Married January 29th 1805
in Naples, Ontario County, New York.

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The Naples Record
Naples, Ontario County, New York.
Saturday, April 17, 1875

Joseph was born in Windsor, MA, in 1785, and came to Middletown (now Naples) with his father's family at the age of six years; he learned his letters from Susannah Parrish who taught the first school in the hew settlement. He was a Lieutenant in Capt. Elijah Clark's company and volunteered with him early in the war of 1812. He, with most of his company, was taken prisoner at the Sortie on Fort Erie and was taken to Halifax where he remained a year and a half, and returned home on parole. He held the commission, of Major and had command of a large battalion of Militia, that at company trainings, officer drills, and general trainings, nearly covered the old public square with citizen soldiery. We were among the many boys that awed with admiration at the bright uniforms in the long lines on dress parade to receive and pay the salutes to Gen. Micah Brooks, and the escort of others as they rode out for inspection and review. The large old house is still standing fronting on the square that he built in 1818 for a tavern which he kept for many years, and many who may read these reminiscences in the bright memory of the past will remember the long ball room that was used for a hall on all public occasions. And the polite assemblies of dancers with the young maidens dressed in the purest white, gave the fullest evidence of agility in the contra dances when the reels and hornpipes, of those never-to-be-forgotten old times were played so well on the loud sounding violins and clarinet of Messrs Selby and Spencer. This famous ballroom was the theater of many thrilling entertainments, public dinners, and we gazed with wonder on the first shows and that curious instrument, the Panregal, a band of music itself, "Punch and Judy," the babes in woods, and school exhibitions of drama and comedy that were acted in different scenes by the scholars of that day. The old tavern house and the public square remain, but the actors are gone, and few will look back with a sigh to the scene of their youth. Joseph Clark was of fine complexion and good stature and was constitutionally benevolent and industrious, always cheerful and relished a good joke, and lively company, he was the best of song singers and the ballads of the war of 1812 he sang with great ceclat; was a wit in the rehearsal of comical stories and adventures; he sold his property to his son J. W. Clark and removed to Sylvania, OH where he died in the 55th year of his age. He married Mary Sutton, January 1st 1805. She was born near Easton, PA, and died in Naples 19 May 1865 at the age of 85 years. As a just tribute to the memory of Mrs. Mary Clark, the writer will bear witness that she was a woman of rare ability. Her form and features are engraved upon his memory. Her cheerful smiles of welcome always gladdened his heart. She faithfully preformed all the high and holy duties of a mother at home. She helped organize the first female temperance Society in Naples and presided over its interests. Her very cheerful nature and devotion to the cause for over a half a century had its beneficial and lasting influence. She was indefatigable in the welfare and education of her sons, who have been reared to fill honorable places of trust and usefulness to Society, which are the best living epistles or evidence of her true width and moral greatness.

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