Conquest of the country northwest of the river Ohio, 1778-1783; and life of Gen. George Rogers Clark. Over one hundred and twenty-five illustrations. With numerous sketches of men who served under Clark ..

Front matter

b

Caviicll ^hiivfvsitir Xifetain

BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME: FROM THE

Preface

In collecting historical matter for a history of Indiana, which the author has been preparing for many years, his material has grown so voluminous on the subjects embraced in these volumes that the best use to make of it has been a grave question. After consultation with discreet and well-informed judges, it has been determined to publish now in a convenient form the matter in relation to the conquest of the country northwest of the river Ohio and this necessarilv includes the life of George Rogers Clark, who successfulh' planned and executed the campaigns against the British posts. This plan will probably be found more satisfactory to the general public than any other disposition that could be made of the material.

Much of this matter has never before been published, and it is hoped will be found interesting, and worthy of being perpetuated. To that end numerous historical letters, papers, etc., are reproduced in fac-simile, or otherwise.

lO PREFACE.

The author, born and brought up on the borders of Clark's Grant, of a famih' which furnished Clark three officers in his campaigns against the British, and was allied to his family in early times by marriage, naturally felt an interest in the great historic eyents of Clark's life, and particularly in those remarkable campaigns against the British posts at Kaskaskia and Vincennes, which were so intimately connected with the history of Indiana, and added an empire to the boundaries of the United States.

This interest, beginning in early life, never abated, but finally assumed the form of collecting all available information in relation to the occurrences themselves, and the lives of the men who participated in them, especially of their great leader.

The information was sought, at first, without any fixed intention of publication, but investigation satisfied the author that no account of the life of General Clark, and of the great events with which he was connected, had as ^^etbeen published as full as the importance of the subject demanded. This view he found was also entertained by Judge Law, James Parton, Senator Daniel of Virginia, and many others of superior judgment, who had also investigated the subject.

The author, therefore, after waiting many years in expectation that the field would be fully occupied, and finding yet a vacancy and himself in possession of a large amount of unpublished material, determined upon the publication of the present volumes under the circumstances already stated.

PREFACE. I 1 lie has earnestly endeavored to make it a full and fair history, and trusts that he has brouo;ht much that was meaner and fragmentary into a more compact and desirable form, besides adding to the aggregate of information heretofore published upon the subject.

If he has succeeded in doing this he has accomplished all he desired, and will feel rewarded for much labor devoted to it at an advanced period of life, when time had become precious, and its value understood and appreciated.

He remembers, with gratitude, the aid and encouragement generously extended to him in his researches by numerous friends, and particular!}^ by members of the Clark and Bowman families.

Thanks are especially due Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson K. Clark of St. Louis, the former being the son of Governor William Clark, George Rogers Clark's youngest brother and of the celebrated Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific ocean, under the auspices of President Jefferson; to Governor Clark's grandsons, William Hancock Clark of Detroit, and Meriwether Lewis Clark of Kentucky ; to R. C. Ballard Thruston of Louisville, a descendant of George Rogers Clark's sister Frances; to Mr. and Mrs. August F. Rodgers of California, the latter being a descendant of General Clark's sister, Mrs. Lucy Croghan ; also to numerous descendants of his eldest brother General Jonathan Clark, who was himself a distinguished officer of the Revolution, and whose wife was of the same family as the author.

12 PREFACE.

Of the Bowman family thanks are especially due to Mrs. Eleanor B. Bowman of Strasburg, Virginia, widow of Isaac S. Bowman, son of Lieutenant Isaac Bowman of L'lark's Command ; and to Mrs. Mary D. Bowman of Harrodsburg, Kentuck}', whose husband. Prof. John B. Bowman, long and honorably connected with the University of Kentucky, spent many years in collecting historical information of his ancestors of the Revolutionary period, but, unfortunately, died without placing his material in form for publication.

In fact the aid and encourao'ement extended to the author

o

by representative members of the Clark and Bowman families have been so cordial and useful in furnishing historical information and material, as to make him feel that the work, in a ineasure, has been prepared under their auspices.

A fair exhibit of the spirit manifested by all will be found in the case of Jefferson K. Clark of St. Louis, the senior representative of the Clark family, who gave the author not only the use of the very large and valuable collection of famil}^ historical papers in his possession, but gave him also a letter of general authority to use all Clark historical papers wherever found. A similar letter was received from Mr. Temple Bodly of Louisville, a representative of the Jonathan Clark branch of the famil}^, who also gave unrestricted use of his very large collection of historic material.

Much valuable material was also furnished by Colonel Reuben T. Durrett of Louisville, whose information about western history is unsurpassed, and his willingness to oblige proverbial.

PREFACE.

The writer is also indebted to the Iloiiorable llenr^' S. Cauthorn, Rew Edni. |. P. Scliinitt, J.A\ Southall, Esq., and to many others, \\ ho are e^enerally mentioned in appropriate eonneetion in tlie bod\' of the \\'ork ; and to all, whether mentione-d or not, he feels truly grateful, and tenders his j^rofound aekno\\'ledgments.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Vol. 1.

Page.

Westward the CfURSE of Empire Takes its Way — States Created

FROM the Old Northwest Territory (Fi-ontispiece, Vol. 1 2

Signature of the Autiior 13

Portrait of the Author 1.]

I LLUSTRATK ».VS ( luilf title ) 1 .')

Rogers' Coat of Arms yo

Fac-simile of George RoGEit^s (.'lark's Letter to His Fathek in 17.S0.... 3,s

The Old Clark Residence at ^Mulberry IIill, Ky 43

Old Spring-house at ^Iulberry Hill 44

Signature of John Clark .■>2

Signature of Ann Clark 52

Fac-simile of letter of President Thomas Jefferson to Clark o7

Portrait of (toverxoe Patrick Henry 73

Portrait of (tovernor Thomas Jefferson SS

Portrait of ( t E( > kg e ^Iasi in 8'.)

Portrait (»f ( Ieor<;e Wythe 90

SltiNATURE OF ThoMAS JeFFERSON 91

Fac-simile of (Joveiinor Henry's Letter of Lnstructions to Clark 9(1

Skjnature of Juix.e John Law 100

Portrait of JuixiE John Law 100

Fac-simile of letter of <iEoi;<.E Wythe, Ceor(.e !\[ason and Thomas

Jefferson to <teorge Rih.kks Clark 9^

Fac-simile of Ce[;tificate of Death of Joseph Bowman ^0'.)

Skjnature of ^Iary Bowman Ill

Sk; NATURE of < iEoRGE Bo^VMAN Ill

Signature OF Jost Hite Ill

2 (17)

iS ILIA'S'rRA'ilONS.

Pa<^e.

(tt i:<i I :( . E r>i ) \VM A N ' S R KS in E N ( ' E H*^^

Fac-SIMII.E of PaTKNT of KiN(; (il50RGE II FOR BoWMAX LaXD H'"^

The out rxiwM \n ^Iill on this Land I-l

Corn Inland in 17SS 136

Si.iiNATi'RE OF John ^Iont(,omi:ry I-""^

SlCNATURE OF KlIZABETH B. RuDDELL 1-^3

SlONATl'RE OF Is \Ar RUDDELI ^'^'>

ShiNATURE OF James Patton 1"^''

Sii, NATURE oi- Richard Ciienowitii H'

( ) LD Fort ( ' II ENOW ith 1 ^"^

Clark's Arm')' Passin(; ovei^ the Ohio Falls 1<'>1

Capture of Rochblvve, the British Commandant at Kaskaskia 174

Portrait of Simon Kenton 'i~^

Si(;natire (»f Simon Kenton 17'>

Portrait of Father (tibault IS.'J

Signature OF Father Du.iannay 18-")

Signature of Father ^Ieurin IS.")

Si(;n\ture of Father Peveiinai 187

Bowman's Line of ^NIarcii from Kaskaskia to Catiokia Pl4

Signature of Father (Jirault l*.il>

Clark in Coln< il with Indians i?r).S

Portrait oi' Francis Yigo 2f>7

Fac-similk of Note Executed by Francis Vi(iO 274

Departure of "The "Willing" from Kaskaskia 2sl

SniNATURE AND WrITIXo OF JoHN ROGERS 283

< )FF FOR ViNCFNXES FEBRUARY, 1779 2S()

Father Ciisault Blessing Clark's Troops 287

]\Iap Showin(; Route of Clark's ^[arches 290

^Iap OF Routk Through the ( >ver-flowel> Lands 313

Crossixg the <!reat Waters 2'.)'-)

Clark Enterinc; the Water — Big Sergeant and Drummer Boy 300

Fort S \( kville 319

Old St. Xavier's Church 321

Portrait of Eliiiu Stout 322

SiGNATURi-: OF Eliiiu Stout 322

Approach io the Fort Tiirou<;h A'incenni> 323

Night Attack on Fort Sack\ ille, February 23, 177!> 331

ILIA STRAllOXS. K;

Vu.K.

Fao-81mile i>F Letter OF (^(^vKUXdU Hamilton T(i Colonel Tlvrk Proposing A Truce for Three Days 3o7

Fac-simile of Colonel Clark's Reply 3.SS

Fac-simile of Major Joseph Doaymax's Commission 8.">1

Sicxature of Francis Bosseron :>■)(;

Signature OF J. ]M. V. Legrace..... 3">7

Diagram of Ground Around St. Xayier's Church 376

Capture of British Boats on the Wabash — Eeturn of the Victors 3")'.)

Sword Presented General Clark by the State of Virginia 40o

Contente o( Cbaptere

CONTENTS OF CHAPTERS.

Vol. I.

Chapter I. History Of The Conc^uest Of Thl£ Cotntry Northwest

OF THE OHIO NECESSARILY INCLUDES THE LIFE

OF GENERAL GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.

Account of his ancestors — Traditional onl\-, back of hi^ grandparents — Sketch of his grandparents — \\'ill of his paternal grandfatlicr — Sketch of hi'^ father and mother — Their removal from King and Q^ieen county to Albemarle — Homestead on the Rivanna river where George Ro-jcrs Clark was liorn — Rcm()\'e to Caroline county — Sons enter the arm \ — George R.and Richard go West — Fac-simile of letter from the former to his father — Parents removed to Kentucky in 17S4 — Tlie old homestead at Mulberry Hill, wliere they settled, died and Avere buried — The father'>. will — Facsimile of the father >. and mother's signatures -9~5-

CHAPTER n.

EARLY HOME AND BOYHOOD DAYS OF GEORGE

ROGERS CLARK.

Doubtful traditions — Life-long friendship between him and Thomas JeTerson — Fac-simile of letter from Jefferson to Clark — Education of latter limited — Most proficient in mathematics — Engages in practical surveying in the upper Ohio valley — I lis settlement and adventures there — Serves in Dunmore's war — Visits Kentucky — His experiences there — Returns to \'irginia as a representative of the Kentucky people — Urges their needs upon the Governor and legislature — Secures a much-needed supply of gunpowder — Adventures conveying the powder to its destination — Successful termination of his mission, and return to Kentucky 53-So

24 CONTEXTS OF CHAPTERS.

Chapter III. From The Delivery Of The Gunpowder In Kentucky

IN THE WINTER OF 1776-7, TO THE AUTHORIZATION OF

THE ILLINOIS CAMPAIGN, J AN CAR Y 2, 177S.

Upon his return to Kentucky-, Colonel Clark formulates plans for a campaign against the Britis^h posts northwest of the Ohio — Sends spies to ascertain their condition — Is a party to several adventui'es in Kentuck\ A favorite with the people and placed in military command — Visits Virginia to obtain approval and aid of the state for an expedition against the British posts — Lays his plans before Governor Patrick Henry — Thegovcrnor consults his executive council and Jefferson, Wythe and Mason — Sketches of Wythe and Mason — Order for the campaign issued — Deceptive public instructions issued to Clark — Fac-simile of the governor's private instructions — Also fac-simile of letter of Jefferson, Wythe and Mason S1-104

Chapter IV

FROM THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE ILLINOIS CAMPAIGN TO THE ARRIVAL AT THE FALLS OF THE OHIO.

Colonel Clark gratified at the approval of his plans — Is clothed with all the authority he wished — Receives £1,200, with order for ammunition and military stores — Advances £150 to Major William Smith to recruit troops on the Holston — Only a few obtained from that source — Secures services of Captains Helm and Bowman — Their companies reach Red Stone early in February, 1778 — Sketch of Captain Helm — Sketch of the Bowmans — Interference with recruiting — Secures services of Captain William Harrod — Sketch of Harrod — Colonel Clark's officers and men mainly natives of Virginia — The expedition exclusively a Virginia enterprise — Departure from Red Stone early in May with only one-third the troops expected^Events of the voyage — Successfully avoids surprise and interference with his plans^-Stops at mouth of Kentucky river — Meditates establishing a post there — Finally decides falls of Ohio a better locality for it — Moves forward to that place — Greatly disappointed in not being joined by tlic additional troops expected 105-130

COxM'PENTS OF CHAPTERS.

Chapter V. At The Falls Of The Ohio

Colonel Clark selects Corn Island for his camping ground and depot of supplies—Reasons for the selection— Description of the island— Joined bv Montgomery's company— Sketch of Montgomery— DiUard's company declines to serve — Some depart without leave — Probable reasons for so doing— Number of Clark's force— Sketches of persons left on Corn Island— A crisis in Clark's undertaking from lack of men — Determines to brave it all and depart at once on the expedition against the British posts 131-15^

Chapter VI. From Corn Island To The Capture Of Kaskaskia

Time of the departure of the expedition announced — Effect of the announcement— Character of the troops — Exciting scenes of the departure — \"oyage down the Ohio — Land on an island at the mouth of the Tennessee — ^Joined bv a party of hunters — March across the country towards Kaskaskia — Unjust distrust of the new-found hunter-guide — Suffer for food — Capture Kaskaskia by surprise — Description of the place, and events connected with the capture— Rochblave, the commandant, a prisoner — Conduct of Rochblave and wife — Alleged incidents connected with taking the fort, and Colonel Clark and Simon Kenton's connection therewith — Sketch of Kenton i:;7-iS!)

CHAPTER Vn.

FROM THE CAPTURE OF KASKASKIA TO THE VIN-

CENNES CAMPAIGN.

Clark's policy towards inhabitants of Kaskaskia — His own account of his intercourse with them — Meets Father Gibault — Sketch of this patriot priest — Services he rendered the Americans — Captain Joseph Bowman captures Cahokia and other villages — His account of the expedition — Description of the villages — Father Gibault sent to Vincennes in American interest — Secures allegiance of that people to American cause — Captain Helm placed in civil command there and Captain Williams of the military — Colonel William Linn sent with party to Corn Island — That post removed to main land —

26 COXIEXTS OF C HAPTERS.

Cciptain Monti^omerv sci.t to \'iri;inia with prisoners and dispatches — Captain Helm's adventures with Indians — Clark's superior skill in managing them — He visits Cahokia — Sends out spies — Recei\es vague intbrmation of forward moxement ot' enemy from Detroit — His dangerous adventure at Prairie du Rocher — Returns to Kaskaskia — Finds great alarm there at rumored approach of the enem \- — Sends for Bowman's company, and resorts to heroic remedies — News arrives of the capture of Vincennes by the British.

Chapter VIII. Lieutenant-governor Hamilton's Campaign

AGAINST VINCENNES.

Hamilton an instigator of Indian raids against American frontiers — Contrast between Clark and Hamilton as to employing Indians — Nev\^s of Clark's invasion received at Detroit — Campaign to regain possession determined upon — Forces to be used mainly Indians — Departure of expedition — Hamilton defends character of Indians, but assails the French — Incidents of the journev — Americans taken bv surprise — Surrender to vastly superior numbers — Ludi crous incidents connected therewith — Detachments of British and Indians sent to other points — Hamilton praises the sobriety and good conduct of his Indians — Little apparent reason for the claim — Drinking common at that period — Liquor part of army supplies — Charge that Clark was at this time a hard drinker refuted — Hamilton requires inhabitants of Vincennes to take oath of alleiriance to the British — Greatlv strengthens the fort — Sends de tachment to mouth of Wabash — Makes extensive plans to drive off the Americans, and attack their frontiers in the spring — Relies upon inclemencv of season, and remoteness of American forces, and settles down at Vincennes tor the winter in fancied securitv 211^-242

Chapter IX. Virginia Hears The News Of Clark's Success And

TAKES ACTION THEREON.

Commandant Rochblave sent a prisoner to V^irginia — News of the capture of the Illinois country joyt"ully receised — The governor communicates it to the delegates in congress — \'irginia legislature returns thanks to Clark and his soldiers — Also passes a law organizing the county of Illinois — And another to raise five hundred additional soldiers for service there — ^John Todd ap-

CON! EN'IS Ol'^ CHAPTERS. 2"]

pointed lieutenant-coniniandant ami inslincU'ci t)v Gtmrnor Ilenrv as to liis duties — Important letters iVoin the governor to Colonel Clark — Letter from Clark to the i;o\(.rnor ^.^e^eribin^ his desperate situation and foreshadowing his intention to attempt the eapturc of llamillon and \'ineennes J43-264

Chapter X

PREPARING FOR THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HAMILTON— THE DEPARTURE FROM KASKASKIA AND MARCH

TO \'1NCENNES.

Difficulties of Colonel Clark's situation — Prepares to march against the British at \'incennes — Great assistance rendered by Francis \'igo — Sketch of \iL;o — \'isit to his gra\e — Not properly compensated by government for his services and losses — He secures important information of the strength of the British at Vincennes — Captains Bowman's and McCarty's companies join Clark at Kaskaskia — Sketch of Captains McCartv, Williams, Charle\ille and Rogers — The latter moves forward by water with part of Clark's force — Clark marches by land — Troops blessed by Father Gibault and cheered on by French inhabitant-- — Details of march from Kaskaskia to ^'incennes — Incidents of remarkable passage acrt^ss overflowed bottoms of Big and Little Wabash rivers — Reaches \'incennes at last, is well received h\ French citizens, and proceeds at once to attack the British in Fort Sackville 2(^^--!^\6

Chapter XI. Capture Of Fort Sackville And Vincennes

Sketch of Lieutenant John Bailey — Attack of Fort Sackville — Sketch of the tort — St. Xavier's Church — French citizens furnish Americans much needed ammunition — Indian assistance declined by Clark — Firing on fort continued during the night — Detachment of British allowed to get in the fort — Some British and Indians captured on the outside — British roughh' handled, and Indians killed — Hamilton's account of it — Clark's letter demanding surrender of ihe fort — Hamilton's reply — Proposes three days' truce, which Clark declines — Thev finally meet for conference at St. Xavier's Church — Full details of that meeting — Some bloody incidents — They probabl\' hasten the surrender of the fort — Terms of capitulation finall\' agreed upon — Fort surrendered to the Americans — Messenger arrives from Virginia with important papers — Including commission of colonel for Lieutenant-Colonel Clark and major for Captain Bowman — Fac-siinile of Bowman's commi^-Nion 3i7-j;52

28 COXTKX'IS OF CHAPTERS.

Chapter XII. Important Events On The Wabash, February, 1779

Expedition up the river from \'incennes — Capture of seven Brilisli boats, forty men, and valuable propert\ — Importance of the event — Rejoicing;' of American and French inhabitants on return of the successful expedition — Sketches of Francis Bosseron and J. M. P Leijjrace — Campaign against Detroit contemplated by Clark — Postponed for a time — Releases part of his prisoners — Forwards others to \'irginia — Captain George's compan\' arrixes at Kaskaskia — Sketch of Captain Geor-e — Clark divides his troops between Vinccnnes, Kaskaskia and Cahokia — Assigns officers to their respective positions — Goes himself with thirtv men to Kaskaskia — Punishes Delaware Indians — Contemplated June expedition against Detroit abandoned from lack of nun — Clark returns to Vincennes — Issues general order in relation to disposition of his troops — Death of Major Bowman, and matters relating to him — Colonel Clark returns to the falls of the Ohio, and makes that his headquarters, "as the most convenient spot to have an eye over the whole" 353~37S

Chapter XIII. Killing Of Colonel Clark's Messenger And Capture

OF niPORTANT PAPERS.

Official report to governor of ^'irginia, and other important papers sent by the messenger — Instructions gi\en him by Colonel Clark — Is killed by a part\- of Huron Indians near the falls of the Ohio — Captured papers supposed to be in Canadian archives — Copies of part of them there — Copies reproduced here — Colonel Clark's letter to speaker Virginia house of delegates — Clark's report of the Vincennes campaign sent the governc^r — On learning loss of this communication Colonel Clark forw^ards duplicate report to Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson — This letter in full— Also captured letter of Major Bowman to Governor Patrick Henry— Rejoicing over capture of Vincennes— \Mrginia presents Clark with an elegant sword 379-404

Chapter I. History Of The Conquest Of The Country Northwest

OF THE OHIO NECESSARILY INCLUDES THE LIFE

OF GENERAL GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.

Account of his ancestors — Traditional onlv, back of liis grandparents — Sketch of his grandparents, — Will of his paternal grandfather — Sketch of his father and mother — Their removal from King and Qi^ieen county to Albemarle — Homestead on the Rivanna river where George Roarers Clark was born — Remove to Caroline county — Sons enter the army — George R. and Richard go West — Fac-simile of letter from the fornier to his father — Parcnlb removed to Kentucky in 17S4 — The old homestead at Mulberry Hill, where they settled, died and were buried — The father's will — Fuc-simile of the father's and mother's, signatures.

f HE great central figure in the conquest from the British of the country northwest of the river Ohio durins: the Revolutionary War was General George Rogers Clark, and any full account of that important and farreachino- event is necessarily an account of the most material part of his life. He was but twenty-tive 3'ears old when he successfully laid his plans before the governor of Viro-inia for the reduction of the British posts beyond the Ohio, and what is known of his ancestry and life up to that time can soon be related.

The history of the remote ancestry of George Rogers Clark on the father's side is meager, vague and unsatisfactory. Back of his grandfather is only tradition; but this

Trv^nnTwt

30 ANCESTORS OF GEORGE ROGERS CL.VRK.

tradition seems clear and positive that his paternal ancestor, who first came to this countr}', emigrated from England, and that his name was John. From what part of England this John Clark came, or who were his ancestors, there is no reliable information. Tradition has it that he settled on the James river, in Mrginia, and became a planter; that either on the vessel coming over, or soon after his arrival, he met, and fell in love with, a Scotch girl, who became his wife, and that she was ''a red-haired beautv/' The prevalence of reddish hair in the Clark famil}^ is probably traceable to this lady. There is uncertainty as to the date of this emigration and as to the history of the family for some time afterwards. The date has been vaguely mentioned as '^about 1620 or 1630."

It is known that John and Jonathan Clark, descendants of John, the emigrant, and ''the red-haired Scotch lady,'' were living in Drysdale parish. King and Queen count}', Virginia, before 17^5, as this Jonathan married there in that 3'ear. If the date of the emigration mentioned is correct, it would seem conclusive that these were the grandsons, and not, as some have supposed, the sons of John, the emio^rant, but there is no certaintv that the date mentioned is correct; besides the name of John has been in every generation of this Clark familv, and in consequence it is difficult to trace the John branch in very early times. Jonathan was also a favorite name in the early da^'s.

But beginning now with the John and Jonathan of Drysdale, we pass out of the domain of tradition, and can trace their history with a reasonable degree of certainty. This is especiall}' true of Jonathan, who was the grandfather of

ANCESTORS OF GEORGI-: ROGERS CLARK. 3 1

George Rogers Clark. Less is known of his brother John, but it is said he died, unmarried, in Carohne count}', \"irginia, in 1757, leaving his estate to his brother Jonathan's son John, who was the father of Georo-e Roo-ers Chirk. As this last named John moved to Caroline count}' in the same year his Uncle John died there, as will be shown further on, it may be that he moved to look after the estate which his uncle had bequeathed to him.

As alreadv stated, Jonathan Clark was married in Kinoand Queen counts', \^irginia, in 1725. He died there in 1734, leaving a widow, four ver^- young children, and a considerable estate. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Wilson. She was of Quaker parentage, and said to have been a remote descendant of the celebrated martyr, John Rogers. The children were named John, Ann, Benjamin and Elizabeth, as will be seen by the following copv of their father s will, which was recorded in the county where he died, as show^n by Mr. SouthalTs statement a few pages further on:*"

Will of Jonathan Clark, the Gr.vndfather of

George Rogers Clark.

In the name of God, amen. The ninth day of April, in the vear of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and thirtv-four, I, Jonathan Clark, of Drysdale parish, in King and Queen county, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memor}-, thanks be to God, and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is

*The will or a copy is also in the Draper collection of historic papers in the Wisconsin Historical Society.

;^2 AXe'ESTORS OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARK.

appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and form following; that is to say principally, and first of all, I give my soul to God, trusting that through mercy and the merits of Jesus Christ, my Savior, to receive full pardon for all my sins in this life committed and be received into eternal bliss, and ni}- body to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors, hereafter mentioned, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me, I give and dispose of in manner and form following: It. It is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral charges be first paid out of my personal estate. It. It is my will and desire that my lovingwife, Eliz'h Clark, shall have the use and benefit of the land and plantation whereon I now live, during her natural life. It. 1 give and bequeath unto my tw^o sons, John Clark and Benjamin Clark, all that land whereon I now live, to be equally divided between them, after their mother's death, to them and to their heirs and assigns forever. It. I give and bequeath unto my aforesaid two sons, John Clark and Benjamin Clark, all that tract or parcel of land whereon my mother now liveth, to be equally divided between them and to their heirs and assio'ns forever. It. I give and bequeath likewise unto my aforesaid two sons, John L'lark and Benj. Clark, and to their heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land which I lately took up in Goochland county, on James river, to be equall}^ divided between them. It. I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Elizabeth Clark, the one-third part of all my personal estate and negroes. It. I give and bequeath all the residue

AxNCESTORS OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARK. 33 of my personal estate and negroes to be divided among my four children, John Clark, Ann Clark, Benjamin Clark and Elizabeth Clark, so that my two daughters may have twenty shillings apiece more than ni}- two sons; and, I do hereby appoint my loving wife, Eliza Clark, and my loving friend, John Rogers, executors of this m^' last will and testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all former wills by me made.

In witness w^hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the day and year first above written.

his

Jonathan J Clark, [l. s.]

mark

The will seems to have been "^signed, sealed, published and declared b}- the said Jonathan Clark, to be his last will and testament, in presence of" William Bennet, Richard Jones and Samuel Bill, who proved the same in the court of King and Queen county, June 24, 1734.

In view of the general intelligence of the Clark famih\ and the fact that Jonathan Clark seems to have accumulated a handsome estate, it ma}^ appear strange that he made his mark instead of writing his name to his will; but the explanation probably is that at the time of executing the will he was paralyzed, or in such physical condition as to be unable to write his name. If this be so it is a remarkable coincidence that exactly the same thing happened in the case of his great-grandson, George Rogers Clark, whose will was signed by his mark, he being paralyzed at the time it was executed, and unable to write his name, on account of which important litigation ensued, as will be fully shown before the conclusion of this work.

One of the dauo^hters of this Jonathan Clark is said to have married Torquil ^IcLeod, probably a countryman of her o^randmother. Of the other dauo-hter the author has no information. All the children were probably born in King and Queen county, Virginia. Benjamin was born there in 1730. His wife was Elizabeth Lee. They finally settled in Lunenburg county, in that state, and he died in the seyenty-tifth 3'ear of his age. He M^as remarkable in being the father of thirty-one children — two daughters and twenty-nine sons. Seven of these children, however, died in infancy. We can only say here, of those who survived, that two of the sons, William and Marston Greene, removed west and became prominent in early Indiana history, as will be shown later on. The children, however, may not all have been of one mother.