SAMUEL T.
CLARKE
(Samuel Clarke had the one son
and other descendants. I'm sure that he
kept, at least a missionary journal, but it's
whereabouts is not currently known, so the information for this story comes
from histories of his father, brother, sister-in-law and their journals. Hopefully, they give a feeling of his life.)
Samuel
T. Clarke was a son of Amos and Ann Johnston Clarke. They were converts to the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denbigh, Wales. They emigrated to Utah in 1866 with one son, Moses, and four
daughters, Annie, Elizabeth, Sarah and Mary.. Their families were so heart broken about
their leaving that someone took two of their older children and hid them. With their boat, the John Bright, waiting at
Liverpool, a relative, John Moses, came to their rescue and found the
children. The boat trip to America, was rough, but a fellow passenger, the young B. H. Roberts
said that all was not tribulation. Some
evenings, the saints from Wales,
England and Scotland would
get together and sing, with their wonderful voices. It would almost be certain that Amos' family
would be among them as early, he found friends who could teach him about music. Music was an essential part of his life
.
They crossed the plains in the Samuel D. White company,
with Orange Warner as their teamster. After a long and difficult trip, the
family arrived in Salt Lake City. They were met by an older half sister, Miriam
Clarke, who helped them find a home.
Here another son, Amos Jr., was born.
Ann often said that she bathed the baby with her tears as the oldest
son, Moses, passed away seventeen days later.
Amos
was an experienced blacksmith and was soon called to Cache Valley
to provide his services there. He lived
in the little town of Newton, Utah.
Some commented on his work, "There were blacksmiths and then there was
Amos Clarke. His work was always a
polished work of art." In addition, Amos
acquired farm land in his new country.
In Newton,
four more children were born, a daughter Eliza Josephine who lived only a few
hours. Three sons were born, Lemuel George,
Samuel Thomas born 12 Sep 1874, and David Robert. Samuel was named for his father, Amos', grandfather Samuel Clarke, and his mother's mother, Ann
Thomas.
The
farm was a natural place for Amos to teach his sons to work. A news item in the local paper of Nov. 26,
1892 states, "Samuel Clarke, son of Amos Clarke, of Newton while riding a horse on Thurs. morning
had the misfortune to have the horse fall on his foot, badly spraining his
ankle." Amos' son, George later reported
that "His father had threshed and raised 4350 bushels."
George
also reports, "There were no restrictions or game
laws in early days. Anyone could shoot
what they could find. Game was very
plentiful on every side of town in the proper season, spring and fall. The small wheat fields were close in and the
prairie chickens came in close to feed in the stubble and were easily hunted on
the irrigated land."
Father
was willing for us to have a good gun, so he bought a very good double barreled
12 gauge shotgun, muzzle loader, from George Bywater in Logan.
This we used until the Browning Automatic came out and we got one of
them.
Our
fishing sport was not for trout like it is on the east side of the valley. We fished for chubs and suckers in Bear
River, south of town down in Bear
River Canyon,
which was quite a walk to get down there and we only went on special
occasions. Father was a good sport and
always willing and anxious for us to get our work done first and then get out
and get what there was of hunting and fishing.
A
talent that really defined Amos and his family was their musical ability. Having the Welsh background their love of
music and musical ability came through loud and clear. His ability was utilized as he led the Newton
Ward Choir for almost forty years. He
had a Choir Journal in which he kept all the songs that were sung, who played
the organ and notes of the Sacrament meetings.
He trained his children and grand children in the rudiments of music and
had them perform at various times. He had a pump organ, which his children
learned how to play and played for the choir and church services. Often the local newspaper reported their singing
solos, duets etc. in various meetings.
Samuel became quite an expert in music and taught music at the Brigham Young
College in Logan,
Cache Valley, Utah.
Amos' choir journal reports Samuel and George playing the organ and
also, one lovely young lady, Olive Beck, playing the organ. It was not long before Samuel and Olive
became interested in each other. They
were married in the Logan
Temple, 23 Nov. 1897.
Amos
was a stalwart in the Church and regularly attended General Conference in Salt Lake City. His sons and daughters were all very active
in the Church. George was called on a
mission to British Isles and served in Wales from 1896 to 1898. Just as he was finishing up his mission, his
brother Samuel was called in 1898, leaving Olive at home expecting a child. He was set apart for his mission on 19 Aug.
1898 and then began the long journey to England.
George's
journal reports his arrival. "Sat. Sept.
23 1898: Packed my trunk and got things together for going to North
Wales, then to Liverpool TO MEET SAMUEL."
Tues. 6th Sep. SAMUEL'S ARRIVAL .Went straight to the
landing stage to find when the boat was due....Found it was the Steamer,
Belgenland... My waiting was soon rewarded as she came in sight about 2:30 and
she soon came near enough for me to see the Mormon Missionaries and I had a
hard job to keep back the tears of Joy to see Samuel and the other boys. Samuel and I went to visit cousin
Hannah Morris. (Then) to Liverpool - 42 Islington to a meeting at which Samuel was
appointed to the Welsh Conference. (It
was common practice for missionaries to look up their family history while they
served. Samuel and George were assigned
to work together in the county
of Denbigh in missionary
work and in family history work in the location of their parents
home. It is interesting to note that the
family members who were so distraught by their parents
leaving, welcomed the sons with open arms. )
Wed. Sep.7, 1989 - Called at
Uncle Edwards and introduced Samuel to them.
Then went to the Ponkey and introduced him to the folks. Stayed in the old house, slept on the
bedstead on which father was born. Had supper with Aunt Hannah Jones.
Sat. Sep 17, 1898....About 4:30,
Samuel and I and Uncle Samuel Parry started for Wrexham. Walked by way of Pentre
Buchan. Arrived
at Wrexham about 5:45 (about 3 miles).
Uncle Samuel went into town and we found Bro. C. T. Roberts. We went down town and looked around for a
place to hold an outdoor meeting. We
were not allowed to speak only on side streets, so we went on Church St. And commenced by singing.
'How Firm a Foundation' & 'O, Say What is
Truth,' I spoke for about twenty-five minutes but it seemed we were too far rom
the main and I was hoarse so we sang Doxology and closed.
Thurs. Sep. 29, 1898: Thomas
Hughes came down to see us. Wanted us to
pray for him and felt that he would like to be baptized. Later in Llangollen.....talked to the folks,
who were well acquainted with father and mother. Mr. Lettsome told how father used to bring
him tracts and try to convert him. On
one occasion his mother in law saw father coming and picking up the poker said,
"If you come any farther, I'll crack your head.
You'll take this silly lad to Salt Lake (Duffryn Lln Halen) where he
will have a half dozen wives," Not fearing the old lady now we gave them some
tracts and received in return a photo of Miss Lettsome in old Welsh
Costume.
Fri. Sep. 30.... In our
visiting, we always had tracts with us and gave them away, but we had done no
house to house tracting. It turned out a
bit fine so we went tracting on Johnston
Street. Used 'Glad Tidings of Great Joy' - Welsh; and 'First Principles' -
English. Visited 74 houses and
gave out 74 tracts.
Sun Oct. 2,...Went
to John Jones and arranged for a meeting in his house. I invited some of the neighbors and at 6:30
there were ten in the room so we started by singing #260 - How Firm a
Foundation. Prayer by
myself. Singing #71 - O Say What
is Truth. After we finished singing
there were several standing in the door. Samuel spoke first touching on organization
etc. I followed on the first
principles. We had very good
attention. Closed by
singing, 'O My Father.' Prayer by Samuel.
Oct. 7. We went up to Brymbo to see John Edwards who
has some relatives in Utah. He told cousin Ann
that he wanted to see us. He asked us
what the Saints believe in which gave us an opportunity to explain the Gospel
& to bear our testimony to its restoration.
On leaving, he and his wife asked us to come back someday and have tea
with them.
Oct. 14: We went out tracting up
Gutter Hill Road
and Church st. Visited 83 houses and
gave out 58 English 'First Principles' and 25 Welsh 'Glad Tidings' tracts.
Thurs. Oct. 20. We received word from home that Samuel was
the father of a son, as Olive had given birth to a bouncing boy on the 6 of
Oct. 1898. (Samuel Cyril) Also received
programs of the eisteddfod and learned that father had a pleasant meeting with
Dr. Jos. Parry in Salt Lake City. He had been secured for adjudicator for the
eisteddfod there. I had taken lessons in
harmony from him in Cardiff.....(John Evans) took us to see Thomas Jones, a
shop keeper - an old friend and fellow laborer of Father's He asked us many
questions about the country - climate industries etc. also religion which
were answered with pleasure. He asked
what will become of the Methodists.
Where do you class them? We said
Paul classes them with those who teach for doctrine the commandments of
men. Many other
questions. He wished to be
remembered to Father. Seemed
pleased to see us.
From the
history of Sephora Jones, a cousin on their mother's side, who several years
later went to America
and ended up marrying George.
While I was home, Mother's cousins, George Clarke and his brother,
Samuel came to visit. Samuel had just come
over (from America)
and was assigned to be with George for three months, before his mission was
finished. They were assigned to labor
awhile in North Wales among the relatives and
old friends of their parents. I was
lucky to be home to enjoy some of their company. They were two very happy brothers, both very
talented and very handsome. Samuel was
married to Olive Beck a year previous, and was called on his mission two months
before their baby boy was born. He
received the first picture of the baby, named Samuel Cyril, while he was
visiting us, so we all got to see it.
Samuel was so happy, that he wept.
My Father was teasing him about being a 'Daddy' so young. He was 24 years old then and was a Professor
of Music at the B. Y. (Brigham Young) College in Logan, Utah. Both of them played the organ and violin, and
both had mouth organs and jews harp and were good
players. George and Sam had the same
lovely mild and refined natures. Our two
grandmas thought they were wonderful. Lots
of the folks and neighbors called on Sunday, so we had a real concert. My sister, Sarah Jane, sang a few songs out
of the 'Songs of Wales' book and George played for her. She had a lovely soprano and sang 'Dross Y
Gareg' (Over the Stone,) in English to please me, bless her.
Father
had potatoes in the garden, ready to dig, so Saturday, with many hands around,
the job started. Dick and Father dug,
the girls picked, and George and Sam filled and tied the sacks and rolled them
down hill. They knew how to do it being
farmers. We had a lot of fun. Mother made a big Meat and Potato Pie, to
feed the flock and while waiting, the Missionaries squatted on their heels and
played the mouth organs. I could never
forget that weekend, which ended all too soon, as I had to be back Sunday night. So
after supper, I kissed all goodbye and choked back my
tears, and left for Tan-Lan, escorted by the handsome missionary cousins; both
so smart in their frock coats and silk top hats, and little me walking between
them. I felt so proud when the people
came out to stare at us. They were
surprised it was such a long walk, and took my arm to help me up the hill to
the house. Then they went back to spend
the night at Mother's and I was back to some old drudgery.
Sat. Oct. 29:...On
our way we passed through Bersham and called on Polly Jones, a cousin to
father. Explained the Gospel & bore
testimony to her.
Wed. Nov. 2: Had dinner with
Aunt Dinah. (The family members,
earlier, had been so against Amos and Ann Clarke going to Utah and their religion. But they surely welcomed their two sons into
their homes. Almost daily they would
meet with Aunt Dinah or aunt Naomi and many other
family members for dinner or supper or 'tea.'
These many instances have not been recorded.) Went to the old house to read, but Edward
Jones came in and we explained the Gospel to him. In the evening Samuel Parry came in and we
explained the Gospel to him. He listened
very attentively, but did not have much to say.
Nov. 7: A fair was being held at
Rhos. Market street.
It was lined with stalls and stands where dishes, onions, sweets and
little novelties and trinkets were sold...Men women and children were paying a
penny a bag for paper bits to throw at each other. The paper bits were called 'confetti.'
Nov. 10: (Arranged with Trevor
Jones, secretary of the Public Hall to use the hall.) Having arranged for a meeting for next Sunday
in the above room, we went around to notify all we
knew about it, asking them to invite their friends and neighbors.
Sun. Nov. 3: Went to the Public
Hall to see that it was in readiness for our meeting. At 6:15, we had a congregation of 22 men and
one woman and we commenced meeting by singing, 'Redeemer of Israel.' Samuel offered the opening prayer and we
continued by singing, 'O Say, What is Truth.'
Samuel spoke about 30 minutes showing that a faith which would lead to
obedience is the faith required in the Gospel.
We then sang, 'Now Let Us Rejoice.'
I occupied the remainder of the meeting, treating on the baptism of
water and the spirit and the necessity of authority to administer these
ordinances. After singing, 'Oh My
Father,' I offered the closing prayer which concluded our first public meeting
in the Rhos. We distributed tracts to
those present.
Nov. 17: Went out tracting in
Pen Rhos and vicinity. Visited 46 houses and gave
out the same number of tracts.
Nov. 19: Arrived home about 9
o'clock where I found MY LONG LETTER RELEASING ME TO RETURN HOME ON THE S.S.
ANCHORIA sailing from Glasgow
Dec. 15, 1898.
Dec. 3: Arrived in Cardiff
Sat. Dec. 10: Pres. Owens,
Samuel and I went to Dumfries
Place, having been invited there by Dr. Parry to
attend a concert given by his students....Dr. Parry spoke highly of our people
and the kindness he had received when in Salt
Lake City. (He
had judged the eistefodd there.)
(George then went home and
Samuel continued on with his mission in Wales. Samuel contracted an illness and passed away
21 Sep. 1899. A number of his good
friends from his home town of Newton, Utah were serving in the
British Mission and were able to attend the services. W. H. Griffin, Martin C. Rigby. M. T. Beck,
Bro. Jenkins.)This report is from the report of Martin C. Rigby:
A Funeral was held over the
remains of Bro. Clarke (Sunday Sep. 24 1899)
Meeting called to order by
President Wale
Hymn: 'How Many in Their Graves are Sleeping 'til Resurrection Day?'
Prayer offered by Bro Haddock of
the British Conference
Hymn: pag 143, 'Oh, My Father.'
Sacrament was administered,
while (it was passed) the hymn, p. 40, 'How Great the Wisdom and the Love,'(was played. It was
the song that Bro. Clarke sang while lying on his death bed and out of his
head. As he was lying there he gave out
the hymn and read the first verse and then put out his hand and started the
hymn and sang it, beating time all the way through. After which he preached as fine a sermon as
they ever heard, so the Brethren said.
He also spoke in tongues three times and talked about his wife and
father and mother, brothers and sisters, and me, Martin C. Rigby) He also talked to some who had passed away,
his brother, Moses being one of them. He
died at 2 o'clock in the morning on Thursday Sept. 21st.
First Speaker: President Wale of
the Welch Conference who spoke very highly of Bro. Clarke and his works while
here in the field.
Speaker: W. H. Thomas also spoke
and told us what he knew of him.
Song by A. Evins, C. H. Davis,
Haddock and G. Glover: 'Nearer My God to Thee.'
President
(Platte D.) Lyman then spoke, gave some encouraging remarks and said we
should prepare ourselves so as to be ready when our time came to be called away
as Bro. Clarke was.
Meeting was closed by singing:
'There is Sweet Rest in Heaven.'
Benediction by
E. Davis.
Monday, Sept. 25: The undertaker
came for the body. We boys and President
Wale went to see it safely put away.
After seeing it put in the second coffin and put in a room and locked
up, we took the last look upon the remains of our beloved brother and playmate,
Samuel T. Clarke. Then
went to see about having a picture taken of us four boys and had Bro. Clarke
put on with us. (The coffin was
sealed and shipped to the Newton
Cemetery, where it was
interred.)
