In the 1850 census, she is recorded in district 1, Montgomery Co., Ky, as a student, Frances Yates, age 15, at a boarding school or orphanage ran by Hugh B. Todd, age 37, and his wife Eliza, age 36. Todd’s occupation is given as teacher. The household includes four Todd children, 29 other children of various surnames and mixed genders with ages ranging from 7 to 18 listed as students, and four adult boarders one of whom is also listed as a teacher. Besides Frances, the students also include Amanda Yates age 16 and Susan Yates age 13.

Since boarding schools in that time period were seldom mixed gender, it is most likely an orphanage, although it is not so labeled.

Montgomery Co. marriage books record the marriage on 1 Dec 1859 of Sarah F. Pettitt, widow, age 24, b. Mtg. Co. Ky, to William M. Clark, single, age 35, b. Clark Co., Ky.

1860 census of Clark Co., Kentucky, district 1, Winchester P.O., enumerated 18 June, lists on p. 13 as family #121:
Wm Clark, 35, merchant; Fanny, 24; Susan Pettit, 5. All born in Ky.

The preceding household is a widow Polly Clark, age 63, living alone.