unknown ancestor of Dennis Lark

Children
Dennis Lark	b. before 1720 VA	d. 2 Feb 1773 Mecklenburg, VA	m. Sarah
other possible children

Here are the notes of Randy Currie (without whose help this line would have come to a quick halt) on the possible ancestors of this line:

There is no proof that I have been able to locate to resolve the mystery of the father of our Dennis, but the list of candidates is short. Here are my notes:

Jonathan Larke was part of a jury in an escheat inquisition held in James City County, Virginia on Nov. 21, 1720. No other records have yet been found for this man, but the records of James City Co. have nearly all disappeared. This document was copied for private use and has survived as part of the Lee papers at the Virginia Historical Society. Two other names on the list of 12 jurors are suggestive of a link with the three Larke men (apparently brothers) who owned land in the area of southern Virginia which became Mecklenburg County in 1765. The other two names on the jury list are Lewis Patrick and Will Blackley. John Patrick and Lewis Deloney were neighbors of Dennis, Robert and Joseph Larke ca 1748-1750. John Lark who was the son of Dennis married Rachel Blackley, as shown by Bible records. Also, in 1750 Dennis Lark was one of four men named to appraise the estate of Lewis Delony of Charles City County, Va. in Lunenburg Co. The land of one Robert Lark is mentioned in a tax record for Charles City County in 1760. These bits of data prove nothing by themselves; however, together they suggest that this family may have roots in the two adjoining counties on the north side of the James River.

If the link to Jonathan is tenuous, there is ample reason for believing that Dennis, Robert and Joseph were probably brothers. Not only did they own land in the same area (now Mecklenburg Co.), but they witnessed deeds for each other and used many of the same names for their children. The supposition of kinship has been made in this compilation, despite the lack of direct evidence.

There was a John Larke whose name appears twice in the Christ Church Parish Records, Middlesex County, VA. This man married Elizabeth Blake 11 Dec 1720 and died 9 July 1732; Elizabeth died 26 Nov. the same year. There are no wills or estate records for either of them. The parish record does not have baptisms for any children of this couple. [notes of Randolph Currie, 4/04/09]

1640, Dec. 25 - No. 1 page 75. Deed. 25 Dect 1640. Wm Taylor of Utimaria in Charles River County, Virginia, merchant, sells Wm Blackley (who has already paid Jno Utle). 100 acres in Charles River County, on Queens Creek. Adjoins Bell Creek, beginning at Bells bridge, the line running until it meets with "Queens house Fence", etc. This land formerly purchased from john Utie by Taylor. Signed Wm. Taylor. Wit" Stephen X Gill, Joshua X Kinsell, Edwasrd Phillips. [Virginia Colonial Abstracts, page 12]

No.1 page 146. Will of Thomas Gybson of Chesequack Parish in County of York. Sick in body. Dated 28 March 1652. Prob 18 Sept 1652. To wife Elizabeth land during life "whereupon I am now seated as lyeth within the Neck", the rest to be for the good "of my sonn Nicholas dureing his minoryty". After wife's death teh whole 900 acres to son Nicholas. He failing in heirs "unto Cassandrea my Daughter". To Mrgarett my sister the wife of William Blackey" 860 lb tobo due from Wm Burford. Cattle to wife Elizabeth and children Nicholas and Cassandrea. Nicholas to be a age at 18 and Cassandra at 20 or day of marriage. A gold ring to each of them. Also other items. Also 1100 lb tobo due from Geo Smith. To "Mary and Jane the Daughters of Elizabeth my wife" 3653 lb tobo "which was reted this yeare of Henry Aswell" [sic]. To "Alce and Elizabeth the Daughters of Elizabeth my wife and att this present liveing in England" all tobo due from Henry Ashwell by Bill. To "my brother in law William Blackley my Beaver Hatt". Residue of Estate to wife Elizabeth, she extrx. Brother Wm Blackley overseer of estate. Bees Humphrey released from servitude "in Recompence of any former neglect". Signed Thomas Gybson. Wit: Bees Hughes, Jno Whiston his marke. Proved by oaths of Hughes and Whiston 18 Sept 1652. Wm Blackley made oat 25th Sept 1652 before Capt Nicho: Martian [Martiaul]. Mr John Chew and Capt Wm Barber that this was the last will and testament of Thomas Gybson. Rec 20 Sept 1652 [sic] by Tho: Ballard, Cl Cur. [Note: The names here so plainly written, Bees Humphrey and Bees Hughes, are no names at all. Just errors in this early transcript. As for what on the earth they really were, your guess is just as good as mine, and no better. To purvey such eveident inaccuracies is most annoying. All that can be done is to call attention to them. B. F. the author of the book]
[Virginia Colonial Abstracts, page 117 and 118]

1752, December-Lunenburg County, VA records show Dennis Lark as part of a jury on three different cases.

page 412 - Godfrey & David Jones exors Thomas Jones decd agst Thos Hilton defendant; jury: John Cunningham, John Mead, John Glass, Wm Lawson, Richd Brooks, Richd Tomson, Stephen Evans, Robt Haslip, Dennis Lark, John Twitty, John Goad, Wm Petty; nonperformance, plaintiffs to recover damages.
page 416 - John Twitty agst Thos Satterwhite (John Speed bail) defendant; jury: John
Cunningham, John Mead, John Glass, Wm Lawson Richd Brooks, Richd Tomson, Stephen Evans, Robt Haslip, Dennis Lark, John Twitty, John Goad, Wm Petty; nonperformance, plaintiffs to recover damages.
page 417 - John Twitty agst Henry Cockerham defendant; jury: John Cunningham, John Mead, John Glass, Wm Lawson, Richd Brooks, Richd Tomson, Stephen Evans, Robt Haslip, Dennis Lark, John Twitty, John Goad, Wm Petty; plaintiff to recover damages. [Lunenburg County Court Cases, 1752-1753, Order Book 2 1/2-A, abstracted by June Banks]