Nathan Clark and Sarah Gifford

Our earliest known Clark ancestors, Nathan Clark and Sarah Gifford, are first found at Nine Partners, Dutchess County, New York. Dutchess County lies between the Hudson River and the state of Connecticut, north of New York City. Nathan Clark was born June 16, 1749 and Sarah Gifford Dec. 29, 1749. It is not known where either Nathan or Sarah were born. They were married March 23, 1775.

A complaint recorded June 16, 1775 at the Nine Partners meeting of the Quakers states that "Sarah Gifford" now Sarah Clark" accused a man of unchaste words and actions. There was no recorded follow up on this complaint. There is no record of the marriage nor any births of children in these Quaker records. This probably means Sarah married a non-Quaker for which she would have been disowned and disappeared from Quaker records.

In the 1790 census of Vermont, Nathan Clark is listed as follows: Dorset, Bennington County, Vermont, one male over 16, 3 males under 16 and 4 females. Our Nathan should not be confused with another Nathan Clark listed in 1790 at Bennington, Vermont. He was born in 1718 and was a Revolutionary Soldier.

Nathan and Sarah owned land in Dorset, Vermont. as land records for 1792 show they were granted land. Land deed papers state Nathan Clark of Nine Partners, County of Dutchess, State of New York buying from Humphrey Gifford. Also in 1792 Nathan and Sarah sold 70 acres for 57 pounds of lawful money to Humphrey Gifford of Dorset. In 1795 a small (l ¼) acre tract was also conveyed to Humphrey Gifford. It is not known what, if any, relation Humphrey might be to Sarah.

In 1794 or 1795 Nathan, Sarah and family left the Dorset, Vermont area and moved to Hastings County, Ontario, Canada.

It is generally believed that Nathan and Sarah were royalist or loyalist, that is, they were in sympathy with England and not in favor of the Colonists during the Revolutionary War. John Adams estimated that at least one third of all Americans remained loyal to England and another third were lukewarm. Many royalists went to Canada about this time and were granted land in Canada by the King of England. This may have been the reason our Clarks went to Canada.

In 1803 Nathan and Sarah moved to Leeds County, Ontario, Canada and purchased 200 acres from Peter McEathron. The land was first deeded to Peter Gilchrist in 1801. He sold it to Peter McEathron. in 1802. Mr. McEathron had already built a log cabin so the Clarks took immediate possession. The land was measured by links and chains in the legal description. Harry Clark and son, Raymond, descendants of Nathan and Sarah live on this farm today.

Nathan passed away May 3, 1830 and Sarah July 14, 1839. They are buried in Reeds Cemetery at Brockville. The will of Nathan Clark was filed December 23, 1830 in the County of Leeds and province of Upper Canada. This will was made May 10, 1824. It named Sarah Clark as Executrix, Robert Clark, and Ruben M. Johns, Executors. Provisions in the will gave his wife, Sarah, one-third of all the profits arising from the improved lands during widowhood and one-third of the personal property. Land was given to Sons Abraham and Robert and Grandson Nathan Clark (Son of Nathan Clark Jr. who passed away in 1816). To his daughters Ruth, Phebe, Elsa and Jane he gave the remainder of his personal property and chattels except one double stove which was given one third to his wife Sarah and two thirds to Robert.

The inventory of personal property listed: 3 horses, 3 cows, 1 heifer, 5 sheep, wagon, fanning mill, double stove, bureau, bed and bedding, Bible, clock, kitchen furniture, 2 notes, and cash. The appraised value was 90 pounds, 16 shillings and 9 pence.