Stone memorializing Abraham Clark

Item

Legacies Classification
Memorial Object
Memorial Type
Plaque/Marker
Memorial Context
Memorialized Subject
Clark, Abraham
Title
Stone memorializing Abraham Clark
Background and Context
The “Walk of Fame” was created in 1929 by then-president Hamilton Holt to honor significant historical figures. The memorial is located in the center of campus around Mills Lawn.

The stone was taken from the approximate site of the original Clark estate by Marie Howe in Rochelle, NJ. The original Clark house burned down in 1900, but a replica of the house was built a block away from the original location in 1941.

Abraham Clark (1726-1794) served in the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence, and later served in the United States Congress. He was born in Elizabethtown, PA, but lived in Rochelle, NJ for a majority of his life. He was a prominent lawyer who refused pay for his legal advice. This led him being called the 'poor man's councilor'. He owned 3 slaves, but provided documents that would free them upon his death in 1794. In 1786, The New Jersey legislature, in coordination with Clark, passed 'An Act to prevent the importation of Slaves...and to authorize the manumission of them under certain restrictions and to prevent the abuse of slaves.' This act allowed slaves to manumit if given written permissions from their owner.
Holt, Hamilton
Physical Description
a 1 foot by 10 inches stone plaque with a smaller stone imbedded in it
Memorial Inscription
Abraham Clark.
Elizabeth N.J.
Creator/Participating Person(s)
Howe, Marie
Holt, Hamilton
Date created, installed or dedicated
September 26, 1937
Funded by
Marie Howe
Campus Location
Location: Institution, City, State
Wikidata

Position: 2259 (36 views)