The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-12
PRINTING.
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
1876.
Death of Mr.. John Clarke.

Mr. John Clarke died April 10Th 1876, and was
buried, agreeably to his request between the bodies
of his two wives, in small burying- place the
west side of Tanners street in Newport, where all
three of the grave stones are in good preserva
ton; mound of earth being raised the
whole. To this the colony of Rhode Island
was, in our opinion, indebted in a greater degree,
than to any other of her founders He was the o.
rgnal protector of the settlement the Island, and
of its first and abest civilians If some others
broke the ice with more daring responsibility, hel
followed, methodised, and wraught the more rude
materials into form and order. To him the colony
was almost wholly indebted for the extension of her
territory on the east, and side of the bay both
of which were procured by his address, and perse-
verance, as her agent in England, during absence
of twelve years from home, spent in her service.
with indeatgble labor he procured present char
ter, and had the influence to engraf in it, the first
proud principles of religious freedom. In reducing
the government to order, Mr.. Clarke was much re-
lied on, and held the first rank in legislative intel-
gence. He to the rude and boisterous materials,
among which his lot was cast, what the pendulum is
to the time-piece. Although he had adopted the
babtist mode of faith and practice, we never find
him engaged in angry controversy with those of
different persuasion but the contrary endeavor-
ing to practice, and establish, what he professed--
federation for all.
Such was the uniform tenor of this good mans
life, that history affords evidence that he had an
enemy. ... ..-.... ..... ...
The following particulars respecting Mr.. Clarke,
extracted from Bachus history of the Baptists in
New England. .. ..-..
He born October s, 1909; married Eliza
beth, daughter ofJohn Harges, Esq Bedfordshire.
In power of attorney signed by them May IL, 1885,
he styles himself John Clarke, physician of London.
1t was for the recovery of legacy of 600 per an
mum during her life, that given her by her faith
er out of the manor of Wresingworth Bedfordshire.
Where he had his education know not !; but the
following clause in his will may give some idea of
his learning VIZ Item, unto my loving friend Rich
ard Bailey, L give and bequeath, my concordance
and lexicon to 1t belonging, written by myself, being
the fruit OF several years study my Hebrew Bibles,
Buxtorff's and Passor's lexicon, Cottons concor-
dance, and all the rest of my books His first wife
died at Newport without ISSUE and Feb. /, 1871
he married Mrs. Jane Fletcher, by whom, Feb. a.,
1872, he had daughter born /; but the mother died
ls, 1853. His third wife the widow Sarah Da-
Wis, who survived him, he gave some legacies, both
to her and to the children she had by her former
husband, Mr.. Bailey came from London with him,
in 1864" ......
"At the assembly of April 2, 1872, an account
was exhibited, examined, approved and attested by
goveror Arnold and three assistants, which is now
extant under their own hands, wherein it appears,
that when Mr.. Clarke obtained said charter, he had
received but e22l 3s though the charter with his
time and pains, cost f65I, lis. l0d an e100 of
which was then due to him. and was ordered to be
paid IN provision pay, two pounds for one but he
never received any oft i'll his life time By his pa
pers find that he mortgaged his estate in Newport,
to Capt Richard Deane, of London, the same month
that he procured the charter and that it was not Ia
kenup TIL Sept ., l699, when the last payment Of
els, was made to Capt. Deanes heirs"
After MIR. Clarke's return, he was improved in
various public Offices elected deputy Govern
three years successfully, in two of which he ac
cepted the office but all the concern of the state did
not prevail with him, it has done with manv. to
neglect the affairs of religion. His church records
and other writings prove, the continuance ofhs pas
toral relation to the first church in Newport and his
and labors to uphold gospel worship, and dis
cipnc therein. And the instrument by which he
settled his last concerns in this world, shews what
his faith and hope were, to that which is to
foT therein lac says, Whereas John Clarke of
Newport, in the colony of Rhode Island, and Prov
idence plantations in New England, physician. am
at this present, through the abundant goodness and
mercy ofmy God. though weak in my body, yet