I am looking for information on the Clarke family. Thus far I have found references in G.D. Albert’s ‘History of Westmoreland’ and in Boucher’s ‘Old and New Westmoreland’. I am also aware of a box of collected material [No. 5] in the Archives of the Westmoreland Co. Historical Soc. I am writing this post in the hope that some list members may have additional information on the Clarke family. In particular I am interested in James Clarke, Esq. [born 1783]. In his early years he lived at Hannastown. His father kept tavern and was a County Commissioner in the 1790’s. As James Clarke grew up, he traveled about and learned the trades of spinning wheelwright and chair maker. He practiced that trade in York Co. until he was 28 years old, when he married and moved to Laughlintown. While living at Laughlintown, James Clarke practiced his trade and at age 30 became Postmaster. He noted that it was at that time the Esq. was appended to his name. He soon after became a Justice of the Peace. Boucher’s history records that he was also involved in the iron-making business and connected with Washington Furnace near Laughlintown. Around 36 years of age he became County Commissioner as his father had been. When he was around 40 years of age, he was elected to the State Legislature. During several terms in the Legislature, he became an active promoter of the movement to build a canal system across the State. In 1824 the Governor appointed him to the newly-created Canal Commission. In that capacity he participated in surveys for canals of the PA Public Works and was involved in acquiring property rights of way. He continued his activities as a Legislator. By 1830 his involvement in canal building prompted him to move his family to Blairsville, along the canal route. There he could be in more direct contact with others responsible for directing work on the Western Division of the PA Public Works. His extensive work on the PA canal system gave him an excellent background for work on the building of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 1840’s and early 1850’s. The PRR offered him the position of Commissioner of Damages for the Western Division in 1847, and he accepted. In that position he was responsible for acquiring land rights for the new railroad and satisfying damage claims. He was instrumental in building the PRR from Johnstown to Pittsburgh. Despite the fact that he had no schooling past age twelve, he was an avid reader and wrote on subjects as diverse as morality and physics. A son of James Clarke, James C. Clarke [1823 – 1893] became a prominent Greensburg attorney. He too worked for the PRR as Ass’t. Commissioner of Damages, and was local counsel for the railroad. He served on the State Canal Commission and was a Senator in the PA Legislature for several terms. Later, he was in the banking business in Greensburg and served as a school director. A son of James C. Clarke, James K. Clarke, was a prominent local politician and lived in Greensburg until the day he died, on Christmas Day of 1945. Any additional sources of information on the Clarkes would be appreciated, including photos. My actual focus in doing this study is the building of the PRR through the Greensburg Area. Since James Clarke, Esq. and his son, James C. Clarke were both in the employ of the PRR during its building, they are of primary interest. ********************** jim miller/621 grove st ********************** greensburg pa 15601

Jane Moore was the daughter of David and Mary (Parke) Moore. I believe that she married Thomas Clark (1805-1871) who was a blacksmith of Ligonier Township. Their children (from census information) included Sarah, James, Israel, Obadiah, Isabel and Amos. Could anyone provide additional information on Jane Moore Clark? Thanks! Donna