CAPTAIN
JOHN CLARK
1802-1885
John Clark was born in Pittsfield October 4, 1802, the son of Theodore and Sarah (Eaton) Clark. His father, who came from Haverhill, Massachusetts, established a fulling mill on what became known as Clark's Pond, now the Town swimming pool, very early in the Town's history. In it cloth was cleaned, shrunk and thickened by moisture, heat and pressure. This was one of the first mills in the Suncook Valley.
Presumably John attended local schools and perhaps the Academy. On March 2, 1825 he married Asenath Wells, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Sanderson) Wells. Her father was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War and was said to have been one of General Washington's bodyguards at Valley Forge.
The couple lived near Clark's Pond in a house that John built himself on his father's land. They had nine children, all born in Pittsfield. Like their parents, several of the children became members of the church. According to one genealogist, "There is little doubt that all the children were ... baptized, probably by the ministers of the church in Pittsfield." John was very devout and "pronounced a blessing before each meal." He and his wife were admitted to church membership in 1832.
Captain Clark
John served as parish clerk for 21 years. Significantly, he was the individual chosen to deliver charges made against Reverend Hood by supporters of the Burleigh Family during 1862. In 1876 he was appointed to a committee assigned to "alter and amend the rules of this church to better meet the demands of the present day."
Mr. Clark was also a member of the Congregational Society. Although not active in its leadership he did serve as an auditor in 1864 and moderated a meeting during May 1868.
Mr. Clark was a captain in the Militia of New Hampshire. He was a staunch Whig until that party ceased to exist and was very conscientious about his obligations as a citizen. He attended town meetings for 61 years and cast his vote for local and state officials.
Captain Clark inherited his father's fulling mill and presumably earned his living from this business. In 1875 his four acres of land, presumably with buildings, was assessed at $1,500, a considerable amount of money at the time. He passed away January 6, 1885 at the age of 82 and was at the time the oldest native resident of Pittsfield.
He is buried in Floral Park Cemetery. His wife Asenath, who predeceased him in 1876 at the age of 75, is buried next to him as is his daughter Sarah who passed away in 1836 at the age of five.
|
SOURCES |
Biographical research and written profile by Larry Berkson, Historian, Pittsfield Historical Society |
Bartlett, A. W. History of the Twelfth Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion (Concord: Ira C. Evans, Printer, 1897), pp. 636-38.
Clarke, George Kuhn. The Descendants of Nathaniel Clarke and His Wife Elizabeth Somerby of Newbury, Massachusetts (Boston: Privately Published, 1902), pp. 138-42, 166-72.
"Death of a Valued Citizen," The Analecta, January 10, 1885.
Early Vital Statistics, Pittsfield, New Hampshire, in the possession of the Pittsfield Historical Society. Floral Park Cemetery Records, in the possession of Larry Berkson.
Manual of the Congregational Church, Pittsfield, New Hampshire, May 1, 1899, no place, no publisher, p. 40.
Merrimack County Registry of Probate, Concord, New Hampshire, Theodore Clark, #672.
Records of the Congregational Church of Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Book beginning April 19, 1860, in the possession of the Congregational Church.
Records of the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Book beginning November 17, 1789 and book beginning January 1, 1855, in the possession of the Congregational Church
Town of Pittsfield Appraisal of Real Estate, September 1875, in the possession of the Pittsfield Historical Society.
Young, E. Harold. History of Pittsfield, New Hampshire (Concord: New Hampshire Bindery, 1953), p. 91.