Capt. Christopher Clark

Evidence needed to support as son of Micajah Christopher "Michael" Clark & Sarah Clark

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Captain Christopher Clark was born 1681, probably in England, and died on 28 May 1754 in Louisa, Virginia.

Married:

1. Elizabeth
2. Penelope (surname unknown) Clark (1684 - 1760)

Capt Christopher did have a first wife named Elizabeth. They never had any surviving children. She must have died around 1708 since all mention of her disappears and Christopher Marries Penelope around 1708 or 1709. They then have their first son EDWARD, in 1710 ( off the top of my head ) followed by all sorts of children who lived.

1. Edward Clark
2. Agnes Clark
3. Rachel Clark
4. Sarah Clark
5. Bolling Clark
6. Micajah Clark
7. Elizabeth Clark

(No son John)

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.

Disputed Origins

Seen as son of Micajah Clark (1659 - 1706) and Sallie Ann Moorman Clark (1662 - 1710). However, an argument presenting Edward Clark is seen here: https://www.geni.com/discussions/196579?msg=1297453

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https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Clark-645

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.

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.

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.)

Brief Biography

He was a Captain in the militia, a lawyer, and a merchant. He is mentioned in the will of his law partner, Nicholas Meriwether, who calls him "Captain". He was justice of the peace in Louisa County in 1742. He is stated to have joined the Quakers in "1742 or 1749". In 1749, he was appointed an "overseer" of a meeting of Quakers near Sugarloaf Mountain in Albemarle County. His will was written 14 Aug 1741, in which he gave to his son Bolling, "my trooping arms and my great Bible, and all my law books".

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Christopher Clark was mentioned in the St Peters Parish New Kent county Vestry records in 1697 and again on 14 Jan 1698. ( the Church of England being the official govt authorized church )
The Vestry book talks about clearing land and building roads. Christopher, and Edward Clark were ordered to be involved along with others.

Edward Clark was mentioned in the church records for 1692 and 1693with him assigned to the duties of Sexton. {charged with the maintenance of its buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard.}

On Feb 28, 1700 Christopher Clark and his then Wife ELIZABETH, signed as witnesses to the marriage of their friends Thomas Lankford and Martha West. Edward Clark also signed as a single person. Nine other people signed as well.

Later he marries Penelope around 1708 or 1709

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By wife Penelope (unknown surname) he had seven children born between 1710-1722. He was a Captain in the militia, a lawyer, and a merchant. He is mentioned in the will of his law partner, Nicholas Meriwether, who calls him "Captain". He was justice of the peace in Louisa County in 1742. He is stated to have joined the Quakers in "1742 or 1749". In 1749, he was appointed an "overseer" of a meeting of Quakers near Sugarloaf Mountain in Albemarle County. His will was written 14 Aug 1741, in which he gave to his son Bolling, "my trooping arms and my great Bible, and all my law books".

WILL

In the name of God, I Christopher Clark, being in sound mind and memory, thanks be to Almighty God for it, but calling to mind the uncertainties ye life, make my last Will and Testament as follows, etc. 1st I give to my son Edward, one gun and all my wearing clothes and all things else that he possessed of that was ever mine.

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

3rd I give my loving daughter Rachel Moorman, four hundred acres of land in Hanover County near Capt. Thoms. Darcy and one negro woman named Moll with her increase and all things else that she had in her possession whatever was mine.

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

5th I give my loving son Micajah Clark, five hundred acres of Land in Hanover County the same whereon I now live with all rights and attachments thereunto belonging and one negro boy named - - - working tools and whatever else he is or was possessed of that was mine.

6th I give my loving son Bolling Clark four hundred acres of Land in Hanover County lying on the northwest side joining on the land of Mr. Thomas Carr and on ye County - - - -, two young negroes named Nance and Robin and one horse named Spret, one gun, one feather bed, and furniture, two cows amd calves, my trooping arms, and my great Bible, and all my law books.

7th I give my loving daughter Elizabeth Anthony, four hundred acres of land in Goochland on Hooker Creek near South forks of James River, two young negroes Mat and Jenny, cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture.

All the rest of my estate be what nature or quality soever to my loving wife during her natural life, who I appoint my Executrix and further my will and desire is that my loving grand-daughter Penelope Lynch at the death of her grandmother, Penelope Clark, my wife, that then she the said Penelope Lynch be paid out of my estate if there be so much remaining forty pounds 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 above premises I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this fourteenth day of August, 1741.

Test. Christopher Clark (seal) Thomas Martin her Ann Martin mark his James Waring mark

At a Court held for Louisa County 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 Cl. Ct.

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[From - Some Families of Revolutionary War Patriots from VA, MD, PA, SC, and KY - Will Mac (Duncan) Coulter 1993] pg. 337-338: "Beginning with Virginia documentation fro Christopher and Penelope Clark, everyone is on safe and solid genealogical ground. The following is taken from page 126 of Helen Fairfax McNaught Geary's book JAMES CLARK, MANSFIELD AND CHRISTOPHER CLARK AND ALLIED FAMILIES: '.......Christopher Clark was Justice on the first Bench of Magistrates of Louisa Co. established Dec. 13 1742, formed of Col. Robert Lewis, Capt. Christopher Clark, Thomas Meriwether, and others (Records of Louisa Co., Va. Order Book I, page 1.) He was law partner of Nicholas Meriwether (ancestor of Meriwether Lewis). He (Christopher) was a wealthy man for that time. Land records show purchase of lands in Hanover Co. on Cedar Creek in 1705-6. in addition he bought large tracts in 1702-5 with Nicholas Meriwether. Hanover County records show patents of thousands of acres to him from 1722 to 1739, prior to the formation of Louisa County from Hanover in 1742. In 1730 he, with Nicholas Meriwether patented 17, 952 acres (Record in Land office at Richmond, Va. State Library, Archives division). The Executive Journals of Council of Va., Vol. III, p 243, shows patents of 3400 acres in New Kent Co. in Nov 1716; p502, same book shows patents of 15,000 acres in Hanover Co., Va., May 1719.

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Wife: Penelope (Johnson) Clark

Source: Avatar book excerpt on Clarks in Ulster Plantation

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• Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Nov 10 2018, 12:59:40 UTC

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By wife Penelope Johnson, he had seven children born between 1710-1722. He was a Captain in the militia, a lawyer, and a merchant. He is mentioned in the will of his law partner, Nicholas Meriwether, who calls him "Captain". He was justice of the peace in Louisa County in 1742. He is stated to have joined the Quakers in "1742 or 1749". In 1749, he was appointed an "overseer" of a meeting of Quakers near Sugarloaf Mountain in Albemarle County. His will was written 14 Aug 1741, in which he gave to his son Bolling, "my trooping arms and my great Bible, and all my law books".

Abstract of Christopher's Will, b. 1681 and d. 1754 1658-1758 Charles Co MD Familes "The first 100 years": Wills, Court, Church, Land, Inventories & Accounts" written 14 Aug 1741 proved 28 May 1754 Louisa Co VA In the name of God, Amen, I Christopher Clar, being .... do make this my last will and testament as followeth: First, I give my son Edward one gun and all my wearing clothes, and all things else that he ever was possessed of that ever were mine. 2ndly, I give my loving daughter agnes Johnson one negro wench ... and wahtever else she has or ever had in possession that ... mine. 3rdly, I give my loving daughter Rachell Moorman four hundred acres ... in Hanover County, near Captain Dorsey, and one negro ... and all things else that she has had in her possession that ever was mine. 4thly, I give my loving daughter Sarah Lynch 1 negro boy &c. 5thly, I give my loving son Micajah Clark five hundred acres of ... Hanover County, the same whereon I now live, &c. 6thly, I give to myloving son Bowling Clark four hundred acres ... in Hanover County ... joining the land of Mr. Thomas Carr ... ten young negroes.. my trooping arms, my great Bible and all my law books. I give my loving daughter Elizabeth Anghony four hundred acres in Goochland County &c. I lend to my wife penelope Clark all the rest of my estate ...&c. ...set my hand and fixed my seal this the fourteenth day of Aug. 1744. Christopher Clark

[Seal]* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial

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• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jun 17 2021, 11:15:19 UTC

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Biography

Capt. Christopher Clark was born in 1703. His parents were Fnu Clark, R1b1a2 and Fnu Clark.

Christopher married Penelope Clark. Together they had the following children: John Clark.

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