| Notes |
- Gilbert Clark migrated with his father in 1736, and settled on the westside of Cape Fear River. He was an elder of the Barbecue Church, built in 1765, and was a devout Presbyterian. He was a Captain in the Revolutionary War. He was an heir of his brother, Archibald Clark and was executor of Archibald's estate. His will written 7 October 1798 was probated Oct. Term 1798 in Cumberland Co., NC; and mentions his wife Ann.
Emigrated to America, settled Cross Creek, NC, 1736 Source: Converging Paths, Thelma Duty McKinney, 1972.
Information here is primarily from family Bibles and other documented sources. Information from Mrs. Flora Moore from the family Bible of Gilbert CLARK and his son Davis. The Bible was printed in 1746 in Edinburgh by Richard Watkins, his Majesties Printer.
Gilbert CLARK his memorandum (born 1723 Jura: D. 8 Oct 1798, Cumberland Co., NC Justice of the Peace, Capt. Militia, founding Elder of Barbecue Church)
My daughter Mary was born last day of January 1751/2 never married
My son Daniel was forn fourth day of February 1753, never married d. 1753
Flora b 23 Apr 1754 married John Smith II d 21, 1796
David b 23 Jun 1756 married cousin Nancy McLean d 7 Apr 1835
Ann b 23 Jun 1758 married Patrick Smith d ca 1847
Margaret b 13 Feb 1760
Alexander b 25 Feb 1762 md. cousin Marion McLean moved to Bibb Co., AL
Scots around the world: History of the Old Bluff Presbyterian Church
By Lu Hickey, Jefferson City
The Presbyterian Church in the Upper Cape Fear Valley was organized October 18, 1758, with the signing of a contract with Rev. Campbell by "Presbyterian Gentlemen" Hector (called "Bluff" Hector) McNeill, Gilbert Clark, Thomas Gibson, Alexander McAlister, Malcom Smith, Archibald McKay, John Patterson, Dushie Shaw, Neil McNeill, Archibald Buie, Angus Culbreth and John McPherson for "the sum of 100 pounds in good & lawful money of North Carolina . . . yearly." Although the call was effective from June 22, 1758, Rev. Campbell was not (legally) allowed to preach or perform marriages until January 18, 1759 when he subscribed to the required oath that he would not oppose the doctrine, discipline, and Liturgy of the Church of England. Neill McNeill (and his wife Catharine) by deed of February 18, 1761, conveyed to Hector McNeill and Alexander McAlister, members of the original Session and both residing on the east side of the Cape Fear River, "one acre of land whereon is built and erected a Meeting House as the same now stands" on the west side of the Cape Fear River near Tranthams Creek close to the home of Roger McNeill, son of Neill McNeill. Called Roger's Meeting House, this building was probably a small log structure built about 1759 and the first church building in the Upper Cape Fear Valley. Rev. Campbell served the three churches, now represented by Bluff, Longstreet, and Barbecue Presbyterian Churches, assisted in the Barbecue area from 1770 by Rev. John MacLeod, until about 1776 when, threatened about his prayers supporting the Patriot Cause, he moved to Guilford County. In 1780, Rev. Campbell returned to his home on the west bank of the Cape Fear River, where he died and was buried in a family graveyard. Bluff church still preserves two Communion Goblets with the inscription, "For the Presbyterian Congregations in Cumberland County, under the care of the Rev'd John MacLeod, Apr. 21st 1775."
Malcom Smith, Duncan Ray, and Archibald McKay, were the earliest Elders of Long-Street Church. and Gilbert Clark, Daniel Cameron, and Archibald Buie, were the earliest Elders of Barbecue Church.
Excerpts from the Buie Family Records"
"Another wave of desolation struck Jura during the Revolution of 1688 when the Presbyterians suffered religious persecutions. Gilbert Clark, returning to Jura from Ireland after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, remarked "but three smokes in a Jura could be seen". Clarks wife had been killed. He resettled in Jura and his grandson, Alexander Clark who married Flora McLean, migrated to North Carolina.
For reasons stated in the next chapter, emigration began in 1736, thus started a steady depopulation of Jura and its neighbor islands which has continued to the present day. It should be noted that the movement to America and, to a lesser extent, Canada, began a full nine years before the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion, therefore in the majority of cases the people left not because of political retribution or military defeat.
Reports from America, especially North Carolina, told of fertile land which an individual could actually own. Donald Campbell of Jura wrote to his friend Collin Shaw in North Carolina, "I find by your letter to Neill McArthur that you are in a good way of living." Mary Clark of Islay begged her father in North Carolina,"... now if you could write me and send me some way or another what would help me go over myself, my husband, and five children, as I would fain wish to go where you are if I could, and if you are so well off as what I am informed you would not miss much would you take us there." Alexander Brown of Islay wrote his cousin, Neill Brown the son of Hugh Brown and Mary Buie, "... when people come to age in this country (they) always come to poverty, which makes me willing to leave it because of my children ... we are under bondage in this part of the world." An anonymous pamphlet circulated in Islay voiced, .. ." the Highlander should seek help for refuge in some happier land, on some more hospitable shore, where freedom reigns and where, unmolested by taskmasters, they may reap the produce of their own labor and industry.
One of the first to leave Jura for North Carolina was Alexander Clark in 1736. He paid the passage of many poor immigrants, and provided them employment until the debt was repaid. A large group left the Hebrides in 1739 carrying many emigrant from Jura including Archibald Buie and also probably Daniel Buie and others. Between 1747 and 1750 Baliol of Jura ran a vessel regularly from there to Wilmington, each ship packed with Highlanders filled with hope. A ship from Jura landed in Brunswick in 1767 with fifty Scotch settlers. In 1771 a magazine reported, "upwards of 500 souls from Islay and the adjacent islands, prepare to migrate next year to Armorica. Another boat left Jura in 1774. The exodus halted during the American Revolution, but resumed at the restoration of peace. In 1792 Rev. Francis Stewart of Jura stated "Emigrations to America have proved once and again a drain to this island."
|
1722 - 1798 (76 years)
