Jacob son of Abbot Clark of Preston, labourer, and Letitia (baptismal record)
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In 1861 Jacob Clark (31) of Lyneham, ag. lab, and wife Elizabeth (31) of Cliff Pypard were living in Tockenham Row, Lyneham. With them were children: William (7) of Wootton Bassett, and born in Lyneham... Abott (5), Mary (3), John (9 mo).
In 1871 Jacob Clark (41) of Lyneham, ag lab, and wife Elizabeth (40) of Cliff Pypard were living in Tockenham Row Cottage, Lyneham. At home were children: Abbot (15), Mary (13), Sunday scholar, John (11), ag lab, David (6), scholar, Sarah (4), scholar, Tom (2).
In 1881 Jacob Clark (50) of Lyneham, ag. lab, and wife Elizabeth (50) of Cliffe were living in Lyneham. With them were son Thomas (12) of Lyneham, mother Letitia Clark (88) of Cliffe, widow, pauper.
In 1891 Jacob Clark (59) of Lyneham, agric labourer, and wife Elizabeth (60) of Cliffe Pypard were living in Preston Lane Lyneham.
In 1911 Jacob Clark (80) of Preston Lyneham, widower, old age pensioner, was with his son David and his family at 8 Norfolk Gardens, Lower Addiscombe Rd, Croydon, Surrey.
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ALMOST A CENTENARIAN.
Death of Mr. Jacob Clark, of Preston
The death has occurred at the hamlet of Preston, Lyneham, of a really remarkable man—Mr. Jacob Clark. He was born on August 10th, 1830, and he would therefore have been 100 years of age had he lived another four months. He had resided in Preston practically all his life, working on the land. He retained all his faculties and was conscious until a few minutes before the end. His wife died some years ago.
Mr. Clark leaves a large family, and it is a noteworthy fact that the majority of them are in receipt of the old age pension.
In politics he was a staunch Liberal, and just before the last General Election he remarked, "I want to live to see this election, and to vote for the Liberal candidate, and see the Liberals in power again." He was one of the very few men alive to-day who attended the great Free Trade meeting which was held at Goatacre in 1842, and well remembered the enthusiasm displayed at that time.
Almost a life-long member of the Primitive Methodist Church, he was well acquainted with all the chapels in the Brinkworth Circuit. He heard Hugh Bourne, the founder of the Primitive Methodist Connexion, preach. He was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church for over half a century, and a total abstainer for 60 years.
At the funeral, which took place on Wednesday afternoon, there was a crowded congregation, and the service was impressively conducted by the Rev. F. W. Harper (Wootton Bassett), and the Rev. F. N. Greenwell (Brinkworth). The interment was in Lyneham Churchyard.
The chief mourners were deceased's eldest son, William (who came from Leicester in order to be present), and his five other sons and his daughter, Mrs. Osborn.
There were many beautiful wreaths.
North Wilts Herald, 25 April 1930, p. 7
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LYNEHAM.
IN THE "HUNGRY FORTIES"
Descendants of the Fifth Generation.
Had he lived until August 10 next, Mr Jacob Clarke would have celebrated his 100th birthday, but he has just passed away in the house in which he was born in Preston, Lyneham.
He leaves five sons and one daughter, and there are 16 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and five of the fifth generation.
He became bailiff on the farm on which he commenced work at the age of ten, and members of the family have been engaged on the same holding for over 200 years.
The deceased lived through four reigns, was a total abstainer for 60 years, and in politics a staunch Liberal. He brought up a family on less than 12s. a week, and had a vivid recollection of the "Hungry Forties."
Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 10 May 1930, p. 7
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