Joseph Clark of Braintree, Massachusetts

1. Joseph Clark, probably born before 1657 (earliest known child - 21), died 08 Nov 1708 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., MA (VR Braintree p722). At this point, I am not certain of Joseph's father. There are several possible fathers of Joseph Clark. We may have to decipher this through DNA analysis!

Is this Joseph Clark the son of William Clark who removed to Boston, and grandson of Thomas Clark, The Pilgrim, of Plymouth?
Or is the the son of Samuel Clark of Connecticutt? Please note, these are conjectural links at this point.
Or is the none of the above?

Joseph Clark married Damaris Francis (Ffrancis in Braintree record) 19 Aug (6^th month) 1675 in Braintree, Norfolk, MA (VR Braintree p718), supposed (not documented) daughter of John Francis and Rose Francis. There does not seem to be an intent to be married. Notes for Joseph Clark: He is presumed to be the Joseph Clark who served in King Philip's War and he took the oath of allegiance here about 1678-9. [Sprague #1012] Notes for Damaris Francis: Damaris, wife of Joseph Clark was admitted to full communion at church May 5, 1689. [Sprague #1012] A Joseph Clark was in King Phillip's War. Joseph Clark and Damaris had eight sons, and Nathan was the oldest. This could mean that Joseph's father was named Nathan or Nathaniel. Damaris' father was supposedly John Francis, although this is not so stated in the Braintree Vital Records (that I could find). Joseph Clark may have been born in Weymouth.

Frances Clark Cutting found the following:

(Copied word for word but it is difficult to read. It is handwritten and copied to microfilm.) from "Genealogies of the Families of Braintree, Massachusetts, 1640 - 1850" compiled by Waldo Chamberlain Sprague, Published on microfilm by the Quincy Historical Society and the NEHGS. (a small note at top of page says no probate)

Joseph Clark, parentage unknown, first appears in town at his marriage Aug 19, 1675 to Damaris Francis, probably daughter of John and Rose Francis. He is presumed to be the Joseph Clark who served in King Philip's War and he took the oath of allegiance here about 1678-79. He died Nov 8, 1708 (or Dec 8 - Marshall's Diary) and Damaris died Aug. 14, 1728.

Damaris wife of Joseph Clark was admitted to full communion at church May 6, 1689.

John Hull sold the 400 acre Webb and Scott grants to John Thomas in 1709. It was called now or late in the occupation of Thomas Copeland, John Hayford and Joseph Clark. A place on Liberty St. was referred to in later Thomas Fa?? deeds as Clark's Slough. It is a swampy place at the foot of the hill just south of Plain St. and Joseph Clark probably lived near here. That was all that I got that was new to me. Somewhere I read in another book while at the library that a certain Joseph was called Josiah in the previous generation.

The following from previous research.

from vol 59, NEHGS, the Records of the First Church at Braintree: A record of the births of Joseph and Damaris's children
from the Braintree VR, Joseph Clark died on 8 November 1708: Damaris Clark, widow of Joseph, died on 14 August 1728
from American Marriage Records before 1699 by Clemens: Clark, Joseph and Demaris Francis, 19 August 1675, Braintree, MA

Known Children of Joseph Clark and Damaris Francis are:

Nathan Clark, b. 10 Oct 1678, Braintree, Norfolk, MA (VR Braintree p653); d. Unknown; m. Jemima Jewett, 31 Jul 1701, Braintree, Norfolk Co., MA. She joined the 2nd Church at Braintree 29 May 1715. Her daughter was the wife of a Jonathan Clark. They removed to Middleboro about 1715-6. Nathan Clark was admitted to Middleboro Church 25 Nov. 1716. There are Jewetts in Rowley, but she cannot be placed there. Jemima Jewett Staples, who married Nathan, was not from Rowley. Possibly she was from Dorchester. This is the first Clark birth in the Braintree records!
1. Abigail Clark born 21 May 1702 (VR Braintree p 682)
2. Nathan Clark born 17 April 1704 Braintree (VR Braintree p 699)
  1. Nathaniel Clerk son of Nathan & Jemima Clerk born September 27, 1733 (V.R. Stoughton: Stoughton 1727-1800, Canton 1797-1845, S. Precinct of Dorchester 1715-1727)
  2. Jemima Clark, daughter of Nathan & Jemima Clark was born July 22, 1741 (VR Stoughton, above)
  3. Thomas Clark son of Nathan Clark, baptised 31 March 1745 P.R.I. (VR Sharon p19). The presence of the name Thomas, also suggests a link ot Thomas Clark "the pilgrim."
  4. William Clark son of Nathan Clark baptised 6 Sept. 1747 PRI (VR Sharon p19)
3. Susannah Clark born 9 May 1706 Braintree (VR Braintree p 699). The fact that Nathan Clark named a daughter Susannah suggests that Susannah Ring Clark could have been his ancestor.
4. Bethah Clark daughter born August 1708 Braintree (VR Braintree p 699)
5. Jerusha Clark daughter born 13 March 1711 Braintree (VR Braintree p 699)
6. Sarah Clark daughter born 11 Oct. 1713 Braintree (VR Braintree p 699)
7. Ichabod Clark born 23 April 1716 in Middleborough, Plymouth Co.
  1. Nehemiah Clark born 23 Feb. 1741-2 to Ichabod and Sarah Clark (VR Stoughton) married Judith(y) Payson in Sharon, 9 Aug. 1764. Nehemiah Clark died 12 July 1775 (VR Sharon p158). Judith Clark, widow, died 21 Aug. 1786 in her 47th year (VR Sharon p158).
  2. Sylvanus Clark, born 1743, son of Ichabod and Sarah Clark was born August 7, 1743 in the town of Stoughton, married Mrs. Rachel Sterns both of Stoughtonham, 1 May 1766.(p.265).
  3. Asa Clark born 4 Oct. 1745 (VR Sharon p17), son of Ichabod and Sarah (old style). Asa Clark "of Stoughtonham" married Prudence Savell of Dedham, int. 25 Nov. 1769 (VR Sharon p83, VR Dedham p122), married 25 June 1770 (VRD p109). Asa died in Sharon 20 Dec. 1808 in his 63rd year (VR Sharon p158)
  4. Billy Clark bp 23 Aug. 1747, son of Ichabod, twin Bp., P.R.I. (Baptismal date) (VR Sharon p18). Possibly this is William Clark (int. of Stoughtonham) who married Hannah Lealand 27 Sept. 1770 in Holliston (VR Holliston p189).
  5. Salle Clark bp 23 Aug. 1747, daughter of Icabod, Bp. P.R.I. Baptismal date
  6. Sarah Clark bp. 6 Nov. 1748, daughter of Icabod, Baptismal date (A Sarah Clark(e) (int. Clark) of Stoughtonham married John Reupeke 18 Nov. 1782 at Foxborough, VR Foxborough p127))
  7. Samuell Clark bp. 11 Nov. 1750, son of Icabod, Baptismal date
  8. Joshua Clark bp 26 Mar. 1752, son of Icabod (Bp. P.R.I. Baptismal date). A Joshua Clark married Miriam Tiffany (int. Meriam Tipheney) 27 May 1779 in Mansfield (VR Foxborough p127).
  9. Elisabeth Clark bp 30 Nov. 1756, dau. of Icabod (Bp, P.R.I. Baptismal date)(VR Sharon p18)
  10. Ebenezer Clark bp 5 July 1758, son of Icabod (Bp.. P.R.I. Baptismal date)(VR Sharon p18)
Joseph Clark born 10 Oct. 1680 (VR Braintree p655). This is the second Clark birth in the Braintree records.
John Clark born 31 August 1682 (VR Braintree p670)(all records on p670 seem to have been recorded at once)
Edward Clark born 21 May 1684 (VR Braintree p670). "Edward Clark son of Joseph Clerk died in September 1695 leaving his eight brothren in teares." (VR Braintree p692)
David Clark born Sept. 1686 (VR Braintree p670, again p672). David Clark & Ruth Copeland were married 24 Sept. 1713 by Rev. Mr. Samuel Niel (VR Braintree p742) Ruth Copeland (twin) born 5 Apr. 1689.
1. Mary Clarke "borne" 27 May 1716 (VR Braintree p702)
2. Ruth Clark born 21 Jan. 1721/2 Braintree (VR Braintree p709)
3. Seth Clark born 6 Aug. 1723 Braintree (VR Braintree p713)
4. William Clark born 1726
Jonathan Clark, b. 14 Mar 1689/90, Braintree, Norfolk, MA (VR Braintree p670); d. 25 May 1746, Braintree, Norfolk Co., MA; m. Jemima Staples, 05 Oct 1711, Braintree, Norfolk, Ma. (VR Braintree p742)
1. John Clark born 19 Feb. 1712/13 (VR Braintree p692). John Clerk of Braintree & Susannah Briant of Braintree (or Bridgewater) married February 4th. 1733/4
2. Lydia Clark born 28 Feb. 1715/16 Braintree (VR Braintree p700). Thomas Hollis of Weymouth & Lydia Clark of Braintree, married April 15th. 1735.
3. Samuel Clark born 5 August 1718 Braintree (VR Braintree p706)
4. Jemimah Clark born 7 Jan. 1721 Braintree (VR Braintree p708)
Benjamin Clark born 25 August 1692 (VR Braintree p670). Benjamin Clark & Mary Niels 17 August 1719.
1. Benjamin Clark born to Benjamin and Mary 16 Jan. 1721 Braintree (VR Braintree p708)
2. Ebenezer Clark born to Benjamin and Mary 4 Dec. 1722 Braintree (VR Braintree p712)
Ebenezer Clarke born 10 July 1694 (VR Braintree p670) "dyed" 25 Dec. 1706 Braintree (VR Braintree p722) (Ebenezer ye son of Joseph Clark and Damarus his wife dyed ye 25th. December, 1706.)

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Copyright ©2004, Frank O. Clark, Ph.D. , all rights reserved. These documents may be freely used for private purposes, and included in your own genealogy. However, this document is copyrighted and may not be sold, nor given to anyone who may attempt to derive profit from same. Please send any errors, corrections, conjectures, updates, etc. to Dr. Frank O. Clark.