Clergyman; born in
Bedfordshire, England, Oct. 8, 1609; emigrated to
Boston in 1637, but, espousing the cause of
Anne Hutchinson (q. v.), and claiming full toleration in religious belief, he was obliged to flee.
He was welcomed to
Providence by
Roger Williams.
He was one of the company who gained
Rhode Island from the Indians, and began a settlement at
Pocasset in 1638.
A preacher of the Gospel, he founded, at
Newport (1664), the second Baptist church in
America.
He was treasurer of the colony in 1649.
Mr. Clarke was persecuted while visiting friends in
Massachusetts, and driven out of the colony.
He accompanied
Williams to
England in 1651 as agent for the colony, where he remained nearly twelve years, and returned (1663) with a second charter for
Rhode Island.
He resumed his pastorate at
Newport, where for three successive years he was deputygovernor of the colony.
His publications include
Ill news from New England;
Or a narrative of New England's persecution.
He died in
Newport, R. I., April 20, 1676.
