John S. Clark
John S. Clark was born April 18, 1823 in Bristol England and died April 4, 1888 and is buried in Blevins Cemetery. He married Pricilla Prichard on July 8, 1844 in Bristol England. He was an Ensign in the U.S. Navy from Sept. 1862 to Nov. 16, 1865. He came to Falls County in December of 1872. Records of his marriage are at the Perish of St. Thomas Church in Bristol. His father was James and listed as a laborer. John S. lived in Braintree, Mass. until 1866 and then moved to Franklin Co, Mo. in 1871 before coming to Texas. Five sons were born of this marriage; John Jr., Frank, Ben, George A. and Charlie Fitch-the youngest who was born Oct. 17, 1859. Records indicate he was a Mariner.Priscilla Prichard Clark was born December 16, 1824 in Bristol England and died Dec. 25, 1902 in Cego, Falls County, Tex. Her father was Francis Prichard who had a pottery factory in Bristol. She came to America with her husband, as listed above, and the mother of 5 sons. She is buried in Blevins, Falls, County, Cemetery.
Submitted by Ken Gates, great-great grandson of John S and Priscilla Prichard Clark
A granddaughter, Lucille Clark Harris writes that "Our grandfather Clark was known as a doctor but there are no records to establish this fact". Enough information has been verified to get a Civil War marker on his gravesite.
Additional info submitted by Pat Clark Brown
Info states that he had five sons ... he also had a daughter born in England before coming to America. Her name was Louisa Pricilla Clark, born in 1848 and she married in 1867 in MO. She was living in Washington State at time of J. S. Clarks' death, that is why she isn't in the picture with Pricilla and the five Clark sons.
Submitted by Cara Nordbruch, great-great granddaughter of John S and Priscilla Prichard Clark
According to a Voyage Report Register Ticket #172,349 entered 1845, John Sanders Clarke was born at Bristol on the 28th of April, 1823. He was 5'5" tall with light brown hair and grey eyes. He first went to sea as an apprentice in 1838 (about age 15).
According to the Entry of Marriage given at the general register office, London, from Registration District of Bristol, at the St Thomas Parish Church on July 8th 1844, John Clark, Mariner, married Priscilla Prichard, Spinster. His father was James Clark, Labourer. Her father was Francis Prichard, Dry Salter.
According to the Entry of Birth given at the general register office, London, from Registration District of Bedminster, daughter Priscilla Louise was born to John Sanders Clark, Mariner, and Priscilla Clark formerly Prichard, 9th of April 1848.
According to General Affidavit, State of Texas, County of Falls, in the matter of Capt. John S. Clark, late US Volunteer Navy, age 64 and resident of Durango, Falls County, Texas, declares that he enlisted in the Volunteer Navy of the US Sept 20th 1862. (Then is listed several naval activities and engagements aboard various ships resulting in certain injuries and impairments for which he was discharged 16 Nov 1865.)
Before the Civil War he worked the sailing ship "NARRAGANSETT" out of Boston, Mass. When he enlisted in the volunteer Navy 20 Sep 1862 he was accepted as an Ensign aboard the "Macedonia" under Capt. Stone. He served on "US PREBLE" which blew up 27 Apr 1863 off Pensacola, FLA, injuring him. He served on "US POTOMAC", part of the "Stone Fleet", then was assigned to command "US schooner INDEPENDENCE", where he was struck on the head by the fore-boom. He served on "US CALHOUN", flagship of Admiral Farrigut, and participated in the bombardment of Ft. Powell in Mobile Bay, impairing his hearing. He was promoted to acting Master of "US PAMPIRO" and the Sloop of War "PORTSMOUTH". He commanded "US CORYEPHUS" (sic), served on "US SEBAGO" and "US VINCENNES". He was honorably discharged as Master, 16 Nov 1865.
About 1866 the family moved from Braintree, Mass. to Franklin Co. MO. Around Nov 1873 they moved again to Indian Territory, then to Falls Co. TX where he lived his remaining years as a farmer with impaired hearing and vision.
We hold a proud heritage with the life and service of this amazing immigrant father!
These entries should completely clarify the titles, names, and dates regarding John S Clark and Priscilla Prichard.
Some biographies from "Families of Falls County", compiled and edited by the Falls County Historical Commission.
Permission granted to Theresa Carhart by the Falls County Historical Commission, for use on this page.
