Lot Number 128, consisting of
95.99 acres in Conesus, was originally settled by Thomas CLARK but
the year that he built the first log house is undetermined. Thomas
and family were still living in Conesus, Livingston County in 1830.
The earliest documentation that has been found, on whom is thought to be our
Philander, is the 1830 census of Onondaga Township, Onondaga County, New York,
where a Philander Fowler is listed as an adult male, 20-29; with an adult
female, 15-19; and a boy and girl, both under 5. Although Philander would
have been 31/32 and Sarah 20/21, the age of his daughter, Charlotte,
matches. There is a boy, George FOWLER, who died 30 July 1835 at
7 years of age (birth year calculated as 1828), “Son of Philander and
Sarah FOWLER” buried in the South Onondaga Cemetery, which matches
the age of the other child in the 1830 census, and certainly lends
credence that this is our Philander and Sarah. Their son, George
Mortimer was born, calculated, in 1836[], so it is quite possible
that Sarah could have been pregnant with George Mortimer when the
first George died in 1835, and could have been named the second
in memory of the first. Also listed in the 1830 Onondaga census
is an Abel FOWLER, age 40-49, and, on the same census page and
one line removed from Philander, a Moses FOWLER, age 30-39.
The census profile of Moses, matches the Moses FOWLER family buried at South Onondaga
Cemetery. Moses FOWLER, died 10 January 1868, 74y, 5m, 11d., born, calculated,
30 July 1793, “Husband of Elizabeth FOWLER” Elizabeth (PIERCE) FOWLER, died 03
March 1801, 71y, 9m, 4d, born, calculated in 1801; and children Maxwell T ,
Samantha, Gideon D, and Moses, Jr.. Moses, was one line removed from
Philander in the census, and five years difference in age, with a daughter
named Samantha, could certainly be a brother of Philander and Samantha.
Historians record, for Moses FOWLER Jr.:
“. . .son of Moses and Elizabeth Fowler, was born in the town of
Onondaga, Feb. 9, 1830. He was the youngest of four children, namely:
Maxwell T., Samantha C., and Gideon D.”
We read of Maxwell T. FOWLER:
“He is a son of Moses Fowler, a soldier in the war
of 1812, who was at Sackett's Harbor. He received a grant of 160
acres of land for his services. His father was Thomas Fowler, one
of three brothers who came from Scotland and settled in Dutchess
Co. Thomas settled in this town when it was all wilderness, and
built a log house, where he resided until his death at the age
of 40. Moses Fowler was four years of age [1797] when he came
to this town with his parents. He married Elizabeth Pierce,
and they had four children, Maxwell T., Samantha C.,
Gideon D. . . . Moses Fowler, father of our subject,
was born in 1793, and settled in this town in 1797,
dying Jan. 10, 1868. His wife, Elizabeth, was born
March 3, 1801, in Brattleboro, Vt., and died Dec. 7, 1872."
However, they also record:
“In various parts of the town [Onondaga] the following may be mentioned
as noteworthy settlers: In 1797, Moses Fowler from Connecticut,
who died in 1868 . . ..”
Searching for Thomas FOWLER and his three brothers we go the 1790
Dutchess County, New York census for Fredericksontown, and we find
the following FOWLERs; Caleb, Junior and Senior, William, Stephen,
Moses, Moses Junior, and Thomas. Thomas is no longer found in
Dutchess County in 1800, and is not yet in Onondaga County.
There is, however, a Thomas FOWLER four lines removed from a
Thomas CLARK in Charlton Township, Saratoga County.
As stated, Thomas CLARK, his father and brothers had removed
to Saratoga County my 1800. According to the census
indexes, there is also an Amos, Caleb, Jeremiah, Joseph
and William FOWLER in Saratoga County at that time.
The census profiles of both Thomas FOWLER and Thomas
CLARK of Saratoga County do not match the profiles
of the Thomas’ in question. There is another
Thomas FOWLER that appears in the 1800 Oneida
County, New York census, in Paris Township, that
may fit the profile of Thomas.
In 1800, Onondaga County, there is a Wm FOWLER of Marcellus Township;
and Eliphalet, John, Justus and Levi FOWLER of Pompey Township.
According to the census index, in 1810, Thomas FOWLER is no
longer in Oneida County. A Thomas FOWLER that matches our
profile is now found in Onondaga County, possibly in Pompey
Township, as is Justus and Luther FOWLER in Fabius Township,
Wm FOWLER in Marcellus Township and Oliver FOWLER in Tully Township.
By 1820, Thomas is not in Onondaga County, but FOWLERs that appear in Onondaga
Township are Benjamin, over 45; Shubel, age 16 to 25; and Abel, over 45.
A Moses FOWLER is taxed $84 for 48 acres of real Estate valued at $240
in Freeport Ontario County (later Conesus, Livingston County).
As stated, in 1830, Philander, Abel and Moses FOWLER are in Onondaga
County, but Shubel and Benjamin FOWLER have removed to Conesus,
Livingston County, New York. In that census, Benjamin is listed on
the same page and 12 lines from Thomas and Samantha (FOWLER) CLARK.
Shubel isn’t listed again until the 1870 census of Amity, Allegany
County, at age 77, living with his wife, Sarah, age 70. Also a
resident of Amity at this time is the widow Charlotte (FOWLER)
CARPENTER, daughter of Philander. Buried at Forest Hill
Cemetery, Amity, Allegany County, is Charles M. CARPENTER,
son of Charlotte (FOWLER) CARPENTER, Shubel and Sarah FOWLER.
By 1840, Philander was living in Town of Dansville, Steuben County as are the
Thomas CLARKs. In 1850, Philander, his wife, Sarah, age 41, born,
calculated, in 1809; son, (George) Mortimer, 14, born, calculated,
in 1836; and daughter Adalaide, age 12, born, calculated, in 1838,
was living two dwellings removed from the unmarried children of
Thomas and Samantha in Dansville, their parents both deceased.
Two dwellings removed on the other side was George FRITZ,
father-in-law of (Elizabeth) Jane CLARK daughter of Thomas
and Samantha. Philander and his family moved to Andover,
Alfred Township, Allegany County, New York by 18 July 1860.
In September 1860, there was a buggy accident where a Mrs. FOWLER, was killed.
FATAL ACCIDENT
We learn that a fatal accident occurred about five miles from Canaseraga last
week by which one was killed and another very badly injured. Mrs. Fritz, from
Doty's Corners, and Mrs. Fowler, from Alfred, were going from Doty's Corners
to Alfred Centre, and when about five miles from Canaseraga they came to a
narrow bridge thirty feet long and eighteen feet above the bed of the creek.
The bridge was very narrow and without any railing.-When about two thirds
across the bridge, the ladies discovered some loose planks and the horse
noticed them and stopped. Mrs. F. urged him with the whip, when he
immediately commenced backing, and before either of the ladies could
save themselves, the whole establishment including the horse, was
precipitated from the bridge near the centre falling a distance
of eighteen feet upon the rocks and timber below. Mrs. Fowler,
who is a very heavy woman, weighing 240 lbs., was so badly injured
internally that she died Sunday morning after intense suffering.
She retained her senses to the last and appeared perfectly resigned
to her fate. Mrs. Fritz sustained severe injuries about the thighs
and shoulder, and also internally, but is now doing well and
probably will recover. It was first thought that her thigh
and shoulder blade were broken, but a close examination proved
that such was not the case.-The horse was almost immediately
killed, and the buggy rendered a perfect wreck. The bridge
is in the town of Birdsall, and they should be made to pay
a heavy tax for allowing so unsafe a bridge to remain in
the town, and thus endangering the lives of human beings.
This is probably Sara FOWLER, wife of Philander, who died Sunday, 23 September
1860, eleven days preceding the news article. Her passenger, Mrs. FRITZ,
was probably (Elizabeth) Jane (CLARK) FRITZ, daughter of Thomas and Samantha.
They were traveling from Doty’s Corners, where Jane lived, to Alfred Center,
where Sarah lived.
In 1870, Philander is living with his second wife, Jane, and his grandson, Charles
CARPENTER, age 13, in Alfred. In 1880, Philander and Mary J (Jane) are
living in the Village of Cummingsville, North Dansville, Livingston County,
New York. This census shows that Philander and both his parents were born
in New York.
Philander died at age 84 on 02 April 1883 and is buried at Doty’s Corners
Cemetery with his first wife Sarah. His will lists his second wife,
Mary Jane, his son, George Mortimer, and his daughter Charlotte CARPENTER,
widow of William CARPENTER. His daughter Adelaide is not mentioned. His
Executor is Wesley FRITZ “friend and relative”, husband of (Elizabeth)
Jane CLARK.
As stated, George FOWLER, the first child of record for Philander and Sarah
was born, calculated, 1828, died 30 July 1835 and is buried at South Onondaga
Cemetery, Onondaga County, “s/o Philander and Sarah Fowler, 7 y.”
Charlotte FOWLER, born, circa 1829, married William CARPENTER, born, calculated,
in 1828, in New York. In 1850, they are living in Alfred Township, Allegany
County, with their daughter, Sarah, born, calculated, December 1849. Also
living is Alfred at that time was Henry Mortimer CLARK (b. 1810), son of
Thomas and Samantha (FOWLER) CLARK. In 1860, Charlotte and William are
living at Andover Post Office, Alfred Township, Allegany County, with
daughters Sarah, age 10; Olive A., age 8, born, calculated, in 1852; son,
Charles, age 3, born, calculated, in 1857; daughter, Allis, age 5/12, born,
calculated, May 1860; and a Michael MEAN, age 17, born in Ireland.
William died on 10 November 1863, at age 36. He is buried at Rogers
Cemetery, Amity, Allegany County.
George Mortimer FOWLER was born circa 1836. A Mortimer FOWLER enlisted
in the 5th New York Heavy Artillery, Union Army, on 04 January, 1864,
who died in Cuba (Allegany County). This may the same person as
Private George M. FOWLER, Company A, 5th New York Artillery. In
1870 (George) Mortimer, a farmer, his wife, Clarisa, age 26, born,
calculated, in 1844; Florence, age 8, born, calculated, in 1862;
William, age 4, born, calculated, in 1866; and Jane Wilcox, a
domestic, age 16, were living in Alfred, Allegany County, next
to his father Philander. In 1880, Alfred Township, George
(Mortimer) and wife, Clara A. are living with sons James, age 9,
born, calculated, in 1871; and Daniel G., age 3, born, calculated,
in 1877. A Seth Bube, age 74, is boarding with them. George
(Mortimer) is not employed due to spinal disease. George
Mortimer died between 06 January 1882, when he was listed in
his father Philander’s will and 07 May 1883, when his widow,
Clarisa, was served citation during the probate of Philander’s will.
Adelaide FOWLER was born, calculated, in 1838. In 1860, at age 21, she
is living with her father and step-mother at Andover Post Office, Alfred
Township, Allegany County. She is not found after this, nor is she
listed in her father’s will of 06 Jan 1882.
There was a Joseph and Sarah FOWLER, of Jaytown, Essex County, New York
who had nine children, all born in Jaytown. Two of their children were
named Philander, born 3 July 1799, and Samantha, born 8 May 1810.
Philander also named a daughter Charlotte, born in 1840 in Indiana.
According to another son’s census information, Joseph was born in
Rhode Island. While no family connection has, as yet, been made,
the names and dates strongly suggest a relation.
Children of Thomas2 CLARK and Samantha FOWLER which were listed by name
and birthdates in Thomas’ Bible Family Record, were as follows:
Copy of Family Record page from Thomas CLARK Bible.
Original owned by the Butler family, grandchildren of Lewis CLARK
They were as follows:
33 i. Thomas Fowler2 CLARK was born on 1 Jun 1806 probably
at Milton, Saratoga County, New York.
His family removed to Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York by 1810 when
Thomas F. was four. In 1820, at the age of 14, his parents lived in
what would become Conesus, Livingston County, New York.
In 1839, Thomas F. CLARK, of Burns, Allegany County, New York, purchased
64 acres of land in Burns from Masterson URE for $192. He married
Percy P. --?-- before 1840. In 1840, Thomas F. is living in Dansville,
Steuben County, New York, with one male age 10 to 14, and one female,
20 to 29. The male age 10 to 14, according to his will, is his
Cousin, William CLARK, who is probably the son (born 1828)
of his uncle, Joel W. CLARK (b.1788), who lived in Dansville
at that time. The female is Percy P., Thomas F.’s wife.
On 07 March 1841, Thomas F. CLARK and Percy P. his wife, sold 49 ½ acres
of land in Dansville to Israel McCallum.
On 21 April 1841 Thomas F. CLARK bought one half acre of land,
“ . . . beginning in the centre of the highway (at what is called Doty’s corners)
leading from Dansville village to Arkport . . . “
from Thomas and Samantha
CLARK, of Dansville, Steuben County.
On April 23, 1841, Thomas Fowler CLARK wrote his will,
leaving his
“ ... well beloved wife Percy P. during her life
time ...“ his farm of 64 acres in Burns, Allegany County,
New York, the furniture and livestock; and, as long as Percy
remained his widow, the half acre lot and buildings on which
they resided. He bequeathed “... to my cousin William
CLARK who has remained with me several years...”
$160,
when he turns 21. The remainder of his personal property
he bequeaths to his father, Thomas CLARK or his heirs.
His will was admitted to probate 24 May 1841, upon testimony from Joel W.
CLARK that Thomas F. died on 25 April 1841 in Dansville, Steuben County.
Thomas F. is buried at Doty’s Corners Cemetery, Dansville. His gravestone,
incorrectly listing his date of death, as April 25. 1839:
Thomas F.
Son of
Thomas and Samantha
Clark
Died
April 25. 1839.
Aged 35yrs.
Thomas F. Clark
Doty’s Corners Cemetery, Town of Dansville, Steuben County, New York.
Photo by Liz Cornish, 03 Aug 2003.
As no children were listed in the 1840 census or in his will, it is assumed
that he left no children.
It appears that Thomas F. was suffering from a terminal illness.
A rapid succession of events leads to this assumption, starting 07
March 1841 when Thomas F. sold 49 ½ acres of land to Israel McCallum;
on 21 April 1841 with the purchase of one half acre of land in
Dansville that Thomas F. and Percy were living on; his will
dated 23 April 1941; and then his death on 25 April 1841.
His cousin, William Clark (b. 1828, son of Joel W. CLARK, b. 1788),
had remained with him several years, perhaps to help care for him.
Of interest is a bill submitted to the estate of Thomas F. for payment,
dated 02 March 1841, “Rcd. of D. Swarthout thirty gallons of whisky
at 2/p gallon when sold . . .”. In the inventory of Thomas F.’s
property after his death is 22 Gallons Whisky. One can wonder
if Thomas F. was engaged in the Tavern business, or did the
missing 8 gallons of whisky in two months contribute to his death?
There is no trace of Percy P. CLARK after Thomas F.’s death.
34 ii. Polly Ann CLARK was born on 7 Mar 1808
probably at Milton, Saratoga County, New York. By 1810,
when Polly Ann was 2, her family removed to Aurelius, Cayuga
County, New York. In 1820, at the age of 12, her parents
lived in what would become Conesus, Livingston County, New York.
Before 1830, she married Horatio Nelson PARKS who was born 29 June 1808
in Livonia, Livingston County, New York, the first of twelve children born
to William and Fannie (HYDE) PARKS, originally of Bethlehem,
Litchfield County, Connecticut. In 1830, they are living in Livonia
Township, Livingston County, New York. Historical records show that
she died on 9 May 1831 at age 23 and was buried at Alger Cemetery,
Conesus, Livingston Co., New York. Inscribed on Polly Ann’s gravestone,
as historically recorded, is:
Wife of Horatio Nelson Parks
Dau of Thomas and Samantha Clark
"My flesh shall slumber in the ground
'til the last trumpet's joyful sound
then burst the chain with sweet surprise
and in my Savior’s image rise".
Polly Ann’s gravestone has not been located after several thorough searches.
On 21 June 2004, Ted JACKSON visited Alger Cemetery to make another search.
He e-mails:
“Today, I visited the Alger Cemetery in Conesus, NY accompanied
by Shirley Mulvaney who is on the Cemetery Committee and who
had a map of the cemetery. The map is in terms of family plots,
not individual graves. There is no grave registration for the
Alger Cemetery.
If you go east from the west fence about seven rows, a little ways in from
the south, there will be a stone for Rebecca Bearss. A few feet to the
north will be a stone for Patty, wife of Moses Jewet(?). In between is
an empty spot. (East of it is a stone for Alexander and Sarah Clark
(I don't think this is one of ours, is it?) Anyhow, this empty space
is labeled "Parks" on the map. Most of the stones in that area are
from the time period in which we are interested - the 1830's. On
the border of the Parks plot and the Bearss plot is the foundations
for a stone. No indication as to what it might have been or which
plot it is in. (I doubt that this is a surveyed map.) Since
the DAR records say Polly was buried in the Alger Cemetery,
I think that is about the best we can do. This cemetery was
established in 1810 according to the History of Conesus.”
On 08 July 2004, Liz CORNISH
Clark49rr@aol.com and Ted JACKSON
returned to Alger Cemetery; Liz took the following photograph of the PARK Family plot.
Parks Family Plot
Alger Cemetery, Town of Conesus, Livingston County, New York
The vacant space in the foreground, between the standing stone
on the left and the flat stone on the right, is the Parks plot.
Photo taken 08 July 2004 by Liz Cornish.
Nelson remarried in August, 1832 to Naomi DENSMORE, born 18 July 1807 in New
Baltimore, Green County, New York, to David and Nancy (BURNS) DENSMORE of Livonia.
+ 35 iii. Henry Mortimer CLARK, born 24 Feb 1810 at
Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York; married Susan A. WILCOX.
+ 36 iv. Nancy Maria CLARK, born 7 Apr 1812 probably at
Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York; married Amos PERRIN.
+ 37 v. Thankful CLARK, born 12 Feb 1814 probably at
Aurelius, Cayuga Co., New York; married John WHITE.
+ 38 vi. Moses Fowler CLARK, born 20 Jan 1816 at Aurelius,
Cayuga County or Freeport (Conesus in 1825), Ontario (Livingston in 1821)
County, New York; married Jerusha A. LEMMON.
+ 39 vii. Emily CLARK, born 7 Feb 1818 at Aurelius, Cayuga
County or Freeport (Conesus in 1825), Ontario (Livingston in1821) County,
New York; married Simon GRISWOLD.
+ 40 viii. Joel W. CLARK, born 27 Feb 1819 at Aurelius,
Cayuga County or Freeport (Conesus in 1825), Ontario (Livingston in 1821)
County, New York; married Maria L. SMITH.
41 ix. William S. CLARK was born on 4 Dec 1822, after
his parents removed to Conesus, Livingston County, New York by 1820.
He died, aged 34 years, 3 months, 8 days, on 12 March, 1857,
and is buried at Doty’s Corners Cemetery, Dansville, Steuben
County, New York.
In 1830 at the age of 8, he was living with his parents in Conesus.
By 1840, his parents had removed to Dansville, Steuben County, New York.
His parents had both died by 1846, and n 1850, all of the unmarried
siblings; Joel W., William, Lewis, John, Jane and a Mary HENRY age 18
years, are living together. He died, aged 34 years, 3 months, 8 days,
on 12 March, 1857, and is buried at Doty’s Corners Cemetery, Dansville,
Steuben County, New York. Nothing else is found on William S.
William S. CLARK gravestone.
Doty’s Corners Cemetery, Town of Dansville, Steuben County,
New York.
Photo by Liz Cornish, 03 Aug 2003.
+ 42 x. Lewis CLARK, born 5 Feb 1824 probably at Freeport
(Conesus in 1825), Livingston County, New York; married Sarah STEVENS.
+ 43 xi. John CLARK, born 28 Sep 1825 probably at Conesus,
Livingston County, New York; married Mary HEALY.
+ 44 xii. Elizabeth Jane CLARK, born 6 Mar 1828 probably
at Conesus, Livingston County, New York; married Wesley FRITZ.
