Person:John Clarke (149)

Additional Resources

• Mulberry Fields - A rare example of Tidewater Virginian architecture is Mulberry Fields in the Village of Valley Lee near Leonardtown. For more than 200 years the stately house has hosted friends and strangers with warm hospitality. It was owned by the Loker family for many years. Always more of a working plantation than a showplace, the two-storey brick dwelling is thought to have been built before 1767, the date found inscribed in a hall closet. It is uncertain whether the house was built by John Attaway Clarke who in a will of 1779 left the Mulberry Fields property to his wife on condition that she not break up the Avenue and little Pasture about the house he lived in. It also provided that the property should pass to William Somerville, on the remarriage or death of Mrs. Clarke.

1. ↑ Will of George Mackall Clarke, in Source needed.

   Will of George Mackall Clarke, St. Mary's County, Will 13 May 1751. Rec. 21 Jul 1753. Son: John Attaway Clarke "Piney Point" and if should die without issue by his wife Hannah, then said Hannah to enjoy aforesaid tract. Daughter: Susanna Mackall Smoot "Clarke's Range". Son: John Attaway Clarke, land on Blake Creek bought from John Tannehill. Wife: Susanna Clarke, use of plantation where I now live with several tracts purchased of Stephen Martin and Jane his wife and Robert Mason. Wife is to also have the rents of all my other lands until my youngest child arrives at age 21 or marries. Daughters: Hannah Key, Ellen Clarke, Susanna Clarke, Anne Clarke, and Sarah Clarke the plantation after the d. of my wife; all land bought from William Cavenaugh; and two tracts bought of Robert Nugent; a tract mortgaged by Andrew Bulther; a tract mortaged by William Jones at the head of St. Clement's Bay. In case of all them should die without issue then to John Attaway Clarke and Susanna Mackall. Slaves to be sold to support daughters Ellen, Susanna, Anne, and Sarah. Wit: John Reeder, Thomas Perrin, James Hardwick, James Kendrick, Phyllis Griffin, James Murrin, John Hughes, Thomas Innis.
   
   Codicil: Wife, two tracts that I bought from Robert Morgan. Wit: John Reeder, James Hardwick, Phyllis Griffin, John Hughes, James Kendrick. 6/29/1753: Came John Reeder and Ann Reeder who state that Col. George Clarke now deceased about 6/23 instant June--that about 7 weeks before his death he gave this wife Susanna Clarke verbally the following: Negro boy Dick bought of John Stanfield; John Blackistone's bond; and Capt. Gilbert Ireland's bond and furniture (listed) and gave his daughters Ann and Sarah Clarke a horse, saddle, and furniture.
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   [Identifies him as a son of George Mackall Clarke and husband to Hannah.]
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2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Will of John Attaway Clarke, in Reno, Linda. St. Mary's County, Maryland Wills, 1777-1791.

   [needs pg number]
   Will of John Attaway Clarke, SMC, 3/1/1777-12/13/1780. Wife: (Not named),
   provided she abides by my will, to have use of my dwelling plantation with
   the several tracts of land adjoining it and pt. of "Johnson's Neck" during
   her widowhood; if she lodges any claim, this bequest is void. Wife: 24
   negroes which is the number I got with her in marriage and I always said I
   would give her in case she survived me. Wife: 1/3 of my stock; use of 3
   negroes while she lives a widow; use of all household furniture and after
   her death to my nephew, William Somerville. Wife: Her choice of my
   chariots during her widowhood. Nephew: William Somerville, all the land
   devised for use by my wife; if he has no heirs to nephew George C.
   Somerville during his life and if he has no heirs to nephew, John
   Somerville; if he has no heirs to my oldest sister and to descend to the
   male heirs of my other sisters down to the youngest. For want of such heirs
   by the female heirs of the whole blood aforesaid, then to the heirs of my
   sister, Susanna Mackall Smoot. Nephew: William Somerville, all of my
   negroes and personal estate with the requirement he give my five nieces:
   Elizabeth and Susanna Smoot; Elizabeth Chesley; and Ann and Susanna Watts
   two negroes each when they arrive at age 16 or day of marriage. He is to
   have the residue of my estate. Exec.: Nephew, William Somerville. Wit:
   T. DeButts.