The Clark house located with the help of Suzanne Wiley, Town Historian, Champion, Jefferson County, NY

Photos taken May 18, 1998

The house is still being used as a home

The house is built of limestone rock construction. I have altered the photo by removing a wooden addition that was attached to the far end of the house in resent years. Also removed are the power, TV & telephone wires going to it. The entrance to the cellar on the back of the house does not appear to be the original construction.


It is unknown if William Clark built or bought this farm house in 1835. He lived in this house until his death in 1850. William Clark left the house to his son Jedidiak Hayden Clark in his will. The house and farm was bought on March 1, 1855 by Orson Stewart and his wife Sophronia Maria Clark, the daughter of William Clark for $3,325.00. The son of Orson and Sophronia Clark Stewart, Thomas Nelson Stewart bought the house and farm on September 17, 1896 he lived there and farmed the land until July 29, 1911 when he sold it.

Curtis Clark Siver is the 3rd great grandson of William J. Clark

The below is an accurate copy of the original will found in the Jefferson County, New York Clerks Office by Curtis Clark Siver on September 22, A.D. 1993

William Clark's Estates Will

In consideration of the uncertainty of this mortal life I do hereby make constitute and publish this my last will and testament.

First: I do give and bequeath my body to the Earth from which it was taken and my spirit to the God who gave it. My body to be decently buried and a decent stone slab to be set to designate the place where it is deposited.

Second: I do give and bequeath to my children, William Henry, Thomas Nelson and Sophronia Maria, each fifty dollars to be paid in one year after my death.

Third: I do give and bequeath to my sons, William Henry and Thomas Nelson each fifty dollars in addition to the above to be paid in two years after my decease.

Fourth: I do give and bequeath to my wife Sophornia all my household furniture, bed and bedding, wearing appeal and my library of books and pamphlets, loom and apparats belonging with it and one cow.

Fifth: I give and bequeath to my son Jedidiak Hayden the residue of my property real and personal after paying my debts and charges reserving to my wife Sophornia the use of one third part of my real estate during the time she shall remain my widow and I do hereby appoint and constitute my son Jedidiak Hayden to be executor of this my last will and testament.

Done at Champion Jefferson county in the state of New York, this twentieth day of August in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two.

William Clark (L. L.)

Signed and sealed in presence of;

Jerome Whitcker of Champion Jefferson county

Lidia Whitcker of Champion Jefferson county

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