Tmclark
by Linda Sparks Starr
APR 1997
Thomas Martin CLARK was the son of Micajah Clark Jr. and Mildred
(Martin) and grandson of Micajah Clark Sr. and Judith (Adams),
proven by Albemarle Co. VA Deed Book 9, page 487, dated 9 OCT
1788: "...being the Same [tract] that the Said Thomas Martin
Clark Claims under his late Father Micaj Clark Junr deceased...
& also including... which the Said Thomas M. Clark had of his
Grand father Micaj Clark Senr..." With the exception of his mar
riage bond, he always used his middle initial or full name on of
ficial records.
Thomas's specific birthdate, 13 JAN 1762, comes from John Jolly
who doesn't cite his source. It is partially supported by Al
bemarle Co. Deed Book 8, page 149 which proves Thomas "at least"
21 years old by 23 JUL 1784 when he purchased land. Willa Mac
Coulter gives 13 JAN 1772 as the birthdate for Mildred "Milly"
Moorman (page 312" Families of Rev. War Patriots ) for which
she credits Mr. Evarts English--no further documentation.
Mildred "Milly" MOORMAN was the daughter of Andrew Moorman and
Judith (Clark) proven by Campbell Co. VA marriage bond on which
Andrew Moorman gave consent for their marriage. Further proof is
found within the report (ANDREW.txt) on Andrew d.1791. The copy
of the marriage bond I received from Campbell Co. Courthouse is
dated 22 DEC 1787; the consent "appears" to be dated 24 DEC. Her
Uncle Jesse Moorman was security for Thomas and "their" Uncle
James Clark witnessed Andrew's consent.
They either had broken from the Quakers prior to their marriage,
or this was a case of "love over religion" for they could not
marry within the Quaker faith. They were more closely kin than
"first cousins". His father and her mother were siblings; their
mutual grandmother, Judith (Adams) Clark was a sister of Milly's
paternal grandmother, Elizabeth (Adams) Moorman. Additionally,
Thomas' maternal grandmother, Anne (Moorman) Martin, was a sib
ling of Achilles Moorman, Milly's paternal grandfather. The mar
riage bond is proof they married outside the Quaker church. Even
though he witnessed a Quaker marriage in 1795 at South River
Monthly Meeting [Bell's Our Quaker Friends of Ye Olden Times], he
owned slaves when he died 1811--further proof of their break with
the Quakers.
May 4, 1787 Thomas was taxed for himself, four horses and four
cattle per 1787 Census of VA: Campbell Co. by Yantis & Love. He
lived in "Tax List A" district, as did several other CLARKs and
MOORMANs. The only purchase deed we've found for him in Campbell
County is dated 26 SEP 1788 [Deeds Book 1784-1790, page 312] for
330 acres from Charles and Jane "Jenny" Gilbert; the land is on
both sides of the south fork of Seneca Creek. Yet, he and Milly
are "of Albemarle Co." in OCT 1788 when they sold all their Al
bemarle holdings to William Clark and William Clark Jr. [Deed
Book 9, pages 486-7]
"Thomas M. Clark Gent" is found in various 1790s deeds when he
was ordered to take dower releases from wives unable to travel to
the courthouse. [ Campbell Co. VA Deeds 1790-"by TLC.] This
SUGGESTS he was a Justice of the Court, but I don't have further
proof and my opinion is based on customs of the colonial period.
Thomas is reported a member of the House of Burgesses in 1790's.
That statement MAY BE based on the term "Gent" used in the deed
records. In any event, the House of Burgesses ceased to exist in
VA in 1776 (World Bk Ency). I haven't seen a listing of Delegates
to the VA House from Campbell Co. in this time frame.
I'm still lacking copies of land purchase deeds by Thomas M. and
Milly; my last deeds abstract book ends in 1796. They sold 1,050
acres located on Little Seneca Creek to William Moore JUN 1809
and another 200 acres on Whipping Creek to John Poindexter. Thus
we know they left Virginia no later than summer 1809. That this
is the same couple who later appear in Breckinridge Co. KY
records is proven by the negro girl "Fanny" given to Mildred in
her father's VA will 1791; "Fanny" appears among the slaves from
estate of Thomas M. Clark sold in Breckinridge Co. KY 1817. For
those of you who might want "more" proof, other Campbell and Bed
ford Co. residents made the same trek in the same time frame.
Thomas M. Clark purchased land on Hardin's Creek in Breckinridge
Co. KY from George Claycomb per Deed Book M, page 301; but, we
have no specific date because the original deed was not filed in
the court house. In 1818 the heirs of Geo. Claycomb deeded said
land to heirs of Thomas Clark. By then no one remembered the
specific year of the transaction.
The first "contemporary" record we have in KY is the 1810 Breckin-
ridge Co. Census. [My information comes from SAR application of
John William Clark, uncle of Kay Baganoff]: Thomas M. Clark and
wife are shown with two males and 6 females plus five slaves. The
1820 census shows Mildred Clark as head of family consisting of
one male 10-16 years (Thomas R.), 1 female 10-16 (Betsey); 1
female 16-26 (Matilda) and 1 female 45 (Mildred)
Thomas died before 12 OCT 1811 [proven by Deed Book C] for
Mildred Clark and William B. Clark are named administrators of
his estate. His death (or incapacitation) may have come ear
lier: Mildred, instead of Thomas M., consented for daughter
Mildred to marry 30 MAY 1811 (per Breckenridge Marriage Records).
Mildred (Moorman) Clark last appears on the 1820 census; however,
distribution of Thomas' lands didn't begin until late 1830s, sug
gesting she lived longer. Another possibility is, so many
children died leaving minors, the delay was waiting for the
grandchildren to reach adulthood.
Children
Seven children are proven by the suit filed April 23, 1817, and
recorded in Breckenridge Co. Circuit Order Book #3, page 363:
Calvin Hendrick & wife vs Wm B Clark, Eliza Clark & Defendants.
This suit also "proves" that all but William B. and Mildred (now
Hendrick) were under 21 on this date. Biology would SUGGEST other
children died young.
(1) WILLIAM B. b. c1788/9 married 11 APR 1811 Eleanor PATE (dau
of Edward PATE and Mary CRAWFORD) per Breckenridge Marriage
Records. He died fall 1818 leaving three young daus. One
daughter m. the youngest MILLER brother [my husband's line];
another the brother of sisters who were second wives of MILLER
brothers with CLARK first wives.
(2) MILDRED married Calvin Hendricks 30 MAY 1811 (per Breck. Mar
riage Records); consent given by mother Milly Clark was witnessed
by "uncle/brother" Andrew Moorman. The marriage was performed by
James H. L. Moorman. [This Calvin is the son of Bernard
Hendricks and Prudence Goode; it's his nephew, Calvin, who
married Nancy MILLER, sister of John and Michael per Leslie Al
den] Mildred (Clark) Hendricks died 3 OCT 1873 Meade Co. KY per
John Jolly without citation.
(3) Eliza b. after APR 1796 d. 1824/5 per John Jolly and
E.B.Englis--neither provides documentation, but her husband did
have a second wife (that marriage date is not available either.)
Eliza married John "Jack" Miller, (son of Christopher "Christley"
and Sarah Jane Short) after 23 APR 1817 but before 15 JUN 1818
per Circuit Order Book citations. However, John Jolly gives 18
MAR 1817 for marriage, but without documentation. That she is the
wife of John Miller is proven by Court Order Book, page 291.
(4) Matilda b. between 1796 and 1804; the last record we have on
her is 1820 census; her father's land was divided 7 ways suggest
ing she was still alive (or left heirs) by late 1830s.
(5) Nancy b. after APR 1796. Her name is last found in 1824
records. She married 31 JAN 1820 Michael MILLER, son of
"Christley". Again, the specific date comes from John Jolly;
Michael, too, had a second wife.
(6) Thomas R. b. after 1804 d. ca1827 per John Jolly. He
married Margaret Seaton. (Kay Baganoff's line).
(7) Elizabeth "Betsey" b. after 1804. Her name is "Betsey" in
Circuit Court Bk p. 362 but "Elizabeth" in Court Minute Bk p243
when brother William B. was appointed her guardian. This is last
record we've located on her; she, too, likely alive 1830s.
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