596327

[3104.ftw]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 22, Ed. 1, Tree #3104, Date of Import: Dec 9, 1998]

ref:Deerfield,MA II:124Inscription on Gravestones in the Graveyards of Northampton; Founders & Patriots

m.2)5 Nov.1676 Sarah, wid. Lieut.Thomas Cooper who was killed by Indians Springfield 1675;, d.8 May 1688
Lieut.of Dorchester 1636; rem. to Northampton 1659; Deerfield 1673.Dorchester in 1630.
William Clark is the progenitor of nearly all the Clarks in MA and CT. Sailed from Plymouth in the MARY AND JOHN 30 Mar 1630; arr. Nantucket 30 May; 3 other members of the Clark Family were in the company: Bray, Thomas and Joseph. William continued for a long time a prominent citizen of Dorchester, but in 1653, he was one of the petitioners to the Gen. Court for permission to settle in Northampton in 1659. Through the forests which had but one solitary trail. William Clark had been named by Eleazer Mather, who was preacher at Northampton and son of Richard Mather, the settled minister at Dorchester, as a proper person to receive a grant of land if he would come and live in the town.
William Clark of Northampton, on Court during controversey of the Hadley Grammar school vs. an English school. He signed the 1670 petition of Hadley and Northampton in reference to the provocation of the people and God's displeasure (the towns were being troubled and they wished to discover if this was God's will. He signed for Northampton. In Mar 1673 he was on the bench when females charged with silk appeared before the court in Northampton. In the War 1675, the garrison of 26 men at Northampton were under Lieut. William Clark. The people of Northampton were determined to remain there and meet the dangers, sending a letter to the Coucil stating their feelings signed William Clarke. In 1661, Northampton soldiers chose William Clark as Lieut. He was on the Court in 1683 when Mary Webster was tried for witchcraft, Sammuel Partridge was clerk.
Jack, a negro, who had been a servant of Mr. Samuel Wolcott of Wethersfield was executed at Boston, Sep 1681, for burning the house of Lieut. William Clark of Northampton, in the night of 14 Jul 1681. The house was on the lot on which Judge Dewey's house "now" stands. In the indictment, Jack was charged with setting the house on fire feloniously "by taking a brand of fire from the hearth and swinging it up and down, to find victuals, as by his confession may appear." Jack only confessed carelessness, but the court and jury had evidence which led them to beliefe that he set the house on fire purposely. He was sentenced to be hung by the neck till dead.

from History of Northfield, MA by Temple and Sheldon 1875:
Broad Brook, Northfield, the original north boundary of the Indian Territory, and of the township as laid out by William Clarke in 1672. Clarke's Island on the Conn. Rigver, off the upper end of Pine meadow, was granted by the town to William Clarke in 1686, and confirmed to his heirs 23 Feb.1723. It then contained 10 3/4 acres. By the growth of trees and consequent accumulation of soil, it increased to 16 acres. Since the wood was cleared off the freshets have swept away the larger part of the island which has been known also as Field's Island and Stratton Island.
One tract not purchased by the white settlers was the site of an earlier Indian village. According to the declaration of William Clarke in 1685, the lands hereabouts were not of a character to attract settlers, being too broken, and without extensive natural grass meadows.
The second purchase by the English from the Indians was made after the plantation was begun. It comprised about 3000 acres of land on the west side of the river. "This deed made 7 Sep 1673, betw. Joseph Parsons Sr. and William Clarke, both of Northampton , Hampshire Co., of the one party and Asogoa, the dau. of Souanaett and others for the Indians, witnesseth, that for and in consideration of the sum of 200 fathoms of wampumpek in hand paid by the above said Joseph Parsons and William Clarke, we the aforesaid Indians have granted and sold all that parcel of land...." Sarah Clarke was a witness. The premises were assigned "by Wm. Clarke to the inhabitants of Squuakheag," on 15 Jun 1675.
The 3rd and last purchase of land from the Indians was made in 1687, of about 65,000 acres on 13 Aug. 1687, to William Clarke Sr. and John King Sr., agents for the proprietors of Northfield.
At the session of the Gen. Court 11 Oct 1672, Wm.Clark was appointed and impowered to be on a Committee to lay out the plantation for the settlement. He went up in the fall of 1672, with 2 of the engagers, and laid out the township. He had a lot on the east side of the street in the First Settlement but did not take possession.
Wm.Clarke was provided with 40 acres of land in 1683 in the 2nd Settlement 23 May 1685, he "in behalf of those that are preparing to resettle the village of Squakeage," sent a statement and petition to the Gen. Court in which after rehearsing the action of the committee in fixing the original bounds of the plantation, proceeds: " and now being straightened for room at the easterly end, the inhabitants that now intend to resettle the place again do earnestly desire and intreat this honored Court to let the plantation extend about 2 1/2 miles lower to Four Miles Brook, and that you would grant it to them; it would greatly encourage those that are to settle there, there being nearly 40 families preparing to settle there with in a little time. There is no interval nor meadow land in this tract of land that I move for them, but because it lies near the town, and may be useful for wood and other ways, and also incourage more inhabitants..." petitions was granted.
There is no record that he became a resident, though he paid annual taxes. 11 Apr 1688, it was voted by the town of Northfield to give to each member of the Committee: Wm. Clark, Dea. Wm. Holton, Sergt John King, and Ensign Preserved Clapp, 5 acres of interval land in Little Meados, clear of town charges.
30 Oct 1688, he as member of Committee signed report from Northampton to Gov. Andros at Boston for protection against the Indians.
During the 2nd Settlement, he and Wm. Clarke Jr. were town Clerks.
In Dorchester 1630; Lt. of Dorchester, 1636; rem. to Northampton 1659; Deerfield, 1673
William Clark is the progenitor of nearly all the Clarks in MA and Ct. Sailed from Plymouth in the Mary & John 30 Mar 1630; arr. Nantucket 30 May. 3 other members of the Clark Family were in the company: Bray, Thomas and Joseph. William continued for a long time a prominent citizen of Dorchester; but in 1653, he was one of the petitioners to the Gen. Court for permission to settle in Northampton in 1659. Through the forests which had but one solitary trail. William Clark had been named by Eleazer Mather, who was preacher at Northampton, and son of Richard Mather, the settled minister at Dorchester, as a proper person to rec. a grant of land if he would come to live in the town.
Lt. William Clark(e) saled from Plymouth 30 Mar 1630 in the Mary & John with Roger Clapp. Founder of Dorchester; selectman 1646-50. In 1655 he was associated with others in the constructing of a highway from Dorchester to Roxbury. Being desirous of following Rev. Eleazer Mather to Northampton, he petitioned in 1653 and rem. 1659. The journey through the wilderness was long and tedious. His wife rode on horseback with two baskets slung across the horse carring a child in each & a third in her lap, her husband, then 50, walking. Settled on a grant of 12 acres on west side of Elm St. and bordering on Mill River. Built log house which burned in 1681. "Jack, negro servent of Sam Wolcott set fire to house of Lt. Wm. Clarke by taking a brand of fire from the hearth and swinging it up and down for to find victuals"..sentenced to be hanged & then burned. He confessed. New house built 1681 which remained until 1826. Stood near Smith College. Active member of church.
He assisted in building 1st sawmill, also first gristmill; acquired much land. In 1661 organized 1st military Co. in the town. "dignified, self-confident and resourceful.
ref:Genealogical & Memorial Hist. of State of New Jersey[phelps.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #1377, Date of Import: Oct 25, 1998]

Lt. William Clark was usually referred to as "Clarke". The first proven record of him is found in Dorchester Church Records which show that William Clarke and his wife, Sarah, were members of that Church on Aug. 23, 1636. The births of their ten children, the first on June 21, 1638, were recorded in Dorchester.
He was elected a Selectman in Dorchester, then a "Rator" (Assessor"), then a Fence Viewer in the years from 1645 to 1658. In May 1653, William Clarke was one of twenty-four petitioners to the Massachusetts General Court who desired to inhabit "Nonotuck" (Northampton). On Oct. 3, 1653, the first meeting for the proprietors for Northampton was held at either Springfield or Hartford and "william Clark" attended and signed as a proprietor. However, he apparently didn't move there at once because of his duties in Dorchester.
In 1659, Northampton was a frontier outpost of about 200 inhabitants with two horse paths going into it- one to Springfield and one to Hadley.
Worcester County was still a wilderness so the settlement was surrounded by Indians, except for the group at Springfield to the south. In June of 1659, Rev. Eleazar Mather arrived to be the first minister. Six men emigrated to Northampton at the suggestion of Mr. Mather. William Clarke, John Strong, Aaron Cook, David Wilton, Henry Cunliffe and Henry Woodward brought new life and energy to the feeble town. William and Sarah Clarke sold their land in Dorchester and were granted a 12 acre lot, 55 or 60 acres in three lots and a 15 acre lot in Northampton. A total of 110 acres were granted to him by the town of Northampton.
At the organization of a train band, or company of militia, of 60 men, William Clarke was chosen the highest officer, viz: Lieutenant. Hampshire County was established 7 May 1662 and Lt. Clarke was one chosen to confer with Springfield and Hadley to name the new county. For 26 years he acted as an associate Justice of the County Court.
In 1675, Mary Bliss Parsons was tried for witchcraft and Lt. Clarke, among others, sat on the trial bench to decide her case. The same year, Lt. Clarke served actively in King Phillip's War. Western Massachusetts suffered during the Indian Wars until well after 1750 but especially during the period when Lt. Clarke was active.
Much sickness prevailed throughout Connecticut in 1689 and the epidemic found its way up the river. Twenty-five are recorded on the death roll of Northampton, including Lt. William Clarke who died of this ailment in July of 1690. He is buried in the Bridge St. Cemetery in Northampton. In 1884, his descendants from all sections of the country erected a granite monument in his memory.

-Lt. William Clarke and his Descendants; Edith M. (Clark) Nyman