Difference between revisions of "RIGMPClarke"

Revision as of 12:54, 15 June 2015

PELEG CLARKE 1734-1803

Grand Master 1799

BIOGRAPHY

Peleg Clarke was born in Newport, RI, June 3, 1734, a descendent of Jeremiah Clarke, one of the first settlers of the island of Rhode Island. Little is known of the early life of Peleg. It is certain however, that he followed the sea for several years and was the captain and owner in part of a number of vessels employed in the trade with the West Indies. At a later period he conducted a successful business in Newport, where he was interested in various commercial undertakings. He was also extensively engaged in distilling, which was carried on at a time in Newport and vicinity on a large scale.

During the revolutionary War he suffered much loss of property and his son, Peleg Clarke, Jr. was taken prisoner by the British and kept in confinement for many months. Peleg Clarke was passive during the struggle for American independence, being of a conservative turn of mind and not in favor of changing the form of government. He kept the respect of his fellow townsmen not withstanding his English predilections and was generally regarded as a good citizen.

He was made a Mason in King David’s Lodge at Newport, wherein he was raised June 10, 1780. He was prominent in the movement for the reorganization of St. John Lodge No. 1 and advocated the coalition of the two lodges. On October 19, 1790 when the merger finally took place under the charter of St. Johns Lodge, Peleg Clarke was chosen Worshipful Master, holding that office until the annual communication December 27th when he was succeeded by Moses Seixas.

At the formation of the Grand lodge of Rhode Island, June 27, 1791 his brethren of Newport evinced their regard for him by naming him for the office of senior Grand Warden, into which office he was installed at the first meeting of Grand Lodge at Newport. Brother Clarke held this office during the time that Christopher Champlin was Grand Master, at the annual session, June 24, 1794, when Jabez Bowen was elected Grand Master and was continued in the second highest office of Grand Lodge until June 24, 1799 when be became the Most Worshipful Grand Master. He held the office for but one year, declining reelection on account of the “ill state of his health.”

He died December 3, 1803 and was buried in the family lot at Newport. A white marble tablet marks the spot, with the inscription: “Sacred to the memory of Peleg Clarke, who died December 3, 1803, aged 70 years and mary his wife, who died April 10, 1804 aged 67 years; also of Peleg Clarke, Jr. their son, who was lost at sea in the year 1785, in the 25th year of his age.”

Rhode Island People