CLARK(E)
Richard Clark, immigrant ancestor, is supposed to have been one of that company that came with Rev. Ezekiel Rogers from Rowley in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, in the autumn of 1638, and settled in Rowley, Mass., April 1639. The name of Richard Clark does not appear in the first assignment of lots of land, but in a second survey, made in 1661, there was assigned to him, "as to an acre and a halfe lot that he purchased of Thomas Elathrope, one gate and halfe," "Gate" being the right in the commons, which was given to those who owned one and one-half acre lots. This land was still in possession of Richard Clarke's descendants in 1883. Nothing is known of his occupation, but it is not unlikely that besides carrying on a small farm, he was a weaver, like many of the first settlers of Rowley.
He was a town officer; overseer in 1656 and 1660, and selectman in 1666.
He married in Rowley, in August 1643, Alice _____, and they were the second couple married in that town. Neither his death nor that of his wife is recorded in Rowley, but his occurred before March 31, 1674, when his will was proved. The will was dated Feb., 1673, and in it he leaves his stock and farming implements to his son John, and all his household goods to his daughter, Esther.
Children:
1. Judah, born June 5, 1644, buried July 28, 1660.
2. Hester, Oct. 10, 1645.
3. Mary, Dec. 22, 1648, buried June 14, 1660.
4. John, March 26, 1650, mentioned below.
5. Martha, March 10, 1656, buried June 16, 1660.
(II) John, son of Richard Clarke, was born in Rowley, March 26, 1650. He married, Jan. 10, 2672-73, Mary, daughter of John Poore, of Newbury. She was born Dec. 12, 1654, died Sept. 10, 1726. Her father was born in Wiltshire, England, about 1615, emigrated in 1635 and settled in that part of Newbury called "The Neck" on the south side of Parker river, on the street leading from Newbury to Rowley. Nine generations of his descendants have lived in the house partly built by him.
John Clarke died Dec. 21, 1736, "aged 86 years and 9 months, of ye palsy. A good old man."
Children:
1. Sarah, born Sept. 7, 1675.
2. Richard, Nov. 10, 1677, mentioned below.
3. John, Nov. 4, 1679.
4. Judah, Feb. 7, 1681-82.
5. Mary, Feb. 8, 1683-84.
6. Hester, March 23, 1685-86.
7. Martha, March 23, 1687-88; buried April 22, 1688.
8. Ebenezer, Feb. 28, 1688-89.
9. Jonathan, Sept. 7, 1691.
10. Joseph (twin) born and died Oct. 12, 1693.
11. Benjamin (twin) born and died Oct. 12, 1693.
(III) Richard (2) son of John Clarke, was born in Rowley, Nov. 10, 1677. He married (first) Dec. 2, 1702, Abigail, daughter of John and Abigail (Kimball) Wilcom. She died Oct. 17, 1722. He married (second) Aug. 9, 1727, Abigail, daughter of Joseph Kilborn.
He died July 11, 1730, "of ye smallpox." His will, on file in Salem, Mass., was dated July 2, 1730, and probated Sept. 8, 1730. In it he makes bequests to his wife, Abigail, his sons Simon, Ebenezer, Richard and John, and his daughter, Abigail. He left an estate amounting to one thousand pounds, four shillings, one of the largest in Essex county at that time.
Children of first wife:
1. Abigail, born Aug. 8, 1703.
2. John, July 23, 1706.
3. An infant, died Aug. 19, 1708.
4. Richard, born Sept. 7, 1709.
5. Thomas, Aug. 5, 1711, died the same day.
6. An infant, died Sept. 7, 1712.
7. Simon, born Nov. 4, 1714.
8. Ebenezer, Oct. 19, 1717, mentioned below.
9. A child, died March 24, 1729-30, unbaptized.
10, A child, died June 24, 1730, "by ye smallpox."
(IV) Ebenezer, son of Richard (2) Clarke, was born in Rowley, Oct. 19, 1717, baptized Oct. 20, 1717. In 1730 his father died, leaving the largest part of his estate to his sons Simon and Ebenezer, with the obligation to maintain their elder brother Richard during his natural life. April 9, 1734, Ebenezer being then fifteen years old, made choice of his brother, John Clarke, of Rowley, as his guardian. On Oct. 8, 1734, he made a second choice, Lieutenant Thomas Lambert, of Rowley, "to improve my estate to the best advantage & to provide a good Master that I might learne ye Joyner Tread." The next trace found of him is in the land records of Stafford, Conn., Dec. 25, 1739, when he bought from his brother Simon one-half of a tract of one hundred acres in Stafford. In 1741 he deeded his Stafford property to his father-in-law, Timothy Dimmock. Oct. 5, of the same year, the ltter deeded to Ebenezer Clarke twenty-one acres of land in Mansfield, Conn., presumably in exchange for the land in Stafford. This tract, increased by land deeded Jan. 23, 1748-49, formed the homestead on which he resided during his stay in Mansfield. July 9, 1753, Ebenezer Clarke conveyed land adjoining the preceding to Timothy Dimmock, who reconveyed it to his daughter, Ann Clarke. These combined tracts of land remained in the possession of Ann and Ebenezer Clarke until April 25, 1777, when they conveyed the whole to Ephraim Robbins.
Ebenezer Clarke was a farmer, and is supposed to have carried on the trade of joiner in addition. He married in Mansfield, Sept. 2, 1740, Ann, daughter of Timothy and Ann (Bradford) Dimmock. She was born in Mansfield, May 23, 1724. Her father then came to Mansfield from Falmouth, Mass., about 1721, having purchased a tract of land near the Willimantic river. His gravestone and that of his wife may be found in what is known as the "Gurley Burying Ground" in the west part of Mansfield. He died Dec. 27, 1783, and his wife Oct. 9, 1788. They were married Aug. 15, 1723, in Mansfield.
The deaths of Ebenezer and his wife Ann are not recorded in Mansfield.
Children, born in Mansfield;
1. Temperance, April 21, 1741.
2. Simon, March 11, 1744.
3. Timothy, mentioned below, Dec. 26, 1745.
4. Joannah, Jan.2 3, 1747-48.
5. Wilcom, April 8, 1750.
6. Abigail, Feb. 28, 1752.
7. Ebenezer, March 10, 1754.
8. Daniel, May 6, 1756.
9. Anna, May 9, 1759.
10. Eunice, May 11, 1761.
11. Jonathan, May 20, 1763.
12. Mary, May 7, 1765.
13. Solomon, Oct. 7, 1767.
(V) Timothy, son of Ebenezer Clarke, was born in Mansfield, Dec. 26, 1745, baptized in the Second Church, Jan. 7, 1745-46. He married, Nov. 29, 1764, in Mansfield, Amy, daughter of Jedediah Woodworth, of Lebanon, Conn. She was baptized Nov. 9, 1746. Her father was descended from Walter Woodworth, of Scituate, Mass., through his son Joseph, who removed to Little Compton, Rhode Island, and later to Lebanon, with his two sons, Joseph and Jedediah.
It is not known where Timoth Clarke lived for a few years after his marriage, but there is a tradition that his two eldest children were born in Conn., and the third in Grafton, then calle Thomlinson, Vermont. He is supposed to have settled there in 1768, when the town was almost wholly a wilderness. He soon removed to the adjoining town of Rockingham, Vermont, which at that time had a population of two hundred and twenty-five persons. Aug. 6, 1771, he sold his real estate in Grafton, consisting of forty acres of land. March 25, 1772, he was chosen one of the assessors of Rockingham, and at the same time purchased a lot of land there.
At the beginning of the revolution, when news of the battle of Lexington reached New Hampshire and Vermont, Timothy Clarke was one of the band of patriots who marched to Cambridge, were organized into a compnay under the command of Captain John Marcy, and took an active part in the defense of the rail fence in the battle of Bunker Hill. He held the rank of drummer in Captain Marcy's company, took part in the battle, and served from May 7 to August 10, 1775. The town records of Rockingham show that he was also one of those who marched to Ticonderoga. June 23, 1777, he took "the oath of fidelity to be true to the United States of America."
March 3, 1778, he "took the oath agreeable to the Constitution." His name appears on the "Freeman's Roll" of Rockingham. March, 1777, he was chosen tithingman; March, 1779, constable and collector, and March, 1781, petit juryman. In 1799 he attended the supreme and county court. Although not a member of the first church, he was evidently an attendant there with his family, as the inventory of his estate shows that he owned, "1 pew in the North Meeting house in Rockinham," valued at twently dollars.
Feb. 5, 1727, Timothy Clarke bought from Colonel Benjamin Bellows, of Walpole, New Hampshire, about ninety acres of land in Lot No. 10 in the eighth range. The original deed is still in possession of Miss Julia A. Clarke, of Saxton's River, [1910], who is believed to be the only surviving grandchld. May 1, 1778, he bought in addition six acres, being part of Lot No. 11 in the seventh range. He lived for the remainder of his life upon this land, which is situated upon the road leading from Saxton's River Village, along the east side of the grounds of the Vermont Academy, to the old town of Rochingham. The house which he built and in which he lived is still standing.
In addition to his military service at Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga, Timothy Clarke served from Sept. 27 to Oct. 20, 1777, in a detachment of a company consisting of five men from Rockingham, commanded by Lieut. Charles Richards, in Colonel William Williams' regiment of militia. Colonel Williams' regiment was engaged at this time on an expedition to Bennington, and may have been present at the surrender of Burgoyne.
Timothy Clarke also served seven days as ensign in Captain Jonathan Holton's company of Rochingham men, and marched sixty miles, "in the Alarm in Oct. 17, 1780." He appears in 1782 on the "Pay Roll of Captain William Simond's company, Colonel Bradley's regiment, raised to assist the sheriff to go to Guilford," when he served four days.
He died in the latter part of February, 1813, in Hancock, Vermont, and was buried in the North Hollow Burial Ground in Rochester, Vermont. His wife died Jan. 4, 1818.
Children:
1. Margrett, born March 9, 1766.
2. Timothy, April 9, 1767.
3. Jonathan Rogers, born in Grafton, April 12, 1769, the first male chld born there.
4. Eunice, Sept. 13, 1772.
5. Daniel Randall, April 9, 1775.
6. Anna, Feb. 10, 1779.
7. Jedediah, Aug. 8, 1781, mentioned below.
8. Anna, Aug. 17, 1784.
9. Simeon, April 1, 1787.
10. Ebenezer, June 29, 1790.
11. Solomon Bradford, July 21, 1793.
(VI) Jedediah, son of Timothy Clarke, was born Aug. 8, 1781, in Rochingham, died in Hermon, New York, Feb. 6, 1850. He lived in Rockingham and Roxbury, Vermont, to which he removed about 1818. In the Rochingham town records appears the statement that he did not agree with a majority of the inhabitants in religious opinion, and was therefore excused from supporting the town church.
He married, 1804, Elizabeth Stearns, of Grafton. She was born April 6, 1784, died in Roxbury, May 30, 1834.
Children, born in Rockingham:
1. Harriet, March 5, 1805.
2. Theophilus Flagg, July 17, 1807.
3. Eliza, July 19, 1809.
4. Leonard Elliott, March 7, 1811.
5. Ebenezer Bradford, May 2, 1814.
6. Jedediah Stearns, March 31, 1816, mentioned below.
7. Mahala, April 1, 1818.
Born in Roxbury:
8. Permelia, May 9, 1820.
9. Simeon Tyler, Oct. 28, 1822.
10. Sarah, July 9, 1825.
(VII) Jedediah Stearns Clark (as the name is now spelled), son of Jedediah Clarke, was born in Rockingham, March 31, 1816, died in Parishville, New York, July 28, 1882. He removed with his parents to Roxbury about 1818. In 1841 he removed to Hermon, St. Lawrence county, N.Y., and lived there as a farmer untl 1870, when he removed to Norwood, N.Y. He kept a grocery store there, and also carried on a farm until 1875, when he retired from active business and removed to Parishville, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a man of stong religious faith, and a member of the Baptist church in Hermon.
He married, March 17, 1841, Charlotte A., born near Berkshire, Vermont, March 29, 1822, daughter of Abraham and Charlotte (Smith) Mott.
Children born in Hermon:
1. Jason Almeron, May 23, 1842.
2. Simeon Levondo, mentioned below, May 11, 1844.
3. Flora Amelia, Nov. 16, 1848.
4. Charlotte Florence, Dec. 18, 1851.
5. Harriet Elizabeth, May 1, 1856.
Born in Canton, N.Y.:
6. Harold Stearns, July 15, 1859.
(VIII) Simeon Levondo, son of Jedediah Stearns Clark, was born in Hermon, May 11, 1844. He was educated in the district and select schools of the day, and at the age of nineteen taught school in the winter. In the summer of 1864 he was working on a farm for his father. Sept. 5, 1864, he enlisted in Battery E., First New York Light Artillery, and on the 7th started for the front, arriving on the Weldon railroad about Sept. 20. He served in front of Petersburg from that time till the close of the war, part of the time in Fort Wadsworth and the remainder outside of the line in fron of Petersburg. He was discharged from service June 5, 1865.
After his marriage, in 1865, he lived in Canton, New York, where he carried on a farm in summer and taught school in winter. April 1, 1871, he removed to Parishville, where he conducted a drug store until Nov. 1, 1876, when he sold his drug business in order to devote his time to the manufacture of lumber and butter rubs. Nov. 1, 1888, he took his son, Pliny James Clark, into partnership. He carried on this same business until his death, and employed about two hundred men in his mill and in the woods. He was a member of the First Baptist church of Parishville, and superintendent of the Sunday school from 1890 until within a short time of his death, July 21, 1907.
He married (first) Aug. 24, 1865, Mary E., born in Spencerville, May 12, 1844, died in Parishville, Sept. 15, 1891, daughter of Ephraim and Ann (Metcalf) Keeler, of Spencerville, Ontario. He married (second) June 7, 1893, Mary Keeler, born in Augusta, Ontario, March 31, 1845; she was of North Lawrence, N.Y., daughter of William Keeler, of Ontario and Rosannah (Banks) Keeler, of Denmark, N.Y.
Children of first wife:
1. Charlotte Ann, born June 10, 1866.
2. Pliny James, OCt. 28, 1867, mentioned below.
3. Ernest Simeon, Sept. 11, 1871.
4. Earl Keeler, Jan. 13, 1878; died March 30, 1880.
(IX) Pliny James, son of Simeon Levondo Clark, was born in Canton, Oct. 28, 1867, and was educated in the State Normal School at Potsdam, N.Y., from which he graduated when eighteen years old. He entered immediately into the lumber business with his father, was made a partner Nov. 1, 1888, and since the latter's death has assumed entire control. Besides his lumber business, he has large farming interests. He is a director in the Thatcher Manufacturing Company, at Elmira, N.Y., and is identified with the Troispistoles Lumber Company of Troipistoles, Province of Querbec, and also with the Watkins Lumber Company of New York. He was supervisor of the town of Parishville for several years; town clerk thirteen years, and president of the school board for a time. At present [1910] he is a director in the People's National Bank of Potsdam. In politics he is a Republican. In religion he is a Baptist and a trustee of the church.
He married, Feb. 15, 1900, Eva Sophia, daughter of Fred and Hannah Rowley Cole.
Child, Walter Simeon, born May 26, 1902, in Parishville.
SECOND ENTRY:
Joseph Clark, immigrant, was born in county Suffolk, England. He married, in 1640, just prior to sailing for America, Alice Pepper. He settled at Dedham, Massachusetts, and signed the Dedham Covenant. He was one of thirteen original grantees and founders of the adjoining town of Medfield and was admitted a freeman there May 15, 1652. His homestead in Medfield was on the west side of South street, and the old celler hole near the corner of Oak street for many years has marked the site of his former dwelling. He was a man of property and influence; was selectman in 1650. He died Jan. 6, 1654, and his wife died March 17, 1710.
Children:
1. Joseph, born Feb. 27, 1742-43.
2. Benjamin, memtioned below.
3. Ephraim, Feb. 4, 1646-47.
4. Daniel, Sept. 29, 1647, killed in King Philip's war, Apr. 7, 1676.
5. Mary, June 12, 1649.
6. Sarah, Feb. 21, 1651-52.
7. John, Oct. 28, 1652.
8. Nathaniel, Oct. 6, 1658.
9. Rebecca, Aug. 16, 1660.
(II) Benjamin, son of Joseph Clark, was born at Dedham, Feb. 9, 1643, died Dec. 1, 1724. He settled in the adjoining town of Medfield. He married, Nov. 19, 1665, Dorcas Morse.
Children, born at Medfield:
1. Hannah, Oct. 22, 1666.
2. Benjamin, Nov. 20, 1668.
3. Theophilus, Sept. 25, 1670.
4. Tabitha, Dec. 10, 1672.
5. Timothy, Dec. 19, 1674.
6. Timothy, May 12, 1677.
7. Edward, mentioned below.
8. Ebenezer, May 12, 1682.
9. Rebecca, July 20, 1684.
10. Seth, May 1, 1687.
11. Jonathan, Nov. 16, 1690.
(III) Edward, son of Benjamin Clark, was born at Medfield, Nov. 11, 1679, died July 3, 1746. He resided in Medfield in that part afterward set off as Medway. He married, June 9, 1703, Hannah, daughter of Henry (3) and Prudence (Frary) Adams, descendant of Henry Adams (1) of Braintree. She was born Oct. 14, 1685, died Oct. 27, 1775.
Children, born at Medfield:
1. Hannah, July 28, 1704.
2. Edward, Aug. 18, 1707.
3. Prudence, March 16, 1709.
4. Patience, May 3, 1710.
5. Edward, Nov. 27, 1712.
6. David, mentioned below.
7. Benjamin, Jan. 6, 1717.
8. Nathaniel, March 16, 1718.
9. Rebecca, Jan. 21, 1720.
10. Elizabeth, Oct. 16, 1721.
11. Sarah, Aug. 2, 1723.
12. John, Feb. 12, 1726.
13. Elijah, Sept. 9, 1727.
14. Henry, Sept. 2, 1729.
(IV) David, son of Edward Clark, was born at Medfield, April 23, 1714, died July 8, 1787. He resided at Medway. He married (first) Mehitable _____, who died May 7, 1754. He married (second) Nov 14, 1754, Dorothy Harding, who died May 13, 1796.
Children, born at Medway, by first wife:
1. David, mentioned below.
2. Eli, Aug. 31, 1739; died Sept. 12, 1747.
3. Josiah, April 16, 1741.
4. Mary, 1743, died Sept. 16, 1747.
5. Eunice, Jan. 10, 1745; married Stephen Clark.
6. Seth, April 4, 1748.
7. Mehitable, May 6, 1751.
Child of second wife;
8. Sarah, April 12, 1763.
(V) David (2) son of David (1) Clark, was born in Medway, Sept. 27, 1737. He was a soldier in the revolution, in Captain John Wheeler's company of minutemen, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle's regiment, on the Lexington alarm, April 19, 1775.
He settled at Petersham, Worcester county, Mass. His wife died Dec. 13, 1801.
Children, born at Petersham:
1. Mary, Nov. 29, 1762.
2. Eli or Ely, Dec. 11, 1764.
3. David, June 27, 1768.
4. Sarah, Jan. 9, 1770.
5. Solomon, mentioned below.
6. Lydia, Feb. 1, 1774.
7. Rachel, Dec. 26, 1775.
8. Lydia, Aug. 18, 1777.
9. William, July 6, 1797.
10. Josiah Bacon, June 28, 1781, died 1781.
11. Nahum, March 2, 1783.
(VI) Solomon, son of David (2) Clark, was born at Petersham, Feb. 22, 1772, died June 13, 1841, at Chesterfield, New Hampshire. He came to Chesterfield from Petersham in 1794-95, and settled in the west part on the Solomon Clark farm, part of which was occupied later by Silas P. Yeager.
He married at Petersham, June 6, 1792, Jemima Carruth, who died at Chesterfield, June 16, 1815, in her forty-sixth year. He married (second) Sarah Hildreth, who died April 18, 1848, daughter of Edward Hildreth.
Children, all born at Chesterfield except the eldest:
1. Joseph, born May 6, 1792, at Petersham.
2. Harden (or Harding), July 20, 1795; settled in Black River country, New York.
3. Asahel, Dec. 11, 1797; died Dec. 1797.
4. William C., March 23, 1799; married Salome Hastings and settled in Dickinson, N.Y.
5. Solomon, mentioned below.
6. Jonas, March 24, 1803; died at Chesterfield, unmarried.
7. Jemima, July 25, 1805; married George A. Balch.
8. Mary, 1809; died Jan. 14, 1863; married Gilman Darling.
9. Charles N., Nov. 30, 1816.
(VII) Solomon (2) son of Solomon (1) Clark was born April 15, 1801, at Chesterfield, died at Dickinson, New York, Feb. 26, 1882. He came to Dickinson with his brother William C. when a young man and followed farming in that town the remainder of his life.
He married, May 19, 1839, Amanda Ross, born in Dickinson, Aug. 27, 1813, died there March 1, 1882, daughter of Solomon and Phebe (Bronson) Ross. Her mother was born in Monckton, Vermont.
Children, born at Dickinson:
1. Smith M., born March 8, 1841, lives on a farm at Dickinson; married Melvina Shufelt; children: Alice, Madge, married J. W. Janeway, district attorney of Franklin county, and Claude.
2. Fayette A., mentioned below.
3. Harlan P., May 7, 1846; lives at Brushton, N.Y.; married Justina Shufelt; children: Leland H., born June 2, 1876, died March 28, 1892; Laverne, born Sept. 3, 1879, died Oct. 20, 1899; Harlan Wayne, born April 11, 1894.
4. Melvin S., born Aug. 30, 1848, member of the firm of F. A. Clark & Company, of Brushton; has been member of the firm thirty-four years. [this published in 1910].
(VIII) Fayette A., son of Solomon (2) Clark, was born at Dickinson, May 27, 1843. He was educated here in the public schools. He began his career in Malone as clerk in a dry goods store. He worked also at Bangor, Nicholville and Hopkinton, New York. He engaged in business in Brushton on his own account in 1874 as a dealer in general merchandise and dry goods and he has continued to the present time [1910] with uninterrupted prosperity and constant growth in trade; he is also shippper of produce. He has always been too busy with his own affairs to take an active part in politics. He is a member of the Christian church and a trustee and deacon.
He married, Dec. 25, 1876, Florence A. Merchant, of Lawrenceville, N.Y., daughter of Nehemiah Merchant.
Children:
1. Albion Merchant, mentioned below.
2. Earl Fayette, graduate of Brushton High School and of Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie; bookkeeper in his father's store, F. A. Clark Company; married Anne S. Farrington of Lawrenceville, N.Y.
(IX) Albion Merchant, eldest son of Fayette and Florence A. (Merchant) Clark, was born July 16, 1880, in Brushton, where he received his early education. After two years at Franklin Academy, he entered the Brushton high school, from which he graduated in 1900, and was graduated from St. Lawrence University at Canton in 1905. In the meantime, during his summer vacation, he was employed as hotel clerk at Loon Lake. Having long cherished an ambition to engage in literary work, he proceeded to New York City in the fall of 1905, and found employment for a short time in a clerical capacity with Vanderhof & Company. Later he took a position on the Jewelers' Circular, a weekly magazine devoted to the interests of the jewerly trade, and is now connected with the editorial department of that publication. He is an active member of Alpha Omicron Chapter of the National College Fraternity Alpha Tau Omega, of the Theta Nu Epsilon, a Sophomore society, and also the St. Lawrence Alumni Association of New York. He is affiliated with North Star Lodge, A. F. and A. M. of Brushton, and also with Court Brushton, Independent Order of Foresters.
He attends the Congregational Church, and like most natives of Northern New York is an enthusiastic Republican.
He married, Aug. 27, 1908, Winifred Ellsworth, of Burke, New York, daughter of Sheldon A. and Elizabeth (Sanger) Ellsworth, of old New England stock, identified with the same family which produced the martyr patriot, Elmer E. Ellsworth, of Chicago, who was brutally shot down by a civilian in the early days of the civil war.
Mr. Clark reides [1910] in Weehawken, New Jersey.
THIRD ENTRY
The Clarks of Copenhagen, New York, descend from William Clark, one of the original settlers of Haddam, Connecticut. In Field's "Statistical Account of the County of Middlesex in Connecticut," it is stated that the first settlement there was made by twenty-eight young men who bought their land from Matthew Allyn and Samul Willys, who purchased it from the Indians for thirty coats - a tract extending six miles east and westerly from the Connecticut river. At the beginning of the first book of Haddam records, William Clark's name is third in the list of those to whom land is distributed. A deed to him, dated Oct. 11, 1669, speaks of him as "of Haddam." He died at Haddam, July 22, 1681, and his will probated June 30, 1681, together with the inventory of his estate, is among the probate records of Hartford, Conn. [transcriber's note: I wonder why the date of death is after the date the will was probated.]
His estate was appraised at four hundred and twelve pounds, eighteen shillings, quite a respectable fortune in those days. His wife's name is unknown.
Children, who survived him:
Thomas.
William.
John.
Joseph.
Hannah.
and other daughters mentioned only by their mararied names:
Mrs. Wells.
Mrs. Fennoe.
Mrs. Spencer.
A daughter deceased left husband Danel Hubbard with a child, Daniel Hubbard (2), whom William Clark remembers in his will with the wish that he be taught to "read and write." It is difficult, if not impossible, to trace back of William of Haddam and tell who he was or whence he came. The surname was common and there were several William Clarks in New England.
(II) John, died July 26, 1731, son of William Clark, settled in Middletown, Conn., between 1675 and 1680. He is supposed to have lived in Middletown all his life. He was called "Sergeant" and more often "Senior," and appears to have been a man of standing and property, his name often appearing in land records.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Nathaniel White. She died Dec. 25, 1711, aged fifty-six years.
Children:
Nathaniel.
John, mentioned below.
Daniel.
Elizabeth.
Mary.
Sarah.
White.
Mary.
These children were born between April 18, 1676 and May 4, 1695.
(III) John (2) son of Sergeant John and Elizabeth (White) Clark, was born June 14, 1678. He had a homestead of thirteen acres given him in 1720 by his father, who in 1730 also deeded him 161 acres of land at Haddam. In 1735, John (2) sold his homestead (with a small piece of meadow) for six hundred and twenty pounds. In 1743 he gave portions of his farm lying in the east side of the Connecticut river to each of his five sons. After this he does not appear in the Middletown records, probably then returning to the family home in Haddam, where his 161 acres given him by Sergeant John Clark was situated.
He was a man of property, as his homestead sold for six hunbred and twenty pounds, and his farm was big enough to divide among five sons.
He married, May 9, 1710, Sarah Goodwin, of Hartford, great-granddaughter of Ozias Goodwin, one of the first settlers of Hartford.
Children:
Ebenezer, born July 12, 1711.
William, see forward.
John.
Moses.
Aaron.
Sarah, born Aug. 4, 1723.
(IV) William, son of John and Sarah (Goodwin) Clark, was born in Middltown, Conn., Aug. 31, 1713. He was a soldier in the revolution, in the Third Connecticut militia regiment, serving from May until December, 1775.
He married Sarah _____, and had issue. With the sons of William the family appear in New York state.
(V) William (2), son of William and Sarah Clark, was born in East Haddam, Conn., in 1765, died in Pinckney, Lewis county, New York, June 13, 1849. He settled in Oneida county, then in Jefferson county, and later in the town of Pinckney, Lewis county in 1837. He was a farmer. He married Sophronia Post, and had issue.
(VI) William Henry, son of Wililam and Sophronia (Post) Clark, was born in East Haddam, Conn., Nov. 12, 1810. He was a farmer of Pinckney, N.Y., where he settled in 1837, died in 1849.
He married, in Pinckney, Nov., 1840, Alma Jeffers, born in Vermont, daughter of Benjamin Jeffers, of Pinckney, where he was a noted contractor and stone mason. Many of the stone building in Lowville were erected by him.
Children:
Ephraim, see forward.
Lucius Henry, born Sept. 3, 1845.
William G. (2), Dec. 3, 1848.
David Alba, Nov. 1, 1850.
Lucius H., the second son, enlisted in the 186th Regiment, New York Volunteers, and served until the close of the civil war.
(VII) Charles Ephraim, son of William Henry and Alma (Jeffers) Clark, was born in Pinckney, N.Y., Oct. 27, 1842. He was educated in the public schools, and reared to farm labor, working on the home farm and in various parts of the county. At the outbreak of the civil war, when the call was made for men to enlist for two years, he volunteered his services, although still a minor. Sept. 22, 1861, enlisted in Company B, 35th New York Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel Newton B. Lord. He participated in all the battles in which the 35th was engaged, and they were many, for they always were ready for a fight, and received honorable mention on several occasions in the official reports of the commanding general. In February, 1863, he was promoted corporal. In September, 1863, his two years term of service expired, when he immediately re-enlisted, choosing this time another branch of service, Company M, 18th Regiment, New York Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge at New Orlenas, Louisiana, June 2, 1865. For his injuries and services he is in receipt of a pension from the government.
He returned to Lewis county after the war, engaged in business, and now (1910) is proprietor of the Davenport House, a popular hostelry of Copenhagen, N.Y. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years; is affiliated with Rising Sun Lodge, No. 234, F. and A.M., and Adams Chapter, No. 205, R.A.M., of Adams, N.Y. He is a comrade of De Alton Post, No. 38, Grand Army of the Republic, and an honored, respected citizen.
Charles E. Clark married (first) Flora Loomis, of Champion, N.Y., May 8, 1866, daughter of Harvey and Laura Ann (Harvey) Loomis. She died without issue. He married (second) Jan. 18, 1874, Amelia Lucina, daughter of George and Ruth (Brayton) Hartwell, of Newboro, Canada. The Hartwells are of English ancestry, and settled in Canada, direct from England. They are probably of the same English descent as the Hartwells of Massachusetts, but no relationship is shown in the Hartwell family records.
Children:
1. Robert Ephraim, born in Adams, New York, March 3, 1875; married, Sept. 17, 1903, Edna Mabel, daughter of Charles Wareen and Harriet Porter Lester, of Black River, N.Y.; they have a son, Alton Charles, born in Watertown, N.Y. Dec. 24, 1904. He is the local agent for Lewis county for the Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Car Company, and as clerk of the Davenport House, is his father's assistant in the hotel. He is a member of Rising Sun Lodge, F. and A.M.; Carthage Chapter, No. 259, R.A.M.' Watertown Commandery, No. 11, K.T.; and Media Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
2. Ruth-Alma, only daughter, was born in Adams, N.Y., May 8, 1878; she is unmarried.
FOURTH ENTRY
Robert Clark, immigrant ancestor, came with the Scotch-Irish pioneers to New Hampshire in 1725, to Londonderry, and located on a height of land northwest of Beaver pond. His remote ancestors on the paternal side probably came from Ulster province, Ireland, early in the seventeenth century, and intermarried with the Scottish Presbyterians there. John Clark, probably a relative, was one of the signers of the petition of the Scotch-Irish to Governor Shute, of Massachusetts, for a grant of land for a place of settlement in this country in 1718.
Robert Clark died at Londonderry, April 20, 1775, aged sixty-five years.
He married Letitia, daughter of John Cochran of Londonderry. She died there June 16, 1784, aged seventy-six. The gravestones of both are standing in the old graveyard.
Children:
1. William, married Ann Wallace and settled in New Boston; had Robert, John, Ninian, Rebecca, Anne and Letitia.
2. John, mentioned below.
3. Samuel, married Sarah Holmes and Janet Barnett; had Robert, Daniel, Sally, Moses, William, John and Janet.
4. Ninian, married Mary Ramsay and settled at New Boston; had William, Lydia, Robert, Hugh, Hamilton, Letitia, David, Robert, Hugh and Hannah.
5. Jane, married James Crombie, of New Boston.
6. Letitia, married Samuel Wallace and Robert Moor.
7. Agnes, married William Anderson.
8. Elizbeth, married Andrew Mack.
(II) John, son of Robert Clark, was born in 1737, died at Londonderry, New Hampshire, May 31, 1806, aged sixty-nine, according to his gravestone. He was a farmer at Londonderry. There was a John Clark, Gentleman, of province of New Hampshire, appointed by John Wentworth, then governor of the province, in 1773, a lieutenant in the First Company, Eighth Regiment of militia in New Hampshire, Colonel Mathew Thornton.
He married Nancy _____. An Agnes, widow of John, died March 1, 1835, aged ninety-one years, according to her gravestone.
Children:
Robert, David, Leitia, Polly, Alexander, William, Jane, Betsey and John.
(III) Captain John (2), son of John (1) Clark, was born in 1775, died at Londonderry, Jan. 6, 1851, aged seventy-six years. His wife, Sarah T. Clark, died July 25 ,1818, aged forty-two, and Mary T., probably his second wife, died Sept. 25, 1828, aged forty-four years.
Children:
John, William, Alfred, George, James, Jane, Samuel and Lucinda.
(IV) William, son of Captain John (2) Clark, was born at Milford, New Hampshire, or vicinity, 1805, died in Waddington, New York, 1886. He was educated in the common schools of Milford, and learned the trade of carriage maker. In 1831 he located at Waddington and for many years had a carriage shop there. He built the Clark Hotel in Waddington and conducted it until 1882, when it was destroyed by fire. He rebulit it, however, the same year, but retired soon afterward from active business and went to live with his son-in-law, Dr. Silas J. Bower, and lived the remainder of his days. While keeping the hotel he operated lines of stages to Ogdensburg and Fort Covington, N.Y.
He married Martha Nowell, born near Nashua, New Hampshire, 1807, died at Waddington, 1884.
Children:
Henry, Charles, Samuel, Frances Martha, who married Dr. Silas J. Bower, of Waddington (see Bower III).
(V) Samuel, son of William Clark, was born in Waddington 1835. He was educated there in the public schools and at Potsdam Normal School. In his youth he drove a stage for his father between Waddington and Fort Covington and Ogdensburg. In 1862 he began the study of dentistry at Ogdensburg, and three years later started in business for himself as a dentist at Waddington and has been in active practice there since that time. He has also large farming and real estate interests. He recently sold to a railroad a large tract for a terminal at Waddington. In politics he is a Democrat and was postmaster under President Johnson and internal revenue collector for the four conties of the district under William A. Beach, for two years under President Grove Cleveland. He was president of the village corporation of Waddington for three terms, and, at the present eime is a trustee of the village.
In religion he is an Episcopalian. He has always been a lover of good horse flesh and has been the owner of some of the best track horses in this part of the country.
He married, in 1865, Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Reddington, of Waddington.
Children:
1. Mary, married Herbert Daizell, of Rocheser, N.Y; children: Anna, Harold and Isabelle Daizell.
2. Anna R., resides at home with her parents.
3. Frances Martha, resides with her parents.
4. Frederick Nowell, died aged thirty-four years.
FIFTH ENTRY
Daniel Clark was one of the early settlers of Dexter, a village in the town of Brownville, which was named for the first settler, Jacob Brown (1798). From there Clark went to Clairmont, New York.
(II) Edwin S., son of Daniel Clark, was born in Clairmont, N.Y., in 1832. He is a member of the Universalist church, and has always taken an active part in church affairs. He is a member of the local lodge of Free Masons. He is a director of the Watertown Bank and Loan Company.
He married Abby Vincent, born in norther New York, daughter of Nicholas Vincent.
Children:
Brayton R., born Jan. 12, 1857, mentioned below.
Herbert V., Dec., 1860.
Emma, born 1869, married L. F. Lehr.
Elizabeth, born about 1864, died at the age of fourteen.
Frank B., born 1874.
Charles, died in infancy.
(III) Brayton R., son of Edwin S. Clark, was born in Antwerp, Jefferson, N.Y., Jan. 12, 1857. he was educated in the public schools and at Watertown high school. He then accepted a position as clerk in a general store at Dexter, N.Y., and after fourteen years purchased the business of his employer, in partnership with his brother, Herbert V. Clark. The firm conducted the business for six years, and at the end of this period Brayton R. Clark retired from the firm to engage in the manufacture of pulp and paper at Malone, N.Y. He has been very successful in business, and owns an interest in a number of paper mills in this section, all of which he has rebuilt and given them a new impetus, having a total output of one hundred tons daily.
In politics he is a Republican. He is active and influential in public affairs, and is 1809-09-10 was mayor of the city of Malone. He is a director of People's Bank of Malone.
He is a member of the Universalist church of Dexter. He is a prominent Free Mason, a member of Northern Constellation Lodge No. 291, of Malone; Northern Constellation Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Franklin Commandery, No. 60, Knights Templar; of Karnak Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Montreal; also a member of Dexter Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which is is past noble grand.
He married, March 19, 1879, Hattie B. Webb, born in Jefferson county, N.Y., in the town of Loraine, daughter of Albert and Cordelia Webb.
They have one child, Charles H., born Feb. 16, 1900.
SIXTH ENTRY:
Samuel Clark, the first of his family to settle in the United States and in Lewis county, N.Y., was born in Canada about the year 1798, and grew to manhood in that country. He came to Lewis county, N.Y. at an early date and made settlement in the town of Martinsburg. The country was then an almost unbroken wilderness, and it was only the stoutest and bravest hearts that did not shrink from the privation and toil of creating a home in that untried region. Samuel Clark had the true pioneer spirit, and successfully braved all the dangers that lay in the forest, endured all the toil and privation of clearing a farm, prospered, erected a good residence and buildings, married and reared a family.
His wife was Pamelia Hammond.
Children:
Albert, Alvin, Alfred, Newell, Caroline and Sarah.
(II) Alvin, son of Samuel and Pamelia Clark, was born in Martinsburgh, N.Y., Feb. 5, 1825, died May 21, 1884. He was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. He remained with his father until he left home to assume charge of his own farm, which he had purchased in the town of Turin, Lewis county, which he operated during his remaining active years.
He married, March 28, 1850, Mary Peebles, who died Nov. 21, 1903, daughter of Sanford and Sally (Bowen) Peebles.
Children:
Hermon E. of whom further.
Newton A., born Sept. 18, 1855, at Turin, N.Y.
Everett, born Oct. 28, 1860, died March 23, 1899.
(III) Hermon E., eldest son of Alvin and Mary (Peebles) Clark, was born in Martinsburgh, N.Y. May 27, 1851. He was educated in the public schools and at Martin's Academy, Martinsburgh. He remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the farm until he reached man's estate, when he purchased a farm in the town of Watson, Lewis county, on which he lived until 1894. In that year he sold his farm in Watson and purchased a well located property of one hundred and fifty-five acres in the town of Harrisburg, not far from the village of Lowville. He has ever since devoted his entire time and energy to the cultivation and improvement of his property, which he operates as a dairy and stock farm. He has it well improved and stocked with a good grade of cattle, and is striving constantly for better grades of stock and the most modern methods of operation.
He is a man of hospitable, generous tendencies, and has the confidence and respect of the members of his community, where he is regarded as one of their solid, substantial citizens.
He is a Republican in politics, a member of Harrisburg Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and with his family attends the Baptist church.
He married, Jan. 25, 1877, Martha E. Cotton, at Carthage, N.Y., born at Felt's Mills, Jefferson county, N.Y., Sept. 3, 1858, daughter of John and Mary (Ward) Cotton. John Cotton was born in England, June 12, 1834, and came to the United States when a child with his parents, who settled at Felt's Mills in Jefferson county. He married Mary Ward, who died in 1860, daughter of Nathan and Rachel Ward.
Hermon E. & Martha E. (Cotton) Clark have children:
1. Mary L., married Rae Austin, and has Helen Austin, born in Champion, N.Y. May 13, 1906.
2. Lilliam, born May 30, 1887; married Victor Snyder.
3. N. Earl, born Sept. 18, 1889.
4. Ruth, Oct. 11, 1891.
SEVENTH ENTRY:
Numerous pioneers by the name of Clark or Clarke came from England to New England during the first years of colonial history. The surname has been common in England from the very beginning of the use of family names, and it is one of the most numerous surnames and hence one of the most difficult for the genealogist in New England.
(I) Hugh Clark, immigrant ancestor of this branch of the family, was born in England about 1613, according to his own testimony in court. He settled in Watertown, Mass., and was admitted a freeman May 30, 1660. He was a husbandman, or farmer. He removed to Roxbury, Mass., and was a member of the Boston Artillery Company (the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company) in 1666. He died at Roxbury, July 20, 1693; his wife Elizabeth died there Dec. 11, 1692.
Children:
John, born Oct. 13, 1641, mentioned below.
Uriah, June 5, 1644.
Elizabeth, Jan. 31, 1648.
Esther, 1651, married John Grosvenor of Roxbury.
(II) John, son of Hugh Clark, was born at Watertown, Mass. Oct. 13, 1641, and died in Newton, Mass. in 1695. He had a deed of land from his father for sixty-seven acres of land in New Cambridge, and he located in Newton about 1681, moving thither from the adjoining town of Roxbury. His home was in Newton Center, near the present (1910) Lyman street. He had a dispute over the ownership of certain lands with Joseph Bartlett, and as early as 1673 Bartlett attempted to put up a house on this land and was frustrated by Clark, who pulled down what Bartlett put up, but he was sued and had to pay damages. It was afterward proved that Clark was the rightful owner of the land in question.
About 1688 he built mills on the Charles river within the limits of Newton. His will was dated Jan. 23, 1694-5. His inventory was over 660 pounds. He left land on the river near the saw mill.
His widow deeded the homestead and thirty acres of land to her brother, William Norman.
He married (first) Abigail ____. He probably married (second) Lydia Buckminster. His last wife was Elizabeth Norman, of Boston.
Child of first wife:
John, born Dec. 11, 1682.
Children of second wife:
William, born June 20, 1686, mentioned below.
Ann, May 8, 1688.
Martha, Jan. 11, 1690.
Esther, March 1, 1692.
Hannah, 1693.
Moses, June 20, 1695.
(III) William, son of John Clark, was born June 20, 1686, and died in 1737, at Newton. He deeded to Noah Parker, in 1725, seven acres of land bounded west by Charles river and along his (Clark's) land and land of Gerhom Beale; also a quarter interest in the sawmill, fulling mill, grist mill, stream and dam at Upper Falls. His dwelling house was burned March 18, 1729.
He married, at Newton, Feb., 1708, Hannah Kee, who died in 1756, aged seventy-eight years.
Children:
Elizabeth, born Aug. 23, 1709.
Norman, Feb. 13, 1711.
Sarah, March 26, 1714.
William, Dec. 10, 1716, mentioned below.
Caleb, October, 1717.
Hannah, Dec. 3, 1719.
Joanna.
(V) Samuel Clark, son of William Clark, was born in Newton, Feb. 27, 1754; removed to Middlefield, Mass. after the revolution; married at Newton, July 1, 1776, Elizabeth Durant, born Nov. 17, 1753, daughter of Edward and Ann (Jackson) Durant, of Newton. Their three eldest children are recorded in Newton, and all (including these) are on the town records of Middlefield;
William, Dec. 9, 1776.
Mary, March 10, 1779.
Edward, May 26, 1782.
Those born at Middlefield:
Daniel.
Anna, March 31, 1787.
Samuel, May 19, 1790.
Elizabeth, Aug. 21, 1792.
(IV) William (2), son of William (1) Clark, was born at Newton, Dec. 10, 1716. He was a soldier in the revolution, and took part in the battle of Bunker Hill. He was selectman of Newton in 1757-58-59-60.
He married, in 1740, Mary Marean, who died in 1787, aged seventy-three years.
Children, born at Newton:
Mary, April, 1741.
William, July, 1742.
Norman, Dec. 12, 1743.
Daniel, March 5, 1745, died May 25, 1745.
Jonathan, March 28, 1747.
Samuel, July 8, 1750, died 1756.
Elizabeth, born 1752.
Samuel.
(VI) Daniel, son of Samuel (2) Clark, was born at Middlefield, Sept. 19, 1784, and died in Denmark, Lewis county, N.Y., in 1833. He was a farmer.
He married Nancy Hammond, born March 21, 1782, in Dighton, Bristol county, Mass. She died in 1861.
Children:
Betsey, born Feb. 11, 1819, at Denmark.
William C., mentioned below.
Mary, Oct. 18, 1825.
(VII) William C., son of Daniel Clark, was born Jan. 16, 1821, and died Dec. 28, 1892. He settled in Deer River, New York, and was, in his day, one of the leading and most influential men of the town. He was a farmer by occupation, enterprising and progressive, of sterling integrity and exceptional ability, highly respected by all his townsmen.
In politics he was an uncompromising Republican. He held many offices of trust and honor in the town, and was superintendent of poor of Lewis county.
He married, July 1, 1846, Harriet, daughter of Otis and Rachel (Harris) Loomis. Her father was born March 7, 1790, and died Nov. 21, 1868, son of Jonathan and Martha (Blackman) Loomis. Jonathan served seven years in the revolution, from Massachusetts, and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. Two brothers, Nathaniel and Eleazer, were also in the revolution and three sons were soldiers in the war of 1812. Harriet Loomis was a lineal descendant of Joseph Loomis, the first of the name to cross the Atlantic. The Loomis family still (1910) occupies the house that the pioneer built in 1640, at Windsor, Conn., a little village a few miles north of Hartford. The house remains almost as it was built, and has never changed hands except by inheritance. The late Colonel John Mason Loomis, of Chicago, bequeathed $1,250,000 to found the Loomis Institute on the farm of the immigrant ancestor, Joseph Loomis.
Children of William C. Clark:
1. Ellen Almira, born April 28, 1848; died June, 1851.
2. Frank Myron, born May 30, 1853; married, Oct. 5, 1880, Mattie Edwards.
3. Martha Rachel, born Aug. 10, 1855; married, Sept. 10, 1890, Charles A. Thompson.
4. Charles B., mentioned below.
5. Eugene Sylvester, March 6, 1860; married Louise Johnson.
6. William Otis, Dec. 28, 1865; died April 1, 1875.
(VIII) Charles B., son of William C. Clark, was born at Deer River, N.Y., Nov. 17, 1857. He attended the public schools of his native town and the Denmark Academy. After leaving school he took charge of one of his father's farms, and had the management of it until his father's death. He has continued to follow the occupation of a farmer. His place is advantageously located in Deer River village, on the Carthage road. His early training and natural aptitude for agriculture have made him one of the most prosperous and successful farmers of this section. He gives his farm his personal painstaking attention, and keeps pace with the progress in the art and science of agriculture. He has a handsome home and enjoys to the utmost the comforts and pleasures of country life. He is courteous and kindly, public-spirited and charitable.
He is a Republican in politics, and for ten years has been a justice of the peace and member of the town board. He is a member of Denmark Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
He married, March 4, 1891, May S. Allen, born Oct. 22, 1868, daughter of Warren and Lydia (Potter) Allen. Her father was born at Turin, N.Y. Sept. 28, 1833, son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Edwards) Allen. Elisha was born June 28, 1786, and died in 1871; Elizabeth Edwards was born March 26, 1787, died Oct. 27, 1845. Warren Allen was an architect and builder. About 1865 he removed, with his family, to Faribault, Minnesota, where he established himself in business as a builder and contractor and was very prosperous. His health failed a few years before his death and he retired from business. He died Sept. 16, 1884; his wife Lydia, died Oct. 8, 1884.
Children of Charles B. Clark:
Elsie May, born Sept. 14, 1892, died Feb. 7, 1894.
Ethel Harriet, Jan. 27, 1894.
Ada Antoinette, June 11, 1896.
Clara Melissa, Sept. 14, 1900.