The Life and War Record of William Clark submitted by PogosBill@aol.com Private in the Revolutionary War Taken from West Virginia Court Records of the counties of Augusta, Hampshire, Harrison, Randolph, Lewis and Upshur, as well as his microfilmed National Archives Revolutionary War Pension File #W-6683, Box M-804, Roll #568 Descendant Line Patricia Ruth Brand married to William Howard Colbert Thelma Grace Clark married to Norman Albert Brand Jacob William Clark married to Flota Olive Stewart Mallory Thomas Clark married to Lurana Allman Jacob Patrick Clark married to Margaret Susanna Crites William Clark married to Barbara Helmick This history was written by Patricia Ruth Brand Colbert 4537 Glenda Lane, Evans, GA 30809 His Life What little is known about William Clark's early childhood is found in his Revolutionary War Pension File where he testifies that he was "born in the state of Pennsylvania at a place called Harmony Ridge, has forgotten in what County, in the year 1760, as he was informed by his father." There is a place called Harmony Ridge, located somewhat Southeast of Pleasantville, Pennsylvania in the county of Bedford. This area was in the very early stages of settlement around 1750, mainly by Scotch Irish and Germans. It was very hostile Indian territory and many people did not stay there, choosing instead to move into the Virginia territories that would eventually be called West Virginia. This is entirely speculation as to whether or not this Harmony Ridge is where his family came from and there are no documents that support his birth year, other than his own memory. According to this same Revolutionary War record his parents moved to the South Branch of the Potomac River, in Hampshire County (West Virginia) when he was about ten years old. This area was attracting a heavy migration of Scotch-Irish, Welsh and Germans coming out of Pennsylvania and establishing small settlements up and down the rivers. While there were no dominant Indian tribes in the area, it was still subject to uprisings of small nomadic bands. This area was also being fought over by the British and the French and both often used the Indians, equipping them with weapons, which they in turn used on the settlers. There were, however, numerous forts dotting the valley along the rivers and this offered some measure of protection for the settlers. No firm evidence has been found to date as to the names of William's parents, it is assumed that they were William Clark and a woman named Margaret. A William Clark died around 1766 and his wife Margaret was the administrix of his estate. In 1768 she applied to be the guardian of a James Clark, and in 1769 she is shown as the widow of William Clark and had remarried to a John Smith. (Lyman Chakley's "Chronicles of the Scotch Irish Settlement in Virginia 1745-1800). Throughout other records pertaining to William Clark there is no mention of his parent's names, or the names of any siblings. However, the names of his children include a Margaret as well as a William, often suggesting that they were family names passed down through tradition. In the Spring of 1778, when William was about 18 years old, he was drafted to serve in the Militia of Virginia during the Revolutionary War. He was marched from Hampshire County under Cornelius Westfall to Winchester in Frederick County VA. There he joined with other troops and marched to Valley Forge on the Schuyhill River where they joined the main army under Gen. George Washington. While there, he was one of the many who became sick and unfit for service. The ill were put up in a barn that became a makeshift hospital. The army left the sick behind, and it was the Fall before he could rejoin them in New York state on the North River. During the Winter his regiment marched to Middlebrook in New Jersey where he stayed until his twelve months of service was over, although it had really been thirteen months in all. After this year of service he returned to Hampshire County, only to be called up again in September of 1781. This time he served under Capt. James Neal. He was marched to Yorktown and joined General Washington's troops for the Siege of Yorktown. On the day that Cornwallis surrendered William was serving as a sentinel on the bank of the York River . While there he stated that he often saw General Washington and General Lafayette. Once the war was over William returned to Hampshire County where he lived for several more years. He later moved to Randolph County where he met Barbara Helmick, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Helmick. They married on August 8, 1798 with Rev. Robert Marshall officiating. The first indication that they owned property is found in Randolph County, where they bought 53 acres from Rafael Hodekins. The date of that transaction was February 28, 1803. On August 27, 1810, William and Barbara purchased, for 49 pounds, 124 acres of land on both sides of the Cheat River. The land was located on the road from Tygarts Valley to the South Branch. They bought this property from Barbara's brother, Adam Helmick. In 1815 Barbara's father, Jacob Helmick, died. She is mentioned in his will along with the rest of her siblings. Abstract of the will of Jacob Helmick: Randolph County Courthouse-- Will Book #2, pg. 2 (At the time of this will this area was still known as Virginia. Now it is West Virginia) In the name of God, amen. I, Jacob Helmick of the county of Randolph, state of Virginia being in perfect memory and knowing ----ordained for all men once to die, stave thought proper ---- of all the worldly estate with which it has pleased --- ---- me with in the following manner. First, I give, bequeath and devise unto my son, Abraham Helmick that portion of the tract of land on which I now live commencing a point half way between the fords of the river and running with a straight line along past the back of the barn to the chestnut near the road, thence a straight line a --- the --- so as to divide the bottom as nearly equal as possible the river thence up the river to Thomas Phillips line -- with Phillips line to the river thence up the river to the beginning, to have and to hold him the said Abraham Helmick his heirs and assigns forever. Second--I give and bequeath to my son Adam Helmick, his heirs and assigns forever the residence of the tract of land where on I now live after deduction there from the part I have here devised to my son Abraham. Third--I give and bequeath to my sons Abraham Helmick and Adam Helmick to them there and assigns forever that tract or parcel of land containing about 40 acres lying on the opposiite side of the river from the tract of land on which I now live. Fourth--I give and bequeath to my daughter Hannah Helmick, one cow to be chosen by her from those of which I may die possessed. Also I devise to my said daughter Helmick 2 sheep to be chosen by her out of those I may died possessed. Also one spinning wheel, one reel, the third part of all my private utensils and bed and bedding now used and --- by her. Fifth--I do give and bequeath to my grandson Jesse Wilson, son of my late daughter Mary, the wife of Jacob Wilson (dec) the sum of $20.00 to be paid to the said Jesse Wilson when he shall have arrived at the age of 21 years. Sixth--I do give and bequeath to my son Abraham Helmick all the personal property not herein otherwise disposed of which I may die possessed. Seventh--I give and devise to my son John Helmick one shilling. Eighth--I give and devise to my daughters Elizabeth Westfall, wife of Cornellias Westfall and to Sarah Boser, wife of Jacob Boser, and to Molly Buffington, wife of Jonathan Buffington, and to my daughter Barbara Clarke, wife of William Clarke the sum of $1.00 each. Ninth--I give and devise to my son Jacob Helmick the sum of $1.00, it is also my desire that my sons Abraham Helmick and Adam Helmick do pay all the debts that I shall be owing and are unpaid at my decease and also all the legacies herein devised out of the estates herein bequested to them. Lastly I do here in constitute and appoint my son Abraham the Executor of this my Last Will and testament hereby revoking and disannulling all former and other wills by me. In the testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 13day of June 1815. Signed, sealed and acknowledged by the said Jacob Helmick in the presence of us. Edwin Duncan, Thomas Scott, Richard Kittle X Jacob Helmick In Oct of 1816 William and Barbara bought a tract of land in Lewis County, which at the time was considered Harrison County. By 1823 they added another 10 acres purchased from George Wetzel. The land was located on Stone Coal Creek, a branch off of the Monoghalia River. Then on September 27, 1834 they added to this property by buying two more tracts from Jacob Lorentz. The total acreage of their farm was about 110 acres with neighbors being George Wetzel, Jacob Lorentz and John Teter. Through the years William and Barbara had twelve children. Many of them continued to live in the same general area that they were raised. William and Barbara are buried in the churchyard cemetery of the Lorentz Methodist Church. The original stone markers were still there in 1973 when the writer of this history visited there. The Daughters of the American Revolution had placed a bronze marker on the gravesite to honor William's service in the war. The county is now Upshur, having been carved out of Lewis County around 1850. William was illiterate, but could sign his name. His wife, who died about 14 years after he did, was in poverty at the time of her death. During his remaining years William received a pension for his service in the war of $50.00 per year. It is believed that after his death his wife no longer received any funds and this brought great hardship on her as can be seen in this excerpt from a letter in the pension file. "Your prompt attention will very much oblige and may be a great relief to a very old infirm and indigent lady. Whose friend suspects she may have been unfairly treated." Among his pension papers is a testimony, signed by three of his neighbors, one of whom is a clergyman, that states, "he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, and the he is a man of undoubted veracity and truth and is esteemed by his neighbors." (signed by William Peterson, Abner Abbott and John Raines) The Children of William Clark and Barbara Helmick 1. John R. Clark, born Oct 25, 1799 and died Sept 9, 1885. He married Margaret Bonnett in Lewis County, April 8, 1824. 2. Margaret Clark born September 30, 1801 and died June 17, 1863. She married Thomas Roan on April 12, 1819. 3. Mary Clark born November 1, 1803 and died "unknown". She married James Jonas Smith on February 22. 1825. 4. William Clark, born November 12, 1805 and died February 14, 1869. Believed to have been married to Catherine Rowan. 5. Susannah Clark born about 1806 and married March 16, 1825 to Isaac Bozarth. 6. Rebecca Clark born January 26, 1808 and died August 9, 1883. Married Thomas Hardman on September 30, 1831. 7. Cornelias Clark born April 13, 1810 and died in 1861. He married Lucinda Young, November 11,1852. 8. Jacob Patrick Clark born November 1, 1812 and died June 11, 1862. He married Susannah MargaretCrites on November 12, 1840. 9. Robert Helmick Clark born February 13, 1815 and died February 28, 1877. He married Susannah Raines on July 31, 1834. 10. Isaac Worth Clark born January 5, 1821 and died in 1848. He married Martha Hinzman September of 1842. 11. Fauntleroy "Felt" Clark born 1822. USGenWeb Project NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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