's Tract". He was a tobacco planter, captain of a militia company and justice of the peace in Hanover in 1727; entered 5,000 acres in Louisa and Albemarle, joined the society of Friends late in life; died in 1754. His children were Agnes, mar. Benjamin Johnson; Rachel, mar. 1st Thomas Moorman and 2nd William Ballard; Sarah Clark, mar. 1st Charles Lynch Sr., 2nd Major John Ward; ELIZABETH CLARK, mar. JOSEPH ANTHONY; Micajah Clark, mar. Judith Adams, daughter of Robert Bowling Clark.

Will

In the name of God, Amen. I, Christopher Clark, being in sound mind and memory, thanks to God Almighty, for it but calling to mind the uncertainties of ye life, make this my last will and testament as follows:

1st. I give to my loving son Edward, one gun and all my wearing clothes and all things else that he was possessed of that was mine.

2. I give my loving daughter Agnes Johnson, one negro wench named______ and all her increase and whatever else she has or ever had in possession that was mine.

3. I give my loving daughter, Rachel Moorman, four hundred acres of land in Hanover Co. near to Capt. Thomas Dancey, and one negro woman named Moll, with her increase and all things else that she has had in her possession whatever of mine.

4. I give my loving daughter Sarah Lynch, one negro boy, and all things else that she is, or ever was possessed of that was mine.

5. I give my loving son Micajah Clark five hundred acres of land in Hanover co. the same whereon I now live, with all right and heriditaments, thereto belonging, and one negro boy named ______, working tools, and whatever else he is or was possessed of that was mine.

6. I give my loving son Bowling Clark, four hundred acres of land in Hanover co. lying on the northwest side joining on the land of Mr.Thomas Carr and on ye County, two negroes named Nance and Robin, and one horse named Spirit, one gun, one feather bed anF furniture, two cows and calves, my "trooping arms", my "Great Bible", and all my law books.

&. I give my loving daughter Elizabeth Anthony, four hundred acres of land in Goochland Co. on Footer Creek near south Fork of James River, two young negroes, Moll and Jenny, cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture.

All the rest of my estate, be it what nature or quality so ever, I leave to my loving wife during her natural life, who I appoint my Executrix. And further my will and desire is that my loving granddaughter Penelope Lynch, at the death of her Grandmother, Penelope Clark, my wife, that then she and the said Penelope Lynch be paid out of my estate, if there be so much remaining, forty pounds of good and lawful money of Virginia, and then if any left, to be equally divided among my said children, but not to be appraised.

In witness to the above promises I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this 14th day of August, 1741.

Christopher Clark TESTE: Thomas Martin (heir) Ann Martin (Daughter of Charles Moorman, Sr.) James Waring X (his mark)

At a court held for Louisa Co. the 28th day of May 1754 this will was proved this day in open court by the oath of Thomas Martin and affirmation of Ann Martin and admitted to record and is recorded. Test. James Littlepage, Clerk Circuit Court.

Probate

Date: 28 MAY 1754 Place: Louisa County, Virginia (Louisa Co. The above copy was received by Robert W. Carroll, Cincinnati, Ohio, February 17, 1895 from Jesse J. Porter, Clerk of Louisa County Court, Virginia.)^[2][3]

Inventory

Date: 20 JUL 1754 Place: Louisa County, Virginia^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Worrall, Jay, Jr., The Albemarle Quakers, 1742-1754, Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol 22 No 3, pp 22-25. [1] Subscription needed
2. ↑ Barnhill, p. 243
3. ↑ Louisa County, Virginia, WB 1, p. 31
4. ↑ Louisa County, Virginia, Inventory Book 1743-1791, p. 29-30

See also:

• Research notes regarding the Descendants of Christopher and Micajah Clark as compiled and typed by Velma Gertrude (Brown) Vick (1892-1978) aka Mrs. J. Wells Vick [1892-1978]. 1954, 65 pages. Accessed 22 Apr. 2023.

• Barnhill, Celeste Jane Terrell. Richmond, William and Timothy Terrell, Colonial Virginians Mitchell Co., Greenfield, IN, 1934

• Louisa County, Virginia

• Key and Allied Families. Mrs. Julian C. Lane, Statesboro, GA, Publisher, Key and Allied Families (Press of the J.W. Burke Co., Macon, GA, 1931)

• Brown, Alexander. The Cabells and their Kin. 1895. Reprint Harrisonburg, VA: C. J. Carrier, 1978, page 321.

• Find A Grave Memorial# 48213567. The bio on this memorial has many errors and should be used only with great caution.

• Christopher in the Early Immigrants to Virginia from the 1500s and 1600s: General Text: CLARK, CHRISTOPHER, ( 1681-1754) Quaker. Came from England via Barbados about 1710. Acquired 50,000 acres of land in Hanover, Albemarle and Louisa Cos. Capt. of Hanover Co. militia, High Sheriff, Justice of Louisa Co. Overseer of Friends Meeting near Sugar Loaf Mountain. Law partner of Nicholas Meriwether. Married Penelope.

• CLARK Source Information: Kinard, June. comp.. Early Immigrants to Virginia from the 1500s and 1600s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Published by The Researchers, PO box 39063, Indianapolis IN. 46239-0063.