"Portrait of a Clergyman"
by Guilliam de Ville, c. 1659;
believed to be John Clarke.
Oil on canvas, 50 1/2" x 42 1/2"
Redwood
Library Painting Collection
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Dr. John Clarke
b. Westhorpe, Suffolk County, England,
October 8, 1609
d. Newport, RI, April 20, 1676
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Physician, minister, statesman and pioneer of religious liberty, he was
one of the cofounders who purchased this island from the Indians on March
24,1638. He signed the agreement on April 28,1639, thus marking the establishment
of Newport.
As the first Baptist minister, Dr. John Clarke (not Roger Williams) is
generally considered to be the founder of the Baptist faith in this country.
Dr. Clarke was responsible for the first written constitution guaranteeing
the right to religious freedom. As the author of the Charter of Rhode Island
of 1663, he secured it with the signature and seal of King Charles II on
July 8,1663. It stipulated that this colony would now be known as "The
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations."
As stated in the words of Dr. Clarke, inscribed on the west facade of the
Capitol in Providence, "That it is much on their hearts (if they may be
permitted) to hold forth a lively experiment, that a most flourishing civil
state may stand and best be maintained, and that among our English subjects,
with a full liberty in religious concern ments."
According to Wilbur Nelson,'s The Life of Dr. John Clarke, which
states "In it, absolute religious freedom was, for the first time in the
history of the world, secured and guaranteed. It was so democratic, both
in letter and in spirit, that doubts were entertained in England whether
the King had a right to grant it."
During Dr. Clarke's tenure in England as the agent of the colony, he supported
himself by mortgaging his property here in order to maintain the necessary
funds to complete his endeavors.
On April 20,1676, the day Dr. John Clarke died, he wrote his will which,
in part, asked that a trust be created for educational purposes. This document
instructed that income from the trust be used "for the relief of the poor
or bringing up of children unto learning from time to time forever." It
further instructed the administrative body of three trustees and their
successors "have a special regard and care to provide for those that fear
the Lord."
Currently, the John Clarke Trust is the oldest educational trust fund in
the U.S. The original document has been preserved by the Newport Historical
Society.
The Redwood has in its possession a portrait believed to be Dr. Clarke,
titled "Portrait of a Clergyman" done by Guilliam de Ville c. 1659.
The church of Dr. Clarke, in which he served until his death, is now known
as the United Baptist Church, John Clarke Memorial, of Newport. The current
edifice dates to 1846 and is located on Spring Street.
Dr. John Clarke is buried in the cemetery on Dr. Marcus Wheatland Boulevard
across the street from the rear of the Newport Police Station.
Bibliography
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