From "A Genealogy Of The Clark Family", by Henry William Clark, 1905:
John Clark was born in North Carolina November 19, 1780 and received a good common school education. In early life he imigrated to South Carolina, settling in Laurens District, and about 1806 was elected to the office of sheriff, and was re-elected and succeeded himself for several terms, serving seven or more years. He was called the High Sheriff , and as was the custom at that day, preceded the Judge of the Court to and from the Court House with drawn sword and cocked hat in vindication of the law, an English custom. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, as shown by the following from the War Department:
Dept. of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
August 14, 1902
Sir:
In reply to your communication of recent date, you are advised that, as shown by the records of this Bureau, Susan Clark was pensioned as the widow of John Clark on account of his service in Capt. N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia, from February 1, 1814 to August 10, 1814, War of 1812.
Very respectfully,
E. S. Ware – Commissioner
Returning from the war he stopped with a comrade, one Parks, at the home of his parents and there met his fate in the person of Susan, a sister of his comrade and daughter of Thomas and Annie Parks, of Laurens District, South Carolina. On February 25, 1816 he and Susan Parks were united in marriage at the home of her parents.
They remained in Laurens District about 14 years, where he was engaged in farming near the Enoree River, his farm being on Durban's Creek, a tributary of that stream. In the latter part of 1829 he with his family moved to the state of Georgia, resided one year in Newton County, and then settled in Jasper County where he had purchased a home and farm.
John Clark owned and had emancipated, as a result of the Civil War, about 50 negro slaves. He was a humane master, fed and clothed his slaves well and allotted them small parcels of land and opportunities to cultivate the same for their own use. After his slaves were emancipated most of them remained about him and cultivated his lands and were ever respectful to "old moster" and "old mistis". Notably one of these, a man named Gilbert, was a powerful man physically and was a most valuable slave as an ordinary farm laborer. He and his good wife Minerva, two Christian-hearted negroes, were, after they were emancipated, good friends and neighbors of their former owners, ever ready to do them any service. John Clark was a life-long partisan Democrat. He was never an aspirant for political office, never very active in political work, but kept well informed on the political issues of his day and time, and always gave loyal support to the nominees of his party. At the solicitation of his neighbors he accepted the office of magistrate for his precinct, served in that capacity for many years and made an enviable reputation for impartial, intelligent and faithful discharge of official duty. He died November 27, 1870 at the advanced age of 90 years and 8 days, and was buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where they had resided for 40 years.
Children of John and Susan Parks Clark:
1. Dr. Courtney James Clark 1816, married Nancy Walker Davis
2. Thomas Franklin Clark 1818, married 1st E.C. Mcnair, 2nd Nancy Clark
3. Avaline Frances Clark 1819-1846
4. Matilda Caroline Clark 1821-1825
5. Nancy Amelia Clark 1822, married Dr. T. W. Sims
6. Eloisa Ann Clark 1823, married J. G. McNair
7. Henry William Clark 1825, married Mary Susan Wright
8. Mary Lucy Clark 1827, married J. C. Pope
9. Martha Susan Clark 1827, married B. J. Flowers
10. Harriet Elizabeth Clark 1828, married Hopson Pope
11. John Parks Clark 1830, married Mary E. Marks
12. Emily Judith Clark 1831, married 1st Robert J. Brooks, 2nd William Henry Ivy
13. Julia Patterson Clark 1833, married Dr. Miller Francis
14. Albert Warner Clark 1835
15. Elvira Minerva Clark 1837
16. Harvey Tucker Clark 1838, married E. S. Locke
17. Elmira Caroline Clark 1841, married Capt. Frank Gentry
18. Robert Walter Clark 1845, married Julia J. Lee
==========
The Will of John Clark - 1861
State of Georgia
Jasper County
I, John Clark, of the said State and County aforesaid, being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as respects my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me.
1st Item. I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian-like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition of life; my soul I trust shall return to God, who gave it, as I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2nd Item. I desire and direct that all of my just debts be paid.
3rd Item. I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Susan, all the lands that I now possess, (to wit), that tract of land and plantation whereon I now live, containing six hundred and thirty (630) acres more or less, lying on the east side of the Alcovy River; also the tract and plantation of the west side of said River, containing one hundred and ninety-seven (197) acres more or less; also the tract of land and plantation containing one hundred and thrity-three (133) acres more or less, joining lands of R. C. Barnes, B.T. Digby and M. H. Hutchinson's.
I also give and bequeath to my wife Susan, a negro man Gilbert, a woman Minerva and their son Joseph; also a negro man Jim, a negro woman Sarah and her two children Hannah and Jennie; also Nicey and her child Henry. I also give to my wife Susan, all my stock of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep and goats; all the farming utensils used on and belonging to the plantation of every description whatever; also my four horse wagon, two horse wagon, two buggies, all the household and kitchen furniture of every description, cotton Gin, Wheat Fan and Thrasher, blacksmith tools, all the corn, cotton, wheat, oats, bacon, all the growing crops, and all the money that I may have on hand at the time of my death; also all notes and evidences of debt.
4th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Courtney J. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
5th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas F. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
6th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Nancy A. Sims, wife of Thomas W. Sims, during her life and after her death to her children, (and the representatives of such as may be dead) 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received from my estate.
7th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Eloisa A. McNair, wife of John G. McNair, during her life, and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, the 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
8th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
9th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the separate use of my daughter Mary L. Pope, wife of John C. Pope, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 10th. I give to my son John P. Clark, for the sole and separate use of my daughter Martha S. Flowers, wife of Benjamin J. Flowers, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 11th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Harriet E. Pope, wife of Hopson Pope, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 12th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Emily J. Brooks, wife of Robert J. Brooks, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 13th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Julia P. Francis, wife of Miller W. Francis, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 14th. I give and bequeath to my son John P. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 15th. I give and bequeath to my son Harvey T. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 16th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Elmira C. Clark, during her life, and after her death to her children and representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate. It is my will that Elmira C. Clark shall have a negro girl by the name of Lethean, to be valued to her by two o three disinterested men as part of her legacy.
Item 17th. I give and bequeath to my son Robert W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
Item 18th. The property given to my wife Susan, in the 3rd Item of this will, to belong to her during her life or widowhood, and if she marries after my death she is in that event to have a child's part only of my whole estate in her own right. It is also my will that at any time while she remains a widow, if she has any surplus property she is at liberty to dispose of the same for the benefit of herself or her children.
Item 19th. I desire and direct that as soon after my death as it can conveniently be done that all the property not given to my wife may be sold or the negroes lotted and drawn for as the legatees may agree.
Item 20th. I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Susan Clark, Executrix, and my son John P. Clark, Executor of this my last will and testament.
Item 21st. It is my will and I direct that if my son John P. Clark, named in the 14th item of this will should depart this life before I do, the legacy given to the said John P. Clark, in the 14th Item, is to go and be paid over to Henry W. Clark, named in the 8th Item of this will, or so much thereof as to satisfy any just debts due from the said John P. Clark to the said Henry W. Clark; but if the said John P. Clark should survive me (the testator) this item of the will to be void and of no effect. 12th April, 1861.
John Clark - L.S.
Signed, sealed, delivered and published by John Clark as his last will and testament in the presence of us, the subscribing witnesses, who subscribe our names hereto in the presence of each of us.
Wm. A. Lofton
Eli S. Glover
Chas. S. Jordan, Sr.
==========
Excerpt from the book:
THE KELLYS OF JASPER COUNTY, GEORGIA
Descendants of the Revolutionary Soldier
Jacob Kelly and wife Susanna Allen
Compiled by
Dorothy Kelly MacDowell
1984.
John Clark, volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, served in Capt N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia. With his family he settled in Jasper County in 1830, on the Alcovy River, a few miles from old Bethlehem Baptist Church. He died in 1870, at the advanced age of ninety years and is buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where he resided for forty years. He was born in North Carolina. His wife was Miss Susan Parks, of Laurens, S.C. They were the parents of eighteen children and many descendants now live in the county and in various States of the union.
John Clark was born in North Carolina November 19, 1780 and received a good common school education. In early life he imigrated to South Carolina, settling in Laurens District, and about 1806 was elected to the office of sheriff, and was re-elected and succeeded himself for several terms, serving seven or more years. He was called the High Sheriff , and as was the custom at that day, preceded the Judge of the Court to and from the Court House with drawn sword and cocked hat in vindication of the law, an English custom. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, as shown by the following from the War Department:
Dept. of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
August 14, 1902
Sir:
In reply to your communication of recent date, you are advised that, as shown by the records of this Bureau, Susan Clark was pensioned as the widow of John Clark on account of his service in Capt. N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia, from February 1, 1814 to August 10, 1814, War of 1812.
Very respectfully,
E. S. Ware – Commissioner
Returning from the war he stopped with a comrade, one Parks, at the home of his parents and there met his fate in the person of Susan, a sister of his comrade and daughter of Thomas and Annie Parks, of Laurens District, South Carolina. On February 25, 1816 he and Susan Parks were united in marriage at the home of her parents.
They remained in Laurens District about 14 years, where he was engaged in farming near the Enoree River, his farm being on Durban's Creek, a tributary of that stream. In the latter part of 1829 he with his family moved to the state of Georgia, resided one year in Newton County, and then settled in Jasper County where he had purchased a home and farm.
John Clark owned and had emancipated, as a result of the Civil War, about 50 negro slaves. He was a humane master, fed and clothed his slaves well and allotted them small parcels of land and opportunities to cultivate the same for their own use. After his slaves were emancipated most of them remained about him and cultivated his lands and were ever respectful to "old moster" and "old mistis". Notably one of these, a man named Gilbert, was a powerful man physically and was a most valuable slave as an ordinary farm laborer. He and his good wife Minerva, two Christian-hearted negroes, were, after they were emancipated, good friends and neighbors of their former owners, ever ready to do them any service. John Clark was a life-long partisan Democrat. He was never an aspirant for political office, never very active in political work, but kept well informed on the political issues of his day and time, and always gave loyal support to the nominees of his party. At the solicitation of his neighbors he accepted the office of magistrate for his precinct, served in that capacity for many years and made an enviable reputation for impartial, intelligent and faithful discharge of official duty. He died November 27, 1870 at the advanced age of 90 years and 8 days, and was buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where they had resided for 40 years.
Children of John and Susan Parks Clark:
1. Dr. Courtney James Clark 1816, married Nancy Walker Davis
2. Thomas Franklin Clark 1818, married 1st E.C. Mcnair, 2nd Nancy Clark
3. Avaline Frances Clark 1819-1846
4. Matilda Caroline Clark 1821-1825
5. Nancy Amelia Clark 1822, married Dr. T. W. Sims
6. Eloisa Ann Clark 1823, married J. G. McNair
7. Henry William Clark 1825, married Mary Susan Wright
8. Mary Lucy Clark 1827, married J. C. Pope
9. Martha Susan Clark 1827, married B. J. Flowers
10. Harriet Elizabeth Clark 1828, married Hopson Pope
11. John Parks Clark 1830, married Mary E. Marks
12. Emily Judith Clark 1831, married 1st Robert J. Brooks, 2nd William Henry Ivy
13. Julia Patterson Clark 1833, married Dr. Miller Francis
14. Albert Warner Clark 1835
15. Elvira Minerva Clark 1837
16. Harvey Tucker Clark 1838, married E. S. Locke
17. Elmira Caroline Clark 1841, married Capt. Frank Gentry
18. Robert Walter Clark 1845, married Julia J. Lee
==========
The Will of John Clark - 1861
State of Georgia
Jasper County
I, John Clark, of the said State and County aforesaid, being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as respects my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me.
1st Item. I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian-like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition of life; my soul I trust shall return to God, who gave it, as I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2nd Item. I desire and direct that all of my just debts be paid.
3rd Item. I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Susan, all the lands that I now possess, (to wit), that tract of land and plantation whereon I now live, containing six hundred and thirty (630) acres more or less, lying on the east side of the Alcovy River; also the tract and plantation of the west side of said River, containing one hundred and ninety-seven (197) acres more or less; also the tract of land and plantation containing one hundred and thrity-three (133) acres more or less, joining lands of R. C. Barnes, B.T. Digby and M. H. Hutchinson's.
I also give and bequeath to my wife Susan, a negro man Gilbert, a woman Minerva and their son Joseph; also a negro man Jim, a negro woman Sarah and her two children Hannah and Jennie; also Nicey and her child Henry. I also give to my wife Susan, all my stock of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep and goats; all the farming utensils used on and belonging to the plantation of every description whatever; also my four horse wagon, two horse wagon, two buggies, all the household and kitchen furniture of every description, cotton Gin, Wheat Fan and Thrasher, blacksmith tools, all the corn, cotton, wheat, oats, bacon, all the growing crops, and all the money that I may have on hand at the time of my death; also all notes and evidences of debt.
4th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Courtney J. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
5th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas F. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
6th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Nancy A. Sims, wife of Thomas W. Sims, during her life and after her death to her children, (and the representatives of such as may be dead) 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received from my estate.
7th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Eloisa A. McNair, wife of John G. McNair, during her life, and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, the 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
8th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
9th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the separate use of my daughter Mary L. Pope, wife of John C. Pope, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 10th. I give to my son John P. Clark, for the sole and separate use of my daughter Martha S. Flowers, wife of Benjamin J. Flowers, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 11th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Harriet E. Pope, wife of Hopson Pope, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 12th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Emily J. Brooks, wife of Robert J. Brooks, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 13th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Julia P. Francis, wife of Miller W. Francis, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 14th. I give and bequeath to my son John P. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 15th. I give and bequeath to my son Harvey T. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 16th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Elmira C. Clark, during her life, and after her death to her children and representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate. It is my will that Elmira C. Clark shall have a negro girl by the name of Lethean, to be valued to her by two o three disinterested men as part of her legacy.
Item 17th. I give and bequeath to my son Robert W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
Item 18th. The property given to my wife Susan, in the 3rd Item of this will, to belong to her during her life or widowhood, and if she marries after my death she is in that event to have a child's part only of my whole estate in her own right. It is also my will that at any time while she remains a widow, if she has any surplus property she is at liberty to dispose of the same for the benefit of herself or her children.
Item 19th. I desire and direct that as soon after my death as it can conveniently be done that all the property not given to my wife may be sold or the negroes lotted and drawn for as the legatees may agree.
Item 20th. I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Susan Clark, Executrix, and my son John P. Clark, Executor of this my last will and testament.
Item 21st. It is my will and I direct that if my son John P. Clark, named in the 14th item of this will should depart this life before I do, the legacy given to the said John P. Clark, in the 14th Item, is to go and be paid over to Henry W. Clark, named in the 8th Item of this will, or so much thereof as to satisfy any just debts due from the said John P. Clark to the said Henry W. Clark; but if the said John P. Clark should survive me (the testator) this item of the will to be void and of no effect. 12th April, 1861.
John Clark - L.S.
Signed, sealed, delivered and published by John Clark as his last will and testament in the presence of us, the subscribing witnesses, who subscribe our names hereto in the presence of each of us.
Wm. A. Lofton
Eli S. Glover
Chas. S. Jordan, Sr.
==========
Excerpt from the book:
THE KELLYS OF JASPER COUNTY, GEORGIA
Descendants of the Revolutionary Soldier
Jacob Kelly and wife Susanna Allen
Compiled by
Dorothy Kelly MacDowell
1984.
John Clark, volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, served in Capt N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia. With his family he settled in Jasper County in 1830, on the Alcovy River, a few miles from old Bethlehem Baptist Church. He died in 1870, at the advanced age of ninety years and is buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where he resided for forty years. He was born in North Carolina. His wife was Miss Susan Parks, of Laurens, S.C. They were the parents of eighteen children and many descendants now live in the county and in various States of the union.
From "A Genealogy Of The Clark Family", by Henry William Clark, 1905:
John Clark was born in North Carolina November 19, 1780 and received a good common school education. In early life he imigrated to South Carolina, settling in Laurens District, and about 1806 was elected to the office of sheriff, and was re-elected and succeeded himself for several terms, serving seven or more years. He was called the High Sheriff , and as was the custom at that day, preceded the Judge of the Court to and from the Court House with drawn sword and cocked hat in vindication of the law, an English custom. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, as shown by the following from the War Department:
Dept. of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
August 14, 1902
Sir:
In reply to your communication of recent date, you are advised that, as shown by the records of this Bureau, Susan Clark was pensioned as the widow of John Clark on account of his service in Capt. N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia, from February 1, 1814 to August 10, 1814, War of 1812.
Very respectfully,
E. S. Ware – Commissioner
Returning from the war he stopped with a comrade, one Parks, at the home of his parents and there met his fate in the person of Susan, a sister of his comrade and daughter of Thomas and Annie Parks, of Laurens District, South Carolina. On February 25, 1816 he and Susan Parks were united in marriage at the home of her parents.
They remained in Laurens District about 14 years, where he was engaged in farming near the Enoree River, his farm being on Durban's Creek, a tributary of that stream. In the latter part of 1829 he with his family moved to the state of Georgia, resided one year in Newton County, and then settled in Jasper County where he had purchased a home and farm.
John Clark owned and had emancipated, as a result of the Civil War, about 50 negro slaves. He was a humane master, fed and clothed his slaves well and allotted them small parcels of land and opportunities to cultivate the same for their own use. After his slaves were emancipated most of them remained about him and cultivated his lands and were ever respectful to "old moster" and "old mistis". Notably one of these, a man named Gilbert, was a powerful man physically and was a most valuable slave as an ordinary farm laborer. He and his good wife Minerva, two Christian-hearted negroes, were, after they were emancipated, good friends and neighbors of their former owners, ever ready to do them any service. John Clark was a life-long partisan Democrat. He was never an aspirant for political office, never very active in political work, but kept well informed on the political issues of his day and time, and always gave loyal support to the nominees of his party. At the solicitation of his neighbors he accepted the office of magistrate for his precinct, served in that capacity for many years and made an enviable reputation for impartial, intelligent and faithful discharge of official duty. He died November 27, 1870 at the advanced age of 90 years and 8 days, and was buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where they had resided for 40 years.
Children of John and Susan Parks Clark:
1. Dr. Courtney James Clark 1816, married Nancy Walker Davis
2. Thomas Franklin Clark 1818, married 1st E.C. Mcnair, 2nd Nancy Clark
3. Avaline Frances Clark 1819-1846
4. Matilda Caroline Clark 1821-1825
5. Nancy Amelia Clark 1822, married Dr. T. W. Sims
6. Eloisa Ann Clark 1823, married J. G. McNair
7. Henry William Clark 1825, married Mary Susan Wright
8. Mary Lucy Clark 1827, married J. C. Pope
9. Martha Susan Clark 1827, married B. J. Flowers
10. Harriet Elizabeth Clark 1828, married Hopson Pope
11. John Parks Clark 1830, married Mary E. Marks
12. Emily Judith Clark 1831, married 1st Robert J. Brooks, 2nd William Henry Ivy
13. Julia Patterson Clark 1833, married Dr. Miller Francis
14. Albert Warner Clark 1835
15. Elvira Minerva Clark 1837
16. Harvey Tucker Clark 1838, married E. S. Locke
17. Elmira Caroline Clark 1841, married Capt. Frank Gentry
18. Robert Walter Clark 1845, married Julia J. Lee
==========
The Will of John Clark - 1861
State of Georgia
Jasper County
I, John Clark, of the said State and County aforesaid, being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as respects my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me.
1st Item. I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian-like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition of life; my soul I trust shall return to God, who gave it, as I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2nd Item. I desire and direct that all of my just debts be paid.
3rd Item. I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Susan, all the lands that I now possess, (to wit), that tract of land and plantation whereon I now live, containing six hundred and thirty (630) acres more or less, lying on the east side of the Alcovy River; also the tract and plantation of the west side of said River, containing one hundred and ninety-seven (197) acres more or less; also the tract of land and plantation containing one hundred and thrity-three (133) acres more or less, joining lands of R. C. Barnes, B.T. Digby and M. H. Hutchinson's.
I also give and bequeath to my wife Susan, a negro man Gilbert, a woman Minerva and their son Joseph; also a negro man Jim, a negro woman Sarah and her two children Hannah and Jennie; also Nicey and her child Henry. I also give to my wife Susan, all my stock of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep and goats; all the farming utensils used on and belonging to the plantation of every description whatever; also my four horse wagon, two horse wagon, two buggies, all the household and kitchen furniture of every description, cotton Gin, Wheat Fan and Thrasher, blacksmith tools, all the corn, cotton, wheat, oats, bacon, all the growing crops, and all the money that I may have on hand at the time of my death; also all notes and evidences of debt.
4th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Courtney J. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
5th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas F. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
6th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Nancy A. Sims, wife of Thomas W. Sims, during her life and after her death to her children, (and the representatives of such as may be dead) 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received from my estate.
7th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Eloisa A. McNair, wife of John G. McNair, during her life, and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, the 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
8th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
9th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the separate use of my daughter Mary L. Pope, wife of John C. Pope, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 10th. I give to my son John P. Clark, for the sole and separate use of my daughter Martha S. Flowers, wife of Benjamin J. Flowers, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 11th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Harriet E. Pope, wife of Hopson Pope, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 12th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Emily J. Brooks, wife of Robert J. Brooks, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 13th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Julia P. Francis, wife of Miller W. Francis, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 14th. I give and bequeath to my son John P. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 15th. I give and bequeath to my son Harvey T. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 16th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Elmira C. Clark, during her life, and after her death to her children and representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate. It is my will that Elmira C. Clark shall have a negro girl by the name of Lethean, to be valued to her by two o three disinterested men as part of her legacy.
Item 17th. I give and bequeath to my son Robert W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
Item 18th. The property given to my wife Susan, in the 3rd Item of this will, to belong to her during her life or widowhood, and if she marries after my death she is in that event to have a child's part only of my whole estate in her own right. It is also my will that at any time while she remains a widow, if she has any surplus property she is at liberty to dispose of the same for the benefit of herself or her children.
Item 19th. I desire and direct that as soon after my death as it can conveniently be done that all the property not given to my wife may be sold or the negroes lotted and drawn for as the legatees may agree.
Item 20th. I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Susan Clark, Executrix, and my son John P. Clark, Executor of this my last will and testament.
Item 21st. It is my will and I direct that if my son John P. Clark, named in the 14th item of this will should depart this life before I do, the legacy given to the said John P. Clark, in the 14th Item, is to go and be paid over to Henry W. Clark, named in the 8th Item of this will, or so much thereof as to satisfy any just debts due from the said John P. Clark to the said Henry W. Clark; but if the said John P. Clark should survive me (the testator) this item of the will to be void and of no effect. 12th April, 1861.
John Clark - L.S.
Signed, sealed, delivered and published by John Clark as his last will and testament in the presence of us, the subscribing witnesses, who subscribe our names hereto in the presence of each of us.
Wm. A. Lofton
Eli S. Glover
Chas. S. Jordan, Sr.
==========
Excerpt from the book:
THE KELLYS OF JASPER COUNTY, GEORGIA
Descendants of the Revolutionary Soldier
Jacob Kelly and wife Susanna Allen
Compiled by
Dorothy Kelly MacDowell
1984.
John Clark, volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, served in Capt N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia. With his family he settled in Jasper County in 1830, on the Alcovy River, a few miles from old Bethlehem Baptist Church. He died in 1870, at the advanced age of ninety years and is buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where he resided for forty years. He was born in North Carolina. His wife was Miss Susan Parks, of Laurens, S.C. They were the parents of eighteen children and many descendants now live in the county and in various States of the union.
John Clark was born in North Carolina November 19, 1780 and received a good common school education. In early life he imigrated to South Carolina, settling in Laurens District, and about 1806 was elected to the office of sheriff, and was re-elected and succeeded himself for several terms, serving seven or more years. He was called the High Sheriff , and as was the custom at that day, preceded the Judge of the Court to and from the Court House with drawn sword and cocked hat in vindication of the law, an English custom. He was a volunteer soldier in the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, as shown by the following from the War Department:
Dept. of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
August 14, 1902
Sir:
In reply to your communication of recent date, you are advised that, as shown by the records of this Bureau, Susan Clark was pensioned as the widow of John Clark on account of his service in Capt. N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia, from February 1, 1814 to August 10, 1814, War of 1812.
Very respectfully,
E. S. Ware – Commissioner
Returning from the war he stopped with a comrade, one Parks, at the home of his parents and there met his fate in the person of Susan, a sister of his comrade and daughter of Thomas and Annie Parks, of Laurens District, South Carolina. On February 25, 1816 he and Susan Parks were united in marriage at the home of her parents.
They remained in Laurens District about 14 years, where he was engaged in farming near the Enoree River, his farm being on Durban's Creek, a tributary of that stream. In the latter part of 1829 he with his family moved to the state of Georgia, resided one year in Newton County, and then settled in Jasper County where he had purchased a home and farm.
John Clark owned and had emancipated, as a result of the Civil War, about 50 negro slaves. He was a humane master, fed and clothed his slaves well and allotted them small parcels of land and opportunities to cultivate the same for their own use. After his slaves were emancipated most of them remained about him and cultivated his lands and were ever respectful to "old moster" and "old mistis". Notably one of these, a man named Gilbert, was a powerful man physically and was a most valuable slave as an ordinary farm laborer. He and his good wife Minerva, two Christian-hearted negroes, were, after they were emancipated, good friends and neighbors of their former owners, ever ready to do them any service. John Clark was a life-long partisan Democrat. He was never an aspirant for political office, never very active in political work, but kept well informed on the political issues of his day and time, and always gave loyal support to the nominees of his party. At the solicitation of his neighbors he accepted the office of magistrate for his precinct, served in that capacity for many years and made an enviable reputation for impartial, intelligent and faithful discharge of official duty. He died November 27, 1870 at the advanced age of 90 years and 8 days, and was buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where they had resided for 40 years.
Children of John and Susan Parks Clark:
1. Dr. Courtney James Clark 1816, married Nancy Walker Davis
2. Thomas Franklin Clark 1818, married 1st E.C. Mcnair, 2nd Nancy Clark
3. Avaline Frances Clark 1819-1846
4. Matilda Caroline Clark 1821-1825
5. Nancy Amelia Clark 1822, married Dr. T. W. Sims
6. Eloisa Ann Clark 1823, married J. G. McNair
7. Henry William Clark 1825, married Mary Susan Wright
8. Mary Lucy Clark 1827, married J. C. Pope
9. Martha Susan Clark 1827, married B. J. Flowers
10. Harriet Elizabeth Clark 1828, married Hopson Pope
11. John Parks Clark 1830, married Mary E. Marks
12. Emily Judith Clark 1831, married 1st Robert J. Brooks, 2nd William Henry Ivy
13. Julia Patterson Clark 1833, married Dr. Miller Francis
14. Albert Warner Clark 1835
15. Elvira Minerva Clark 1837
16. Harvey Tucker Clark 1838, married E. S. Locke
17. Elmira Caroline Clark 1841, married Capt. Frank Gentry
18. Robert Walter Clark 1845, married Julia J. Lee
==========
The Will of John Clark - 1861
State of Georgia
Jasper County
I, John Clark, of the said State and County aforesaid, being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as respects my family and myself, that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Providence has blessed me.
1st Item. I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian-like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition of life; my soul I trust shall return to God, who gave it, as I hope for eternal salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2nd Item. I desire and direct that all of my just debts be paid.
3rd Item. I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Susan, all the lands that I now possess, (to wit), that tract of land and plantation whereon I now live, containing six hundred and thirty (630) acres more or less, lying on the east side of the Alcovy River; also the tract and plantation of the west side of said River, containing one hundred and ninety-seven (197) acres more or less; also the tract of land and plantation containing one hundred and thrity-three (133) acres more or less, joining lands of R. C. Barnes, B.T. Digby and M. H. Hutchinson's.
I also give and bequeath to my wife Susan, a negro man Gilbert, a woman Minerva and their son Joseph; also a negro man Jim, a negro woman Sarah and her two children Hannah and Jennie; also Nicey and her child Henry. I also give to my wife Susan, all my stock of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep and goats; all the farming utensils used on and belonging to the plantation of every description whatever; also my four horse wagon, two horse wagon, two buggies, all the household and kitchen furniture of every description, cotton Gin, Wheat Fan and Thrasher, blacksmith tools, all the corn, cotton, wheat, oats, bacon, all the growing crops, and all the money that I may have on hand at the time of my death; also all notes and evidences of debt.
4th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Courtney J. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
5th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas F. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
6th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Nancy A. Sims, wife of Thomas W. Sims, during her life and after her death to her children, (and the representatives of such as may be dead) 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received from my estate.
7th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Eloisa A. McNair, wife of John G. McNair, during her life, and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, the 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
8th Item. I give and bequeath to my son Henry W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
9th Item. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the separate use of my daughter Mary L. Pope, wife of John C. Pope, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 10th. I give to my son John P. Clark, for the sole and separate use of my daughter Martha S. Flowers, wife of Benjamin J. Flowers, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate.
Item 11th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Harriet E. Pope, wife of Hopson Pope, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 12th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Emily J. Brooks, wife of Robert J. Brooks, during her life and after her death to her children, and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 13th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Julia P. Francis, wife of Miller W. Francis, during her life and after her death to her children and the representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already had of my estate.
Item 14th. I give and bequeath to my son John P. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 15th. I give and bequeath to my son Harvey T. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate after deducting what he has already had of my estate.
Item 16th. I give to my son John P. Clark, in trust for the sole and separate use of my daughter Elmira C. Clark, during her life, and after her death to her children and representatives of such as may be dead, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what she has already received of my estate. It is my will that Elmira C. Clark shall have a negro girl by the name of Lethean, to be valued to her by two o three disinterested men as part of her legacy.
Item 17th. I give and bequeath to my son Robert W. Clark, 1/14th part of my estate, after deducting what he has already received of my estate.
Item 18th. The property given to my wife Susan, in the 3rd Item of this will, to belong to her during her life or widowhood, and if she marries after my death she is in that event to have a child's part only of my whole estate in her own right. It is also my will that at any time while she remains a widow, if she has any surplus property she is at liberty to dispose of the same for the benefit of herself or her children.
Item 19th. I desire and direct that as soon after my death as it can conveniently be done that all the property not given to my wife may be sold or the negroes lotted and drawn for as the legatees may agree.
Item 20th. I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Susan Clark, Executrix, and my son John P. Clark, Executor of this my last will and testament.
Item 21st. It is my will and I direct that if my son John P. Clark, named in the 14th item of this will should depart this life before I do, the legacy given to the said John P. Clark, in the 14th Item, is to go and be paid over to Henry W. Clark, named in the 8th Item of this will, or so much thereof as to satisfy any just debts due from the said John P. Clark to the said Henry W. Clark; but if the said John P. Clark should survive me (the testator) this item of the will to be void and of no effect. 12th April, 1861.
John Clark - L.S.
Signed, sealed, delivered and published by John Clark as his last will and testament in the presence of us, the subscribing witnesses, who subscribe our names hereto in the presence of each of us.
Wm. A. Lofton
Eli S. Glover
Chas. S. Jordan, Sr.
==========
Excerpt from the book:
THE KELLYS OF JASPER COUNTY, GEORGIA
Descendants of the Revolutionary Soldier
Jacob Kelly and wife Susanna Allen
Compiled by
Dorothy Kelly MacDowell
1984.
John Clark, volunteer soldier in the War of 1812, served in Capt N. T. Martin's Company, South Carolina Militia. With his family he settled in Jasper County in 1830, on the Alcovy River, a few miles from old Bethlehem Baptist Church. He died in 1870, at the advanced age of ninety years and is buried in the family graveyard at the family homestead, where he resided for forty years. He was born in North Carolina. His wife was Miss Susan Parks, of Laurens, S.C. They were the parents of eighteen children and many descendants now live in the county and in various States of the union.
Inscription
John Clark
Born Nov the 19th 1780
And died Nov the 27th 1870
Aged 90 Years and 8 Days
Farewell my wife and my children all
From you a father Christ doth call
Mourn not for me it is in vain
To call me to your sight again.
Family Members
Spouse
Siblings
Children
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Dr Courtney James Clark
1816–1893
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Thomas Franklin Clark
1818–1893
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Avaline Frances Clark
1819–1846
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Matilda Caroline Clark
1821–1825
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Nancy A. Clark Sims
1822–1889
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Eloisa Ann Clark McNair
1823–1914
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Henry William Clark
1825–1907
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Mary Lucy Clark Pope
1826–1908
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Martha Susan Clark Flowers
1827–1911
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Harriett Elizabeth Clark Pope
1828–1916
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John Parks Clark
1830–1902
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Emily Judith Clark Ivy
1831–1898
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Julia Patterson Clark Francis
1833–1874
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Albert Warner Clark
1835–1835
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Elvira Minerva Clark
1837–1837
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Harvey Tucker Clark
1838–1861
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Myra Clark Gentry
1841–1930
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Robert Walter Clark
1845–1917
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