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Notes for Rebecca CLARKE

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Considerable discrepancy in the surname, marriage, and death dates for Rebecca can be found in the genealogical literature. The information presented in this genealogy is taken directly from an article by Christopher Gleason Clark entitled "The English Ancestry of Joseph Clark (1613-1683) of Dedham and Medfield Massachusetts", published in the "New England Historical and Genealogical Register", Volume 152, January 1998.

This article presents evidence firmly establishing the marriage of Rebecca Clarke to Ralph Wheelock on 17 May 1630, in Wramplingham, County of Norfolk, England. In addition, the article includes the Will of Rebecca's father, Thomas Clarke, which references his grandaughter, Marye Wheelock (probably the first child of Ralph and Rebecca). The article also establishes the marriage between Elizabeth Clarke (Rebecca's sister) and George Barber. This, coupled with the fact that Ralph Wheelock refers to George Barber as his "brother-in-law" in his will, provides strong evidence that Ralph indeed married Rebecca Clarke, not Rebecca Barber, or Rebecca Wilkerson as has been reported elsewhere.

For reference, conflicting genealogies can be found as follows:

NAME - "Rebecca Wilkerson": Richardson, Ruth Ellsworth, Samuel Richardson (1602-1658) and Josiah Ellsworth (1629-1689) Some Descendants, p. 562
MARRIED - "June 6, 1636": Richardson, Ruth Ellsworth, Samuel Richardson (1602-1658) and Josiah Ellsworth (1629-1689) Some Descendants, p. 562
DEATH - "circa 1654, Medfield, MA": Mackenzie, George Norbury, LL.B., Colonial Families of the United States of America", vol. 2, Baltimore, MD, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1966, p. 747 "circa 1650": Richardson, Ruth Ellsworth, Samuel Richardson (1602-1658) and Josiah Ellsworth (1629-1689) Some Descendants, p. 562
FATHER - "Ralph Wilkinson": Richardson, Ruth Ellsworth, Samuel Richardson (1602-1658) and Josiah Ellsworth (1629-1689) Some Descendants, p. 562