Clark of Camden County

Archibald Clark was born August 1782 in Savannah, Camden County, the son of Henry Clark (Revolutionary War Soldier) and his wife, Margaret. He attended school in Litchfield, Connecticut where he met Miss Rhoda Wadsworth, the daughter of Capt. Elijah Wadsworth (Revolutionary War Soldier) and was married 1802 in Litchfield. Rhoda was born 13 February 1784 in Litchfield, and graduated from the French Sarbonne Academy. The couple settled in Savannah where he was admitted to the bar. Afterwards they located in St. Mary's where he practiced law. During the War of 1812, Archibald Clark was First Lieutenant of a volunteer troop of dragoons in the State Militia; promoted to captain on 31 August 1812. During 1818-1821, he was Captain of the 29th District of Militia; 1828-1835 he served as Captain of the St. Marys Volunteer Guards; later appointed Major. In 1807 he was the Collector of the Port of St. Mary's. During 1833 and 1839 he served as a representative from Camden County in the State Conventions. From 1830 to 1837 he was Justice of Camden Inferior Court, and again in 1837. Capt. and Mrs. Clark are buried in the St. Marys Cemeterys (unmarked graves).

Apparent Major Clark married again. Quoting from Wiregrass of Georgia, Vol. 5, page 67:

"Maj. Clark was married a second time but descendants do not seem to be aware of a second marriage. However, Camden County estate records show that on Jan. 7, 1851, Mrs. S. B. Clark, identified as the widow of Maj. Archibald Clark, filed complaint with the court alleging that Henry E. W. Clark, the executor of the estate, was mismanging the same. Camden County 1850 Census lists S. B. Clark, a female, age 55 years, born in S. C.; the prefix 'Mrs' does not appear before her name in the census record, and the record of the Clark will was lost when the second book of wills of Camden county was burned in the 1850s; so that all efforts to determine her full name and other particulares have failed."

The children of Archibald Clark were mentioned in the LWT of Mrs. Catherine Howell, widow of John Howell of Camden Co., St. Marys, dated 30 January 1824, probated 23 July 1827, Camden Co. Niece of her husband: Eliza Ann Johnston. Nieces: Hannah McGillis Howell, Mariah Osborne Howell. Servant: Patty. To: Margaret Eliza and Louisa Maria, infant Children of my friend, Archibald Clarke of St. Marys. Executor: Archibald Clarke.

Archibald Clark died 24 December 1848.

Issue:

1. Cornelia Clark, born 1804 in Camden County, died young.
2. Lavinia Clark, born 1807 in Camden County, died young.
3. Henrietta Clark, born 1810 in Camden County, died young.
4. Henry E. W. Clark, born 1812 in Camden County, married Anna Mary Harrison on 28 May 1851.
5. Margaret Eliza Clark, born 1812 married John Hunt on 11 April 1839 in Camden County.
6. Cornelia Clark, born 1814 in Camden County, died young.
7. Archibald Clark, Jr., born 1816 in Camden County, died May 1836 while a student at Franklin College.
8. Catherine Clark, born 1816 in Camden County, died age 16.
9. Frederick G. Clark, born 1821, never married; declared insane.
10. Louisa Maria Clark, born 1825 in Camden County, married James F. King on 5 March 1850.