8

6 children born to this marriage

John Rogers Clark
1788 – 1859

Bolen Clark
1790 – 1834

Simon Buford Clark
1792 – 1821

William Buford Clark
1797 – 1894

Sarah "Sallie" Clark
1800 – 1870

Themuel Clark
1802 - 1839

Jonathan had a federal pension meaning he was a veteran of either the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.

He owned a 1,000 acres of land


1820 US Federal Census
Name: Jonathan Clark
Home in 1820 : Barren, Kentucky
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Slaves - Males - Under 14: 5
Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25: 3
Slaves - Females - Under 14: 4
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 2
Slaves - Females - 26 thru 44: 2
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 8
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 2

Colonel Jonathan Clark came to Christian County as early as 1803, and was long a Justice of the Peace and Sheriff. The following extract is taken from the 'People's Press' of 1851: "Jonathan Clark was born on the 20th day of May in Bedford County, Virginia. In the year 1773 he removed to Stokes County, North Carolina. In the Spring of 1776 he volunteered as a minute man in Capt. James Shepherd's company of North Carolina militia, was elected Lieutenant, and attached to Col. Martin Armstrong's regiment. During this year he was mostly engaged in keeping in subjection Cols. Bryan and Roberts, whose loyalty induced them to raise two regiments of Tories, with whom he had several engagements on the Yadkin and Catawba Rivers, and although not in the battle of King's Mountain with Col's. Cleaveland, Campbell, and Shelby, was on duty near at hand and joined them after the battle. Lieut. Clark rendered signal service in an engagement with Col. Wright, a Tory, at the Shallow ford of the Yadkin. He was then attached to Gen. Perkin's division, and was in two skirmishes with the troops under the command of Lord Cornwallis. Before the battle of Guilford, in the year 1781, he was attached to Col. Smith's regiment of cavalry, and had several engagements with Col. Bryan, Cunningham and other Tory commanders, who mostly occupied the hills and would not give general battle, but would sally out in small parties and commit depredations upon the Whigs, requiring the united Whig force to keep them in subjection. In the year 1784 he removed to Pendleton District, S.C., and in 1803 to Christian County, KY. Here he filled the office of Justice of the Peace and became Sheriff. He was a man of sterling virtues, of more than ordinary intelligence, and for the unwavering integrity of this character and goodness of heart was held in the highest estimation by his friends and neighbors. He died at his residence on March 12, 1851, aged ninety-one years nine months and twenty days.

In 1850 he was living with his son and his family William Buford Clark, Jonathan was 91 years old and the census records say he was blind.

PROBATE RECORDS: Christian County, Kentucky Will Book N, page 656, His WILL, was written 12 Jan 1851, and was probated 5 May 1851. Heirs mentioned were sons: John R., Bolin, Simon B., William B., Lemuel and Joab, daughter Sally Goode, children of son Bolin - Simon B. & Lemuel. Executors: L.T. Brasher, & sons John R., William B., & Joab Clark, witnesses: Rice Dulin & David B. Boales


1851 Jonathan Clark’s Will, Christian County, KY

Christian County Will Book N, page 656

 

written by Jonathan Clark on 12 Jan. 1851

probated in court on 5 May 1851 following his death on 12 Mar. 1851



I Jonathan Clark of the County of Christian and State of Kentucky being of sound mind and disposing memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following

1st  I will that at my death my body be buried in a plain but decent manner and some tilted stone be placed there in order to designate the place of my burial and the ground enclosed with a neat fence or railing including the grave of my departed wife.

2nd  I will that all my just debts shall be paid out of my money or notes on hand if sufficient and if not the balance to be paid by the sale of such of my perishable property as my executor may deem best.

 3rd  I have heretofore given by way of advancement to my sons John R. Clark, Bolin Clair, Simeon B. Clark and William B. Clark and Themuel Clark one thousand dollars each in negroes and other property so as to make them equal or nearly so. and also have given to and expended an equal or greater amount on account of my daughter Sally Goode.

4th  I will that my executor sell upon a reasonable credit my tract of land lying in Scott County Missouri.

 5th  I will that my executors have three commissioners appointed by the county court to fix a fair value upon all my negroes and if my executors choose to take the same at such valuation do so otherwise if practible to be divided amongst my heirs to wit John R. Clark and the children of Bolin Clark Simeon B Clark and Themuel Clark.

 6th  I will that my son William B. Clark shall have Hannah and her children at such a valuation as said commissioners may put upon them but if he should choose not to take them they shall be subject to the 5th section of this will and be participate in its general provision.

 7th  I will that in case my negroes are not divided according to the provision of the 5th section hereof that my executors sell them to the highest bidder to some person or persons resident in the county and the process equally divided with my sons John R. Clark and the children of Simeon B. Clark, Bolin Clark and Themuel Clark allowing to the children of Simeon one share and the children of Bolin one share and the children of Themuel one share so as to make each family of children named an equal heir with my sons Bolin R. Clark and William B. Clark in my entire negro property.

 8th  I will that my executors sell all  my perishable property upon such terms as they may deem best and after giving to my daughter Sally Goode eight hundred dollars to divide the balance of my entire estate equally between my sons John R. Clark and William B. Clark, and also giving the children of Simeon B. Clark one share and the children of Bolin Clark one share and the children of Themuel Clark one share to be equally divided between them.

 9th  I have provided above for the distribution and application of my entire estate except the tract of land upon which I now live and long have lived containing 320 acres.  This land together with all its appertinances I will to my son William B. Clark and his heirs forever in consideration of the services of himself and wife rendered to me in my extreme old age.

 10th  I will and appoint that my sons John R. Clark and William B. Clark, Joab Clark and L. T. Brasher to execute this my last will and testament and I request that the County Court may permit them to do so without requiring them to give security and desire them or any two of them at my death to make a just and true inventory of all my perishable estate hereby revoking all former wills and declaring this to be my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal.  Tis the twelfth day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty one.

 Jonathan Clark

 Signed sealed and acknowledged before us and in presence of each other.  Rice Dulin, David S. Boales