"BELIEVED, NOT PROVEN" to be the father of Thomas Clarkston: !SOURCE: Alma Clarkston
Hobbs of Bristol Virginia, as related in telephone conversation 1 July, 1993: "Our first known Clarkston ancestor (Eliza Clarkston Witt's grandfather) had the distinction of being the first man hanged for murder in Jonesboro, NC, now Tennessee. Different newspaper accounts written at the time have given his name as George Middleton Clarkston, who was hanged on April 13, 1787, and George Clarkston, hanged on April 13, 1786. Some accounts drop the "t", and spell it Clarkson. . Again, this is a story, handed down through the generations. We don't really know what happened.) But every branch of the family that tells the story holds the same opinion: that this was not something to be ashamed of, this was a tragedy! This man was in the wrong place at the wrong time. His trial and execution was accomplished much quicker than normal for the time. When I wrote to the Wash. Co. TN Hist. Soc. for information about this event, I received a reply that began: "The poor man, he was caught in the political manuevering that was going on at that time"... between the followers of Tipton and those of Sevier. It is believed that Judge Campbell used Clarkston as an example to quash further violence that threatened Col. Tipton's life.
Some relatives think that the name of the man who was killed may have been George Middleton, and that he was the brother of Clarkston's wife (Kathryn), Clarkston's brother-in-law. The story that was passed down holds that the two men were building a cabin together in the Sequatchie Valley located between Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tennessee for their families, the plan being to move everyone into the one cabin while they built another. It is believed that they got into a heated political argument over naming the area Franklin versus North Carolina. At the time of the incident, the territory was known as the State of Franklin (named for Benjamin Franklin). People were divided into factions known as "Tiptonites", who, like Colonel Tipton, were loyal to the state of North Carolina, and others known as "Franklinites", who favored a separate state of Franklin. (yet another family theory is that the brothers-in-law may also have been arguing over the issue of slavery, which Clarkston opposed.) The argument turned to violence, and Clarkston was summarily charged with killing his brother-in-law, convicted and executed in haste - a fate that seems to have been all too commonly meted out to enemies during that politically charged time. (Remember that all accounts handed down by various branches of the family regard the event as a political tragedy, not a disgrace).
John Sevier was then governor of the territory of Franklin, and the story is that he expedited the demise of his enemies by hanging them on trumped-up charges. Relatives of Clarkston believe that he fit into this category, being opposed to slavery and given to express his views in a loud and outspoken manner.Alma Hobbs told me she had heard that a Georgia newspaper article related that two teenage sons of Clarkston witnessed the hanging. One of the boys saw his father die, went home, got his clothes and disappeared, never to return. I have not found this article.
Years later, it was told by other family members who had gone to Texas, that he had settled in Austin, Texas where he became a wealthy man. He fathered four children in Texas, but because he had never legally married their mother, they were unable to inherit his estate when he died. One of his nephews, Francis Marion, gathered signatures of his uncle's legal heirs back in Virginia in order to inherit the estate, but the time limit expired and the state of Texas took over everything.In addition to Thomas, it is believed by some descendants that George left two minor girls. At that time, minor children were sometimes removed from a mother, (it is believed that four such children were taken from the widow) believing her incapable of providing for their care. The court took the four (?) minor children from the widow and put them into different homes until they were sixteen years. Children so placed were expected to serve as indentured servants to pay for the expense of their keep.
NOTE: Check various spellings when you research this family, i.e., Claxton, Clarxton, Clarkson, Clarkxon or Crackstone....Alma Hobbs tells me there was a George Crackstone who had arrived in America a few years before. Also need to know more about the Thomas Clarkston who lived in NC during the Rev. War.From Carol Tucker, TX 1998: "Our first Clarkston ancestor is George Middleton Clarkston. In 1787 George was living in the new state of Franklin, which is now Tennessee. The area was lawless and a dangerous place to live. There were disputes about land boundaries. Men often took the law into their own hands. I have not found the circumstances of the murder. This is recorded in 1924 in the book, "History of The Lost State of Franklin", by Samuel Cole Williams, former Justice of the Court of Tennessee, pg. 138 - "George M. Clarkston was the first man legally executed" (in the state of Franklin) "He was tried for murder, found guilty and hung on April 13, 1787 (VERY swift justice?) in Jonesboro, present day Wash. Co. TN. George's wife is believed to be Catherine. They had two known sons, Thomas and John Clarkston".
It is also thought that George was a son of James Clarkston, again believed, not proven. Yet! I have found references of a Samuel Clarkston in the same areas as our Clarkstons, and would like to know how he connects. I am not speaking of Thomas Clarkston's son, Samuel, who was born about 1811. It all makes an interesting story and an intriguing theory, but we must remember that this is still speculation and nobody has yet been able to prove any of it!
Date and place of birth from website of Daniel Morris -
Also seen spelled with a "K"...Katherine...on Lee Co. VA personal tax lists.
She was listed in 1795, no males over 16 yrs, no slaves, 1 horse.
Not listed 1796-1801
in 1802, listed as Caty Clarkson, no males over 16 yrs, 1 horse.
MAY be a son of George M., based on proximity to Thomas and Catherine, they three being the only Clarkstons in early Lee Co. VA records. He was listed on land and personal property tax records for the years 1795 - 1809. He married Barbara ___before 1809. He is thought to have been born before 1775. Once again, remember that there is no absolute proof that he is, indeed, a son of George. If you know anything about this family, to prove or disprove, please contact the compiler.
1795-1809 - listed on Lee Co. VA land and personal tax lists. He was taxed each year for 100 acres of land and from 1 to 6 horses.
3. Clarkston
Once again, this is a POSSIBLE connection....based only on family tradition that this daughter's husband was the man George M. killed when he found him beating his (George) daughter. If you have proof either way, please contact compiler.
Some family members believe this was a son of George M., others believe he was George's nephew, and that George killed his father. We don't have proof either way, just the stories! Such as: John C. went to Texas ca 1820, where he received a Spanish land grant on the Colorado River (Wharton Co.) in 1824. He is the one credited with amassing a great deal of wealth, but died without a will. The entire estate was taken by the state of Texas (too bad for us!) and was said to be valued at about $400,000. I have seen no documentation, so must take this as "family lore" until proven otherwise.
Census record lists date of birth as 1798, birthplace North Carolina.
Relatives in Kentucky received the news that John C. was dead after the Civil War from a friend who is supposed to have traveled with John C. Texas when they were youths.One branch of the family believes that John C. was a son of Thomas & Nellie Feathers Clarkston. I don't know which account is accurate...maybe someday? Meanwhile, it all makes for an interesting story.