Family/Spouse: Elizabeth STUART, *. Elizabeth (daughter of John STUART and Mary SHAW) was born in 1718 in , , Ireland; died in 1764 in Milboro Springs, Bath, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Alexander James CLARK, * in 1763 in Cowpasture, Augusta, VA. Alexander (son of James B. CLARK and Elizabeth SUMMERS) was born in 1736 in Cowpasture, Augusta, VA; died on 12 Jun 1794 in , Greenbrier, VA, USA; was buried in Salt Sulphur Springs, Monroe County, West Virginia, United States of America. [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:

He appears to be the Alexander living in Monroe, Monroe, VA in the 1810 US census with 2 males under 10, 1 age 10-15, 1 age 26-44, and 2 females age 10-15, and 1 age 26-44.

Mary married Bryson "Brice" STOKES on 14 Apr 1808 in Cabell, West Virginia, USA. Bryson was born in 1786 in Wythe, Virginia, USA; died in 1843 in Savannah, Andrew, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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, 1824, 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 generation 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.

William married Susanah HUNTER on 24 Apr 1823 in Cabell, Virginia. Susanah (daughter of Robert HUNTER, * and Likely a slave \ mulatto, daughter of Mary BOWEN) was born on 4 Apr 1802 in NC or Virginia; died on 15 Jan 1881 in Perry, Gallia County, Ohio, United States of America; was buried about 18 Jan 1881 in Gallia County, Ohio, United States of America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the 1820 Cabell Co., VA census, Samuel and his wife were from age 26-45. They also had 3 sons and 2 daughters under age 10. In 1825, Samuel F. Clark is listed along with his likely relative, William Clark in making purchases from the estate of Peter Blankenship in Cabell County, VA/WV. This William Clark is likely to be the son of William Clark who married Jane Ferguson in 1788 in Montgomery Co., VA. In the 1830 cenus, he is still living in Cabell Co., Virginia. In his household, there are 2 males under 5, 1 from 15-19, 1 from 30-39, 1 female under 5, 3 ages 5-9, 1 from 10-14, 1 from 15-19, 1 from 30-39. The index for this census can't decide if this Samuel is listed as Samuel J. or Samuel F. When I blow the original up on the computer it is clearly Samuel F. Clark. There is an Abishar Clark in the 1870 Census for Harrison Co., Ohio that was born about 1825 that might be this Samuel's son. He was born in Virginia and names a son, Samuel F. Clark. According to Public Member Trees on Ancestry which are notorious for errors, he had any of the following children: Edmund, Leander, Cassander, Augusta and Benjamin Franklin Clark. According to One World Tree, his children were all born in VA or WV up till 1835. If he died in Iowa, then he died shortly after moving there.

Samuel married Nancy LAMBERT on 21 May 1811. Nancy was born on 1 Oct 1793 in , Cabell, VA, Usa (Where It Was Starting In 1809); died on 26 Dec 1848 in , , IA, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James Clark is in the Cabel Co., VA census of 1830. He and his wife are listed as between age 30 and 40 at the time. No children are listed. He is the only Clark that does not have a large family in that county. This would also suggest he has a first wife before he married Polly in 1841. (CL-336)

Family/Spouse: UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

James married Polly TURVEY in 1841 in Of Lawrence, OH, USA. Polly died after 1841. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John would be the youngest son in the 1820 census, listed at age 10 to 16, giving him a birth range of 1804 to 1810. If he is the John Clark who shows up for the first time in the 1840 census by name, he was age 40-50. His wife was only age 20-30 and they had one daughter between age 5 and 10. That indicates that he probably didn't marry until 1830 or after. (CL-335, 337) There is a John B. who married Polly McDonald on Jun 26, 1821 in Cabell Co., VA that might account for our John or the John in the 1840 census.... though with the number of children they have, it's more likely that they are 2 different Johns or that this is his 2nd wife.

My mother has a small match to 2 different descendants of this John Clark, 4.8 cM's on chrome 1 from 118-145 and on chrome 9 from 116-118 at Gedmatch indicating that this John Clark could be a step brother to our William D. Clark as surmised.

Family/Spouse: Unknown DRURY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Nancy was no longer living at home in 1820. If Nancy never married it is possible she's the Nancy Clark in the 1850 census living in Cabell Co., VA with James and Margaret Carrol. She was listed as age 50, b. KY and a pauper. (CL-339)

Family/Spouse: George Washington BLANKENSHIP. George was born in 1775 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, USA; died on 6 Nov 1841 in Savannah, Andrew, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

This is an ancestor Jane Leiden. According to her, she has multiple Clark cousins whom are DNA matches between my William Clark and herself. She is also listed as the daughter of William Clark in at familysearch.org

Sarah married Levi VAN HOOSE in 1815 in , , VA, USA. Levi was born on 22 Mar 1795 in Floyd, Montgomery County, North Carolina, USA; died in 1857 in Lori Pelphrey Flats, Johnson County, Kentucky, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Matilda was no longer living at home in 1820. (CL-335)

Family/Spouse: James THOMAS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Richard would be the son in the 1820 census from age 16 to 18, approximating his birth date from 1802-1804. (CL-335)

Richard married Martha on 9 Jun 1849 in West Bengal, India. Martha was born about 1810 in , , Kentucky, USA; died after 1860 in of the 8th District, Overton, Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]