Sarah HOWARD became a member Dorchester church in 1636 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony.(5154) She moved before 18 Apr 1661 to Northampton, Hampshire, MA.(5155) She died on 6 Sep 1675 in Northampton, Hampshire, MA. (5156)(5157) (5158)(5159) (5160)(5161) According to Trumbull (245), she died in 1676. Cutter (640) says it was 16 Sep 1675. Parents: Robert HOWARD and Mary .

She married to Judge Lieutenant William CLARK before 1636.(5162) (5163)(5164) According to Richardson (448), her name was Sarah HOWARD. According to Trumbull, "William Clarke may be considered the father of [Northampton]. He was a Town officer and was among the first recorded jurors of the court. The court heard cases regarding slander, personal debts of residents, duties of "watchinge," liquor licenses, effluent from the mill, the choosing of residents for militia duty, appointment of county treasurer, recording of wills, and construction of a bridge over Mill River.

Trumbull called Clarke, "One of the 'Dorchester men' who arrived here soon after the settlement of Mr. Mather, he remained, to the end, the firm and faithful friend of his pastor. A man of quiet dignity, self-contained, and ready of resource, he bore a more conspicuous part in the early history of the town, than any others who lived here during the first twenty years of its existence." Clarke was "one of the most influential among the founders of the town. His reputation as a man of business preceded him, and he was at once put forward in many affairs of public importance, and so continued, a leader, till old age compelled him to give place to younger but scarcely better men. A man of great public spirit, resolute and capable, he was sure to be employed by the town in conducting any of its businesses requiring skill, knowledge, tact, and determination. He was a hard worker, a pioneer in the best sense of the term. Enduring hardship with cheerfulness, meeting difficulty half way, conquering oftener that conquered, he stands one of the most prominent among the promoters of the plantation. Founder of a numerous family that has had worthy representatives during the entire history of the town, and whose descendants are scattered throughout the land, his name I honored and respected wherever it is found."

In 1668, William was chosen to deal with local Indian insurgences. In 1670, he was chosen to select a new minister. In 1672, he contributed to Harvard College (10 bushels of wheat).

His wife's surname may have been QUICK. Children were: Sarah CLARK, Deacon Jonathan CLARK, Nathaniel CLARK, Experience CLARK, Increase CLARK, Rebecca CLARK, John CLARK, Samuel CLARK, Captain William CLARK, Sarah CLARK.