George Richard Clarke (1791 - 1843)

Born 7 May 1791 in Shoreditch, London, England

Husband of Elizabeth Mary (Ramshaw) King — married 22 May 1815 in St Leonard's, Shoreditch, London, England, United Kingdom

Died 15 Mar 1843 at age 51 in Grahamstown, Cape Colony

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Biography

George Clarke was born in the City of London, England.

George was born on 7 May 1791 in London; he was baptised at St Leonard's on 4 September 1791:^[1]

Name: George Richard Clark

Sex: Male

Christening Date: 4 Sep 1791

Christening Place: St Leonard's, Shoreditch, Middlesex, England

Christening Place (Original): Saint Leonards, Shoreditch, London, England

Birth Date: 7 May 1791

Father's Name: William Clark

Father's Sex: Male

Mother's Name: Martha

Mother's Sex: Female

He married Elizabeth Mary Ramshaw at St Leonard's on 22 May 1815:^[2]

Name: George Richard Clarke

Sex: Male

Spouse's Name: Elizabeth Mary Ramshaw

Spouse's Sex: Female

Marriage Date: 22 May 1815

Marriage Place: St Leonard's, Shoreditch, London, England, United Kingdom

Marriage Place (Original): Saint Leonards, Shoreditch, London, England

He and his family joined the Hayhurst Party of 1820 Settlers:

CLARK, George 28. Tallow chandler. w Elizabeth M 22. c Elizabeth M 3, George W.

The party sailed from Liverpool in the 'John' on 13 January 1820 and reached Table Bay on 19 April and Algoa Bay during May. The party's first location, named Trappes Valley after the Provisional Magistrate of Bathurst, proved inadequate, and further land was assigned to three separate divisions under Cawood and Griffiths, Murray, and Watson.

George did not remain a farmer for long; it was reported in the Government Gazette that:^[3]

FRIDAY, 5TH OCTOBER, 1827. VOL. XXII. No. 1134.

George CLARKE,

ENGLISH TALLOW CHANDLER, NO. 8, PLEIN-STREET, CAPE TOWN.

RESPECTFULLY begs to acquaint his Friends and the Public, that he has now on hand a large Stock of Winter-made Moulds, Kitchen and Night Candles, of the best quality. Families will find a decided advantage by laying in a summer Stock; an allowance will be made for ready money.

Candles of any description made to order for Exportation.

N.B. – Town and Country Shops supplied on liberal terms.

Unfortunately a fire destroyed his business and it was reported in the Saturday 1 June 1833 edition of the South African Commercial Advertiser that:^[4]

NOTICE

Mr. George CLARKE of Strand-street, Tallow Chandler, hereby notifies that in consequence of the heavy losses he has sustained by recent failures, he has with the approbation of the whole of his Creditors placed his Estate in the hands of Messrs. Ewan CHRISTIAN and G.W. SILBERBAUER, to whom and to whose order it is requested that all Debts now due to him be forthwith paid.

G. CLARKE at the same time begs to notify that his business of Tallow Chandler will be continued as heretofore, and to solicit a continuance of that patronage from the public with which he has hitherto been favoured.

Strand-street, 30th May 1833

George CLARKE

However, things did not go well and his demise was reported in the Thursday 23 March 1843 edition of the Grahamstown Journal:^[5][6]

DIED at Graham's Town on Wednesday 15th instant, Mr. George CLARKE, aged 51 years. Deceased was a native of Lincolnshire and came to this Colony with the British Settlers in 1820. For several years he resided in Cape Town, where he carried on an extensive business as a tallow chandler, but from misfortune, chiefly arising from the destruction of his premises by fire, he became greatly reduced in his circumstances and was compelled to remove to this Frontier, where he had to struggle with many severe family and pecuniary difficulties. During this period of calamity he was greatly assisted and cheered by friends who knew his situation, and he was enabled to rely so implicitly on the promises of God to provide for the Widow and Fatherless as never to murmur, but to repose with entire resignation on the goodness and wisdom of unerring providence. His end was peace; and his loss is deeply lamented by his bereaved family, and all acquainted with him.

Sources

1. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLJS-K6J : 18 September 2020), George Richard Clark, 1791
2. ↑ England Marriages, 1538–1973 ", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NVLD-TXN : 13 March 2020), George Richard Clarke, 1815
3. ↑ Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette 1827 - 4 - October to December, Written by Brenda Gassner. Posted in The Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette
4. ↑ South African Commercial Advertiser 1833 - 2 - April to June, Saturday 1 June 1833, Written by Sue Mackay. Posted in The South African Commercial Advertiser 1824-1856
5. ↑ Grahamstown Journal 1843 - 1 - January to March, Thursday 23 March 1843, Written by Sue Mackay. Posted in The Grahamstown Journal
6. ↑ Added by Des Lynch on 10 March 2022