Bryson married Mary Jane CLARK on 14 Apr 1808 in Cabell, West Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of William CLARK, * and Jane FERGUSON, *) was born in 1788 in , , VA, USA; died in 1850. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William first shows up when he married Jane Ferguson as his first wife. The trick is which one. There were two William Clarks marrying two Jane Fergusons in the same time period. A Jane Ferguson who was the d. of John Ferguson married a William Clarke on Jul 2, 1787 in Montgomery Co., VA. An unnamed Clark married a Jane Ferguson who was the daughter of Samuel Ferguson in that same county on Jan. 26, 1788. [FN:Worrell, Anne Lowry; "A Brief of Wills and Marriages in Montgomery and Fincastle counties, Virginia", c1932:FN] What is important to note here is that the 2 William Clark's marrying 2 Jane Fergusons could easily have information from various counties in Virginia confused throughout time.

The fact that William Clark marries first in Montgomery Co., Virginia is important to note because the famous Clark family that included General George Rogers Clark and William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition lived in Montgomery Co., Virginia when the brother of these gentleman Thomas W. Clark was born on Aug. 10, 1759. This was when this county was new and had few settlers.

My William later appears to have lived in the same county as where this famous family moved to in Mason Co., Kentucky. Also, Thomas W. Clark lived and died in Walnut Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio where my William's descendants lived and died suggesting a likely relationship between these two families.

An IGI file for the Jane Ferguson who married in 1787 states that her relative was John Norman Clark. Both names John and Norman are carried down into the grandchildren's generation in this family --- and Norman being an unusual name would have it's origin explained in this way. My autosomal DNA is indicating that I am related to the Adam Ferguson line of whom both Janes are descended from. Because John and Norman are carried down in my family, I believe my William was married to the Jane Ferguson whom is the first marriage that's recorded in Montgomery Co., VA. This is theory.

This William appears to have been born at about the same time as the famous William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He is not the William that was in this expedition however, but Lois Rosewood theorizes that he was a cousin to the William Clark of the Merriwether Lewis Expedition.

William Clark's son, William D. Clark was born in Kentucky or Virginia in 1789 according to his census records. The borders of these states changed a lot over time. William D.'s family in the 1880 census thought that William's D's 's parents were born in Pennsylvania though no proof has been found of this. He likely moved shortly after marrying to Mason Co., Kentucky where his first son was born and his family resided starting in 1787. That could account for why we haven't found Jane's burial record or death date.

William Clark appears to have then moved to Cabell Co., VA. Cabell Co., VA was formed from Kanawha Co., Virginia in 1809 and later became Cabell Co., West Virginia. William was on a jury in the Superior Court on May 18, 1812. He was often listed as a juror -- on May 11, 1813; May 17, 1814; Oct. 17, 1814; and May 17, 1815. William purchased land in the same area on Twelve Pole Creek in Cabell County, VA on Jun 12, 1813. It consisted of 250 acres on the main right-hand fork of Twelve Pole Creek supposed to be about sixteen miles from the mouth of the said fork. On 25 October 1814, he purchased 110 more acres on the beech fork of Twelve Pole River in Cabell Co., VA. He was a part of the court proceedings a couple of times: on May 16, 1814, in the case of Daniel Morgan vs. William Clark, covenant; on Oct. 17, 1814, he appears to have given special bail in a case of George Ward vs. John Rodgers, and on May 17, 1815 in a court case of John McMahan vs. William Clark. (CL-483)

In 1826, William is listed as having land adjoining land that John Pinson was purchasing from William Spurlock and his wife Frances. (CL-484) Two different properties for William Clark and one for Samuel F. Clark (son), are located on the Back Fork of Cabell Co., VA in 1827 supporting a relationship amongst them by residence and age. (CL-477)

William Sr. is missing from the 1830 census, as he had died by that time. His estate in Cabel Co., VA was appraised on Jan 9, 1830. (CL-335, 466 p.99, 478) His estate was administered by James Clark (son by his second wife). The bill of the sale of the estate on Jan 23, 1830 included the sale of one slave named Aggy, and multiple items whose value was listed, but whose buyers were not. Most of his children moved to Ohio in adjoining counties to Jackson. Their properties need located to see if they lived near each other. (CL-DOC)

My William did die by 1830 and had likely son William D. who moved to Gallia Co., Ohio over the border from Gyandotte, Cabel Co., Virginia where his father's last verified location was. Other patterns that support him being the father of my William D. are because 1) William D. stated that he was born in Kentucky or Virginia in 1789 in census records. 2) This Willliam could have been one of the William's living in Mason Co., Kentucky over the border from what was to become West Virginia. Both Kentucky and what became West Virginia were still parts of early Mason Co., Virginia at that time. 3) This family had names repeated in his children's names which included James, William, Nancy, Matilda and Mary. As for William's parents, there are multiple theories:1. He might be the son of Alexander Clark and Sarah Lafferty. Their son William was born abt 1771 and had siblings named James, John and Samuel which were carried down in my William's lineage. His daughter Sarah would have been named after his mother.2. He might be the son of William Sr. who left land to his children in Mason Co., KY in 1801/2. William Sr. had children named John, James, William, George and Peter which carried down in this familial line. His son William however, is said to have married Mary Curtis whom he had many children with and lived in different places than my William.3. He is not the likely son of Robert and (Agnes) Elizabeth (Gay) Clark born about 1770 in Hardy, (West) Virginia. Their son William died at age 85 and 5 months on March 30, 1855 in Buckhannon, Upshur, West Virginia, USA. (West Virginia, Deaths Index, 1853-1973) This William however, was married to Eve Powers and only fits by timing of birth.

Remember, our William was married to Jane Ferguson in Montgomery, Va and lived and died in what was then Cabell Co., Virginia. Basically, only theory one above is viable. We are now getting DNA evidence backing this lineage up. 1. I have a DNA cousin match to my mother and a cousin whose only match to ours in a database of 12358 persons starts with this Alexander Clark and his wife going back from there at Ancestry. He or she has a database of 12358 persons. (L.R.) 2. Another DNA cousin match from my mother to a cousin with a database of 7375 persons where we only have one set of common ancestors starting with John Clark and Elizabeth Ann Lumpkin on back. John and Elizabeth are ancestors of the above Alexander Clark. (K.F.: Ancestry) I also have another cousin with 12.2 cM's in common on chromosome 17: 9,361,088 - 12,288,573 on Gedmatch (*DChandler). Lastly, I have many matches previous through this William and or his father on Ancestry that support this lineage well.

William married Jane FERGUSON, * on 26 Jan 1788 in Montgomery County, Virginia. Jane (daughter of Samuel FERGUSON, * and Mary JAMESON, *) was born in 1768 in , Augusta, VA; died in 1817 in , Cabell, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

I have seen Jane Ferguson listed as the daughter of Samuel, Andrew or John Ferguson with Samuel being the most common 2nd hand source. She was listed by a likely grandchild in the 1880 census as being born in Pennsylvania which we believe to be false. Samuel appears to be her correct father by cousin matches who have traced their trees the same direction. I also have many cousin matches to the Jamesons through her mother.

Notes:

Autosomal DNA has supported that this line is connected correctly via the following examples.

1. The only match between my mother and a cousin starting with this Alexander Clark and his wife going back from there. He or she has a database of 12358 persons. (L.R.: Ancestry)

2. The only match between my mother and a cousin starting with this Alexander Clark and his wife going back from there. He or she has a database of 20289 persons starting with this Alexander Clark and his wife and their ancestors. (Kristie Cornett: Ancestry)

3. The only match between my mother and a cousin beginning with Alexander's wife's grandparents, John and Mary Stewart on back. They have a 7300 person database. (RebeccaStewart51: Ancestry)

4. The only cousin match on another tree is between my mother and this same John and Mary Stewart in another large tree of 9463 people. (btmartin8931: Ancestry)

5. The only cousin match with another cousin with Alexander's wife's father, Hiram Ralph Lafferty and his wife. This tree is 841 people strong. (B.W.: Ancestry)

I also have many cousin matches through his other children besides my William on Ancestry at 9 cM's or above. I have one cousin descended from Alexander on Gedmatch with a 12.2 cM match too.

The following was posted by Patricia Minich on Ancestry.

"Alexander Clark's grandfather, John Clark, was a brother of Jonathan Clark, grandfather of Gen. George Rogers Clark and William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition(See the Clark and Handley Families of Monroe Co., W. Va. by Bertha Lewis Clark)

Alexander Clark I, the son of James and Elizabeth (Summers) Clark, was born in 1736 in Augusta County, Virginia. In 1763, he married Sarah Lafferty, daughter of Ralph Lafferty of Cowpasture, Bath County, Virginia. In 1785 they moved to Greenbrier County, Virginia. Alexander served the cause of the American Revolution by furnishing supplies to troops. See Greenbrier Book of Public Claims, 1782, Virginia Revolutionary Ancestors, page 20, and DAF Patriot Index, 1966, page 132.

In 1785, Alexander Clark was issued a patent for 330 acres of land on Indian Creek, Greenbrier County, Virginia (now Monroe County, West Virginia. Alexander died in 1794 and his will is recorded in Greenbrier County Will Book 1, page 87, October Court 1794."

Alexander J. was possible also a private in the Continental Troops of Virginia in the American Revolution. These records state that he was born in 1740 according to the "Historical Reg. Of Virginians in the Rev., Soldiers, Saliors and Marines, 1775-1783." ed. By John H. Gwathmey. Richmond, Va. 1938. (13, 872p.): 152.

His will confirms that he is the Alexander whom died in Greenbrier, WV. It is as follows.

[Source: "Greenbrier County, West Virginia, Will Book, Volume 1, 1777-1833," Family History Library Film #595214, p. 87.]

(Posted by Patricia Minich on Ancestry)

"In the Name of god Amen this Twelfth Day of June one Thousand seven Hundred and Ninety four I Alexander Clark of greenbrier County and State of Virginia Now in the Evening of my days but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to god, I therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my Body knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and order this My last will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I recommend my Soul to god who gave it and for my Body I recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like maner at the Discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of god, and as Touching such worldly Estate where it hath pleased god to bless me with in this life I give Devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form:

IMPRIMIS it is my will and I do order that in the first place all my Just Debts and funeral Charges to be paid and satisfied.

Item to my son James Clark one Cow and Calf one two year old and one year old heffer and four heads of sheep. Also Item to my sons William, Ralph, Alexander, John and Samuel Clark I leave to Each one Shilling Sterling. I allso to my Daughters Rebekah and Martha I leave to Each one Shilling Sterling.

I give and bequeath to Sarrah Clark my Beloved wife the Plantation where on I now live Which she is to sell and dispose of how and when she thinks proper and I also give and Bequeath to Sarah Clark my Beloved wife the Disposal of all my Cash my household Furniture and likewise my stock and all my worldly Estate which she is also to dispose how and when she thinks proper.

And allso I Constitute and appoint my Deerly Beloved wife and my son James to be my Executors of this my last will and Testament and I hereby utterly Disallow Revoke and Disannull all and Every other Testament made before this whether gifts grants or legacies whatsoever Ratifying and Confirming this same to be my last will and Testament and Declare the same before the under Evidences and have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above mentioned. Attest: Alexander Clark Seall

Witnesses: Samuel Clark, Mathias Kessinger, Thomas Fulton"

Alexander married Sarah LAFFERTY in 1763 in Cowpasture, Augusta, VA. Sarah (daughter of Hiram Ralph LAFFERTY, * and Elizabeth STUART, *) was born in 1743 in Cowpasture, Augusta, VA; died in Dec 1809 in Monroe, Amherst, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Samuel Ferguson is in DNA Haplo group R1B.

"Samuel Ferguson was born on 3/03/1744 in Ulster, Ireland. He was an officer in the British army, then switched his loyalties to the American side and served with Bowen's company of militia from Tazewell, Virginia. His father was Adam Ferguson born 1718, a lawyer from Ulster, Ireland. In 1765 in Ulster, Ireland, he married Mary Jameson born 3/27/1746 in Augusta County, Virginia. She was the daughter of John Jameson and Jean Erwin." (Mary Vesneske at mvesneske@hotmail.com) His death place has been listed as Cabell Co., VA (no Wayne Co., WV) or Tazewell Co., VA. (CL-517)

He is listed at the rank of Ensign in one family history and as at the rank of Major in another. I've chosen Ensign at this point in time because that lineage of Paula French was sourced with appropriate military info. Samuel was in the Battle of the Alamance. He is listed with no rank under James Robertson's command in 1777 in Montgomery Co., VA. He fought in the "Battle of King's Mountain" in 1780. He is listed as Ensign when he was under James Moore's company in Montgomery Co., VA. This would have been before 1789 as Captain James Moore died between 1786 and 1789.

Samuel Ferguson is a witness to the following transaction in "The Scotch Irish in VA, V. 3". CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 DEED BOOK NO. 16. ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. page 493 Page 156.--6th November, 1769. William Jameson and Margaret to John Jameson, ? 55, on Christian's Creek, whereon William now lives, conveyed to William by William Martin, 19th March, 1765, 310 acres; corner William Palmer; corner George Robinson, now Samuel Black's land, plot surveyed for Mr. William Russell now Alexander Thompson's land. Teste: William Palmer, Jean ( ) Palmer, William ( ) Calin. Delivered: Samuel Ferguson, 17th August, 1772. In 1772, he resided on the Upper Bluestone River.

He is likely the Samuel Ferguson who made some if not all of the following purchases in Virginia: 540 acres in the North Little Fork of Rappahannock River, beginning on the side of Pasture Mountain on Dec. 3, 1778 in what was called the Northern Neck grants in Culpepper Co., VA; 196 acres on the head of Bluestone on 12 December 1793 in Wythe County, VA; 66 acres beginning &c on the south side of the South Fork of the Gourd Vine River on 6 May 1801 in Culpeper County; and 150 acres on the right hand fork of Twelve Poles Creek on 10 February 1819 in Cabell County, VA. This last grant we definitely believe belongs to him as there is other evidence that he still lived in Cabell Co., Va on Feb 1, 1825 where he died shortly thereafter. (CL-522, 550)

He and his wife might also have had a son named Wayne. (CL-522, 550) I consider it likely that Samuel's unknown mother's name was Isabel as the source of his first daughter, Isabel's, name is unknown, and the second daughter was named after Samuel's wife's mother. He is not my ancestor via DNA. I have checked 14 of his descendant's DNA with my Mother's DNA and there NO matches
amongst them. His likely daughter Jane was married to my ancestor, but his son William D. Clark, appears to be his grandson through Jane's husband and a slave.

Samuel married Mary JAMESON, * in 1765 in , Ulster, Ire. Mary (daughter of John JAMESON, * and Jean "Jane" ERWIN, *) was born on 21 Mar 1746 in Tinkling Springs, Augsta, VA; died on 21 Sep 1827 in , Cabell, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Wayne Co. WV Historical Society quotes the Ferguson Family Bible as giving her birth and death date as the 21st... but other 2nd hand sources give the birth and death date as the 27th.... The original bible needs located to determine what the handwritten date actually is.