RODEKOHR ANCESTORS

Ezra CLARK
1781-1858

This page last updated:  17 August 2007

Ezra² CLARK (John¹) was born, calculated, on 14 September 1781[1] in Bedford, Westchester County, New York, the third son and child, of eight children, born to John CLARK and Mary (Polly) ROBINSON.[2] 

He married Mary^[3] (--?--), presumably, about 1800, when their first child was born.^[4] 

Bedford Historical Records, Volume IX, Genealogy, has created considerable confusion by listing another Ezra CLARK, born in Bedford on 15 September 1779, the son of Joseph CLARK (1753-1821) and Hannah CLOCK.  This second Ezra first married Polly BANKS on 1 May 1799, who was born in 1779 in Bainbridge New York, and died in 5 May 1808. He then married Mary FOOTE, born 24 September 1793 and who died 17 January 1850.  He died, 19 February 1858 at Sidney, Delaware County, New York.[5]  Joseph CLARK is a descendant of Nathan CLARK (1672-1738) who was a brother of William CLARK, (1670-1726), Great Grandfather to our Ezra CLARK.[6] 

Bedford Historical Records, Volume VIII, Bedford Cemeteries lists  

“Clark, Ezra, [d.] 19 Feb. 1858, 76/5/5, OB A-2.”   

This is the Old Bedford Cemetery, Plot A-2.[7]  Next to Ezra, in Plot A-3 and A-4 are:

“Clark, Mary w. of Ezra, [d.] 17 Jan. 1850  67 OB A-3.

 Clark, Marietta d. of Ezra & Polly [d.] 7 May 1837 14 OB A-4.[8] 

By inference, you are lead to believe that this is the grave of Ezra CLARK, son of Joseph (b. 1753).  In Volume IX, the date of death for Ezra, son of Joseph is listed as 19 February 1858, the same as is listed as the date of death of Ezra on the gravestone in Volume VIII.  The date of death of Mary FOOTE, wife of Ezra, son of Joseph (b. 1753), is listed as 17 Jan 1850 both in the Volume IX and VIII.  The date of birth for Mary, wife of Ezra, calculated from her gravestone would be circa 17 January 1850, the same date listed in Volume IX. 

To add to the confusion, in Inscriptions Copied From Graveyards in Bedford, With genealogical notes, transcribed in 1933,[9] lists:

38. Ezra Clark, d. (Sidney, NY), 19.Feb.1858 ae 78yrs.5mos.5ds. (b.15.Sept.1779, son of Joseph Clark & Hannah Clock).

39  (Polly Banks, his 1^st.wife, 23.Jan.1779-Brainbrigdge, N.Y., 5.May 1805.m.May 1799).

40  Mary (Foote), his (2^nd) wife, d.17.Jan.1850 ae 67. (m.26.Apr.1807).

48  Mary Marittay Clark, d.7.May 1834 in her 15^th.yr. (dau. of Ezra Clark & Mary Foote).

The age at death is listed as 76 years in Volume VIII, and as 78 years in Inscriptions.  Volume VIII records were based, primarily, on the index of tombstone inscriptions made by the WPA in the 1930s, vital statistics from church and undertaker’s records and New York State burial reports, and walking the cemeteries.[10]  Inscriptions records were copied from the graveyards.[11]  Without viewing the stone, it is not known which inscription is correct.

The calculated date of birth from Ezra’s gravestone per Volume IX is 14 Sep 1781, not 15 Sep 1779., and calculated from Inscriptions, is 14 Sept, 1779. 

The location of death is listed as Sidney, NY, in both Volume IX and Inscriptions.  The 1820[12]^{, [13], [14]} through 1850 Census for Sidney Township, Delaware County, New York lists an Ezra CLARK.  The 1850 census lists Ezra’s age as 70, indicating he was born circa 1779/80; and Mary, his wife, age 72,[15] her birth year calculated as 1778.  In the 1800[16]^{, [17], [18], [19], [20]} through 1850 Census for Bedford, Westchester County, New York, lists an Ezra CLARK.  The 1850 census lists this Ezra’s age as 68, indicating he was born, circa 1782.  No wife is listed.[21]

At the Pioneer or Congregational Church Cemetery, Sidney, Delaware County, New York, an Ezra CLARK is buried, who died 24 May 1858, age 79 yrs, having a calculated year of birth  circa 1779; Mary, wife of Ezra, died 8 May 1858, age 82, having a calculated year of birth as circa 1776.  Also listed are daughters, Harriet; Susan, wife of Wm. WEIR; and other CLARK relatives.^[22]  A biography for Mrs. Catherine J. WEIR tells of her father:

“Ezra Clark, the father of Mrs. Weir, had two wives, the first being Polly Banks, of Westchester County. She bore him two sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity; and of these four children the youngest, and the last surviving member, died quite recently in Morris, N.Y. Of his union with Mary Foote three girls and two boys were born, none of whom are now living excepting Mrs. Weir and one of her brothers . . . the farm which Mrs. Weir now owns was settled upon her by her father in 1811, . . . The Clarks were a numerous family, and had lived in Bedford, Westchester County, for many generation, coming to Delaware County from there. They were not of aristocratic ancestry, but were earnest workers, and accounted good and loyal citizens.” 

In History and Genealogy of Samuel Clark, Sr.,[23] Ezra CLARK, son of Joseph CLARK, Jr., fifth child of Joseph, Sr. [1713- 1791], b. in Bedford in 1753, is listed as:

“Ezra Clark, b. Sep 15, 1779, baptized 1786; d. May 24, 1858 at Sidney N. Y.  He removed to Sidney, Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1810,  .. He m. Polly Banks, May, 1799, . . . His wife, Polly d. May 5, 1806, in Bainbridge, N. Y., and was born Jan. 23, 1779.  He m. his second wife, Mary Foote, April 26, 1807, who was b. Sep. 24, 1776, and d. in Sidney, May 8, 1858.”

The information in Samuel Clark, Sr. corresponds with the information in the Sidney burial site.

It is obvious that the information provided to the Town of Bedford that made up these records was incorrect, with reference to Ezra CLARK, son of Joseph (b. 1753) and his wives.

Returning to Ezra CLARK, son of John (b. 1740), his nephew, Jotham CLARK wrote:

 “Ezra lived and died in the town of Bedford in which he was born.  Raised a large family and died near eighty,"^[24]

Ezra married Mary (--?--), who was born, calculated, in 1783, and died 17 January 1850.^[25]   The 1850 census for Bedford, list the people living with Ezra as: Rufus CLARK, age 38, probably a son; Lucretia, age 40, probably a daughter; Philip, age 27, probably a son; Emily, age 24, possibly a daughter of Ezra or wife of Philip; Amanda, age 31, wife of Rufus; William, age 11, possibly a son of Rufus; Catherine, age 9, daughter of Rufus; Henry, age 8, son of Rufus; and Mary, age 8 (15 in 1860), daughter of Rufus.[26]  It is difficult to determine the number of children that Ezra had from the earlier censuses, as adult children and their families lived with him as is evident in the 1850 census. 

An Ezra CLARK is listed as a Corporal in 157 Regiment (Westcot’s), New York Militia in the War of 1812. 

Mary died 17 January 1850 at age 67.  Ezra died on February 19, 1858 at age 76.  They are buried next to each other at the Old Bedford Cemetery, in Bedford.[27] 

Children of Ezra² CLARK and  Mary  (--?--) were as follows:

i.    William³ B. CLARK is thought to be the son of Ezra and Mary.  He was born, calculated, November 1802, died on 04 August 1829 at 26 years 9 months, “son of Ezra of Bedford Westchester Co. NY.”, buried at Village Cemetery, Victor, Ontario County, New York[28].   William would fit into the 1810 census that shows that Ezra had two males born between 1901 and 1809.[29]

ii.    Lucretia³ CLARK was born in 1810, calculated from the 1850 census.  No information is found after 1850.

+ iii.    Rufus CLARK, born 1812; married Amanda. (--?--)

iv.    Joel CLARK, born 26 Sep 1816; married Emily (--?--)

v.    Philip Clark was born circa 1823.  No information is found after 1850.  

vi.    Marietta CLARK was born, calculated, circa 1823 and died 07 May 1837 at age 14.  She is buried next to her parents in the Old Bedford Cemetery, in Bedford.^[30]

vii.    Emily CLARK was born circa 1826.  She appears in Ezra’s family in the census of 1850, just below Philip.  It is not known at this time if she is a daughter of Ezra or wife of Philip.  No information is found after 1850.

Compiled by Edwin Charles (Chuck) Rodekohr
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