Vincennes in Knox County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mary Clark

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 24, 2026

1. Mary Clark Marker [Obverse]

Inscription.
Born circa 1801, Clark, a slave, was purchased in Kentucky in 1814 by B. J. Harrison, brought to Vincennes in 1815, and indentured as his servant. In 1816, G.W. Johnston purchased her indenture for 20 years. In 1821, Clark and attorney Amory Kinney petitioned Knox County Circuit Court to terminate her indenture because she was held illegally “as a slave.”

Circuit Court ruled Clark “freely” entered into her indenture and had to complete it. Upon appeal, Indiana Supreme Court ruled in November 1821 that Clark’s suit proved her service was involuntary, violating Indiana’s 1816 Constitution. Court discharged her from service. Ruling contributed to end of indentured servitude in Indiana. Clark died in 1840.

Erected 2009 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Brewer Family & Friends. (Marker Number 42.2009.1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1821.

Location. 38° 40.596′ N, 87° 31.646′ W. Marker is

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in Vincennes, Indiana, in Knox County. It is on North 8th Street south of Broadway Street, on the right when traveling south. located on the South/East corner of the Knox County Courthouse in Vincennes, Indiana (a few steps from the parking lot.). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vincennes IN 47591, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Indiana’s Tri-State Region,

in Southern Indiana,

and in the Wabash Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Knox County Gold Star Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Knox County Veterans Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Knox County Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The First Presbyterian Church In Indiana Territory

Mary Clark Marker [Reverse] image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 24, 2026

2. Mary Clark Marker [Reverse]

(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Synod of Indiana of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. (about 700 feet away); Cradle of Freemasonry in Indiana (about 700 feet away); A Legacy of Laughter (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Pantheon Theatre (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vincennes.

Also see . . . Photos of Dedication (Courtesy - Indiana Historical Bureau):. (Submitted on January 20, 2013, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.)

Side "A" - - Mary Clark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009

3. Side "A" - - Mary Clark Marker

Side "B" - - Mary Clark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009

4. Side "B" - - Mary Clark Marker

Mary Clark Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 24, 2026

5. Mary Clark Marker

Mary Clark Marker - - Behind Tree on Right Corner of Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009

6. Mary Clark Marker - - Behind Tree on Right Corner of Courthouse

This is a photo of the marker in its prior context.

South East Corner - Knox County Courthouse - Vincennes, Indiana image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Al Wolf, October 10, 2009

7. South East Corner - Knox County Courthouse - Vincennes, Indiana

(Click on photo for details.) Note marker to the right of the parked (black) car at the corner of the courthouse.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,146 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on July 28, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on October 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 5. submitted on July 28, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 6, 7. submitted on October 12, 2009, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the marker in context without an added arrow. • Can you help?