Clarke, Robert (1771 -1824)

The Reverend Robert Clarke was the only son of the Reverend Sir Sloughter Clarke, Baronet, and Honour, daughter and coheir of Robert Andrews, of Hexham. He was educated at Houghton le Spring School, and Christ's College, Cambridge, which he entered 29 April 1789, matriculated and was elected a Scholar the same year, and took his B.A. in 1793 and his M.A. in 1796. He was ordained deacon at York 1 July 1798, and priest 21 July 1799, served as Curate of Warmfield in Yorkshire, and succeeded his father as Lecturer of Hexham from 1801 to 1824. He married, in 1808, Martha, daughter and coheir of Charles Shafto, of Hexham, who is said to have brought with her a fortune of £70,000.