Ephraim Fitch Clark

Narrative:

     Ephraim Fitch Clark was born on 6 Apr 1811 in Pawlet, Vermont.^5,6,7
     He was probably one of the two males under age 10 listed in the household of his father, Asahel Clark, in the 1820 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.¹² He was probably the male age 15 to 20 listed in the household of his father, Asahel Clark, in the 1830 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont.¹³
     Ephraim married Jane Ann Cobb, daughter of Joshua D. Cobb and Nancy F. Clark, and his first cousin once removed, on 24 Oct 1831 in Pawlet, Vermont, with Rev. E. W. Plumb officating.^8,9
     Ephraim appeared on the 1840 Federal Census with a household consisting of one male age 20 to 30 (himself), one female under age 5 (daughter Ellen) one age 5 to 10 (Adelia), and one age 20 to 30 (wife Jane.)¹⁴
     He was a farmer in 1840, and became an inn keeper by 1850.^15,3
     Ephraim and Jane appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Pawlet, Rutland Co., Vermont, enumerated 28 Oct 1850. Their children Ellen, Adelia and Mary were listed as living with them. Also listed in the household were three apparently long-term guests in their inn, Oliver L. Hill, a laborer who would marry their eldest daughter within a year, and two pedlars, Thomas Bassford and Franklin Robinson.³
     Ephraim and Jane moved their family west, into New York, on the Hudson River, by 1855. They continued in the hospitality business, with Ephraim in 1855 calling himself a tavern keeper, and in 1860 a hotel keeper.^16,17 They appeared on the 1855 State Census of Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., New York, enumerated 22 Jun 1855, reporting they were living in a framed house valued at $4,000. Their children Ellen, Adelia and Mary were listed as living with them, as were Ellen's husband, Oliver L. Hill, and their son, Frank. Also listed were five men ranging in age from 19 to 33, apparently residents at their tavern. Four of them were leather workers, perhaps working in Oliver's tannery.¹⁸
     By 1860 he was the proprietor of the Farm House, on State St., above Washington. By 1861 it was known as the Abby Hotel, at the same address.¹⁹
     Ephraim and Jane appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., New York, enumerated 6 Jul 1860, reporting no real estate, but personal estate of $300. Their children Adelia and Mary were listed as living with them, as were their grandson, Frank C. Hill, and his father, Oliver L. Hill. A Jane Hill, age 23 is listed with him, suggesting their daughter had died and he had remarried. Also listed was James Colisby Howland, a bar keeper, perhaps in the hotel, and the future husband of their daughter Mary. There were four others listed, apparently residents at the hotel: two ladies, Abba and Frances Peebles, and two girls aged 12 and 6, Frances and Catherine Austin.²⁰
     He was working as a blacksmith by 1868, using the name E. Fitch Clark, possibly to avoid confusion with another Ephraim Clark who had been a blacksmith in the city for many years.^21,22
     Ephraim and Jane appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Lansingburgh, Rensselaer Co., New York, in the household of their daughter Adelia and her husband, Nate Hubbard.²²
     Ephraim apparently died between 1870 and 1875, as his wife had moved to Orange Co. and was living without him with their daughter and her husband in 1875.^10,11