| Notes |
- Captain Clark was a Quaker from England whose family came to Virginia via the Barbados. He purchased or patented 30,000 acres of Crown Lands in Hanover, Albermarle, and Louisa Counties, Virginia. He and the Anthony family were neighbors as far back as 1704. A number of noted men came from this Clark family, among them Governor James Clark of Kentucky, General John B. Clark, his son, both also Congressmen from Missouri. Captain Clark was a lawyer and partner with Nicholas Meriwether. He was also Captain of Hanover County militia in 1727, High Sheriff in 1731, Justice of Louisa County in 1742, Overseer of Friends Meeting House (Quaker) near Sugarloaf Mountains in 1749.
In the Vestry meeting, December 18, 1697, St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, orders were given to clear roads. Families of Christopher and his brother, Edward, are listed. The work "families" is presumed to refer to slaves or people being settled on their land grants. (Eng. Duplicate of Lost Virginia Records) lists Christ'o Clark on Rent Rolls, 1704. In Hanover County, 1726, listed among other Justices of Peace were Nich'o Meriwether and Chr. Clark. His residence was at Green Springs, now in Louisa County, Virginia, on the waters of Camp Creek and South Anna River, on a part of rich land supposed to have been a former lake bed. The location is some 10 miles south of Gordonville and 6 miles from the line between Louisa and Albemarle Counties. Christopher cut a road from Green Springs to his lands in Albermarle County, near Charlotteville, which was called "Clark's Trace" or "Clark's Track." The family of General George Rogers Clark lived on this road about 15 miles from Green Springs. The relationship of General Clark to Christopher has been recognized by many. His parents were John Clark (born October, 1724, King and Queen County) and Ann Rogers (born October 20, 1734, King and Queen County). It is proven that they settled near the present site of Charlotteville, where George Rogers was born. They later moved to Caroline County where Governor (of Missouri) William Clark was born. Other brothers were Jonathan, John, Richard and Edmond, and he had four sisters.
Louisa County was created in 1742 from Hanover County which was created in 1720-21 from New Kent. Christopher was one of the Justices of the first Louisa Court that set up the county government. This meeting took place in the home of Matthew Jouett (also connected to this family) on Beaver Creek, December 12, 1742. Among those present were Robert Lewis, Richard Johnson, Christopher Clark, Thomas Meriwether (REF: History of Louisa County, by Harris).
In 1727 Christopher Clark is said to have been a captain in the Virginia Militia. In the will of Nicholas Meriwether, his law partner, dated 1743, Christopher was referred to as "Captain."
Christopher Clark and Nicholas Meriwether received thousands of acres of land grants. They probably passed much of these to other settlers. Christopher patented 4,000 to 5,000 acres in Hanover County in 1722 to 1739. In 1749, Christopher was appointed an "overseer" of the Quaker Meeting House near Sugar Loaf Mountain. He was not an original Quaker but joined the Society between 1743 and 1749. This meeting house near Sugar Loaf Mountain was situated on land Christopher had entered near Sugar Loaf Peak of West Mountain. (REF: Cabell's and Their Kin by Alexander Brown).
Will of Christopher Clark
In the Name of God, Amen. I CHRISTOPHER CLARK being in sound mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for it, but calling to mind the uncertainty of life, make this my last will and testament as followeth:
First, I give my loving son EDWARD, one gun and all my wearing clothes and all things else that he was possessed of that was ever mine.
I give my loving daughter AGNES JOHNSON, one Negro Wench and increase and whatever else she has or ever had in possession that was ever mine.
I give my loving daughter RACHEL MOOREMAN four hundred acres of land in Hanover County near to CAPT. THOMAS DANSEY and one Negro Wench name of Mill with her increase and all things else she had in her possession that was ever mine.
I give my loving daughter SARAH LYNCH, one Negro Boy named Manny and all things else that she is or ever was possessed of that was mine.
I give my loving son, MICAJAH CLARK, five hundred acres of land in Hanover County the same whereon I now live with all the attachments thereunto belonging and one Negro Boy, working tools and whatever else he is or was possessed of that was ever mine.
I give my loving son BOLLING CLARK, four hundred acres of land in Hanover County lying on the northwest side of the mountains joining on the land of MR. THOMAS CARR, two Negroes named name of Robin and one horse named Spirit, one gun, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, my trooping arms, my great Bible and all my law books.
I give my loving daughter, ELIZABETH ANTHONY, four hundred acres of land in Goochland County on Hooker Creek near south forks of James River, two young negroes, Mat and Jenny, cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture.
The rest of my estate be it of what value or quality ever, I lend to my loving wife during her natural life who I appoint my executrix, further my will and desire is that my loving grand-daughter, PENELOPE LYNCH, at the death of her grandmother, PENELOPE CLARK, my wife, that 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 the above premises.
I have sett my Hand and fixed my seal this fourteenth day of August, 1741.
CHRISTOPHER CLARK
In a Court held of Louisa County the 28th Day of May 1754, this will was proved this day in open court by Oath of Thomas Martain and affirmation of Ann Martain and admitted to record and is Recorded.
Tester, James Littlepage, Clerk
(Will Book I, 1745-1761, Louisa County, Virginia)
The Quakers were the earliest Dissenters to come to Louisa [County]. They established meetings at several points, and from the records of the meeting at Cedar Creek in Hanover, they were closely allied. The Cedar Creek Meeting contains records of the meetings on both Camp Creek and on Fork Creek as early as 1746. In 1758, the following are recorded as being part of the Camp Creek Meeting: Charles Moorman and family, Sarah Ballard, Charles Clark and family, John Moorman and family, Samuel Bunch and family, James Johnson and family, William Ballard and family, William Haley and family, Francis Clark and family, Francis Clark, Jr., and family, Charles Clarke, Jr., and family, George Taylor, and James Tate and family. Both of these Meetings had Meetings Houses. There was another Meeting under the mountains at which Christopher Clark was overseer. In lower Louisa, the following families were affiliated with the Cedar Creek Meeting: Micajah Clarke and wife Judith, Bolling and Winifred Clark, George and Cicely Bell, Richard and Elizabeth Bloxom, and Benjamin and Agnes Johnson. James Crew (who married Judith Harris) was also a member of this Meeting; however, he was put out of the Meeting because he owned slaves. His daughter Judith was also turned out for marrying outside of the Meeting (her husband was Halcolm Hart, a Presbyterian).
from History of Louisa County, Virginia, by Malcolm H. Harris, MD, p. 214
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1681 - 1754 (73 years)
