Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Rhode Island
Surname/tag: Clarke

Contents 1 A Genealogical Study of the Rhode Island John Clark Identities born between 1648 and 1750 1.1 Initial Study 1.1.1 Other 1648 to 1750 John Clarks 1.2 Spousal Relationships 1.2.1 Alterations to Wikitree as a Result of this Study 1.3 Genealogical Records 1.3.1 Published Genealogical Information 1.4 Bibliography

A Genealogical Study of the Rhode Island John Clark Identities born between 1648 and 1750

by Charles Clark and Randy Beebe © July 2023.

The purpose of this free space profile is to identify and examine the entire set of John Clarke identities born in Rhode Island between 1648 and 1750, with the objective of clarifying and de-entangling source materials and previously conflated information.

Initial Study

Initiating email (edited to include Wikitree links) from Charles Clark (2023-07-05):

I’d like your input on issues with the profile of the John Clarke born in 1706 (Wikitree Clarke -9570) since you input all or nearly all of the data. The issues extend to linked or related profiles. Problems: 1. The John Clarke who died 12-30-1767 in the 72nd year of his age (i.e., age 71 at death) wasn’t born in 1706, he was George A. Morrison’s Clarke #20. 2. The John Clarke now attached as a son of Clarke-9570 was a son of Clarke #20. 3. The wives and the other children attached to Clarke-9570 should be attached to a different John Clarke, discussed below. The primary source of the problems is erroneous Find-A-Grave memorials including the one for the Clarke who died 12-30-1767. Geo. A. Morrison gave different facts and sources that are more reliable. See Morrison pp. 35-37, 53, 187, 225 & 233. For greater clarity in the following discussion, I’ve numbered several John Clarkes:

(1.) John Clarke-1505 (1.) (1648-1704), {Identified, in the essay, hereafter as JOHN (1).} nephew of the unnumbered Dr. John Clarke (1609-1676).

(2.) John Clarke-23906 (2.) (abt.1696-1767), {Identified, in the essay, hereafter as JOHN (2), etc.} the son of JOHN (1.) per Morrison & FamilySearch.

(3.) John Clarke Jr-6051 (3.) (abt.1734-1798), a son of JOHN (2.) per FamilySearch, Morrison and Morrison’s source, a descendant of JOHN (3.) who also claimed descent from (2.) and (1.).

(4.) John Clarke-23869 (4.) (abt.1702-abt.1775)– the son of Samuel Clarke and Samuel’s wife Hannah (Wilcox).

(5.) John Clarke-23870 (5.) (abt.1733-abt.1740) – born 8-4-1733, the son of JOHN (4.), probably buried 1740.

(6.) John Clarke-1533 (6.) (1675-bef.1719) a son of Joseph Clarke Jr.; married Mary Beebe.

(7.) John Clarke Jr.-9570 (7.) (1706-____); b. Sept. 4, 1706, the son of JOHN (6.)

2024-06-25: There is a photograph of a John Clarke memorial tombstone found in Find A Grave: Memorial #213978207 which affirms the previously asserted relationships of JOHN (1), JOHN (2), and JOHN (3) including their death dates. This memorial stone is found in the Swan Point Cemetery at Providence and links these three John Clarkes as the descendants of Joseph Clarke Sr. (1618-1694)e, the brother of John Clarke (bef.1609-1676), and was apparently erected to honor this Dr. John Clarke as the Founder of the Colony of Rhode Island.

Info that follows is from Morrison or Newport’s Common Burying Ground Cemetery via Find-a-Grave.

• The gravestone in Newport’s Common Burying Ground denoting a date of death of 12-30-1767 of some John Clarke probably belongs to JOHN (2.) and definitely not JOHN (7.). The inscription ends “... died in the 7_ year of his age.” (I can’t read online whatever follows the (7.) The profile of JOHN #7 says “72 year of his age.” citing the photo. So this isn’t the grave of JOHN (7.) (born in 1706) and the Find-A-Grave Memorial misrepresents the data inscribed on the gravestone. The inscription is a probable source for the datum “b. 1696” for JOHN (2.)

• 2023-07-07: RRB: 100% agree this tombstone is NOT for John Clarke Jr.-9570 (7.) (1706-). Removed the 1767 date of death from his WT profile of John (7.). My personal transcription of the tombstone epitaph is Mr. JOHN CLARKE | He departed this | Life Decembr the 30| AD 1767 in the 72 |Year of his Age; thus the date of birth for this John Clark is about 1695. Agree this data fits John (2.) not John (4.)

• A 1780 ancestor chart by Peleg Clarke {Probably Peleg Clarke (1759-1837)}, a descendant of Jeremy Clarke (bef.1605-abt.1652), indicated JOHN (4.) (a great-grandson of Jeremy) fathered 3 whose births were recorded at Newport (and borne by a wife Mary per said Newport record), also that JOHN (4.)’s wife was Mary Rogers. Peleg credited JOHN (4.) with Sarah b. 1-25-1731; John b. 8-4-1733 (JOHN #5); and Joseph b. 12-20-1735. There is compelling evidence (a deed) that JOHN (4.)’s mother was a daughter of Daniel Wilcox Jr. and that she was born in 1684. That excludes JOHN (4.) being the decedent (1696-1767) buried at Newport’s Common Burying Ground. The 1780 chart represented family history recorded by someone having actual knowledge of that history, making the chart (including what Morrison extracted from it) a highly reliable source.

• 2023-07-07: RRB: Agree with assessment of John (4.) date of birth.
• 2023-07-07: RRB: Charles have you seen a copy of this chart made by Peleg? Did Morrison include a copy or reproduction in his book? I scanned through the Morrison book but didn't see it.

• 2023-07-09 CC: Morrison (see references) described his rigorous standards in a preface, where he thanked his correspondents including Prof. John C.C. Clarke, also Jas. Arnold and John O. Austin. Article written by J.C.C. Clarke was mentioned in Cathcart’s Baptist Cyclopedia @ p. 230 but where it was published wasn’t disclosed. Morrison didn’t reproduce Peleg Clarke’s chart but his book included an extensive “tree” of Jeremy Clarke’s descendants formatted like NEHGR. What became of Morrison’s correspondence and other source material, I don’t know.

• A college professor John C. C. Clarke (1833-1918) who had authored an article on John Clarke of Newport and who possessed ca. 1900 the Clarke family Bible (a legacy given to JOHN (1.) by his illustrious Uncle John) and a descendant of JOHN (3.) said John (2.) had sons John, b. in 1734 (JOHN #3); Edward b. 6-6-1739 and Samuel b. March 3, 1747, all by a wife Mary. None of those 3 births are in James Arnold’s Vital Records, but most of Newport’s records were lost ca. 1778 when the British occupied Newport. Morrison connected JOHN (3.) to JOHN (2.) Wikitree presently connects JOHN (3.) as a son of JOHN (7.) Morrison’s source is entitled to great weight given that source’s education, writings and possession of the Clarke family Bible, although the source’s lineage wasn’t recorded in the Bible per Morrison.

• 2023-07-07: RRB: Sounds reasonable. I have reattached John (3.) to John (2.). The move carries along Mary Whittingham (Rogers) Clarke (1705-1755) as his mother and this may or may not be correct. I have not studied this. John (3.) needs to be cleaned up for a poor GED import and updated with the source material you cited. Do you have any further information on this article by John C. C. Clarke so we can properly cite it? Reply added July 9.
• 2023-07-09: RRB: Morrison includes a verbal account of the contents of the "Clarke Family Bible" on page 10-13 of his Clarke Genealogy ^[1] Exerpts on John Clarke reproduced here.

• Newport records also showed that by wife Abigail some John Clarke fathered Abigail, born in 1725, and Samuel, born in 1727. FamilySearch claims a record of a marriage at Newport’s Trinity Church of an Abigail (Coggeshall) Clarke (1696-1728) to a John Clarke March 1st, 1722/1723. Wife Abigail died 10-21-1728 and son Samuel died at age 1 in Oct. 1728 (both found in Newport’s Common Burying Ground cm.). Which John Clarke these children belonged to isn’t clear-cut. Morrison attached them to JOHN (4.) after some discussion of alternatives. Abigail Coggeshall was born in 1796, possibly a wife of JOHN (2.) JOHN (7.) b. in 1706 is least likely. Because Newport’s records include 3 children of JOHN (4.) and none of JOHN (2.) born after 1630, Morrison guessed the 2 children by Abigail belonged to JOHN #4. However, the age of Abigail and date of marriage (Jan. 1723) fit JOHN (2.) much better than JOHN (4.) whose year of birth is unknown.

• 2023-07-07: RRB: I agree that there is a near zero chance that Abigail was the wife of John (7.) At the moment, I have moved her to be the wife of John (4.), based on the Morrison text, that they had a son Samuel and that John (4.) was of Portsmouth rather than Newport, as this would likely place John (4.) and Abigail in proximity during courting years. I agree that the 1695/6 date of birth is a better fit for a marriage to Abigail; so this association may need further consideration as more firm data becomes available.

• JOHN (7.) is credited with no known children or wife by Morrison. JOHN (6.) died in 1719 at age 43 leaving a widow with 7 children who were minors. The widow might have remarried and/or moved to Newport. Moving to her parents’ residence in CT or NY is also possible. Another possibility is the family was divided, with some older children going to live with different Clarke or Beebe relatives.

I have detached Mary Rogers {Mary Whittingham (Rogers) Clarke (1705-1755)Mary Whittingham (Rogers) Clarke (1705-1755)?} and her children from John Clarke Jr.-9570 (7.) (1706-1767), {and connected her and her children to John Clarke-23869 (4.) (abt.1702-abt.1775).} I would like to make the following additional changes if you concur::

• detach son JOHN (3.) from JOHN (7.) and then attach JOHN (3.) as a son of JOHN (2.)

• 2023-07-07: RRB: Done.

• expand the Morrison reference in JOHN (7.)’s profile to pp. 35-37, 53, 187, 225 & 233.

• 2023-07-07: RRB: In Process.

• detach Abigail Coggeshall from JOHN (7.) and attach her and her 2 children (Abigail and Samuel) to JOHN (2.) (or JOHN #4 if you prefer).

• 2023-07-07: RRB: Attached to John (4.). New WT profiles for her children have yet to be created.

• retain in the profile for JOHN (7.) other references & sources while adding a note explaining why the profile’s linked profiles were changed. E.g., The modern, Find-A-Grave Memorial (see web link) for the John Clarke who died 12-30-1767 misrepresents that decedent’s family members and date of birth (he was age 71 at death per the gravestone’s inscription). The profiled John Clarke (born in 1706) was not buried in that grave and probably didn’t marry at age 16. There is no reliable record of the profiled John Clarke’s wife and children, if any, or his date of death or place of burial. Per Morrison (see references) and the sources he cited, profiles of non-family members were detached here from and connected instead to other John Clarkes, Clarke-23906 (1696-1767) or Clarke-23869.

• 2023-07-07: RRB: Left the errant Find a Grave profile in the WT profile of John (7.) with comments inserted in the citation debunking the FAG assertions.

• It would be helpful to include in the profile of JOHN (2.) the web link to his gravestone’s photo and inscription. (I don’t know how to do that.)

• 2023-07-07: RRB: I have dropped a copy of the tombstone photo as well as a citation of FAG-77056285 in the profile of John (2.) with comments and "samas=no" to avoid wikitree error flags.

Other 1648 to 1750 John Clarks

There are a few more 1748 to 1850 Rhode Island John Clark identities to consider in this study:

1. ) John Clarke-3515 (1707-1781), son of James Clarke (abt.1673-1726)
2. ) John Clarke-13087 (abt.1710-1785), son of Clarke-23969 (added 7-8)
3. ) John Clarke-9124 (1740-1836), son of Joseph Clarke (1705-abt.1783), husband of Sarah (Gardiner) Clark (1738-1836)
4. ) John Clarke (1741-), son of William Clarke (1707-1749)
5. John Innes Clarke (ca. 1745-1808)

Plus the John Clarkes not presently profiled on WT (as of July 2023), found in Morrison @ pp. 268-70:

1. John Clarke of Jamestown; a tanner; married Penelope; had children Hannah and John 1737-1740 (John b. 10-18-1740) who were bp. at St. Paul’s in Wakefield RI late 1748
2. John Clarke had a son John b. ca. 1759 at Westerly (unsure) who m. Jemima Clarke dau. of Daniel May 26, 1781.
3. John Clarke of Newport; m. Ruth unknown; had children b. at Newport ca. 1762-1778
4. John Clarke the father of Almy Clarke Clarke-2394
5. John Clarke the father of John H. Clarke Clarke-3604

Spousal Relationships

Alterations to Wikitree as a Result of this Study

The following log is a list of changes made to the Wikitree database as a result of this study:

1. 2023-07-05: (CC): Detached Mary Whittingham (Rogers) Clarke (1705-1755) (Mary Cross?) and her children from Clarke-9570
2. 2023-07-06: (RRB) Moved Abigail (Coggeshall) Clarke (1696-1728) from wife of John Clarke Jr. (1706-1767) to wife of John Clarke-23869 (4.) (abt.1702-abt.1775). This may or may not be correct, but is closer to correct. John (4.) has Portsmouth ties, but is born a bit late. John (2.) has best date match to be her husband.
3. 2023-07-06/07: (RRB) Removed John Clarke Jr-6051 (3.) (abt.1734-1798) as a son of John (7.) and reattached him as a son of John (2.). Still shows previously asserted Mary Whittingham (Rogers) Clarke (1705-1755) as his mother, and this is probably incorrect.
4. 2023-07-07: (RRB) Deleted 30 Dec 1767 date of death incorrectly asserted in Find A Grave: Memorial #77056285 from the WT profile of John Clarke Jr.-9570 (7.) (1706-1767)
5. ) 2023-07-08: (RRB) Added Ruth (Unknown) Clarke (abt.1713-) as the spouse of John Clarke Jr. (abt.1733-abt.1740), based on tombstone inscriptions of their children. Note the discovery of the tombstones of these children opens the possibility that the 1733 born John Clarke, husband of Ruth, could have been the son of either Hannah (Wilcox) Sherman (abt.1684-1740), son of Samuel Clarke (abt.1680-bef.1717) or John Clarke Jr. (1706-1754)
6. ) 2023-07-09: (RRB) Added John Clarke (1761-) and Joseph Clarke (1769-1792) as sons of John Clarke (abt.1696-1767) based on the Morrison record of the "Clarke Family Bible." page 11.

End of Essay.

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Genealogical Records

The following section of this profile provides detailed information found in the collected information sources. The purpose of this section is to provide the reader access to the information contained within the cited sources; to examine the genealogical record for areas of data corroboration and conflict, and to establish a hierarchy of reliability for the cited information. In addition, this section provides a platform to analyze, cross-correlate, and comment on important aspects of the cited historical data record.

Published Genealogical Information

• Secondary Source, George Austin Morrison, The Clarke Families of Rhode Island; ^[1] Extract:

1. ) Clarke Family Bible; pages 10-13: Bible citations for individuals named John Clarke dated 1648-1748:
   1. ) Clarke Family Bible; page 11: On leaf 547. The following two records are by the same hand:
      
      

      "20: of 2: mo: 1676 my brother John Clarke departed this life in his owne house in nuport on rodiland.”
      (On leaf 548.) “Datre Clarke, wife of my Brother Carew Clarke living in ruffum in the conte of Suffolk she departed this life : the 13 : of the L 5 : moneth **** in the yeerer 1658.”

      
      
   2. ) Clarke Family Bible; page 11: On first page of Preface of Alphabet:
      
      

      “Mr. Joseph Clarke Deceased the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred nintie four.
      “ John Clarke, the son of Joseph Clarke deceased the 11 day of April in the year of our Lord 1704. ”

      
      
   3. ) Clarke Family Bible; page 11: On next to last page of Godly Prayers. Written by Wm. Edward Clarke, born 1802:
      
      

      “John Clarke died in Newport December 30th 1767 aged 71 years."
      “John Clarke, eldest Son of the above, died at Kingston April 9th 1798, in his 64th year.”

      
      
   4. ) Clarke Family Bible; page 12: On the page before Genesis I., by an unknown hand.:
      
      

      “John Clarke was born September 5th 1761."
      “Isaac Clarke was born January the 16, 1767.
      “ Joseph Clarke was born February the 17, 1769.
      “Thomas P. Clarke was born March 17, 1771.”

      
      
   5. ) Clarke Family Bible; page 11-12: A note by Win, Edward Clarke, born 1802, says :
      
      

      “John Clarke of Newport, Father of the above children died April 9th 1798, in his 64th year.
      “Joseph Clarke was killed by Indians on the Muskingum River Jan’y 2d 1792.
      “John Clarke died on the Jersey Prison-ship.”

      
      
2. ) Clarke Genealogy; Page 24-26: JOSEPH CLARKE {II}, son of Joseph, of Newport and Westerly, R.I. He was born 11 February 1642 and died 11 January 1726/7 at Westerly, R. I., aged 83 years 11 months. He was married (1st) 16 November 1664, by James Barker, Assistant, at Newport, to Bethiah Hubbard, daughter of Samuel and Tacy (Cooper) Hubbard, born 19 December 1646, died 17 April 1707 (or 1717). He then married (2d) Hannah Peckham, widow of Thomas Peckham, and daughter of William Weeden.
   1. ) Children of Joseph Clarke {II} and Bethia Hubbard:
      1. ) Judith (Clarke) Maxson; b. 12 October 1667 at Newport; m. at Westerly, 9 January 1687/8, John Maxson, Jr., son of Rev. John and Mary (Mosher) Maxson, born 1666, died July 1747.
      2. ) Samuel Clarke (15.); b. 29 September 1672, at Westerly.
      3. ) John Clarke (16.); b. 25 August 1675, at Newport.
      4. ) Bethiah (Clarke) Hiscox; b. 11 April 1678, at Westerly; d. 1756; m. at Westerly by Elder Joseph Parkson, on 31 October 1703, to Rey. Thomas Hiscox, son of William and Rebecca Hiscox, b. 1686; d. 20 May 1772.
      5. ) Mary (Clarke) Champlain; b. 27 December, 1680, at Westerly; d. about 1760; m. at Westerly, by Joseph Clarke, Justice, on 18 January, 1699-1700, to William Champlin, son of William and Mary (Babcock) Champlin, of Westerly ; d. 1749.
      6. ) Susanna (Clarke) Babcock; b. 31 August 1683, at Westerly; m. January, 1705 Oliver Babcock, son of John and Mary (Lawton) Babcock; b. 1673.
      7. ) Thomas Clarke (17.); b. 17 March 1686, at Westerly.
      8. ) William Clarke (18.); b. 21 April 1688, at Westerly.
3. ) Clarke Genealogy; Page 32: JOHN CLARKE (16):, son of Joseph Clarke of Westerly, R.I., was born 25 August 1675; married 1 November 1705, Mary Beebe, daughter of Samuel Beebe. On 21 December 1709, John Clarke, yeoman, of Westerly, and Mary, his wife, deeded land at Westerly, R.I., to William Wilkinson; recorded 2 January 1710. On 15 April 1719, a receipt from the Westerly Town Council to Mary Clarke, widow of John Clarke, was recorded. The inventory of John Clarke’s effects was appraised by William Clarke. His issue were:
   1. ) John; born 4 Sept 1706, September 4.
   2. ) Samuel; b. 15 Jan 1707-8.
   3. ) Mary; b. 15 Nov 1709.
   4. ) Ebenezer; b. 1 July 1711; m. 12 Sept 1735, (at Newport) Ann Cooley.
   5. ) Benjamin (35.); b. 21 June 1713.
   6. ) Elizabeth; b. 19 June 1715.
   7. ) Bathsheba; b. 26 Oct 1717; m. (1st) John Mackee (Magee), of Newport, and had issue: i. Bathsheba. She then married (2d) Joseph Hiscox, son of Thomas and Bethiah (Clarke) Hiscox, b, 22 April 1717, and had issue: i. Clarke, b. 14 October 1760, at Westerly.

• John Clarks buried in the Newport Common Burial Grounds:

Bibliography

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Morrison Jr., George Austin; The Clarke Families of Rhode Island; New York, Press of The Evening Post Job Printing house; 1902. Public Domain. Also available on line at the Yale digital library: here