>From the book "History of Washington and Kent Counties, Rhode Island" by J.R. Cole, published 1889, New York, W.W. Preston & Company. Beginning on page 335. [xxx] respresents either notes or the page number. BENJAMIN F. CLARK is the grandson of Luke Clark, who cultivated a farm and operated a saw mill in the town of Richmond, in Washington county. By his marriage to Sarah Tefft, were born ten children, Sally, Luke, John T., Mary, Ruth, Lucinda, Elizabeth, Joshua, Reynolds and Harriet. The birth of John T. Clark occurred in Richmond in 1810, and his death in July 1845, in Westerly, where he resided during the latter part of his life. He married Susan D., daughter of Benjamin P. Bentley, of Westerly. Their only child, a son, Benjamin F., was born September 16th, 1838, in the above town and having been left fatherless when but little more than six years of age, with his mother sought a home under the roof of his maternal grandfather on the farm which is now his property. Such advantages as the neighboring school afforded the lad eagerly sought, but finding the demands of the [336] farm more imperative than any personal consideration, he soon fell into the routine of labor. He displayed so much aptness and judgment in his daily duties that at the age of fourteen its management was largely relegated to him. In his nineteenth year on the 15th of December, 1856, he was married to Emily F., daughter of Stephen S. Kenyon, of Hopkinton. Their children are: Albert F., Joshua P., Susan E. (Mrs. Gurdon Hiscock) John S. and Edwin H. Three of the sons are married as follows: Albert F to Annie L. Langworthy, of Hopkinton; Joshua P. to Mabel V. Lanphear, of Westerly, and John S. to Hattie M. Langworthy. Benjamin F. Clark on his marriage, together with his mother, leased the farm for a period of three years, and at the end of that time, assumed the sole management of the property which in 1869 became his by inheritance from his grandfather. Since that date new buildings have been erected, the land enriched, and the estate, which bears in its improved condition evidence of the thrift and energy of the master spirit at its head, much enhanced in value. Mr. Clark has been content as a republican to cast his ballot without desiring public position. He has served his town with fidelity in the capacity of assessor but held no other office, his time being chiefly absorbed in the successful management of his own business. In religion he adheres to the faith of the Seventh Day Baptists.