Some notes on Philmer Clarke of Warwick & York County, Virginia

LT. PHILMER2 CLARKE (JAMES1)1 was born Bet. 1775 - 17842,3, and died Bef. June 18344. He married (1) NANCY5. She was born Bet. 1785 - 17946, and died Bet. 1820 - July 18247,8. He married (2) LAVINA LEE8 Abt. July 31, 1824 in York County, Virginia8, daughter of MAJ. JOHN LEE. She died Aft. June 18349.

Notes for LT. PHILMER CLARKE:
Philmer served as a Lieutenant in Captain James Hubberd's company of the 68th Regiment Virginia Militia during the War of 1812. He was most active during the year 1814.

Philmer lived in Warwick County, Virginia before moving to York County. He owned four slaves in 1810 and six in 1820. He also had two young free blacks living with him in 1820. As a note, someone in the household that year was in manufacturing.

Philmer may have been the son of a James Clarke that served in the Revolutionary War. However his direct relationship is not stated in the following document:

York County, Virginia Order Book #12, p. 315:
"At York County Court 16 June 1834 - On the motion of Ann Thomas Ordered that it be certified That it appears to the Court from satisfactory evidence adduced that James Clarke who is reputed to have been in the War of the Revolution, died Intestate in the County of York leaving as his only heirs at Law Ann Clarke and Philmer Clarke - That Ann Clarke has since the death of the said James Clarke intermarried with a man by the name of Thomas Tommas - That Philmer Clarke is dead leaving as his Heirs John Clarke, Thomas Clarke and Clarentine Clarke who has since intermarried with Edward Hogg and Robert Clarke an Infant and that the said Philmer has also left a widow Lavenia who is now living."

More About LT. PHILMER CLARKE:
Military service: Capt. James Hubberd's Co., 68th Virginia Militia - War of 1812 10

Notes for LAVINA LEE:
Lavina was a spinster from Yorkhampton Parish when she married Philmer.

More About PHILMER CLARKE and LAVINA LEE:
Marriage: Abt. July 31, 1824, York County, Virginia11
Marriage bond: July 31, 1824, York County, Virginia11
Surety: Robert Lee11

Children of PHILMER CLARKE and NANCY are:
i. JOHN3 CLARKE12, d. Aft. June 183412.
ii. THOMAS T. CLARKE13, b. Bet. 1812 - 1813, York County, Virginia14; d. Bet. June 1850 - June 186014,15; m. (1) GEORGIANNA16; b. Bet. 1814 - 1815, Williamsburg, Virginia17; d. Aft. June 186018; m. (2) PARKEY JANE WALTHALL19, Bef. June 1850 20; b. Bet. 1824 - 1825, Farmville, Cumberland County, Virginia21,22; d. Aft. June 1870 23.

Notes for THOMAS T. CLARKE:
According to the 1850 census, Thomas and his family were living in York County, Virginia. He worked as a shoemaker and apparently had quite a business, seeing as though three additional shoemakers were living with him at that time. It is quite possible that Thomas was a master and they his apprentices.

More About THOMAS T. CLARKE:
Occupation: shoemaker24

Notes for GEORGIANNA:
Georgianna is a hard person to pin down. She and Thomas Clarke apparently divorced around 1845. I do not know what happened to her in 1850, but Georgianna was living with Somersett Moore in Williamsburg, Virginia by 1860. She owned $900 worth of real estate at that time but I am not sure where. To make matters more complicated, Somersett Moore eventually married the second wife of Georgianna's former husband!

I do not know what became of Georgianna after 1860. It appears that she and her children were not very close, opting to live with their father, and at times, Mr. Moore, instead of Georgianna.

More About GEORGIANNA:
Occupation: mantua (gown) maker25

Marriage Notes for THOMAS CLARKE and GEORGIANNA:
Thomas and Georgianna must have divorced in the mid-1840s as he remarried and she thereafter lived with a man named Somersett Moore.

More About THOMAS CLARKE and GEORGIANNA:
Divorce: Bef. June 185026

More About PARKEY JANE WALTHALL:
Occupation: tayloress27

Marriage Notes for THOMAS CLARKE and PARKEY WALTHALL:
There is a possibility that Thomas and Parkey were married in Petersburg, Virginia.

More About THOMAS CLARKE and PARKEY WALTHALL:
Marriage: Bef. June 185028

iii. CLARENTINE CLARKE29, b. Bet. 1816 - 1821, York County, Virginia30,31; d. Aft. August 187032; m. EDWARD HOGG33, Bef. June 183433; b. Bet. 1808 - 1810, York County, Virginia34,35; d. Bet. June 1860 - August 187035,36.

Notes for CLARENTINE CLARKE:
After the death of her father, Edward Hogg became Clarentine's legal guardian. I am not sure if this is the same Edward Hogg she later married. After the death of her husband, Clarentine lived in the Grafton township of York County, Virginia.

Notes for EDWARD HOGG:
Edward owned five slaves in 1840. He was unable to read or write.

More About EDWARD HOGG:
Occupation: Farmer37

More About EDWARD HOGG and CLARENTINE CLARKE:
Marriage: Bef. June 183438

iv. ROBERT W. CLARKE39,40, b. Bet. June 1817 - June 1822, Warwick or York County, Virginia40,41; d. October 10, 1853, near York County, Virginia42; m. SARAH A. BAILEY43,44, Bef. July 185045; b. Bet. February 1831 - February 1832, James City County, Virginia45,46; d. February 22, 1853, Yorktown, York County, Virginia46.

More About ROBERT W. CLARKE:
Cause of Death: Dropsey47
Occupation: Shoe and boot maker47

More About SARAH A. BAILEY:
Cause of Death: Pneumonia48

More About ROBERT CLARKE and SARAH BAILEY:
Marriage: Bef. July 185049

Endnotes

1. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
2. Filmer Clark household, 1810 census, Warwick County, Virginia, p. 193.
3. Filmer Clarke household, 1820 census, York County, Virginia, p. 160.
4. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
5. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
6. Filmer Clark household, 1810 census, Warwick County, Virginia, p. 193.
7. Filmer Clarke household, 1820 census, York County, Virginia, p. 160.
8. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
9. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
10. Pay Rolls Militia Entitled to Land Bounty Under the Act of Congress of September 28, 1850, (Richmond, 1851).
11. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
12. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
13. Clarke-Pettis marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1873, p. 33, ln. 6.
14. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
15. Parkey Jeno Clarke household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 675, ln. 9.
16. Clarke-Pettis marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1873, p. 33, ln. 6.
17. John W. Clark household, 1880 census, Henrico County, Virginia, ED 69, p. 15, ln. 40.
18. Sommersette Moore household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 656, ln. 34.
19. Moore-Clarke marriage register entry, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1862, p. 62, ln. 3.
20. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
21. Moore-Clarke marriage register entry, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1862, p. 62, ln. 3.
22. Parkey Jeno Clarke household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 675, ln. 9.
23. Somersett Moore household, 1870 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 359, ln. 19.
24. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
25. Sommersette Moore household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 656, ln. 34.
26. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
27. Parkey Jeno Clarke household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 675, ln. 9.
28. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
29. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
30. Edward Hogg household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 369.
31. Edwd Hogg household, 1860 census, York County, Virginia, p. 981.
32. Clarentine Hogg household, 1870 census, York County, Virginia, p. 557.
33. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
34. Edward Hogg household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 369.
35. Edwd Hogg household, 1860 census, York County, Virginia, p. 981.
36. Clarentine Hogg household, 1870 census, York County, Virginia, p. 557.
37. Edward Hogg household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 369.
38. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
39. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
40. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
41. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
42. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
43. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
44. Sarah Clarke death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
45. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
46. Sarah Clarke death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
47. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
48. Sarah Clarke death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
49. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.

Creed Thomas Haskins, Prudence R. Jeffries & William C. Sandys of Mecklenburg County, Virginia

Creed Thomas Haskins was born 1799 in Virginia, USA[5, 3]. His death on 29 Dec 1887 in Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA (number one district)[6]. Cause of Death was old age[6]. Burial in Warren, North Carolina, USA (Mount Auburn Christian Church cemetery, Manson)[5].

Creed was an educated and established farmer in the Spanish Grove and Palmer Springs areas of Mecklenburg County. Much of his wealth came from inheritances of his wife, Prudence R. Jeffries Sandys. Creed and Prudence were married by Elder William Richards of Bethel [Baptist] Church. Creed thereafter became the stepfather of her three young girls. Creed appears to have been admirable in that role; making certain that the girls received all they were due from the estates of their father and mother.

The Haskins family lived on 428 acres to the right of the road leading from Bethel Church toward Spanish Grove, near the intersection of modern-day Trottinridge Road and Country Way. Creed purchased this property in the mid-to-late 1830s from Asa Garner, William and Mary Richards and Miles Wagstaff, for a total of three dollars. There must have been a logical reason for the low sales price but that reason is unknown to me at this time. Creed sold this parcel to the same Miles Wagstaff in 1856 for $2,600; containing roughly 440 acres.

Around the time of his wife’s death, Creed moved to Palmer Springs, just north of the state line. He lived near his son Thomas and began attending Mount Auburn Christian United Church of Christ in Manson, North Carolina. Creed was probably one of its founding members and was one of the first burials in its cemetery. It was during this time that Creed proceeded to sell most of his personal property, including a sizable number of slaves. He lived a life of content poverty until his passing away at the age of eighty-eight.

Creed Thomas Haskins and Prudence R. Jeffries. They were married on 31 Jul 1828 in Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA[7].

Prudence R. Jeffries [1, 2]. She was born Bet. 1797–1798 in Virginia, USA[3]. She died on 26 Oct 1859 in Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA[4]. Cause of Death was dropsy of the heart[4].

It is hard to say whether Prudence was the daughter of Richard Jeffries or Burwell Russell. She was born shortly after Burwell died and around the time her mother remarried to Richard Jeffries. It is known that Prudence’s brother (or half-brother) Richard Russell was quite fond of the girl. He referred to her as his sister and even left her $1,000 in his will. Richard also served as her guardian after the death of Richard Jeffries and gave his consent when Prudence married. It is also notable that Prudence’s name is frequently given as Prudence R. Jeffries. Perhaps the “R” stood for Russell, keeping her father’s last name despite an adoption by Richard Jeffries?

Prudence grew up in the area around Spanish Grove and attended Bethel [Baptist] Church. She was baptized by Elder William Richards at a young age and he performed both of her marriage ceremonies. Religion was important to Prudence and “she had the pleasure of seeing her husband and all her children gathered into the church” before she passed away.

Prudence first married William C. Sandys but he died after a short and fruitful union. They had three daughters: Mary R. married an unknown Crowder and then Drury Major, Margarete W. married Thomas R. McDearman and Elizabeth C. married Richard Joseph Jeffries, William Holloway and Nathaniel M. Norwood.

Prudence remarried to Creed Thomas Haskins and had four children by him: John R., Lucy Catherine married William D. Gregory and Lewis Jackson Peoples, Jane M. married Cicero A. Coleman and Henry W. Burnett and Thomas Jeffress married Martha Helen Read.

Despite sizable inheritances from her deceased father, first husband and half-brother, Prudence maintained a devout and humble lifestyle. I do not believe Prudence spent any of the money she inherited. The $1,000 from the estate of her brother was still in the bank when she died…seven years later.

According to Prudence’s obituary, “she was beloved by all who knew her. She was always an active, praying Christian and enjoyed her hope more and more as she approached the grave. The day before her death she seemed to get a foretaste of heaven - her faith and hope were in lively exercise. She exhorted all her friends, and spoke of death as only going on a journey. She sung several favorite hymns, and appeared very much improved, so that her friends began to entertain hope of her recovery; but next day she breathed her last whilst sitting in her chair. She filled all the relations of life with credit, and has left an example worthy of our imitation.”

Prudence was probably buried at Bethel Church or in a family cemetery near Spanish Grove. She is not buried at Mount Auburn Church with her husband Creed as that cemetery was not established until 1880.

William C. Sandys and Prudence R. Jeffries. They were married on 02 Jul 1816 in Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA[1, 10]

William C. Sandys[1]. He was born Bet. 1775–1794[9]. He died Bet. Aug 1820–Jul 1828[7, 9].

Not much is known about William and his childhood. He may have been the son of John Sandy(s) of New Kent County. There is a deed in 1829 where William purchased the rights to a piece of land, at auction, for eighty dollars. The land was formerly occupied by a John Sandy but he had since passed away. It is possible that William’s mother was alive, living on the property, and he bought it at a debt auction from Thomas and Martha Haley, through David Shelton. Perhaps John Sandy or his wife put up their property as collateral and could not repay that debt. William thereafter bought the property to keep them from being evicted…just a theory but it seems to make sense.

William possibly served in the War of 1812 as part of the Virginia Militia’s 6th Artillery Regiment, attaining the rank of corporal. He amassed a sizable estate, owned numerous slaves and was always in the market for a good investment. In 1819 William and his wife's relative, Paul C. Jeffries, bought a lot at the corner of Mill and Market streets in the newly established town of Abbyville. I suppose they were going to start some type of business there but Paul sold out of the project a few years later. Paul also sold William his interest in the estate of his father, Richard Jeffries, including his interest in the land upon which William and Prudence were then living.

William died at a young age and rather unexpectedly, having failed to create any type of will. I have not copied his estate papers to date but that is on my list of things to do. It appears that his wife inherited most of his personal property but I am not certain about any real estate holdings. It does not appear that Prudence brought any land into her marriage with Creed Haskins. It was perhaps sold at auction for the support of her three young daughters before she and Creed were wed.

Sources

1. Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Marriage Bonds & Consent Papers, 1800-1820, N-Y, Sandys-Jeffries bond, frame 0373.
2. Local Government Records Collection, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Chancery Causes, 1783-1941 (Richmond, Virginia: The Library of Virginia), Thomas McDearman & wife v. Creed T. Haskins, etc., 1860-008.
3. Ancestry.com, 1850 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005), Database online. Regiment 22, Mecklenburg, Virginia, roll M432_960, page 119, image 237.Record for Creed T. Haskins.
4. Religious Herald (Richmond, Virginia: W. Sands, 1828-), Mrs. Prudence Haskins obituary, December 8, 1859.
5. Mount Auburn Christian Church cemetery, Drewry-Virginia Line Road, Manson, North Carolina, Creed Thomas Haskins tombstone.
6. BVS, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Deaths, 1853-96, C. T. Haskins entry, 1887, p. 1, line 40.
7. Katherine B. Elliott, Marriage Records 1811-1853, Mecklenburg County, Virginia (South Hill: Prestwould Chapter DAR, 1962), 79.
8. Mecklenburg County, Virginia, Will Book 25, 1884-1888, Creed T. Haskins will, 518-519.
9. Ancestry.com, 1820 United States Federal Census (Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004), Database online. , Mecklenburg, Virginia, roll M33_130, page 149, image 286.Record for William Sandys.
10. Vogt & Kethley, Virginia Historic Marriage Register, Mecklenburg County Marriages, 1765-1853 (Athens, Georgia: Iberian Publishing Co., 1989), 122.