| Notes |
- The Clark surname comes from the name "Clericus," which means priest. It was an English name that evolved during the time of William the Conqueror. Alternate spellings of the name include, Clarke, Clarck, Clearck, Cleark, Clearke, Clerc, Clerck, and Clercke. (CL-387)
William D. Clark and Susanna Hunter are the parents of James A. Clark. James A. is listed in William's administration. William and his wife also have the correct birth places and son listed as James born in 1824 according to census records. These facts all match facts given in census records in which James A. is listed. He grew up in Cora, Ohio. It was a post office address located in section 11, Perry Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio from 1866-1913. Living members of my Clark family (namely my great Aunts) remembered their ancestors living in Cora, Ohio.
William D. Clark was married in Cabell Co., VA (now WV) in 1823. His first son, James A., was probably born in Cabell Co., West Virginia in 1824. He was deeded livestock and household goods by his probable father, William, on Aug. 22, 182, in Cabell Co., West Virginia. (CL-DOC)
They then moved to Ohio where his 2nd son was born in 1826. His third son, Peter, was born abt. 1828 in Indiana or Louisiana (it's difficult interpreting the handwriting in the census. Their 4th child was born back in Ohio. In 1836, he is on the tax rolls for Gallia Co., Ohio. He owned a farm on section 13, range 16, of Perry Twp. according to an "1874 ATLAS OF GALLIA COUNTY, OHIO." He was taxed for the first time in Gallia Co. for 102 acres of land in this sec. 13, range 16, township 5 worth $146.00. He paid a $1.71 in taxes that year. He was absent from the 1833 tax tables. (CL-223) He was in the court Chancery records on July 22, 1836 in regards to Section 34-5-16, Perry Twp. Clark was supposed to buy Amos' land. He started to build a house on it, Amos tore it down and used the materials. Amos would not accept final payment from him. In court, Amos and William D. agreed to dismiss the case and each pay one half of the costs involved. (CL-228) There are multiple purchases of land by a William Clark, any of which could be our William, on May 26, 1823, Jun 19, 1839, May 19, 1847, and Jun 14, 1849. All of these purchases occurred in Sec. 35 or 36, range 16, Twp. 4. of Gallia Co., Ohio. (CL-359)
William might also be the William Clark who was the administrator of Enoch Shaw's vs. Jency Shaw (widow of Enoch) in Gallia Co., Harrison Twp., Court records date May 10, 1839. (CL-373) His oldest son, would have been our James Clark. They apparently didn't live in Ohio at his birth, as they gave Virginia (now West Virginia) as his birthplace in the 1860 census. (CL-213)
He was probably the William Clark, age 20-29 living in Cabell Co., Virginia in the 1830 census. His age is not correct, but everything else matches. (CL-336, 337)
Name: William Clark Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Cabell, Virginia Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2 (George S. and Peter) Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1 (James Andrews Clark * Note: likely named after Step Father of William D.) Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1 (William Clark who was actually 39 - Maybe his wife didn't know) Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1 (Susannah Hunter) Free White Persons - Females - Under 20: 3 (Nancy and unknown sisters) Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2 (Ann Asbury Clark and a Mother or Mother-in-Law)Total Free White Persons: 5 Total - All Persons ( Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 5
He is the William Clark of Walnut Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio in the 1840 census. Name: William Clark Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Walnut, Gallia, Ohio Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2 (?) Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2 (?) Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1 (George S. and Peter) Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1 (William Clark, age 50 at the taking of the census) Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1 (Metilda Clark) Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2 (Nancy Virginia Clark and ? daughter) Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1 (Susannah Hunter, wife)Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: 1 Free White Persons - Under 20: 8 Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1 Total Free White Persons: 10Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 10 In the 1850 census, it gives this on his family: Name: William B Clark (It clearly states B. as his middle initial, but it's D. in all other documents.)Age: 60 Birth Year: Abt. 1790 Birthplace: Kentucky Home in 1850: Perry, Gallia, Ohio, USA Gender: Male Family Number: 1879 Household Members: Name Age William B Clark 60 (b. Kentucky) Susannah Clark 47 (b. NC)James Clark 26 (b. OH)George Clark 24 (b. OH)Peter Clark 22 (b. IN?)Virginia Clark 18 (b. OH) Norman Clark 15 (b. OH) Metilda Clark 13 (b. OH) America Clark 10 (b. OH)
In the 1860 census their info is as follows: Name: William Clark Age: 69Birth Year: Abt. 1791Gender: Male Birth Place: Kentucky Home in 1860: Perry, Gallia, Ohio Post Office: Wales Family Number: 739Value of real estate: View image Household Members: Name Age William Clark 69 (b. KY)Susan Clark 51 (b. NC)Virginia Clark 29 (b. OH)Norman Clark 25 (b. OH)John Clark 3 (b. OH) A couple interesting facts to note above are in the 1860 census records. William and Susanah's son, Norman, was listed as a convict living at home. They also had a boy, John Clark, age 3, born in Ohio, living or visiting in the household that could be a grandson. (CL-214).
The 1870 census for William D. Clark is as follows. Name: William D Clark Age in 1870: 79 (The indexer misinterpreted it at age 99)Birth Year: Abt. 1791Birthplace: Kentucky Home in 1870: Perry, Gallia, Ohio Race: White Gender: Male Post Office: Patriot Value of real estate: View image Household Members: Name Age William D Clark 79 (b. KY)Sarah Clark 67 (b. VA) Virgina Clark 37 (b. OH)Norman Clark 34 (b. OH)Mary A Clark 29 (b. OH)John A Clark 13 (b. OH)In this 1870 census William D. Clark is listed as a citizen and was born in Kentucky. His daughter, Virginia and son Norman could not read, nor write. (CL-225, 383)
In the 1880 census: Name: William D. Clark Age: 91 Birth Year: Abt. 1789 Birthplace: Virginia Home in 1880: Perry, Gallia, Ohio Race: White Gender: Male Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)Marital Status: Married Spouse's Name: Susan Clark Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania Mother's Birthplace: Pennsylvania Neighbors: View others on page Occupation: Farmer Household Members: Name Age William D. Clark 91 Susan Clark 78Virginnia Clark 48Norman Clark 45
In the 1880 census, William is 91 with rheumatism. His parents were born in Pennsylvania and he in Virginia. (Note, all earlier census records indicate Kentucky) His wife, Susan, age 78, had typhoid pneumonia. Her parents were born in Virginia and she in North Carolina. Their parentage would have likely been given by a child in the household as she was very ill and he was aged. I'm not sure we can rely on that information. In the next house, his son George and daughter-in-law, Sarah lived with their 3 sons and 2 daughters. In the 2nd house after his, a Henry G. Clark, age 26, son of George lived with wife Emma. (CL-230)
William D. Clark did leave a will. In it he gives his farm, section 13, range 16, of 108 acres to his son Norman and daughter Nancy Virginia Clark. This is the same land he is living on in the 1874 Gallia Co., OH Atlas. It is located south of what is now Rio Grande, Ohio. He does not mention any other members of his family. In the administration of his will, his next of kin residing in the state, are listed as James A. Clark, George S. Clark, Matilda Blagg, Nancy V. Clark and Polly A. Duval, in that order. Out of these, Polly A. Duvall is probably Polly America Clark. The closest marriage record I've found for her is G.W. Deval to MOLLIE A. Clark, both of Gallia Co., OH at the residence of John H. Rupp in Gallipolis by Samuel Kerr, J.P., on June 17 1874. (CL-227)
Locating William's parents has been difficult. Neither of them has a death certificate filed in Gallia Co. where they were likely living at their deaths. However, where they were living at the time of their marriage does give a few clues. In 1820, in Cabell Co., WV, there are several Clarks: Samuel, Henry (brother?), Samuel F. (brother?), James and William. Only William has a son the correct age range to be our William D. Clark. This William Clark, Sr. has 1 son 10-16; 1 16--18; and 2 males over 26-45 (1 might be our William) in his household. He, himself, is over 45. He has one female over 45 in his home. William D. is the son of William of Cabell Co., WV according to a half dozen researchers who've submitted data to the LDS church also. Lastly, there is also a deed between William Sr. (father), William D. and James Clark (brother) on Aug 22, 1824 in a Cabell Co., WV that suggests a father and brother or cousin relationship between these persons without stating the same. This deed is transcribed herein by Linda Coate with spelling, errors and capitalization retained. "This Indenture made this 22nd day of August, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four between William Clark of the first part, Wm. D. Clark of the second part and James Clark of the third part, all of the county of Cabel and State of Virginia, Witnesseth that whereas the said Wm. Clark is justly indebted to the said James Clark in the sum of three hundred dollars by note executed on or about the 15th day of August 1815 (...?) Clark is desirous of securing the payment of the said sum of money, Now this Indenture witnesseth that the said William Clark for and in consideration of the premises aforesaid and for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to him in hand paid by the said William D. Clark, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, he the said William Clark hath granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain; sell unto the said William D. Clark, his heirs; assigns forever, all the following property to wit: three head of Horses, six head of cattle, forty head of hogs two beds; their furniture and all the household and kitchen furniture and farming utensils at the time belonging to the said William Clark, to have and to hold the said property unto the said William D. Clark, his heirs; assigns forever to the only proper use and behoof of the said William D. Clark his heirs; assigns forever. In trust nevertheless that is to say of the said William Clark, his heirs, exec., adms., shall pay to the said James Clark, his exors., admns. or assigns the sum of three hundred dollars with interest thereon from the day the said note becomes due and payable then and in that; in that case this deed is to be null and void and of no effect. But if the said William Clark his heirs, exors or admins. shall fail to pay the said sum of three hundred dollars with the Interest to the said James Clark, his heirs, exors, or adms, or assigns then (d..) in that case the said William D. Clark shall upon the request of the said James Clark, or his proper representative, advertise the said property herein mentioned for sail, at least twenty days, on the front door of the Court House of Cabel County and then procede to sell the same and and out of the proceeds thereof, first pay and satisfy the changes attending the executution of this trust and then pay to the said James Clark, the demands for the security of which this deed is executed and the balance if any pay to the said William Clark. In Testimony whereof the parties of the first, second, and third part hath hereunto set their hands and seals, this day and date first above written. (Signed) William Clark, William D. Clark At a Court held for Cabel County the 23rd day of August 1824. This deed of trust from William Clark to William D. Clark for the use of James Clark was presented in Court acknowledged by the said William Clark; William D. Clark, which is ordered recorded. Testo: John Samuels, C.K.C.C." (CL-DOC)
I have personally chosen William as William D.'s father because of this deed which alludes to debt that William Sr. owes to his son James. James is making sure that William D. will pay the debt if his father dies before paying it off.
Further evidence that he is the son of this William is the fact that he named many of his children after his stepsiblings: James A. (Alexander), Nancy, Metilda, and Mary out of his children's names that we currently know.
I believe it's possible that William D's relationship to William is not specifically delineated as father and son in the records, because William D. is the son of William and a slave. This would account for the 1.5% of DNA showing up in my gneration from Africa. His father, William Clark is the only ancestor I've found in 40 years of research that owned a slave and his wife's ancestry are the only owners of slaves that I have found. William D.'s son, James Andrew, also had very tightly curled hair and tanned skin also indicating this is the correct family. James Andrew would have inherited about 25% of African DNA to account for current DNA results. However, my DNA is coming up with many DNA matches to the Fergusons and James Jameson and his wife who were the grandparents of Jane Ferguson. So, this theory is probably not where my African DNA is from after all.
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1789 - 1881 (92 years)
[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12] 
