The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-12

sensible of the inconvenience that my ensue in case
should not my house in order, before this spirit
of mine be called by the Lord out of this
tabernacle, do therefore make and declare this my
last will and testament, in manner following; will
ling and readily resignng up my soul unto my mer-
ciful Redeemer through faith in whose death firm
ly hope and believe to escape from that second hurt
ing death, and through his resurrection and life to
be glorified with him in life eternal And my spirit
being returned of this fra body, in which it hath
conversed for about sxy-six years my will is that
be decently inferred without any vain osten,ation
between my loving wives Elizabeth and Jane, al
ready deceased, in hopeful expectation, that the
same Redeemer who hath laid down price both for
my soul and body, will raise it up at the last day
spiritual one, that they may together be singing hall
lelujah unto him TO all eternity" 4"
COPIED from the original will, dated April 20,
1876; and he quilted world the same day. As
he left no child he gave many legaces to his rela-
tons and friends, both in that colony and the Mass
achusetts. His brother Joseph Clarke was early a
member of the church in Newport with him. and
was often magistrate ofthe colony; whose son Jo-
seph was also member of that church. and then of
the church in Westerly, where his poserty are nu-
merous and respectable to this day Elder Clarke
gave particular lot of land in Newport to his bro
theirs son John whose posterity have also been re-
spectacle among the baptsts since, one of whom
is Mr. Edward Clarke now gospel preacher near
Providence. Then after giving a small lot in town
to his church, and giving his wife the use of his
house and farm, containing more than $50 acres,
OF upland and marshes, together with ten acres in
part of Newport, called the Neck during her life,
he gave said farm and Neck to his friends, William
Weeden, Philip Smith and Richard Baily, and to
their assigns qualified and chosen in manner fol-
lowing forever that is to say, that when it shall hap
pen that either of them three decease the two sur
vlvlng shall make choice of an understanding person.
fearing the Lord, to succeed in the place of him so
deceased; and in the two surviving differ in
their choice of the person succeed in the room of
him so deceased that then the choice shall be dec-
ed by lot; which person chosen shall be the as
signces of the said persons above mentioned, and
shall have equal power TO act with them in all mat
relating the disposal of the profit or rent of the
said land and farm, from time to time and so al
persons chosen as above said to make good the sait
number of three, shall be deemed and taken TO be
the assigns of the said William Weeden, Philir
Smith and Richard Baily, and none other which
persons and their assigns, from time to time, chosen
and succeeding as above said, shall be seized ofthe
said farm and land called the neck, to the use and
uses following forever that is to say faithfully anc
truly TO distribute and dispose the rent and prof
OF my said farm and land, for the relief of the poor
or bringing up children unto learning, from time tc
time forever, according to such instructions as shal
give unto them, bearing even date with these pre-
sents." Which instructions are in those words, viz
" That in the disposal of that which the Lord hatl
bestowed on me, and have now betrusted you will
ana you and your successors, shall have special re
gard and care, to provide for those that fear tht
Lord and in all things, and at all times, so to dis
charge the trust which have reposed in YOU, as ma,
be most for the glory of the Most High. and IN,
good and benefit of those for whom it is bv me ex
pressly designed.
I JOHN CLARKE"
/ " His estate was appraised at cIOsO I2s. b,
James Barker, Thomas Ward, and Philip Edes
VINO made oath to the inventory May II, 1876
oaid farm and neck they appraised .e53O and it:
annual income has been 900 dollars as the honora-
Die Josias Lyndon, Esq, ofthe assigns, inform:
r me; who says the first assigns being Mr.. Clarke,
intimate friends, were informed by him. that his in
tent was to provide for religious well as civil in
struction, thoughhe did not insert the word ministry
lest the national clergy should lay claim to it
Therefore part of said profits have been improved
to maintain religious teaching in that church evel
r since. Complaint made in 1921, that one o
ed the assembly to take the case in hand whoa