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Dr. Dale Clark Researches the Colonial Clarks Dr. Dale Clark continues to fine tune his research on the Clarks in colonial times, showcasing the influence of Deacon George Clark and some of his descendants on the development of America. Dale, one of the few living grandchildren of Ezra Thompson Clark, has compiled over 200 pages detailing the story of the colonial Clarks and their contributions to early Connecticut life, including their role in establishing the Connecticut Charter, which was a precursor to the Constitution of the United States. Click here to read the transcript of Dr. John Clark's audio interview with Dale. The interview gives fascinating insights into Dale's research. Or if you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download the PDF file of the interview. Did Clark boys help inspire Primary beginning? As the Primary Association of the LDS Church gets set to celebrate its 125th anniversary, it is well to go back in time and see the role the Clark family played in that event. Aurelia Rogers was one of Farmington's early stalwarts and a close friend of the Clark family. It is not improbable she found some inspiration from some of the Clark children as well. Spurred by what she saw as a lack of organized activities for boys in her community, Aurelia shared her vision of an organization for children with Bishop John Hess, and then eventually Eliza R. Snow, who was then General President of the Relief Society. Given the location of Rogers' home, (just east a block and a half from most of the Clark homes) it is likely some of the troublesome boys she had in mind were Clark boys. There were certainly a number of Clark boys in the neighborhood and vicinity. Amasa, the 11th child of Ezra Thompson Clark and Mary Stevenson Clark, is pictured on the mural celebrating the establishment of the Primary in 1878, but records show he was not the only Clark to be part of the first Primary organization. Journal accounts done by Aurelia Spencer Rogers, recorded in "Life Sketches of Orson Spencer and Others" show that there were 112 boys and 112 girls in the first primary. She broke the children into districts and District 4 included the following Clark children: Sarah Clark, Alice Clark, Eva Clark, Mamie Clark, John Clark, Amasa Clark, Eugene Clark and Anna Clark.
 Amasa In Front of Mural |