Clark, Robert

  • DICTIONARY OF CANADIAN BIOGRAPHY ARTICLE: Larry Turner, “CLARK (Clarke), ROBERT (1744-1823),” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 6, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–. https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/clark_robert_1744_1823_6E.html
  • DCB profile notes:
    • Master millwright, jp, and militia officer; b. 16 March 1744 in Quaker Hill, N.Y.; m. Isobel (Isabella) Ketchum of Long Island, N.Y., and they had five sons and one daughter; d. 17 Dec. 1823 in Ernestown Township, Upper Canada.
    • Before the American revolution Robert Clark was a carpenter, millwright, and farmer, first in Dutchess County and then in Albany County, N. Y. Although a member of the rebel militia for three weeks in 1776, he joined the Loyal Volunteers and saw service in Major-General John Burgoyne’s army. After the surrender at Saratoga (Schuylerville) in October 1777, Clark escaped and made his way to the province of Quebec. There his skill as a millwright was recognized. By 1780 he was attached to a corps of artificers under the control of the engineers. In this capacity, he worked on projects at St Johns (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu) and Montreal; he was last mustered with Major Edward Jessup’s Loyal Rangers in 1783.
    • Clark became master millwright and supervisor responsible for building the saw- and gristmills at Kingston Mills in preparation for the impending influx of loyalists. In 1785 Clark took his wife and children to Napanee where he was again employed by the government to build saw- and gristmills, which were completed by late 1786. Although he usually worked in either Napanee or Millhaven, Clark located along the lake front of Ernestown Township near Parrotts Bay.
  • United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=1520
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