Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Clarke, James (1798-1861)

by Warwick William Wroth

CLARKE, JAMES (1798–1861), antiquary, of Easton in Suffolk, born in 1798, was a diligent collector of antiquities of various kings, particularly of those found in his own county. He became a member of the British Archæological Association in 1847, and took great interest in its proceedings. He was a frequent exhibitor at its meeting of coins and other antiquities, of which he contributed short notices to the pages of its journal, none, however, of great importance. Among his communications may be mentioned the following: Various pennies of Henry III, mostly of the London mint, found at the base of the barbican of Framlingham Castle (Journ. Brit. Arch. Assoc. vi. 452); various coins found at Brandeston, Letheringham, and Easton (ib. x. 90); coins of Charles II found at Earlsham, and medals of Charles I from Halesworth (ib. x. 190); coins of Edward III, Henry VIII, Elizabeth, and Alexander of Scotland found in Suffolk (ib. xiii. 348); account of a Roman vault at Rosas Pit, containing urns, bones, &c. (ib. viii. 160); three rubbings of brasses and a notice of mural paintings in Easton Church (ib. x. 179, 180). Other communications relate to seals, rings, &c. In 1849 Clarke published an odd little volume in verse, entitled ‘The Suffolk Antiquary; containing a brief sketch of the sites of ancient castles, abbeys, priories … also notices of ancient coins and other antiquities found in the county … concluding with a petition for calling in all defaced coins, and other changes to quiet the public mind,’ by J. Clarke, Woodbridge and Framlingham, 1849, 12mo (pp. 1–48). It contains some scraps of local information, but is justly described by its author as ‘doggerel rhyme.’ Clarke’s last exhibition at the association was made in April 1801. For some time previously his health had been failing, and he died on 25 Sept. of that year at the age of sixty-three.

[Journal of Brit. Archæol. Assoc, vol. xviii. (1862), Proceedings, pp. 367-8; Clarke's Suffolk Antiquary.]

W. W.