John Clarke (abt. 1510 - bef. 1585)

Born about 1510 in Colyton, Devon, England [uncertain]

Husband of Annes (Mayce) Clarke — married about 9 Jun 1544 in Colyton, Devon, England [uncertain]

Descendants

Died before 6 Apr 1585 before about age 75 in Colyton, Devon, England

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Biography

John Clarke was a merchant who lived in Colyton in Devon. His parents are unknown. His date and place of birth are unknown and are estimated.

John is significant in the history of the town of Colyton as the leader of the group of 80 residents who clubbed together to buy the Manor of Colyton from the king in 1546. This was still remembered at the time of his death, nearly 40 years later. The burial record describes him as the "the cheffest traveler of the purchas of the mannor of Colyton". John Clarke the elder of Colyton, merchant, died on 6 April 1585 and was buried at Colyton on the 9th.^[1]

John left a will dated 22 January 1584. It reveals six children and does not mention a wife.^[2]

• John (eldest son, predeceased father)
• Francis
• Roger
• Edward
• Agnes (married to Richard Counnant)
• Marrian

He had a lot of property which the will shares between the children. It also includes, but doesn't name, the three children of daughter Agnes and the children of his deceased son John (number unspecified). He mentions that his son John had sold some property while alive.

His daughter Marrian was the executrix but the probate - at the Prerogative Court of Cantebury in London - seems to have been handled by a proctor called Francis Clarke. That was a common procedure and the surname may just be a coincidence but possibly that was John's son Francis. (The proctor Francis Clarke has an entry in the DONB but his origin is unknown.^[3])

Research Notes

Possible Wife

The John Clarke of this profile may have married Annes/Agnes Mayce, daughter of William, on 29 June 1544. It should be noted that the marriage record calls him "John Clerke of Colyforde" (not Colyton).^[4] John the merchant names six children in his will and some of them appear to have been too old for Annes Mayce to be their mother. The eldest child, another John, was already an adult at the time of the purchase of the manor of Colyton in 1546, so it is even possible that he was Annes's husband.

Notes copied from the profile of Annes Mayce-1:

There were several John Clarkes living in the parish of Colyton at the time. As the baptism records from this period do not include the mothers' names it is difficult to determine which were the fathers of which children. On the other hand, abodes are usually noted. Annes's husband came from Colyford, while the fathers of the above children were from Colyton itself in each case. (The parish extended far outside the town, including the large village Colyford and many smaller settlements.) That casts doubt on these being children of Annes but does not rule it out. The couple could have settled elsewhere after the wedding; perhaps her family home was in the town. The timing of the birth of Alexander fits well with the date of Annes's wedding.

Many family histories claim Annes's husband was the merchant John Clarke who died in 1585, and that the Annes Clarke born in 1548 was their child and was the Agnes Clarke who married Richard Conant in 1578.^[5] That John Clarke was undoubtedly the father of Agnes (Clarke) Conant, he names his daughter Agnes Counnant in his will, but the other links are less certain.

John the merchant was described as John Clarke senior in his burial record, (as was the father of George born in 1551 and buried in 1553). An Elizabeth wife of John Clarke of Colyton the elder was buried in 1556.^[6] So for Annis's husband to be John the merchant she would have to have died far enough before 1556 to give him time to marry again. I cannot find a matching burial record. (Hartley-2249 22:56, 15 March 2024 (UTC))

Possible Children

Baptism records were found for the following:

• Alexander, son of John Clarke of Colyton (1545)^[7] (not named in John's will)
• Annes, daughter of John Clarke of Colyton (1548)^[8]
• George, son of John Clarke of Colyton thelder. (1551-1553)^[9][10] (predeceased his father)

Sources

1. ↑ Burial: "Colyton Parish Register"
   Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3483A/PR/1/1
   FindMyPast Image (accessed 13 March 2024)
   "1585: John Clarke thelder of Colyton Marchant was buried the ixth daye of Aprill
   who in his Lyfe tyme was the cheffest traveler of the purchas of the mannor of Colyton & the marketts with other Lybertyes pertaynyng to the same as Apeirethe by the pattant he dessessed the vi daye of Apryll"
2. ↑ Will: "England & Wales, Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, 1384-1858"
   The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Series PROB 11; Class: PROB 11; Piece: 68
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 5111 #933173 (accessed 18 March 2024)
   Will of John Clearcke thelder of Colyton, Marchaunt. Dated 22 Jan 1584, probate 1 May 1585.
3. ↑ "Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-22"
   London, England: Oxford University Press; Volume: Vol 04; Page: 502
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 1981 #15327 (accessed 23 March 2024)
   Name: Francis Clerke [Francis Clarke]
4. ↑ "Colyton Parish Register". Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3483A/PR/1/1. FindMyPast Image. "Anno Dm 1544: John Clerke of Colyforde was weddid unto Annes Macye daughter of William Macye of Colyton the xxix daye of June"
5. ↑ The Ancestry of Chamberlin and Grant p.329
6. ↑ Burial: "Colyton Parish Register"
   Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3483A/PR/1/1
   FindMyPast Image(accessed 15 March 2024)
   "Anno Dni. 1556L Elyzabeth Clarke Wyef of John Clarke of Colyton theldr, was Buryed the vith of December"
7. ↑ Baptism of Alexander: "Colyton Parish Registe"
   Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3483A/PR/1/1
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 15 March 2024)
   "Anno Dni. 1545: Alexander Clarke the Sonne of John Clarke of Colyton was Christned the fyrste daye of April"
8. ↑ Baptism of Annes: "Colyton Parish Registe"
   Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3483A/PR/1/1
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 15 March 2024)
   "Annes Clerke the Daughter of John Clarke of Colyton was Christned the xvith Daye of Maye."
9. ↑ Baptism of George: "Colyton Parish Register"
   Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3483A/PR/1/1
   FindMyPast Image (accessed 15 March 2024)
   "Anno Dni. 1551: George Clerke, Sonne of John Clarke of Colyton theldr. was Christned the vii daye of Auguste"
10. ↑ Burial of George: "Colyton Parish Register"
    Archive: South West Heritage Trust; Reference: 3483A/PR/1/1
    FindMyPast Image(accessed 15 March 2024)
    "Anno Dni. 1553: George Clarke Sonne of John Clarke of Colyton thelder was Buryed the thirde Daye of Maye"