Brooklyn Eagle
Oct. 18, 1897
Funeral of David Mills Clark, a Descendant of One of the Wallabout Prison Ship Martyrs.
Brookhaven, L.I., October 18- The funeral of David Mills Clark, who died on Thursday last, was held yesterday at his home, the Rev. R.P. Christopher officiating. Mr. Clark was born at Middle Island October 9 1806, but had lived at Brookhaven nearly all his life. He was a revolutionary stock. His grandfather, William Clark, was first lieutenant of Captain Selah Strong’s company of militia men in 1776, the regiment being known as the Brookhaven Company. Lieutenant Clark’s house at Middle Island was surrounded one night by British soldiers and Tories, but upon the alarm given by a faithful slave, Clark escaped to a dismal swamp. He was finally captured, however, and placed in the Jersey prison ship in Wallabout bay. After peace was declared, Lieutenant Clark was released, but on his way home he was taken sick and died, having never seen his family after escaping his house and hiding in the swamp. The Clark family has always been noted for its longevity.