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A.1ST ACCOUNTOF THE

ANCESTORS AND DESCENDANTS

OF

JOHN LARDNER CLARK,AND

SOPHIA MARION ROSSWHO WERE MARRIED 1st AUGUST, 1797.

BY

CLIFFORD ST^1>TIDEY SI3VCS,

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE

NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY.

OPR ESCOTT, CANADA:

P. BYRNE, PRINTER.

1870.

CJL.ARK.I. THOMAS CLARK, of Milford, Connecticut, probably brother of

George Clark, Jr., of Milford, and of John Clark, of Saybrook, whocame from Great Mundon, Hertfordshire, England

;took the oath

of Fidelity at New Haven 1644 ;married Ann, widow of John

Jordan of Guilford, 1654 ;she was a relative of Governor Fen-

wick;after his marriage he lived at Guilford, where 2nd Dec., 1658,

John Hill of Guilford sued Thomas Clark for slander, the plaintiff

declared that the defendant hath slanderously reported that he, the

said John Hill, laid violent hands upon him and took him by the

collar or throat and *shook him and offered to strike him with his

fork, and another while with his fist, which the said Hill denied,

and so looks upon himself as wronged and desires satisfaction for

the slander;Mr. Clark gave the truth in evidence which he fully

sustained, so that 'the Court awarded that the Defendant was not

guilty of slandering Hill, and awarded the Defendant his costs.

Thomas Clark died 10th Oct., 1668;Inventory .£220

;Mrs. Ann

Clark died at Saybrook 3rd Jan., 1672;Inventory at Guilford £26 ;

at Saybrook £77;Abraham Post of Saybrook, who had married

her daughter Mary Jordan, was her Administrator.

CHILDREN.

1. Daniel, born January, 1657-8,

2. Sarah,

3. Elizabeth.

II. 1. DANIEL CLARK, of Killingworth, Connecticut, married Mary

CHILDREN.

4. Daniel, born 3rd February, 1683-4,

5. Thomas, “ 11th “ 1686-7,

6. Mercy, “ 9th October, 1702;married John Willett.

Mrs. Mary Clarke married secondly Philip Bill, of New Londonand Groton, and died 10th July, 1739, aged 80.

III. 5. THOMAS CLARK married Hannah;married

2nd in 1735 Ruth,by whom he had no issue

;settled

near Eggharbor, New Jersey, with his four sons;died at Clark’s

Landing, New Jersey, 17th May, 1752 ;Mrs. Ruth Clarke died

3rd June, 1749, aged 53. »

CHILDREN.

7. Thomas, married 1740 Sarah Parker of Saybrook.8. David,

9. Samuel, a Presbyterian clergyman,

10. Elijah, bom 1732.

2

IV. 10. ELIJAH CLARK, of Pleasant Mills, and afterwards of

Hincliman Farm, New Jersey, married Jane Lardner; was a Colo-’

nel in the New Jersey Militia during the Revolution, and a mem-ber of the Provincial Congress in 1775 ;

died 9th December, 1795.

CHILDREN.

1 1 . Lardner, left issue,

12. Elisha, married Louisa Clark, his cousin, and left issue.

13. Rebecca, married James Vanuxem, and left issue.

14. Deborah, d. s. p.

15. John Lardner, born 20th March, 1770.

16. Josiah, d. s. p.

17. Mary, married Francis Bernoudi, and left issue.

V. 15. JOHN LARDNER CLARK, of Philadelphia, married 1st

August, 1797, SOPHIA MARION ROSS, she died 25th Janu-ary, 1812

;married 2nd Ann Cox 6th September, 1815, she died

in December 1817, without issue. John Lardner Clark died 7th

May, 1837.

CHILDREN.

18. Charles Ross, born 1st January, 1798, d. s. p.

19. Charles Ross, “ 17th September, 1799, d. s. p.

20. Louisa Vanuxem, born 1st August, 1801.

21. Brainerd, born 25th July, 1803.

22. Emeline, born 22nd July, 1805, d. s. p.

23. Emeline Marion, born 8th October, 1807.

VI. 20. LOUISA VANUXEM CLARK, married 3rd June, 1823,

Thomson Neale Sims, of Mount Holly, New Jersey;married 2nd,

26th December, 1839, James Peacock, of Harrisburgh, Pennsylva-

nia, by whom she had no issue;died 2nd May, 1869.

CHILDREN.

24. Sophia Marion, born 25th March, 1824, d. s. p.

1st December, 1840.

25. Alfred William, born 21st September, 1826.

26. Louisa Clark, born 10th June, 1830, d. s. p.

VII. 25. ALFRED WILLIAM SIMS, of Woodstock, Vermont, mar-

ried 2nd June, 1856, Adelaide, daughter of William Sowdon, of

Port Hope, Canada.

CHILDREN.

27. Harry Neale, born 30th July, 1857.

28. William Sowden, born 15th October, 1858.

29. Louisa Peacock, “ 22nd June, 1860.

30. James Peacock, “ 1st March, 1862, d. s. p.

31. Alfred Varley, “ 21st September, 1864.

32. Mary Stewart, “ 16th April, 1868.

3

VI. 21. BRAINERD CLARK, of Mount Holly, Hew Jersey, mar-

ried Sarah Jane Coppuck, July, 1830;died 17th April, 1837.

CHILDREN.

33. Adelaide Louisa, born 30th August, 1831.

34. Louis Janies, “ 9th November, 1833.

35. Frederick William, born May, 1836.

VII. 34. LOUIS JAMES CLARK, of Philadelphia, married SusanStones, 11th February, 1869.

VII. 35. FREDERICK WILLIAM CLARK, of Norfolk, Virginia,

ir.arried Susan damage, November, 1861 ;died December, 1862.

CHILDREN.

36. Frederick William, born September, 1862.

VI. 23. EMELINE MARION CLARK married 8th December, 1830,

John Clarke Sims of Pliildelphia.

CHILDREN.

37. Henry Augustus, born 22nd December, 1832.

38. Clifford Stanley, “ 2nd February, 1855, d. s. p.

39. Celanire Bernoudi, “ 21st July, 1837.

40. Clifford Stanley, “ 17th February, 1839.

41. John Clarke, “ 12th September, 1845, admitted to

membership in the Society of the Cincinnati of New Jersey,

4th July, 1867, as representative of his great great grand-

father, Surgeon Alexander Ross.

42. James Peacock, born 15th November, 1849.

VIL 37. HENRY AUGUSTUS SIMS, of Philadelphia, married 30thJune, 1864, Mary, daughter of Alpheus Jones, of Prescott, Canada.

CHILDREN.

43. John Clarke, born 19th April, 1865, d. s. p.

44. John Clarke. “ 4th May, 1866.

VII. 39. CELANIRE BERNOUDI SIMS, married 3rd November,1859, William Smith Forbes, M. D., of Philadelphia.

CHILDREN.

45. Emeline Sims, born 29th July, 1860.

46. Murray, “ 23rd June, 1863.

47. John Sims, “ 7th May, 1866.

48. William Junes“ 21st November, 1868.

4

VII. 40. CLIFFORD STANLEY SIMS, of Prairie Ridge Plantation,

Arkansas, married 2nd August, 1865, Mary Josephine, daughter of

Charles Steadman Abercrombie, M. D., of Roseland, Tennessee—admitted to»membership in the Society of the Cincinnati of New Jer-

sey, 4th July, 1861, as representative of his great grandfather.

Major John Ross ; entered the United States Navy as Captain’s

Clerk, 1862 ; appointed assistant Paymaster, 1863; appointed

Judge Advocate General of Arkansas, 1864 ;elected Delegate to

the Constitutional Convention of Arkansas, 1867 ;elected Repre-

sentative in the Legislature, 1868; appointed Commissioner to

digest the Statutes, 1868;appointed XTnitecl States Consul at Pres-

cott, Canada, 186th

CHILDREN.

49. Charles Abercrombie, born 5th June, 1866.

50. Clifford Stanley, “ 12 th January, 1868.

51. Lancelot Falcon, ct5tl\ January, 1870.

ROSS.I. JOHN ROSS, of a family seated in Wigtownshire, and Ayrshire,

Scotland, married Marion Hannay;died September, 1789.

CHILDREN.

1. John, a Major in the British Army, d. s. p. about 1807.

2. Alexander, M.D., born 1713.

II. 2. ALEXANDER ROSS, M.D., emigrated to America, and set-

tled at Mount Holly, New Jersey; married Elizabeth Becket;was a Surgeon in the New Jersey Line during the Revolutionary

War; died 10th May, 1780.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ross married secondly Zachariah Rossell of MountHolly, and died 8th June, 1807, aged 74.

CHILDREN.

3. John, M.D., born 2nd March, 1752.

4. Harriet, married John Cox, and had issue.

5. Jane, married Major Richard Cox of the Revolutionary

Army, and had issue.

6. Marion, d. s. p.

7. Alexander, d. s. p.

8. Elizabeth Harriet, d. s. p.

III. 3. JOHN ROSS, M.D., of Mount Holly, New Jersey; was com-

missioned Captain 3r<j New Jersey Regiment, Revolutionary

Army, 13th March, 1776;commissioned Major 2nd New Jersey

Regiment, 7th April, 1779;commissioned Inspector of the Reve-

nue, 8th March, 1792;was an original member of the Society of

the Cincinnati of New Jersey; was a Colonel in the Militia;

married 8th July, 1778, Mary, only daughter of Rev. John Brain-

erd, she died 31st January, 1792;married 2nd, 10th May, 1794,

Sarah, daughter of John Hillyar, by whom he had no issue;died

7th September, 1796. 1

CHILDREN.

9. Sophia Marion, born 18th November, 1779.

10. John Brainerd, “ 23rd January, 1782, d. s. p.

11. Elizabeth, “ 18th January, 1783, married JohnBrown, M. D., and 2nd John Winans, M. D., d. s. p. 1815.

12. Alexander, bom 13th August, 1785 ;succeeded his father

|as a member of the Society of the Cincinnati ofNew Jersey

; [

d. s. p. October, 1808. I

IV. 9. SOPHIA MARION ROSS, married 1st August, 1797, JOHNLARDNER CLARK, of Philadelphia

;died 25th January, 1812. Jj

APPENDIX.GRAVE STONE INSCRBPTIONS

AT CLARK’S LANDING, NEW JERSEY.

Here lies tlie body of

MR. THOMAS CLARK,

WHO DIED MAY 17TH, A. D. 1752,

In the 65th year of liis age.

Here lies the body of

MRS. RUTH CLARK,

Wife of MR. THOMAS CLARK,

WHO DIED JUNE 3RD, 1749,

In the 53rd year of her age.

AT WOODBURY, NE\y JERSEY.

To the Memory of

ELIJAH CLARK,Who departed this life

ON THE 9th OF DECEMBER, 1795,

Aged 65 years.

In Memory of JANE CLARK,

Relict of ELIJAH CLARK, deed..

Who departed this life

aug. 10, 1804,

In the 66th year of her age.

7

AT MOUNT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY.

SACRED

To the Memory of

ALEXANDER ROSS, M. D.,

Who departed this life

may 10th, a.d. 1780,

Aged 67 years.

Here lietli

ALEXANDER ROSS,

AGED 3 YEARS,

And

ELIZABETH HARRIET ROSS,

AGED 2 YEARS,

Children of ALEXANDERAnd ELIZABETH ROSS.

In Memory of

MARY, wife of

Doctor JOHN ROSS,Who departed this life

jan. 3 1st, 1792,

Aged 36 years and 6 months.

Sweet soul, we leave thee to thy rest,

Enjoy thy Jesus and thy God,Till we from bands of clay releast,

Spring out and climb the shining road.

In Memory of

Doctor JOHN ROSS,Who departed this life

SEPTEMBER 7TH, 1796,i

Aged 43 years and 6 months.

O may I stand before the LambWhen earth and seas are fled !

And hear the Judge pronounce my nameWith blessing on my head.

8

ELIZABETH,

The 2nd wife of Z. ROSSELL,

DIED JUNE 8TH, 1807,

Aged 74 years.

In

Memory of

BRAINERD CLARK, ESQ.,

Who departed this life

april 17th, 1837,

In the 34th year of his age.

Coffin Plate Inscription .

JOHN LARDNER CLARK,BORN MARCH 20tH, A. D. 1770,

Died May 7th, A.D. 1837.

From the Pennsylvania Packet,ISth October, 1773.

DIED—Miss MARION ROSS, eldest daughter of Doctor ALEX-ANDER ROSS, of Mount Holly in New Jersey.

NEW JERSEY REVOLUTIONARYPage 61.

CORRESPONDENCE.

From John Cox and Elijah Clark to the President of the Council of

Safety.“ Forks of Little Egg Harbor, June 12th, 1777.

Sir,

—

We this morning received information from Capt. Bradley at

the Foxboroughs that on the 10th instant about six o’clock in the even-

ing a brig appeared off Little Egg Harbor Inlet and made a signal for

a Pilot, on which Joseph Sowey vvitli his brother and two boys went off

to conduct her into port, and were unluckily taken and carried off.

Immediately on taking them on board, the brig proceeded to the mouthof Great Egg Harbor Inlet, where she again threw out a signal for a

pilot, on which Mr. Colder, a noted man in that way, went off with his

k -

9

boat, and on approaching near enough to disco

v

rer what she was, finding

her to be a vessel of force, and observing her to hoist out her boat to

windward, which was managed with some degree of precipitation, heimmediately put about, and pushed for the shore, the enemy’s boat pur-

suing with only two men appearing, and on coming within about onehundred yards, a number of men instantly showed themselves, and fired

on Grolder and crew, who witli some difficulty gained the shore, butwere obliged to quit their boat, which fell into the hands of the enemy.As So wey is one of our best pilots and well acquainted with our Inlet,

we doubt not he will be made use of by the enemy to bring in their

tenders, and pilot them up the bay and river;which may be productive

of the most fatal consequences, the inhabitants being in the most help-

less condition and having a great number of cattle and other property

th it must immediately fall into the hands of the pirates, unless somespirited steps are immediately taken to prevent it

;and being desirous

of doing everything in our p >wer to disappoint them, we have presumedto t ike from C apt. Shaler eight or ten pieces of cannon, belonging to a

sloop of his lately cast away on the coast, which we have this day ordered

down to the Foxboroughs, under his direction, with orders immediatelyto throw up a battery to defend the Inlet, and to annoy the enemy as

much as possible, should they attempt; an entrance. There is now at

Foxboroughs a guard of about 20 men, and Col. Clark will immediatelyorder down as many more, to assist in doing the necessary work.Powder anl provisions for the people will bq immediately wanted.Shot can be procured here. We doubt not the honorable Council will

think it expedient to lose no time in giving the necessary directions for

effecting what they may think ought to he done on tin's alarming occa-

sion.

We are, with great respect,

Your most ob’t and humble servt’s,

John Cox,

Elijah Clark.The Hon. the President of the

)

Council of Safety.” /

MICKLE'S HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY, NEWJERSEY, page 80.

“ During the war, Elijah Clark and Richard Westcotfc, Esqs., built at

their own expense a smalt fort at the Fox Burrows, on Chestnut Neck,near the port of Little Egg Harbor, and bought a number of cannon for

the defence of said fort. While the Revolutionary Legislature was in

session at Haddonfield, in September, 1777, the two branches passed a

resolution for paying Clark and Westcott four hundred and thirty

pounds one shilling and three pence for this fort, which, we are told,

was at one time defended by fifteen hundred of the shore-men, who,

10

u|K»n the enemy ascending the river in great force in barges, evacuatedit. The go >d people of Chestnut Neck ought to mark the site of this

old redoubt, that future ages may know it.”

Extractsfrom the Journal ofMr. Philip V. Pith ion, who was licensed to

preach hi/ the Presbyteri/ of Philadelphia. November ti, 177If, and icho

visited Egg Harbor in February, 1775.

“ Monday. 6th, I rode to the Forks at Little Egg Harbor, and put

up, according to direction, at Elijah Clark’s, Esq. Mr. Clark is a manof fortune and taste : he appears also to be a man of integrity andpiety, an Israelite indeed

;and, 0 religion, thou hast one warm and

unfeigned advocate in good and useful Mrs. Clark ! I had rather haveher spirit with the condition of a starving l>eggar, than destitute of it to

have the wealth of worlds : she has more than the form, she has the

spirit, of religion. This peaceful, friendly, heaven-like spirit is breath-

ing from her in every sentence.” “ Wednesday, 8th, according to ap-

pointment, 1 preached in Mr, Clark’s little log meeting-house;present

about forty.”

LIFE OF REV. JOHN BEAINERD, page 47:3.

“ The waters of the Atsion and Batsto Creeks unite near the present

villages of Pleasant Mills and Batsto, and form the Little Egg Harboror Mullica River. At or near these Forks stood ‘ Mr. Clark’s little leg

meeting house,’ built of cedar logs and about twenty -five feet square,

ceiled throughout with cedar.”

Rev. John Brainerd, grandson of Daniel Brainerd, one of the origi-

nal proprietors of Haddam, Connecticut, in 1622, and son of HonorableHezekiah Brainerd, one of his Majesty’s Council for the Colony, wasborn at Haddam, 28th February, 1720 ;

his mother was Dorothy,

daughter of Rev. Jeremiah Hobart;he graduated at Yale College 1746

;

ordained 1747 ;married 1752 Experience Lyon : was for more than 20

years a Missionary among the Indians;Trustee of the College of Prince-

ton from 1744 to 1781 ;Chaplain in the army, during the Old French

War, 1759 ;Moderator of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia

1762 ;died 1781.

In 1776 he preached in the Church at Black woodtown, New Jersey,

a sermon glowing with patriotism, he appealed to the people to enlist

and fight for their country ; his text was (Psalm cxliv. I), “ Blessed he

the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers

to fight.”

11

Letter addressed by John Ross, formerly a Major in the British Army,to

John Ross, formerly a Major in the Revolutionary Army.

Stranraer, the 30th of March, 1790.

Dear Sir,—Your Grandfather departed this life in the month of Sep-

tember last, of which I endeavored to give you the earliest intelligence,

but as 1 have had no answer to my letter, nor have I heard from yousince I came home which is more than two years, I take this opportunity

to write you again in hopes that it may reach you safely. No soouer

than your Grandfather’s dissolution took place but Dixon’s creditors did

everything to disappoint you. However, I think I may now venture

to say that I played the old soldier and out-generaled them. Had it

been my own affair L could not have' done more than I did for you, andI am very much pleased to inform you that your £150 pounds is safe

in ray hands to be at your service when you think proper to draw for

it, but you had better be cautious and do it very secretly. I would re-

commend Liverpool to be the channel, or ujion consideration Ireland

will do very well. Please write me before you draw, least this letter

miscarry. I will write you again and again. I am very anxious to

hear from you, so delay not answering the first letter you receive. MyFather died very poor, he owed a good deal of money in the country

which he never told me of. I have sold out of the army and hired a

place to live at near this town. Cairnbrock was too cold for my consti-

tution, being situated on a bleak shore where no trees will grow.

Kind compliments to Mrs. Ross;may your family always be as

happy as I wish them.

I am, Dear Sir,

Your affect. Uncle,

John Ross.

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