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John Clarke ( 1609– 1676) was a medical doctor, Baptist minister, co-founder of the colony of Rhode Island, and a leading advocate of religious freedom in the Americas.
John Clarke was born at Westhorpe , Suffolk County, England on October 8, 1609, to Thomas and Rose (Kerrich) Clarke. He was one of eight children, six of whom came to America and settled in New England. He married Elizabeth ? . The source of Clarke's education in remains unknown (though some say the University of Leiden), but before arriving in America he had studied theology, languages, and medicine. He first emigrated to Massachusetts Bay in 1637Events February 3 Tulipmania collapses in Netherlands by government order February 15 Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor December 17 Shimabara Rebellion erupts in Japan Pierre de Fermat makes a marginal claim to have proof of what would become known. Clarke and other settlers purchased land from the American Indians on the island of Aquidneck, and established Portsmouth in 1638Events March 29 Swedish colonists establish first settlement in Delaware, called New Sweden April 15 Shogunate forces defeat the last rebels of Shimabara Rebellion in the fortress of Hara May 11 French admiral d'Estrees runs his whole fleet aground in Cur. In 1639Events January 14 Connecticut's first constitution, the " Fundamental Orders," is adopted. March 13 Harvard University is named for a clergyman named John Harvard. November 24 Jeremiah Horrocks observes the transit of Venus. Charles I starts the first of he helped found the city of Newport and the local church there.
In 1651Events January 1 Charles II crowned King of Scotland in Scone. This is his first crowning. June 28 June 30: The biggest battle of the 17th century, Battle of Beresteczko, between Poles and Ukrainians, won by Poles. September 3 English Civil War: Battle of, John Clarke, John Crandall and Obadiah Holmes were arrested and imprisoned in Lynn, MassachusettsLynn is a city located in Essex County, Massachusetts. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 89,050. Lynn is home to companies such as: General Electric's jet engine division, a major local employer West Lynn Creamery (bought by Gareli for conducting an illegal worship service. This event (and others like it) served as the basis for Clarke's Ill Newes from New England, or a Narrative of New England's Persecutions (1652).
In 1652Events April 6 Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp for the Dutch East India Company at the Cape of Good Hope, and founded Cape Town. May 18 Rhode Island passes the first law in North America making slavery illegal. May 29 First Anglo Clarke traveled to London with Roger Williams to secure a new charter for the colony of Rhode Island. Williams returned to Rhode Island in 1654, but Clarke stayed in England until the charter was granted. On July 8, 1663 Charles II of England granted John Clarke a Royal Charter to Rhode Island. That charter remained the foundation of government in Rhode Island until 1842.
Clarke and Williams labored together for the cause of religious liberty. Williams remains the more well-known of the two, but Clarke was more important to the history of Baptists in New England. Williams left the Baptists to become a seeker. During his years in Rhode Island, John Clarke was pastor of the church in Newport. He practiced medicine as a means of financial support. He also served on the General Assembly from 1664 to 1669, and three terms as deputy governor (1669-1672). Clarke died in Newport on April 20, 1676. His will set up a trust to be used "for the relief of the poor or bringing up of children unto learning from time to time forever." This trust is generally considered to be the oldest educational trust fund in the United States.