Descendants of James A. Clark

When James Clark and his wife Ann left Connecticut in 1825 to accept the family land grant in Illinois, they left behind their three children, Delia, James A. Clark (1816-before 1870), and Leonard Sherman, even though the three children were left behind with the Howell Family in East Haddam, with whom they were very close.

In 1839, James married redheaded Sophia Tooker of Lyme, the eldest child of John & Olive Tooker. Sophia was born a Tucker, but that's another story. They settled in Lyme, and had five children:

-James Clark (named after his grandfather), born 1841. No information on him past the 1860 Census.

-Ann E. Clark, born 1850. No information found on her past the 1860 Census.

CHARLES HIRAM CLARK

AND DELIA ANN CLARK (LATE 1920s)

-Delia Ann Clark, born 1851. For unknown reasons, she moved at age 19 into the family home of the Peckhams in Windham, CT. Alice Peckham was around her age, so it's possible they were friends. No boys her age lived in that household, so it's clear that the move wasn't for a boyfriend. Delia never married, couldn't read or write, and spent the remainder her lifetime working as a live-in housekeeper for a rich widow in East Haddam by the name of Mrs. Hungerford. She spent her final years at a nursing home called East Haddam Town Farm. The 1930 Census for that facility declared that Delia could read and write at that point in her life. She died in 1931.

-Charles Hiram Clark, born 1855, also didn't learn to write until after 1900. He was a fisherman who lived in Lyme all his life. He married Sarah Irene Whipple in 1877, who was a daughter of Amos and Laura Bogue Whipple (Laura's brother George Bogue married Alice Tooker, Lizzie's elder sister). Here is a picture of Laura and her second husband, Henry Banning:

HENRY AND LAURA BOGUE BANNING (ca. 1900)

Charles and Irene settled on the Old Hamburg Road in Lyme. They had five children: Florence (whose albino husband abused her, and she lived most of her life in the State mental hospital), Agnes Besse (who abandoned her husband/cousin, Everett Rose Clark, and the kids - Everett was so mad he threw a state child welfare worker out the window), Alice, Ansel (who married Lizzie Tooker's cousin Bertha), and Harold. Harold Clark (nicknamed "Gilpin", perhaps a nod to fanciful politician William Gilpin), was an avid fisherman in his later years and would carve animals out of wood. Below is a picture of Gilpin just before shipping off to France for WW I:

HAROLD FENNER MONROE CLARK (1917)

Charles Hiram died in 1932, and Sarah died much later in 1953.

-James and Sophia's youngest child was Norman Ely Clark (1859-1945). He lived in Lyme all his life and also never married.

By the 1870 Census, James A. Clark had died (he was a fisherman and had drowned in the Connecticut River) and Sophia Tooker Clark had moved in with her parents, bringing her two youngest with her (Charles and Norman).

The Mortensens of Svendborg Denmark

Morten Larsen (1802-1855), son of Lars Hansen and Dorthe Madsdatter, was born 13 Feb 1802 in Rudkøbing, Denmark.  He moved to Skrøbelev in 1823 and married Dorthea Oldsdatter (for a period of four years), and then in 1827 married Catrine Jacobine Christensdatter of Skrøbelev, and moved to a family farm and home located on Vindeltorp Way in what is now a part of Rudkøbing, Langeland.  Morten had eight children:

With his first wife, Dorthea:
1.  ANDERS MORTENSEN, born 1820.
2.  CHRISTIAN NIELSEN MORTENSEN.

With his second wife, Catrine:
3.  MARIUS HANSEN MORTENSEN, born 1828, but died in 1829.
4.  CAROLINE CHRISTINE MORTENSEN, 1830-1860

5.  PEDER MADSEN MORTENSEN, born 1832.  Peder never left Denmark.  He moved to Copenhagen when he came of age, and his granddaughter Vera Alfi Jensen married a famous soccer player Wilhelm Emil Nielsen, who played on the Danish National Soccer Team.  Their son, Kurt Nielsen (1930-2011) was a famous tennis player who made it to Wimbledon twice.  His son Christian Kurt Nielsen is a director in the Danish government, whose son is a famous tennis player Frederick Lochte Nielsen (nicknamed "The Turtle").

6.  LARS HANSEN MORTENSEN, born 1835.  Lars joined Peder and moved to Copenhagen when he came of age.

7.  MARIUS HANSEN MORTENSEN, born 1839, was a gardener.  He fought in the 2nd Schleswig War against the Austrians and Prussians in 1864.  While Denmark lost, Marius was unharmed, and came home to his new wife, Kerstine Pedersen Nelsen of Skrøbelev (nicknamed "Stina").  Stina and Marius were married October 21, 1863 in Danish Folk Church, Simmerbølle, Svendborg, Denmark.

Simmerbolle Church, Svendborg, Langeland
(Site of 1863 Marriage of Marius and Stina Mortensen)

Stina was born in Botofte, Tranekaer, Langeland in 1837 to housemaid Maren Nielsdatter and farmhand and stonemason Peder Nielsen, who were married in June 1837 in Tranekaer Church.

MARIUS HANSEN MORTENSEN

(1839-1926)

 STINA MORTENSEN

(1837-1933)

MARIUS AND STINA MORTENSEN
(Young Miaus in the Back)
ca. 1889

Marius and Stina had seven children in Skrøbelev:  Peder, Karl, Marenthine, Lena, Rasmus (aka Alfred), Lars, and Jorgen (aka John). As late as 1880, the whole family was still living in Skrøbelev.  Peder grew up with Stina's parents.  In April 1881, Marius & Stina, and the four youngest kids (Lena, Rasmus, Lars, and John) emigrated together from Liverpool to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and arrived in May, on the ship Hibernia.  Stina lied about her age at arrival, claiming to be 39, when she was 45.

The Hibernia

Stina brought with her a dry sink from Denmark.  I'm not sure how old it is, but it dates back to at least 1880, and is still in the Mortensen family today:

They celebrated the birth of their 8th child, Marius Junior (who was nicknamed Miaus), born in Canada in December of 1882, while they were living in La Regione-Sherbrookoise, Sherbrooke, Quebec.  In 1884, the entire family moved across the border to Berlin Mills, New Hampshire, and their story continues HERE.

8.  FRANSINE DORTHEA MORTENSDATTER, born 1842.

Morten Larsen is THE Morten of the Mortensen name as it comes from Skrøbelev.  All his descendants ended up keeping the name Mortensen throughout their lives, even though some of the American descendants Americanized the name to Mortenson.

Below are a few pictures of Skrøbelev parish, including the local church that the family was christened in, and the baptismal font which was likely used for christening Morten's children.

The ministers of the church during the time of Morten Larsen's time were:

Laurits Dahl (1820-1821)
Christian Bagge Jensen (1821-1827)
Christian Graae (1828-1830)
Hans Jacob Drejer (1830-1832)
Ludvig C.J. Thygesen (1832-1841)
Hans Adolph Sølling (1841-1848)
Henrik Julius Leth (1848-1854)

SKRØBELEV CHURCH

Built 1100

BAPTISMAL FONT
SKROBELEV CHURCH

Former Morten Larsen Property

(from at least 1834-1850)

1 Vindeltorp Way, Skrøbelev

(Now the local school)

Royal Scottish Roots (Fuller/Bean)

As referenced in other blog posts, Arthur Fuller's paternal grandfather was Samuel Bean Fuller.  Samuel Bean Fuller's father was John Fuller, a direct 6th generation descendant of Edward Fuller of the Mayflower, and Samuel's mother was Mary Bean of New Hampshire, direct descendant of the MacBean clan of the Scottish Highlands, which is traced all the way back to 1266 AD, to the birth of Bean MacDomhil Mor.

We believe Mary's father to be David Bean, who fought in the Revolutionary War, and was from New Hampshire.  David's 3rd great grandfather was John Bean from Scotland.  David's paternal grandmother was Martha Sinkler/Sinclair, who is a direct descendant of the noble Sinclair and Sutherland lines, who are descendants of many Scottish Royals:

KENNETH MCALPIN

  







CONSTANTINE I







DONALD II

The above three were the last Kings of the Pict/Alba Nation, a tattooed tribal group that ruled northeastern Scotland throughout the beginning of recorded history, later expanded into today’s Scotland. King Kenneth McAlpin was the first ruler in a long line of dynastic kings of Scotland, continuing with his son Constantine I and grandson Donald II, who ruled until 900.









MALCOLM I







KENNETH II







MALCOLM II

Donald II's son, Malcolm I was next in line for King of Alba, followed by Kenneth II and Malcolm II, who ruled until 1034.








DUNCAN I
Duncan, the grandson of Malcolm II, ruled Scotland for only 6 years. He was murdered by Macbeth, as made famous by Shakespeare’s play. The play, however, depicts Duncan as an old and sick king at the time of his murder. The truth was that Duncan was only 27 when killed.









MALCOLM III

Duncan's son, King Malcolm III, ruled the Scots for 35 years. He took over when Macbeth was finally defeated.

His wife, Queen Margaret, was the only royal saint of Scotland, in recognition of her personal holiness, fidelity to the Church, work for religious reform, and charity. She attended to charitable works, and personally served orphans and the poor every day before she ate. She rose at midnight to attend church services every night. She was known for her work for religious reform. She was considered to be an exemplar of the "just ruler", and also influenced her husband and children to be just and holy rulers.









KING DAVID I
Malcolm's son, King David I of Scotland, ruled Scotland for 29 years (1124-1153). During his reign, he put Scotland through many changes, in particularly the “Normanization” of Scotland. He ultimately didn’t get to see the expansion of Scotland into how we presently refer to it.









KING ROBERT THE BRUCE

Above is pictured King Robert I of Scotland (1274–1329), a 5th generation descendant of King David I. Robert the Bruce ruled Scotland for 23 years, with the single goal of achieving the true independence of Scotland. He is the king that took over after William Wallace led his band of warriors against the English invasion (as seen in the film Braveheart). He lived in many castles, including Fyvie Castle, below. His daughter, Princess Matilda, or “Maud”, is the direct ancestor of Arthur Fuller.








FYVIE CASTLE









KING ROBERT II
King Robert II ruled from 1370-1390. He was the first monarch from the famous Stewart Dynasty. His birth was legendary because his mother was riding horseback, got thrown from her horse, broke her neck and died instantly, and a stranger came and delivered Robert after she died. His son, King Robert III ruled from 1390-1406.








JAMES I







DUNFERMLINE CASTLE

Robert’s son, King James I, ruled Scotland from 1406-1437. However, the first half of his rule he was imprisoned in England, and the second half, when he returned home to Dunfermline Castle, he was continually threatened by cousins claiming a right to the throne, and was ultimately murdered by Walter Stewart. His daughter Annabella is the direct ancestor of Arthur Fuller.


SCOTTISH NOBILITY FAMILIES & CASTLES
(ANCESTRY OF SAMUEL BEAN FULLER)

Caerlaverock Castle:

The Catholic Maxwell clan was a legacy of barons who lived at Caerlaverock.  Their proximity to the English border meant they had to face several sieges from the English, and ultimately against the Protestants as well.

Jane Maxwell, my 17th great grandmother, was born there in 1395, and died there in 1458.

Her ancestors lived their entire lives at Caerlaverock:

Herbert Maxwell (1366-1421), my 18th great grandfather.

Robert Maxwell (1340-1410), my 19th great grandfather.

John Maxwell (1310-1373), my 20th great grandfather.

John Maxwell (1285-1346), my 21st great grandfather.

John DeMaxwell (1262-1307), my 22nd great grandfather.

Oliver Castle

The Frasers are a large clan that originated in France.  In Scotland they ruled a province named Peebleshire (now Tweeddale).  Sir Simon Fraser born, 1226.  He married a lady named “Grizzle Flava”.  Haha.  They were my 21st great grandparents.

Their son and grandson were both named Simon Fraser, born in 1246, and 1266.  Sir Simon the 16th is in charge of the Fraser Clan today.

Simon and his progeny fought during the Wars for Scottish Independence.  The Castle of Oliver was on very high ground 1000 feet above sea level, and by the late 1640s was in a ruinous state and past all repairs.  It was replaced in 1649, but no longer stands to this day.

Lochleven Castle

Agnes Munfode, my 18th great grandmother, died here in 1377.  She had married into the Douglas Clan that resided here.

Kinnairdy Castle

This castle in Aberdeenshire was built by the Innes Clan, a family of minor barons initially from Innes, Morayshire.  The castle was sold off in the 1600’s to other families, but it was repurchased by a descendant of the Innes’ in 1923, and is still owned and run by them today.

James Innes (1437-1491), my 15th great grandfather

Walter Innes died here 1454, my 17th great grandfather

Robert Innes died here 2/1/1464, my 16th great grandfather.

Huntly Castle

The Gordon Clan built and maintained this castle for centuries, ultimately granting it to Historic Scotland in 1923. 

Janet Gordon, my 15th great grandmother, was born here in 1442.  Ten years after, the castle was burned to the ground in a battle with a neighboring Earldom.  A grander version, seen above, was built in its place.

Dunbeath Castle

The Innes Clan passed this on to the Sutherland Clan, who lived here for centuries.  Marjory Sutherland, my 15th great grandmother, died here in 1480.  In the 1600’s the Sutherlands passed the castle on to the Sinclair Clan.  Today it is privately owned by a non-descendant, and is not open to the public.

Royal German Roots (Fuller/Osborn/Bean)

CONRAD II
HEINRICH III
HEINRICH IV

Conrad II was Holy Roman Emperor (1027-1039). His son, Heinrich III, ruled as King of Germany during this time, and at Conrad’s death, also inherited title of Holy Roman Emperor, and ruled both until his death in 1056. Heinrich’s son, Heinrich IV, ruled as King of Germany from 1056-1105 (abdicated), and while King inherited Holy Roman Emperor status in 1084. Heinrich IV was one of the most important rulers of the 11th Century. These ancestors are linked only to Arthur Fuller through the Osborn line.


HENRY THE FOWLER

Henry the Fowler was King of the Germans from 919-936. He happens to be a direct ancestor of Hugh Capet, which puts this King as ancestor to the Bean AND Osborn lines leading to Arthur Fuller.

Royal French Roots (Fuller/Bean)

Building on the assumption that one branch of Arthur Fuller's ancestors were the Beans (who are proven to be linked to Scottish royals), we now go to the proven links from there to French royalty:

 

DAGOBERT I OF THE FRANKS

(602-638)

Dagobert I ruled Austrasia (later part of the Frankish Empire) from 623-634. One of his descendants married Charles Martel, who was nicknamed “The Hammer”. King Charles ruled Francia as “Duke and Prince of the Franks” from 737-741. He was described as a brilliant general and effective expellor of Arab forces that kept invading. Charles was a descendant of King Pepin I (who was also the father of Charlemagne).

 

 

KING HENRI I OF FRANCE

 

Henri I was Uncle-In-Law to William the Conqueror. Henri feared William’s power, and tried to seize Normandy from him twice, to no avail. Henri I married Anne of Kiev.

 

Henri’s father was King Robert II, his predecessor, whose father was King Hugh.

 

KING HUGH CAPET OF FRANCE

(939-996)

King Hugh’s father was Duke Hugh the Great, and Duke Hugh's father was King Robert I, who, at the time was ruler of what was then called “Western Francia”. Robert’s father, Robert the Strong, was Marquis of the land when it was called “Neustria”. He was killed by Vikings.

 

• French Count Hugh X of Lusignan, (1183-1249) succeeded his father Hugh IX as Seigneur de Lusignan and Count of La Marche in November, 1219 and was Count of Angoulême by marriage. It is unclear whether it was Hugh IX or Hugh X who was betrothed to Isabella of Angoulême when, in 1200, King John of England took her for his Queen, an action which resulted in the entire de Lusignan family rebelling against the English king.

 

• Count Thomas of Savoy abducted the future wife of King Philip II of France, and married her himself, and they had 14 children, the oldest being the future Count, and an ancestor of Arthur Fuller.

In addition, Arthur Fuller was the son of Sarah Osborn-Fuller, and her Osborn line was descended from, among other things, the Lusignan Dynasty, the notorious barons of western France.

CHATEAU DE LUSIGNAN

Royal Ukranian/Swedish Roots (Fuller/Bean)

Resting on the proof of Arthur Fuller's royal Scottish ancestry (still to be verified) through the Bean line, and further out from the Bean line, to his royal French ancestry, we go further still to some Ukranian and Swedish ancestry:

ANNE OF KIEV
(1032-1075)
Anne of Kiev was daughter to Yaroslav I the Wise and Princess Ingegerd of Sweden, pictured below:

YAROSLAV I, THE WISE
(978-1054)
Yaroslav murdered most of his brothers, imprisoned another for life, and was ultimately defeated by the last brother, forcing Yaroslav to share the Kiev Empire. Not sure why he was called “the Wise”. Princess Ingegerd was daughter to King Olof, who was son to Eric the Victorious.

Royal English Roots (Fuller/Bean and Murch)

As discussed in another post, The MacBeans of Scotland feature prominently in the ancestry of Samuel Bean Fuller. 

The New Hampshire Bean line connects to the Scottish Sinclair and Sutherland lines as well.  Samuel Bean Fuller's great grandfather was David Bean, Sr. of Brentwood NH (who died in Sandwich NH).  David's mother was Martha Sinkler, whose grandfather, John Sinkler (1630-1700) was an immigrant from Scotland to NH during the English Civil War.

Supposedly, John Sinkler connects directly to John of Gaunt from the Plantagenet line (still looking to confirm this).

This line is well established and connects through several royal lines, from the Anglo-Saxon Kings (from 839-1016 AD), to the Norman Invasion rulers (including William the Conqueror himself and through to 1135), to the Plantagenet Dynasty (ending at 1377 with the reign of Edward III).

For the sake of brevity, here is a list of the rulers that are potentially ancestors to Samuel Bean Fuller, through the Beans, but are definitely confirmed ancestors to my Murch family, through the Taunton Leonard connection:




ANGLO-SAXON WARRIORS
ANGLO-SAXON KINGS:
Aethelwulf of Essex
Aethelred I
Alfred the Great
Edward the Elder
Edmund I
Edgar
Aethelred the Unready
Edmund II




NORMAN INVASION
NORMAN INVASION RULERS:
William the Conqueror
Henry I




PLANTAGENET FAMILY CREST
King Fulk of Jerusalem
his son, Geoffrey (founder of Plantagenet Dynasty)
Queen Matilda
Henry II
John
Henry III
Edward I
Edward II
Edward III
John of Gaunt (protector of his nephew, King Richard II)





WELSH ROYALTY



LLEWELYN THE GREAT
Llewelyn ruled as Prince of Wales from 1200-1240. He ruled during the time of King John of England (another ancestor), and had many skirmishes with him over Welsh lands.






LADY GODIVA
(1040-1080)
Lady Godiva is another famous ancestor of Arthur Fuller.

According to the popular story, Lady Godiva took pity on the people of Coventry, who were suffering grievously under her husband's oppressive taxation. Lady Godiva appealed again and again to her husband, who obstinately refused to remit the tolls. At last, weary of her entreaties, he said he would grant her request if she would strip naked and ride through the streets of the town. Lady Godiva took him at his word and, after issuing a proclamation that all persons should keep within doors and shut their windows, she rode through the town, clothed only in her long hair. Only one person in the town, a tailor ever afterwards known as Peeping Tom, disobeyed her proclamation in one of the most famous instances of voyeurism. In the story, Tom bores a hole in his shutters so that he might see Godiva pass, and is struck blind. In the end, Godiva's husband keeps his word and abolishes the onerous taxes.

I just hope that none of the crazy Tea Baggers ever follow her example...