Rowland Clarke, of Banham & Dedham

Rowland Clarke

1606-1638

• BIRTH BEF 1 MARCH 1606 • Banham, Norfolk, England
• DEATH 02 FEB 1638 • Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts

Disputed Parents and children

In 1998 the following article was published on the English origins of the Clarke family:

Christopher Gleason Clark, THE ENGLISH ANCESTRY OF JOSEPH CLARK (1613-1683) OF DEDHAM AND MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS in NEHGR vol 152 p 3-23

This is *THE* State of current research.

Earlier works are discussed and completely refuted. His baptism records and those of his siblings were located and published in NEHGR. He was the son of Thomas Clarke of Wesgate and Mary Canne. Please see the article above. The Clarke family pedigree is outlined for the first time.[1] Rowland Clarke is shown to have *no* known children. Most of the profiles attached are his siblings. See his father's profile for the correct list of siblings.

Biography

Rowland Clarke arrived 1637 in Dedham, removed to Medfield. He came from Banham, Suffolk; England. He had *NO* Children.[2][3] [4] [1]

Sources

1. Christopher Gleason Clark, THE ENGLISH ANCESTRY OF JOSEPH CLARK (1613-1683) OF DEDHAM AND MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS in NEHGR vol 152 p 3-23
2. Robert Charles Anderson, George Barbour in GMDIR p 18; Unknown ; Arrived 1640 in Dedham removed to Medfield [DeTR 1:74; DeChR 27; SPR 1:19; SPR Case # 1404; Medfeild Hist 312-15; NGSQ 74:3-6; Bassett-Preston 21]
3. Robert Charles Anderson, Rowland Clarke in GMDIR p 67; Banham, Suffolk; 1637; Dedham [DeTR 1:34; DeVR 127; NGSQ 74:5; NEHGR 152:3-23] Arrived 11(6)1637 Proprietor
4. NGSQ Robert Charles Anderson, "Clark, Hunting, and Wheelock Families of Dedham, Massachusetts: Some English Clues," National Genealogical Society Quarterly [hereinafter NC.SQ], 74 [1986]: 3-6 [

Outdated Comments Origins published in 1998

While the personal data on Rowland Clarke stored in this profile appears to be correct, I (Peter Cole) cannot find any reference to his parentage - and I have not found Rowland listed as one of the children of John.

Furthermore, Rowland is purported to have been born in Bedfordshire while the John and Catherine (Katherine) listed in several locations as his parents were apparently lifelong residents of Suffolk

-- disconnected from these parents March 2015

---

Ben M. Angel notes: I've removed the reference to Dedham, Massachusetts Bay Colony, since the history of Dedham does not begin until 1635. Certainly, European colonization in the area didn't happen before the arrival of the Winthrop Fleet in 1630 late year (establishment of the Massachusetts Bay Colony). Plymouth, established in 1620, was limited by the existence of organized tribes in the area (which were decimated by smallpox shortly after the arrival of the Winthrop Fleet).

GEDCOM Note

2 AGE 29

Seeking relief from religious persecution Rowland and his wife Mary (Hobart) Clarke sailed from England to America on HMSS "Christian", John White was the Master, docking in Boston in 1635. They had already given birth to ten children in England and it's unclear how many of those children accompanied them on the voyage but daughter Rebecca Clarke (future wife of Reverend Ralph Wheelock) was also on the ship. The passengers on this ship were certified by the minister of St. Mildred of Breadstreet, London. The family took up residence in Dedham, Massachusetts. Rowland became a member of the Massachusetts Minuteman Militia but could find no documentation detailing his military activities nor his length of service. After living only three years in the Massachusetts Bay Colony Rowland passed away in February, 1638. He was 68 years old. His widow would later remarry. (wab)

Not the son of John Clarke, of Finningham & Westhorpe