Esther Clarke

Esther (aka "Hestor") Belding Clarke was the Wife of Ephraim Clarke. They were married 28 JUL 1703 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA

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In 1696 Esther (aka "Hester") Belding was carried captive by the Indians to Canada with her father, but returned.
~~taken from: Rev. B. L. Swan recorded in A History of the Old Town of Stratford and the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut Volume 2 by Samuel Orcutt.

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~~The following was taken from the "Hatfield Town Records":
"Elizabeth, wife to Daniel Beldenye (aka "Belding"), head of the family, together with Daniel Belden, John Belden and Thankful Belden, their children, were all of them slain by the enemy (Indians) September 16, 1696."
Sept. 16, 1696. The Indians came along from up Green River to the town, and assaulted Mr. Daniel Belden's house; took Mr. Belden, his son Nathaniel and daughter Esther(aka "Hestor") captive, killed his wife and three children, and wounded Samuel and Abigail, but they recovered, although Samuel had a hatchet stuck in his head, and some of his brains came out of his wound. Samuel .was born Apr. 10, 1687."

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~~From Mather 's Magnalia:
"The Indians making an assault upon Deerfield, in this Present War, they struck a Hatchet some Inches into the Skull of a Boy there, even so deep that the Boy felt the force of a Wrench used by 'em to get it out. There he lay a long while Weltering in his Blood; they found him, they Dressld(dressed the wound) him; considerable Quantitiea (quantities) of his Brain came out from time to time when they opened the Wound; yet the Lad recovered, and is now a Living Monument of the Power - and Goodness of God."