Alexander Barclay’s Heirs – the 2nd family: Mary Barclay Clark

Mary Barclay is a sister to Alexander Barclay and therefore one of his heirs.  She was born to John and Ellen Barclay about 1864 in Eagle Creek, Scott County, Minnesota.

Mary was present in the 1865 Minnesota State Census, the 1870 U.S. Federal, and the 1875 Minnesota State census, but she disappears from the census for John and Ellen Barclay by 1880.

Deer Lodge, Carbon and Yellowstone. Silver Bow Counties

At the time of John Barclay’s death in 1897, she is listed in his obituary notice as living in Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana.  Her last name is not given.

On 10 January, 1899 we find a marriage in Butte, Montana for a Mary and we find out that she had been married before and is now divorced.  In 1880 she would have been 16 so maybe she married before the census was enumerated and left home.  It is also interesting that she writes her mother’s maiden name as Iverson.

Marriage of Charles B. Clark, white, age 42, born at Henderson, Sibley Co., Minnesota, residing at Butte, son of John A. Clark and Sarah Clark maiden name Butler, not previously married. To Mary Barclay white age 34 years, born Shakopee, Scott Co., Minnesota, daughter of John Barclay and Ellen Barclay maiden name Iverson, who has been previously married but who is now legally divorced, date of marriage 10 Jan, 1899 signed by Clinton C. Clark Clerk and Frank M. Sullivan Deputy Clerk.

Source:  State of Montana, Charles Clark to Mary Barclay, 10 January, 1899 in Butte, Montana #5142.

We find Mary and Charles Clark living in Carbon County, Montana.  You will notice that the middle initial is B in the following census. 

Line 1, 1/1 Clark, Charles B., Head, w, male, Aug. 1856, 42 yrs, married 4 years. Born in Minnesota, father born in Ohio, mother born in Ohio, farmer, owns, speaks, write, talks English, farm, no. 1 on schedule. Mary B., wife, white, female, born Jan 1864, 36? yrs., married 4 years, 0 children, born in Minnesota, father and mother born in Scotland, can read, write and speak English. Henry Fisher, servant, white, male, Oct 1876, 23, Single, born in Ohio, father and mother born in Germany, farm labor, speaks, write and reads English.

Source: 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Rens Twp., Carbon Co., Montana. SD?, ED7, Sht#1. 

Mary and Charles Clark have migrated to Billings, Montana by the 1910 census and they now have a daughter named Ruth.

Line 38, 303/29/31, Clark, Charles B., head, male, white, [43], married eleven years, born in Minnesota, parents in Ohio, Speaks English, occupation Stockman, cattle/sheep, read/writes (cannot make out the rest). Mary B., wife, female, white, 42 years old, married 11 years, 1 child born, one living, born in Minnesota, father and mother born in Scotland, Speaks English, no occupation, writes and reads. Ruth, daughter, female, white, 12-15 years old, single, born in Montana, speaks, reads and writes English.

Source: 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana, SD#2, ED#246, Sht 7A. 

In the 1920 census Charles and Mary Clark are still residing in Billings, Montana and they are alone.

Line 29, 60, 92, Clark Charles B, Head, O, M, M, W, 62, M, born Minnesota, father born Ohio, mother born Ohio, Farmer, retired. Clark, Mary B, wife, F, W, 55, M, born Minnesota, father born Scotland, mother born Scotland, English.

Source:  1920 U.S. Federal Census, Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana, SD# 3 ED#161, Part of Ward 1, Sht#15A, 14 and 15th of January 1920, Frank B. Leaper

Again we find them in Billings in the 1930 census:

Line 90, 803, 142, 154, N. Broadway, Clark, Charles B. head, O, $6000, R, No, M, W, 73, M, 39, No, yes, born Minnesota, farther born Iowa, mother southern WS, retired, farmer. Clark, Mary B., Wife, H, F, F, W, 66, M, 30, No, Yes, born Minnesota, father born Scotland, mother born Scotland.

Source:  1930 U.S. Federal Census, Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana, School Dist.#2, First Ward, ED#56-2, SD 10, Sht #6, 7 April, 1930, Mrs. Alice B. Mains

Added as of 4/28/2016: Mary is alone in the 1940 census but she is living in Billings, Montana

Line 58, 803, 110, 0, $3000, No, Clark, Mary B. , head, F, W, 76 wed, No. 8, born Minnesota, same house, no, no, no, no, U, 0 0 yes.

Source: Mary B. Clark, 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana, School District #2, SD#2, ED#56-3, enumerated April 13, 1940 by Elsie Toogood, Sht #3B

Charles B. Clark is buried in Hill Cemetery, in Anaconda, Deer Lodge Co., Montana. Find A Grave has a memorial but no tombstone photo.  It does state that their daughter is Ruth Clark Kirby.

There is an obituary notice for Charles Clark in the Montana Butte Standard, Tuesday, March 1, 1932 page 3.

CHARLES B. CLARK Called by Death – ANACONDA, Feb. 29, (Special) Charles B. Clark, 75 died, this morning at a local hospital. he was a native of Minnesota and a pioneer resident of Montana. Besides his widow he is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Kirby of Billings. The body is at Kendrick chapel. Time and Place of the funeral will be announced later. 

There is a Find A Grave memorial to a Mary B. Barckley Clark #161486707. This Mary Clark died on 5 February, 1954.  There is a death certificate that is posted and it states that she was born in Schoepee, Minnesota which should be spelled Shakopee. It states that her father is William Barclay but I believe they mixed it up with her brother who was living nearby.  It was the hospital that was the informant. Apparently she died in the Montana State Hospital.  I believe this is the Mary I seek but of course, it might be good to seek out more information to verify it.

This is not the Mary I seek: There is a memorial on Find A Grave for a Mary E. Clark who died 19, February 1930 in Calvary Cemetery in Gibson Flats, Cascade County, Montana.  There is no tombstone photo at this time.

There is of course, more research to be done on this family.  For Mary checking probates, and seeking an obituary might be helpful.  Looking for more information on Ruth, their daughter would another step. There is census of 1920, 1930 and 1940 that have a Ruth Kirby in Billings living with a Robert Kirby. They have several children.  I cannot get a good fix on her at this time but it might be her.  The marriage for this couple has her father as Powers and I am confused by that information.  The early years for Mary would be of interest to research pinning down her first marriage and then the divorce.

It is interesting to see that Mary thinks both her parents were born in Scotland?

Alexander Barclay’s Heirs, the 2nd Family: Charles Barclay

John Barclay had two families.  He was first married to Margaret. I have posted about the lives of the children of this first family which includes George and Alexander.

It is now time to share about the 2nd family of John Barclay.  He married Ellen (or Helen) about 1859.  I have featured John and Ellen in past posts on this blog.

Together John and Ellen had four children:  Charles, William, Mary E. and Anna Elizabeth. These individuals were also heirs of Alexander Barclay’s estate.  All of them were born in Minnesota in the area of Eagle Creek in Scott County.

I will revisit the census for John and Ellen Barclay’s family, so that you can see the family unit as it developed over time.

Charles Barclay first appears a 7/12 months old in the 1860 census, his two brothers are living with the family as well.  If the official date of enumeration was June 1, 1860, than Charles was probably born about November of 1859.  The 1900 U.S. Census has his birth date as January 1860?

Dwelling 838, Family 838, John Bartley, age 48 (born about 1812), male, farmer, born in Scotland. Ellen Bartley 30 (born about 1833), female, born in Norway. Charles Bartley 7/12 mos old, born in Minnesota, Alexander Bartley 20 years old (born about 1840), farm labor, born in Connecticut. George Bartley age 17 (born about 1843), farm laborer, born in Connecticut.

Source: 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota, pg. 97.

By 1865 George and Alexander are no longer listed in the census with their father and the family of John and Ellen Barclay consists of another son William:

Line 1, John Barkley, male. Helena Barkley, female. Charles, male. William, male. Mary, female. (No other information given.)

Source:  1865 Minnesota State Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota, pg. 1. 

Charles Barclay is now 10 in the 1870 census and he has three more siblings:

Page 13, Dwelling 81, Family 81 – Barclay, John age 50, male, white, farmer, $800 real estate, $200 personal, born in Scotland, father and mother of foreign birth, eligible to vote. Barclay,[ ], age 45, female, white, keeping house, born in Sweden, father and mother of foreign birth. Barclay, Charles, age 10 , male, white. Barclay, William, age 8, male, white. Barclay, Mary age 6, female, white. Barclay, Anna (hard to read) age 1, female and white. All children born in Minnesota.

Source:  1870 U.S. Federal Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota page [12], 11 June 1870, by Peter Yost,

The family is still in Eagle Creek in 1875:

Line 8, Family 58, John Barkley, age 62, Male, white, Born in Scotland, parents both born in Scotland. Line 9, Helen Barkley, age 38, female, white, born in Norway, both parents born in Norway. Charles Barkley, line 10, age 15, male, white, born in Minnesota. Line 11, William Barkley age 13, male, white, born in Minnesota. Line 12 Maria Barkley, age 11, female, white, born in Minnesota. Line 13, Anna Barkley, age 3, female, white, born in Minnesota.

Source: 1875 Minnesota State Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota, FHL#565728.

In the 1880 U.S. Census we have everyone there except Mary.

Line 9, Family #242 Barclay, John, White, Male, age 65 (means he was born about 1815), married, farmer, born in Scotland, mother and father born in Scotland. Barclay, Ellen, white, female, age 48 (means she was born about 1832-33), wife, married, keeping house, born in Norway, parents born in Norway. Barclay, Charles, white, male, age 24 (means he was born about 1856), son, single, at home, born in Minnesota, father born in Scotland, mother in Norway. Barclay, William, white, male, age 17 (means he was born about 1863), son, single staying at home, born in Minnesota. Barclay, Anna, white, female, age 10 (means she was born in 1870), daughter, at home, born in Minnesota.

Source:  1880 U.S. Federal Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota, pg. 30, SD2?, ED?, T-9, Roll 633 MN

By the 1885 Minnesota census only Charles and William remain at home.

Family 98, John Barkley, age 70, male, white, born in Scotland, mother and father of foreign birth. Helen Barkley, age 53, female, white, born in Norway, both parents of foreign birth. William Barkley, age 23, male, white, born in Minnesota, both parents of foreign birth. Charley Barkley age 25, male, white, born in Minnesota, both parents of foreign birth, Annie age 15, female, white, born in Minnesota, both parents of foreign birth.

Source: 1885 Minnesota State Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota,  FHL #565754, pg. 14.

There is no 1890 Federal census except for attempts to try to salvage it by offering other sources.  So we move forward to the 1895 Minnesota state census and find the family but only one child remains and that is Charlie.  We also see that John Barclay is getting very old.

Family #54: Barclay, John, age 94, male, white, born in Scotland, Resident of state 45 years, 45 years in enumeration district, occupation none, mother and father both of foreign birth. Barclay, Ellen, age 65, female, white, born in Norway, both parents of foreign birth. Barclay Charlie, age 35, male, white, born in Minnesota. In state and enumeration district 35 years, a farmer, employed 12 mos of the year. Both parents of foreign birth.

Source:  1895 Minnesota State Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota, Vol. 47, pg. 287 #11684, Scott Co., Minnesota, FHL #1255725.

On 25 December 1897, John Barclay passes away.  There is no estate file for John Barclay, I believe that years before he sold the land to his wife Ellen.  I have written about this in past posts as well as discussed deeds between Charles, William and Ellen. In August of 1898 Ellen sells land to her son Charles and in February of 1899 William sells his share back to Charles.

We find Ellen a widow in 1900 and son Charles is with her and listed as Head. I do not understand the one child born and one living.  The John Carter is part of her daughter Anna’s family.

28/28 Barcley, Charlie, Head, Jan. 1860, 40 years old, single, born in Minnesota, Father born in Scotland, mother born in Norway, farmer, educated, land info. Barcley, Ellen, mother born Apr 1833, 67 years widow, one child born, one child living, born in Norway and both parents were born in Norway. Naturalized 1858, 45 years in country (means she immigrated in 1855), educated. Carter, John, Nephew born Feb. 1890, 10 years, single. Born in Wisconsin, Father born in Canada Fr., mother Minnesota, at school, 8 grade, educated.

Source:  1900 U.S. Federal Census, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota page 142, SD 8?, ED 172, Sheet No. 2, Jan 1860, FHC# 1240788, Microfilm #T623, Roll 788,

For some reason in May of 1904 Charlie moves his possessions to Shakopee. “Charles Barclay has moved his household furniture into Shakopee, and will make that his future home. Charlie was always kind and obliging to everyone and we will all miss his happy smile very much.“Scott County Argus, Friday, May 20, 1904.  

Both Charles and Helen/Ellen were listed in the 1905 Minnesota State Census living in Shakopee.  She is 71 years old.

This may be why Charles moved to Shakopee, his mother Ellen was up in years and running a farm is hard business.  She passed in 1907.  I also believe that the 1850 date given for their marriage should read probably about 1858 but I have not been able to find the marriage record of John to Ellen. This obituary gives us clues as to where the other family members went.  The only one that remained was Charles.

Died – Barclay – At her home in this city, Saturday, November the 30th, Mrs. Helen Barclay of heart disease. Aged 73 years. Helen Stevenson was born in Norway in 1834, and came to this country in 1849, settling in Wisconsin, then Iowa, finally coming to Minnesota in 1848. She moved to Shakopee in 1850 with her husband, John Barclay, and was one of the early pioneer settlers of Shakopee. Mrs. Barclay leaves four children to mourn her loss. They are: Mrs. Mary Clark of Montana, Mrs. Anna E. Carter of Marynette, Wis.; and Charles at home, and William Barklay of Montana. The funeral was held from the residence, Tuesday, at two o’clock in the afternoon, Rev. Mr. Ganschow officiating. We extend our sincere sympathy to the bereaved children.

Source:  Shakopee Tribune, Scott Co., Minnesota, December 13, 1907, pg. 4 column 3.

Charles was the executor of his mother’s estate.  I have shared about Ellen’s probate in a past post.  So Charles was present in Shakopee in 1907 and into 1908.

From 1908 on I loose track of Charles Barclay. He did not marry during the time indicated above. Tracking a single man can be difficult.

What happened to Charles?  There is a possibility that he went to Hennepin/Ramsey County which is Minneapolis/St. Paul and lived there. A Charles Barclay is listed living with an Oscar and Minnie/Winnie Young/Yaung who are 36 and 28 years of age and have a son Earl who is 5 years old. Oscar is an Engineer. She is Norwegian so I am thinking he was living with one of his mother’s relatives? He is listed as 59 years old and his mother was born in Norway and father in Scotland. There is a death record of a Charles Barclay in Hennepin in 1938.  Could these be Charlie?  So a little more research is needed to find out where Charles Barclay ended up.

Alfred Spracklin – Too Soon! 1893

Alfred Spracklin’s Stone, Community Cemetery, Millersburg, Iowa

The death of Henry Spracklin was a blow which was followed by the death of the youngest son of Daniel and Sarah.  He was the youngest of all the children of both marriages.

Alfred Marion Spracklin died 12 December 1893 and is buried next to his parent’s tombstone in the Community Center Cemetery east of Millersburg, Iowa.

According to a cousin he may have died of a snake bit?  I do not know for sure, because I have not yet found an obituary about this death or an article in the newspaper about an accidental death.  He might have just died of some illness.

He was said to have been born 16 July 1876 based on family information from other researchers.  If you look at the tombstone his age is given and 1876 works and if you trace the last letter I think you will agree it is a “3.”

While trying to find out more about Alfred, I discovered his death is stated as 1898, according to the book:  Iowa County Cemetery Stones & History 1844 to 1975 pg. 13, by the Iowa County Historical Society in 1976, a copy was found at the Iowa Genealogical Society in Des Moines.  You will note the spelling of “Spracklen.

Here is the transcription in the published book:

Spracklen, Albert M. son of DD & S died December 12, 1898 age 17 yr. 4 mo. 26 days

DD b. Feb. 16, 1830 d. Mar. 9, 1915

Sara his wife b. Aug. 28, 1836 d. Apr. 22, 1907

father and mother

Here is the research I did awhile back.  While not an exhaustive search it is a beginning:

Death Records 1880-1918, Poweshiek Co., Iowa – Register of Deaths no. 1 1880-1893 #1028406 Item 5: No Alfred found.

Register of deaths v. 2 1893-1901 FHL#1028407 Item 1: No Alfred Spracklin found.

Record of deaths v. 3 1897-1908 FHL#1028407 Item 2: No Alfred Spracklin listed. I was trying to determine the correct year of his death by studying all these records.

Death Records 1880-1935 Iowa Co., Iowa Register of Deaths v. 1 1880-1904 FHL#988209 Item 1. No listing for Alfred Spracklin for either 1893 or 1899.

Let us review the 1895 Iowa State Census for Daniel Spracklin and we find that Alfred is listed as deceased.  Alfred appears in parentheses and a “D” is written by his name.  I am going with the 1893 year for his death.

Iowa State Census for 1895 – Daniel Spracklin

At this point I have yet to find an obituary or article about Alfred’s death.  If I am having trouble finding him in Poweshiek and Iowa Counties is it possible that he died elsewhere?  He did have brothers living in Calhoun County which is northwest of Iowa County.

Again, how this death affected Amarilla is unknown.  I have no funeral announcement to see if she came to the services.  She had left her home in Iowa by 1875.  If I could find her in the 1875 Minnesota State Census that would be helpful but she is not showing up.  Iowa did not have and 1875 State Census.   By 1878 she had married George A. Barclay and was living in Pine River, Minnesota.

It is possible she didn’t know her half baby brother that well?

Catching up with the Barclay’s of Eagle Creek Twp.!

John Barclay, the father of George and my 2nd great-grandfather, was farming and raising his second family in Eagle Creek Township, Scott County, Minnesota. 

I last featured my 2nd great-grandfather John Barclay in my post on this blog dated September 11, 2010 “John Barclay’s Land!”  https://barclayspineriver.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/john-barclays-land/  In this post I discussed the land patent he received on 10 September 1861. 

I return now, to the census and fortunately there are U.S. Federal and state census for Minnesota to study and I find John appearing consistently from 1857 through his death in 1895. 

John Barclay had two families as I featured in the posted dated April 3, 2010 “John Barclay’s Two Families.”  Some time around 1858-59 he remarried to a Helen.  There is some confusion as to what her first name was but the tombstone and other court documents use the name of “Helen.”   

We find the family of John and Helen Barclay living in Eagle Creek, Scott County, Minnesota in 1865:

Line 1, John Barkley, male. Helena Barkley, female. Charles, male. William, male. Mary, female.

Source:  1865 Minnesota State Census 1 June 1865, Family of John Barkley, Eagle Creek, Scott Co., page 1, Minnesota Film #MNSC_3 or FHL #565716,  or at Ancestry.com. This census was merely a list of names with little information other than what I have indicated here

On January 19, 1867 and interesting event takes place.  John Barclay sells 160 acres to his wife Helen.  The land parcel is NE1/4 S23, T115, R22 and that is the same as the patent he received in 1861.  What follows is a transcription to the best of my ability for the handwriting was difficult to read.

                 “Filed for Record January 21, 1867 at 12 [pm]

                              U.S.Int. Res. Stamp to the amount of 50 cents

                 This Indenture made this nineteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven between John Barclay Senr of the first part and Helen Barclay, Wife of John Barclay Senr of the second part, all of Scott County State of Minnesota.

                Witnesseth, that the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of Three Hundred Dollars, in hand paid by the said party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and the said party of the second part forever releases and discharges there from, has Granted, Bargained, Sold, Remised, Released, Aliened and Confirmed, and by these presents to grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, alien and confirm, unto the said party of the second part, and to her heirs  and assigns, forever, all the following described lot, piece of parcel of Land situated in the County of Scott and State of Minnesota, and known and described as follows, to wit:

                The North East Quarter of Section Twenty-three Township one hundred and fifteen North of Range twenty-two West containing one hundred and Sixty acres by Government Survey.  Together with all and Singular, the hereditaments and appurtenances as thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining and the revision and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues, and profits thereof: and all the estate right, title, interest, claim or demand whatsoever of the said party of the first part, either in law or equity, of, in and of the above bargained premises, with the hereditaments and appurtenances.  To have and to hold the said premises above bargained and described with the appurtenances, unto the said party of the second part his heirs and assigns forever.  And the said John Barclay Senr party of the first part, for himself his heirs, executors and administrators, does convent, grant, bargain, and agree, to [     ]  the said party of the second part her heirs and assigns, that all the time of ensealing and filing of these presents, he is well _____ of the premises, above conveyed as of a good, sure, perfect, absolute and indefeasible estate of inheritance in law in fee simple and has good right, full power and lawful authority to grant, bargain, sell and convey the same in manner and form aforesaid, and that the same are free and clear from all forms of other grants, bargains, sales, liens, ___ assessments and encumbrances of what kind or nature so ever: and that the above bargained premises in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said party of the second part, her heirs and assigns against all and every person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim the whole or any part, thereof, of the said party of the first part shall and will warrant and forever ______ .  In Testimony Whereof, the said party of the first part hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. 

 Signed, Sealed and Delivered in Presence of  Robert Ringhorn and Andrew Kearney.  Signed by John Barclay (Seal),

 State of Minnesota, County of Scott

 I, Dave Ringhorn Justice of Peace, in and for said County, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Barclay Sr personally known to be as the real person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Deed, appeared before me this day in person, and acknowledged that he executed and Delivered the said Deed as his free and voluntary act for the use and purposes therein set forth.  Given under my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.

 (signed by) David Ringhorn, J. Peace. 

 Filed for Record January 21, 1867 at 2 p.m.”

Source:  Deed Record, Scott County Registry of Deeds, Scott County Courthouse, Vol. M, 1864-1867, pg. 560-561, FHL#1403553.  General Index for grantees A-L 1855-1899 FHL#140356.

The question is why would he sell his land to his wife?  It has been suggested that it might have been to avoid tax issues.  Maybe he was ill; however, he lives another 30 years?  Maybe someone was trying to take the land from him?  So we add this to the To Do list! 

A couple of years later in 1870, we find John and Helen still living in Eagle Creek township and their family has expanded. 

Dwelling 81, Family 81 – Barclay, John age 50, male, white, farmer, $800 real estate, $200 personal, born in Scotland, father and mother of foreign birth, eligible to vote. Barclay, [       ], age 45, female, white, keeping house, born in Sweden, father and mother of foreign birth. Barclay, Charles, age 10, male, white. Barclay, William, age 8, male, white. Barclay, Mary age 6, female, white. Barclay, Anna  age [1], female and white. All the children were born in Minnesota.

Source:  1870 U.S. Federal Census, Minnesota, Eagle Creek, Scott County, Minnesota. Heritage Quest Online.  They read T132, Roll 10, page 370.**

**The 1870 U.S. Federal Agricultural census pages included John Barclay and it provided a very nice description of his farm:

Line 17, Barkley John 20 acres, 20 acres unimproved, 800 cash value of farm, 150 in value of farming implements and equipment, 15 in total wages paid in year including value of board, 2 milch cows, 2 working oxen, 2 other cattle, 2 sheep, 2 swine, 200 value of all live stock, 200 value in Spring Wheat, 100 bu. in Indian corn, 5 lbs wool, 30 bu. Irish potatoes, 100 lbs butter, 6 tons hay, 50 dollars value of animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter, 150 estimated value of all farm production including betterments and additions to stock.

Source:  1870 Schedule 3 – Products of Agriculture in Town of Eagle Creek, County of Scott in the State of Minnesota, pg. 4-5, 7th day of June, 1870, [P.T. Moot]. 

We continue following the family in the Minnesota State census for 1875 and it reads:

Line 8, Family 58, John Barkley, age 62, Male, white, born in Scotland, parents both born in Scotland.  Helen Barkley, age 38, female, white, born in Norway, both parents born in Norway. Charles Barkley, age 15, male, white, born in Minnesota. William Barkley age 13, male, white, born in Minnesota. Maria Barkley, age 11, female, white, born in Minnesota. Anna Barkley, age 3, female, white, born in Minnesota.

Source:  1875 Minnesota State Census, Eagle Creek, Scott County, Minnesota, pg. 153, FHL#565728

The next time we find John Barclay is in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census, still in Eagle Creek Township.

Line 9, Family #242 Barclay, John, White, Male, age 65 married, farmer, born in Scotland, mother and father born in Scotland. Barclay, Ellen, white, female, age 48, wife, married, keeping house, born in Norway, parents born in Norway. Barclay, Charles, white, male, age 24, son, single, at home, born in Minnesota, father born in Scotland, mother in Norway. Barclay, William, white, male, age 17 , son, single staying at home, born in Minnesota. Barclay, Anna, white, female, age 10, daughter, at home, born in Minnesota.

Source:  1880 U.S. Federal Census, Eagle Creek Twp., Scott County, Minnesota, pg. 30, SD[2],, ED [?], T-9, Roll 633 MN.  What happened to the daughter Mary E.?  She is not listed in this census and the next and I was unable to find her living elsewhere?  It could suggest she died but as we will see that may not have been the case?

Remember the deed explain above where John gave his wife Helen the land.   H. Barclay appears on the 1880 platte map of Scott County, Minnesota as the owner of the land, John is not listed.

Platte map of Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Minnesota dated 1880, showing H. Barclay has 160 acres,  Twp 115, North Range 22, West of the 5th Principal Meridian.  Find the * over on the right of the platte map under the second E in creek.  (Click on the map and it will open in another window.  Don’t forget to hit your back button to return to this post.)  I obtained a copy of this map at the Scott County Historical Society in Shakopee.

Atlas Scott County 1880

John and Helen Barclay continue to remain in Eagle Creek Township as shown in the 1885 Minnesota State Census.

Family 98, John Barkley, age 70, male, white, born in Scotland, mother and father of foreign birth. Helen Barkley, age 53, female, white, born in Norway, both parents of foreign birth. William Barkley, age 23, male, white, born in Minnesota, both parents of foreign birth. Charley Barkley age 25, male, white, born in Minnesota, both parents of foreign birth, Annie age 15, female, white, born in Minnesota, both parents of foreign birth.

Source:  1885 Minnesota State Census, Eagle Creek Township, Scott County, Minnesota, pg. 14, FHL#565754 also at Ancestry.com.

As you can see from these census the Barclay name is spelled differently than I spell it: “Barkley.”  The ages of the family members change and the age for John himself varies widely over the years.  Helen’s first name changes from Ellen to Helen an in one case you can’t read it at all.  Her origins also change from Swedish to Norwegian and seem to stay with the later as time passes.  The one consistent is they stay on the land for a very long time.

++++++

**Warning:  I was doublechecking the 1870 U.S. Federal Census at Ancestry.com and have found some problems.  Apparently the 1870 U.S. Federal is all jumbled up and missing pages for Eagle Creek. I did a browe through the Eagle Creek portion and it was a mess. 

John Barclay appears in an Agricultural Census that is tacked on to the end of Eagle Creek run.  It is  filmed with page 3 next to page 4 and the second part of page 4 is filmed with page 5 and so on.  This means you have to move to the next page to get the total picture.  

This is not the first time I have had problems with Ancestry.com census being wrong. 

I suggest you go to the Heritage Quest database usually online at your public library with the use of your library card.  The other option is to consult the U.S. Federal Census films at your local National Archives Branch or check for a run of films for the census at your local public library, genealogical society or historical.

After the Civil War – George and Alexander Try Farming?

After the Civil War George and Alexander tried farming together in Dakota County, Minnesota.