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When Anthony Clarke became a young man, he moved from Martinsburg, Virginia to Danleyton, Kentucky. He was employed as a teacher at Argillite School, among others. His pay was 6 cents a scholar for six months.
While Anthony was living in Danleyton, he recieved a letter edged in black (written before stamps and envelopes were used). The letter, written by one of Anthony;s brothers, stated that their father had passed away. The letter added that their "father had such a heavenly look on t\his face that we new he had wifted on to glory".*
The Catholic family said they could not get a priest, but they'd have that taken care of later.
Marshall, Anthony's brother, move to Argillite, Kentucky for a short time. When the California Gold Rush came along, he took his family west in a covered wagon across the praries to seek his fortune in the gold fields. He stayed out west and settled there. He had one daughter, Lilly Cooper.
Anthony married Martha Callihan of Danleyton. They bought a large farm in Danleyton, where five children were born. From oldest to youngest they were: Teresa, Marion, Jum, Kelley and George.
Anthony and Martha changed the family religion from Catholic to Methodist. Anthony was alos a very talented artist and some of his works were displayed in the church where the family worshipped. One particular plaque was done in shades of blue and yelow and focused on the words saying "Come and Improve Your Time".
Martha took the five children to visit their Grandpa Charlie Callihan's farm. There was a black man who worked on Grandpa's farm and entertained the children when he wasn't busy with farm chores. Martha and the black man often reminisced about the good times they had growing up on the farm. The older children began to ask questions about the black man, Nelson Jackson, and how come he lived on grandpa's farm. Martha recounted the story for them.
When she was a little girl, her daddy needed someone to help witht he farm work. He made a trip on horseback from Danleyton to Lexington, Kentucky (approximately 120 miles). In Lexington, he went tot the slave auction and bought a boy ten or twelve years of age for $300.. All of the boys' belongings had been placed in a little trunk by hbis mother which was papered inside with newspapers and had leatrher hinges made from old shoes.** Charlie Callihan and the boy, Nelson, rode back to the farm from Lexington together, carrying the little trunk. Nelson and Martha were near the same age and became close companions. He lived with the Callihan family and was educated by them.
When Martha decided to marry Anthony Clarke, Nelson was very pleased as he liked the uoung school teacher and in years to come grew very fond of Anthony and the children.
As time moved into the 1860's, our country entered into one of its greatest tragedies, the Civil War. Kentucky tried for a time to maintain a neutral status, but because of strong emotional issues, many men were drawn into choosing sides.
Anthony trained soldiers in front of his house for war. Martha's brother, Jim Callihan, served in the Civil War and Anthony recalled seeing Jim once when he had marched until blood ran fro his shoes.
As history records, along with the victory for the Union soldiers came freedom for the slaves. Nelson was free to leave the farm and seekother work. He went to Greenup, Kentucky, a short distance from Danleyton and worked various jobs there, often seeing the family. Nelson was very distressed to learn of Anthony's death and was said to nearly have cried his eyes out.
Anthony Clarke is burried on a hill in Danleyton, Kentucky.
* This letter was in the possession of Martha Clarke for many years. The letter, among other family documents, were loaned to a niece who wanted to read them. Martha made several attempts, but was never able to recover them.
** Martha Clarke had the little trunk in her possission for many years. Its whereabouts are now unknown