Notes for William CLARK

Sponsored by American History Press.

Americanhistorypress.com

"Keeping American history alive, one good book at a time!"

Notes for William CLARK

William Clark was almost certainly the son of Samuel of Southampton, Long Island.
In "Earmarks of Elizabethtown 1714-1718" in the Elizabethtown Records at the Alexander Library in New Brunswick, it is recorded on 25 March 1714/5 that William Clark's earmark was a "crop upon each ear and a half penny under the off ear".
On the 15 April 1731 William Clark, in consideration of 145 pounds "current money of the Province of New Jersey" sold a piece of land bounded by Ebenezer Lyon, Elizabethtown creek, the public highway and a country road, for a total of 7 acres, to Peter Morgatt and Elias Grasollier "of the city of New York" [ See Churchyard, 1st Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth - gravestone Capt. Peter Margat who died 19 November 1735 at age 50; also his wife Judeth King, who died 8 June 1748 at age 61 (she married Robert King, Esq. as his second wife).]
He probably came to Westfield c. 1731 after he sold the above land in Elizabethtown that he had purchased of John Harriman in 1729. In 1749 he purchased 5 1/2 acres land in Westfield from William Robinson, and in 1752 added 5+ more acres to his holdings (see below).
According to Hatfield's "History of Elizabeth" Benjamin Meeker (probably the husband of Phebe (Clark) Meeker), and Benjamin Trotter built a barn for Rev. John Harriman in 1702 (p. 287). The "new barne" was "length 24 feet; breath 22, height 11 feet. It was built by "Benjn. Meaker and Benjn. Trotter". Phebe was Samuel Clark's daughter and this would establish a family relationship, albeit a weak one. The same work lists William as constable of Elizabethtown in 1713 with Ebenezer Lyon.
The Clark-Dixon Family material (p.16) states that William was a tailor by trade and had a son named William. William, Sr. is described as a tailor in Benjamin Trotter's carefully-written will, where he is also named as his son-in-law and executor of the estate.
Richard P. Greaves stated that he lived on Central Avenue in Westfield on the road to Rahway on the farm "where Abner Miller died in 1881".
Research in Riverhead, New York reveals that James Clark described himself as a tailor in his will dated at Southampton 7 December 1715. As a confirmed son of Samuel the similarity in occupations would be another clue that William is also Samuel's son.
The Alexander Library at Rutgers university provides further insight into this particular family. In "Genealogica Miscellany - Westfield Chapter DAR 1932" there is mention of three deeds to William Clark, which have been copied. They are the following:
1) A deed of 3 February 1729 from John Harriman to William Clark, wit. John Clark and Daniel Ladner, for 4 1/2 acres of land bounded by Ebenezer Lyon, the Mill River, and William Clark's home lot. This 'John Clark' was almost undoubtedly the son-in-law of John Harriman (married to his daughter Abigail), but no relationship to William Clark has been established, although there may be such a relationship.)
2) Another deed dated 25 April 1749 from William Roberson and Elizabeth C. Roberson to William Clark - 5 1/2 acres of lot #138 of the Elizabethtown parcels bounded by Jonathan Marsh and William Marsh. This deed was witnessed by Henry Clark and Henry Clark, Jr. William is described as a tailor (alias yeoman) in that deed. Was the "C" middle initial indicative that Elizabeth may have been a 'Clark'?
3) A third deed for a piece of the same parcel from John Roberson and Elizabeth Roberson containing 5 acres and 13 square rods. It is dated 5 April 1750, and witnessed by Edward Griffith and Charles Clark. This John Roberson was almost certainly the son of John and Mary Roberson. John Sr. made his will 7 April 1740. It was witnessed by William Clark. A comparison of the signature with the same of William Clark who was executor of his father Samuel's estate on Long Island in 1709 would prove their relationship.
*****
There may have been a daughter named Phebe who married Charles Hole. This has not been proven and further research is necessary. If this proves to be true, many other descendants can be claimed.
*****
Page: 490
Name: Myndert Tunis
Date: 07 May 1743
Location: Connecticut Farms, Borough of Elizabeth, Essex Co. Int. Adm'rs, Deborah Tunis, widow, John Tunis, Hendrick Tunis and John Jewell. Moses Jewell and Benjamin Bond, Jun'r, fellow bondsmen. Witness--Samuel Stone. Lib. E, p. 84.

1743, May 17. Inventory includes negro wench, Ł29; negro man, Ł49; bonds of Sam'll Williams, Peter Tunise, Daniel Sayre, William Mitchell, Joseph Searing, Thomas Squire, John Jewell, John Post, Joseph Willis, Enoch Miller, Hue Osborn, Mathias Burnett, Benjamin Thompson, John Joline, Joseph Marsh, Isaac Headley, James Hinds, John Looker (Tooker), William Jones, Nathaniel Davise, Joseph Williams, James Hinds, Jun'r, William Brant, Mrs. Tunise, John Tunise, William Clark, Daniel Osborn, Isaac Willis. Made by Eliphalet Johnson and Jno. Osborn. 1743, Sept. 12. Note. "Myndert Tunis was drove out in a Pettiaugur and, not being heard of, is supposed to be lost."
*****

| HOME | EMAIL | SURNAMES |

Sponsored by American History Press.

Americanhistorypress.com

"Keeping American history alive, one good book at a time!"