CLARKE, John, American clergyman: b. Suffolk, England, 8 Oct. 1609; d. Newport, R. I., 26 April 1676. He was a physician in London, and came to Massachusetts soon after its first settlement; but being one of the friends of Anne Hutchinson, was obliged to flee with her and her associates from that colony. Pro ceeding to the south, they were welcomed by Roger Williams to his vicinity, formed them selves into an organization, and obtained from the Indians a district to which they gave the name of the Isle of Rhodes or Rhode Island. The settlement commenced in 1638, at Pocasset, and Clarke began to employ himself as a preacher. In 1644 he founded at Newport the second Baptist church in America, and became its pastor. Venturing a few years later to preach in the vicinity of Boston, he was ar rested by an officer of the government, was called first before a parish meeting and then be fore the court, and was condemned for what were adjudged false teachings, to pay a fine of 20 pounds or be publicly whipped. In 1651 he was sent to England in company with Roger Williams as an agent of the colony of Rhode Island, and published there a book entitled
obtaining a revocation of Mr. Coddington's com mission as governor, and remained in Eng land after the return of Williams, till at the end of a 12 years' mission he had procured a second charter for the colony, which secured to every person at all times his own judgment and con science in matters of religious concernment. Bancroft alludes to him in his history. as °the modest and virtuous Clarke, the persevering and disinterested envoy." Upon his return in 1663 he resumed the pastorate of his church at New port, which he retained till his death. He served in the general assembly from 1664 to 1669, be came deputy governor in 1669 and 1671, and afterward codified the Rhode Island laws. In his will he left his farm for charitable purposes, the income of it only to be expended; and it has since produced annually about $200. Con sult Richman,