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Amos Clark (1754–1843), son of Jabez Clark and Sarah Judd

Anna Sears (1755–1835), daughter of Ebenezer Sears and Elizabeth Cook

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Amos, the son of Jabez and Sarah Clark, was born on 12 October 1754 in Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut.^1,2 He died on 20 March 1843, age 88, in Chatham (now East Hampton), Middlesex County, Connecticut.^3,4 He married Anna Sears on 12 July 1781 in Chatham.^1,3 Amos is buried in the Lakeview Cemetery in East Hampton.⁴

Anna, the daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Cooke) Sears, was born on 17 February 1755 in Chatham.^1,2,5 She died on 8 July 1835 in Chatham.³

Amos was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.⁴

On 11 August 1832 Amos Clark of Chatham made a declaration to obtain a pension in accordance with an act of 1832. He said that in April 1775 he joined Lieutenant Scott's company in Colonel Wylley's Connecticut regiment at Hartford for a term of seven months. The company marched to Roxbury near Boston, where he remained for the rest of his term. In the spring of 1776 he enlisted as a sergeant in Captain Joseph Churchill's company, Comfort Sage's regiment for six months. The company marched from Chatham to New Haven, where it was put on a vessel and transported to New York. The company was ordered to Governor's Island where it remained until the retreat from Long Island, when it returned to New York. It remained there for a time and retreated with the main army to Phillips Patent and White Plains. In late 1776 or early 1777 he enlisted for three months as a sergeant in Captain Blackman's company, Colonel Roger Enos commanding. They performed around White Plains and New Rochelle. In the autumn of 1777 he was drafted and served for two months at Fishkill and Red Hook in New York. In 1778 he performed a two-month tour of duty in New Haven. He was a sergeant at Guilford for two months, but he could not remember the year. In May 1781 he was drafted as a sergeant for four months in New Haven. Amos testified that during his service he never fought in a major battle, but participated in skirmishes, the biggest of which was at White Plains. He said that he was born in 1754 in Chatham. The court ruled that he was a Revolutionary War soldier and had served as he stated.⁶

Amos and his wife Anna were admitted to the church in Chatham on 11 July 1784.³

In 1790 Amos and Anna lived in Chatham with a boy under 16 [Abner] and two females [Philena and Anne]⁷

Amos was an active member of the church in Chatham. He was chosen a member of the parish committee on 28 October 1793, 27 November 1794, 26 October 1795, and 29 October 1810. He was chosen auditor on 11 November 1793. He was chosen a member of the committee to seat the meeting house on 27 November 1794, 13 December 1796, 10 Decemer 1801, 5 November 1804, 20 November 1809, and 18 November 1811. He was chosen a member of lthe committee to circulate subscription papers to procure money for the the Burying Ground on 5 January 1804. He was chosen moderator on 28 October 1805 and 26 October 1807. He was chosen a member of the committee to take subscriptions to raise money for Reverend West on 25 October 1812.³

Amos and Anna appear to have spent their lives in Chatham. In 1800 they lived in a household [the ages are slightly off, as is not unusual] with a male and a female 26 to 44 [Amos and Anna], a female 26 to 44 [Anna, Jr.], a male and two females ten to 15 [Philena, Anna, Jr. and Abner], and a male and a female under ten [Sarah and Amos]. In 1810 they lived in a household with a male and a female 45 and older [Amos and Anna], a male and a female 16 to 25 [Abner and Sarah], and a male and a female ten to 15 [Amos, Jr. and someone else]. In 1820 they lived in a household with a male and a female over 45 [Amos and Anna] and a female 26 to 44. In 1830 they lived in a household with a male and a female 70 to 79 [Amos and Anna] and a female 30 to 39. One member of the household was blind, probably Amos or Anna. In 1840 Amos was living in a household with a male 80 to 89 [Amos] and a female 40 to 49. Amos was described as an 83-year-old veteran.⁷

Children of Amos Clark and Anna Sears:

i. Anna Clark was born on 20 April 1782 in Chatham.¹ She was baptised there on 18 July 1784.³ She died there on 5 January 1786.^1,3

ii. Philena Ann Clark was born on 28 September 1784 in Chatham. She was baptised there on 30 October 1784. She married Nathan Harding.

iii. Anna Clark was born on 28 January 1787 in Chatham.¹ She died in 1874.⁴ She married Lazarus Watrous of Marlboro on 30 November 1809.^2,3 Lazarus was born in 1778.⁴ He died of a "liver complaint" on 14 March 1850 in Chatham.^3,8 Anna and Lazarus are buried in the Lakeview Cemetery.⁴

Lazarus was baptised as an adult on 1 November 1818 in Chatham. The same day, Lazarus and his wife Anna were admitted to full communion.³

Lazarus was active in the Chatham church. He was chosen collector on 11 December 1809. He was on the committee to seat the meeting house on 31 October 1815, 31 October 1825, and 29 October 1832. He was chosen a member of the committee to circulate subscription notices on 31 October 1815, 29 October 1821, and 2 May 1832. He was a member of the parish committee on 28 October 1816, the last Monday of Ocotober 1817, 26 October 1818, 25 October 1819, and 27 October 1827. He was chosen chorister on the last Monday of October 1817 and 31 October 1825. He was chosen a member of the committee to make alterations in the meeting house on 30 October 1826. He was chosen a member of the soc. committee on 13 October 1828. He was chosen moderator of the committee on 30 November 1838, 12 March 1848, 19 March 1847, 11 October 1847, and 8 October 1849.³

At the time of his death, Lazarous was a farmer.⁸

iv. Doctor Abner Nelson Clark was born on 12 April 1789, probably in Chatham.⁵ He died on 28 April 1863 in Fredonia, Chautauqua County, New York.^4,9 He married first Harmony A. Cushman on 22 February 1816 in Winfield.¹⁰ She died on 24 July 1817.¹⁰ Abner married second Betsey Unknown.¹⁰ Betsey was born on 6 October 1800 in Goshen, Massachusetts and she died of cancer on 31 August 1881 in Fredonia.^4,9 Abner and Betsey are buried in the Pioneer Cemetery in Fredonia.⁴

Abner was chosen chorister in the church in Chatham on 29 October 1810, 28 October 1811 and 25 October 1812. He was chosen collector on 28 October and 16 December 1811 and 8 November 1813.³

Dr. Abner Clark, the brother of Nathan Harding's wife, lived in East Winfield.² Later he moved to Fredonia.²

In March 1817 Abner was listed as a surgeon's mate in the 27th regiment of infantry, Herkimer County.¹⁰

Abner's first wife Harmony died giving births to twins. One of the twins died as well; the surviving twin was Abner's son Harmanus.¹⁰

Abner moved to Fredonia in 1834 and opened a drug store at (now) 37 East Main Street in Fredonia.¹⁰

In 1850 Abner, age 60, and Betsey, age 50, lived in Fredonia with [their children] Harmanus, 33, Harmony, 28, and Darwin, 17. Abner was a druggist. In 1860 Abner, age 70, and Betsey, age 60, lived in Fredonia. Abner was an alopathic physician. He had real estate worth 3,500 dollars and a personal estate of 3,000 dollars.⁷

Abner was a director of the Fredonia Bank, organized in 1856.²

Abner N. Clark of Fredonia made his will on 2 November 1859; it was proved on 18 May 1869. He named his wife Betsey and sons Harmanus and Erasmus Darwin.¹¹

v. Sarah Clark was born on 22 April 1791 in Chatham.⁵ She died on 7 April 1877 in Chatham.⁵ She is buried in the Lakeview Cemetery.⁴ Late in life, she married, as his third wife, Ephraim Meech on 11 March 1848 in East Haddam.^1,2 Ephraim, the son of Daniel and Surviah (Witter) Meech, was born on 9 November 1790 in Stonington.¹⁴ He died on 22 (grave) or 24 (church record) August 1863 in East Haddam.^3,4 Ephraim married first Sophia Hilliard of Preston on 14 October 1813 in Preston.¹ Sophia died on 5 January 1821 in East Haddam.¹⁴ Ephraim married second Eunice T. Harris on 6 June 1822 in Preston.¹ Eunice Tyler Spicer was born on 7 October 1790.⁴ She died on 23 (grave and town record) or 13 (church record) July 1847 in East Haddam.^1,3,5

Ephraim and his first two wives ar buried in the Bushan Lake Cemetery in East Haddam.⁴

Ephraim was a sergeant in Colonel Randall's 30th Connecticut Regiment in the War of 1812.⁶

Ephraim and his wife Eunice T. were admitted to communion on 5 July 1822 in East Haddam.³

Sarah was admitted to full communion at the Chatham church on 6 July 1827.⁵ Sally, the wife of Ephraim, was admitted to communion in East Hampton by a letter from the church in East Hampton.³

Sarah is probably the woman who was living with her parents in 1820, 1830 and 1840. Her marriage record says that she was born in Chatham and age 57 and residing in East Haddam at the time of her marriage. Ephraim was a 59-year-old farmer, born in Stonington and residing in East Haddam.¹

In 1850 Ephraim, age 60, and Sarah, age 57, were living in East Haddam with Oliver, age 22, and Almira Pierce, age 11, and Ephraim was a farmer. In 1860 Ephraim, age 70, and Sarah, age 67, were living in East Haddam with Elisa, age 36. Ephraim was a farmer and Sarah was described as "insane." In 1870 Sarah was living in Chatham with her brother Amos and his wife.[USC]

vi. Amos Clark was born on 2 December 1794² or 26 December 1794, probably in Chatham.⁵ He was baptised on 5 April 1795 in Chatham.³ He died on 26 March 1885 in Chatham.³ He married Betsey M.S. Smith of Chatham on 18 September 1816 in Chatham.³ She died on 6 August 1887 in Chatham.³ Amos and Betsy Mary Smith are buried in the Lakeview Cemetery.⁴

Amos and Betsey lived on Miller's Hill in Chatham.²

Like his father, Amos was very active in the Chatham church. He was chosen chorister on 31 October 1815, the last monday of October 1817, 26 October 1818, 25 October 1819, 29 October 1820, 29 October 1821, 22 October 1822, 29 October 1823, 25 October 1824, and 31 October 1825. He was chosen collector on 28 October 1816 and 9 October 1848. He was chosen a member of the committee to seat the meeting house on 26 October 1818 and 29 October 1832. He was chosen a member of a committee to circulate suscriptions on 28 October 1822, 14 March 1828, 27 October 1829, 25 October 1830, 2 May 1832, and 10 October 1834. He wass chosen the moderator on 28 October 1822, 3 May 1843, 2 May 1844, 8 May 1845, 1 November 1845, and 9 January, 8 April, 12 October, and 9 November 1846. He was chosen a member of the parish committee on 28 October 1822, 29 October 1823, 25 October 1824, 2 May 1844, 8 May 1845, and12 March 1847. He was chosen a member of the membership committee on 31 October 1831, 15 August 1855, and 7 May 1860. He was appointed clerk pro tem on 28 May and 29 October 1832 and clerk on 20 October and 10 November 1851 and 11 October 1852. He was on a committee to repair the door of the meeting house and put in glass o 4 May 1842. He was a member of the soc. [social or another word for parish?] committee on 3 May 1843, 20 October 1851, and 11 October 1852. He was chosen the agent to sell property deeded to the society by Eunice Norton on 25 May 1846. He was chosen auctioneer on 12 October 1846. He was a member of a committee to chose a location for the new meeting house on 13 January 1854. He subscribed 150 dollars for the new meeting house on 21 February 1854. He wa chosen a member of the building committee on 4 March 1854. He was chosen a member of the committee to conduct the case of Alfred Williams on 15 August 1855.³

In 1850 Amos, age 55, and Betsey, age 53, lived with Orlando, 29, Richard, 26, Mary, 24, Edward, 22, Heman, 18, Mthilda, 16, and Rufus, 14. Amos was a farmer, Orlando and Richard were brass founders, and Edward and Heman were teachers. In 1860 Amos, age 65, and Betsey, age 63, were living in Chatham with Allen, age 43, Frances, age 42, Frederick, age 5, Janet Watrous, age 5 and Lavinia Ackley, age 35. In 1870 Amos, age 75, and Betsey, age 72, were living in Chatham with [Amos's sister] Sarah Meech, age 77. In 1880 Amos was an 85-year-old farmer in Chatham, living with Betsey, age 63.⁷

Betsey was admitted to the church in September 1883.³

References:

1. Connecticut Vital Records (The Barbour Collection):

Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630–1870," online database, AmericanAncestors (2011, https://www.americanancestors.org), from original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928.

"Connecticut, U.S., Town Marriage Records, pre-1870 (Barbour Collection)," database with images, Ancestry (2006 : https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1062) >  North Stonington, image 52; Stonington, images 243–4; East Haddam, image 168. (marriage of daughter Sarah and Ephraim Meech, birth and parents of Ephraim, Ephraim's first two marriages and the deaths of his first two wives)

2. Local Histories

History of Middlesex County, Connecticut (New York: J.B. Beers & Co., 1884), 205. (births of Amos and Anna, marriage of second Anna, Jr., Abner's move to Fredonia, Sarah's marriage, birth of Amos, Jr., Amos, Jr.'s residence)

George A. (Joseph, Nathan) Hardin and Frank H. Willard, History of Herkimer County, New York (Syracuse: D. Mason & Co., 1893), 379. (Abner lived in West Winfield, Abner's move to Fredonia,)

John Phillips Downs and Fenwick Y. Hedley, History of Chautauqua County, New York, and Its People, vol. 1 (New York: American Historical Society, 1921), 368. (Abner director of Fredonia bank)

3. "Connecticut, U.S., Church Record Abstracts, 1630–1920," Ancestry (2013: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/3032) > vol. 25 East Haddam, image 209 (Meech); vol. 26 East Hampton, images 151–80 (Clark), images 582–81 (Watrous), citing Connecticut, "Connecticut Church Records Index," Connecticut State Library, Hartford.

4. "Amos Clark," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49055029/amos-clark); "Anna Clark," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69057326/anna-clark);"Anna Clark Watrous," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69393174/anna-watrous); "Lazarus Watrous," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69393158/lazarus-watrous); "Abner N. Clark MD," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15797065/abner-n-clark);"Betsey CLark," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15797066/betsey-clark); "Ephraim Meech," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119165452/ephraim-meech); "Sophia Hilliard Meech," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56852185/sophia-meech); "Eunice Tyler Spicer Meech," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56851952/eunice-tyler-meech); "Sarah Clark," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/61161636/sarah-clark); "Amos Clark Jr.," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69057291/amos-clark); "Betsy Mary Smith Clark," webpage, Findagrave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69057343/betsy-mary-clark).

5. Samuel Pierce May, The Descendants of Richard Sares (Sears) of Yarmouth, Mass., 1638–1888 (Albany: J. Munsell, 1890), 129–30.

6. Military Records

"Revolutionary War Pensions," database with images, Fold3 (https://www.fold3.com/image/12640613 : accessed 5 September 2021) > CT > C > Amos Clark.

"U.S., War of 1812 Service Records, 1812–1815," database, Ancestry (1999, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/4281), entry for Ephraim Meech.

7. "United States Federal Census," Databases with images, Ancestry (2004–2010):

8. "U.S., Federal Mortality Schedules, 1850–1885," database with images, Ancestry (2010: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8756) > 1850 > CT > Middlesex, image 1.

9. "Nineteenth Century Death Notices Extracted from the Fredonia Censor," Chautauqua County (https://chqgov.com/sites/default/files/document-files/2019-09/Fredonia%20Censor%20Death%20Notices%201819-1899%20%28PDF%29.pdf).

10. Douglas Shepard, "60 West Main Street," online article, 2021, Chautauqua County (http://app.chautauquacounty.com/hist_struct/Pomfret/60WestMainStreetPomfretTheClarkHouse.html).

11. "New York, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1659–1999," database with images, Ancestry (2015, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8800) > Chautauqua > Records of Wills vol. 1–3, 1830–1877, image 632.

Signature from Fold3.⁶

Photograph of Amos, Jr. from The One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary, 1748-1898, of the Congregational Church of East Hampton (Chatman), Conn., November 30, 1898 (https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/222662?availability=Family%20History%20Library).

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Last revised: 14-Jul-2023