BAY COUNTY BEACON

Panama City, Florida

March 30, 1923

GOV. CLARK's MONUMENT AND REMAINS MOVED TO GEORGIA

    On Monday afternoon of this week an interesting and historic event took place in Old Town, St. Andrews, when the remains of Gov. John Clark, his wife, Nancy Clark, and their two grandchildren were disinterred from their graves where they have rested for nearly 100 years.

    Recently the State Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution of Georgia decided they would like to have the bodies of these historic characters and the monuments marking their graves removed to the National Cemetery of Marietta, Georgia, and they took the matter up, and last Monday Mrs. W. B. Smith, representing the D. A. R., and her husband superintended the removal of the monuments and the excavating for the remains. Mr. James Asbell had charge of the work, and the marble monument and slabs were first removed in sections and the digging was then begun. This work was done well and thoroughly and a detail search was made of all dirt taken from the graves.

    Very little remained of the bodies. The outlines of the coffins were plainly seen by pieces of rotten wood and many pieces of rotted wood were found. Many nails or screws, all similar in design, were found at stated intervals around the edge of coffins. Other pieces of rusty metal, supposed to be handles, were found, and some bones, although it was impossible to determine if bones were really found as the pieces thought to be bones were too much rotted. The most important fine was a silver coin found in the grave of one of the grandchildren. The date, 1821, was plainly visible, and the coin resembled a dime. A small hole was in the coin, evidently showing the coin had been about the neck of one of the children.

    Everything that was found in the graves was packed into a box, and taken to Marietta, Georgia, by Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

    The State Convention of the D. A. R. of Georgia, is to take place on April 4th and 5th, and the ceremonies connected with the removal of Gov. Clark will take place on April 6th.

    The monuments and slabs were shipped by Mr. Asbell.

    The inscriptions on the monuments tell a sad story, and one of historical interest. The main marble monument had the following inscriptions:


				   JOHN CLARK                                                                      
                    		Born Feb. 28th, 1766
                   		Died Oct. 12th, 1832
              	"As an officer he was vigilant:
                   As statesman, energetic and faithful;
                And as a father and friend, devoted
                                             And sincere."
                                       NANCY CLARK
                                 Born May 1st, 1774
                               Died Oct. 26th, 1832
                 "This wife, mother and Christian in all
                            Not from the cold dictate of duty, but
                     The warm affection of a pure and virtuous mind"
"Here repose the remains of John Clark, late Governor of Georgia, and Nancy Clark, his wife."  
                          "Monument erected by surviving Children"
                                                                        ANN W. CAMPBELL
                                                                                    and
                                                                           WILEY P. CLARK
                                                                                    1836

    The slab over the grandchildren also born suitable inscriptions. Soon after the United States took Florida, John Clark came to St. Andrews Bay in 1827, from Georgia. General Andrew Jackson appointed him to take care of the Government land in this section and he built a fine house and lived there until he died in 1832.

    He died of yellow fever, and his wife survived him only a few days.

    The grave and monument of Gov. Clark, located in the yard of Mrs. Henry Moore's place on the Beach Drive, has always been a point of interest, and it is to be regretted that such a historical land mark should be removed.


First put on line 4 Jun 2001.
You are visitor since 21 Jul 2011 -- thanks for stopping by!
Main page

Tim Stowell / Chattanooga, TN
© 2001-2011


Last updated: 19 Jan 2015