Joseph Clark

In 1901 census the family were living at High Street Stanwick and Thomas was a gardener.  Susan worked at home as a boot closer and son Sydney is a shoemaker.

When Thomas died he left quite a sizeable estate of 397 english pounds, 12 shillings, and 8 pence and his sons Albert and Sydney and son-in-law Herbert Liggins were his Trustees.  Probate was granted in London on 6 May 1920.  Thomas made his will just 6 months prior to his death so he may have had some premonition of his death.  It was also just prior to wife Susan’s death.

He left everything to Susan during her lifetime and then to be divided on her death.  Son Albert Thomas clrk was given first option of buying the bottom part of the plot with pigstys and henplaces for 30 english pounds and son Sydney Frank Clark was given first option to buy the top half for 30 english pounds.

Susan and Thomas’s gravestone reads:

“Susan Clark, died December 21 1918 aged 75. She believed his words and sang his praises. Thomas Clark who was suddenly called abov March 16, 1919.”

Obituary from Rushden Echo, 27 December 1918:

“We regret to report that the death took place rather unexpectedly on Saturday last of Mrs Clark, wife of Mr Thomas Clark, of Stanwick. Deceased was born at Stanwick on January 1st, 1843, and passed away just a few days short of her 76th birthday. She leaves a husband and five children to mourn their loss. The eldest son lives at Petone, New Zealand, and the eldest daughter resides at Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire, the other three children living at Stanwick.”

“The late Mrs Clark had a life-long connection with the Baptist Church at Stanwick, being a scholar in the Sunday school in her young days, and afterwards being a teacher, a position which she held as recently as two years ago. Mr and Mrs Clark, were married at the Ringstead Baptist church on October 15th, 1868, by the Rev W Kitchen, and celebrated their golden wedding in October of this year. The deceased lady and her husband were baptised and received into fellowship at the Stanwick Baptists Church at the same time, 46 years ago, by the Rev J T Bristow, who was at that time pastor of the church, and Mr Clark has been a deacon of the church for 38 years. The late Mrs Clark was held in the highest esteem in the village, and she will be greatly missed in the Baptist cause and in all movements. The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday), and impressive service being held at the Baptist Church.”

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